Lincolnshire Pride February 2023

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As I write this, the whole Pride team is gearing up for a well-earned rest before regrouping in early January to get this edition to press, before beginning 2023 with renewed energy and enthusiasm. Our 2022 was very successful against a backdrop of otherwise gloomy headlines and generally low national morale. We attribute this to our team spirit here in the office, fantastic relationships with our many clients for whom we continue to have a great deal of respect, and to our commitment to producing for our readers the finest magazine in the county.

Already we’ve been entering into the diary a wealth of local events, live shows and future feature ideas. We start this year off with a few recommended highlights in and around Lincolnshire as we emerge from winter torpor with a desire to stretch our legs, and a few of the live highlights you can enjoy across the county. Elsewhere we’re enjoying dining out at a Michelin-lauded country pub, we’re hitting the slopes skiing in South Lincolnshire and we’re enjoying a visit to the town of Boston too.

Our best wishes for a wonderful month!

Executive Editor

robin@pridemagazines.co.uk

This month’s cover shows Lincoln Castle’s walls which provide a panoramic view of Lincoln... perfect for a winter walk with fantastic views! We’re always looking for scenes of Lincolnshire to feature on our covers and in the magazine. If you’re a budding photographer, email your pictures to the address above!

CONTENTS

NEWS & EVENTS

06 NEWS The best ‘good news’ stories from across the county including a visit to Lincolnshire from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

28 WHAT’S ON February events.

HIGHLIGHTS

14 HIGHLIGHTS IN 2023 Fed up of being indoors? We’ve some great ideas for enjoying Lincolnshire throughout early 2023.

32 CREATIVITY & CRAFTS 2023 marks 20 years of The Hub in Sleaford, we meet its Programme Manager Marion Sander.

37 A TRIP TO BOSTON Vibrant, multicultural and a town that continues to grow: we pay a visit to Boston.

44

‘JOHNNY’ JOHNSON Following the loss of Lincolnshire’s last Dambuster, we pay tribute to Sqn Ldr George ‘Johnny’ Johnson.

48 JOHN WESLEY How ‘the most well-loved man in England’ founded Methodism from Lincolnshire.

FOOD & DRINK

54 DINING OUT A stunning Michelinlauded pub restaurant that’s looking forward to a more settled year.

58 RECIPES & WINE Delicious dining in for a Valentine’s Day supper.

HOMES & GARDENS

64 WELCOME HOME A brace of exceptional properties on the market in Lincolnshire. 77 HOMES New season inspiration.

LIFESTYLE

98 MOTORS Volvo’s EX90. 102 SKIING A new winter experience at Tallington Lakes in the Deepings. 126 WEDDINGS Lauren & Will Gosling celebrate their wedding day.

THE WEALTHIEST PEOPLE IN THE AREA READ PRIDE MAGAZINE

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

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THE PRIDE TEAM

PM’s flying visit to RAF Coningsby...

RISHI SUNAK AFFIRMED LINCOLNSHIRE’S PLACE IN FUTURE OF AVIATION

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak recently visited RAF Coningsby to affirm Lincolnshire’s role in the future of defence aviation.

The UK will work with Italy and Japan as part of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) to deliver the next generation of combat air fighter jets.

Due to take to the skies by 2035, the ambition is for this to be a next-generation jet enhanced by a network of capabilities such as uncrewed aircraft, advanced sensors, cutting-edge weapons and innovative data systems.

By combining forces with Italy and Japan on the next phase of the programme, the UK will utilise their expertise, share costs and ensure the RAF remains interoperable with our closest partners.

During his visit to RAF Coningsby, the Prime Minister

UK MOD Crown Copyright 2022.

viewed the Typhoon aircraft which have been at the heart of the UK’s air policing for two decades. The new combat aircraft designed by GCAP is expected to replace the

For Sutton on Sea in 2023

COLONNADE AND PLEASURE GARDENS GET GREEN LIGHT FOR NEW DEVELOPMENT

Typhoon when it is retired. The Prime Minister also met RAF Coningsby’s Quick Reaction Alert Station engineers and pilots, who protect the UK’s skies 24 hours a day.

Image: HRH Prince of Wales Facebook page.

A multi-million pound project to bring new investment, opportunities and facilities to Sutton on Sea has moved a step closer as ELDC approved the redevelopment of the Colonnade and Pleasure Gardens. Physical construction is set to begin in spring 2023 and it will be completed and operational by May 2024.

