Lincolnshire Pride March 2023

What a diverse county Lincolnshire is. Quite beyond the thriving modern city of Lincoln there are market towns, quiet villages, the expansive Fens and undulating Wolds, not to mention the Lincolnshire coast. All of these landscapes are many more delights are celebrated in the books of local author Jon Fox, who has recently published his third book using the Witham as an allegory for the county. We’ll feature his new book in this edition and having enjoyed its presence on my own coffee table for a month or so, please take it from me, it comes highly recommended!

Elsewhere? Heroes. We’re this month meeting the pilots and medics of Lincolnshire’s Air Ambulance service which has had its busiest ever year in 2022. We wanted to remind ourselves and our readers why this service – funded entirely by charity – is so important. We’ll meet some of the county’s other charities too, to celebrate their work and in doing so, hopefully raise their profile a little.

Finally, we’ve a trip to Louth, we’ll enjoy Dining Out at The Brownlow Arms and we’ll spend some time with Lincolnshire born poet, Alfred Lord Tennyson.

Our best wishes, for a great month!

Executive Editor

robin@pridemagazines.co.uk

This month’s cover shows spring lambs gambolling around... a sure sign that blue skies, warmer weather, daffodils and new life are all on the way! We’re always looking for scenes of Lincolnshire to feature on our covers and in the magazine. If you’re a budding photographer, email your pictures to the address above!

NEWS & EVENTS

06 NEWS The best ‘good news’ stories from across the county including a £14m win for one Lincolnshire market town thanks to the Levelling Up fund.

HIGHLIGHTS

13 LINCOLNSHIRE CHARITIES

Highlighting the work of some extraordinary organisations right across Lincolnshire.

31 A FRESH LOOK AT LOUTH

We visit the East Lindsey town with heritage, green spaces and a sense of community.

38 ALONG THE WITHAM

Local author Jon Fox uses the third book in his series to pay homage to the Witham, its history and ecology.

44 REMEMBERING TENNYSON

As artwork from Tennyson’s Idylls of the King comes to Lincoln Castle, we meet the poet celebrated by University of Lincoln academic Dr Jim Cheshire.

FOOD & DRINK

48 DINING OUT A return visit to the consistently excellent Brownlow Arms, Lincolnshire Pride’s Restaurant of the Year in 2022.

52 RECIPES & WINE Delicious dining for British Pie Week.

HOMES & GARDENS

60 WELCOME HOME A stunning barn conversion with a garden room perfect for enjoying spring.

68 HOMES March inspiration.

88 GARDENS Outdoor living trends.

LIFESTYLE

102 MOTORS Mini’s brand new convertible is open for business.

109 FASHION Spring style for March.

115 HIGH LIFE Farmers’ Ball.

126 WEDDINGS Tom & Amelia share their special day with us.

THE WEALTHIEST PEOPLE IN THE AREA READ PRIDE MAGAZINE

Pride Magazine is delivered free of charge, via Royal Mail, to high value homes in the county. Our circulation is to homes in the top three council tax bands, which are predominantly worth over £300,000. This guarantees the magazine has an affluent readership commensurate with our content. The magazine is also sold in leading newsagents and supermarkets and we also deliver the magazine to local businesses including selected hotels, restaurants, coffee shops, doctors, dentists, executive motor dealerships and golf clubs. This helps to ensure we have a continued presence, right across our catchment area. Our titles also have more social media fans than any other local magazine. In addition we have over 45,000 online visitors viewing our magazines free of charge, online, on their tablet, computer, laptop or mobile phone via our website, our app, and via the Readly and Issuu platforms.

If your business would benefit from being showcased to the wealthiest people in the area, please call our friendly sales team on 01529 469977.

THE PRIDE TEAM

Managing Director: Julian Wilkinson.

Sales Director: Zoie Wilkinson.

Customer Service Manager: Abby Moon.

Sales Executives: Kim Alford and Tamara Mortimer.

Executive Editor: Rob Davis.

Customer Care Manager: Mandy Bray.

Accounts Manager: Joanna Burns.

IT Manager: Ian Bagley.

Web Developer: Joe Proctor.

Office Manager: Chloe Watson.

Administrator: Bethany Freeman-Burdass

Celebrating a life dedicated to caring

HOWARD STRAUGHEN-SIMPSON RETIRES AFTER HIS 60-YEAR CAREER...

A nurse who has dedicated more than 60 years of his life to supporting patients and colleagues hopes his story will inspire others to join the ‘most rewarding’ profession.

Howard StraughenSimpson joined the NHS as a cadet nurse in 1962 when he was just 17 years old and has recently finally retired from his most recent role supporting colleagues in local hospitals.

“I have always been proud to be a nurse. It has never been well paid, and when I started my nurse training my salary for the year was £290, however the feeling of helping others provided me with immeasurable reward, and that has never gone away.”

“The one thing I would say is that I would do the same if I had my time again. I have no regrets at all. To anyone thinking about joining the profession, starting as a cadet

nurse is brilliant. It gives you an opportunity to learn all about the job and it shows you the reality of what is involved.”

“I realise that students in nursing train in other ways, but the principle in my mind remains the same, that one must know what is involved in the science and art of nursing and the impact those two aspects can have on a person.”

During COVID pandemic Howard spent his time supporting NHS staff on the front line by going to different units and some wards and providing a listening ear: “I saw for myself what they were going through supporting patients and families and my role was to support them,” he says.

To mark his retirement, colleagues his presented Howard with a replica of the George Cross medal that was awarded to the NHS by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. n

As this edition of Pride appears in shops, Lincoln Cathedral will host a stunning light and sound installation which will transform the interior of the building into a giant canvas.

‘Life’ by Luxmuralis, will see the historic spaces bathed in stunning images and designs, complemented by an evocative soundtrack. The installation will take visitors on an immersive journey from dawn to dusk, through the natural world.

It is the first time that Lincoln Cathedral has hosted a light and sound show and there is great anticipation for

the event which will transform the whole of the Cathedral floor including the nave, St Hugh’s Choir, the transepts, allowing visitors to see the spaces as never before.

The Very Revd Christine Wilson, Dean of Lincoln, says: “This fantastic building has for centuries sat as a beacon of light across the city, so it is fitting that now we’ll be using light to tell the fascinating story of life in all its many forms. It will be an exciting, colourful and entertaining experience for everyone to enjoy.”

n Life by Luxmuralis will run from 15th February to 18th February, see www.lincolncathedral.com.

LINCOLN

LINCOLN

£8m for Alford & Spilsby

THREE HISTORIC SITES TO BENEFIT FROM £8M LEVELLING UP FUND FROM THE GOVERNMENT

International award for Ancaster Leisure...

SLEAFORD

Lincolnshire

karting and leisure facility

Three historic sites are set to benefit from £8m Levelling Up funding from the Government.

£2.5m is going to Alford Manor House to create a permanent function space as well as the relocation and improvement of the tearoom and kitchen, freeing up space for improved displays within the museum.

£1.1m is secured for Alford Windmill to help save the

historic mill which is now on the Heritage at Risk register. Work will see the mill restored and reopen as a major attraction, including a new visitor experience, café and shop.

Spilsby Sessions House is to be supported too, to bring the building back into use as a theatre and community-owned space. MP Victoria Atkins said she was delighted by the news of the ‘transformational funding.’ n

Heritage Lincolnshire’s new CEO

TRACY STRINGFELLOW WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SIX HERITAGE SITES, OPEN DAYS & HERITAGE TRAILS

Ancaster Leisure has beaten 11 other countries to take pole position in an international competition to be named Best Rental Kart Track. The karting track was created 25 years ago by Richard Johnson adjacent to the family’s farm. The 1,000 acre site also has a bowling alley, plus archery, airsoft and paintball facilities. n

Heritage

Lincolnshire has appointed Tracy Stringfellow as its new CEO. The organisation ensures that Lincolnshire’s heritage is understood and valued, for future generations. It is the most active Buildings Preservation Trust in the East Midlands and has become one of the UK’s leading regional heritage bodies. Tracy’s background is in the heritage sector, having worked for Royal Greenwich Heritage Trust for the last eight years and previously for the Royal borough of Greenwich. She will now be responsible for local sites including Kirton’s Old King’s Head, Boston’s Hussey Tower and Bolingbroke Castle. n

NKDC has received funding from the Tarmac Landfill Community Fund to give North Hykeham’s Terry O’Toole theatre a £33,000 refurbishment in time for its 20th anniversary. The theatre’s 200 seats and its performance area are all set to be replaced. n

LOCAL NEWS

In Brief LINCOLN

A purr-fect way to raise money for charity...

NORTH KESTEVEN

Makeover

£33,000

A campus cat who is one of the most popular figures among staff and students at Bishop Grosseteste University has recently raised £500 for local charity Lincoln Cat Care, by appearing in his own charity calendar.

Johnty is described as the University’s mascot and rodent control officer, and is popular in the BGU community. His calendar was produced with a little help from the University’s reprographics department and sold for £3.50. Funds raised from its sale were presented to Lincoln Cat Care Trustee Liz Thomson by Professor Peter Neil, the Vice-Chancellor of BGU last month. n

LINCOLNSHIRE

ALFORD & SPILSBY

Levelling Up cash for Boston vision

£14.8M GRANT BACKS BOSTON BOROUGH COUNCIL’S FUTURE PLANS

Boston Borough Council has successfully secured £14.8m from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund to kick-start regeneration and secure further investment to the heart of the town centre.

Boston’s Rosegarth Square masterplan seeks to revitalise and repurpose the area between the River Witham and the bus station – particularly focusing on the area of the former Dunelm/B&M building and the vacant Crown House building.

A new public park, spanning the area between the river and the Len Medlock Centre will provide a new place for people. Improved pedestrian routes, artwork and other features seek to create an inviting, safe, accessible and enjoyable place for all, as well as offering significant environmental enhancements.

LOCAL NEWS In Brief

GREAT NEWS FOR CHOCOHOLICS AS SPRINGFIELDS WELCOMES CADBURY...

Cadbury will open an outlet store at Springfields near Spalding as Pride goes to press. The outlet store will include a bespoke hot chocolate and ice cream station and will feature Cadbury-themed gifts as well as the company’s most popular chocolate treats! n

The announcement comes as several regeneration and improvement projects start to take shape in Boston following Town Deal funding from the Government, also part of the

Levelling Up agenda. Historic shop fronts are being renovated as part of plans to attract more investment; improvements at Boston Railway Station are proposed and

South Kesteven thinks pink

UNMISSABLE PINK LORRY IN GRANTHAM SHOWS

SKDC’S SUPPORT FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

other projects will transform health, wellbeing and education through the Boston Leisure and Mayflower projects to create new opportunities for residents. n

The launch of an unmissable bright pink refuse collection lorry in Grantham is a colourful demonstration of the Council’s continuing support for the Breast Friends Grantham, a support group formed by breast cancer survivor and for SKDC employee Rachael Bradley.

The group, open to men and women, now has 120 members from across the district. Lorry supplier, Dennis Eagle, were delighted to support such a good cause with a pink paint job. The vehicle was always scheduled for delivery to join the fleet, so there was no extra cost to the council. n

GRANTHAM

BOSTON

• Superb Luxury Executive 5 Bedroomed House in Desirable Residential Location Close to Fantastic Leisure Amenities

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• Attractive 4/5 Bedroomed House and Commercial Premises Set in 3.6 Acres with Swimming Pool

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• Over 7,000sqft of Retail Showrooms, Workshops and Stores

• Horticultural and Garden Machinery Business Available Separately

• Spacious and Well Appointed Five Bedroomed Detached House in 3.22 Acres

• Unique Opportunity to Acquire a Superb Modern Dwelling

• 4 Reception Rooms, Large Modern Fitted Kitchen Diner, Separate Utility Room

• 5 Bedrooms, 2 En-Suites, Integral Double Garage, Mature Gardens, Paddocks and Pond

THERE to CARE

This month we’re raising the profile of local charities which aim to save lives and look after the county we live in...

Image: Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance pilot Llewis, image by Electric Egg.

SAVING LIVES ACROSS THE COUNTY WITH

The Lincs & Notts

Air Ambulance Service

Just before Christmas, the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance confirmed that it had experienced its busiest year ever, responding to over 1,620 missions during the previous 12 months and providing 24/7 care via both road-going advanced paramedics and its air ambulance service, which is now flying a greater number of hours than ever thanks to its night-flying capabilities

IN 2022 the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance (LNAA) confirmed that it had experienced its busiest year ever, responding to 1,620 potentially life-saving missions, delivering 24/7 care to patients across Lincolnshire by helicopter and critical care car. It was 30 missions more than the previous year and that number looks to further increase as the charity has expanded to being fully night flying capable.

All impressive achievements, underpinned by the reality that any one of us within the service’s 3,500m2 catchment area, could need the service to ensure the best chance of survival after incidents such as road traffic collisions, cardiac arrests and violent crime.

Since its inception in 1994, the charity has flown more than 27,000 missions and saved the lives of people whose survival depended on the speedy arrival of the service.

Next year, LNAA will celebrate its 30th year and it is putting out the call for anyone who has been helped by the charity in the past to get in touch with their stories or simply to access support.

Patient and Families Lead, Hayley Burton said: “We now have an aftercare service in which we can really help and support people affected by an incident they may have been involved in or are affected by.

Where possible, we also arrange for former patients, their families and friends to come and see the crew, the helicopter and have the opportunity to ask any questions.”

Almost 30 years since the charity’s maiden voyage and with our communities grateful for the service, a few lesser understood facts about the service still persist….

The charity needed £8m to operate last year but with the expansion into night flying

and the vision to be by the side of more patients, that figure is set to rise.

Each mission costs on average £4,000 and this is all made possible by the generosity of supporters who leave gifts in their Wills, play the LNAA lottery or make regular donations.

Businesses and organisations are also tirelessly fundraising for the charity all year round.

Think about LNAA and the thing that comes to mind is the familiar sight of the yellow helicopter. But the charity also operates critical care cars in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.

These cars carry the same equipment as the helicopter giving the crew the same capabilities across both assets in being able to deliver blood transfusions, intubation or give anaesthetics. >>

Words: Rob Davis. Photo: Air Ambulance pilot Llewis Ingamells, by Electric Egg.

