Lincolnshire Pride Dec 2013

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DECEMBER 2013

DECEMBER

DECEMBER

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR

2013

LincolnshirePride

LincolnshirePride T H E

N U M B E R

O N E

C O U N T Y

TO ALL OUR READERS

M A G A Z I N E

ISSUE 137

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

£3.70

DECEM BER 2013

The Event

Christmas

Festive Food

Aled Jones at The Stump

Enjoy Lincoln’s Christmas Market

Local produce and recipes

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D E C E M B E R

DECEMBER

T H E

N U M B E R

O N E

LincolnshirePride

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR

2013

LincolnshirePride C O U N T Y

TO ALL OUR READERS

M A G A Z I N E

ISSUE 137

THE nuMBER OnE COunTY MAGAZInE

Welcome to December’s Lincolnshire Pride in which we’re delighted to wish all of our readers a very Happy Christmas. To celebrate the season we’ve seasonal recipes and ways to make your Christmas lunch an easier occasion, as well as hints, tips and little projects for a home made Christmas.

£3.70

The Event

Christmas

Festive Food

Aled Jones at The Stump

Enjoy Lincoln’s Christmas Market

Local produce and recipes

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This month’s cover: Lincoln Cathedral in the snow, kindly supplied by Andrea Green.

See our What’s On pages for details of the Cathedral’s festive programme of choral concerts.

Pride Magazines Elm Grange Studios East Heckington, Boston Lincolnshire PE20 3QF

Also in this edition we’ve a brace of pub restaurants for winter dining, a roundup of seasonal gift ideas and jewellery, plus fashion ideas for the season and the best places to take the children to see Santa.

Tel: 01529 469977 Fax: 01529 469978 Web: www.lincolnshirepride.co.uk enquiries@pridemagazines.co.uk

We’ve a beautiful looking property near Stamford in this month’s homes and gardens section, as well as festive ideas for using red in your home.

Our best wishes for a wonderful season!

www.facebook.com/lincolnshirepride Why not follow us on Facebook? You can keep up to date with any news we may have for our lovely magazine! twitter.com/@LincsPrideMag Follow us on Twitter so you can read our tweets. We’ll let you know what’s going on and keep you well informed!

Enjoy!

By supplying editorial or adverts to Lincolnshire Pride you accept in full the terms and conditions which can be found online at www.pridemagazines.co.uk. In the event of an advert or editorial being published incorrectly, where Pride Magazines Ltd admits fault, we will include an advert of equivalent size, or equivalent sized editorial, free of charge to be used in a future edition, at our discretion. This gesture is accepted as full compensation for the error(s) with no refunds available.

With best wishes from the Lincolnshire Pride team...

Publisher: Julian Wilkinson. General Manager: Ian Bagley.

Pride Magazines Group Sales Manager: Jayne Broughton.

Executive Editor: Rob Davis. Customer Care Manager: Mandy Bray.

Accounts Manager: Sue Bannister. Sales Manager: Zoie Wilkinson.

Sales Executives: Charlotte Aiken, Elaine Hall, Jo Leadbitter, Rachel Frisby, Rachel Jones, Emily Brown, Sami Millard, Amy Whiley, Lauren Chambers, Andrew Taylor.

Sales Support: Emily Rippin, Denise Ging. Distribution Manager: Paul Dixon.

Enjoy Lincolnshire Pride, read it cover to cover. Pick it up, put it down and when you have finished with it pass it on. When everyone has had a good read, pop it in the recycle bin!

Festivity

Food

Fashion

Fun

Great ideas for a home made Christmas and a roundup of festivities in the county this month.

A brace of pub restaurants for warm, cosy dining over the festive season.

Ensure you look great and stay warm with country clothing and seasonal style from local retailers.

Champagne suppers and fundraising events - lots of fun for our photographers to capture!

WInTER 2013

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CountyNews

Send your press releases and county news to: Rob Davis, via editor@pridemagazines.co.uk.

Successful launch for Sleaford’s £2.8m leisure centre and pool A year in the making - and enthusiastic locals are really excited by the town’s brand new state of the art facility Sleaford residents are taking the plunge in their new, state of the art swimming pool, at the town’s new leisure centre.

50 of the previous site’s swimmers have provided input into how the new facility should look and what features should be incorporated.

They were the first swimmers into the new five-lane 25m pool.

Local school children followed, and a spectacular mosaic, created by designer Alan Potter, was unveiled too. Alan also designed a community garden in the grounds of the facility.

An official opening will take place as Pride goes to press when Olympic swimmer and TV presenter Sharron Davies visits the centre.

North Kesteven District Council’s Marion Brighton said: “This is a most thrilling day for us all; not least the swimmers and leisure users who I know have waited very patiently and excitedly. I think that what we have achieved here is absolutely stunning and a real credit to everyone involved!”

The centre will also feature a ‘bulked up’ gym with brand new equipment, a wildlife-theme splash pool to keep children happy, plus a studio area for a new programme of classes, plus a brand new sauna and steam room.

Regular swimmer Sharon Bark from Metheringham was among the first to jump in; “I love absolutely everything about it! It’s so light, airy and welcoming! It feels so much nicer!”

Lincs FM duo ‘most influential’

Prom, party & evening wear retailer Red Carpet Ready set to become the region’s largest & most glamorous dress stockists

Lincs FM’s Chief Executive Michael Betton and its Group Finance Manager Steven Childs both received prestigious industry honours recently.

100’s of designer dresses from £100-£700. Accessories and dress hire, too...

Michael was made was made a fellow of the Radio Academy Fellowship, which recognises individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the industry and the Academy.

Meanwhile, Steven was declared one of the 30th most influential people in radio in the whole of the UK in the Radio Academy’s 30 Under 30 for 2013 list making him one of the most exceptional radio professionals in the UK. The station first went on air on 1st March 1992 and has an audience share of over 17%.

Lincolnshire’s newest designer boutique opens in Branston, 8 minutes from the city of Lincoln, as Pride goes to press, specialising in Prom, Party & Evening wear.

Red Carpet Ready has hundreds of designer dresses for all occasions including Balls, The Races, Pageants, Wedding Invitations - you name it. Dresses to buy range from £100-£700 with hire from £75, all with matching shoes and clutch bags.

Combine this with an interior that includes a Red Carpet Runway for customers to strut down, and this shopping destination is one that will definitely be remembered.

“Everything about Red Carpet Ready is unique and glamorous.” says owner Kirsty Gale. “We promise to give you the WOW factor!”

“We will be open 7 days a week until 9pm to suit our customers, they just need to call us, plus we offer days & evenings where no appointments are necessary, including fun promotion nights.”

“We will be every woman’s dream shopping destination.”

For details of Red Carpet Ready’s opening hours, its competition to find ‘The Face of Red Carpet Ready 2014’ and its free VIP Party Packages, visit the company’s website www.redcarpetready.co.uk or see its Facebook page; facebook.com/redcarpetreadyltd.

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CountyNews

Send your press releases and county news to: Rob Davis, via editor@pridemagazines.co.uk.

Lincoln’s Frequency arts festival took place last month and attracted over 32,000 visitors to the biennial event. Over 40 events took place across eight days in over 20 venues across the city.

exhibition at The National Centre for Craft and Design in Sleaford.

Other venues included Drill Hall, LPAC and The Collection.

Organisers are heralding the event a success and are promising a bigger and better event when Frequency returns in 2015.

Interactive performances, exhibitions and installations all had a digital culture theme and included art created with Google Maps, as well as giant projections on Lincoln’s historic buildings and a video game themed

Lincoln’s Mayor receives 1790 predecessor’s painting

Boston Festival brightens up locals’ lives with some carnival colour...

Thomas Jepson watercolour from 1790 returns home to Lincoln after bequeath. Watercolour presented to current Mayor by daughter...

Lincoln Mayor Patrick Vaughan recently received a miniature watercolour of an 18th Century Mayor of Lincoln, Thomas Jepson, who was in office in 1790.

It was left to the city by Roy Fines, who had owned the portrait for around three decades before his death in 2012. His daughter Lisa Barber came up from her home in Winchester to the Guildhall to present the current Mayor Patrick Vaughan with the portrait.

Mr Vaughan, said: “It is an absolute honour to be able to accept this unusual painting on behalf of the city.”

“You have a real sense of history as Mayor, knowing that 806 people have held the position before you, but to see such a fantastic portrait of Thomas Jepson from 223 years ago is a rare and privileged opportunity.”

“It is an extremely generous donation

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from Lisa and her father Roy and it will add a little more to Lincoln's already rich historic tapestry.”

The Guildhall currently houses a photographic collection of former Mayors, but this is thought to be the first miniature watercolour of a former Mayor to be added to the collection.

Mr Fines was a well known figure in the city for many years, setting up Chapter and Verse in the 1970s to sell paperback books on Lincoln Market.

After spending most of his life in Lincoln, the former Mount Street, Westgate and City Grammar school pupil, moved to Winchester in his final years to be closer to family.

Boston’s dark skies were brightened up recently with flashes of colour, uplifting drum beats and carnival music. The ArtReach event Night of Festivals was enjoyed by thousands of people with over 100 performers taking part.

However as a thanks to his home city for a remarkable life, he left two paintings to the city - one to the council and another to the Cathedral.

In Central Park, a Performance Dome and Storytelling Yurt was erected with over a thousand visitors over the weekend. The carnival elements of the weekend attracted a lot of attention and interaction (even during the frequent showers on both days!). Shoppers and passers-by were transfixed at the energy and music of Paradiso Samba, and the colourful costumes.

Lightweight by Impossible, image by Kippa Matthews.

32,000 visitors for Frequency Arts Festival

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TO VIEW AND PURCHASE PHOTOGRAPHS FROM ‘THE EVENT’ VISIT WWW.PRIDEMAGAZINES.CO.UK

Aled met VIPs in the nave before his performance.

THE EVENT Aled Jones Performs in Lincolnshire Superstar singer Aled Jones performed at Boston Stump recently... and an audience of 300 guests were practically walking in the air listening to his performance. The concert was organised by The Boston Stump Restoration Trust, and featured guest soprano Caroline Trutz as well as Simon Lole as musical director working alongside The Choirs of St Botolph - The Robed Choir and St Botolph’s Singers, as well as Aled himself.

The musical programme included music by Britten, Mozart, Puccini and Verdi as well as performances by Aled whose 25 year broadcasting career includes TV and radio work. Aled has recorded 29 albums selling in excess of 6,000,000 copies, and currently co-anchors Daybreak with Lorraine Kelly whilst maintaining his Sunday morning Classic FM radio show.

Photos: Rob Davis.

The singer performed to an audience of over 300.

Prom, ParTy & EVEning WEar sPECialisTs opening monday 2nd December, 8 minutes from lincoln City Centre

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THE EVENT Aled

Jones Performs in Lincolnshire

Guest Soprano Caroline Trutz.

Aled with Appeal Coordinator Peter Coleman and Fr Chris Wedge.

The region’s largest dress stockist promises a shopping experience like no other • Buy & Hire • Celebrity Brands • Every taste, style & colour available Visit our website for full details & our opening hours

40 Hall lane, Branston, lincoln ln4 1Py Telephone: 01522 793777

www.redcarpetready.co.uk | facebook.com/redcarpetreadyltd

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Enjoy... Lincoln

Christmas in

Lincoln It’s an exciting time in Lincoln - not just because this is the run-up to the festive season, but there’s a fascinating find in the grounds of the castle too, and looking further ahead, Magna Carta’s 800th anniversary, plus the development of downtown Lincoln’s £100m Lindongate city centre project...

Image: Lincoln from South Common by Alasdair McIntosh Photography, www.amcintosh.com.

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ENJOY... Lincoln

Christmas in

Lincoln Over 250,000 visitors will pour into Lincoln this year for the 30th anniversary of the city’s Christmas Market. However, there’s lots more to see and do beside this festive favourite, and lots more planned for the city’s future, too...

Christmas shopping needs to be as enjoyable as possible with lots of shops and stalls with great gift ideas, a friendly environment, entertainment for the kids and plenty of parking. That’s why Lincoln is the ideal destination for festive fun and for your Christmas preparations.

Festivities begin with former ‘Allo ‘Allo actress Sue Hodge turning on the city’s lights as Pride appears in shops on 21st November. A procession leaves the Guildhall from 6.45pm and finishes at High Street’s St Benedict’s Church where the lights will be switched on.

ThE LAndMARK

250,000 visitors, 250 stalls and an income for the city, over all, of more than £10m means Lincoln’s Christmas Market, from 5th-8th December, is good news for all concerned. This year will be the 30th anniversary of the event, highly recommended and taking place around Steep Hill and Bailgate.

Elsewhere, Lincoln BIG will bring along Rudolph and two of his baby reindeer to meet the public in Bailgate on 12th December.

Look out, too, for the Lincoln Lantern Parade on 19th December with children from Westgate Academy leaving Lincoln’s Cornhill at 6pm, arriving at The Church of St Mary at 6.30pm for a carol service and nativity play.

Ellis’ Mill Lincoln Cathedral’s Christmas concerts take place from 13th-18th December with a concert of Carols

by Candlelight on 11th December and Britten’s ceremony of Carols on Saturday 14th all adding to the festive character of uphill Lincoln.

“Lincoln is a wonderful place to visit all year round, but at Christmas there is an extra special feeling.” says Ric Metcalfe, leader of the City of Lincoln Council.

“With the lights on in the High Street, the Christmas Market, Santa Run and all the other fantastic events, there really is something for everyone.”

Skating on Thin Ice PRoFESSionAL SKATERS Kelly Hemingway and Neil Chilcott will be adding extra sparkle to the opening ceremony of the Lincoln BIG Ice Rink , which will be performed by Lincoln’s Mayor Councillor Patrick Vaughan on Saturday, 30th November at 10am. Lincs FM presenters will also be compering the opening ceremony. Prices for a 45 minute session are from £4.50 to £7.50.

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What is it? The last working windmill in Lincoln, the current 1798 building was built on the grounds of the original 1241 mill. It used to be surrounded by eight other windmills.

Who was Ellis? The name refers to John Ellis, miller from 1894. John and later his son, owned the mill until 1973.

Rescued: The mill was working until the 1940s. A fire further destroyed the interior in 1974.

In 1977 the Lincoln Civic Trust acquired the mill and restored it. Ellis’ Mill opened in 1980 and ground its first flour a year later.

Find out more: The mill, just off Burton Road, is open every Sunday from 2pm until dusk.

Entry is free, call 01522 528448.

Ellis’ Mill image by Adam Rhoades.

The city will also host its Santa Fun Run on 15th December, in Castle Square from 11.30am. The event will see 2,000 people embarking on a two lap race of Cathedral Quarter to try to beat last year’s record breaking £63,000, raised for local charities including the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance.

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Revealing the Past at Lincoln Castle

ThE FuTuRE oF LinCoLn

Asleep for 1,000 Years!

Ongoing works as part of Lincoln Castle Revealed have ‘dug up’ a few surprises, as Mary Powell reveals Digging up the past at Lincoln Castle, a team of over 20 heritage stonemasons are currently restoring the east and west walls of the city’s scheduled ancient monument.

The project, Lincoln Castle Revealed, is a £21m restoration endeavour which will see the fabric of the building repaired, a new lift and stair tower created, plus a restoration and re-opening of the prison with a basement vault and cinema, all in time for Magna Carta’s 800th anniversary in 2015.

Activity on the site began in March 2012 with building work expected to be completed by the end of 2014.

However, as part of the project’s required archaeological work, the team ‘Revealed’ something they weren’t expecting.

The team uncovered a Saxon church with a stone sarcophagus around three metres under the Castle, in a hole less than 10ft square. Excavating further, the team also found a couple of Roman houses, two metres down from the Saxon remains.

The sarcophagus is believed to date from AD900 and is due to be excavated as Pride goes to press - rain is currently hampering efforts - but an endoscopy (seen above) has already revealed that the coffin isn’t empty... it’s believed the coffin could contain a Saxon king or Bishop!

PiCK oF ThE PRoPERTy

A good Christmas is essential to Lincolnshire’s economic prosperity, but it’s not just during the festive season that a successful retail environment matters - it’s essential to ensure Lincoln is economically successful and has room to grow over the coming decades.

So, Lincoln’s economic prosperity will be further improved for the new year and beyond with the approval of the Lincolnshire Co-Op’s Lindongate project.

The skeleton of the development was agreed in March 2012, with outline planning permission granted. Tweaks are being made to finesse the plans, and negotiations are currently taking place with prospective retail tenants.

Work could begin as early as summer 2014.

The £100m development will see the Sincil Street area of the city transformed with new department store, 300,000sq ft of new shops, a new transport interchange, and 875 parking spaces.

diSnEy PLACE - £1.45M

WAShdyKE LAnE - £699,950

Grade II listed home right in the middle of Lincoln with seven bedrooms, two bedroom annexe, two reception rooms, basement and gardens.

1950s house with modern interior - five bedrooms, swimming pool, galleried study and ultra-modern open plan interior.

Rock On Tommy!

RoCK on WiTh CAnnon And BALL performing in Dick Wittington at Lincoln’s Theatre Royal from 7th December to 13th January.

Tommy and Bobby will be appearing as Captain and First Mate, returning to Lincoln for a fourth year as they celebrate 50 years of performing.

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With three new housing developments planned for Lincoln too, plus a tram network suggested for implementation by 2031, the city has great potential for growth and to support both local and national retailers, ensuring it remains popular and prosperous over the coming decades.

Disney Place and Washdyke Lane are currently on the market with estate agent Savills of Lincoln; 01522 508900.

The lime mortar materials they’re using can’t be used in freezing temperatures, so it’s a race against time to repair and replace the Castle’s precious walls before winter sets in.

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Vivienne Westwood | Paul Smith BLACK | Ted Baker | Paul Smith PAUL | Gestuz | Twist & Tango | InWear | Bourne | St Martine Second Female | Part Two | Replay Jeans | Barbour | Ugg | Max Mara Weekend | Hultquist | Vivienne Westwood Jewellery 262 High Street | Lincoln | LN2 1HW | Telephone: 01522 543956 | www.agatha-boutique.co.uk Agatha Lincoln

@AgathaBoutique

instagram

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GREATER FLExiBiLiTy AT ThE CounTy ASSEMBLy RooMS

Built in 1744, The County Assembly Rooms blend all the charm of an 18th Century venue with the amenities you expect of a modern establishment. The building retains much of its two hundred and fifty year old character with majestic and luxurious surroundings.

The Assembly Rooms are situated in Lincoln’s historic Bailgate, just a stone’s throw from the world famous Cathedral, Castle, and Steep Hill and have, over the years, been used for many functions even entertaining Her Majesty the Queen on two occasions, the last time being the distribution of Maundy Money in the year 2000.

Nowadays, this popular venue has been a long time favourite for celebrations, functions and corporate events. From wedding receptions, conferences, and anniversaries to dinner dances, craft fairs and christenings, whatever your requirements, The County Assembly Rooms will be able to provide for your needs.

The County Assembly Rooms have always been a popular venue for functions and now, due to recent changes the new management team can offer greater flexibility with more dates available for weddings, private, civic and business functions.

All three function rooms are now licensed for weddings, so couples can choose the room which best suits their requirements.Packages are available to suit all budgets including the popular £5000 Wedding Package - a perfect day at unbelievable value. There is also a dedicated wedding coordinator on hand to help with all aspects of the big day.

The County Assembly Rooms offer the perfect setting for any celebration or event. With exquisite architecture, the building retains much of its two hundred and fifty year charm and character. There is even a courtyard garden with stunning views of the Cathedral.

The new look website: www.countyassemblyrooms.co.uk contains all the information needed to plan a wedding or function or alternatively call one of our helpful staff on 01522 520098.

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A RUSTIC TREAT YOU’VE JUST GOT TO TRY!

The Red Lion at Bicker A year old this month, Bicker’s Red Lion is the rustic treat that’s a perfect way to warm up your winter. It’s a welcoming country pub that’s offering some really unique dining opportunities, including a very local take on tapas!

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RESTAURANT OF THE MONTH

Left: The pub dates back to the C16th but has been brought right up to date by the farming family.

Right: Wood burners, flagstone floors, leather chairs, and exposed beams... lovely!

O

nce upon a time, diners had a simple choice: head to a restaurant for formal à la carte dining and ‘proper’ food, or to the local pub for a fairly mediocre offering like scampi in a basket.

Then, the gastropub revolution occurred, and suddenly, pubs found there was a market for really high quality rustic food that could compete with even the priciest restaurant.

Opposite: Home made Red Lion Pie of the Day with proper gravy and creamy mash.

Left: Steak with hand-cut rustic chips.

Below: A selection of Lincolnshire Tapas - there’s a choice of 13 that you can mix and match, like bulb of roast garlic, sun blush tomato and olive salad, and half-pint of peeled prawns.

Nowadays we all have generally heightened expectations when it comes to the quality of pub restaurant food, so it’s nice when a pub smashes those already raised expectations and presents food that’s not just ‘good’... but ‘amazing.’