The Colonnade project is part of the Connected Coast Town Deal and has been approved by the Government to receive £4.2m of Town Deal funding, with the remaining costs funded by the Council. The proposed development is designed to deliver economic

Taking a core role in a joint combat air system could support an average of 21,000 jobs a year and contribute an estimated £26.2bn to the UK economy by 2050. n

growth to the area and provide residents and visitors with state of the art facilities. Final plans for the site now include an accessible toilet and first-floor viewing platform within the main pavilion, as well as two new craft studios beneath the seasonal overnight lodges.

The enhancements to the Pleasure Gardens will also create new sensory play facilities, additional seating areas, and space for pop-up events and markets. There will also be additional walkways, as well as the popular paddling pool, anchor water feature, and tennis courts remaining available for public enjoyment. n

EAST COAST

CONINGSBY

Full moon in Skegness

ARTIST LUKE JERRAM’S MUSEUM OF THE MOON EXHIBIT COMES TO SKEGNESS IN FEBRUARY...

Retirement after 30 years for Kerrin

Wilson...

The Embassy Theatre was over the moon to announce that it will host three renowned installations by the artist Luke Jerram this coming spring. Gaia, Museum of the Moon and Mars will be exhibited at the East Coast venue from 10th February to 24th March. Their six-week stay will see the venue transformed from a traditional theatre into a space for some

reflection, observation and education. Gaia (Earth) will open the season followed by the Museum of the Moon with the Lincolnshire and East Coast debut of Mars concluding the season.

Museum of the Moon is an inflatable seven metre photorealistic representation of the moon, accurate to 1:500,000; the 120dpi Gaia is 1.8m times smaller than the Earth. n

Give the gift of Lincolnshire...

A BOOST FOR TOURISM IN LINCOLNSHIRE WITH THE LAUNCH OF THE LINCOLNSHIRE GIFT CARD

Assistant Chief Constable Kerrin Wilson, has retiring after three decades in policing. Over the years Kerrin’s various roles have seen her delivering training to the Iraqi Police in Baghdad, work as a hostage negotiator for 20 years and being awarded the prestigious Queen’s Police Medal for helping to develop women and people from minority backgrounds in policing. n

LINCOLNSHIRE

Tourism is set to receive a boost in 2023 with the launch of a new Lincolnshire Gift Card, marketed through VisitLincoln.com which reaches millions of holidaymakers and residents every year looking for memorable experiences and things to do. Shops, restaurants and venues can all be a part of the initiative, which will facilitate both digital and physical cards. There are no costs for a business to take the Lincolnshire Gift Card, no additional equipment is required and those with a card will be able to spend its value on experiences, dining out and products right here in the county.

n See www.visitlincoln.com.

£30,000 for Blooms

In Brief LINCOLN

A new future for The Old Bakery...

NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE Communities across North Lincolnshire will be blooming after almost £30,000 of cash has been shared for spring planting schemes. The area’s In Bloom initiative was launched four years ago and has seen almost £120,000 given for spring planting. n LOCAL NEWS

The Old Bakery restaurant on Lincoln’s Burton Road has reopened as a training restaurant for students of Lincoln College with chef Barry Dawson staying on to give students real-world experience of the restaurant trade. The Old Bakery was formerly run by Ivano and Tracey de Serio, but will now be run as a not-forprofit dining experience to produce highly skilled apprentice chefs and front of house staff who will have had real-world experience in the profession. The Old Bakery also received a makeover with a refitted kitchen and a new look dining room. n www.theoldbakery.co.uk.

LINCOLNSHIRE

SKEGNESS

The Great Wall of... Grimsby!

BRIGHTENING UP NORTH EAST LINCOLNSHIRE WITH A SUPER MURAL

GRIMSBY

A group of artists were joined by North East Lincolnshire’s Mayor for the official reveal of a magnificent new mural depicting muchloved scenes in Grimsby.

The Great Wall of Grimsby, which can be found on the Needham’s Butchers building in Garibaldi Street, includes meticulously detailed characters, shopfronts, buildings and lost landmarks from the town. Artist Dale Mackie designed the new mural, which was painted over several months by Sam Delaney and scores of volunteers from arts recovery organisation Creative Start CIC.

The Great Wall of Grimsby is the fourth mural in the Paint the Town Proud project. Others can be found at the entrance to the Grimsby Town FC Fanzone, the side of Little Oaks Nursery on Corporation Road

LOCAL NEWS In

Brief

20 YEARS OF BLESSINGS FOR LINCOLNSHIRE’S HARD-WORKING GRITTERS!

The Right Reverend Dr Nigel Peyton, Assistant Bishop of the diocese of Lincoln, conducted an annual blessing of gritters, salt and crew ahead of the winter weather arriving, bestowed the blessing for the 20th year that the ceremony has taken place. n

and the side of Appleleaf Chartered Accountants’ building in Town Hall Street.