Funded by Charity

Some still believe that our local Air Ambulance service is fully or partly funded by the NHS or by central or local government. Not true. Every penny of the service’s £8m annual costs are raised by the charity.

>> Llewis Ingamells is Chief Pilot with the service, born and raised in Boston. Having trained as a pilot in Sandtoft in the mid-2000s he served as a commercial pilot for utility companies and an instructor before working as a pilot for the police. In 2016, his dream job came along… one he’d coveted since being a youngster.

“I must have been about 13 years of age when I first met the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance team at the Waddington Air Show,” he says. “I was awe-struck and that’s really what started my interest.

“Going back a number of years, the role of an air ambulance was a bit more ‘swoop and scoop.’ There was more of a focus on transporting a patient as soon as possible. The idea was that reaching, treating and delivering to hospital a patient within an hour would increase their chance of survival.”

While the speed of the helicopter remains highly important to a patient’s outcome, the team now focus on remaining at the scene for as long as it takes to deliver all of the treatments possible to save a life. The interventions the doctor and paramedic team carry out are at the forefront of emergency medicine.

The charity is always looking to innovate so that it can keep getting to more patients, wherever they are.

The service has extended the number of hours and weather conditions in which the helicopter can fly, with investment in night vision goggles. These, along with the capability of the aircraft, including a bright search light means the pilots can fly until 2am.

Llewis said: “What’s different about night flying is that the pilots need a’4D’ landing site which is four times the length of the he-

licopter and twice the width – just over half a football pitch! The daytime equivalent is 2D which is around one and a half tennis courts. Also at night, due to the pre-planning needed, it takes around 15 minutes from call to take off, whereas during the day it’s up to five minutes.

“At night it’s very hard to see poor weather and avoid it. The HVGs can see through some poor weather but this can be a risk in itself as much as it can be of benefit. Operating on scene in the dark is also challenging for the medical team treating the patients.”

Llewis added: “We’re seeing people on the worst day of their lives, but when outcomes are favourable you come away knowing that everyone associated with the charity is committed to providing a service that’s one of the best in the country, and which helps to support our NHS colleagues. We’re all proud to be able to provide this service for our communities.” n

Image: John Aron Photography.

CARE IN THE AIR

The Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance in Numbers

£8 million: The current cost of funding to keep the service operational each year.

169: Thanks to its public support, the service uses an AgustaWestland 169 helicopter – a top of the range Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) aircraft offering head to toe access to patients in flight. The crew also carry blood on board, allowing them to deliver potentially life-saving blood transfusions at the scene.

25,755: The number of missions the air ambulance has flown since the service began operating in 1994.

£4,000: The average cost of each mission.

24/7: LNAA provides a 24-hour service, seven days a week, enabling our clinical crew to give more people than ever the very best chance of survival. This level of care ensures it is at the forefront of Helicopter Emergency Medical Services in the UK.

3,500: The number of square miles that the service covers across Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.

2,500,000: The number of people the air ambulance provides medical support to across Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire

216mph: The aircraft can reach a top speed of 216mph and has a cruising speed of 180mph; more three times faster than a land ambulance.

20: The number of minutes it takes the air ambulance to reach the furthest point in its catchment area.

Four: The average number of callouts a day. n

Support Your Air Ambulance Service: The Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance service is based on HEMS Way, Sleaford Road, Waddington, Lincoln LN4 2GW. Call 01522 548469 or see www.ambucopter.org.uk.

Image: John Aron Photography.

WHAT HAPPENED NEXT?

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOU MEET THE CREW OF THE AIR AMBULANCE?

>> After a collision between his motorcycle and a car, Joshua Marriott woke up in Nottingham’s Queen’s Medical Centre, having suffered a broken back and having been in a coma for six days. He knew that despite his injuries, he had to get out of bed as soon as possible.

“I told them I had a baby on the way and I had a business to run so they had me sat up the day I woke up,” he said. “They couldn’t believe how quickly I was recovering.”

The Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance took just four minutes to get to Joshua at Skellingthorpe from its base at RAF Waddington. “I don’t remember much but I do remember the Air Ambulance crew and them being really, really good,” says Joshua. “If it wasn’t for the air ambulance I wouldn’t be here today, and I wouldn’t have met my son, Lorenzo!” n

>> Following a horrific biking accident, Simon has raised an incredible £13k for LNAA. Together with a colleague at University Centre Grimsby, he recently organised a mammoth cycling challenge for staff and students which raised a further £3.3k. “What was meant to be a day of fun ended up as a lifechanging experience. I am eternally thankful to the Air Ambulance for saving my life.” n

Simon Bryson was cycling with his 13 year old son Euan at Willingham Woods when he suffered a horrific biking accident

>> Bradley was just eight years old when he had an accident during an off-road cycle race.

Dr Hancock, who treated Bradley said: “We were in a big, muddy field, not the easiest environment to work in. Bradley was in a lot of pain and getting cold as he was in thick mud. It was potentially really serious because there are vessels and nerves where he was injured so it could have caused a lot of damage.”

After receiving the prompt care from the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance Service, who could reach Bradley easily, even in a remote field, Bradley was able to get back on his bike, and last year, undertook a 31-mile charity cycle from Benniworth near Louth to the LNAA’s Bracebridge Heath base, raising £2,000 for the service which saved his life. n

“I managed to reach my 10th birthday, and completed a charity cycle ride for the Air Ambulance!”

“I survived my accident and became a father!”

BRADLEY, AGED 10, CYCLING ACCIDENT

“I was inspired to become a fundraiser!”

SIMON BRYSON BIKING ACCIDENT

JOSHUA (AND BABY LORENZO), LINCOLN, ROAD TRAFFIC COLLISION

in 2015.

Ways to help keep your local Air Ambulance service

n Donations: The Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance does not receive any direct government or NHS funding and so without public donations, the service could not continue. You can donate by calling 01522 548469 or online at www.ambucopter.org.uk.

n Play the Service’s Lottery: There’s £1,000 to win each week and up to £25,000 in the new Prizebuilder Game.

n Volunteering & Fundraising: Whilst pilots and medics are frequently recognised in features like this one, there’s a small army of absolutely committed volunteers in the charity’s shops and those who raise money for the service through sponsored events and other activities. These less often-sung heroes are essential to the service.

n Legacies,Trusts & Grants: Leaving a gift in your Will can make the difference to someone, somewhere in the counties of Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire. Visit ambucopter.org.uk/wills for more information.

n Keep inTouch: Facebook @Ambucopter or Twitter @LNAACT

Lives: The First Responder Charity...

LIVES (Lincolnshire’s Integrated Voluntary Emergency Service) provides a rapid Emergency Response for medical emergencies

LIVING in a rural county has its difficulties. Between the stunning Lincolnshire villages, market towns, and coastline are vast tracts of countryside; great for the view but difficult for accessibility – especially for those seeking emergency care. It can often take some time to reach someone experiencing a medical emergency, and in such circumstances, every second counts.

That’s where LIVES comes in. The service organises a network of life-saving Emergency Responders who are based within local communities, meaning that they can attend the scene of a 999 medical emergency rapidly, arriving on scene before the ambulance 84% of the time.

There are around 500 LIVES Emergency Responders based across the county; from a Community First Responder attending a cardiac arrest to a Critical Care Doctor performing life-saving surgery on the roadside; LIVES volunteer Emergency Responders have attended over 11,000 incidents over the past year, giving over 67,000 hours of their time to saving lives in our local communities.

What Can Your Donation Provide?

Every penny – or pound – you can spare LIVES will make a difference. Just £10 pays for a one litre oxygen bottle to help a patient with breathing difficulties.

The service not only provides local Emergency Responders on your doorstep, LIVES also has a dedicated Critical Care Car (callsign Medic 50) crewed by volunteer Critical Care Doctors and Paramedics who have advanced skills, giving them the ability to offer medical attention that others cannot such as sedation, surgical procedures and advanced pain relief – all at the scene of an incident. From February 2023, Medic 50 will also carry blood on the vehicle, an opportunity to give blood transfusions to patients giving an even better quality of care to those in the most critical need. The charity promotes the sharing of its lifesaving skills like CPR and offers a wide range courses like First Aid at Work.

LIVES recruits, trains and equip their Emergency Responders to give the very best care to Lincolnshire’s patients on their very worst day. It’s a costly service that requires £1.4million of charitable funding each year. The charity depends on fundraising and donations to continue its incredible work. n

Find Out More: LIVES (Lincolnshire Integrated Voluntary Emergency Service) is based in Horncastle and requires £1.4m a year to keep their volunteer Emergency Responders on the road and on duty. Donate to the service at www.lives.org.uk.

United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust Charity...

EACH YEAR United Lincolnshire Hospitals

NHS Trust roughly serves a population of over 750,000 people, on an average year our hospitals will treat in excess of 140,000 accident and emergency patients, over 600,000 outpatients, over 140,000 inpatients and its midwives deliver over 5,000 babies.

The Trust has its own charity, set up in 1996 to support our hospitals and the 9,000 people who work in them, to fund newer equipment, health and wellbeing initiatives and items to support our staff, across Lincoln County Hospital, Grantham and District Hospital, Pilgrim Hospital Boston and County Hospital Louth.

Recent work has included the creation of a sensory room at Pilgrim Hospital, the funding of an MRI scanner in Louth and funding outdoor space for staff as well as funding Christmas meals for staff who worked over the festive season.

This year the Charity will also celebrate 75 years of the NHS with a black tie ball at Doubletree by Hilton on Saturday 13th May, with tickets now available at £55/head. n

Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust

LINCOLNSHIRE’S WILDLIFE TRUST was established in 1948 and this year is celebrating 75 years of caring for wildlife and wild places from the Humber to The Wash. It is one of the oldest of 46 similar Wildlife Trusts covering the UK which are affiliated to the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts.

Together, the Wildlife Trusts look after over 2,300 nature reserves, 99 of these are in Lincolnshire. They include some of Lincolnshire most-loved sites such as Gibraltar Point, Snipe Dales, Whisby Nature Park and Far Ings.

The Trust is a registered charity with 26,000 members. Funds are raised through membership, dona-

tions, legacies and from grant-giving bodies such as The National Lottery. The money is spent on managing the nature reserves, providing opportunities for people to experience nature and on wider conservation initiatives like Dynamic Dunescapes, LoveLincsPlants and Nextdoor Nature which empowers communities to take action for nature in their local area. n

How Many Good Causes

There are about 166,000 charities in the UK, with a total annual turnover of just under £48bn. Charities in the UK spend over £40bn a year, and employ 827,000 people. Source: NCVO.

COSTING £1.6M EACH YEAR to maintain, Lincoln Cathedral has significant financial pressures, as well as ever-more pressing demands on its team for the protection and preservation of its fabric.

The building’s west front was recently the subject of a six-year conservation project, and now work is now taking place on a three year £1.5m project to conserve the building’s Chapter House. The work involves cleaning and conserving the stonework, carving replacement ashlars, replacing the carved embellishments and the parapet and cleaning and remediating the glazing and woodwork.

To help fund the project, you can support the appeal by sponsoring a stonemason from just £10, signing or carving your name on a stone or by adopting a piece of one of the Cathedral’s 140 stained glass windows from as little as £25. n

Lincoln Cathedral

Find Out More: Membership of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust is £27/individual, £33/joint membership, and provides access to the Trust’s sites as well as three editions of the Trust’s magazine, Lapwings, see www.lincstrust.org.uk.

Find Out More: For details on the Chapter House appeal and its aims, see www.lincolncathedral.com.

Heritage Lincolnshire

BASEDIN HECKINGTON, the charity Heritage Lincolnshire aims to enhance and protect Lincolnshire’s historic buildings, landscapes and its archaeology.

Created in 1988, and renamed Heritage Lincolnshire in 1991, the charity is the most active buildings preservation trust in the East Midlands and has become one of the UK’s leading regional heritage bodies.

Its work includes promoting learning and volunteer activities, community engagement, delivering conservation projects and undertaking archaeological fieldwork.

The organisation’s sites include Spilsby’s Bolingbroke Castle, Boston’s Hussey Tower, Tattershall College, Tupholme Abbey and Holbeach’s Underground Monitoring Post bunker as well as Kirton’s Old King’s Head, the former public house it renovated in 2021 which now serves as a café and community meeting space.

Donations from the public aren’t just a way of securing the conservation of Heritage Lincolnshire’s buildings, but also allow the charity to secure match funding from organisations like the Heritage Lottery Fund and English Nature – enabling Heritage Lincolnshire to continue to save threatened buildings. n

Find Out More: You can donate to Heritage Lincolnshire and view a range of Lincolnshirethemed products in the charity’s online hope at www.heritagelincolnshire.org.

Linkage Community Trust

PEOPLE with learning disabilities, autism or both should have opportunities and choice and be supported to achieve their aspirations.

That is the vision of Linkage Community Trust, a charity providing a range of high-quality services – including specialist further education, care, adult day services, and employability and support services –to enable individuals to develop skills and behaviours to live independent lives.

Linkage was established in 1976 in recognition that there was a distinct shortage of appropriate support to help people with varying degrees of learning difficulties and disabilities to lead creative and purposeful lives in the community. Today, the trust has almost 700 staff, working across 60 locations across Greater Lincolnshire and East Riding of Yorkshire, to provide opportunities that improve the lives of individuals. n

Donating to Good Causes

St Barnabas Hospice

Jerry Green Dog Rescue

ALL DOGS deserve a good life and a safe home. That was the belief of Jerry Green who founded a charity in 1961 to rescue and rehome stray and unwanted dogs. Today the charity has centres in Broughton, North Lincolnshire and near Boston.

The charity has a Meet & Match process to matchmake potential owners with the dogs in its care to ensure a happy ending and lots of waggy tales. n

People gave £11.3 billion to charity in the UK in 2020, up from £10.6 billion in 2019. The average monthly donation in the UK in 2021 was £49.

Source: www.nptuk.org

St Barnabas is the county’s leading charity providing palliative and end-of-life care to adults living with a life-limiting or terminal illness, with a vision that dignity, compassion and having choices are all fundamental rights throughout a person’s life.