Bicker’s Red Lion is one such pub, and it’s proof that great dining doesn’t necessarily mean formal dining. It’s telling that shouty Greg Wallace of Masterchef fame recently dined at The Red Lion during his filming of the BBC series Harvest, and declared it “The best pub I’ve ever been to.”

The secret of the pub restaurant’s success is its rebirth under a local farming family in 2012. When farmers get involved in restaurants, it’s always a good thing since nobody has more respect for ingredients than those who rear or grow them.

The Red Lion dates back to the C16th in its current form but there was a pub on the site before that, and the present building still has a wall that dates back to the C13th. In previous centuries the coastline came right up to Bicker - the village even had its own lighthouse - and the pub used to be a den for nefarious smugglers. With the exception of the odd hungry Editor, all of the vagabonds have long since left, and what remains is a beautifully refurbished pub painted in heritage colours with flagstones and fresh flowers, distressed pine and pints of local ale.

Dining is courtesy of a daytime menu served 12noon - 2pm, and an evening menu from 5pm - 9.30pm Thursday to Saturday.

There’s also a discounted menu, Winter Warmers, served Wednesday - Thursday 5pm - 7.30pm and Fridays 5pm - 6.30pm, plus a Sunday carvery and Thursday ‘Ladies who Lunch’ menu.

Additionally, the restaurant has a Lincolnshire Tapas menu with 13 items that customers can ‘mix and match.’ In doing so, you create an olive board full of rustic favourites like bulb of garlic, pork pie, deep fried haslet and confit sticky belly pork.

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Sample M enu £ STARTERS Lincolnshire Beef Carpaccio of Lincolnshire beef with rocket and Parmesan.

Stilton Tart Stilton tart with apple and walnut salad.

Fishcake Salmon and smoked haddock fishcake with lemon butter (also available as a main course).

£ MAinS Loin of Local Venison With gratin potatoes and red current jus.

Lincolnshire Corn Fed Chicken Breast With a creamy wild mushroom and garlic sauce.

Pan Fried Fillets of Seabass With roasted vegetables, chorizo and buttered potatoes.

£ dESSERTS French Apple Tart With vanilla ice cream.

Naughty Chocolate Cheesecake Cheese Platter Platter of Lincolnshire cheese with grapes, celery, chutney and biscuits.

£ oPEninG houRS Monday/Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 5:00pm – 9:30pm Thursday & Friday: 12 – 2:00pm, 5:00pm – 9:30pm Saturday: 12 – 3:00pm, 6:00pm – 9:30pm.

Sunday: 12:00 – 6:00pm

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RESTAURANT OF THE MONTH

This is a fairly unique idea, based on owner Rebecca Duffy’s time living abroad in Spain. “It was a really relaxed, chilled out way to dine.” she recalls. “You could just sit there and graze with friends and enjoy food for its flavours.”

The beauty of the pub’s tapas option is, indeed, the fact that smaller portions can have much bolder flavours, and provide lots of bite-size variety. It’s a fun option and one that’s bound to be plagiarised at some point, but for now, you should definitely make your way to The Red Lion to give it a go.

The main menu offers a choice of five starters, seven ‘Lion’s Manes’ and two additional specials, plus three steak options and five side options - there are four puddings and a Lincolnshire cheese option. Main courses during our visit included beer battered haddock and hand-cut triple-cooked chips, pie of the day and breast of Lincolnshire chicken served in a white wine and mushroom sauce.

The Winter Warmers menu offers six main courses and four puddings with a glass of wine or pint of beer just £9.95 or £12.95 with a dessert - which seems like good value to us.

Menus change seasonally and feature a wealth of local suppliers - not least the family’s farm, which provides Lincolnshire ‘tates grown in the rich silty soils surrounding the pub. Sutterton’s Jonathan Hull provides the venue’s veg, Boston’s Ashtons and Bycrofts provide meat and there’s a daily delivery of fish from Grimsby. The restaurant bakes its

own bread and its pickles & preserves are provided by a lady called Diane Tyrie-Smith who lives in the village.

“Using local ingredients allows us to pick the very best produce and pass on the good value that our loyal suppliers provide. That in turn allows us to provide local dishes that are rustic, modern and genuine.” says Rebecca.

Dining at the Red Lion takes place in one of a number of little enclaves. The place is like a rabbit warren of little snug areas, with a total of 45 covers. Everywhere you look there’s exposed beams, pine furniture and touches like fresh flowers in rustic jars - gerberas, carnations and roses during our visit - as well as leather sofas and wood burners.

A larger dining room at the back - the Hobble Barn - is a bit more akin to a restaurant with nobbly beams and wonky walls. It’s a gorgeous environment in which to dine, especially during winter, but in the warmer months there’s also a garden with patio heaters and throws.

Rebecca, Head Chef Paul Kelly, second chef James Kay and the rest of the brigade go to great effort to ensure the food that leaves the kitchen looks great and provides true satisfaction.

During our visit the weather was filthy, with lashing rain and angry winds. But with food like this, who cares what’s happening outside? Bad weather merely makes The Red Lion seem friendlier, cosier and even more welcoming - we can definitely recommend a visit this month!

YE OLDE RED LION INN Bicker, near Boston

Ye Olde Red Lion, Donington Road, Bicker PE20 3EF

How to Find It: Situated in the village of Bicker, 8.7 miles from Boston to the East, Sleaford to the North West and Spalding 10.7 miles to the south.

To book a meal call

Other Venue: Ye Old Red Lion Inn is a rustic pub, but Green Welly Inns, its parent company, also owns Hotel Supreme at Bicker Bar (a ‘rescued’ motel), and The Poachers Country Hotel (a great rustic wedding venue).

01775 821200 www.redlionbicker.co.uk

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LooKinG FoRWARd To 2014 WE ARE PREPARING OUR CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR NExT YEAR WHICH WILL FEATURE A VARIETY OF THEMED NIGHTS, INCLUDING: Our Romantic Valentines weekend with a sumptuous meal while being serenaded by Chloe Rose who will be singing a variety of popular love songs.

homemade produce, flowers, cakes and much more. There will also be a special Mother’s Day menu in the main Hotel for lunch time.

A Champagne Evening with Pol Roger, a sommelier from this fabulous Champagne house will guide you through the range alongside our stunning menu.

Father’s Day Beer Festival in association with Bateman’s brewery who will set up their beer tent in our garden, there will also be fun for all the family and a sit down menu offered in The Comfy Duck Bistro.

Wine Tasting Evening with House of Townend; showing you a variety of wines from their vast collection.

Our Murder Mystery Night will have you on the edge of your seat while providing an evening of great entertainment.

Mother’s Day Laceby Fete, which will be held in our Garden Room, we will be inviting the people of Laceby to hold stalls and sell

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Also; we are looking to hold a Clairvoyant Night next winter as there are more Clairvoyants in this area than anywhere else in the country. This one will be very interesting!

Please contact the hotel for more information and to book with us!

These events will be confirmed by Early December.

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Riby Road, Grimsby N/E Lincolnshire DN41 8BU.

Tel: 01469 561302

www.stallingboroughgrange.com

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A WINTER WARMER FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON

The Generous Briton What could be better than an open fire and a quality pub restaurant this season? Head Chef of the Generous Briton Jane King this month unveils her winter menus and shows off her choice of ‘traditional with a quirky twist’ pub favourites...

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RESTAURANT OF THE MONTH

Left: A special menu will this season ensure vegetarians are well-catered for.

Below: The pub has over 200 years of history.

Far Left: Seabass on crushed new pots with a chilli and tomato butter.

Left: Poached Pears in dark chocolate.

Below: Our starter of fishcakes with sweet chilli sauce.

W

hen the weather turns and you yearn for a less formal but still high quality dining experience, our recommendation this month is Brant Broughton’s Generous Briton. It’s the home of Head Chef Jane King and is co-owned with John Cork of Caythorpe’s Red Lion Inn. Together, the pubs share a philosophy of using locally sourced ingredients to best effect with a minimum of fuss and a dining environment that’s relaxed and welcoming. The two venues are favourites of ours in the winter, because both boast open fires, exposed beams and a cosy feel.

Jane was raised in Claypole so understands the local dining culture well. Her menu features pub restaurant favourites prepared with a few quirky twists and just the right amount of attention to ensure each plate is unique, but not overly fussy.

Jane has been in situ since the pair took over The Generous Briton in August 2008. Back then it was closed and in desperate need of attention and investment.

The pair turned it around and today it attracts an affable crowd of locals for its wet trade, plus diners from an area that includes Lincoln, Sleaford, Grantham and Newark.

There’s just one dining room and bar area, meaning a lovely warm atmosphere, and with 30 covers there’s plenty of chance for Jane and her chefs to lavish attention on a modest number of diners when at full capacity. It’s a simple but stylish dining room with traditional decoration, neutral linens and pine furniture.

The Generous Briton is open from 12noon to 2pm for lunchtime service and from 6pm-9pm in the evening from Tuesday to Sunday lunchtime.

During this time, you’ve the choice of an à la carte menu with around eight starters, 13 main courses (plus three or four grill options) and around seven desserts. There’s also a specials board providing four options for vegetarians.

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Sample M enu £ STARTERS Sweet Chilli Chicken £5.95 Battered strips of chicken with sweet chilli sauce, also available as a main course.

Grilled Goats Cheese Salad Grilled goats cheese salad with red onion marmalade.

£5.95

Whitebait £5.95 Whitebait on a bed of leaves with home made tartare sauce and lemon garnish.

£ MAinS Suet Pudding £10.50 Small or large home made suet pudding with braised steak and mushroom, served with hand-cut chips.

Open Beef Wellington Slice fillet of English beef on a puff pastry croute, mushroom duxelle & rich red wine sauce.

£14.95

Roast Pork Roast pork belly on mashed potato bed with cider gravy.

£12.95

£ PuddinG Poached Pears Poached pears coated in dark chocolate with ice cream.

£ oPEninG houRS À la carte dining: Lunchtime 12 noon - 2pm.

Evening 6pm - 9pm.

Early Bird dining: Tuesday to Saturday 6pm - 7pm.

Sunday lunch: 12 noon - 2pm.

£5.25

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RESTAURANT OF THE MONTH

Meanwhile, ‘early bird’ patrons can enjoy discounted dining from £9.95/two courses to £12.95/three courses. There’s also a dedicated Sunday lunch menu from £10.50-£15.50 which usually provides the option of two or three roasts.

During our visit we enjoyed starters of grilled goat’s cheese served on a flat mushroom with a caramelised onion dressing and a bed of rocket. We also enjoyed salmon and potato fishcakes with a sweet chilli dressing - two vibrant and flavoursome starters.

Our main course options were chosen from The Generous Briton’s à la carte menu and included our roast pork belly on mash with cider vinegar and our sea bass dish. Other options included an enormously popular suet pudding with braised steak and mushroom, and an open beef Wellington.

“They’re probably two of our most popular dishes.” says Jane. “If we ever took them off the menu I think we’d be in trouble. They typify the kind of food we produce, as they use really good ingredients, they’re hearty and satisfying and are a really good blend of traditional pub restaurant dishes but with a touch of imagination and skill to ensure they justify a place on the menu.”

Local suppliers are used wherever possible, and these include Skinners Butchers at nearby Barrowby, and East Heckington’s excellent veg supplier Abbey Parks. Meanwhile fish is freshly brought into Grimsby docks each day and is

employed in dishes like The Generous Briton’s ‘gourmet’ 10oz beer battered cod with hand cut chips.

Desserts are a treat too - our choice was a duo of poached pears coated in dark chocolate - and like everything else on the menu, these are made to order in-house.

To accompany, the restaurant also has a well-considered wine menu with three house whites and the same number of house reds by the glass as well as a further six wines all under £20/bottle.

“A great dining experience is about the food, but it’s also about the service and about the welcome.” says Jane.

“We’re always popular in winter because we’re such a cosy place to enjoy a meal. The atmosphere is one of a homely country pub, but with high quality food that goes way beyond this remit.”

This month The Generous Briton is organising Christmas party nights from £16.50 for two courses and its annual Christmas quiz, which will take place on 18th December - pre-booking for the latter is essential but you’ll have to be quick as it’s filling up fast.

With a festive welcome, a great atmosphere and lovely food, if you’re after somewhere cosy to hunker down this month, we’d definitely recommend the place - the Generous Briton is definitely a Great Briton, indeed!

THE GENEROUS BRITON Brant Broughton, near Lincoln

72 High Street, Brant Broughton, Lincoln LN5 0RZ To book a meal call

01400 272119 www.thegenerousbriton.co.uk

How to Find It: From Lincoln’s Cathedral Quarter, take the A15 signposted City Centre.

Head out of the city on the A1134 Newark Road. Join Brant Road and at the junction with Blackmoor Road, turn right.

Take the left hand turn signposted Broughton Lane and follow the signs to Brant Broughton.

The Generous Briton is on your left with ample parking in the adjacent car park.

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Abbey Parks Farm Shop With the Festive season soon upon us, we at Abbey Parks Farm Shop are starting to feel the Christmas buzz. The shelves are being filled with gorgeous goodies from homemade mincemeat and Christmas puddings to beautiful quirky gifts. Hampers are starting to be filled, with hand selected products chosen with the customer always in our mind and festive ice creams are being made in our new ice cream parlour to compliment our homemade puddings.

From the start of December we will be running a daily Christmas lunch menu and hosting a festive gourmet evening on Friday 13th December, menus for both of these are on our website. www.abbeyparks.co.uk and our Christmas Order List will be available from mid November, taking the stress out of your festive grocery shopping.

Abbey Parks Farm Shop is situated in East Heckington, a small village on the edge of the A17 between Boston and Sleaford. It is a little country haven filled to the rafters with delicious delicacies, home grown vegetables, locally sourced products, an excellent cheese counter, local meats and much much more.

d a e H s n Quee T H E

I N N

&

R E S TA U R A N T

Dine with us in December...

We’re fully booked for Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve - but we still have limited availability in December - book quickly to secure your date at one of Lincolnshire’s best country pub restaurants...

View our seasonal menus online and book early to enjoy the warmth, hospitality and delicious pub restaurant cuisine at one of Lincolnshire’s most well-regarded venues.

We’ll be delighted to welcome you, and you’ll be delighted by an innovative, satisfying menu of dishes using the best local ingredients skilfully prepared by our team of chefs...

Just off the A17 at Sleaford, NG34 9NU Call 01529 305743 or see www.thequeensheadinn.com.

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CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR

BEST WESTERN

The Vine Hotel ACCOMMODATION PACKAGES

Leave the worry of a busy Christmas behind and join us for a relaxing Festive Season BEST WESTERN The Vine Hotel has built an enviable reputation for providing luxurious, exciting breaks. With award winning food, quality service and warm hospitality, we promise a visit to remember!

CHRISTMAS PARTY LUNCHES £19.95 per head

Wednesday 4th December, Friday 6th December, Wednesday 11th December, Friday 20th December

CHRISTMAS DINNER DISCO PARTY NIGHTS £25.50 per head

Friday 6th December, Friday 13th December, Friday 20th December, Saturday 21st December

BOXING NIGHT ASIAN NIGHT £29.95 per head NEW YEAR GALA DINNER & DANCE £49.50 per head

BOOKINGS NOW BEING TAKEN 01754 610611 The Vine Hotel

Vine Road, Seacroft, Skegness PE25 3DB Tel: 01754 610611

www.bw-vinehotel.co.uk • reception@thevinehotel.com

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THE FAMOUS

GEORGE ——————————————

of

—————————————

L E A D E N H A M A Family Run Country Establishment Offering High Quality À la Carte Dining Sunday lunches from £8.95 700 whiskies from across the British Isles

High Street, Leadenham, Lincoln LN5 0PN Tel: 01400 272251 • Web: www.thegeorgeatleadenham.co.uk

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À La Carte Dining • 17th Century Coaching Inn • Seven En Suite Rooms

Enjoy our Christmas Party Menu...

Come join us and new head chef Ruaraidh Bealby for the festive season and enjoy our fantastic 3 course Christmas menu for only £28.95 per head...

Starters

Main Courses

Desserts

Roast parsnip and pear soup, stilton croutons

English turkey with cranberry and chestnut stuffing, creamed Brussel sprouts and chestnuts, jus

Traditional Christmas pudding, brandy ice cream

Caramelized onion tart, rocket and parmesan salad, vine roasted cherry tomatoes

Griottine cherry and mascarpone crème brulee, spiced shortbread

Plaice Florentine, saffron duchesse potatoes

Selection of British cheeses, handmade made biscuits, quince paste and grapes

Duck liver and wild mushroom pate, toasted homemade brioche, red onion marmalade Beer battered tiger prawns, lime, green chilli and coriander dressing Baked camembert studded with garlic and rosemary, homemade bread, red wine pickled shallots

Slow cooked shoulder of lamb, herb crumb, crushed root vegetables, rosemary jus

Raspberry baked Alaska, raspberry compote

Filter coffee and homemade petit four

e Brownlow Arms Hough On e Hill, Grantham Road near Grantham, Lincolnshire NG32 2AZ Booking advisable, please call 01400 250 234.

Current menus online now at www.thebrownlowarms.co.uk.

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Recipes Traditional Christmas

The Taste of

Tradition...

Christmas lunch shouldn’t be a chore that takes you away from the family on Christmas morning. Celebrate the season and free yourself from the kitchen with a festive feast that can be prepared in advance, and enjoy the taste of tradition...

Words: Rob Davis & Rachel Green.

Images: (turkey and side dishes) Michael Powell.

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Sublime Starters that really make a statement...

Chicken Liver and Pâté Cranberry...

Begin your traditional Christmas lunch with this smooth and delicious pâté - just a quick whizz in a food processor a day or two beforehand will create a classy starter...

Serves 10, preparation time 15 minutes plus at least 1hr to chill; can be prepared a day in advance.

1

1kg chicken livers 300g butter 2 cloves of garlic 4 shallots 50g fresh cranberries 2 teaspoons dried thyme 60ml double cream salt and pepper to taste, melba toast or brioche to serve

2 3

Trim the chicken livers and melt a small amount of butter in a frying pan, add the livers, garlic, shallots and thyme. Add half the cranberries and sauté for 10 minutes until cooked.

Whizz in a food processor, add a little more butter then whizz again.

Divide the mixture between 10 ramekins, smooth, then garnish with rest of the cranberries. Melt the remaining butter (75g-ish) on the surface and chill for at least one hour.

Smoked Salmon and Dill Soufflé Soufflés carry culinary kudos but are feared by those who worry about them sinking into despair... this recipe can be prepared in advance and reheated to serve instantly!

Serves 10, preparation time 30 minutes plus 30 minute cooking time. Prepare in advance then just pop in the oven for five minutes.

80g butter, 50g plain flour 600ml milk, 150g cream cheese, 4tbs chopped dill, six large eggs; separated, 160g smoked salmon; chopped, lemon zest. Crème fraiche, smoked salmon and dill to serve (opt).

Place the butter, flour and milk in a pan, heat until thickened; stir in the cream cheese and dill.

1 2

>>

Heat the oven to 200°c/Gas 6 and line 10 150ml soufflé dishes with baking paper. Stir the egg yolks in, add the chopped salmon and lemon.

Whisk the egg whites until stiff and fold into the mixture.

3

Spoon into the ramekins and place in a tin half-filled with water, bake for 13 mins until risen and golden.

Cool, but don’t worry when they sink.

4

You can even freeze these when cooled; they’ll keep for up to a month. Defrost in a fridge for five hours. To serve, bake for 10-15 mins at 200°c/Gas 6. Quickly top with salmon or a dill sprig before serving.

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Roasted Turkey with Spiced Cranberry, Apple & Sage Stuffing...

Turkey needn’t be dry if you cook it carefully.

Here’s a recipe that’s festive and foolproof for a super succulent bird...

Image: Michael Powell, www.totallytraditionalturkeys.com

Serves 10, prep time 30 minutes Preheat oven to 230°C/Gas Mark 8 5kg free-range British Turkey with giblets removed, washed inside and out 4 tbsp rapeseed oil Sea salt and black pepper 50g butter 1 tbsp rapeseed oil 1 large onion, peeled and finely chopped ½ tsp mixed spice 1 clove garlic, peeled and finely chopped 200g fresh breadcrumbs 2 eating apples 250g cranberries 50g dried apple, cut into small pieces 2 tbsp fresh sage leaves, chopped 750g sausage meat 2 tbsp chopped parsley Grated zest of a small orange 1 large egg, beaten 8 rashers rindless streaky bacon Sea salt and black pepper

Santa’s Secrets If the turkey is tightly trussed with string, this will make it difficult to cook evenly. A loosely trussed bird is best for cooking. Therefore, although it doesn’t look as attractive, it is generally better to cut the string if it appears to be too tight.

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1

Place the turkey in a large roasting pan, brush it generously with rapeseed oil and season with sea salt and black pepper before covering with foil.

Place the prepared turkey in the pre-heated oven and cook at this temperature for the first 30 minutes. Then, lower the oven temperature to 180°C/Gas Mark 4 and cook for approximately 30 minutes per kilo, basting every hour.