Cllr Stephen Beasant, Mayor of North East Lincolnshire, said: “This is an

absolutely amazing artwork. As a ward councillor and Mayor of North East Lincolnshire, I’m immensely proud and over the moon to see it.”

Green space for Sleaford

PLANS ARE A STATEMENT OF INTENT TO TRANSFORM A GREEN SPACE IN THE CENTRE OF SLEAFORD...

“This is really celebrating the heritage of the town. It means so much to me and it’s one of the highlights of my mayoral year!” n www.paintthetownproud.com.

An overgrown eyesore in the centre of Sleaford could be transformed if plans put forward by North Kesteven District Council come to fruition. A large green space in the centre of the town adjacent to Moneys Yard could be transformed into a riverside garden, linking the existing square and car park to the town centre as part of the ongoing Heart of Sleaford project. The space is a derelict private garden, which would be opened to the public, with a riverside footpath, café and seating area. Planning permission is currently being sought by the council. n

SLEAFORD

Lincolnshire’s 2023

HIGHLIGHTS

As winter turns into spring, we this month highlight some features of the county we’ll all be enjoying, and we’ll look at some of the live events at the area’s arts centres and theatres to enjoy over the next few months...

Words: Rob Davis.

n Exploring Uphill Lincoln...

LIVINGIN LINCOLNSHIRE it’s all too easy to overlook the Cathedral and Castle, such is their omnipresence. But when was the last time you spent the day in Uphill Lincoln, enjoying the magnificent Cathedral, walking around the Castle’s walls or admiring the Magna Carta? All of these delights and many more await visitors to the city this spring.

Starting off at the Cathedral, 200,000 visitors a year walk through the nave and admire the 950 year old building. It’s Grade I listed, 147 metres long, 24 metres wide, 83 metres tall and with a floor space of 5,000m2 it remains the fourth largest Cathedral in the Britain after Liverpool, London’s St Pauls and York Minster.

Don’t just wander through in awe though; even if you’ve visited the Cathedral before and recognise the obvious highlights – the Dean’s Eye window, Remigius’ Tomb –there’s still lots you won’t have seen or heard about before, so a guided tour with one of the Cathedral’s lovely volunteers will help unlock its many secrets.

Likewise, Medieval Graffiti Tours and a Guided Roof Tour is a special way to see the Cathedral from a unique perspective. Think you already know the building? Think again!

The same can be said about Lincoln Castle which opened its Medieval Wall Walk in April 2015 as part of Lincoln Cathedral Connected which aimed to create closer ties between the Cathedral and Castle. The project also saw the creation of the David Ross Magna Carta vault, which remains the only place in the world to see original copies of both the Magna Carta document and its successor, the Charter of the Forests.

A rather more recent addition to the Castle is Lucy, a dragon bursting through the castle walls to welcome visitors. The installation had been due to depart the castle in October but received an invitation to stick around until the New Year.

Don’t forget to endure the climb up to the Castle’s highest point, the Observation Tower, affording 360° views of Lincoln... the view is absolutely spectacular! n

Above: Lucy is sticking around, having made herself quite at home at Lincoln Castle.

Left: The Chapter House is mid-way through a three-year renovation £1.6m conservation.

n Rediscover Lincolnshire’s Stately Homes

LINCOLNSHIRE has a triumvirate of stately homes, Belton, Belvoir and Burghley... and don’t overlook Grimsthorpe Castle and Gunby Hall, Normanby Hall or Tattershall Castle.

Belton House’s parkland remains open for most of the year, so visitors can stretch their legs, enjoy the adventure playground and wander around some of the estate’s 10,000 acres. Meanwhile the mansion itself will reopen in March. Originally owned by the Pakenhams, the Manor was later sold to the Brownlow family in 1619 with the current Carolean style property created in 1685. Latterly the estate was utilised during both World Wars as a home to the 11th Machine Gun Corps and as RAF Belton Park. A few years later, King Edward VIII’s close relationship with Third Earl Brownlow Peregrine Cust saw the latter try – unsuccessfully – to counsel the monarch through the abdication crisis of 1936. The property has been in the custodianship of the National Trust since 1984.

Belvoir Castle and its Engine Yard development is a great place to stretch your legs for decent shopping, a coffee or bistro dining. Visit the Castle and allow younger visitors to burn off some excess energy at the newly opened adventure playground.

Also sporting a new adventure playground on a site adjacent to its sculpture garden is Burghley House. It’ll open officially this spring, and slightly older visitors to the estate will be able to enjoy a snowdrop walk from 14th February with Burghley’s head gardener Joe Whitehead as the spring bulbs make their appearance in Capability Brown’s gardens.