Established in 1982, and with both an 11-bed unit in Lincoln and a six-bed unit in Grantham, the charity spends around £12m each year and in 2021/22 provided 600 people with over 2,300 hours of one-to-one counselling support, answering the phone to 798 calls to its Bereavement Helpine.

In 2021/2022, 2,905 people were cared for in their own home, whilst 335 people received specialist inpatient care courtesy of the service, too.

The charity is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2022/2023, and in recognition, the Morriston Orpheus Choir is making its fourth return visit to Lincoln Cathedral on 4th March with an 52-strong choir performing traditional and original songs to raise funds for the charity. Also this month, St Barnabas launches its spring raffle, with tickets on sale now, and a top prize of £2,023 plus additional prices of £500, £250 and 5 x £50; tickets are available online. n

Find Out More: You can help Jerry Green Dog Rescue by making a donation, playing the charity’s weekly lottery, sponsoring a kennel, or by volunteering or becoming a foster carer. See www.jerrygreendogs.org.uk.

Find Out More: For concert or lottery tickets or donations see stbarnabashospice.co.uk.

Find Out More: Support Linkage by playing its lottery, becoming a corporate partner or making a donation. For details see www.linkage.org.uk.

What’s On...

LINCOLN

FEBRUARY - 29th MARCH

SPRING BULB DISPLAYS AT

DODDINGTON HALL

Spectacular display of spring bulbs, beginning in February with snowdrops and winter aconites, Cyclamen coum, and Crocus tommasinianus, continuing through March and early April with drifts of Lent lilies and heritage daffodils (including rare Edwardian varieties). The spring bulb pageant was started in the 1950s by owner Claire Jarvis’s grandparents and the family has planted or moved 150,000 bulbs in the last 25 years, including 5,000 snowdrops by Claire’s team. n Gardens open Wednesday and Sunday, 10am-4pm, £8.50/adult, call 01522 694308 or see www.doddingtonhall.com.

Lincoln Symphony Orchestra

TCHAIKOVSKY, WAGNER, GRIEG & BRAHMS, LIVE AT THE DRILL IN LINCOLN, COURTESY OF LINCOLN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

LINCOLN

SUNDAY 19th MARCH

LINCOLN SYMPHONY

ORCHESTRA AT THE DRILL IN LINCOLN

A live performance including Tchaikovsky’s 1812 overture, Wagner’s Die Meistersinger, Greig’s Peer Gynt and Brahms’ Symphony No4. Conducted by Aric Prentice with leader Caroline Siriwardena.

The LSO can trace its beginnings back to 1880 and former members include Sir Neville Marriner.

n The Drill, Lincoln, £14/adults, call 01522 534160 or see www.lincolndrill.co.uk.

GRANTHAM

WEDNESDAY 1st MARCH

PHONEY TOWERS

Based around the classic TV show everybody loves, a super tribute show, performed in the style and variety of Fawlty Towers.

n From 7.30pm, tickets £16, Grantham Guildhall Arts Centre, call 01476 406158, or see www.guildhallartscentre.com.

GRANTHAM

WEDNESDAY 15th MARCH

- SATURDAY 18th MARCH

NINE TO FIVE

Live version of the hit musical based on Dolly Parton’s hit soundtrack.

n From 7.30pm, tickets £16, Grantham Guildhall Arts Centre, call 01476 406158, or see www.guildhallartscentre.com.

BOSTON

FRIDAY 17th MARCH

A ROOM OF ONE’S OWN

Take a wry, amusing, and incisive trip through the history of literature, feminism, and gender. Meet Charlotte Brontë, Jane Austen, Aphra Behn, and Shakespeare’s sister too with Dyad Productions.

n Blackfriars Arts Centre, Boston PE21 6HP. £16/adults, 01205 363108, www.blackfriarsartscentre.co.uk.

SPALDING

SATURDAY 25th MARCH

SOUL TRAIN

Soul, motown and disco, live at Spalding’s South Holland Centre.

n From 7.30pm, £22/adults, South Holland Centre, Spalding, PE11 1SS. Call 01775 764777 or see www.southhollandcentre.co.uk.

LINCOLN

THURSDAY 2nd MARCH,

TUESDAY 21st MARCH,

WEDNESDAY 22nd MARCH

OPERA AT LINCOLN’S NEW THEATRE ROYAL

A trio of performances beginning on Thursday 2nd with Bizet’s Carmen, by Dnipro Opera of Ukraine and its 30-piece orchestra, plus the thrill of fiery passion, jealousy, and violence of 19th century Seville.

Later in the month, on Tuesday 21st March Ballet Theatre UK presents Romeo & Juliet, a live performance with stunning costumes and sets, transporting audiences to Renaissance Verona.

And finally, on Wednesday 22nd March, The Royal Opera House presents a live-screening to Lincoln of Puccini’s Turandot featuring the aria Nessun Dorma.

n See newtheatreroyallincoln.co.uk.

The Passion in Lincoln

TWO OF BACH’S MOST FAMOUS PIECES OF SACRED MUSIC, TELLING THE STORY OF JESUS’ CRUCIFIXION

SCUNTHORPE

WEDNESDAY 1st -

SATURDAY 4th MARCH

KIPPS - THE NEW HALF SIXPENCE MUSICAL

The new Half a Sixpence musical: Arthur Kipps is a poor draper’s apprentice propelled into high society. A high energy, fast moving family show with some fabulous musical numbers. including Half a Sixpence. n From 7.30pm and 2.00pm, tickets £14.70/adults, call 01724 296296 or see www.scunthorpetheatres.co.uk.

SKEGNESS

SATURDAY 25th MARCH

GREAT BRITISH SEASIDE MARATHON

Coastal marathon from Skegness to Mablethorpe, spectate or participate! n www.visitlincscoast.co.uk.

LINCOLN

SATURDAY 25th MARCH

THE PASSION AT LINCOLN CATHEDRAL

The St John Passion and St Matthew Passion are two of Bach’s most famous pieces of sacred music, telling the Biblical story of Jesus’ crucifixion.

Performed by Lincoln Cathedral Choir, the St John Passion is a much-anticipated regular event in the Cathedral’s calendar.

Despite both Bach’s settings of the Passion lasting more than two hours, they were written to be used as part of a Lutheran church service – he wrote the St John

Send your press releases and events to editor@pridemagazines.co.uk

LINCOLN

SUNDAY 5th MARCH

TOY COLLECTORS

FAIR AT THE LINCOLNSHIRE SHOWGROUND

The 200 table event is a trove of collectables, where you’ll find everything from Corgi and Hornby to sci-Fi, Star Wars, film and TV related items. The fair is open to everyone, collectors and enthusiasts, whether young or old.

n Admission £3/adults, from 10am, call 01522 880383 or see lincolnshireshowground.co.uk.

LINCOLN

SATURDAY 18th -

SUNDAY 19th MARCH

DOG FRIENDLY WEEKEND AT LINCOLN CASTLE

Treat your four-legged friend to a walk and a Puppaccino in the café! n See www.lincolncastle.com.

Passion, for the Good Friday Vespers service of 1724, and the St Matthew Passion three years later. Rather than expecting the audience – or, rather, congregation – to sit back and take in the music, Bach included a number of hymn-like chorales within the solo sections, so everyone could participate.

While the words speak for themselves, telling the allimportant Easter story, Bach’s multiple layers of musical meaning ensure it’s possible to enjoy the music on a number of levels.

n From 7.30pm, tickets TBC. www.lincolncathedral.com.

Grimsthorpe Castle

Stunning family home surrounded by 3000 acres of parkland, gardens, woodland and lake walks, an adventure playground and more.

OPEN FROM APRIL, PLEASE VISIT THE WEBSITE FOR INFORMATION ON OPENING TIMES, TICKETS AND PRICES

A FRESH LOOK at LOUTH

This month we’re enjoying fresh air and spring sunshine at Hubbard’s Hills, and the other delights of Louth, the market town at the foot of the Wolds with more than its fair share of history, independent retailers and green spaces...

Image: St James’ Church, Louth.

>> LOUTH MUSEUM, rather hidden away in Broadbank, the road up to the hospital, is recognisable because of the snail on its roof. An odd decoration, perhaps, but one which pays tribute to one of the town’s famous sons, the 19th century wood carver Thomas Wilkinson Wallis.

Wallis’s nationally-renowned collection of carvings – usually game birds and botanicals – are among the 18,000 artefacts cared for by about 40 volunteers who look after Louth Museum, established in its present location on Broadbank in 1910, and is run by the Louth Naturalists’, Antiquarian and Literary Society (helpfully abbreviated to Ant & Nats).

Honorary Archivist Ruth Gatenby is proud of the museum’s collection of records and artefacts, from documents and old photos to glass slides: its flagship piece is a huge twopiece panorama of Louth, reproduced from a painting created in the 1840s by William Brown, on an acrylic display which is backlit to show off its incredible detail.

Nearby, the Grade I listed 15th century St James’ Church has the tallest steeple of any medieval parish church in Britain, at 287ft (87.6m). In the 1840s, work was being completed on the spire and local painter (of houses; think glosswork and emulsion) William Brown took advantage of the fact and ascended to the tower to complete a series of seven sketches on timber panels which he used to create Brown’s Panorama, now owned by Louth Town Council with the backlit reproduction of the work on permanent display in the museum.

The museum also has a more poignant permanent exhibition of the Louth Flood on Saturday 29th May 1920. A cloud burst at 4.30pm resulted in water running off the Wolds and a natural dam giving way which sent a wall of water 14ft high through the town. Twenty-three people died and entire rows of houses were destroyed (50 properties in total), with 800 people rendered homeless, put up in tents and wooden shelters. >>

The Greenwich Meridian Line passes through Louth at precisely 0° longitude. Its presence in the town is marked by three sculptures made by Lawrence Edwards in 2002...

The Lud, which flooded in 1920.

Pahud memorial at Hubbards Hills.

Hubbards Hills.

>> The floods were well covered and made national news because, by chance, the town was holding a by-election at the time, which saw the election of Thomas Wintringham.

The death of that Member of Parliament for Louth, a year after the floods on 22nd September, then saw his widow, Margaret Wintringham, victorious in the 1921 byelection, and she subsequently became the second woman – and the first British-born woman – to take her seat in the House of Commons. Margaret used her position to campaign for equal pay for women, for state scholarships for girls as well as boys, and women-only railway carriages.

One of Louth’s other famous daughters is Annie Pahud, who married Swiss-born Grammar School teacher Auguste AlphonsePahud. Annie would die in 1889 leaving a broken-hearted Auguste to take his own life. With no children to succeed them, Auguste left his money to the town to create an Edwardian pleasure garden for the public to enjoy in Annie’s memory.

“From the moment the 35 acres of glacial valley was gifted to the council, Hubbard’s Hills was intended to be an area of natural beauty for everyone to enjoy,” says Andrew Leonard, Chairman of the Trustees for the site. “Its custodianship was transferred from the district council to the town council and then into a formal trust 13 years ago.”

“In a way it’s a bit of a victim of its own success. Hundreds of thousands of people enjoy it each year, all throughout the year.”

“The town council is financially supportive for which we’re very grateful, but both the car parking areas and café are privately owned, so they’re not a source of income for the trust, and as such the responsibility falls to the trust to maintain the sloping landscape of mature trees and to ensure it’s safe and pleasant for visitors.”

“Substantial investment will be made this year with the acceleration of an ongoing riverbank maintenance project, restoring the river and its natural habitat.” >>

Left: Louth has a population of 17,000 people and covers around four and a half square miles. It’s located on the 0° prime meridian line. The town’s St James’ Church was also the centre of the Lincolnshire Rising against Henry VIII on 1st October 1536 (now recognised as Lincolnshire Day).

Louth has a population of 17,000 people and covers around four and a half square miles...

>> “Visitors are very appreciative of the site and love its beech trees, dog walks and the Hallington Beck – a tributary of the Lud –which flows through the site, beloved by children who want a paddle in the summer.”

“But the site doesn’t just exist, the nine trustees and our volunteers work hard to keep it looking lovely but also ensuring it’s accessible all year round. The local Lions club are an important supporter with their annual duck race, and visitors can gift a tree to Hubbard’s Hills too, as we’re planting 8ft-10ft mature species to ensure it’ll remain for visitors to enjoy for generations to come, just as Pahud envisaged.”

Auguste and Annie would, we think, make good names for the resident pair of Peregrines which have made their home in the spire of St James’ Church... although as far as we’re aware the two birds of prey (given their location, perhaps that should be birds of pray?) are unnamed. The two have made the church their home for seven years, and provide pro bono pest control services, keeping pigeon guano from damaging the fabric of the building.

Last year saw the 90th anniversary of the town’s Louth Playgoers’ Society, which maintains and runs the Riverside Theatre. Its role in the town is celebrated on Sunday 12th March with the LOV Your Venue Festival which is a day of live music, theatre, dance and workshops designed to reflect the theatre’s role in community.

Also worth a visit when you’re in the area is the Lincolnshire Wolds Railway, the only standard gauge railway, dating back to 1848. The line closed in 1980 and was taken on by enthusiasts who refurbished and reopened the North Thoresby station ready for the first arrival there by a train in 2009.

And finally, there’s just time to mention Louth Museum’s spring/summer exhibition Louth Made Clocks, from 5th April to 8th July. A beautiful collection of eighteenth and nineteenth century longcase clocks, have been kindly loaned to the museum for visitors to enjoy... another reason, if one were needed, to pop into the museum April to October, Wednesday to Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm. n

Auguste and Annie would, we think, make good names for the resident pair of Peregrines which have made their home in the spire of St James’ Church, providing pro bono pest control services...

Above: Cadwell Park, five miles south of Louth was created in 1934 and purchased by Motorsport Vision in 2004. It’s used predominantly for superbike motorcycle racing.

Left: Searching, Louth’s Meridian-line sculpture, one of three created in parallel by Lawrence Edwards in 2002.

Along The WITHAM

It’s 82 miles long, it’s been with us since prehistoric times and it has played a vital part in the ecology, history and economy of the county, from the draining of the Fens to the transport of goods. And yet, the River Witham is rarely celebrated, which is why Lincolnshire author Jon Fox has dedicated his third book to the river...