To prepare the stuffing, heat the butter and rapeseed oil until the butter has melted.

Add the onion and mixed spice, fry gently until well softened but not browned. Stir in the garlic and breadcrumbs and season well with sea salt and black pepper. Remove from the heat and place in a bowl, leave to cool.

Peel the apples, cut into quarters, remove the core and cut into small cubes. Mix the cubed apples, cranberries, dried apple, sage,

2 3 4

sausage meat, parsley and orange zest with the onion mixture, season well with sea salt and black pepper using clean hands and then mix in the beaten egg.

The mixture should be quite firm, with wet hands, mould the stuffing into balls the size of a golf ball or make a stuffing cake.

5

Place the stuffing balls on a greased baking sheet and bake in the pre-heated oven for about 20 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.

6

To make the stuffing cake; take a 18-20cm spring form cake tin and grease with a little rapeseed oil. Arrange the bacon slices in the tin, leaving a 5cm strip on the base, then lay them up around the sides, let the excess hang over the edge. Carefully fill the tin with the stuffing mixture, making sure it is level on top.

>>

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Stunning Side Dishes to add some flair to your fayre

Parsnip, Sage and Hazelnut Christmas Dauphinoise...

TV chef Rachel Green created this creamy, Christmassy side dish with Piccolo parsnips...

Cut 650g parsnips in half lengthways.

Lightly butter a gratin dish. Put the parsnips, 590ml cream and two cloves of garlic in a saucepan. Bring gently to the boil, season the cream well and simmer for three minutes. Layer the parsnips in a dish with 2tbsp chopped sage leaves and 100g roasted hazelnuts, season each layer. Pour over the cream.

Cover with foil and bake in the oven until just cooked through. Rest for 15 minutes before serving.

Santa’s Secrets Blanch your brussels and then add some extra flavour with pancetta. For around 1kg of sprouts you’ll need 100g pancetta cut into strips of around 2cm. After 3-4 minutes in boiling salted water, plunge into ice cold water and drain, then sauté your pancetta in hot goose fat left over from your roasties. toss in the sprouts and stir fry with a handful of shredded sage... then serve to the children!

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Fold the bacon over the top of the stuffing, gathering and twisting the ends loosely over the centre. Place the tin on a baking sheet to catch any juices that escape, then bake for 40-45 minutes until the top is golden.

Cool in the tin for 10 minutes. Before you turn out onto a serving plate, place some poached cranberries on top for decoration, cut into wedges and serve.

When the turkey has approximately 35 minutes before the end of cooking, remove the foil, drain off any of the excess fat and cook for a further 35 minutes or until golden brown.

Transfer the turkey to a platter, cover loosely with foil and leave to rest for around 20-30 minutes.

Recipe by Rachel Green

>> Get the most from your roasties by boiling them for five minutes, then draining.

Roughen them up with a vigorous shake in the pan then roast them in goose fat with a couple of cloves of garlic and a sprig or two of rosemary, scattering two tablespoons of polenta on them.

They can be boiled and coated in polenta the day before, to ensure you spend Christmas with the children, not in the kitchen!

The Cheese Board The cheese socieTy has created a Christmas Collection for mail order delivery anywhere in the UK; smoked and non-smoked Poacher, Cropwell Bishop, Cornish Yarg, Quentin de Brie and Goat’s Log with herbs and garlic.

Great as a gift or for your table £35; www.thecheesesociety.co.uk.

FesTive Tipples: Three To enjoy ‘round The Tree...

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WaiTrose BruT nv £20

Fiole £25, £150/case six

elysium £12.49

This beat more expensive brands in our blind taste test. Lovely and dry with great mousse.

2011 Châteauneuf-du-Pape from Marks & Spencer; La Fiole.

Lovely spicy and full-bodied.

Black Muscat that’s perfect with Christmas pudding.

Rose-like, light and velvet-ey.

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Christmas Pudding with Citrus and Spice This gorgeous pud is rich and fruity, but not too stodgy after your turkey, beautifully balanced with citrus fruits...

Serves 10, prep time 30 minutes plus time for fruit to soak overnight. Six hours cooking time plus one hour to steam on Christmas Day. 160°c/Gas 3.

175g each of three mixed fruits raisins, currants and sultanas 140g whole glacé cherries 50g mixed peel 50g whole blanched almonds zest 1 orange and 1 lemon 1 carrot, peeled and finely grated 150ml brandy 50ml/2fl oz orange liqueur, such as Grand Marnier 175g light muscovado sugar 175g fresh white breadcrumbs 125g self-raising flour 1 tsp mixed spice ¼ tsp grated nutmeg 175g butter, frozen 2 eggs, beaten butter, for greasing holly sprig, to decorate

Santa’s Secrets For a simply sublime citrus sauce, whip around 300ml of double cream with the grated zest of half an orange.

Fold in a 500ml tub of custard or make a créme anglaise if you’re a real whizz, then serve to your impressed diners with a hearty ‘ho ho ho!’

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1

To create this plump, fruity pud, combine the fruit, almonds, zests of the fruits and the grated carrot with the brandy and orange liqueur in a large mixing bowl.

Cover and leave to soak overnight.

Mix together the almonds, sugar, breadcrumbs and flour together with the mixed spice and nutmeg. Add to the soaked fruit mixture. Grate in the butter, and add the eggs before stirring well.

Grease a pudding basin of approximately one and a half litres with butter then line the base with greaseproof paper. Spoon in the mixture, using the hollow of the spoon to compress the mixture.

Cover the surface with a circle of greaseproof paper, then cover the bowl with double-thickness greaseproof paper and foil and tie at the rim with string.

2 3 4

5 6 7

Lower your pudding into a pan, onto a saucer in the base, then fill the pan with water until it reaches halfway up the sides.

Steam for around six hours, topping up with water in the bain marie as necessary.

Alternatively, you can steam the pudding in the oven by standing the bowl in a roasting tin filled with water, then covering with foil and cooking for the same length of time at 160°c/fan 140°c/Gas 3. Check roasting tin occasionally as the water may need to be topped up.

To store, allow it to cool, then store in a dry cupboard. It will keep for up to a year.

On Christmas day, reheat your pudding by steaming for one hour before turning out, then decorate with holly. We recommend serving it with extra-thick double cream or vanilla ice cream, or for an extra kick, brandy butter or our citrus cream opposite.

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Desserts and Puddings for a festive finish to your meal

Apple and Cranberry Pie If you find a Christmas pudding is too heavy, this is a delightful alternative that uses cranberries, cinnamon and apples to summon up the warmth of the festive season...

30 minutes preparation plus 45min cooking time. Serves 8; preheat oven to 190°c /Gas 5.

250g caster sugar 4 tablespoons plain flour 1/ teaspoon salt, 225g cranberries 4 4 tablespoons maple syrup 5 apples - peeled, cored and sliced 60g chopped walnuts 1 large pastry case 110g dried breadcrumbs 100g plain flour 4 tablespoons dark brown soft sugar 4 tablespoons butter, melted In a large saucepan, mix together caster sugar, 4 tbsp flour and salt.

Stir in cranberries and maple syrup.

Cook over high heat, stirring constantly.

When mixture comes to the boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for five minutes, stirring occasionally.

Remove from heat, and stir in walnuts.

Pour mixture into pastry case; set aside.

3

In a medium bowl, combine breadcrumbs, 100g flour, brown sugar and melted butter. Mix well, and sprinkle over apple filling.

4

Bake 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until topping is golden brown. Serve warm with creme anglaise.

Mulled Wine Kick off the festive season with a winter warmer! Mulling kits are available, but it’s just as easy to put a bottle of red wine into a saucepan with one orange, halved with 60g demerara sugar, a dried bayleaf, cinnamon stick and grated nutmeg. Heat until the sugar has dissolved then add a splash of damson or sloe gin for an extra kick!

1

Festive Woo Woo

2

Stir apples into simmering mixture, and continue to cook for five minutes, or until apples are tender.

Add two shots of vodka and two shots of peach schnapps to four shots of cranberry juice and add plenty of ice cubes. Serve in a Martini glass garnished with lime.

Easy Peasy Petit Fours To make chocolaTe TruFFles Chop 225g dark chocolate in a food processor. Boil 250ml cream. Process chocolate whilst pouring in the cream.

Add the butter, beat to incorporate. Leave to cool for 15 mins then when it’s at the continency of butter icing, pipe into truffle cases or roll into balls.

Santa’s Secrets Get crafty with crackers and make your festive celebration go with a bang! This DIY cracker kit, £8, contains enough to make six crackers and is available in black and red, or burgundy, gold, silver, ivory & green or purple to suit your festive table; from www.simplycrackers.co.uk.

Fill them with your own jokes and spare your family the usual naff puns...!

Six Classic Cocktails

The BesT mince pies

Harry’s Bellini Place two ripe peaches, peeled and halved, into a blender and purée. Spoon into chilled champagne flutes with a ratio of one third purée to two thirds champagne.

The Cosmopolitan Make like a Sex & The City socialite! Add 35ml vodka to 15ml orange liqueur, then 25ml cranberry juice and shake hard. Strain into a Martini glass and garnish with a flaming shock of orange peel.

Bloody Mary Take two ice cubes, a double shot of vodka, the juice of half a lemon and a few dashes of Tabasco sauce then pour in 150ml tomato juice. It’ll cure any festive hangover!

The best mince pies in our taste test were Marks & Spencer’s Handcrafted Ultimate All Butter Mince Pies, £2.99/six. They had the best filling-to-pastry ratio and a rich buttery taste... lovely!

Sloe Gin Fizz Fill a highball glass with ice, then pour over 50ml sloe gin, a squeeze of lemon juice, 1tsp guar syrup, and top up with cream soda.

Garnish with a seasonal berry or two.

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TheWinecellar Eat, drink and be merry with our festive favourites this month! Blake Johnson of Stamford Wine Cellar introduces his favourite wines to accompany your Christmas lunch...

Our Gift Subscriptions last a whole year

which means your friend or relative will receive your gift

chablis Grand cru ‘valmur’ 2010 £34.99

rené jolly nv champagne Blanc de noirs £28.99

Quinta de la rosa 1994 vintage port £65

chateau partarrieu sauternes 2008 £18.99

Berry Bros and rudd extra ordinary claret £13.75

Grand Cru is the highest classification for Chablis, Valmur is arguably the best of the Grand Cru sites, and the Droin family are arguably the best in the business! This is Chablis as it should be, crisp, mineral and beautifully balanced.

This will definitely be on my Christmas list.

Outstanding Champagne made using only the black grape varieties of the ‘Champagne blend,’ Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, and offers a lovely rich, yeasty body backed up by refreshing citrus acidity. Hand made from soil to bottle, it’s Champagne for traditionalists, a personal favourite!

An outstanding vintage, 1994 was marked 10 out of 10 across the board for Quinta De La Rosa, and for good reason.

Powerful yet elegant with well integrated tannins... it’s drinking beautifully now, so get the Melton Mowbray Stilton out of the fridge, and get stuck in.

Rich, unctiously sweet with layers of orange peel and a fresh citrusy zing, like marmalade in a glass. This sweety is from the spiritual home of dessert wine and is a firm Christmas favourite of mine... it’s highly recommended and is marvellous with Christmas pudding!

Christmas isn’t the same without a glass of Claret in my book... and thankfully, Berry's have this one made for them by Jean Michel Cazes. He’s the head wine maker and Chateau Lynch Bages.

It does what it says on the label. Decant and enjoy... great in front of the TV to toast the Queen!

every single month in 2014!

This month’s features wines are recommended by: The Stamford Wine Company, 10 St Paul’s Street, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 2BE Tel: 07538 228337, www.thestamfordwinecompany.com.

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TO VIEW AND PURCHASE PHOTOGRAPHS FROM ‘THE EVENT’ VISIT WWW.PRIDEMAGAZINES.CO.UK

Live music and ‘on the house’ bubbly ensured a brilliant VIP opening night!

THE EVENT Stamford Wine Company’ s New Shop Cheers! It was our great pleasure to raise a glass to Blake Johnson’s relocation of his business, The Stamford Wine Company, to Stamford’s St Pauls Street recently. The business was previously trading above the town’s Cheese Cellar but moved premises to facilitate a larger range plus the addition of a wine bar and charcuterie.

The business will sell wine by the glass and bottle, and continue its role as an independent specialist wine merchant, providing a range of carefully selected wines. Additionally, it will provide a light food menu with cheese boards, charcuterie, crostini etc. In addition to the cosy shop, The Stamford Wine Company will open its Mediterranean terrace in Spring 2014 to provide locals with a wonderful place to sit and enjoy the warmer months. Blake and his team have done a great job, and with some great wines available, we can definitely recommend a visit to stock up for Christmas!

Photos by Nicholas Farka, Red and Round, 07730 509577.

Feature your event in our magazine.

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Call 01529 469977 and speak to our Events Desk...

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THE EVENT Stamford

Wine Company

Blake and the team have done a great job - pay a visit and stock up for Christmas!

The business has relocated to 10 St Pauls Street, Stamford.

purchase photographs from this event online.

Visit www.pridemagazines.co.uk.

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mumby heppenstall Chartered Accountants

Christmas – a time to eat, drink and be merry, and I hope for all Lincolnshire Pride readers Christmas 2013 turns out to be a very happy and memorable occasion. Once the festivities are over, however, the lull between Christmas and New Year is, for many, a time to look back at the year and make those resolutions to get fit, change jobs, travel to far flung places and tick off a few more of those things you should do before you’re too old.

It’s also a good time to look at your finances and make a resolution to tidy up your affairs. Going through the ever increasing standing orders and direct debits, wondering how to pay the school fees or reviewing your savings and investments and longer term issues such as inheritance tax, a chat with a chartered accountant can often help to put things in perspective and help with making plans for the future.

On a more down to earth point, your 2013 self-assessment tax return is due for filing by 31 January and any tax due must be paid by then to avoid interest and penalties. So dig out the paperwork and go through your files and start the new year ahead of the game by calling Jeremy Mumby or Clare Heppenstall on 01522 811694 or email us at info@mumbyheppenstall.co.uk

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Aled Jones at The Stump {Page 10}

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2 - JOINT Pride DEC 137_Layout 2 04/11/2013 12:22 Page 49

Finances – getting a fair settlement following a Divorce Mikaela Rogerson has been dealing with family matters since 1996. Although she deals with all matters relating to family law, Mikaela particularly specialises in financial issues associated with divorce... often when couples separate or divorce, the trust that existed between them disappears. This frequently causes a problem when the Solicitor starts to look at their financial matters. All the rules say that if finances are an issue, then both parties must make full disclosure of their circumstances and must produce their wage slips, bank statements, pension and house valuations.

Occasionally one party may not volunteer such disclosure, choosing only to present limited or misleading information.

If incomplete, or incorrect information is produced it will affect the outcome of the case and the parties will not obtain the fair settlement that they are looking for.

The Court has various powers to order the disclosure of financial documents including a detailed financial statement.

Once this document has been prepared, exchanged and reviewed, the parties may raise written questions of the other in order to clarify or explore certain points.

Some clients prefer a "hands on" approach, and may try to obtain their own disclosure. However, whether information obtained can then be used is a very different matter.

Documents must not be obtained unlawfully or improperly.

Before taking the law into your own hands, please remember the Court has full powers to question, search, review, investigate and inspect. There could be grounds to review a case if one party fails to make a material disclosure.

If you are contemplating divorce but are concerned that your spouse will not be helpful and may withhold information then give Mikaela a call on 01780 764145 and chat through the ways in which evidence can be properly secured to ensure the fairest outcome. You can also visit www.chattertons.com to contact a member of the family team at an office conveniently located near to you.

Chattertons can offer an extensive range of legal services and independent financial advice.

With offices in Boston, Grantham, Horncastle, Lincoln, Newark, Sleaford, Spalding and Stamford it is one of the largest firms in Lincolnshire and across the East Midlands. The firm has been established for over 200 years and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. SRA No 44948.

Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Contact Mikaela Rogerson on 01780 764145 or visit www.chattertons.com.

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The Great British High Street W

ith a recent study suggesting that town centre stores are shutting down at a rate of 18 a day across Britain, landlords will not want to hear that their remedies for recovering commercial rent arrears are to be restricted. however, forewarned is forearmed and so i hope this article will help landlords to understand the changes that will come into effect in april 2014.

The Government confirmed, in its response to the Ministry of Justice consultation, Transforming Bailiff Action, that it will continue with its plans to abolish the common law right to ‘distress for rent’ and introduce a statutory process for the recovery of rent arrears, called commercial rent arrears recovery (CRAR). CRAR will only be available in respect of unpaid rent; it will not cover costs such as service charges and insurance.

Distress is a ‘self-help’ remedy for landlords. It allows landlords to recover rent arrears by removing and then selling goods owned by a defaulting tenant. This can all happen without a landlord initiating legal proceedings and there is no need to give the tenant notice. This remedy effectively means that a landlord can get ahead of other creditors. While CRAR will still allow landlords to seize goods, it introduces a number of measures that are designed to protect tenants. The Government hopes that the changes will mean that landlords collect rent arrears ‘fairly’.

The Government is expected to release further information about CRAR in the coming months but the key points to note are: l CRAR will only apply to commercial rent arrears. Landlords will not be able to

use the remedy if a property, or any part of it, is being used for residential purposes (unless this is in breach of the lease). l

CRAR only applies to a ‘tenancy’ evidenced in writing.

Landlords will be required to serve a ‘notice of enforcement’ on tenants before sending in the bailiffs. l

l A landlord can only recover rent arrears above a minimum level, which is currently unconfirmed. l Only an enforcement agent authorised in writing by the landlord can seize the tenant's goods. l

Enforcement under CRAR can take place on any day of the week.

CRAR will only be available for arrears of ‘basic’ rent. VAT and interest on the ‘basic’ rent can also be recovered. If a lease has an ‘inclusive rent’ clause, a landlord will only be able to recover the proportion that is reasonably attributable to the possession and use of the premises. l

l For other debts, such as service charges, landlords will have to rely on other remedies to recover arrears, including drawing on a rent deposit deed or calling on a guarantor. Alternatively, of course, a landlord can bring a debt claim or forfeit the lease.

Landlords should be mindful of the new regulations when entering into leases that will still be in place when CRAR comes into force. For example, landlords and their solicitors will need to carefully consider the wording of the permitted use clause in leases for mixed use premises.

CRAR may not seem like good news for landlords but it is worth noting that the use of distress to recover arrears has been decreasing as, understandably, landlords would prefer to keep a trading tenant in their premises rather than being left with an empty property. In fact, landlords may find that CRAR actually adds something to their armoury. It is possible that serving a CRAR notice, alongside a letter before action, may prove effective in persuading a tenant to pay their arrears.

orla lowe

“Important decisions deserve a specialist response...”

Our teams are here to provide specialist advice on a range of legal issues you may encounter including:

EMPLOYMENT & DISPUTE RESOLUTION SERVICES • Employment law advice, both non-contentious and contentious • General Litigation, including small claims and debt recovery • Contentious commercial property • Residential property including possession actions • Other property disputes including disputes about boundary ownership and rights of way • Contentious probate, including inheritance act claims • Contract disputes • Defamation • Business and partnership disputes

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WELCOME HOME

Holme is where the heart is

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Individually Designed: the property, on tinwell’s holme Close, is a unique property on a small, exclusive development. it’s currently on the market with Goodwin Property services for £595,000.

H O L M E C LO s E , t i n W E L L

for david and jaCqueline kisby, holme Close is where the heart is. from seeinG their dream CottaGe beinG built to CreatinG a dream Garden, the CouPle have always loved the ProPerty for the faCt that it blends a traditional style with modern features. we meet the CouPle to find out a little more about their Country home, at tinwell near stamford 53

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F

or David and Jacqueline Kisby, their country home at Tinwell near Stamford offers the best of both worlds. The couple were looking for a period property into which they could downsize, then perhaps modernise. They would probably have dismissed a new-build, but when they came across their country home, near Tinwell, they realised that Holme is where the heart is.

Their property is located on Holme Court, an exclusive development of around ten houses, created by renowned local builder John Gibson of Hereward Homes.

It’s a four bedroom property with three bathrooms and three reception rooms created in pretty Clipsham stone topped off with a tiled roof.

The couple had their hearts set on a period property, perhaps Victorian or Georgian, and were on a recce around the village of Tinwell when they happened across Holme Court, which was just being constructed at the time. Their property was half built at the time, but the couple simply couldn’t believe how authentic its period style was, and how well it settled into its surroundings despite its the fact that it was a new build.

Above: the house has solid oak flooring and internal doors.

“The property next door dates back to about 1850, and yet our home blends in perfectly. It changed our perception of new properties and offered the best of both worlds; the

“The property next door dates back to about 1850, and yet our home blends in perfectly. It changed our perception of new properties with the best of both worlds; period character with the freshness and functionality of a new property...”

“We’re originally from Peterborough, but before I retired, I managed the UK’s rail infrastructure.” says David.