Gunby Hall is currently working on a new project to create new interpretations and exhibitions in the upstairs rooms of the 42-room Grade I listed country house, built for the Massingberd family in 1700, whilst Tattershall Castle’s grounds are the site of lots of family-friendly activities in spring and summer. If you’ve not done so for a while, it’s worth traversing the steps of the imposing 15th century castle to enjoy breathtaking views of the Lincolnshire countryside from its roof, an ideal detour when visiting nearby Woodhall Spa. n

n Enjoying Natural Lincolnshire’s Landscapes

THE EAST COAST and the RSPB reserves of Frampton and Freiston are among the best places in the UK to enjoy some stunning bird life, from large groups of waders on the salt water lagoon at high tide to tree sparrows, yellowhammers and skylarks, all common around the reserve throughout the year. Mad march hares are prevalent in spring, ringed plovers in summer and then keen birders can see brent geese and hunting harriers in winter. Meanwhile, managed by the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust are 99 nature reserves, established from the organisation’s creation in 1948; it was among the first Wildlife Trust groups to be consolidated and created. Recommendations for a late winter/early spring walk are Gibraltar Point, Snipe Dales and in the north of the county Far Ings/Water Edge Nature Reserve. Don’t forget to take along a warm hat, flask of coffee, and a donation for the LWT! n

n Retail Therapy in Lincoln

FOR MANY YEARS, Lincoln’s flagship shopping area has been its Steep Hill and Bailgate area, and we stand by that recommendation, because the area’s wealth of independent businesses and traders are thriving as many town centres have otherwise experienced a downturn in footfall. The mix, vibrancy and quality of retailers is helping Steep Hill to buck the trend. Lincoln can also now boast the Cornhill Quarter with a £70m regeneration of the area yielding 150,000ft2 retail space, new transport hub and multi-storey car parking making it easier than every to explore the city. An ongoing regeneration and more retailers to come, plus the refurbishment of Lincoln’s Central Market due later in 2023 all mean an unprecedented retail experience for visitors to Lincoln. Further afield Springfields near Spalding is a great place to enjoy retail therapy, not matter what the weather, with 50 outlet stores and great places to eat and drink. n

Top/Right: Far Ings/Water’s Edge, and a lapwing at Gibraltar Point. Above: Cornhill Quarter in Lincoln. Right: Retail is thriving on Lincoln’s Steep Hill & Bailgate.

2023 Dates for Your Diary

n The 2023 Lincolnshire Show: Taking place on the 21st and 22nd June, this year’s event will hope to replicate the success of 2022’s event, which returned to the county in spectacular style. www.lincolnshireshow.co.uk.

n The 155th Heckington Show:

On Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th July the country’s largest village show will culminate in a grand firework concert. Other attractions include history, livestock as well as road and cycle races. www.heckingtonshow.org.uk.

n

Woodhall Spa 1940s Festival

On 8th and 9th July, Woodhall Spa recreates wartime Britain with demonstrations, parades, costumes, displays and flypasts all from WWII. www.woodhall-spa-40s-festival.com.

n Ladies Day at Market Rasen Races

22nd July will see the return of the Summer Plate Ladies Day at Market Rasen Racecourse. www.thejockeyclub.co.uk.

n So Festival 2023

Returning following confirmation of funding for the next three years and status as National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) status, the East Coast’s So Festival will return August with performance art and large-sale art installations. www.sofestival.org.

n Revesby Country Fair:

Scheduled for 6th August, and now over 30 years old, with a special emphasis on equestrian and country lifestyle plus a packed main ring programme. www.revesbycountryfair.co.uk.

n Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials:

On 31st August to 3rd September the parkland of Burghley House will welcome its annual five-star FEI fixture celebrating the very best international talent as horse and riders compete to be named this year’s winners. www.burghley-horse.co.uk.

Spring in Lincolnshire...

1. Lincoln’s Orchestra

LINCOLN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA will perform its 10th anniversary concert at Drill Hall on Sunday 15th January, conducted by Nic Fallowfield and featuring Delibes, Offenbach, Tchaikovsky and Berlioz, as well as Strauss. The group can trace its origins back to the 1880s.

n Sunday 15th January, 3pm, £14/adult, Lincoln Drill Hall, www.lincolndrill.co.uk.

2. Ballet in Boston

BLACKFRIARS in Boston welcomes Ballet Theatre UK in late January to perform Beauty & The Beast, with a stunning classical score and new choreography by Artistic Director, Christopher Moore, as well as new sets and costumes created especially for the production.

n Blackfriars, £19.50, 27th January, www.blackfriarsartscentre.co.uk.