Words: Rob Davis. All Images: Jon Fox. Main Image: Sunrise in the Witham Fens.

IT’S A HABITAT for wildlife, its been used to drain and irrigate farmland, and to transport everything from wool to grain during its life. History, ecology, agriculture and industry are all inextricably bound up in the history of the River Witham, and yet the 82-mile long waterway has sometimes been a bit overlooked by historians, reckons local author and photographer Jon Fox, who intends to address that oversight with a new book, entitled The Witham: Lincolnshire’s River.

Jon was schooled in Sleaford before his family moved away to Melton Mowbray when his father took a teaching job in Leicestershire. Returning to Lincolnshire in 1998 to take an environmental job with the City of Lincoln Council, Jon became very well-acquainted with the city and the rest of the county, as a keen walker, cyclist and photographer.

In 2014, Jon left the day job behind to pursue a career as a self-publishing author, and released his first book, The Lincolnshire Landscape: An Exploration in 2015, having worked on it in his spare time for a few years before pursuing publishing full-time.

The first book was an introduction to Lincolnshire’s landscapes, its geology and ecology, history and cultural heritage, divided into character areas; the Fens, Wolds, Marsh & Coast etc.

A second book, Lines Across Lincolnshire, followed in 2018 and explores the natural and historical lines in the Lincolnshire countryside, focusing on features used or constructed as routes, banks or boundaries.

“The third book follows the Witham as an interesting thread through which to explore the county,” says Jon. “It’s a natural feature that has been important since prehistoric

times, while undergoing complex natural and man-made changes.”

“Today the river and its landscape face new developments such as the Lincoln Southern Bypass and proposed South Lincolnshire Reservoir, and it’s important that the river’s heritage is appreciated and conserved.”

Jon chose to self-publish his books, reasoning that his local knowledge and role as both author and photographer – and book designer too – would give him more creative control and would be a better way to represent the county in print. >>

Above: Barlings Abbey, Lower Witham Valley. Opposite: The Haven from Packhouse Quay, Boston; River Witham near Barkston, Grantham; Stoke Rochford Park; Moored barges, Brayford Pool; Brayford Pool at dusk.

Some books are written, but others are crafted, and falling into the later category is Jon Fox’s new book exploring the River Witham from source to sea, a must have volume which deserves pride of place on your coffee table...

>> “Like my previous volumes, The Witham isn’t intended to be an academic text. I’ve used lots of source material and referenced many of these in the book so readers can seek further information.”

The book is beautifully illustrated throughout with Jon’s distinctive photographs, and the accompanying text is well-researched, with a view to revealing the river as a relatively little-known and under-appreciated watercourse with a remarkable history and a rich heritage of geology, ecology, archaeology and architecture.

The river’s drainage history adds another dimension to the book’s interest from the ancient Car Dyke to the contested Stuart and Georgian reclamation of the Witham Fens.

The book comprises of ten chapters each covering a section of the Witham and its surrounding landscape. There’s an introductory essay too, providing an overview of the river, and each section is accompanied by a specially produced map.

“There are over 260 illustrations and 12 maps, so it’s a visual book as well as one with a good quantity of text to read. I do make a point of never writing about somewhere I’ve not visited, and as the book’s photographer too, I adopt the role of explorer with a camera.”

“Cold weather doesn’t bother me and I love being out in the fresh air, so there are images throughout the book from every season, and from sunrise to twilight.”

Jon says it’s been a pleasure to create the book, and when asked if book number four is currently underway he’s keen to point out that whilst he’s having a bit of a rest having met his pre-Christmas deadline, books do have a habit of finding him. Watch this space we reckon, but in the meantime, enjoy taking a landscape journey with Jon, along the Witham! n Jon Fox’s book The Witham: Lincolnshire’s River, A Landscape Journey from Source to Sea is now available from Green Plover Books for £28, with 260 colour photographs and 12 maps, hardback, 224 pages, 302mm x 202mm. Call 01522 533613 or see www.greenploverbooks.co.uk.

“Cold weather doesn’t bother me and I love being out in the fresh air, so there are images throughout the book from every season, and from sunrise to twilight...”

Above: Limestone beck near Scopwick, Lincoln.

REMEMBERING TENNYSON

Mention Tennyson and perhaps the first thing that comes to mind is the poet’s tribute to the 278 individuals who died during the Crimean War’s Charge of the Light Brigade. But it was losses closer to his heart that defined Tennyson’s work during a 60-year career which would see him serve as Poet Laureate to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert as well as a social commentator. This month Idylls of the King, at Lincoln Castle, illustrates one of Tennyson’s most famous poems...

ON MINSTER GREEN, next to Lincoln Cathedral stands a bronze statue, Grade II listed and dating back to 1905. The figure is Tennyson, born on 6th August 1809 and shown with his dog Karenina. The poet is depicted staring down at a flower in his hand, imagining him composing the verse of Flower in the Crannied Wall, written in 1863. It’s not the only place in the county that Lincolnshire’s famous son is remembered...

Dr Jim Cheshire is Associate Professor at the School of Humanities and Heritage at the University of Lincoln, and maintains an academic and personal interest in Victorian medievalism. In the same way that Pugin was an advocate of neo-gothic or gothic revivalist architecture, Tennyson was tantamount to a gothic revivalist poet, drawing on many medieval themes and giving them a contemporary relevance to the Victorian era.

Dr Jim is also involved with the Tennyson Society, serving as its Honorary Secretary alongside its chairperson Valerie Purton. The group and its Tennyson Archive is based at the Lincolnshire Archives which cares for 17,000 pages of proofs and manuscripts, 9,000 examples of Tennyson’s personal correspondence, diaries, illustrations and other material relating to the poet’s life and work during a career, which ran from the 1830s to the 1890s.

It’s unusual, Dr Jim says, for a local authority to hold such a comprehensive archive of a locally-born poet. But Lincolnshire has good reason to be proud of Tennyson, if not for

his prolific body of work then for his role as Poet Laureate to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert or the commercial success of his work during his own lifetime, an unusual success compared to, for instance, Keats and Shelley

School pupils are likely to quote Charge of the Light Brigade as an example of the poet’s work, but it’s another verse – Idylls of the King – which is celebrated at Lincoln Castle in February and March, with the display of two illustrations from the 12 epic poems which recount the rise and fall of King Arthur.

“There are many aspects of Tennyson which can fascinate anyone from the poetry enthusiast to the academic,” says Dr Jim. “For a start there’s a musicality and a beauty in the way he created verse; he was a technically very gifted poet.”

By the end of the 1820s Shelley, Byron, Keats and Blake had all died, though William Wordsworth lived until the 1850s. Tennyson’s early work therefore drew inspiration from the romantic poets, whilst his later work was more idiosyncratic in its style, not least for its use of narration.

“Tennyson invented or at least popularised the dramatic monologue in poetry, and in his work the reader is able to get to know a character – Ulysses, for example – which make us question who the narrator is in much of his work. And so, with this story-like approach, he reinvented poetry for a Victorian era.”

Idylls of the King is good example of Tennyson’s work as it fuses together a number of the notable features of his work, including this narrative approach.

Idylls reflects the way Tennyson draws parallels with medieval life, using it as an allegory of Victorian society. One of the final sections of Idylls is The Passing of Arthur – an expanded retelling of Malory’s Morte d’Arthur. Published in 1485 its protagonist Bedivere carries the dying king to Avalon and stays with him as the sun rises on a new year.

Tennyson’s Idylls was published in 1859, nine years after he was appointed Poet Laureate to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. By that time, Tennyson – living in London – had become one of the first popular celebrities to be mobbed by his fans. Tennyson had moved to the Isle of Wight seeking a quieter life, but with Queen and Prince Albert also living on the island – on the Osborne estate – and with Albert in particular holding Tennyson in such high regard, his celebrity status hardly diminished.

When Prince Albert died in December 1861, Queen Victoria found solace in Tennyson’s In Memoriam. In March 1862, Tennyson received a letter from the Queen requesting that he visit her at Osborne House. The meeting took place in April and in her diary the Queen recorded it:

“I went down to see Tennyson who is very peculiar looking, tall, dark, with a fine head, long black flowing hair and a beard — oddly

Words: Rob Davis. Image: Alfred Tennyson with book, by Julia Margaret Cameron, 1865, Victoria & Albert Museum.

dressed, but there is no affectation about him. I told him how much I admired his glorious lines to my precious Albert and how much comfort I found in his ‘In Memoriam.’”

“He was full of unbounded appreciation of beloved Albert. When he spoke of my own loss, and of that to the nation, his eyes quite filled with tears.”

Tennyson’s empathy for the Queen’s grief was drawn from the loss of his most important friend, fellow writer and travel companion, Arthur Henry Hallam in 1833. A devastated Tennyson wrote In Memorium A.H.H for Arthur, which was published in 1850.

Upon Albert’s death, Tennyson was asked by Princess Alice to write something that would soothe her mother’s grief, and the poet subsequently wrote the prologue of Idylls dedicating it to Prince Albert, comparing him to Arthur and again drawing parallels between Medieval and Victorian society. Several further meetings took place between Tennyson and Queen Victoria, and having discussed the lack of availability of German poetry, the Queen arranged for a specially bound volume to be sent to Tennyson from Europe. The Queen also offered him a baronetcy four times – in 1865, 1873, 1874 and 1880. He finally accepted in 1883, this persistence indicating the Queen’s continuing fondness for the poet.

By this time Tennyson’s role as poet laureate made him a public voice, and today his work is considered high culture in nature. But during the mid-19th century, he also had an avid following among the working classes, and would be ambushed by admiring miners, for example, keen to praise the social commentary that featured in his work.

On one occasion, a radical working as a weaver was speaking with the author Elizabeth Gaskell and remarked how much she admired the poet’s work but couldn’t afford a volume of her own. Gaskell wrote to Tennyson who arranged for a copy of his 1842 volume to be sent to her. “Dickens is a good parallel,” says Dr Jim.

A Taste of TENNYSON

DR JIM CHESHIRE ON FIVE OF TENNYSON’S GREATEST POEMS

Ulysses: Written in 1833 and published in 1842 in Tennyson’s second book of poetry, following Ulysses’ return to Ithaca after the Trojan War. Tennyson worked on the poem shortly after the death of Arthur Henry Hallum and once stated: “There is more about myself in Ulysses, which was written under the sense of loss and that all had gone by, but that still life must be fought out to the end. It was more written with the feeling of his loss upon me than many poems in In Memoriam.”

Crossing the Bar: A later Tennyson poem, written in 1889, using the Isle of Wight sandbar as a metaphor for what occurs after death.

The Lady of Shalott: Inspired by the legend of Elaine of Astolat, a lyrical ballad of 19/20 stanzas.

Morte D'Arthur: Integrated into Idylls of the King, with Bedivere tending to the dying king and disposing of Excalibur.

In Memoriam A.H.H.: Published in 1850 and an elegy for his Cambridge friend Arthur Henry Hallam. The full text runs to 2,916 lines and was of great comfort to Queen Victoria upon the loss of Prince Albert. Arthur died in 1833, and a grief-stricken Alfred left Cambridge University, published his second collection of poems then finally published Memoriam 22 years later, marrying his childhood sweetheart Emily Sellwood and taking her suggestion as the title of the poem.

“His political sympathies ranged from liberal to reactionary. He was also tall and was considered handsome, but he was private too, and tended to run away from crowds.”

“He was also proud of his heritage despite a turbulent childhood. Tennyson was born in August 1809 in Somersby to Rev George and Elizabeth Tennyson.”

“His father’s mental health was unstable and his childhood was under an ever-present threat of violence. He was close to his brothers, especially his older brother Charles. The two wrote Poems by Two Brothers, published by a Louth printer in 1827.”

Some of Tennyson’s work even featured Lincolnshire dialect e.g.: in – The Northern Farmer, Old Style – but any trace of an accent was lost when in 1890 the poet’s own voice was recorded onto a wax cylinder reciting Charge of the Light Brigade.

The Victorian era was one of innovation and as well as voice recording, glass plate photography was pioneered from the mid to late 19th century, enabling photographs of Tennyson to be taken such as Julia Margaret Cameron’s 1866 albumen silver print of the poet produced from a glass negative. Works like this have now been digitised and are held by the Society for future generations. It’s exactly this kind of material which enables The Tennyson Society to maintain interest in the poet’s legacy. Dr Jim is currently introducing KS3 school pupils to the poet, and Tennyson’s work has also featured in the University of Lincoln’s English Literature undergraduate programme and in the University’s masters module, Romantic Legacies.

“The Tennyson Society, the Lincolnshire Archives and the University all have a collaborative working relationship,” he says.

“Together, and through exhibitions like Idylls, as well as our AGM with its featured lecturer, our online Tennyson Talks, and the society’s new website, we aim to promote the enjoyment and study of Tennyson’s work for many generations to come!” n

Find Out More: Idylls of the King is a depiction by Eleanor Fortescue-Brickdale of two scenes from Tennyson’s epic poem, showing Merlin & Vivien and Enid & Geraint. The illustrations are on display in The David Ross Magna Carta vault of Lincoln Castle until 31st March 2023: see www.lincolncastle.com. Dr Jim Cheshire is Associate Professor within the University of Lincoln’s School of Humanities and Heritage, whose research interests include Victorian medievalism and the work of Tennyson. He’s also Honorary Secretary of the Tennyson Society, based at the Lincolnshire Archives, see www.tennysonsociety.com for more information. The Tennyson Society Weekend 2023 will take place in Hastings 19th-22nd May, there will be talks and visits based on Tennysonian and other literary themes, please contact Excursions Secretary, Lynne Carroll for details: lynnecarroll@btinternet.com.

Saddle of Belton Park venison with carrot purée, tender stem broccoli, mini venison cottage pie, red wine jus and pickled silver skin onions.

Always Excellent Dining at the BROWNLOW ARMS

It’s one of the most consistently excellent, comfortable and satisfying dining experiences in Lincolnshire, promising good old fashioned country hospitality. No wonder, then, our readers voted The Brownlow Arms their favourite restaurant in our 2022 Good Food Awards...

Words & Images: Rob Davis.

SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE. Some things should... but others really shouldn’t, and definitely falling into the latter category is The Brownlow Arms at Hough on the Hill.

Since 1979, Paul & Lorraine Willoughby have been custodians of the 17th century country inn, formerly owned by Lord Brownlow, at Hough on the Hill. Paul initially purchased the property with his parents before he became sole owner in 1983. Together they renovated The Brownlow before selling it in 1999, and then returning in 2003 to a run down premises which lead to them giving the Brownlow another make-over.

Their long-term custodianship of the place underwrites The Brownlow Arms’ rock solid reputation for consistency and quality; it’s one of those ‘can’t go wrong’ dining options. So what do you do when you’ve acquired a reputation over 43 years for excellence, two AA rosettes for your dining, an award from Hardens, one from the Good Food Guide, and the title Restaurant of the Year as voted for by Lincolnshire Pride’s readers?

You could increase the number of covers? No. You could increase the complexity of the food? No. You could just hike up the prices? No, no and no. Instead, Paul and Lorraine, along with chefs Matt, David and Lizzy have opted to reduce the number of covers a little to ensure the team has the headroom to work to the best of their ability.

They’ve ceased to offer lunchtime dining, enabling the staff to concentrate on the quality and consistency of their evening menu, and they’ve ensured they all work well together. This has created a happy, close-knit team which is reflected in the quality of the excellent dining experience.

Sous Chef David Newton points out – whilst treating our saddle of venison to a few spoonfuls of its silken red wine jus

that a good sauce takes time.

If they were juggling prep for evening service with lunchtime covers, compromise would be needed, and the team doesn’t really do compromise; rather, it does quality. What’s nice, too, is a single menu, with six starters, and six main courses plus two steaks. >>

MEET THE CHEF

DAVID NEWTON

Career: “I was raised in Grantham and worked at The Olive Branch before coming here in 2019.

Food Heaven: “I really love venison, lovely and rich!”

Food Hell: “I’ve a sweet tooth so I love desserts but I really don’t like preparing them... luckily we have Lizzy to provide that speciality!”

Pan fried sea trout.

on the MENU

Starters

Steak tartare, cornichons, capers, toasted Hambleton bread, £13.75.

Pan fried scallops, pea purée, fresh peas, basil and lemon emulsion, £14.75.

Moules Mariniere, white wine, shallot and garlic, cream sauce), £10.95.

Brownlow twice baked Lincolnshire poacher cheese soufflé, creamed leeks, crispy onion, £12.95

Main Courses

Belton park saddle of venison, carrot puree, tender stem broccoli, mini venison cottage pie, red wine jus, pickled silver skin onions, £29.95.

Pan fried sea trout, sauteed peas and baby gem, Champagne beurre blanc, caviar, £26.95.

Seafood linguine (mussels, prawns, scallops) rocket and parmesan, chilli oil, £26.50.

Churchill farm chicken Kiev, hassle back potatoes, watercress sauce, £24.95.

Dessert

White chocolate and Baileys bread and butter pudding, creme Anglaise, £9.95

Dark chocolate fondant, £9.95. Assiette of lemon Lemon posset with creme Chantilly, lemon and pistachio parfait, white chocolate and lemon blondie, lemon curd £9.95.

NB: This is a sample menu, and featured dishes are subject to availability and change.

>> Speaking as someone who can’t abide complicated or extensive menus, or different menus according to the time of day or day of the week, plus specials boards and promotions, I find it refreshing.

In the half dozen or so options per course, the chefs are confident you’ll find something you’ll love, and they’re confident that they’ll be able to have the time and practice to perfect every single dish.

The Brownlow Arms limits its number of covers to 64 on a Saturday evening, and to 90 for Sunday lunch service.

This does mean that booking is more essential than ever, but it also means you’re likely to experience a team able to really flex their creative talents. Sauces, ice creams, sorbets are all made in house, but bread comes from

the nearby Hambleton Bakery, whose artisan dough-wranglers have the expertise and commitment to produce the best bread in the district.

Puddings, meanwhile, are created by dedicated pastry chef Lizzy Goodwin. Chefs David and Matt reckon that desserts are more intricate and time-consuming than starters or main courses.

Lizzy, fortunately, has the methodical character, precision and patience to produce some absolutely stunning puddings and we reckon she’s probably one of the best – if not the best – chefs in the whole county in the respect of producing desserts.

And again, Lizzy is also given the time and headroom she needs to create some really great puddings, as well as the restaurants’ petit fours, too.

“Dining out is all about creating a warm, welcoming experience. We want to create a place that’s comfortable and friendly, one that offers the very best experience, very consistently...”

Assiette of lemon.

Steak tartar. Steak tartar. Pan fried scallops.

Ingredients are sourced locally when there’s no concession to quality. Fruit and veg is sourced from Donington farm, Peterborough Game provides game from estates like Belton, and butchery is from Owen Taylor. The Brownlow Arms’ wine list, too, is beautifully curated with 15 reds, 15 whites, half a dozen sparkling options plus rosé and dessert wines and bin ends.

Popular both with those who live reasonably close to the restaurant as well as those from a little further afield, Paul and Lorraine also maintain six nicely styled bedrooms for guests who wish to stay over.

Paul says that the number of repeat customers they have is really satisfying and that since 1979, the offspring of their customers have also become regular diners.

“We love living in the village and we’re delighted to have had the opportunity to get to know so many customers over the years,” says Paul. “Dining out is all about creating a warm, welcoming experience. We want to create a place that’s comfortable, friendly, and that consistently offers the very best experience to our guests.” n

DINING OUT AT... The Brownlow Arms, Hough on the Hill

The Pitch: “Providing good old fashioned country hospitality and modern comforts in a tranquil and relaxing location.”

Opening Times: Tuesday to Saturday evening, 6pm-9pm, Sunday lunch from noon to 3pm. Booking strongly recommended.

Brownlow Arms, Grantham Road, Hough on the Hill, NG32 2AZ. Call 01400 250234 or see www.thebrownlowarms.com.

Dark chocolate fondant with raspberry sorbet.

In the KITCHEN

Who says cheaters never prosper? This deceptive main course can be made in advance, it’ll feed the whole family, and it looks deceptively laborious, but is actually really easy, thanks to Waitrose’s frozen fish pie mix and Jus-Rol pastry! there’s no better way to mark British Pie Week from 6th-12th March!

EASY ONE DISH FISH PIE

Preparation Time: 20 minutes. Cooking Time: One hour 10 minutes. Serves: 6.

3 leeks, halved lengthways • 50g unsalted butter • pinch dried thyme • 3 tbsp plain flour, plus extra for dusting

2 tbsp apple cider vinegar • 500ml fresh vegetable stock • 150ml double cream • 1½ tbsp wholegrain mustard

2 tbsp finely chopped fresh soft herbs (tarragon, dill or parsley) • 400g Waitrose Frozen Fish Pie Mix

200g raw peeled prawns, defrosted • 150g frozen peas • 320g sheet Jus Rol Puff Pastry • 1 egg, beaten

Finely slice the leeks. In a large pan, melt the butter over a low heat. Add the leeks and thyme with a pinch of salt and cook very gently, stirring every so often, for 10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 5 minutes more, until the leeks have softened and are starting to colour. Stir in the flour and cook for a couple of minutes, then stir in the vinegar and cook for a minute more. Gradually add the stock, a little at a time, stirring constantly, then add the cream, turn the heat up and bring to the boil, stirring. Simmer for a couple of minutes until you have a thickened sauce (you can chill or freeze at this stage).

Take off the heat; stir through the mustard or miso and herbs. Season, then set aside to cool to room temperature. You can cover and chill for up to three days or freeze it for up to six weeks.

When ready to cook, preheat the oven to 200ºC, gas mark 6. Spoon the filling into a roughly 1.5-litre pie dish and stir in the fish mix. Dust the worktop with flour, then unroll the pastry onto it, rolling it out a little widthways. Lightly brush the edge of the dish with a little beaten egg, then lay the pastry over the top. Press down the edges and trim. Crimp to seal. Use a small knife to make 2 little holes in the middle for steam to escape.

Brush the top of the pastry with beaten egg. If you like, re-roll the pastry scraps to cut out decorations and arrange on top of the pie, brushing with the egg. Put the pie on a baking tray and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the filling is piping hot, the fish is cooked through and opaque, and the pastry risen and golden. n

Thousands of recipes can be found at www.waitrose.com/recipes.

In the KITCHEN

An ideal recipe for March, you can enjoy this easy-peasy Bakewell Tart warm with lashings of custard, or cold with a slather of cream... and with Jus-Rol Pastry, it’s a cinch!

EASY BAKEWELL TART

Preparation Time: 15 minutes. Cooking time: 45 minutes. Served 6.

1 x 320g Jus-Rol Shortcrust pastry sheet • 170g unsalted butter, softened 170g caster sugar • 170g ground almonds • 4 large free range eggs • 1 tsp vanilla extract 4 tbsp raspberry jam • 30g flaked almonds or more to decorate

Take the pastry out of the fridge and remove from the packaging approximately 10 minutes before you are ready to use it, as it will be easier to work with.

Preheat the oven to 200°c or 180°c for fan-assisted ovens, gas 6. Unroll the pastry to line a 23cm flan case. Place baking or greaseproof paper on top, fill with baking beans and bake for 12-15 minutes. Reduce the temperature to 190°c or 170°c for fan assisted oven, gas 5.

Meanwhile combine the butter, sugar and almonds and then beat in the eggs and vanilla. Spread the base of the pastry case with jam and when the pastry is completely cool spread the almond mixture evenly over the jam and scatter over the flaked almonds.

Bake in the oven for 25 minutes, until the filling is golden brown and set in the middle. If the filling appears to ‘wobble’, then return to oven for 5-10 minutes. If the top is getting too brown, lower the temperature by 10 degrees. Serve warm or cold, dusted with icing sugar.

Once cool, the tart can be cut into slices put in an airtight container and frozen for up to a month. For a fruity treat, scatter fresh raspberries over the jam before adding the almond filling. n

A story of the forest from Glenmorangie with woodland botanicals

A Tale of the Forest is the Highland distillery’s first whisky crafted from barley kilned with woodland botanicals...

A new special edition whisky from the Highland distillery, created by Director of Whisky Creation (what a job title), Dr Bill Lumsden, right. Bill has brought back an ancient method of kilning barley with botanicals. In this case, he chose juniper berries, birch bark and heather flowers, reflecting all of these flavours and many more, £75 / 70cl / 46% ABV.

The Wine Cellar

A WHISKY WITH UNIQUE BOTANICALS, A FANTASTIC LOCAL WINE PLUS A TRIO OF RIESLING WINES TO ENSURE YOU CAN RAISE A GLASS WITH FRIENDS THROUGHOUT SPRING!

A SWEET SELECTION: Monday 13th March represents International Riesling Day...

1. Our first Riesling offering is Leitz’s zero-alcohol version, a vacuum distillation of which has removed the alcohol whilst retaining a medium-dry citrus flavour profile. £5.50 / 75cl / 0% ABV.

2. Next up is Willi Haag’s sweet Riesling Auslese, a sweeter and more traditional expression of Riesling from Germany’s Mosel region. Honeysuckle and passionfruit flavours, nicely mineral with a bit of vibrancy, £11.99 / 75cl / 7.5% ABV.

3. Waitrose presents this bone dry Leitz Riesling as its high-end offering, ideal with lighter curry dishes or grilled local duck breast. Herby with peaches and floral honey, £36 / 75cl / 12% ABV.

Wine of the Month

Short-Eared Owl, (Medium Dry White), Burton Pedwardine, Sleaford, Lincolnshire £14 / 75cl / 11% ABV

From Lincolnshire’s Mayfield Vineyard comes Short-Eared Owl, a medium dry white made from Phoenix grapes. A balance of floral meadow notes, delicately infused with autumn fruits; blossom, pear, grass, and elderflower. Ideal match for salads, creamy pasta dishes and gently spiced dishes. Own Collection Tasting experiences also available by arrangement, see mayfieldwine.co.uk for details or email events@mayfieldvineyard.co.uk. n

George’s Old Gin has a modern twist!

George Hill Ltd is based in Market Harborough and presents its award-winning house gin with bags of lemon, lime and orange zest, on the nose, coupled with fresh pink grapefruit. There’s a gentle fresh citrus spice, with lemon zest and pink grapefruit at the forefront, lengthened by lighter undertones of juniper. The finish is long with mellow citrus and warming spice. Mix with good quality tonic and enjoy!

£38.6 / 70cl / 44% ABV, www.georgehill.co.uk sloeberryspirits.co.uk.

n Our featured wines are available from the best local independent wine merchants, supermarkets and online, prices are RRP and may vary from those stated.

VIEW ROOM WITH A

The unique glazed garden room at the heart of Clive & Ruth Davies’ stone barn is the perfect place to enjoy views of spring skies and open countryside...

Words: Rob Davis.

THE DETAILS

Manor Farm Barn, Lenton, Grantham

Location: Grantham 9.4 miles; Stamford 22.5 miles, A1 9.3 miles.

Provenance: Former farm building of the Ancaster estate, dating back to 1887, converted for residential use 10 years ago.

Rooms: Four reception rooms currently breakfast room, sitting room, dining room and garden room. Four beds, each with en suite.

Guide Price: £1,500,000.

Find Out More: Fine & Country, Seaton, Oakham LE15 9HT. Call 01780 750200, or see www.fineandcountry.co.uk.

CLIVE & RUTH DAVIES are probably the most accommodating babysitters in the area. Having moved to Lincolnshire five years ago to help look after their young grandchild – now happily installed in a local primary school – the couple are moving once again, this time to Yorkshire, to look after another grandchild; a blue one, aged 10 months.

They’ll have to leave behind their superb contemporary barn conversion located in the village of Lenton. Family comes first but, they admit, it’ll be a real wrench to hand over the keys.

The property itself was once a barn on the Ancaster farming estate. Dating back to 1887, the estate was especially keen to ensure the skills of its staff and the quality of the buildings they created. And so, the apprentices charged with building on the estate used such buildings at this to finesse their skills, and the barn utilises King & Queen trusses, Ancaster stone and other materials which saw the building’s construction rather over-specified for its original purpose as a barn on a working farming estate.