“I’ve worked all over the country but this area appealed because of the low cost of housing and feel of the local area.”

“It’s a friendly area with great shopping at Peterborough and the beautiful town of Stamford nearby, we feel it’s a great place in terms of quality of life.”

“Our sons have moved out, with one living locally and the other now based in the US. We’re really keen gardeners so we were looking for somewhere with lots of character and, outdoors, a blank canvas that we could really work on.”

character of an older property with the freshness and functionality of a new property, with features like two en suites and the really modern insulation that make it such an efficient home.”

The house opens up into a spacious dining hall with parquet flooring. Like the internal doors with their chunky forged iron fittings, this has been completed with solid oak.

There’s two reception rooms with a large drawing room that has bespoke soft furnishings installed by a Stamford interior designer, and a fireplace crafted in Wiltshire limestone.

Two further reception rooms provide ample space for family, providing a family room and dining room.

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WELCOME WELCOME HOME HOME

Left: keen gardener david’s pride and joy is his, and jacqueline’s, mediterranean terrace.

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The kitchen and utility rooms are equally generous and have Old English white solid cabinetry and specially imported marble tiles. Installed by Stamford’s QKS, they feature Neff appliances like a dishwasher, fridge and freezer, all neatly integrated, plus ceramic sink and range cooker.

Upstairs there are four bedrooms, with the principal suite offering an en suite and the second suite offering both an en suite and walk in wardrobe.

“The gardens are our favourite feature of the property.” says David. “My son gave me a great compliment once, to the effect that I knew every blade of grass in the garden.

Now I’ve retired it does give me great pleasure to work in the garden and Jacqueline and I have worked really well together to create a lovely terrace area.”

“Jacqueline came up with the idea of using concentric circles in flagstone edged with limestone bricks, and we enlisted a guy from Bourne, Dave Shawley, to create all of the hard landscaping. We’ve used The Olive Grove at Oundle and a place we know in London to fill it with cypress, olive trees and other Mediterranean planting, and it’s a lovely place to spend time, a real sun trap.”

To the front of the property there’s a triangular parterre with box hedging and acers. “We’ve tried to ensure that the gardens look good all year round and at the front of the property in particular, there’s a good show, even in winter.”

“It’s a great place to live but we’re looking to move down to Cornwall, so reluctantly we’ve put the property on the market. If there’s a couple who are living in a period property and looking to downsize this is an ideal home for downsizing without down-speccing. It’s large, comfortable and really modern. We’ll miss it a great deal!”

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Main Street, Tinwell near Stamford style: new build hereward homes property approaching eight years old.

Receptions: three currently arranged as drawing room, dining hall and family room, plus dining kitchen.

Bedrooms: four with two en suites and dressing room to second bedroom.

Other features: beautifully landscaped gardens with mediterranean terrace.

Price: £595,000 Estate Agency: Goodwin Property services, 2-3 st john street, stamford, Pe9 2da tel: 01780 750000.

Web: www.goodwinpropertyservices.co.uk.

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Above: the sack store has a range of farrow & ball paints and stocks premium quality interiors products from aga, duresta and sophie allport.

Left: in addition to ‘finishing touches’ the retailer has large items like range cookers and wood burners.

I

f you’ve never visited the Sack Store, you’re in for a really unique experience! It’s eclectic, to say the least! Work your way through the building and you’ll pass specially imported ceramic tiles, posh bathroom suites, a wealth of wood burners and an army of Agas.

Hanging up everywhere are log baskets, light fittings and mirrors, and at the top of it all, is one of the town’s best restaurants.

The Sack Store isn’t orderly by any stretch of the imagination, but that’s what makes it so quirky and such good fun to look round. More than this though, it’s surprisingly good value with tiles, for instance, at less than half the price of multinational tile retailers.

THE SACK STORE the sack store may be quirky, but its eclectic, busy appearance is underpinned by a commitment to quality and value. tile prices alone are less than half of those from multinational retailers, and its stoves & biomass boilers are designed to slash your heating bills...

Words & Images: rob davis.

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Warm up your home...

The HETAS approved Sack Store supplies Clearview wood burning stoves, Heatmor biomass boilers plus Aga and Rayburn cookers, not to mention hardwood logs cut to size and sourced from sustainable woodlands, managed under national Stewardship agreements.

With prices for multi-fuel burners at a fraction of the price of wholesale gas and oil, and with biomass boilers taking advantage of readily available carbon neutral fuel, the Sack Store’s installations can help to heat your home this winter whilst also slashing your fuel bills.

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WARM UP YOUR WINTER

with The Sack Store

Left: the eclectic look is part of the store’s charms... it’s great fun to look around!

£ Inspired Buys a selection of some of the sack store’s best buys... << mary berry one step ahead book, 176 pages, 100 recipes £call.

Style for your home...

To accessorise with your new wood burner, the Sack Store provides hearthside accessories, sofas made in England by Duresta and Tetrad, exclusive leather sofas sold under the Sack Store’s exclusive label, as well as log baskets, furniture, lighting and ornaments.

The Sack Store is especially ideal for larger properties or period homes, as its products are a little larger and grander than your average retailer.

There’s a full range of accessories, and to complement there are ranges of luxury paint and wallcoverings from Farrow & Ball. As such, whichever room in your home you’re decorating, you’ll find suitable furnishings and save money, too, with the savings that the Sack Store makes as a wholesaler passed on to its consumers.

Chicken mugs by sophie allport £call.

It’s impossible not to love The Sack Store. A unique and eclectic retailer, it’s posh but affordable, offering quality but remaining quirky. The antithesis to national retailers with suited salespeople, there’s something trustworthy about a retailer with the confidence to present its products in the way that the Sack Store does.

With a great reputation and high quality products, it’s a must-visit venue to really warm up your winter.

<<

If, for instance, you’re looking for Italian or Spanish porcelain, marble, travertine or limestone for your kitchen, bathrooms or reception rooms, the company’s huge range, expertise and in-house fitters will make your project a success, and provide a quality product every time.

A bite to eat...

Walking around The Sack Store is a unique but fun experience, and its first floor bistro is equally impressive with the best cooked breakfasts, paninis, and home made cakes. Ingredients are locally sourced or grown in the company’s own kitchen garden, and dining takes place on sofas and chairs arranged around a quirky maze of the same furniture the company sells.

<<

Floors, walls, and beautiful bathrooms...

Because of its posh names and its reputation for quality, there’s a preconception that the Sack Store is expensive - which is ironic. As the company buys and imports tiles from across Europe, it offers tiles at around half the price of competitors.

For more information visit: the sack store c1850, Redstone industrial Estate, Redstone Rd, Boston PE21 8EA. tel: 01205 310101. Web: www.sackstore.co.uk.

>> mackenzie tetrad chair in harris tweed £call.

farrow & ball paint, 2.5l, over 130 colours available £call.

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WATERMILL

INTERIORS

Watermill Interiors are dedicated to offering the highest quality kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms perfectly designed for you and your home. With over ten years experience, you can be confident of an interior you will love today and adore in years to come. Throughout the entire design and installation process we will ensure your new kitchen, bedroom or bathroom is perfect for you, your needs and lifestyle. We welcome you to browse our website, give us a call or pop over to our Lincolnshire based showroom for a free design consultation and estimate.

Watermill Interiors are with you every step of the way. From your first meeting with us to the last screw being tightened, you can be confident of the finest grade of finish, not only in our products, but in our installation service too.

We have a multi-skilled installation team with experience and knowledge in all aspects of installations, so whether your new kitchen has new tiles to go up or thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a spot of plastering to finish in your new bathroom, then we are here to on hand right to the end.

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Unsurpassed Quality, Affordable Craftsmanship Bespoke Kitchens, Bedrooms and Bathrooms - full project management and free quotations

Peter Jackson Cabinet Makers Ltd Devereux Way, Horncastle LN9 6AU

Tel: 01507 527113 Web: www.peterjacksoncabinets.co.uk Email: peter@peterjacksoncabinets.co.uk

Peter_jacksonCM

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Gift Ideas and Interiors at

Olive Grove Nurseries << seeing red: Cushion with ruched flower design £18.50. Curved silver metal and red gloss resin bowl £50.

Pig ornament in two sizes from £call.

Glass baubles £3.50, £4, £4.50.

Pot Pourri £4. berry candle £9.50. >> four heart snack bowls on stand £50. >> suri sculpture in pearlised cream with black stand £170.

>> rectangular wall clock in metal and distressed wood with handy storage behind clock face £95. >> below a selection of love themed interiors gifts. wooden frame with suspended ‘love’ carving £30. reed diffuser set available in three fragrances £15. two candles in gift box £call. antique glass decanters with crystal stoppers £20/small, £25/large. Glass trinket box £55. heart shaped trinket box with antique finish £30. heart candle and rose water candle jar with voile top £5. Coasters, £10/set four.

the wish list

>> Cushions; plum leaves £5.50 complete.

Purple ivory floral motif £5.50 complete. >> Colonial chest from a selection, £35-£110.

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the wish list Finishing touches for your home, at

Olive Grove Nurseries >> Ceramic ‘love’ letters £60. >> embrace dancing couple statuette £35. >> selection of black gloss ornaments Cat door stopper in distressed leather, other sizes/animals available £17.50.

Glass apple ornament, 40cm high £50, pig available in three sizes from £22. Giraffe from a selection of mirror and enamel animals £15.

>> Colonial globe with aged base £125. << kensington tin wall clock, large £75.

Brand new for your home, oundle’s olive Grove nurseries this month unveils its collection of furniture and finishing touches for your home... many of which will make great Christmas gift ideas. the six acre mediterranean nursery opened in 2010 and in season has 1,200 olive trees, palms and architectural plants in stock. the business added a deli and restaurant in 2013 and in may this year opened an additional barn, with furniture, decorations, candles, cushions & throws and gift ideas.. with Christmas just around the corner it’s a great place to find unique presents with many of the interiors barn’s products produced in small quantities by artisan craftspeople from around the world. in addition, the olive Grove nurseries deli is a great place to stock up on artisan food from across the world. the nursery will also stock a range of Christmas trees and decorations and will reveal its newly extended coffee bar as Pride goes to press.

Olive Grove Nurseries is a great place to visit! It’s based on Oundle Road, Polebrook, near Oundle PE8 5LQ. For more information see www.olivegrovenurseries.co.uk or call 01832 275660.

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HOMES AND GARDENS

Your Christmas Table there’s no Point in CreatinG a Phenomenal festive feast if your table doesn’t Come uP to sCratCh too. fortunately oldrids and downtown has some stylish suGGestions for ensurinG yours is the toP table this season

1.

3.

5.

2.

4.

6.

1.Table Place Cards A Christmas essential, allowing you to create your own cards year after year. £1.25/ea.

2. Cutlery Weighty, well-made cutlery evokes a feeling of real quality, and Viners’s Glamour range is ideal for the festive season.

With a polished hammered finish, it’ll sparkle under candle light. £25/24 piece set, with six knives, forks, dessert and teaspoons.

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3. Wine Glasses If the odd accident has rendered your wine glasses incomplete, invest in these Spiegelau red wine/water glasses. £4.50/ea, £20/six. They have matching white wine and water glasses too.

4. Cheese Board Heart-shaped, by the Just Slate company, £22. Sealed with food-safe lacquer, foam backed so it won’t scratch your table. Knife optional.

5. Plates and Chargers Create a luxurious layered look with Maxwell Williams’s range of white crockery. Square charger plates from Monaco range, dinner and side plates from Cashmere range. Dishwasher/microwave safe, from £2.99/ea.

6. Quality Crackers These Robin Reed examples are £6/ten and feature high quality novelties, and a satisfying snap!

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Also seen here: Gold candle available in three sizes £4.99/£7/£9. Champagne gold table runner and Lustra napkins by Peggy Wilkins £10, £1.99/six.

Gold paper doilies £3.50/24. Footed glass bowl £15, baubles from 49p, snowflake bauble £3.99.

Gold reindeer £5.75. Gravy boat and stand £25, vegetable dish £30. serving bowl £6.50.

Find Out More: All items featured on this spread are available from Oldrids and Downtown in Boston, Grantham, Lincoln and Gainsborough. Call 01205 350505 for availability of stock at each store, or shop online at www.oldrids.co.uk.

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DECEMBER

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR

2013

DECEMBER

DECEMBER

TO ALL OUR READERS

T H E

MAGAZINE ONE COUNTY THE NUMBER

N U M B E R

O N E

C O U N T Y

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR READERS

M A G A Z I N E

ISSUE 137

STAMFORD UTLAND AND COVERING R

Celebrating the Season

2013

LincolnshirePride

RutlandPride

CHR ISTM AS IN THE COU NTY

DECEMBER

How to Look Great

£3.70

PARTY DRESSES Festive Food Local produce and recipes {Page 22}

Winter Fashion Celebrate style with Cavells {Page 124}

The Event

Uppingham in Bloom Celebrate {Page 152}

The Event Aled Jones at The Stump {Page 10}

Christmas Enjoy Lincoln’s Christmas Market

{Page 13}

£3.70

Recipes Seasonal Gifts - Christmas nt Decorations - Entertainme

Festive Food Local produce and recipes {Page 22}

Advertise in the number one county magazine.

To discover how we can boost your sales, call our friendly team now.

01529 469977 www.pridemagazines.co.uk

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house & hoMe

Caught Red Handed Warm up your winter with Christmas shades of burnt red and vibrant crimson. We’ve some subtle and not-so-subtle suggestions, for using red in every room in your home plus advice from Farrow & Ball’s Director of Colour, Rosie Stirrets...

Main: Colefax and Fowler’s winter 2013 collection includes Purcell, used to create these curtains in red colourway, Kruger used on window seat and Leo for this cushion, shown in chocolate colourway but available in red.

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house & hoMe

Manuel Canovasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s winter 2013 collection includes Samira, used in these curtains, Sana in rubis on left hand chair. Cushion in sultan, rose colourway.

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house & hoMe

Main: Jane Churchill’s new collection includes curtains in Paradise Garden - an abstract floral print against a bamboo backdrop, plus fabric for statement chairs like Delta in sienna colourway and Munro, shown here in burnt orange.

Above: Cushions on floor from top; Cristo in burnt orange, Medina in red, Orissa, in red/gold, Paradise Garden, red/gold. Chair in Gable charcoal, cushion on chair: Paradise Garden in red/gold colourway.

For complementary paint colours consider Farrow & Ball’s Radiccio (flat) or Rectory Red (vibrant). To complement, use James White or White Tie creams. Alternatively, use Little Greene’s Atomic Red (strong) or Theatre Red (deep).

Each of our featured designers are available from the county’s leading independent soft furnishings specialists.

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Main: Brand new to designer James Brindley is the Flora Collection. Reminiscent of an English garden, it uses Edie, a tactile linen and bamboo jacquard with small checks and the wool design of Emma to deliver timeless sophistication for traditional drawing rooms.

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house & hoMe

Nina Campbell’s Woodsford paper/cushion in Boxgrove, Curtains Marble Hill.

sanderson’s Vintage includes Early Tulips fabric (curtains) in four colourways.

L

ooking to add a little dynamism into your home ? Get colourful. Red is often associated with strong, intense emotions like love, energy, and warmth, but it also has an energising quality to it, often motivating people to take action making it a staple colour for your home. Capture a bit of its passion by incorporating some red accents into your home.

selecting colours, so you can create a natural flow from room to room. In principal, to make a room feel larger, one would choose cool colours. In ‘normal situations’ a non-bright mid-tone colour will work best, but to make a room feel cosier choose rich reds and pinks like Incarnadine, Picture Gallery Red or our new pink, Nancy’s Blushes.”

Farrow & Ball’s Director of Colour Rosie Stirrets advises that before embarking on an interior design project this season, its important to ‘read your room,’ taking in available natural light, size, age of your property etc., then choosing the strength and colour for your room accordingly.

For kitchens, a new slew of high gloss cabinets are ultra modern, with bright crimson cabinets for all price ranges - if you’re not sure as to the longevity of a red kitchen, opt for something low end like Cook & Lewis’s High Gloss Red at B&Q, if you’re on a higher end budget, Cesar’s Ruby Red Oak lacquered wood from Stamford’s NGI Design looks fabulously modern.

“Before committing to colour, consider the amount and direction of light in the room as well as the architecture, purpose and shape of the space you are decorating.” says Rosie. “Our approach is to work from the hallways when

For real flexibility opt for bespoke cabinetry and have your cabinetry hand-painted in colours like Farrow & Ball’s Brinjal or Theatre Red. Then, choose neutral white marble toppers to facilitate a mid-life facelift by way of a repaint.

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Boussac’s Santa Fe collection’s Pasadena curtains, Dakota bedcover, Rodeo and Mikado bedhead. Pillows in Nevada, Santa Fe, Sombrero, Rodeo and Idaho.

Kitchens are a great place to incorporate splashes of red using appliances like Dualit toasters, Kitchen Aid mixers, and the wealth of red kettles and coffee makers on the market.

Everyday crockery can also be used to underpin red in your kitchen too, like Le Creuset’s Cerise colourway or John Lewis’s Al Fresco stoneware. The latter has a thick bold glaze making it sufficiently hard-wearing for day-to-day dining whilst its Burleigh collection is a heavily floral and ornate design. Villeroy & Boch’s more subtle red-rimmed Anmut collection is also worth a look.

Elsewhere in the home, an accent wall is the probably the most common way to incorporate red into a room. It’s bold but not too much. A recent survey by one multinational retailer suggested that 17% of UK residents have introduced a feature wall of blocked colour, though the current trend is to eschew blocks of plain colour in favour of bolder coloured wallpaper patterns against linen or calico backgrounds.

74

This technique is especially suitable for bedrooms where a splash of red adds intimacy and warmth to a room. Like bedrooms themselves, the colour red benefits greatly from sympathetic lighting, but if a red wall seems too garish, opt instead for a blend of warm cream tones and accents of red.

Cover scatter cushions in different designs from fabric designers’ same colourways and mix ‘busy’ patterns with plain fabrics.

In dining rooms, red is a classic hue, due to its ability to stimulate our appetites and our conversations. A floor-toceiling red-clad cave is too intense for most people, so use red as an accent colour, with a swathe on a wall, ceiling or floor, or in smaller bits around the room.

This same layering approach can be used to create a more subtle accent of colour in your reception rooms - rather than going for all matching cushions, for example, choose a

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Manuel Canovas cushions; Champs Elysees, Nura, Sultan, Foch and Kerala.

combination of different patterns, and vary the colour themes within them, too. A symphony of red shades and patterns will create a more playful dining room. Rather than clashing like you might expect, the different patterns actually add depth and interest because they are within the same colour family.

For contemporary reception and dining rooms, pop bright red with pure white, or use red on unconventional furnishings - bright red acrylic dining chairs, for example, or a bold contemporary red rug against a white marble floor to add a sense of contrast. For children’s rooms, red is an ideal colour too; from furniture, and bedding to decorative murals and paint, red can be a predominant colour, or just used for playful pieces. Red is a common colour used in children’s nurseries and schools to spark imagination and energy.

Jane Churchill Arlo, Orissa and Cora in red. Chair in Cristo, curtains in Orissa.

Georgian or Victorian properties can look great with a crimson hallway - high ceilings and grand staircases work well with bold brinjal shades... incorporate reclaimed pews, antique hatstands, boot boxes and console tables.

Regardless of your style of décor, red finds a place beautifully in most homes. From subtle accessories to accent walls, use red to enliven your home and bring energy to its inhabitants.

When shopping for red, do take along swatches of your current colours to retailers or bring several red swatches home. This will help you decide how much saturation will work with your home.

If you’ve a dark entrance way, conventional wisdom suggests fighting against the building’s architecture to brighten it up.

However, Georgian or Victorian property can look great with a dark, crimson hallway - high ceilings and grand staircases work well with bold brinjal shades.

As always, we’d recommend using one of the county’s professional interior designers, whose ability to create a bespoke room scheme for your home and whose access to the latest collections of fabrics and wall coverings shown here really will prove a good investment.

Pair these with black and white Victorian tiles or for a warmer look, consider jute carpeting or antique rugs which use dark red colours. Entrance halls in crimson will look better with antique or aged pieces of furniture so

A professional designer can make your room more functional, but they can help you to select the best value products and services, avoiding costly mistakes and boosting the value of your property.

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BOSTON ELECTRICAL SAyS...

“MAKE IT

MIELE!”

THE BEST BRANDS, BACkED uP By THE BEST SERvICE...

MAkE IT MIELE AT BOSTON ELECTRICAL SERvICES! Boston electrical services is a friendly family owned independent business established in 1985.

As well as selling a wide variety of domestic appliances we are one of the few in the county that sells and installs Miele appliances. Our engineers are Miele trained, to provide after sales service if needed.

Our large showroom in Boston has on display over 100 fridges and freezers, over 40 washing machines, over 60 cookers as well as microwaves, ovens, hobs, vacuum cleaners, water softeners, lamps and loads of spare parts.