4. Clemmie Churchill

WINSTON CHURCHILL was voted the number one in a poll to find the top 100 Britons, but behind the man himself was steadfast wife Clemmie. My Life with Winston explores her support and love over their 57 years of marriage, enabling the wartime Prime Minister to serve the country.

n Grantham Guildhall Arts Centre, Tues 31st Jan, guildhallartscentre.com.

3. Fleetwood Mac

DREAMS is the most authentic Fleetwood Mac tribute and their latest tour is in demand with the recent loss of Christine McVie who wrote many of the group’s most popular hits. Performing at Grimsby Auditorium, expect Chain, Dreams, Go Your Own Way and Don’t Stop.

n Sunday 29th January 7.30pm, www.grimsbyauditorium.org.uk

5. Lights Belvoir Action

BELVOIR CASTLE invites guests to enjoy its Spectacle of Light event from 27th January to 19th February, with a beautiful illuminated trail through the woodlands and around the glorious garden. Walk through the changing Light Curve, immerse yourself in the Carpet of Colour.

n January to 19th February, £19.20/ad, see www.belvoircastle.com.

6. Luxmuralis’ Life

LUXMURALIS is a group which specialises in creating dramatic light shows in buildings like churches and cathedrals with large scale coloured projections. Life is the latest iteration and comes to Lincoln Cathedral from 15th-18th February, with an immersive soundtrack.

n 15th-18th February, from 7.15pm, £8/adults, www.lincolncathedral.com.

7. The Good Life

LOUTH PLAYGOERS bring to life

Tom & Barbara Good, taking on the Surbiton status quo with a dream of self-sufficiency. Amateur production by the group, who have obtained special permission of Jeremy Sams who has created a special stage play based on the popular 1970s sit com.

n Wednesday 8th - Saturday 11th March, £10.50, www.louthriverheadtheatre.com.

8. Kipps The Musical

SCUNTHORPE’S Musical Theatre Society presents its version of Kipps, the new musical based on Half a Sixpence. From hapless draper’s assistance to high society hero, Arthur Kipps is played brilliantly in this adaptation by the Society at Scunthorpe’s Plowright Theatre.

n 1st-4th March, 7.30, 2pm, tickets £14.70, www.scunthorpetheatres.co.uk.

10. Countryside Lincs

LOOKING FORWARD to spring, the Lincolnshire Showground is hosting its Countryside Lincs show, which is aimed at making the countryside accessible to all. Nine zones for family fun including Food Zone, Farming Zone, Tractor Zone, Heritage Zone and more.

n Sunday 16th April, from 10am, www.lincolnshireshowground.co.uk.

9. Museum of the Moon

LUKE JERRAM brings his largescale artwork to Skegness as Gaia, Museum of the Moon and Mars will be exhibited at the East Coast venue from 10th February to 24th March 2023. Each is a very large-scale, illuminated inflatable recreation of a planet in high resolution.

n Embassy Theatre, interactive Q&A on 10th March, www.embassytheatre.co.uk.

What’s On...

GRANTHAM

FROM

WEDNESDAY 15th FEBRUARY SNOWDROPS SEASON

AT EASTON WALLED GARDEN

It’s nearly here... spring will soon arrive, and with it comes the delicate seasonal beauty of the snowdrop, celebrated at Easton Walled Gardens near Grantham. Visit the grounds of the former stately home as the first new growth of the year emerges and snowdrops open up across the Gardens.

The Courtyard Shop will be open and hot drinks, savoury snacks and cake will be available from The Applestore or The Coffee Room. Meet up with friends, relax and enjoy.

n Open from 11am-4pm, £9/adults, £4.50/children. NG33 5AP. Call 01476 530063 or see www.visiteaston.co.uk.

Luxmuralis at the Cathedral

LIGHTING UP THE CATHEDRAL WITH THIS SPECTACULAR COLOURFUL LIGHT DISPLAY SET TO AWE AND AMAZE!

LINCOLN

WEDNESDAY 15th FEBRUARY

SATURDAY 18th FEBRUARY

to

LIFE BY LUXMURALIS AT THE CATHEDRAL

Luxmuralis is a travelling team of artists specialising in creating giant presentations of light projected onto and within huge buildings such as the Cathedrals of Durham and Peterborough. Now the company is bringing its Life light show to Lincoln Cathedral, treating visitors to a a display that journeys through earth, sea and sky, with a gentle and atmospheric soundscape.

n Tickets £8/adults, £6/children, Lincoln Cathedral, 01522 561 600 www.lincolncathedral.com.