Top/Main: The property’s living room features a pyramid wood burner with a flue cleverly hidden underneath. Elsewhere? It’s oak floors and beams!

It wasn’t the last time that the building was treated to an assiduous investment of time, money, good quality materials and craftsmanship, either. 10 years ago, Manor Farm Barn was converted for residential use as the third and final project that its owner – who worked as the head of the MoD’s property division –would live in as their ‘forever home.’

An unexpected move overseas, though, saw the original owner putting the property on the market and Clive & Ruth – who were looking to move into the area – take on the four-bedroom barn, which is arranged in a U-shape around a central courtyard.

The couple wanted somewhere that was built and finished beautifully. They were also keen that the property facilitated intergenerational living for Ruth’s elderly parents. With living space and two of the bedrooms on the

ground floor, and with no awkward steps plus wide, wheelchair-friendly doors, Manor Farm Barn suited the couple’s needs perfectly. On the ground floor there’s a kitchen with breakfast room, plus a dining room and day room or office. A large living room has bi-fold doors opening out onto the courtyard plus a unique pyramid wood burner which, quite in addition to looking impressive, has a flue which is located underneath the floor, rather than venting its smoke through a vertical pipe, resulting in a much cleaner appearance.

There’s a unique glazed garden room, too, resembling the bow of a ship, which Clive & Ruth say dissipates heat throughout the ground floor. Elsewhere, the whole property has underfloor heating and high performance glazing, ensuring it’s a true house for all seasons. >>

>> Other features of the property which aid its efficiency include a bank of solar panels on the roof for the underfloor heating and rainwater harvesting technology too.

The property’s kitchen is a modern cream design with Corian engineered stone surfaces and contemporary wood highlights. Appliances include a Neff induction hob and a Quooker boiling water tap. There’s a separate laundry room and an additional utility room too, helping to keep clutter away from the property’s living spaces. On the first floor are two remaining bedrooms with en suite shower rooms, and a mezzanine snug area above the kitchen.

Set in 1.25 acres, the property’s garden room is beautifully framed by the reflection pool which runs into a rill and ultimately towards an obelisk at the end of the garden, beyond which are southerly views over acres of countryside.

“We’ll really miss the place,” say the couple. “We’ve loved the beauty and peace of the reflection pool and water cascading down the rill, the constantly changing landscape of the seasons with the growing crops and the wide variety of birds and wildlife so close to the property, not to mention the superb views of some really outstanding sunrises and sunsets.” n

n Tee View House, Skegness Guide Price: £1,150,000

A superb luxury executive five bedroomed house with open plan Poggenpohl kitchen living area plus four reception rooms including a cinema room. Gymnasium, spa pool and garden office, gated entrance and walled gardens, www.poyntons.com

n Tudor Lodge, Holbeach Guide Price: £2,000,000

Impressive family home built in the 1920s in an Arts & Crafts style in stone and brick. Sympathetically extended providing attractive garages, annexes, a cinema, a heated indoor pool, and a hard tennis court beside the original pavilion, www.fineandcountry.com

n The Moat House, Louth Guide Price: £1,250,000

Magnificent five bed detached country residence in a rural location near to Louth. Georgian and Palladian influences to design, grand reception rooms. Gardens and land of about three acres, a moat, orangery, studio, gymnasium and equestrian facilities. www.savills.co.uk

Rhapsody in Blue

Blue highlights plus Oriental or Ikat-inspired prints in blue with a hint of red, a rhapsody of inspiration for your home...

This Page: Manuel Canovas Siki, based on an original 19th century Iznik gouache painting from Minor Asia, curtains in Siki Terre de Sienne, chairs in Oscar Outremer, lampshade in Hadi Indigo.

Above: Jane Churchill footstool in Arlo, denim, cushions in Kelso blue, Kelso red/ochre.

Top/Right: Equinox collection of fabrics from Clarke & Clarke.

Right: GP & J Baker, chair upholstered in Caldbeck in Teal with cushions Tivington in Soft Teal and curtains, in Caldbeck Indigo & Ivory from the Signature Print collection, sofa upholstered in Essential Velvet in Midnight.

To make the best of these fabrics, seek out one of the county’s leading interior design specialists to create bespoke soft furnishings and decoration for your interiors...

Florence sofa created to your specification by Delcor of Stamford, www.delcor.co.uk, 01780 762 579.

Petite chair created to your specification by Delcor of Stamford, www.delcor.co.uk, 01780 762 579.

Lincolnshire Interiors: Delcor: 01780 762579, www.delcor.co.uk. H-Works: 01780 754605, www.hworksdesign.co.uk.

Richard Sutton Interiors: 01472 268377, www.richardsuttondesigninteriors.com. Stevensons: 01472 233111, www.stevensonsgroup.co.uk. n

GERMAN MADE QUALITY

Lincoln-based Luna Living provides German made kitchens and bathrooms with flawless design and uncompromising quality built in...

Images: Steve Smailes Photography www.stevesmailes.co.uk.

IT’S NEVER TOO EARLY to begin the design process for a new kitchen or bathroom. The complementary professional design service at Luna Living will help you start that journey.

Luna Living on Lincoln’s Bishop’s Road has undergone a significant refurbishment to accommodate the growth of the business. It’s now a space which encompassed the unwavering commitment to excellent craftsmanship you’d expect from German product and design.

With 5,000sq ft showroom and over 30 displays, Luna living is one of the largest and most comprehensive showrooms in Lincolnshire. Luna Living’s choice of predominantly German suppliers also reflects its ethos of working with reputable companies.

Owner and director Mark Franklin explained “The range of manufacturers we work with means we have design freedom and can offer style flexibility, many also offer bespoke options with infinite choices to suit your preferences, so your imagination is the only limitation.” >>

LUNA LIVING

Above/Main: Luna Living is Lincolnshire’s largest showroom dedicated to quality contemporary German kitchens, bathrooms and tiles with 30 displays. There are premium appliances too, including Lincolnshire’s largest display of Fisher & Paykel cooking, refrigeration and dishwashing products.

>> Mark added: “It is essential to understand a client’s lifestyle and how they want to use a space – as we often need to consider living and entertaining areas as part of a kitchen.”

“Our kitchen suppliers include Quooker, Blanco, Silestone, Dekton, Fisher & Paykel, Blaupunkt and 1810 to name but a few.”

“The complexity of a kitchen and its importance to your home is why it’s so important to involve a designer in a project at the earliest possible stage to explore ideas to maximise the potential of your living space.”

“We’ve been established in Lincoln for 10 years and our reputation has been hard-earned. We’ve fostered good working relationships with specialists in kitchen and bathroom installation, providing a professional, project managed service, end-to-end.”

“From painted solid wood kitchen and bathroom ranges, to sleek contemporary options, as well as something in between, as well as appliances for your kitchen from leading manufacturers with quality and reliability, as well as the latest such as ovens with self-cleaning and steam functionality.”

“We also update our bathroom displays constantly, to ensure that they’re always evolving and always reflect trends or designs that our customers most identify with, and our portfolio of bathroom brands include Villeroy & Boch, Keuco, Victoria & Albert, Dansani & Imperial.”

“Our clients report that they’re delighted with our service and with infinite choices to suit your preferences, your imagination is the only limitation, so 2023 is the most exciting year yet to talk to us about updating your home.” n

Above/Top: Shown above is a 3D render of an installation available to see in person in the firm’s 5,000ft Bishop’s Road studio... the likeness is uncanny, which is helpful for those hoping to visualise their next kitchen or bathroom.

Right: The showroom also features a thought-provoking selection of tiles and work surfaces from the thousands available to customers.

Devereux Way, Horncastle LN9 6AU

Tel: 01507 527113

W: www.peterjacksoncabinets.co.uk E: info@peterjacksoncabinets.co.uk

Peter Jackson Cabinet Makers Ltd

BETTER BED DREAMING of a

How do you sleep at night? If you’re not getting the restful sleep you need, National Bed Month, which is being celebrated at Stevensons of Grimsby, definitely has the incentive you need...

A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP is essential for our wellbeing. Science hasn’t given us a conclusive answer as to why we need our sleep, but we do know that throughout the night our body is best able to repair itself, and many believe that during sleep – possibly through dreaming – our brain sorts out its ‘filing system’ and processes our thoughts and experiences accumulated throughout the day.

We all feel better after a good sleep, both physically and mentally. Our beds are also the places we spend about a third of our lives over our entire lifetime. So why do we give our beds, mattresses and pillows such little thought?

“I can’t think of another household product I use for seven or eight hours a day,” says Georgia Redding of Grimsby-based familyowned home furnishings retailer Stevensons.

“It’s clearly one of the most important products that we buy for our home, and we’ve an intimate relationship with our bed... after all, it’s the place we retreat to

when we’re unwell or upset, and somewhere we retreat to for a rest, or for pleasure... who doesn’t enjoy staying in bed for a couple of hours on a Sunday morning with the paper and a cup of coffee?”

“There are many different beds and mattresses all with different specifications and style, with prices ranging from less than £100 to many thousands. As one of the largest family run bed specialists in Lincolnshire we’re delighted to be able to offer a huge variety for customers... not least this month when National Bed Month aims to highlight the importance of good sleep.”

“We aim to give personal advice with our a specialist product knowledge. We truly believe we can direct you to the best product to suit you, and as partners in National Bed Month – which in turn has also partnered with The Sleep Charity – we’ll be promoting to our customers the health benefits of buying a new bed, particularly ones made by a National Bed Federation approved member.” >>

Stevensons has a number of Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum special offers to recognise the importance of a new bed during National Bed Month in March...

Above: Tesoro bed set and dressing table.

Right: In addition to bedroom ranges the retailer also has ranges for living rooms such as the Arco Glamour Living and Dining Collection and Haven sofa shown here.

Image:

>> “We’ll be sharing tips all month on choosing, maintaining and even disposing of your bed. We also have some exclusive promotions too, for instance, customers who buy a mattress from us will receive a free Essentials Mattress Protector. Purchase a divan and you’ll receive a free Essentials Mattress Protector and when you buy one pillow, you’ll receive another one free.”

“Spend over £1,000 with Stevensons on beds this month and you’ll receive a free Essentials Mattress Protector and two free Essentials Pillows. Customers who spend over £2,000 will receive a free Luxury Mattress Protector and two free Luxury Pillows. We’re also offering 20% off purchases from our retail website too.”

Stevensons of Grimsby has over 110 years of provenance in the county, as well as the latest ranges and styles from design-led manufacturers. The retailer has also curated a range of products which they’re happy to stock as not only stylish but well-made and built-to-last as well. An Interior Design Project Management service consists of overseeing the complete process of home renovation from plastering through to decorating and furnishing.

“In a world where internet sales sometimes dominate retail, we’re keen to maintain a physical presence in the town with two stores and five floors of sofas, chairs and tables for your living room, dining room and study, plus beds and mattresses for bedrooms too,” says Georgia. “Hopefully, that helps you to sleep at night too!” n

Find Out More: All of the products featured here are available from Stevensons of Grimsby. The retailer has a number of promotions to recognise National Bed Month, call for details. 143-151 Cleethorpe Road, Grimsby DN31 3AY. Call 01472 233111 or see www.stevensonsgroup.co.uk or www.stevensonshome.co.uk. Open Mon-Sat 9am-5.30pm, Sun 11am-4pm.

Outdoor Living

at GATES GARDEN CENTRE

Outdoor Living at Gates launches this month with the latest new brands, new styles from old favourites and on-trend accessories for making the most of your garden this season...

GATES GARDEN CENTRE is getting ready for summer, and inside a dedicated showroom, you’ll find 14,000sqft of display gardens, set up for easy browsing to inspire and enhance your outdoor living space. “There’s something for every budget and taste,” says the centre’s Ali Bailey.

“From contemporary rope weave, marine grade faux leather, robust teak and slate grey aluminum; bohemian, mid-century and Scandi inspired furniture; to traditional and timeless rattan, wicker, sturdy hardwoods and bronze cast aluminum. All are on display, meaning you get to try before you buy.”

“This year we have added new brands including high-quality garden cushions from Madison and hybrid barbecues from Grillstream; we’ve also extended our range from last year’s new garden furniture brand Supremo; as well as retaining and extending favourite leading brands Bramblecrest, Kettler, Hartman, 4 Seasons Outdoor, Life Outdoor Living, Alexander Rose and Quest.”

“Popular brand, Supremo Garden Furniture was first launched at Gates last year and has been extended for 2023. We now stock the Iris, Vienna and Belfort ranges, as well as continuing to offer Barcelona, Catalan and Melbury. Iris oozes modern style in lightweight rattan with sophisticated urban black cushions. This chic range features practical, stackable dining chairs for easy storage. Vienna is a contemporary hand-woven range with darker anthracite weave, lava seat cushions and granite effect tabletops. The all-weather Belfort grey pergola with drop-down curtains, integrated LED mood lighting and retractable, louvred canopy allows you to switch quickly between sunlight, shade or full rain-cover.”

“As well-established stockists of Bramblecrest we continue to offer a huge range of their most popular garden furniture, as well as new styles for 2023 including the Bramblecrest Vienna range with its more contemporary modular floating design and eco cushions made from recycled plastic bottles.” >>

Main: Bramblecrest Vilamoura Rectangular Modular Sofa Set. Outdoor Sempre six Seat Dining Set with Bel Air Table. Bramblecrest Worcester Grey Rectangular Side Post Parasol with LED, Granite Base & Cover.

1: Supremo Leisure Belfort Grey Rectangular Pergola with Curtains & LEDs (3m x 4m). 2: Bramblecrest Tetbury Cloud Single Hanging Cocoon.

3: 4 Seasons Outdoor Kingston Corner Lounge Set with Teak Top Coffee Table. 4: Kettler Classic Mesh Caredo six Seat Rectangular Dining Set with 3m Sage Parasol & Base.

5: 4 Seasons Outdoor Sempre Double Daybed. 6: Bramblecrest Zurich Tree-Free Garden Lounge Set. 7: 4 Seasons Outdoor Flores 6 Seat Dining Set with Goa Table.