It will be well worth a visit next time you are in Boston - you might be tempted by our extensive range of light fittings or a coloured kettle and toaster! There is also plenty of parking outside the shop.

£ FIND OUT MORE Boston Electrical Services is based on Boston Industrial Centre, Norfolk Street, Boston, Lincs PE21 9HG. Telephone: 01205 350737 or shop for quality products online www.bostonelectrics.co.uk

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five MiNute proJeCt

Table Place Cards and Napkin Rings CRANBERRIES, BAy LEAvES & HOLLy CAN CREATE SIMPLE TABLE PLACE CARDS AND NAPkIN RINGS...

JUST A FEW MINUTES IS ALL IT TAKES TO GIVE yOuR SEASONAL TABLE A PERSONAL TOuCH Threading a small spool of floristry wire with some cranberries and a couple of dried bayleaves enabled us to create these festive napkin rings. Meanwhile, plain card with a hole punched through them make simple

place cards - they work well if you’re a budding calligrapher. Remember that simple napkins call for more elaborate napkin holders and visa versa, so if you’re planning to accessorise your table linens, keep napkins plain and simple.

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five MiNute proJeCt

‘Christingle’ Room Decoration CHILDREN WILL LOvE HELPING TO MAkE THIS ORANGE, CRANBERRy AND CLOvE TEALIGHT HOLDER...

AN AROMATIC TEALIGHT HOLDER WHICH WILL FILL yOuR ROOM WITH A FRESH FESTIvE SCENT...

Turn a large, stable-based orange upside down and score the top with the metal case of a tealight. Use a paring knife to cut out the hole and rub the inside of the orange with bleach to prevent it spoiling.

Next, push cloves in a tight circle around the rim and use dressmaking pins to encircle these with fresh cranberries. Replace the candle and light, then enjoy as the heat from the candle gives the room a lovely festive scent.

* Our decoration is a contemporary version of the Christingle, which is still used in many Christian denominations. Its light represented Jesus, the orange represented the world and a red ribbon would be used to represent the blood of Christ. Dried fruit would represent the four seasons and the fruits of the earth. The custom was invented in 1747 in Germany, and was introduced into modern Christianity in 1968 by John Pensom.

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sugared Almond

Antique Chic

Jack frost supersize

Feminine and pastel with pinks and whites...

With gold, brown and platinum for a warm, opulent tree...

White and silver for an ice-cool look...

feminine and pastel; Hanging fairy 14cm £7.50, snowflake gemstone bauble 8cm £3.50. Pink fairy tree-topper £16.75. Complete kit, includes fairy lights, 100 decorations and a 6ft artificial Christmas tree £258.

A luxurious combination; Taupe sequin flower 16cm £4, mask decoration 20cm £6,50, taupe and platinum swirl bauble 11cm £5.75, platinum & taupe mirror bauble 10cm £5.

Complete kit, includes fairy lights, 100 decorations and a 6ft artificial Christmas tree £258

supersize for large trees; 3D star 25/50cm £7/£10. Icy snowflake 30cm, £6. Silver and white fabric and bead bauble 10cm £5.75, Silver filigree bauble 15cm £7. Complete kit, includes fairy lights, 120 decorations and an 8ft artificial Christmas tree £366.

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ChristMAs deCorAtioNs

Festive Tree Themes DECORATE yOuR TREE WITH ONE OF THESE BEAuTIFuL THEMES. CHRISTMASTIMEuk IS AN ONLINE BuSINESS WHICH JuST HAPPENS TO BE BASED IN THE COuNTy...

THEy’LL SuPPLy yOu WITH INDIvIDuAL DECORATIONS OR, EvEN BETTER, A COMPLETE ‘kIT’ WHICH INCLuDES FAIRy LIGHTS, 100 DECORATIONS AND AN ARTIFICIAL CHRISTMAS TREE FOR ONE OF OuR FEATuRED LOOkS!

Circus

vintage pearl

A bold, bright, modern look that’s shiny and opulent

Pink and pearly with inspiration from bygone victorian Christmas’

1

Once you've positioned the tree, stand back and study its shape.

If it isn't symmetrical, use secateurs to remove branches that are sticking out.

Cutting them at an angle will help to disguise the fresh cuts.

2

Christmas lights should go on your tree before any decorations, and should be checked to make sure they are all working.

Look at your tree with the lights on and off to make sure you are happy with their positioning. As a rough guide we recommend an average of 30 lights per foot of tree.

Always remember to tuck the cable out of sight - use garden wire to hold it in place if necessary. Run a beaded garland around the tree in swags for added sparkle.

3

Choose your colour scheme carefully. We generally pick three colours for our themes, which includes an accent colour.

4

Hang baubles according to size, with the largest at the bottom, mixing colours as you go. Hang droplet baubles at the ends of branches, while fragile and more treasured ones should go at the top.

5

If your Christmas tree is tall, don't perch anything on top of it; instead, hang your topper in front of the top branch to fill out the space.

Bright, bold and modern; hanging box £6.25, fuchsia pink sequin bauble 8cm, £3, black multi-colour lacquer bauble 8cm, £3.75, fuchsia pink fabric ball with multi-colour felt 10cm, £4.

Complete kit, includes fairy lights, 100 decorations and a 6ft artificial Christmas tree £258.

pinky, pearly and romantic; cream poinsettia 23cm £4, pink 3D glitter flower 10cm £3, pink flecked bauble 8cm £1.75. Complete kit, includes fairy lights, 100 decorations and a 6ft artificial Christmas tree £258.

ChristmasTimeUK is the largest independent supplier of decorations in the UK, with over 500,000 baubles and half a million metres of tinsel! Their collections won’t be found on any High Street and can only be ordered by calling 01427 667270 or online at www.christmastimeuk.com.

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Bright: Paperwhite narcissi should be planted in October for a beautiful display in December, though planting now will give a glorious January display.

iN the gArdeN

A Floral Christmas The bleak mid-winter needn’t be as bleak as you think... here we’ve a few flowers that look great in December, and we provide some top tips for using foliage from your garden to create colour in a season traditionally associated with frosty white blandness...

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gArdeNiNg

D

ecember in the garden needn’t be bleak and lacking in colour - there are myriad ways to ensure your garden is a riot of colour, or a shimmering canvas of pristine white blooms. Likewise, you can brighten your home for Christmas not just with gaudy baubles and furry Santas, but poinsettias and hellebores too.

Colour in the garden Cheer up your garden by introducing a shock of bright yellow - jasminium nudiflorum looks great with pallid yellow flowers from November onwards.

Narcissus Cedric Morris is a bright yellow miniature daffodil that can be relied on to make a Christmas appearance with a shallow trumpet and emerald green stem. Beautiful when planted in clusters, great for containers and boxes besides wall for a punctuation of colour.

For other colours, consider hellebore, smaller displays of which will also look great on your windowsill.

Look to irises like Mary Barnard for soft blue flowers that unfurl from pointed buds - which are the ultimate low maintenance flower. Snip off the odd untidy leaf a couple of times a year, otherwise just leave it to do its own thing.

A white winter garden...

If you want a carpet of white in your garden, look to paperwhite narcissi, and festive clematis; cirrhosa is usually the first to flower, with burgundy freckles, whilst wisley cream blooms reliably from November right through to new year.

top: Later in this edition we meet one of the area’s most prolific Christmas tree growers for some advice on ensuring your tree remains fresh.

Above: Hellebore Niger can be mixed with ivies and dressed with moss for a great looking windowsill display.

Left: This month’s magazine has all of the advice you need for choosing a stunning looking tree see our Christmas feature later in this edition.

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Left: Narcissus like Cedric Morris looks great in planters next to your home.

Using your garden Festive favourites like holly and mistletoe can easily be incorporated into arrangements like wreathes and table decorations. Combine with conifer, eucalyptus, fir and ruscis; skimmia adds a lighter shade whilst spray-painted Christmas decorations can be added in between carnations and roses.

Make friends with floral foam - it’ll open up a world of creative possibilities. Last month’s Pride had some great ideas for festive floral decorations - it’s available to view online now.

Brightening up your home Amaryllis and poinsettias are two great plants for your home to add festive cheer to your Christmas. Alternatively, you can force azaleas and bulbs like hyacinths and narcissus for the festive season - take care not to remove bulbs too soon from their cool, dark conditions and ensure you keep them somewhere sufficiently cool.

Choosing your tree And of course, Christmas wouldn’t be complete without a beautiful natural tree... artificial ones just don’t cut it!

The traditional Norway spruce has been supplanted as the nation’s favourite by the darker nordmann fir, though our recommendation is the bushy and beautifully scented Scots Pine, or its slightly more expensive stablemate the noble fir.

Beautiful table decorations Don’t forget to look at what’s in your own garden for some inspiring table decorations. A sprig of holly slipped through the hole-punched corner of a slip of stiff card can be used with festive ribbon or parcel string to create beautiful rustic table place card. For a more formal look, use napkin holders and slip a sprig of bay or yet in your napkin ring.

Make a Wreath: Penny Hemming created this wreath at Riverford Organic Farm using native foliage foraged from the estate.

right: Make friends with floral foam to create your own arrangements - soak it well then slip in bushy foliage from your garden and combine with more expensive colourful red blooms. far right: Iris like Mary Barnard can add colour to your garden in December.

the Nordmann fir has become the uK’s most popular Christmas tree - our feature later in this edition will tell you all you need to know about choosing, enjoying and preserving your tree to it looks great all season long...

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GARDENING

IN THE GARDEN

Jobs for December

£ If the soil underneath grass is frozen, it can ‘break’ if you walk on it and kill off the grass.

You see the effect of this in spring when the damaged patches become brown and bare. If possible it’s best to stay off the lawn when it is freezing.

£ A lot of weed seedlings are already germinating in the soil. If the soil is not frozen, it is a good idea to do some hoeing. The sun and subsequent frost will dry them up and kill them off. A good sharp hoe will help and don’t forget to watch out for bulbs!

£ Doorstep decs are great – consider a pair of standard hollies, a skimmia and an flowering erica in a pot, or, what about an attractive mini fir in a red container?

£ Harvest leeks, Brussels sprouts (from the bottom upwards), carrots, parsnips (after a frost) and winter cabbages.

£ Carry on digging over beds and borders and incorporate as much organic matter as you can. Forking over not only helps prepare the soil for next year, it helps reduce pests by exposing them to hungry birds.

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ON THE FARM

BARRY POSTON This season, look forward to a Christmas lunch of locally produced vegetables as Barry Poston reflects on a time when the Great British consumer can demonstrate their confidence in local produce...

T

is the season to be jolly, although a week of wet weather at the time of writing in late October means that most arable farmers aren’t feeling particularly festive, and are unable to proceed with the harvesting of root crops and the sowing & spraying of winter cereals and rape seed.

Potatoes require a certain amount of moisture to aid lifting and to avoid the damaging that can happen in very dry conditions. A considerable amount of potatoes had been lifted in almost ideal conditions but remaining crops will suffer through later lifting. Sugar beet is not such a demanding crop to harvest and can be left until suitable soil conditions permit.

Winter wheat is the main cereal grown on arable farms and can be sown from September right up until December.

However, yields do drop considerably on anything sown after the end of October. A high percentage of farmers have held back the sowing of wheat in an effort to kill some of the blackgrass weed which has caused so much concern during the last few years.

Unfortunately heavy rain showers during the last week of October, had made this land very sticky, and it was not suitable for drilling. In the main, rape crops were sown in earlier and better conditions and the crop is generally looking well and will, no doubt, attract many pigeons over the winter.

UK fruit and vegetable self-sufficiency has fallen to just 56% following 59% for the previous five years, with cauliflowers being one of the largest fallers in acreage.

Words: Barry Poston

92

Production of most other brassica crops has fallen, mainly due to uneconomic returns. Last year retailers, responding to industry’s requests, did relax specifications due to the inclement weather, which allowed more British produce on supermarket shelves. However, producers must have confidence to continue to grow these crops long term and must have the confidence of long term contracts so they can invest in these crops.

This Christmas, help farmers by taking note of where your fresh produce comes from, and support local farmers with the many excellent farm shops, food fayres or vegetable box schemes which will provide high quality, ethically farmed local produce.

The BBC must be given some credit for recently producing programmes about farming, with the harvesting of crops clearly shown in its three part Harvest series, and in another set of programmes, with well-known TV chef James Martin touring the country. James used all kinds of local produce from our region to demonstrate what attractive food could be prepared, cooking live ‘in the field’ on local farms.

One piece of sad news was to hear of the imminent retirement of Peter Kendall, who for eight years has worked tirelessly as President of the National Farmers Union.

On the few occasions I have heard him speak, he has done so with absolute clarity and with no notes. British agriculture will lose his wise counsel. My best wishes to Peter and to all our readers for a Happy Christmas and a wonderful new year.

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oN the fArM

with Barry Poston

â&#x20AC;&#x153;This Christmas, help farmers by taking note of where your fresh produce comes from, and support local farmers with the many excellent farm shops, food fayres or vegetable box schemes which will provide high quality, ethically farmed local produce...â&#x20AC;?

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to vieW ANd purChAse photogrAphs froM ‘the eveNt’ visit WWW.prideMAgAZiNes.Co.uK fairies from Jem's hip hop fairies welcomed guests as they arrived.

THE EvENT Anna’ s Hope Charity Ball...

Anna’s hope recently held its annual charity ball at The Haycock Hotel near Wansford. The charity was inspired by Anna Olivia Hughes who tragically died from a brain tumour in 2006 aged only three years and eight months. Anna’s Hope supports children with brain tumours through the provision of rehabilitation therapy and support. It was a spectacular evening where, after seven years of fundraising, a new team of Specialist Therapists known as the Anna’s Hope Therapy Team was announced. This new team will support a pioneering new service called Brainbow providing Neuro Rehabilitation for children in the region with brain tumours. It will be based at Addenbrookes Hospital and is the first of its kind in the country. Over 200 people attended the ball and over £20,000 was raised for the charity.

For more information about Anna’s Hope and Brainbow please visit www.annashope.co.uk.

Photos: rob davis.

elizabeth Bass (oakham school, royal Academy of Music) who played beautifully on her harp.

phil Johns and members from smile Boutique peterborough.

Prom, ParTy & EVEning WEar sPECialisTs opening monday 2nd December, 8 minutes from lincoln City Centre

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the eveNt Anna’ s

Hope

Anna’s hope founders sara hughes, robert hughes and Carole hughes.

Anna’s hope specialist therapists Kate gladwin and Antonia Kilcommons with husbands edward and david.

The region’s largest dress stockist promises a shopping experience like no other • Buy & Hire • Celebrity Brands • Every taste, style & colour available Visit our website for full details & our opening hours

40 Hall lane, Branston, lincoln ln4 1Py Telephone: 01522 793777

www.redcarpetready.co.uk | facebook.com/redcarpetreadyltd

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Adrian and Caroline Meadows (centre) with their friends.

The Annaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hope Fairy Helpers.

Tina and John Furlong, Tina and Eamon Mglyhn.

Prom, ParTy & EVEning WEar sPECialisTs opening monday 2nd December, 8 minutes from lincoln City Centre

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THE EVENT Anna’ s

Hope

Nigel and Libby Hume and Friends.

Jo and Barry Prichard and friends.

Kelly Sparks and Wayne Daly.

The region’s largest dress stockist promises a shopping experience like no other • Buy & Hire • Celebrity Brands • Every taste, style & colour available Visit our website for full details & our opening hours

40 Hall lane, Branston, lincoln ln4 1Py Telephone: 01522 793777

www.redcarpetready.co.uk | facebook.com/redcarpetreadyltd

4 - JOINT Pride DEC 137_Layout 2 04/11/2013 13:05 Page 98

the Wish List With

Moore and Scrupps

<< Ti Sento necklace with Swarovski crystals and black crystal globe, £235.

>> Pear shaped diamond cluster and 18ct white gold chain, £6,950.

>> Trio of rings; three row platinum ring with princess cut and brilliant cut diamonds, total 1.08ct, £3,500. yellow gold five stone eternity ring 1.12ct total, £4,800.

18ct white gold diamond cluster ring, £1,795.

>> Carpe Diem silver and rose gold coin pendant by Mi Moneda, with white gold chain, £120.

>> Shown below, duo of emerald rings - on the left 11 stone, £1,850.

On the right three stone fine emerald eternity ring with exceptional clarity, £3,950. >> Pandora’s new releases in sterling silver and murano glass for Christmas 2013.

Snowflake charm, £45, ice blue glass droplet, £40. Bracelets available, from £55. Charms available at all outlets, from £20/ea.

THE WISH LIST

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THE WISH LIST

<< Pandora charms, new for Christmas 2013. Santa Claus charm shown below, £45, candy cane, £30. Snow globe charm, £45 and Santa’s Sleigh in 14ct white gold, £60.

Faze Four and Moore & Scrupps LINCOLN - SLEAFORD - BOuRNE - NEWARk - PETERBOROuGH

<< Above Edwardian bar brooch, estate piece, £3,250. << Shown left is a nine stone cluster ring, estate jewellery, with 3.17ct total, £4,500.

>> Ti Sento charm bracelet with Swarovski crystals, complete with all charms, £310.

Celebrate Christmas with a beautiful gift from family jeweller Moore and Scrupps. The business, established in 1988, stocks a large selection of fine jewellery including an exceptional selection of diamonds, gold and platinum jewellery and a vast range of contemporary silver brands, such as Pandora, Thomas Sabo, Ti Sento, Milano, Hot Diamonds and Dower & Hall to name a few.

The company has five stores located in Sleaford, Newark and Bourne, plus a contemporary retail brand, Faze 4 in Lincoln & Peterborough, established a couple of years ago.

This season you can choose from contemporary jewellery from cutting-edge designers like Thomas Sabo, Tia Sento, Hot Diamonds and Ortak, plus Pandora charm bracelets and a beautiful range of traditional jewellery with precious stones to suit all budgets.

Tel: 01522 262556, 01529 302674, 01636 704488 or 01778 424228 www.mooreandscrupps.co.uk,

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the WeddiNg ALBuM

the WeddiNg ALBuM

James and Dee Buckley This month’s wedding was a colourful one - and it was the correct colour too, thanks to the groom putting his foot down. At least Dee’s groom took an interest in the wedding! This month we share one couple’s vision of what the perfect wedding should be like...

Photos: Contact:

henden fine Art Weddings.

07912 560844, www.hendenweddings.co.uk.

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an d “J ames w ent do w n on onhie lstkn eew e w ere aske d me to m ar ry hi m wmy bi rt hd ay !” on ho lid ay in Alcu di a for

it h h is w h c u o t in t o “ M y g roo me gan d d is a g ree d w it h me” fe m in ine s idides m a id s ’ c o lou r sc h e me ! o ver my b r

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the WeddiNg ALBuM

“As soon as I stood at the aisle and saw James, I wanted to cry with happiness and run down the aisle...!”

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e met in Jan 2009 on a night out with a mutual friend, Sam - we became an official couple on Valentine’s Day, not a hard anniversary for James to remember! James popped the question in August 2011, whilst we were on holiday in Alcudia for my birthday. I had picked a nice restaurant for us to eat at and after dinner, whilst sipping Champagne, he waited for me to look away to place the ring on the table. I then made him get down on one knee to propose!

We originally considered marrying in Cyprus, but we wanted our family and close friends to be there, so we instead decided to move the venue back to the UK. We found a venue, we loved, then I chose my dress almost straight away.

Surprisingly my groom got in touch with his feminine side and disagreed with me over the colour of the bridesmaids’ dresses! He didn’t like my preferred coral colour scheme so I was told to make a swift amendment!

As this demonstrates, we both shared equal enthusiasm over the day, but as the bride I made most of the decisions.

I left the groom in charge of his wedding ring, the suits and his wedding shoes. Unsurprisingly, he left the wedding ring and the shoes until three days before the wedding!

My dress was an early purchase and the back of it was a

deciding factor. The length of the train and the detail to the dress with all the flowers and lace was beautiful, with an almost vintage touch.

On the day, James had pre-speech jitters! He was shaking all the way through my father’s speech! I was extremely excited but also very nervous all morning and was shaking like a leaf with anticipation for the day ahead.

As soon as I stood at the aisle and saw James, I wanted to cry with happiness and run down it! Fortunately, the dress prohibited this, but saying our vows was the most amazing experience of our lives and made us feel so close.

We would certainly recommend Aden Priest and Henry Lowther our photographers. These will be life long friends, as not only were they exceptional photographers, but they made our day extra special. Ian Baxter of Mash, our entertainer, was a fantastic singer and everyone really enjoyed the variety of songs he sang whilst he played during the night time reception. Finally, Occasions by Leigh provided our wedding decorations for the ceremony and the reception to great effect - the room looked beautiful.