LINCOLN WEDNESDAY 15th FEBRUARY

THE BARBER OF SEVILLE, ROYAL OPERA HOUSE

With vocal fireworks, scheming lovers and one very busy barber, Rossini’s comic opera, The Barber of Seville, is packed with fun and mischief. The Royal Opera House’s performance will be live-screened this month to Lincoln’s New Theatre Royal, sung in Italian with English surtitles.

n From 7pm, £17, New Theatre Royal, LN2 1JJ. 01522 519999, www.new theatreroyallincoln.co.uk.

GRANTHAM FRIDAY 10th FEBRUARY ABBA SENSATION

My my! Something to warm up your winter: the kitsch fun of Abba with their back catalogue of hits, performed by a group widely regarded to be one of the best Abba tribute acts in the country.

n Tickets £17/each, Guildhall Arts Centre, Grantham NG31 6PZ, 01476 406158, www.guildhallartscentre.com.

SPALDING SUNDAY 12th FEBRUARY THE GREATEST SHOWMAN SINGALONG

The smash hit film musical with lyrics on screen plus a live host so you can cheer, boo and hiss as you sing your heart out.

n Tickets £16/adults, £12/conc, at Spalding’s South Holland Centre, 01775 764777, www.southhollandcentre.co.uk.

SCUNTHORPE

FRIDAY 17th FEBRUARY

GOOD EVENING MR BUBLÉ

It’s the show everyone is talking about, celebrating one of the most successful artists of the 21st century, multi Grammy award winner Michael Bublé.

This show has it all, the power, emotion, musicianship, and above all the voice! Scunthorpe’s Baths Hall is hosting

this evening, with powerful performances of Michael Bublé’s hits including, Home, Feeling Good, Haven’t Met You Yet, Crazy Love, Cry Me A River and many more all performed live by ‘Michael’ – Jamie Flanagan – and his incredible orchestra. This is definitely an evening not to be missed.

n Tickets £33/adult, 7.30pm, Baths Hall, Scunthorpe DN15 7RG, 01724 296296, www.scunthorpetheatres.co.uk.

GRIMSBY

Send your press releases and events to: the Features Editor via editor@pridemagazines.co.uk.

BOSTON

SATURDAY 11th

THURSDAY

16th

FEB BALLET THEATRE UK’S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Join Ballet Theatre UK with one of the most enchanting love stories of all time, Beauty and the Beast. Set to a stunning classical with new sets and costumes. n £19/adults, from 7.30pm, Grimsby Auditorium, 0300 300 0035, DN31 2BH, www.grimsbyauditorium.org.uk.

GRIMSBY

SUNDAY 26th FEBRUARY UKRAINIAN NATIONAL BALLET PRESENTS MADAMA

BUTTERFLY

Dnipro Opera does justice to the tragedy and sorrow of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly. n From £27/adults, 7.30pm, Grimsby Auditorium, 0300 300 0035, grimsbyauditorium.org.uk.

GRANTHAM

FRIDAY JANUARY 27thSUNDAY FEBRUARY 19th

SPECTACLE OF LIGHT AT BELVOIR CASTLE

A breathtaking walk through light, colour and fantasy will welcome in the 2023 season at Belvoir Castle, brightening the winter evenings with a magical after-dark experience for visitors.

Beautiful installations will showcase the Capability Brown gardens, its formal features and sculptures as well as lighting up the Regency castle exterior as never seen before.

FEBRUARY MAYOR’S CHARITY VALENTINE’S BALL

Taking place at Boston United Football Club. n £50/adults, for details call 01205 314200, or see www.bostonunited.co.uk.

BOSTON FRIDAY

FEBRUARY ONE NIGHT OF TOM JONES

17th

One Night Of Tom Jones is without doubt the finest Tom Jones Tribute to ever grace the stage. Performing all the classic hits spanning five decades including Delilah, With These Hands, It’s Not Unusual, What’s New Pussycat, A Boy From Nowhere, and many many more.

n Tickets £19.50, Blackfriars Arts Centre, Boston PE21 6HP. Call 01205 363108 or see www.blackfriarsartscentre.co.uk.

2023 will also be the first time the gardens have been opened to the public during early spring as snowdrops carpet the woodland floor.

The trail around the Castle grounds will allow visitors to discover some amazing light installations like Curve, Carpet of Colour and Paraluna.

Hot chocolate and mulled wine will be available on the Castle terrace to enjoy along with street food and sweet treats.

n Tickets £19.20/adults, £9.60/child, entry slots from 5.30pm, Belvoir Castle, 01476 871001, www.belvoircastle.com.

Craft & Design at THE HUB

Celebrating its 20th anniversary later this year, the Hub is the home of creativity and design for Sleaford and the whole of Lincolnshire...