>> “There’s also the multifunctional Vilamoura patio set that can be configured any way to suit your style. Make a classic corner set, a large flat day bed, giant recliners or simply place the modular sofas opposite each other; and the eco-friendly Zurich lounge set with its stylish tree-free armrests and accents and eco cushions. There’s also a new premium, cantilevered Worcester parasol with LEDs, granite base and practical castors, for easy movement around your patio.”

“Also new this season is the luxurious Sempre range from 4 Seasons Outdoor, including the generously proportioned double daybed with its on-trend, Scandi mid-century styling in silver grey marine grade rope and teak.”

“In addition, there’s new, lightweight Classic Mesh with fresh sage green cushions from popular brand Kettler, including the Caredo, Savita and Novero ranges.”

“To complement your patio furniture and extend the outdoor season we also offer a huge selection of contemporary and traditional solar, electric and dual-powered garden lighting, as well as gas and electric patio heaters and traditional fire pits. And for protection from the sun or sudden showers there are garden shades in every size and design, from half round balcony parasols and patio sails, to large cantilevered parasols with pre-installed lighting and huge garden gazebos with electronic shades… and everything in between.”

“Add scatter cushions in this season’s maximalist designs or opt for classic neutrals, add a decorative garden mirror, wall art or a weatherproof garden rug to complete your look and ensure your outdoor space is as comfortable and welcoming as indoors. And with matching cushion storage boxes and made to fit protective covers for every set your new furniture will look its very best year after year.”

“This year we have added a new selection of hybrid barbecues to our range from revolutionary barbecue brand, Grillstream. These are multi-fuel barbecues, giving you the option to choose gas or charcoal cooking on the same grill. Start the cook using charcoal, and finish on gas, or mix it up and barbecue burgers over hot coals on one side, whilst grilling chicken over gas on the other. Flare-ups are eliminated with the Grillstream System as fat and juices are channelled to the front of the barbecue, and ash is kept completely away from the burners, so clean-up is a doddle.”

“As an established Weber World store, we continue to offer the full range of Weber barbecues including gas, charcoal, electric and smokers, alongside an extensive collection of Weber accessories and sundries for all barbecues.”

“You can also buy garden buildings on-site at Gates, from a simple shed for keeping tools secure to the most elegant and spacious garden rooms and hot tub shelters…and you can pick up the hot tub too!”

“All ranges are on show for you to compare finishes and get a real feel for the size and specification of each. We offer a free UK wide delivery service for orders over £50 and there’s a ‘white glove’ delivery service too if you prefer to have our team deliver, assemble and set up your new furniture, ready for you to begin enjoying your garden immediately.” n

Find Out More: Gates Garden Centre, Farm Shop and Restaurant, Somerby Road, Cold Overton, Oakham LE15 7QB. Tel: 01664 454309, email:

Add space and style with a TIMBER FRAMED EXTENSION

With timeless style and traditional craftsmanship, a timber framed extension is the ideal way to add space and style to your home... just like this customer, who had a very important deadline to meet!

Words & Images: Rob Davis.

Oh, that’s better! It’s quite chilly when we get out of the car but nice and warm when we enter the brand new garden room extension we’ve come to view, and the homeowner has even lit the log burner for us.

We’re here to find out what happens when a customer chooses Top Barn Timber Frames to create a new garden room extension for their property.

The company provides traditional timber framed extensions, garden rooms, home offices, porches, car ports and outdoor living spaces, all in chunky rustic oak. This one was completed just in the nick of time for the client who had a particular deadline the family wanted to work to.

“It was a really tight deadline!” says our homeowner. “Our son was due to get married at the end of November so we had a choice of a strict deadline prior to the wedding, or a strict deadline prior to Christmas or the option of waiting until the new year!”

With a sense of derring do and some wellplaced confidence in the Top Barn Timber Frames team, which is headed up by Oliver and Charlotte Penn, the customer opted to start work if the team could complete it before their son walked down the aisle on 26th November.

On the morning of the wedding there was the usual nervousness and pacing about, but certainly no worries about the garden room which had been completed a day or two before. It was the very room in which buttonholes were pinned to the groom and

three groomsmen, and a month later, the same room was packed with Christmas gifts, which were opened in the room on 25th December too.

The couple’s family also raised a glass to one another on New Year’s Eve by the wood burner, and at the time of writing, they’re looking forward to throwing another log on the fire, snuggling under a blanket and watching the snow fall outside. Clare will also invite the book club into the room for the evening when it’s her turn to host its eight members as they debate literature... and of course, enjoy a glass of wine too!

“The house dates back to 1771 and it’s located in a conservation area, so obtaining planning permission wasn’t straight forward but it wasn’t too bad. It’s a south-facing room, so it enjoys plenty of natural light. It’s safe to say that it has been well-used already, and we’re thrilled with the space. Already a few neighbours have admired it and it wouldn’t surprise me if a few of them were considering something similar!” >>

>> Quite in addition to adding beautiful and usable space to your home, timber framed structures blend beautifully with your home, and the benefits don’t end there.

The structures are suitable for both internal spaces – living kitchens, studies, garden rooms – or external structures like car porches. Each building is completely bespoke and each one is fabricated beforehand too, meaning much of the work takes place off-site.

“Our bespoke structures are pre-fabricated in our own workshops, which means we’re free of disruption from bad weather and can do trial build runs, ensuring when we get on site everything will fit perfectly together. We cut traditional mortice and tenon joints, and when we assemble the structure on site, everything is pegged together with timber pegs which are, again, made in house.”

Direct glazing also means that whilst the buildings retain a traditional look and character, blending beautifully with older properties, they remain comfortable all year round; cosy in winter and cool in the summer. With sustainable materials like oak and hempcrete – lime mortar and dense hemp fibre – Top Barn Timber Frames’ buildings are energy efficient and sustainable, as well as being beautiful. Attractive, practical, sustainable and affordable... we think that Top Barn’s timber framed buildings are the future for many people looking to enhance their home, but a future that’s very much rooted in tradition, too. n

Find Out More: Top Barn Timber Frames produces garden rooms, timber-framed buildings, extensions porches and carports using sustainable oak and time-honoured construction methods. Call 07501 087593 or see www.topbarntimberframes.co.uk for a free, no obligation, pressure selling-free discussion about your project.

Left: A couple of the company’s garden rooms, created for local families.

Top/Far Left: Traditional mortice and tenon joints pegs are time-honoured methods of construction for Top Barn Timber Frames’ bespoke structures.

Image: Dean Fisher.

Beautiful, practical, sustainable and affordable too, Top Barn’s timber framed buildings are the future for many people looking to enhance their home... but a future rooted in tradition!”

TOP BARN TIMBER FRAMES

Crafting bespoke hardwood conservatories and orangeries, roof lights & timber windows...

THE FIRST SIGNS of

SPRING

This month we’re composing a love letter to spring and anticipating all of the sights, sounds and joy that blue skies, longer days, and warmer weather is set to bring...

FOR MANY, spring is the best season of all, with blue skies, fresh air, new signs of life and without the sticky, exhausting heat of mid-summer.

The beginning of spring is marked officially by the equinox, but unofficially – and subjectively – by some of our favourite signs that the season is changing, and so in a love letter to the season we thought we’d identify a few of the things we’re looking forward to this month...

Lighter Days

Solstice refers the longest (in June) and shortest (in December) days in the year, whilst the term equinox denotes the two times in a year (in March and September) when both day and night are equal in duration.

The British have also been observing British Summer Time since William Willett first proposed changing the clocks in 1916, which was mandated by the Summer Time Act. In 2023, the clocks will go forward by an hour on 26th March, when we can all look forward to some lighter evenings. In mid-March, sunrise occurs at 6.01am, and sunset at 8.03pm.

Warmer Weather

Just to complicate matters, weather scientists split the year into quarters based on statistics for temperature norms, and begin their spring measurements on 1st March, lasting until 31st May.

March sees average temperatures of between 5°c and 12°c, with an average of 40mm rainfall and 107 hours of sunshine.

In February, temperatures are about 5°c cooler and there’s only 77hrs sunshine. Scientists have identified exposure to sunshine and our production of vitamin D as beneficial for improving sleep, reducing stress and strengthening the immune system.

On the Farm

For livestock operations, spring means lambing and calving. About 16m ewes give birth in Britain each year, and though lambing can take place from November to May there’s still a birth rate peak in March. On arable farms, slurry is spread on fields, drilling of sugar beet, potato crops and peas takes place and cereal crops are sprayed with fertiliser and pesticides. >>

Words: Rob Davis.

On the Trees

Spring means new growth on trees. In March, ash, beech, oak and rowan buds begin bursting into life, with alder, maple and birch next. Though cherry blossom is synonymous with spring, it actually blossoms a little later, typically in April.

In the Garden

In our own gardens, snowdrops will gradually give way to daffodils and bluebells, perhaps the first few crocuses too. The arrival of spring blossom is another highlight for many, and bare-root blossom trees can be purchased now and planted out. Elsewhere it’s time to give the garden a good tidy up. Leaving the lawn a little longer before giving it the first cut of the season, however, will benefit pollinators.

Insects

Insects also begin to awaken in March, with peacock, tortoiseshell and brimstone

butterflies first to be seen, followed by the small white and red admiral. As the weather continues to warm up, beetles, spiders and ladybirds are next to appear.

Bees

Spring Forward

The first day of spring is Monday 20th March, coinciding with the spring equinox – the first day of astronomical spring – when the day and night are almost equal in duration.

Birds will also begin to sing the dawn chorus to identify their territory about half an hour fore and aft of sunrise from March. Interestingly there’s always a set sequence to the species who sing; robins and blackbirds are first, followed by thrushes and then wrens, warblers, great tits, and finally sparrows and finches.

Bees

It’s estimated that there are just 1.23m honeybees in the UK, and 24 of the UK’s bee species are bumblebees, with a colony typically comprising of about 400.

Gardeners will see bees buzzing around as temperatures warm up, and planting as many bee-friendly species as possible will help ensure this essential part of our eco-system thrives.

Since 1900, the decline in bee population has seen the loss of 13 species of bee, through change in land use, habitat loss, pesticide use and invasive non-native plant species.

It’s estimated that to perform the job of pollination that bees help us with would cost the economy £1.8bn in labour in the UK alone. Their preservation is essential, hence the advice of planting bee-friendly seed mixes where possible, for instance in a wildflower meadow left uncut with marigold, poppy, cornflower and oxeye daisies. n

30 Years of Top-Down Motoring with the Mini Convertible

Mini’s new Seaside is now available to order with first deliveries in time for top-down summer motoring in this cheerful incarnation of a British motoring icon!

TUSCANY? THE SEYCHELLES? SKEGNESS?

Where are you planning to enjoy the sun this year? Chances are, as you read this, temperatures will still be on the chilly side, hardly a climate for top-down motoring. But the Great British summer will be along soon, so assuming you’re going to be spending at least part of the sunnier months in the UK, now is the time to start considering an open-top car in which to waft along the UK’s back roads and motorways.

Happily, Mini is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its first convertible model, – released in 1993 – with this, the cheerfullynamed Seaside Edition of its existing Mini convertible. It’s priced at £34,500, which we think is pretty steep, but Mini remains a premium-badge in the small car world, and it’s

still backed with meticulous BMW mechanicals, build quality and reliability. It’s also equipped with a 2.0 four-cylinder engine, turbocharged to 178hp to reach 60mph in 6.9 seconds, making it rather nippy to say the least.

With first deliveries this month, the Seaside Edition features double decorative stripes in white running across the side doors to the rear of the vehicle, while a unique 30 motif graphic on the front apron and wheel caps refer to the model’s anniversary. The car also comes with Mini’s Premium Plus packaged option pack which provides

automatic air conditioning, reverse parking control, various driving modes, wireless smartphone charging and an upgraded stereo. Other thoughts? Well, it’s fun, attractive, but also quite expensive for what remains a very small car. Though it’s likely the Mini Convertible will be a more useful second car than your daily driver, and given that its uniqueness can only be fully realised in the summer, when the roof’s down, we’d question its value against the entry-level Mini convertible which is £9,000 cheaper.

Still, with all the kit, performance and style you need, it’s likely to be a ‘with the heart’ purchase, and if you’re yearning for a bit of motoring fun, the only thing you need really need this summer, apart from the Mini Convertible, is a little bit of sunshine! n

THE DETAILS

Mini Convertible Seaside Edition

Price: £34,500 (On sale now).

Powertrain: 2.0 four-cylinder engine, 178hp, automatic gearbox.

Performance: Top speed 143mph, 0-60mph 6.9 secs. Fuel consumption WLTP 47.9mpg.

Equipment: 18” wheels, Caribbean Aqua paint, leather trim in carbon black, electrically folding roof, navigation, heated steering wheel, heated seats, air conditioning, reverse parking sensors, wireless smartphone charging. n

Farewell to a motoring icon

Aston Martin DBS 770

With electrification, new technology and smaller, more efficient engines with fewer cylinders, the writing’s on the wall for internal combustion behemoths like Aston Martin’s mighty 5.2 litre V12 powerplant. And so, the company is retiring its flagship DBS, but not before a final edition version which can claim to be the most powerful production Aston Martin model to date...

BEFORE TOO LONG, we’ll have seen the last of cars like this. Aston Martin’s DBS is powered by the firm’s 5.2 litre twin-turbo 12-cylinder flagship powerplant, but as the industry moves away from internal combustion engines and into the era of electrification, massive engines like this are increasingly anachronistic.

Today’s electric vehicles like Tesla’s Model S are capable of sub-three second 0-60mph sprints, and whilst the relatively silent power delivery might not have the evocative bark of a traditional supercar like the DBS, they’re certainly the future.

Sadly that means saying goodbye to cars like the DBS, but Aston Martin is at least treating us to this final edition version, badged the DBS 770 Ultimate, a swan song for its V12 engine.

The figure 770 refers to its uprated engine which puts out 770ps of power and a mighty 900Nm of torque. The most powerful production Aston Martin ever has been extensively re-engineered for enhanced performance, driver engagement and visual

drama, not least with a new front splitter, dramatic horse-shoe vent and deeper rear diffuser, for improved engine cooling and aerodynamic balance.