Marriage, we’ve found, makes the relationship even more meaningful and our families really have been brought closer together.

the venue: Grange Park Golf Club decorations: Occasions by Leigh www.occasions byleigh.com 07747023305 Wedding Cars: A Classic Touch 01724 338651 www.aclassictouch weddingcars.co.uk photographer: Henden Fine Art Weddings 07912560844 hendenweddings.co.uk

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SAVE THE DATE SUNDAY 26 JANUARY 2014

WEDDING OPEN DAY Lincoln’s Washingborough hall is delighted to be hosting their Wedding Open Day on Sunday 26 January 2014. Selected suppliers have been invited to exhibit from 10.30-2.30pm, these include Ambience chair covers, Aperture photography, Hoppers jewellers, Robert Stubbs floral, Doves 4 Love, Lincoln luxury cars, SP Magic and many more.

Entrance is free with goodie bags for the first 100 registered brides. Dates are available for this year, next year and bookings have just started for 2015.

Washingborough Hall specializes in Exclusive, tailor made weddings, a personalised service creating bespoke weddings for all sizes.

Washingborough Hall also specialises in special occasions and private dining’s, perfect for gatherings of celebration and remembrance too. The Dining Room Restaurant can seat up to 50 guests and has just been awarded a two rosette accolade! Open all day, every day to all, we serve breakfast, morning

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coffee, bar lunches, afternoon teas and dinner, both to resident guests and the local communities.

Perfect for Parties, Wonderful Weddings, Beautiful Bedrooms and Breakfast, Lovely Lunches, Delicious Dinner, Come for a Conference, Respectful Remembrance teas, A list Afternoon Teas, all delivered in a Superb Setting, Amazing Ambience with a Tremendous Team!

From an afternoon tea for 2 to a special Dinner, bed and breakfast break, Washingborough Hall’s gift vouchers can be catered to all this Christmas.

For more information visit Washingborough Hall Hotel on Church Hill, Washingborough, Lincoln, Lincolnshire LN4 1BE. Alternatively, call 01522 790340. Email: enquiries@washingboroughhall.com or visit the hotel online at www.washingboroughhall.com

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WeddiNgs

Finding your Photographer

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ChoosiNg Your WeddiNg photogrApher

CeLeBrAte Your speCiAL dAY Choosing a photographer for your big day is a big commitment - not as big as the marriage itself, perhaps, but still pretty important. your wedding photos are what remains of the money, time and planning that went into your day after the wedding cake has been eaten and the flowers have wilted, so trust an expert to preserve your memories... images: Matthew H Lane.

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eddings can be expensive, so naturally brides look to cut costs wherever they can, but your wedding photography really is a good example of the old saying that ‘you get what you pay for.’

It’s tempting to trust the capture of your big day to a family friend or a well-meaning relative rather than splash out on a professional. If you do so, you’re gambling with the record of your big day, since your wedding photography is what remains after your wedding cake has been consumed and your flowers have wilted.

“Professional photographers have the equipment, backup camera bodies and flash heads, batteries and cards.” says professional photographer Matthew Lane. “A slight equipment malfunction, full memory card or dropped camera body could be all that stands between your friend or relative and a lack of decent pictures on your big day.”

Cameras are getting smarter but there’s still no substitute for a professional who understands lighting & flash and can take over from the automatic settings of a camera. Amateurs and their cameras might be able to achieve acceptable results in light, overcast conditions but working indoors, in bright sunshine or in dark churches presents a greater technical challenge.

“There are shots when you need to get it right first time.” says Matthew. “When the confetti

is thrown or the ring goes on the finger, for example. A professional photographer won’t use poor light or bad weather as an excuse for terrible shots - they’ll know how to work around these conditions.”

£ Meet Matthew Lane

“There’s also the soft skills that a photographic professional has over an enthusiastic amateur.

A professional photographer can strike up a rapport, pose a bride and her family, and deal tactfully with the myriad emotions that a wedding day brings with it. They work quickly, discreetly and creatively according to what’s needed at any given moment.”

Finally, a professional photographer will have access to the best ways to post-process and present your images. Every image can be improved with a little Photoshop work, and it’s important to have knowledge of where to source and how to design photographic albums to present your images in the best way possible.

“Trusting one of the most important days of your life to a professional is a sensible decision.” says Matthew. “It could mean the difference between beautifully presented memories of your day or poor quality, shaky images that don’t do your time, creativity and wedding planning justice.”

for more information: call Matthew Lane on 07837 349661or visit www.matthewhlane.co.uk.

£ Matthew worked as a teacher before embarking on a career as a professional photographer.

His qualifications include a BA Degree in Graphic Design & Illustration and he has public liability insurance.

Matthew works with top of the range Canon equipment and is available for weddings, portraiture and commercial work.

“My photography is about capturing people, places and moments in an unobtrusive way. When I photograph I aim to create an artistic portfolio that tells a story and captures the emotions of the event in a photojournalistic style.”

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Advertise on the Number One Wedding Website in the UK... www.ukbride.co.uk UKbride.co.uk has over 380,000 members and over 47,000 Facebook Fans.

It has over 1,000,000 pages and receives over 150,000 visitors per month.

To advertise on the number one wedding website in the UK visit www.ukbride.co.uk/advertise or call our friendly team on 0800 112 3 112.

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Excellence in

Hair, Health and Beauty

5 High Street, Tattershall, Lincoln LN4 4LE Tel: 01526 342309

www.johnandassociates.co.uk

Open Monday-Saturday, call for an appointment.

Hair Styling Electrolysis Men’s Barber Shop Jessica Manicures and Pedicures Waxing Lava Shell Massage Guinot Facial Treatments Tanning Complimentary Therapies

The best of

both worlds T

he only private hospital facility in Lincolnshire, where profits are returned to the NHS for the benefit of all local NHS patients. Patients enjoy privacy and individual attention whilst having the reassurance that The Bostonian is adjacent to the sophisticated services of The Pilgrim Hospital, with its expert diagnostic and emergency medical and surgical facilities.

H Award Winning Sleep Apnoea Service Please visit our website to view the full range of services we offer

www.the-bostonian.co.uk Comfort & Peace of Mind The Bostonian is the private wing of Pilgrim Hospital and is set in its own grounds and gardens. There are 19 en-suite single rooms with digital TVs and telephone. Our dedicated housekeeping team ensure continually high standards of cleanliness and hygiene.

Professional Expertise Almost any condition can be treated at The Bostonian by our dedicated team of professionals – most of our Consultants live only minutes away.

We welcome self referral and provide 24 hour medical cover.

Range of Payment Options Available We deal with all the major insurance companies and also offer Fixed Price packages for the uninsured.

The Bostonian Private Wing, Pilgrim Hospital, Sibsey Road, Boston, Lincs PE21 9QS Telephone: 01205 360606 / Facsimile: 01205 311442 www.the-bostonian.co.uk • ISO 9001:2008 accredited

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Pilgrim Hospital’s Private Wing

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OuR PATIENTS LEAvE uS FEELING THRILLED WITH THEIR NEW SMILE...

THE DENTAL HEALTH CENTRE, GRANTHAM Colin Sutton, principal dentist of the Dental Health Centre Grantham, has a proven track record of implant placement. Since 2000 he has been successfully restoring the smiles of hundreds of patients through the provision of a complete dental implant service including assessment, CT scanning, implant placement, bone grafting and sinus lifting, extending to the All-on-4, Teeth in a Day system.

Colin qualified in Birmingham in 1988 and has built a centre of dental excellence in the heart of Grantham where he welcomes the opportunity to restore complete and confident smiles to patients who have suffered the embarrassment and discomfort of ill-fitting dentures for years.

But it isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t all about technical expertise and proven experience.

Colin has built up a thoughtful team of professionals with an innate ability to put patients at ease.

So whether you are just thinking about possibilities or you know what you want and you just need to find the right professional for the job, please get in touch. We would be delighted to help you on your journey towards a complete and confident smile.

Call us for an informal chat or please visit us for a free 30-minute initial consultation with Colin Sutton.

The Dental Health Centre Grantham is one of very few dental practices to have invested in a 3D dental CT scanner. The state-of-the-art scanner makes implant treatment, safer, quicker and more accurate for patients and makes the Dental Health Centre one of the most technologically advanced dental clinics in the area.

The Dental Health Centre, 3 Avenue Road, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG31 6TA. Tel: 01476 594480, or see www.dentalhealthcentre.co.uk

Colin Sutton BDS

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heALth & BeAutY

The Eye Care Centre

Left: Sue Brocklesby and Jackie Lansell have some great ways to see clearly and change your look for the festive season.

Above: The practice is based on Spalding’s Sheep Market.

T

he party season is nearly upon us, and Spalding’s Eye Care Centre can make sure you can see in the new year in perfect clarity, and change your look to suit your new party dress, whether you’re a contact lens wearer or a fan of the latest designer glasses frames.

“We’ve some stunning new ranges of winter spectacle frames, with new brands like Duck & Cover, Converse, Anna Sui, Morgan and even Barbour - a brand better known for its country clothing.” says Dispensing Optician Sue Brocklesby.

“Having a pair of glasses for summer and a pair that suits your winter wardrobe is certainly something you should consider. On trend tortoiseshell, plum and red frames are a great way to change your look quickly and easily.”

“Our Silhouette brand makes great use of crystals this winter, and allows you to choose the size and shape of your frameless lenses before you choose a style of arms and bridge. This means you can create a completely bespoke design of glasses for a truly unique look.”

ChristMAs visioN At the eYe CAre CeNtre

See in the New Year...

With a range of designer frames and the latest contact lens technology, you can ‘see in’ 2014 in style and clarity, thanks to Spalding’s Eye Care Centre... for more information: Visit The Eye Care Centre, Sheep Market, Spalding, Lincolnshire PE11 1BH. Alternatively, call 01775 722141 or see www.eyecarecentrelincolnshire.co.uk.

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The Spalding centre also offers coloured contact lenses, with over 20 different looks and a colour spectrum that includes different shades of blue, green, violet and brown.

Available with most sight-correcting prescriptions, these are sold in packs of three for £42.50, and each pair will last for 30 days so you can enjoy three different looks over the season.

“Our coloured lenses have the same sight correction capability and sophistication as our conventional contact lenses, but can either enhance or completely change your eye colour.” says Contact Lens Optician Jackie Lansell.

“It’s another way that you can use our products to change your look, and see in the new year in style!”

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Designer eyewear... ...at non-designer prices.

Gucci - ÂŁ173

43/44 Wrawby Street, Brigg, North Lincolnshire DN20 8BS Tel: 01652 653 595. Web: www.obriensopticians.co.uk

Call for an appointment or pop in to view our latest designer eyewear.

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heALth & BeAutY

Christmas Make-up Look fabulous this season...

Kiss&Make-up Look great this season and achieve a flawless finish using MAC make-up.

Here, we preview the brand’s new portfolio of products, available from mid-November...

Words & photos: Rob Davis.

<< Mineralise Blush, Lured to Love shade.

Colour builds lightly, without heavy coverage. veils and enhances the cheekbones; 3.2g, £22.

>> Cremesheen Glass lip gloss in Prepare for Pleasure shade.

Popular tone with clean, bold magenta red; 2.7g, £19.

<< Cremesheen Glass lip gloss. Creamy, sheen-filled nature with the shine of Lipglass.

Soft, comfortable, and non-sticky; 2.7g £12.

<< Lustre Lipstick in Flair for Finery shade, 140 shades available.

Colour plus texture for the lips; 3g, £15. >> Mineralise Eye Shadow in Gilded Night shade. Great for layering, two rich, contrasting shades, limited edition; 2g, RRP £19.

>> Nail lacquer in Military.

Revolutionary new high gloss formula. visibly different, and provides no-streak/no-chip finish; 10ml, £10.

<< Mineralise Skin Finish a luxurious domed contrasting duo with minerals, for a dimensional yet natural matte finish; 10g, £24.

Find your nearest MAC stockist at www.maccosmetics.co.uk.

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Left: The salon offers a range of hair treatments and uses the high quality Alterna brand of products. right: Beauty treatments are provided by Leanne and Chloe in two dedicated studios.

T

ake care of your hair, and invest in the best quality, salon-honed products. That’s the advice of one of the county’s most wellestablished salons, Nevita’s in Boston, which has been offering professional consultations and quality hair styling in the county for over 30 years.

The team of six stylists’ philosophy of bespoke advice, attentive service, aftercare and ongoing training ensures a premium experience.

“We focus on a personal approach to our customers, ensuring that we use the best quality products that suit the needs of each individual.” says salon owner Nev Kemp.

Look great for christmas with Nevitas

wiNter hair & beauty tips With both hair and beauty professionals in one salon, Nevita’s provides the products, treatments and expertise you need to look great throughout the festive season... here, the salon presents its very best advice!

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With seven hairdressing stations and two beauty rooms, the salon offers a range of services for skin, hair, nails, relaxation and general wellbeing.

Beauty treatments...

In addition, the salon offer monthly skin analysis session for expert diagnosis of which skin care product will best suit you, as well as make-up application and tuition. Nevita’s uses leading cosmeceutical brand Environ and Jane Iredale mineral make-up products.

For nail treatments they use Shellac colours, providing around 30 on-trend shades, each hard-wearing enough to last over the festive season.

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hair aNd beauty

with Nevita’ s

Left: Nevita’s was recently nominated for an International Institute of Anti-Ageing customer service award.

£ Four Winter

Beauty Buys

All consultations are free and they are carried out in a private setting. They have a wide range of natural and synthetic wigs available. These have a look and feel that is indistinguishable from your ‘real’ hair Style for the season...

“This festive season eye-skimming full fringes are on-trend.” says Nev. “We’re also seeing casual, tousled curls, with loose ponytails or a few loose strands to render the style a little less formal.

In terms of colour, we’re expecting popular shades to be rich caramel and toffee hues, as well as ombre and reds for a really rich, warm autumn-into-winter look.”

“We’ve some amazing strong shades emerging for the party season too. Nail shades in rich purple and plum are strong. These pair beautifully with our new Jane Iredale lip colours which are long lasting and, with nourishing natural oils and superfruit extracts, these provide a rich look and feel, conditioning your lips in the cold weather.”

>> Alterna Bamboo finishing cream; use on wet or dry hair for a glossy, smooth finish £19.75/250ml.

Winter hair care...

Winter can take it toll on your hair with its cold winds and low temperatures bringing low humidity - with each degree the temperature drops, the sebaceous glands provide 10% less oil to your hair.

>>

The salon provides an NHS-approved wig consultation service and supplies premium quality wigs. Whether you are buying a wig for health or fashion reasons, Nevitas helps you to choose the right wig to suit your face shape and skin tone. Their staff, trained by the prestigious Trevor Sorbie, are confident with helping you achieve a personal style.

We challenge you to try these ‘best in class’ products... you’ll never go back!

With aggressive non-salon shampoos stripping your hair of its natural oil, winter is the best time to invest in a salon-formulated brand of hair care products like the paraben-free, sulphate-free Alterna.

Environ moisturiser is a five level step-up system.

Find a level of intensity to suit your skin. The skin drinks it up, so it won’t give your face a shine £35/50ml.

The company’s shampoo and conditioners with caviar, and its bamboo finishing cream, will provide plenty of moisturisation and restorative conditioning to alleviate damage from hairdryer or straightener heat.

>> Jane Iredale’s gorgeous rich Just Kissed lip colour £19.

“It’s set to be a really fun festive season, so we’ll make sure you look your best.” says Nev. “Offering the full range of both hair and beauty treatments means a visit to Nevita’s ensures you’ll look great and feel great all season long!” for more information visit: Nevitas Hair & Beauty, 17 Bridge Street, Boston, Lincolnshire PE21 8QF or call 01205 351754, alternatively see www.nevitas.co.uk.

<< Alterna Caviar shampoo - feels brilliant with its nourishing, anti-ageing properties, £27/250ml.

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to view aNd purchase photographs from ‘the eveNt’ visit www.pridemagaZiNes.co.uk

Left to right: michaela harness, dan cain, alice Ladlow, hannah green, harriet heron, sophie angus, ellie hope, mark giles, amy clark, georgia starkie and mike farmery.

Jordan clark, tracy clark, darren clark and meg hart.

THE EVENT Thomas Bell Country Fashion Show brigg’s premier country clothing retailer, Thomas Bell recently held a country clothing fashion show at its 10,000sq ft Bigby Road premises, attended by over 120 people. “We stock a superb range of quality country clothing for all your family with brands ranging from Joules, Sherwood Forest, Barbour, Hunter, Dubarry, Musto and many more.” says the company’s Marketing Manager Alison Hindle.

“We wanted the fashion show to be a fun event which showcased the very best country clothing for those who work and play in the countryside. We’re a family run business, we all understand - and have a great passion for the countryside, so we choose products both on the basis of our experience, but also going by what will wear well and provide quality, as well as warmth and comfort all winter long whether you’re riding, hunting or enjoying long dog walks.” Call 01652 600690 or see www.thomasbellcountrystore.co.uk.

elli wears the musto winchfield hoody £85.00 with a musto morloes bobble hat £19.95

michael wears a Le chameau faroz shooting jacket £249.95, Le chameau microfleece sweater £59.95 & Le chameau tetras hat £54.95.

Feature your event in our magazine.

Call 01529 469977 and speak to our Events Desk...

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the eveNt Thomas

Bell Fashion Show

guest soprano caroline trutz.

Julie wilson and mr & mrs walker.

Left to right: amy clarke, michael farmery and ellie hope from thomas bell.

presenting to you the barbour collection. left to right: michaela, hannah, sophie, michael and dan

sherwood forest kensington Jacket £139.95.

Left to right: amy wears Joules floral shirt £49.95, georgia wears Little Joules quilted coat, £49.95. alice wears Joules moredale Jacket £89.95. hannah wears Joules Norwood Jumper £59.95.

Purchase photographs from this event online.

Visit www.pridemagazines.co.uk.

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eveNt JeweLLery: Bulova Diamond Ladies Watch RRP £329.99, Outlet Price £164.99.

Royal London Chrono Mens Watch - RRP £89.99, Outlet Price £44.99.

kLass: Textured Jersey & Ponte Dress RRP £45, Outlet Price £30.

Ponte Dress With Sequin Trim RRP £45, Outlet Price £30.

kLass: Embellished Maxi Dress – RRP £65, Outlet Price £45.

SPRINGFIELDS EVERyTHINg you NEED FoR THE FESTIVE SEASoN

beauty outLet: OPI Nail Polish RRP: £12.99, Outlet Price: £6.99.

Springfields has all you need for the festive season... with over 55 retailers there’s gift ideas, fashion outlets, retailers of accessories and clothes for men too.

Whether you’re looking for a party dress, something special to look great on Christmas day, an outfit for New year’s Eve or to complete your Christmas shopping and save pounds on recommended retail prices, Springfields offers Christmas shopping in comfort this month.

And there is now even more time to save with our late night shopping week days until 9pm from 14th November until 23rd December with free parking after 6pm.

Watch out for our new Radley store opening in January.

Springfields Outlet Shopping, A16 Spalding or find out more at www.springfieldsshopping.com.

All outlet prices are correct at the time of going to print, but may be subject to change.

All products featured available while stocks last and subject to availability.

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piLot: Black Dress RRP £21.99, Outlet Price £14.99.

Black & White Dress RRP £35, Outlet Price £25.

oLLie aNd Nic: Betty Bow Red - RRP £45, Outlet Price £30.

Evangeline Black - RRP £40, Outlet Price £28.

Kirsty Cream - RRP £40, Outlet Price £28.

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Jeff baNks: FREE Shirt & Tie worth £80 when you buy this suit for an Outlet Price of £175 (RRP £249).

romaN: Contrast embroidered Dress RRP £90, Outlet Price £60.

t m LewiN: W hite Pleat Dress Evening Shirt RR £30. Black Silve P £89, Outlet Pr r Dress Studs RR ice P £30, Outlet Pr Bow Tie RRP £5 ice £15. Black Sa 0, Outlet Price tin £25. Black Cum Outlet Price £3 merbund RRP £6 4.50. Cufflinks RR 9, P £39, Outlet Pr Black Dinner Su ice £19.50. May it RRP £800.00, fair Outlet Price £2 49.00.

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Top left: Lacoste.

Bottom left: J. Lindeberg.

Top right: Ted Baker.

Bottom right: J. Lindeberg.

MASDINGS

& oxygEN Located on Middlegate in the heart of the bustling market town of Newark, Masdings and oxygen have been resolute purveyors of the finest fashions for over 70 years...

Now presenting both men’s and women’s designer clothing by some of the most sought after labels from around the world, Masdings and oxygen provide a style that is always on trend and ready to go for any occasion.

With the women’s floor showcasing designs by leading brands such as Vivienne Westwood, Michael Kors, ugg and Barbour, you’ll find the exact pieces you need to create some of the Winter’s most fashionable looks.

With a men’s tailoring department displaying fine suits from the likes of Hugo Boss, Paul Smith and Ted Baker, Masdings have the sartorial experience to assist you in achieving this season’s best suited looks through a wonderfully diverse range of tailored styles.

Taking on relaxed approach to fine clothing, oxygen menswear displays pieces from some of the world’s foremost designers. With a diverse spectrum ranging from Armani Jeans through to Stone Island and Paul Smith, you will find that expert, friendly advice is always on hand.

oxygen displays this season’s most sought after fashion through its men’s and women’s departments.