SEEDS & CREATIVITY both have something in common. They each need to be nurtured in order to germinate. So it’s fitting that the home of the national centre for craft and design in located in Sleaford, Lincolnshire. Its Programme Manager is Marion Sander, who is more excited than ever about the potential that the Hub can offer visitors in 2023. We joined Marion in a bigger, lighter and busier Hub after 2022’s refurbishment for a preview of the venue’s upcoming events.

“2019 saw the merger of artsNK, the organisation I’d been employed by since 2008, and what was known as NCCD, the National Centre for Craft and Design,” says Marion.

“Consolidation of the two organisations enabled us to deliver an inspiring programme of creative arts experiences and learning opportunities alongside world-class craft and design exhibitions, meaningful regeneration projects, and festivals, all of which connect with the local community and attract visitors from further afield.”

“Today it’s an amazing place to visit and to work. There’s always something inspiring happening, and a real sense of community.”

“We showcase a diverse range of artists and makers in our galleries and our shop, from ceramicists to jewellery and print makers and textile artists to sculptors, and we offer a variety of craft and dance workshops and host regular creative group activities in our new ground floor workshop and studio spaces.”

Last year’s refurbishment sees the Hub larger and better than ever in advance of its 20th anniversary later this year. Back in 1939, though, the Hub and Sleaford itself looked very different.

The town centre, though, was thriving in the respect of its agricultural heritage, home to companies like Charles Sharpe Seeds and Hubbards & Philips, which continued trading right up to the 1970s, and had a particular commercial interest in peas.

In 1939 the latter created its four-storey, steel-framed processing warehouse on the site of the Hub, with its two pea cleaning machines able to process and store for dispatch to customers up to 400 tonnes of peas at a time.

Alas, the business didn’t survive and closed in 1972, by which time fresh investment in Sleaford was needed to reinvigorate the town. >>

Words: Rob Davis.

Heckington’s Pearoom

The forerunner to the Hub was The Pearoom in Heckington, which was turned into a heritage, crafts and tourism centre from the 1970s until its closure and the creation of the Hub in 2003.

>> Happily, that investment came with the Sleaford Pride programme, a seven year regeneration programme which would include the redevelopment of the old riverside warehouse into a new crafts and culture facility which would take over Heckington’s Pearoom as the area’s heritage and crafts venue.

“The architectural practice Frank Shaw Associates was commissioned to transform the Hub, and in the process, a large doubleheight gallery with mezzanine level and a roof gallery were created alongside a ground floor retail space and coffee shop.”

“These elements have been reinvented with the building’s expansion in 2022, yielding a new ground floor gallery and a much larger

coffee shop with dedicated kitchen space and a brand new multi-use studio.”

“From its opening by HRH The Princess Royal in October 2003 to its transformation into The National Centre for Craft & Design, the Hub is now a cultural and creative hub for the community in every sense.

“It is home to many local creative groups including Sleaford Embroiderers, MosArt, Printers Ink, Beyond the Blues, Sleaford Ukulele Group, Craft Club and Pottery Club, dance groups; and hosts a popular open mic evening each month.”

“Our main role, though, is to be a beacon of excellence and inspiration, to motivate

and encourage arts engagement and offer creative opportunities for everyone to enjoy, take part in and so unleash their creativity.”

“Each year the UK’s largest gallery for craft & design presents three major exhibitions, which are supported by 10 smaller showcases in our ground floor gallery and window collections.”

“The Hub attracts around 100,000 visitors per year. While most of our visitors come from Sleaford and across Lincolnshire, we also welcome international and UK wide visitors to our venue, putting Sleaford on the map as a great place to visit, and ensuring that its inspiring programme of contemporary craft, design and creative arts remains free for all to enjoy.” n

Find Out More: The Hub delivers an inspiring programme of contemporary craft, design, dance and creative arts experiences, in Sleaford, across North Kesteven and beyond, open seven days a week and with free admission, it’s based at Navigation Wharf on Carre Street, Sleaford NG34 7TW. Call 01529 308 710 or see www.hub-sleaford.org.uk.