Its hand-built engine propels the DBS 770 Ultimate to a top speed of 211mph and its modified ignition and air flow pathways result in a 7% increase in turbo pressure, providing a significant increase in performance over the ‘standard’ DBS.

Power is fed through a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and mechanical Limited-Slip Differential (LSD) mounted at the rear of the car. Carbon ceramic brakes have been added, too, plus 21” wheels available in three finishes.

Inside, the DBS 770 Ultimate delights with a dazzling array of fresh design treatments that set it apart, while retaining the instantly recognisable cabin environment of the current DBS. Signifying its halo positioning, DBS 770 Ultimate comes with Sports Plus Seats trimmed in full semi-aniline leather and Alcantara, featuring a ‘fluted’ quilt and perforation pattern as standard.

Aston Martin’s performance seat can also be selected as an option. A bespoke trim split has been introduced, with contrast colours linked to welt and stitching, along with a tailor-made strap and buckle badge featuring a laser etched DBS 770 Ultimate logo found on the centre arm rest. Carbon Fibre Gearshift paddles are also fitted as standard.

Finally, DBS 770 Ultimate is fitted with a unique set of sill plaques showcasing the Aston Martin Wings, DBS 770 Ultimate logo and Limited-Edition numbering. The current DBS is the second of two V12powered DBS generations introduced during Aston Martin’s Gaydon era. Launched in 2018 it’s immaculate design, muscular physique and breathtaking potency quickly became synonymous with Aston Martin’s unique brand of Super GT and coined the term ‘Brute In A Suit.’

Only 499 examples of the car will be made globally, and deliveries will begin towards the end of 2023. In its place, it’s anticipated that Aston Martin will release a nextgeneration electric vehicle. n

THE DETAILS

Aston Martin DBS 770 Ultimate

Price: £250,000 (est; undisclosed).

Powertrain: 5.2 litre V12 twinturbo engine, 770ps, 900Nm torque, 0-60mph 3.4 seconds, top speed 211mph.

Equipment: Carbon fibre and Alcantara interior, 16-way electrically adjustable heated and ventilated seats, 360° camera, active park assist, infotainment touchpad and dial. Cruise control, sat nav, Apple Carplay, 8” screen, blind spot monitoring system. n

Spring FORWARD

Whatever the weather, you’ll feel good and look great with the new spring collection from Mint Velvet... fashions for any occasion!

1. White Striped V Neck Jumper, £89.

2. Black Texture Cardigan Jacket, £129.

3. White Textured Cardigan Jacket, £129.

4. White Striped Cuff Detail Top, £55.

5. White Bow Front Jumper, £89. >> www.mintvelvet.co.uk

1. Cara Print Cream Shirt, £79.

2. White Cutout Detail Shirt, £79.

3. Beige Double Breasted Coat, £199.

4. White Striped Ribbed Top, £49.

5. Cream Leather Biker Jacket, £299.

6. Livia Asymmetric Midi Skirt, £99.. >> www.mintvelvet.co.uk

1. Livia Print Asymmetric Shirt Dress, £129.

2. Hallie Asymmetric Midi Dress, £139.

3. Ciara Print Mini Dress, £109.

4. Black Collared Mini Dress, £119.

5. Bella Print Slip Dress Set, £159. www.mintvelvet.co.uk

Holland Cooper Regency Holdall, £199. www.hollandcooper.com

Katie Loxton

Kensington Weekend Bag, £99.99, www.katieloxton.com.

Osprey London

The Kellie Leather Weekender, £395, www.ospreylondon.com.

BAGS OF FUN

Mulberry

City Weekender in Double Yellow, £1,425, www.mulberry.com.

Luxury and designer holdalls for fun weekends away, and spring adventures...

Edit: Mandy Bray.

Sophie Allport

Poppy Meadow Weekend Oundle Bag, £63.50, www.sophieallport.com.

Fairfax & Favor

The Oxburgh, £350, www.fairfaxandfavor.com.

Aspinals Of London

Brit Travel Bag, £795, www.aspinaloflondon.com.

Antler

Chelsea overnight bag in mineral, £139. www.antler.co.uk.

Gucci Savoy medium duffle bag, £1,610, www.gucci.com.

Enjoy the area’s finest magazines, using our App, free to download now!

Read online now at

www.pridemagazines.co.uk

You can now enjoy Pride Magazine with our app on your smartphone or tablet... completely free of charge!

CELEBRATING THE RETURN OF THE FARMERS’ BALL AT THE PETWOOD HOTEL...

Celebrating the return of The Farmers’ Ball

A WELCOME RETURN for one of winter’s most successful and long-standing events, not to mention one of our favourite events to photograph!

Andrew Gaunt, Sue Needham and their committee welcomed over 450 people into a marquee adjacent to The Petwood Hotel in Woodhall Spa for 2023’s Farmers’ Ball, where a Champagne reception, three course supper, a game of ‘heads or tails’ and dancing to the Stolen Fridays all created an evening of fun for the local agricultural community.

The event’s history can be traced back to the early 1900s and the money raised has previously supported local charities including the Linc & Notts Air Ambulance, LIVES, Carers UK and Riding for the Disabled. n

Words & Images: Rob Davis.

Night & Day

LUXURY WELLBEING AND BEAUTY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BOTH NIGHT AND DAY

1. Guerlain’s Orchidée Impériale Facial Mask

Available from John Lewis, The Guerlain Orchidée Impériale Mask offers intensive replenishing skincare and has been formulated to meet the needs of skin which has been damaged by demanding lifestyles. Enveloping the skin in a moment of pure indulgence it mitigates redness and discomfort. Skin feels firmer, smoother, more supple, and its radiance is restored, £283/75ml, www.johnlewis.com.

2. Double the Volume

Estée Lauder’s Double Wear is our mascara and you too will love its extreme wear, extraordinary length and unstoppable power. Now the smudge-free look you see in the mirror each morning is the look you keep all day, £26.50/6ml.

3. Lasting Nail Colour

Dazzling deep royal blue shades courtesy of Nailberry, whose L’Oxygéné nail colour creates a breathable, water permeable oxygenated formula delivering a high standard of colour vivacity and shine with just a single coat, £16/15ml, from Space NK, Stamford.

4. Visibly Smoother

Neal’s Yard promises visibly smoother and softer skin thanks to its frankincense-infused intense cleansing melt, which removes everyday impurities, plus waterproof makeup, without drying out the skin. Organic formula, proven to work for 12 hours, £40/100ml.

5. La Prairie’s hard-working luxe sleep mask...

La Prarie’s Skin Caviar Luxe Sleep Mask brushes on smoothly, melting instantly into the skin where it works its magic overnight. Formulated with La Prairie’s Exclusive Cellular Complex, this richly-textured treatment works while you sleepthe most

moment for cells. Awaken with smoother, firmer-looking, glowing skin. £340/50ml, John Lewis.

6. Aromatherapy from Diptyque Le Redouté

Diptyque’s signature scented candles to stunning effect with the Le Redouté Lantern for a 190g Candle: an enchanting accessory that will enhance any living space. Once lit the graphic lines come into their own, casting a magical spacenk.com

All our beauty from local independent stockists unless otherwise stated, please note that prices stated are RRP and may vary.

Clinique Perfectly Happy

Fragrance

Clarins Hydra-Essentiel

New range launching 9th Feb, call for availability and prices.

SPRING PERFUMES

Q

My

SPRING FRESH

New adventures in fragrance plus some familiar favourites for Mother’s Day at Coneys Department Store...

Coneys Department Store, Broad Street, Spalding PE11 1TB. Call 01775 767155 or see www.coneysdesignerwear.co.uk.

Luxury

set with 100ml EDP, body cream, handbag atomiser.£52.

Georgio Armani

Way, bright floral scent, £75/30ml, £102/50ml.

Lancôme La Vie Est Belle 100ml EDP, 50ml lotion, handbag atomiser, mascara £129.

Estée Lauder

Collection, one of eight new 40ml EDP fragrances, £76.

Dolce & Gabbana

by Dolce & Gabbana, EDP. £86/50ml.

Paco Rabanne Olympéa Floral Intense, EDP. £78/50ml.

Molton Brown Hand care collection, 3 x 40ml, £30.

Purveyors of Luxury Eyewear

Since 1979

• Reducing pain, improving mobility

• Customised full prescription shoe orthotics

• Specialist ingrowing nail treatments

• Advanced verrucae treatments

43/44 Wrawby Street, Brigg, North Lincolnshire DN20 8BS

Tel: 01652 653595. Web: www.obriensopticians.co.uk Call for an appointment or pop in to view our latest designer eyewear

• Intra articular joint injections for mild to moderate osteo-arthritis

• Steroid Injections

• Cosmetic nail reconstruction

MAUI JIM, a collection in stock now.

A Country Wedding

When Amelia and Tom married at Stubton Hall near Newark, they wanted the day to reflect their interests and the local countryside. It was a great day for family and friends, but there was also a secret ‘special guest’ in attendance!

Wedding Photographer: Gary Anderson, 01507 351639, www.gjaphotography.com.

THE GREAT THING about living in the countryside is that every season has its own unique beauty. As sure as the bulbs and blossoms of spring give way to the blue skies and verdant greens of summer, autumn soon arrives with a rich range of colours from bronze and orange to red and gold.

Autumn has an appeal that’s not lost on Amelia and Tom. This month’s groom moved down to Lincolnshire from the north east to take on a role as engineer in the RAF at Coningsby, specialising in avionics on the Typhoon fleet.

Tom met Amelia, a veterinary nurse at a local practice, online in 2018 and the two began dating, culminating in a proposal in April 2021.

“We’re quite outdoorsy people and enjoy spending time in the countryside. We both have a trio of Beagles who we adore,” says Tom. “We were enjoying a day out at Belvoir Castle with a picnic just after Amelia had qualified. I made out that I had a present for her by way of congratulations for passing her exams, then presented her with a ring and asked her to marry me.”

Because of the tendency of those in the RAF to move around as their career dictates, and as Amelia’s family were all living locally, the couple decided that time was of the essence and wedding planning began in earnest.

The criteria was that the day should make the most of autumn colours, it should reflect their interests and that the day should have a nice family feel for about 70 day guests plus a few more friends in the evening.

“We prepared a shortlist of three wedding venues, and we were open-minded to any of them, but when we saw Stubton Hall we fell

WEDDING SUPPLIERS

in love with the place straight away, with the setting and the mature trees and lake really helping to ensure that it’s a great backdrop for wedding photographs. Fairly early on too, we realised that the people there are lovely, and couldn’t do enough for us; nothing was too much trouble on the day.”

With a venue and a date confirmed, the couple turned their attention to finding a photographer, and say they took lots of time to scrutinise the portfolios of many of the area’s professionals.

“Gary Anderson’s work really stood out for us,” says Tom. “It’s not often you book a photographer so we were a bit uncertain how we’d feel being in front of the camera, but we had an engagement shoot with Gary which proved to be a really good idea. It put us at ease and made us feel a little more comfortable working with each other.”

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Stubton Hall, Newark, 01636 626187, www.stubtonhall.co.uk.

Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero at Blush Bridal, Bourne, 01778 218020, www.blushbridal.co.

Hair Stylist: Brianna Ellwood Hair.

Makeup Artist: Hannah @ Lipstick & Hairpins, www.lipstickandhairpins.co.uk.

Gents’ Tailoring: Cavani at Coneys of Lincoln, 01522 511187, www.coneysdesignerwear.co.uk.

Floristry: Jacaranda, 07815 290744 www.jacarandaflowers.co.uk.

Wedding Styling: Modern Heritage, www.modernheritagestyling.co.uk.

Confectionery: Confectionery Lounge www.theconfectionerylounge.com. n

Amelia found her perfect wedding dress, a Maggie Sottero dress with capped sleeves and lace overlay, at Bourne’s Blush Bridal, whilst her bridesmaids’ sage-coloured dresses were purchased from ASOS.

As well as having a couple of bridesmaids, Amelia’s best friend Euan served as her man of honour – or bridesman – and along with Tom’s three groomsmen, the gents all wore Cavani tailoring sourced from Coneys of Lincoln.

With autumn colours and a countryside theme to inspire the look and feel of the day, the couple sought the creative talents of Fran at Modern Heritage Styling, who decorated chairs with tweed and game bird feathers, and created the couple’s table centrepieces.

The couple’s floristry professional was Michelle at Jacaranda who utilised

eucalyptus, and dried autumn leaves on the couple’s tall table centrepieces and the table used for signing the register.

“Instead of a wedding breakfast we opted for an afternoon tea which went down well as it was a bit lighter. We then had a woodfired pizza oven for the evening.”

“We commissioned a wedding cake from Orsi’s kitchen, based in Doncaster, and also a doughnut tower from Confectionery Lounge which also supplied our sweet cart. Our Beagles, Pippa, Maisy and Rupert also made an appearance on the cake table as sugarcraft characters... we’d have loved them to be there on the day but we thought the combination of mischievous Beagles, muddy paws and a white wedding dress probably wasn’t the best idea!”

“Everyone was praising our wedding band, Single Tables, who performed a really great playlist, and together with Stubton Hall’s in-house DJ we had a good mix of music which really got everyone dancing.”

“The day was just so good it’s hard to pick our favourite parts,” says Tom. “There’s a photo of the two of us with Amelia’s veil floating with a reflection. To get the shot, her man of honour, Euan, had to throw her veil and run away. But he nearly pulled Amelia’s head off trying it on the first attempt, which made us all laugh!”

“It was just so good having all of our nearest and dearest there in one place... and there was a secret guest there too. Amelia was nine weeks pregnant on the day. We still hadn’t told anyone, but we’d tipped off Stubton Hall so they ensured we had non-alcoholic drinks only during the day.”

“We did contemplate a big reveal on the day but decided we’d keep it a secret a little longer. It’s going to be a very exciting year for us though, with our first daughter expected in May!” n

Wedding Photographer: Gary Anderson, 01507 351639, www.gjaphotography.com.

WRINKLE TREATMENT TWO AREAS

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0.5ML LIP FILLER • 45 MINUTES • FROM £150

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30 MINUTES AND OVER • £30, CONSULTATION FEE REDEEMABLE AGAINST COST OF OBAGI SKINCARE PRODUCTS

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