Visit us at 11-13 Middlegate, Newark, Notts NG24 1AG or take a look at our website www.masdings.com

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Pictured on this page are a selection of outfits from Jean Gabriel.

WINTER FASHIoNS AT

TIMOTHY GUY Stylish winter fashions and great service combine to create a really happy customer at Timothy guy...

Shopping for wonderful winter fashions is a pleasure at Timothy guy thanks to the efforts of Jenny Brewster, the shop’s manager Val Wright, and a dedicated team which really cares about its customers.

The retailer this month presents the label Jean gabriel with 124

gorgeous casuals perfect for layering and exploring colour and the subtle, sophisticated French label JJ garella for a smart look perfect for a formal lunch With other names including Sbelt Jeans and James Lakeland, it’s easy to create a beautiful winter wardrobe at Boston’s Timothy guy.

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CHRISTMAS AT

BO PEEP BOUTIQUE With Christmas fast approaching make sure your children are wrapped up warm with our aďŹ&#x20AC;ordable collection of hats, coats and snowsuits.

From brands such as 3 Pommes, Firetrap, French Connection and Emile et Rose.

The classic Sarah Louise tartan never goes out of fashion at Christmas and our exclusive collection of Cakewalk and Spanish styling of Mayoral will see them the best dressed this Christmas.

Not to forget the boys, we have a brand new range from Tutto Piccollo, which is smart and stylish. For the older boys Ben Sherman and Crew clothing have a classic shirt and chino look.

Showcasing a brand from Canada, Hatley features fun, colourful and lovable motifs from Bears at work to Feline Fun. Complete with wellies, umbrellas, raincoats and pyjamas guaranteed to make you smile.

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A LINCoLN

SUCCESS STORY John greed arrived in Lincoln on the 6th January 1991 with only a few hundred pounds and a bicycle. over the course of the next 22 years he has grown a business from nothing to one of the largest independent jewellery companies in the uK.

John initially started from a small workshop on Steep Hill and as trade increased bought a derelict shop opposite for £15k. He rebuilt it himself including all the shop fittings and lived above it. Demand for his jewellery increased and he soon started selling other jewellery brands to keep up with demand.

His big break came back in 2005 when he found a little known jewellery brand called Pandora.

Sales doubled every eight months for the next five years and John’s staff went from three to 30.

himself, when selling on Steep Hill. John said ”It’s been so much fun to put my Managing Director’s role aside for a while and get back to designing and buying silver. For those that remember my shop on Steep Hill I hope you recognise my influence in all the new collections we will be launching over the Christmas period.”

By 2010 he had outgrown his little shop on Steep Hill and bought the old Next building on the High Street and turned it into his new flagship store. once again, he designed and fitted the store himself but this time with the help of external contractors.

John spoke of his success. “The key to success as with most people is to find something you love doing. I love jewellery and I love selling.

Combining the two has been easy. you might think after almost 25 years that I could be losing interest but I have more enthusiasm than ever. We are soon moving to larger premises, designing a new website, having another shopfit, and building up our own label jewellery. I can’t remember such an exciting time for myself and my team.

During the same period, keen to embrace new technologies and ideas John also built a website, providing another outlet with which to sell his jewellery. Not bound by the physical limitations of a bricks and mortar shop, by Christmas 2012, the website was dispatching 3,000 items a night.

John is now managing director of John greed group Ltd and continues today to drive the business forward, with his passion for design and jewellery. The group now employs 70 people. He is currently developing a silver jewellery collection reminiscent of some of the ever popular silver jewellery designs, with which he made a name for

Finally in 2013 John went into a full partnership with Pandora and opened Lincoln’s first stand-alone Pandora shop.

above: John with one of his creations on Steep Hill, 1994. above Left: John greed’s new Pandora shop on Lincoln High Street. below: Sterling silver bangle by John greed. £46.95.

The other partner in my success has been Lincoln itself. My first shop was in the beautiful uphill area and was key to me getting started. Coming from London, I have always considered Lincoln as a city of great opportunity, offering a lot more by way of support and possibilities than any other place I have lived. I can't imagine being able to achieve what I have here, anywhere else.”

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ORCHID & THE SHOE BOuTIQuE under new ownership for just over the past year, orchid (formerly Togs), on Rutland Road, has become a landmark for fashion in the seaside town of Skegness. The business, established for over 25 years, is situated over two floors, offering contemporary designer clothing and footwear brands with friendly fashion advice, and help with putting together that special look.

Now with winter well under way, what better time, to think about giving your wardrobe a boost with a mid-season update. Whether it's simply a bit of therapeutic self-indulgence or some divine guidance for the other half towards that perfect Christmas gift, orchid has to be your first stop in creating a great stylish winter ensemble.

From cosy knits, and warm winter cover-ups in sultry hues, to the little party number, the trend is faux fur and leather trim and stud and gem embellishments. The boutique also offers a selection of statement jewellery pieces that add instant glam to a neutral dress or top, and a variety of stunning scarves, snoods, gloves and hats for that ultimate last minute present.

Find us at No 3 Rutland Road, Skegness, Lincs PE25 2AD. Tel: 01754 763258. open Monday-Saturday 9.30am-5.00pm. Parking is available on request.

Classic Clothing for the Modern Lady...

Smart Casual Wear from every-day brands like Steilmann and Sandwich... gift vouchers available

Swaton, near Sleaford, Lincs NG34 0JP

Tel: 01529 421335

Opening Hours: Monday 11am – 3pm, Tuesday – Sat 10am – 4.30pm

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DECEMBER

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR

2013

DECEMBER

DECEMBER

TO ALL OUR READERS

T H E

MAGAZINE ONE COUNTY THE NUMBER

N U M B E R

O N E

C O U N T Y

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR READERS

M A G A Z I N E

ISSUE 137

STAMFORD UTLAND AND COVERING R

Celebrating the Season

2013

LincolnshirePride

RutlandPride

CHR ISTM AS IN THE COU NTY

DECEMBER

How to Look Great

£3.70

PARTY DRESSES Festive Food Local produce and recipes {Page 22}

Winter Fashion Celebrate style with Cavells {Page 124}

The Event

Uppingham in Bloom Celebrate {Page 152}

The Event Aled Jones at The Stump {Page 10}

Christmas Enjoy Lincoln’s Christmas Market

{Page 13}

£3.70

Recipes Seasonal Gifts - Christmas nt Decorations - Entertainme

Festive Food Local produce and recipes {Page 22}

Pick up your copy of the number one county magazine every month.

On sale in supermarkets and newsagents across the county.

Our January edition will be on sale from 13th December.

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STRIACROFT JEWELLERS Striacroft Jewellers was established in Butcher Lane, Louth in May 1978. 35 years on its now Louthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s longest established family jewellers, owned and run by Philip and Ranka Cartledge and recently joined by their son Oliver.

They offer a huge range of high quality Diamond, Gold and Silver Jewellery as well as the latest jewellery brands such as Hot Diamonds, My iMenso and David Deyong to name just a few. They are main agents for Citizen, Lorus, Bulova and Roamer watches. Pre-owned luxury watches including Rolex and Omega, Clocks and Giftware.

They pride themselves in offering the a personal service and advice on repairs, which are mostly done in their own workshop on the premises, valuations and insurance.

MOORE & SCRUPPS 3 Southgate Sleaford NG34 7SU 01529 302674

14 West Street Bourne PE10 9NE 01778 424228

7 Appletongate Newark NG24 1JR 01636 704488

w w w. m o o r e a n d s c r u p p s . c o . u k

345 High Street Lincoln LN5 7DQ 01522 262556

21 Long Causeway Peterborough PE1 1YQ 01733 551182

Find us on

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DISCOUNT EVENT...

Barnack Country Clothes is holding its annual Open Weekend on 7th and 8th December. Based in the beautiful stone village of Barnack 2 miles east of Stamford, the retailer is one of the UK's largest country clothing specialists and stocks a range that includes many of the most desirable brands: Aigle, Barbour, Schoffel, Musto, Alan Paine, Hunter and Le Chameau.

The Open Weekend event has become a firm pre-Christmas feature in the local calendar not least because it's perfectly timed to provide a solution to Christmas shopping. Customers are always greeted with a glass of warm mulled wine and a mince pie and can then take time to browse a wide selection of men's and women's jackets and coats, fleeces, knitwear, breeks and accessories, plus an extensive range of wellieboots for all the family.

One of the incentives that make this a really popular weekend is the offer of 20% discount on all clothing and 10% discount on all footwear and accessories plus there's always the chance to win great prizes in the free prize draw.

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merry christmas from the Pride team

Choosing Your Tree...

Getting in the car and going off to choose your Christmas tree is one of the highlights of the festive season. This month we’ve been to a plantation where the growers have built their family business entirely around Christmas trees! For a great family day out and to find the perfect specimen, we were definitely barking up the right tree...!

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merry christmas

Choosing Your Christmas Tree

O

ne of my happiest memories as a child was collecting the family’s Christmas tree with mum and dad. Now I’m the dad, this responsibility has passed to me and I’ve found the perfect place to collect ours!

Snowbird is a pretty little smallholding, on an escarpment just two miles off the A1, on the border of Lincolnshire and Rutland. It’s home to Adrian and Cheryl Morgan and, frankly, what they don’t know about Christmas trees isn’t worth knowing.

The BCTGA has around 320 members who sell over 8,000,000 trees to members of the public each year.

As Pride goes to press, it’s a nervous time for the members who are engaged in a big competition to find their Champion Grower - the Don, to continue the metaphor - who has the honour of supplying No10 Downing Street with this year’s Christmas tree.

above: “I want this one!”

George quickly identified an 8ft Nordmann Fir which suited his needs perfectly!

The two most common varieties of tree are the Norway Adrian and Cheryl’s place is a bit like an iceberg - on the Spruce - which was traditionally the most popular, with a surface there’s a 4.5 acre field of trees with around lovely scent, and shorter, spikier needles - and the Nordmann 4,500 growing on the site, and over 10 different varieties over 8,000,000 christmas trees are sold each year, Nationally Adrian is rather an aficionado but we’ll come to that later. there’s a 70/30 split that favours the Nordmann fir over the Whilst 4,500 isn’t exactly a small number of trees, the larger bit of the iceberg, below the surface, is the couple’s wholesale business.

Norway spruce, as the public considers them less likely to drop. in our county, the Norway spruce is slightly more popular...

This part of Snowbird’s operation sees them importing an incredible 700,000 trees each year from nurseries, selling them on to growers who then supply our local garden centres or sell trees directly to the public.

Adrian is also an active member of the British Christmas Tree Grower’s Association, a sort of pine-scented Mafia, operating incognito, though with the rather more honourable aim of ensuring the public are only sold the freshest, highest quality, sustainably grown examples of the Christmas trees we all know and love at this time of year.

Fir, with its longer, softer needles and more user-friendly demeanour, which the public considers less ‘droppy.’

“The Nordmann has become more popular over time, because people think it’s less likely to drop. There’s about a 70/30 preference towards Nordmanns nationally, but in our county, it’s more like 60/40.”

The reason our county is an exception is simple - fresher trees keep their needles longer. As we’re a rural county, we’re more likely to buy our trees from local growers and farm shops, or local independent garden centres who have fresher deliveries.

>> Words: Rob Davis.

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Below: We visited Adrian and Cheryl’s 4.5 acre plantation to choose one of their 4,500 trees. The couple have around 500 members of the public visiting them each year and have over 10 species, from the common Norway Spruce and Nordmann Fir to more unusual varieties. The couple’s smallholding is run with the minimum possible use of chemicals, with a flock of Shropshire sheep helpfully keeping the weeds down!

Where to Buy It’s best to buy your tree directly from the grower or from a local independent garden centre, not from a multinational garden centre whose stock will have been sitting around longer... £ Lincolnshire: If you’re in Lincoln, Doddington Hall’s Christmas trees (01522 694308), are grown on the estate to be sold via its Farm Shop. Alternatively there’s Gainsborough’s Fillingham Christmas Trees (01427 667014) or in Louth, Little Cawthorpe’s Strawson Woodland Christmas Trees (01507 605193) is great too. Alternatively, read about Lincolnshire garden centres which stock fresh trees later in this edition. £ Rutland: If you’re in Rutland we recommend Digby Farm Christmas Trees near Oakham (01780 720607), Houghty’s at Melton Mowbray or Grange Farm at Market Harborough (01858 545 109). Each of the above offer a ‘choose and cut’ service, and are recommended by the BCTGA.

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Above: In an age when the younger generation is generally disenfranchised from the countryside, we think it’s great to let them see how their tree is grown.

Adrian and Cheryl’s trees are grown from seed by nurseries, for three years, then for a further 7-8 years before being sold to garden centres.

Adrian and Cheryl’s business, Snowbird Christmas Trees, sells directly to the public on a ‘choose and cut’ or ‘choose and dig-up’ basis. Visit them at Plantation Lodge Farm, Castle Bytham, NG33 4SP or call 01780 410101.

A Stand that Delivers FINALLY! A proper Christmas tree stand that really works... no more messing around with three separate screws and endless adjusting to correct a wonky tree! Adrian and Cheryl’s sister company is The Christmas Cabin - which sells stands and netting funnels to garden centres. Their Easy Lock stand (rrp £29.99) tightens around your tree with a foot-operated rachet. It’s stable, easy to use and has a ‘water now’ indicator.

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merry christmas

Choosing Your Christmas Tree

5 tree

Varieties of

Adrian and Cheryl have over 10 varieties to choose from with a few really unusual species on offer...

Norway spruce A traditional favourite, proper care is needed to ensure needle retention.

Needles aren’t very soft, but it has a lovely traditional smell.

Nordmann fir

>>

National chains of DIY stores order their trees for delivery up to a month before they are sold, and as such, they’re less likely to retain needles.

Venturing out into the field to collect my two and a half year old son George’s preferred 8ft Nordmann Fir, Adrian explains that the vast majority of the trees he sells to the public are cut, not dug up. So, the first thing he does is to put the end into water. If you’re buying from a local garden centre, go as soon as the trees are delivered, not only to have your first pick, but to ensure they’re as fresh as possible.

above: Fresh is best, so buy your Christmas tree from a local independent garden centre or direct from a local grower like Adrian and Cheryl.

The couple supply many of the county’s hotels, including The George of Stamford’s renowned magical Christmas display, each year.

It’s unlikely they’ll be resting in water, so cut a 1in slice off your tree to give a fresh stump when you get home. Pruning the excess branches from the base and resting it in water is imperative to ensure both freshness and needle retention.

Mount your tree in a stable stand - see opposite - larger fresh trees may drink up to two litres of water per day.

Position your tree away from direct heat and top up its water daily.

In terms of variety, we’ll show you a few opposite, but a Norway Spruce is the most common and cheapest at £4.50/ft. The Nordmann Fir is next up the price scale, around £7.50/ft, whilst the Noble Fir and Adrian’s swanky, beautiful bluey-green Colorado White commands top-end prices, around £9/ft.

Now the most popular Christmas tree in the UK. Good at retaining their soft dark green needles, perfect for the whole family to decorate.

scots Pine Traditional British native tree with stiff dark blue needles less popular since the arrival of Nordmann Fir.

Noble fir Stiffer and shorter branches, great for heavier decorations.

Extremely aromatic with a deep rich colour.

colorado White fir An unusual variety, but pretty with a light green/blue hue.

Nice shape, good aroma and excellent needle retention.

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to VieW aNd Purchase PhotoGraPhs from ‘the eVeNt’ Visit WWW.PridemaGaZiNes.co.uK

the Lady Bay revellers provided morris dancing entertainment.

THE EVENT Corby Glen Sheep Fair corby Glen, on the Lincolnshire and Leicestershire border, recently celebrated its heritage with the 775th annual Sheep Fair event which this year had a record turnout. The event was originally an agricultural event at which farmers would trade livestock, but has instead become a village fête with morris dancers, folk bands, vintage cars and even a samba band.

Organiser of the event Steve Honeywood says: “It was a memorable weekend, with thousands of visitors to the event, a great street market, a day full of entertainers, a samba band leading the village parade, combined with a Dakota flypast, a well supported dog show, a traditional fun fair and a successful clay shoot raising funds for the air ambulance – and everyone enjoying themselves.” Photos: Bob Baines - http://www.flickr.com/photos/88282827@N00/

the event was the 775th in the corby Glen sheep fair’s history.

this year’s parade included music from a samba band.

Feature your event in our magazine.

Call 01529 469977 and speak to our Events Desk...

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the eVeNt Corby

a classic car show was part of the fun.

the event attracted a record crowd - food stalls and arts & crafts also featured.

the village is on the Lincolnshire and Leicestershire border.

Purchase photographs from this event online.

Visit www.pridemagazines.co.uk.

Glen Sheep Fair

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slippery: BMW’s 4-Series coupé is beautifully designed, and now boasts its own unique model designation.

motoriNG NeWs

BMW Four Series...

You’ll pay a premium for two fewer doors but BMW’s 4-Series won’t be short of takers.

The new coupé may be less practical, but with a combination of pace and panache it’s a premium product that’s set to be highly desirable...

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motors BMW

L

ess is more... and that’s certainly true as far as BMW’s 4-Series is concerned.

Historically BMW’s 3-Series coupé has always been so named, but with the advent of a new model, the two-door version of the brand’s company car favourite has been given its own model designation.

The idea is that by giving the coupé version of the 3-Series a numeric designation that’s slightly higher than its sibling, the model will be a little more ‘premium’ - it’s the same ploy Audi has used with its A4 saloon and the similarly sized but sportier five door A5 coupé.

However, with two fewer doors, you probably won’t be expecting to pay around £3,000 more for the (less practical) 4-Series, so how can BMW excuse the inflated price tag of the new model? Party because it has a few extra items of standard equipment, but mostly because of its beautiful slippery shape.

Whilst the coupé model has always been, essentially, a 3-Series in a ballgown, the new model shares just the bonnet with its saloon stablemate - all other body panels are specific to the 4-Series.

Prices, then, range from £28,280 to over £40,000 which, somewhat perilously, puts top of the range variants rather close to Porsche Cayman territory. If a sporty drive is your motivation for choosing a BMW - the self-certified ‘ultimate driving machine’ - you’ll have to think carefully

where to put your money. However, cheaper variants are very well-equipped and make a compelling value-for-money case, as long as you keep in mind that BMW was always notorious for having an extensive optional extras list.

First impressions of the vehicles are extremely promising indeed. The car is further away from the profile of the saloon 3-Series than ever before. It’s longer, lower and wider than the model it replaces, with wider wheelarches at the rear and a 10mm lower ride height than the previous model.

Four Series

above: The model’s cabin is similar to the new model’s sister car, the 3-Series, albeit with a few extra items on the standard equipment list.

In terms of practicality, there’s a loss of two doors, and 35 litres of boot space. However, access to the rear seats is reasonable and there’s space for two adults, even if headroom is compromised compared to the 3-Series by the rakish roofline... still, it’s more spacious in the rear compared to rivals and with folding rear seats, it’s hardly a frustration for day-to-day life.

From launch, the range comprises a couple of 2.0 petrol engines in two states of tune, and a 3.0V6 petrol, as well as a 2.0 diesel, and two 3.0 V6 diesels.

Whilst the V6 engines are lovely and creamy, our advice is to look to the 2.0 diesel. This will reach 60mph in 7.5 seconds, 149mph flat out (larger engines are restricted to 155mph anyway), and return a combined economy figure of 61mpg.

That should be as much speed as even the most enthusiastic driver needs, whilst offering an economy figure akin to much more modestly sized cars.

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motors

BMW Four Series

The 420d is also very clean, emitting just 124g of CO2, which makes it a great company car prospect. What’s more, the car is forecast to be worth over 51.5% of its value after three years... or to put it another way, after three years it’ll retain an estimated £4,000 more of its value than other models.

The smallest 2.0 engines are available with either two wheel drive or, for the first time in the UK, BMW’s xDrive four wheel drive system. BMW has jealously eyed-up Audi’s

rather than opting for larger engines and higher trim levels, we’d advise sticking to the 420d in se trim then cherry-picking your options to build a bespoke car to suit your tastes - the firm’s list of optional extras is as tantalising as ever!

BmW 4-series from: £28,280. on sale: November. engines: 2.0 184hp, 2.0 245hp, 3.0 V6, 2.0d, 3.0V6d 258hp, 3.0V6d 313hp. fuel economy: (2.0 diesel) 61.4mpg (combined). equipment: Leather, heated seats, DAB radio, cruise control, climate, parking sensors, xenons.

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equipment drivers need, and its 17” wheels offer a more pliant ride than the 18”/19” wheels and hard sports suspension fitted to sportier versions, so it’s our pick.

Optional adaptive dampers improve things even further by minimising body roll, but at £750 you’ll have to be a keen driver to appreciate the difference.

Rather than opting for larger engines and higher trim levels, we’d advise sticking to the 420d in SE trim then cherry-picking your options to build a bespoke car to suit your tastes.

BMW’s options list is still as tantalising as ever, but two options we’d specify are BMW’s eight-speed automatic transmission - which is so good it actually it lowers the car’s emissions and improves its economy - and adaptive cruise control which will accelerate and brake automatically for a more convenient and safer drive.

famous Quattro system for years and has finally decided to offer a similar system in the UK. This is perhaps a good option to plump for, since BMW’s rear wheel drive setup may provide a sporty drive and pin-sharp handing, but their cars tend to be less tractable in winter.

Inside, the 4-Series offers the same dashboard layout and simple, ergonomic controls as the rest of the BMW stable.

That means materials are beautiful, controls are well-weighted and solid, and there’s a range of colours for the leather plus optional contrast stitching and interior trim finishers, from finely grained wood to aluminium to brushed silver to high gloss black, blue or red.

One thing BMW has improved upon dramatically over the years is its provision of standard equipment. The basic SE trim 4-Series redresses this issue nicely with standard fit leather seats with heating, cruise and dual zone climate controls, DAB radio, front and rear parking sensors and Bluetooth system with iPod audio socket.

Such a comfortable and efficient cabin affords ample opportunity to sit back and enjoy the ride - or rather the drive, for whilst the former is slightly on the firm side, the latter is beautifully judged. BMW’s handling balance is epic, whilst the steering is sharp and precise and Driver Performance Control allow you to firm up the car’s responses to provide a sportier drive still.

BMW’s model designations are somewhat complicated, with SE, Sport, Modern, Luxury and MSport versions. Rather than providing extra equipment, they’re stylistic distinctions, relating to interior trim, wheel style and the degree of aggression in the body kit. SE models offer all of the

The car’s premium and its impracticality over its 3-Series stablemate are easily forgiveable. With lots of standard equipment, a beautifully judged chassis and frugal engines, the 4-Series is the sports car that’s a pleasure to live with every single time your leave the house.

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£ BLACK DYKE BAND

£ LINCOLN AT CHRISTMAS

, What s On... £ LINCOLN CHRISTMAS

£ MAKE A WREATH

£ BLACK DYKE BAND

Where else can you enjoy Christmas shopping but at Lincoln’s Christmas Market?

This month sees over 250 stalls arranged around Castle Square. A quarter of a million people will visit the market, from 5th to 8th December.

Sleaford’s National Centre for Craft and Design invites you to make a wreath with florist Rachel Petheram.

What better way to herald the arrival of the season than with one of the UK’s best brass bands, the Black Dyke Band?

Voted by The Independent as one of the UK’s best 50 florists, she’ll guide you through using seasonal hedgerow and home grown material on a one day course from 10am-5.30pm on 10th December. Pre-booking recommended, £45 per person including all materials, mulled wine and a mince pie.

With over 150 years of rich musical history it is extremely proud of its heritage. No other ensemble in the world of music can boast such a record of innovation and success.

New this year will be the removal of the ‘one way’ system to allow visitors to browse stalls at their leisure, whilst an interactive visitor map on a new website -and on social networking feeds - will give visitors and residents everything they need to about the Christmas market, from road closures to stall locations and cash machines to bus drop off points.

Ice Rink and Reindeers The city’s Ice Rink is open in December right up to Christmas Eve with 45 minute sessions from 10am-9pm daily. Admission is £7.50/adult, £5.50/child peak times.

Santa’s six reindeer will be making an appearance on 12th December with Bailgate hosting Santa’s sleigh, Rudolph... and two of Rudolph’s babies! Don’t miss it from 6pm. www.visitlincoln.com 01522 873503

www.nationalcraftanddesign.org.uk 01529 308710

Sir Elton John praised them greatly when they took part in An Evening With Elton John as session musicians, whilst the group has also released a single, Thingumybob, on The Beatles’ Apple Records label. The Black Dyke Band has also recorded with Tori Amos, Peter Gabriel and The Beautiful South.

Appearing at Scunthorpe’s Baths Hall on Saturday 21st December, you can expect the warming sound of cheery songs for Christmas from 7.30pm.

Baths Hall is also taking bookings this month for its Christmas Eve Fancy Dress Ball from 7pm, which will feature Blondie tribute Heart of Glass. www.scunthorpetheatres.co.uk 0844 854 2776

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30th Nov - 1st Dec

Burghley Fine Food Market A celebrAtion of locAl crAfts, just in time for the festive seAson. stock up your lArder in time for christmAs or find gifts for your loved ones...

£ TAKE THAT 2 AT LINCOLNSHIRE SHOWGROUND

£ CATHEDRAL CHOIRS

£ TAKE THAT 2

Enjoy a trio of superb choral performances at Lincoln Cathedral this month:

If you love Take That, you’ll love Take That 2 at Lincolnshire’s Showground on 20th December. A must for a night out with the girls, the group has been described as the best tribute band around. The evening includes a delicious dinner and a glass of fizz too, for a different take on a Christmas party that’s bound to relight your fire. Tickets £42/ea.

Celebrate local produce at Burghley House this month with the Elizabethan stately home’s fine food market.

www.takethat2.eventbrite.com

Also on at the same time is the Crafts for Christmas event with stunning fashions and accessories, leather bags and belts, dazzling jewellery and sparkly fashion plus graceful diamonds, lustrous velvets and satins in scarves and luxurious soaps and skincare.

Concert of Carols by Candlelight The Nave of the Cathedral will play host to a Concert of Carols by Candlelight on 11th December from 7.30pm. Tickets are £10, available from Lincoln Cathedral’s Shop from November.

Britten’s Ceremony of Carols An intimate performance of Britten’s Ceremony of Carols from the Cathedral Choristers taking place in the Chapter House on 14th December.

An afternoon performance will take place from 2.00pm whilst the evening performance takes place from 7.30pm.

Lincolnshire Healthcare Carol Service Healthcare professionals from across the county perform from 7.30pm on Wednesday 18th December in the Nave. See the Cathedral’s website for a full programme of choral performances. www.lincolncathedral.com 01522 561600

£ VERDI’S FALSTAFF An undisputed master of Falstaff, Music Director James Levine conducts Verdi’s opera for the first time at the Met since 2005 at Stamford Arts Centre on 14th December from 5.45pm. Ambrogio Maestri (last season’s Dulcamara in the Opening Night production of L’Elisir d’Amore) sings the title role of the brilliant and blustery Sir John Falstaff, opposite a marvelous ensemble.

Live satellite screening in conjunction with Met Opera, tickets £20/ea. www.stamfordartscentre.com 01780 763203

The event will include over 20 local producers of speciality meat, cheese, bread and vegetables. There’s lots of great products and ideas on offer for Christmas both for your own larder, or to purchase as thoughtful gifts.

During Crafts for Christmas, The Burghley Gift Shop will be hosting its annual sale in its new Brewhouse home so there are plenty of opportunities for Christmas bargains!

Graham Pickett Antiques will also be at Burghley in their usual Old Kitchen location with fabulous furniture and divine collectables.

Open from 10am to 3pm, the event is free of charge.

For more information see www.burghley.co.uk.

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It’s Lincoln’s Very Own

Monopoly! nearly 80 years after the game was invented, there’s a new version of family favourite monopoly, themed around lincoln. out of 2,000 local landmarks, 22 have been chosen to represent the city, replacing park lane with pottergate and the strand with steep hill...

Words & Photos: Rob Davis.

G

rab your top hat and roll the dice the Lincoln edition of Monopoly is in shops now. Each of the spaces on the board, the Chance and Community Chest Cards are all Lincoln themed in the new version of the famous board game, originally launched nearly 80 years ago.

An official launch took place last month, and Lincolnshire Pride’s Editor was one of the first to get his hands on the new board game, which subsequently sold out across the city.

The launch took place at Lincoln Castle - which takes the place of Park Lane on the original board - with a gigantic replica of the game and top-hatted games maker Peter Griffin launching the game to the media. Peter revealed for the first time the landmark which has secured the most expensive square on the game (Mayfair in the original version). Predictably, it’s the Cathedral in the Lincoln version.

Lincoln retailer Henry Ruddock reported that his stock was gone within a few hours, selling at a rate of around 140 games in just 24 hours.

Andrew Taylor, of the City of Lincoln Council, says: “We always knew Lincoln was a city filled with iconic landmarks and the fact that around 2,000 places were nominated for the Monopoly board proves this.”

“For Lincoln to have its own version of the game is a testament to our status as an aspiring world-class small city.”

Find out more: the lincoln edition of monopoly is priced at £24.99 and is available at ruddocks, stoke high bridge cafe, lincoln castle shop and the visitor information centre, as well as smyths, toys r us, Waitrose, Wh smith, the Works and Waterstones.

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Panorama

Lincolnopoly

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christmas

gifts

this month we present a selection of beautiful gifts for loved ones, from the area’s best independent retailers...

>> Top left; Joules dressing gown £39.95, onesie £39.95, blue stripe vest £14.95, knickers £29.95, ballet slippers £14. Top right; Cotton Trend dressing gown £20, Superdry red bottoms £34.99, Superdry blue top £20, Ugg mule slippers £70. Bottom left; Loungeable cream fluffy onesie £18, Totes booties £22. Bottom right; Cotton Trend towelling dressing gown £22, Lola Rosa pyjamas £55, moccasin slipper £20. All from Oldrids and Downtown, www.oldrids.co.uk.

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Christmas in the County

Seasonal Gifts

<<

<< silver bluebird ruby and pearl drop earrings, £36 at john cussall jewellers, Westgate, grantham 01476 571721. kitchenAid artisan stand mixer in candy apple red, £429 from chilli peppers cook shop, eastgate, louth 01507 608787.

<<

<< benromach 30 year old speyside single malt whisky from lincoln Whisky shop, steep hill, £222, 01522 537834.

clarins top to toe pampering gift set, £49, from scent on dolphin lane, boston, 01205 351155. >> moda in pelle idabesq long boot, £140 from brown’s department store at gainsborough’s marshall’s yard.

>> barbour scarf and gloves, from masdings of newark, £25, £18, 01636 703050.

>>

<< jellycats soft toys, from £10-£22 from eve and ranshaw, market place, louth 01507 602902.

<< morris & co hand cream, scrub and cuticle cream £9 from oldrids and downtown www.oldrids.co.uk.

<< bulova diamond watch 19-diamond dial/bezel, gold plated, rrp £329.99, springfields outlet shopping price £164.99. for information on the site see www.springfieldsshopping.co.uk

coeur de lion set with swarovski elements and acrylic glass inlaid in a stainless steel setting combined with nappa leather. bracelet £75, necklace £139 and earrings £75. maude's the jewellers, 01205 367959 155

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ALL YOU NEED FOR CHRISTMAS AT

Johnsons of Boston Bostonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Johnsons Garden Centre is the one-stop shopping destination for your seasonal celebrations this month. Children can see Santa, keen cooks can ďŹ nd all they need to create Christmas lunch and there are plenty of trees and decorations too...

Merry Christmas: Johnsons of Boston will this year stock over 400 trees, many locally grown in Boston.

With decorations from Premier and Widmanns by Festive, you can make it look really special indeed.

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ALL YOU NEED FOR CHRISTMAS

at Johnsons Garden Centre

Johnsons of Boston will make sure you enjoy a very Merry Christmas indeed, with all you need to celebrate the season.

The garden centre, based on the A52 towards Skegness, will welcome Santa from the 16th of November as Pride goes to press, with children able to visit the man himself to receive a live potted Christmas tree, and a present... if they’ve been good!

Santa will be in residence in his log cabin, and well-behaved children can travel on Santa’s train to see him. On the way, there are six cheeky elves hidden around the centre... if the little ones can write down what each of the elves are holding, there’s an extra present available too! Children can also enjoy Breakfast with Santa on selected dates throughout December in the centre’s 250 seat restaurant.

The restaurant will, of course, be serving Christmas lunch on Wednesdays and Sundays from the end of November throughout December, and will also be hosting a Christmas Party Night on Saturday 7th November with a two course meal and live entertainment from local band Black & Blue.

Meanwhile, with over 400 trees available, many grown in the Boston area, plus decorations from Premier and Widmanns

by Festive, you’ll find all you need to make your home look

Ho ho ho: the centre will welcome santa throughout december and has a range of gift ideas and decorations. images by Alan markham.

amazing for the season. There’s also a pitch black Christmas Tunnel with the latest Christmas lights and LED decorations which enables you to see how your lights will look in your own home.

Those looking for the perfect gift will doubtless find something for all ages at Johnsons of Boston, with traditional toys and games for children, gardening, personal and home themed gift collections and food hall gifts too.

The food hall features Hambleton Farms, with locally reared meat, locally grown vegetables plus speciality pickles, preserves and puddings. Create your own festive gift basket for delivery anywhere in the UK or reserve your festive food and take the hassle out of creating your Christmas dinner.

At Johnsons, Christmas is a pleasure, not a chore!

Find Out More: £ johnsons of boston, Wainfleet rd boston, lincolnshire pe21 9rZ. tel: 01205 363408. £ www.johnsonsofboston.co.uk.

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pennells, Lincoln lots in store for the festive season in lincoln and cleethorpes. A trip to pennells is a must for gift ideas for all ages across the county... it’s the garden centre that makes your ideas grow!

P

ennells is one of the oldest garden centres in the county, originally a plant nursery founded in 1780, and now under the management of Will and James Pennell and their father Richard.

With two sites, on South Hykeham’s Newark Road and Cleethorpes’s Humberston Road respectively, the centres provide all you need to make Christmas really special, from fresh trees, to decorations by Noma and Kayming.

Every weekend from 23rd November, Pennells is offering the opportunity to meet Santa, who will be arriving on his sleigh to meet well-behaved

“Santa will be arriving on his sleigh to meet well-behaved children in his snowy grotto, every weekend in December!”

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children in his snowy grotto, and have their photograph taken in his sleigh. The centre is also offering the chance to have breakfast with Santa at its award-winning 276 seat restaurant, where the man in red may be persuaded to read a story.

The South Hykeham branch makes life easier this season with a large greetings card and wrapping paper section with over 11,000 cards.

There’s also a huge range of gifts including gifts for gardeners and non-gardeners alike.

Cleethorpes, meanwhile, offers a 140 seat restaurant with a huge range of gifts and cards.

Visiting both centres, you’ll enjoy huge ranges, with great quality and old-fashioned service, whilst also gaining loads of ideas to help you plan your garden next spring.

With fresh plants grown on site, a well-stocked houseplant and nursery plus a wealth of garden products and knowledgeable staff, Pennells is the centre that can really make your gardening ideas - and your Christmas plans - grow!

Find Out More: £ pennells garden centre, newark road, south hykeham, lincoln ln6 9nt tel: 01522 880033. £ pennells garden centre, humberston road, cleethorpes, north east lincs. dn36 4rW tel: 01472 313600. £ www.pennellsonline.co.uk.

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crowders garden centre, Horncastle celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, crowders is the family-owned garden centre that will this month see santa entertaining the children by arriving in style on his vintage steam engine!

T

his year saw the 30th anniversary of Crowders Garden Centre at Horncastle, so this season will be especially important to the team behind Horncastle’s thriving garden centre with its popular coffee shop, Botts and now its restaurant, The Redwood, which opened in 2012.

Santa arrives at the centre just as Pride goes to press on 30th November. He’ll make a spectacular entrance on a full-size traction engine and will be joined by his elves, too.

Crowders has everything for a fun family Christmas with over 600 locally grown real

“Crowders has everything for a fun family Christmas with over 600 locally grown freshly cut trees!”

Christmas trees, both freshly cut and container grown, plus a wealth of decorations from names like Premier, Sia, and Gisela Graham.

With artificial trees, advent calendars, lighting for indoors and outdoors as well as Christmas cards and crackers, there’s plenty to ensure your home looks great all season long.

Also in stock is a range of traditional toys and games from Paul Lamond. The centre also has gifts for the home, and ‘food gifts’ like chocolates from Duffy’s - the local Lincolnshire chocolatier.

Before you leave, don’t forget to visit The Redwood, for a seasonal afternoon tea, Christmas party nights on 13th & 14th and 20th & 21st December, plus a Christmas Day menu with four courses for £45/head.

Find Out More: £ crowders garden centre, lincoln road horncastle ln9 5lZ tel: 01507 525252. £ www.crowders.co.uk.

With plenty in store and lots to ensure a merry Christmas, Horncastle’s family owned garden centre is the only place you need to know this season.

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brigg garden centre, Brigg brigg garden centre is bringing christmas home this year, with a huge range of decorations, a special two-for-one offer in its vineyard restaurant and santa in his grotto, too! rigg Garden Centre invited friends and family to celebrate, as it opened its doors on its famous Christmas displays.

This year Brigg Garden Centre have listened to their customers and gone back to basics, offering a fantastic traditional Christmas display and the very best in Christmas decorations.

B

Brigg Garden Centre also prides itself on bringing you the best possible selection of Christmas decorations. Phillippa Nickson, Christmas Buyer said “The team at Brigg has created something very special this year and we all hope that everyone enjoys the experience as much as we enjoyed creating it.”

The displays are designed to highlight the latest in Christmas trends from around the world and help you bring a little magic into your home, whether you want a traditional flavour or contemporary twist. Artificial trees are improving all the time and look more realistic every year. This has meant that this season they are already selling better than ever.

A warm welcome awaits you at the 450 seat Vineyard Restaurant in Brigg Garden Centre.

Offering a tasty menu that includes a traditional Christmas dinner along with vegetarian and Gluten free options and of course delicious desserts. Enjoy two courses with a choice of Tea or Coffee for only £9.95.

“We have created something very special this year.

We hope that they enjoy the experience as much as we enjoyed creating it...!”

This year Santa arrived early to Brigg Garden Centre. There has been a huge response to the Grotto already, in particular the festive train.

The experience includes a festive train ride along with a bouncy castle, chocolate treats and festive fun with the elves. Simply walk in and join the fun or book your special visit online.

For Grotto opening times please visit the website brigg.britishgardencentres.com

Find Out More: £ brigg garden centre bigby high rd, brigg, south humberside dn20 9he tel: 01652 650484. £ brigg.britishgardencentres.com

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four seasons garden centre, Sleaford christmas cheer, a visit from santa and lots of locally grown christmas trees will ensure your home looks great this season. With festive food and plenty of gift ideas too, a visit to four seasons at silk Willoughby near sleaford is highly recommended!

C

elebrate Christmas with a little help from Four Seasons Garden Centre.

Santa arrives on Saturday 30th November at 11am on his sleigh, with mince pies, Christmas carols and plenty of festive cheer.

Santa and his little helpers will be here every weekend in December until the 22nd at which point he has to go back to the North Pole to make final arrangements for the big day.

Anyone young or old can visit Santa in his grotto, admission costs £4 per child or two for £7 which includes a little pre-Christmas gift... as long as you promise to be good boys and girls; Four Seasons is proud once again to be raising money this Christmas on behalf of the Sleaford Lions & Lionesses.

“Four Seasons is proud once again to be raising money this Christmas on behalf of the Sleaford Lions & Lionesses!”

Our selection of real Christmas trees will be here from late November. We also have a large selection of poinsettias & handmade wreaths plus planted baskets. We can even tailor a Christmas wreath to your own requirements.

Have you thought about giving someone a Christmas hamper full of only the finest local & regional produce? Our delicatessen can make your hamper to any taste and budget.

There’s no need to be stuck for gift ideas this Christmas as our gift department is bursting full of hundreds of gift ideas for children & adults alike. Don’t forget to visit our newly extended clothing department which now stocks Puffa coats & gilets.

Finally Mary & her team in the restaurant are now taking bookings for Christmas lunches for groups of 10 or more in December. Choose from a traditional turkey roast with all the trimmings or steak pie or a vegetarian option, then choose from either Christmas pudding or a winter berry cheesecake for dessert... all this for just £12.99!

Find Out More: £ four seasons garden centre, london rd, sleaford, lincolnshire ng34 8ny tel: 01529 304970 £ www.fourseasons gardencentre.co.uk

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Country Workshops

theDirectory

Independent Landrover Specialists Bespoke Vehicles & Accessories.

Restorations and Manufacture.

Parts From 1948 to date. Retail Trade Export.

to advertise here call 01529 46 99 77 and speak to our friendly team.

Tel/Fax 01775 750223 Risegate, Nr Spalding, Lincs PE11 4EZ

www.british4x4centre.co.uk

H. E. WILKINSON & SON H I G H C L A S S FA M I LY B U T C H E R

Only best quality meats bought and sold

We are pleased to supply your Christmas fayre...

Traditional turkeys, cockerel, duck, goose and a selection of game.

All your fresh meats including beef, pork & lamb, along with cooked meats, pork pies & traditional plum bread to name just a few 7 The Parade, Cherry Willingham, Lincoln LN3 4JL Tel: 01522 751120

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Weddings - What’s On Motoring - Homes & Gardens

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Quality dining for Autumn {Page 16}

Country Home A grand old Manor House {Page 56}

Festival Fun Georgian fun in Stamford {Page 94}

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The Event Aled Jones at The Stump {Page 10}

Christmas Enjoy Lincoln’s Christmas Market

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