SPRING 2023 at THE HUB Exhibitions & Events

14th January - 12th March 2023:

Sue Stone: Shifts & Allusions

Sue Stone is a Grimsby based artist who works in stitch and mixed media. Her ideas are drawn from what she has seen, heard, or experienced. In this exhibition the artist’s inspiration comes from real and imagined journeys through time. The stories of people and places often intentionally express more than one meaning and she invites you to take a really good look and find your own interpretation of her work. Sue studied embroidery at Goldsmiths College, London and since 2006 has exhibited her work worldwide. n

18th March - 14th May 2023:

Emily Rickard, KnitWell

KnitWell is a participatory research project that investigates how aspects of a knitted fabric such as stitch, colour, texture, scale, and shape can be used as a tangible, tactile tool to record an individual’s emotional state. The research explores the opportunities and limitations that this recording method offers in terms of self-expression and what impact the creation of a ‘knitted journal’ could have on mental well-being. n

18th March - 30th April 2023:

Translating Nature

Translating Nature will feature work by nine Nottinghamshire-based makers and members of Design-Nation. The work includes ceramics, weaving, jewellery, felt, silk painting and lace. Whilst providing vital online support to each other throughout the pandemic, their friendship strengthened, and a desire to collaborate grew. This exhibition bears the fruit of their conversations, and the title embodies their shared inspiration and passion; nature is the subject and their work the lens through which it is filtered. The viewer only sees their translation, nature itself remains unchanged. n

PILGRIMAGE TO BOSTON

Making a Pilgrimage to

BOSTON

This month we’re celebrating the vibrant, thriving, multicultural town of Boston, a successful market town since the medieval era...

Image: Electric Egg.

>> BOSTON is small and historic... but its legacy is meteoric. Not our words, but the words of 12-year old poet Mohammed Zayan Raja whose recent work, Celebrating Boston, was named the winning poem in a competition judged by the Worshipful Mayor of Boston, Councillor Anne Dorrian.

Mohammed has a point. Boston’s place in history is impossible to overstate, as the place from which the Puritans made their first attempt to flee to religious freedom in 1607. Having been betrayed by the captain of the vessel they were to sail on, imprisoned in Boston’s Guildhall, and tried for unsanctioned immigration, the group was finally freed and made a second bid the following year to travel to America via the Netherlands. In 1620, the Pilgrims arrived in New England on the Mayflower. It took 66 days at sea for the 102 passengers of the 110ft three-mast ship to reach Plymouth, Massachusetts via Cape Cod Bay, finally reaching their destination on 21st December 1620.

After a not inconsiderable amount of help surviving the harsh winter from the native Wamanoag Indians, the following summer the settlers and natives shared the first thanksgiving dinner together. Today, more than 35,000,000 people can trace their lineage back to the Mayflower Pilgrims. Ironically, Boston today is known as a destination to which to migrate to rather than one to depart from. From 2002-2022 the town’s population has grown by over 25% and now, the town itself is home to 46,500, the Borough is home to 70,800 and nearly 82,500 work in or around the town.

The census reports that around 13% of Boston residents were born outside of Britain, and today the town’s rich diversity sees Lithuanian, Russian, Latvian, Polish, Bulgarian, Portuguese and several dialects of Romanian commonly spoken in the town in addition to English, not to mention a huge new diversity of culture. >>

Since its connection with the wool trade, Boston has always been a centre for commerce. Today, its agri-food sector alone is worth over £1.5bn to Lincolnshire’s economy...

Maud Foster Windmill by Electric Egg.

Church Street.

Pilgrim Fathers Memorial, near Scotia Creek.

It was in Boston’s Guildhall around 1607 that The Pilgrim Fathers were imprisoned for unauthorised migration.

>> The town is growing... and not just in this respect. On the edge of town the achievements over 12 years of The Boston Woods Trust are really seeing the group successfully branching out.

The group was established in 2001 by Adrian Isaac, very well-known and very well-respected in the town for his role managing the family’s business, Oldrids.

Adrian’s intention was to establish a trust which would own and manage areas of woodland for the whole community to enjoy, with three separate areas of woodland. He created Westgate Wood, Jenny’s Wood and the Wildflower Meadow on the 80-acre Sir Joseph Banks Country Park site to the south-west of the town.

The Trust subsequently created Fenside Woods, comprising four sites, and it is currently in the process of planting up the Dion’s Wood Nature Reserve which will open to the public in 2023 and take the total amount of land cared for by the Trust to almost 150 acres.

From the medieval era Boston was one of the main ports of England principally concerned with the exporting of cloth, until the wool industry slumped in the 1400s. With the industrial revolution Boston once again enjoyed increased prosperity, one of the wealthiest and richest towns in the UK by the mid-1800s until, once again, its fortunes evaporated with the emergence of rail transport.

In 1884 William Wheeler built Boston Dock and today it remains of great economic importance to the town. It was also the first dock in the UK to be lit by electricity in 1897. Today the Port of Boston covers 246km2 It has 18,000m2 of warehousing, storage for 50,000 tonnes of cereals – agri-food is worth £1.5bn to the area – and a rail connection to port’s owner Victoria Group’s steel terminal in the West Midlands, enabling it to handle over a million tonnes of cargo each year... although Grimsby & Immingham remains the UK’s second largest port after London, with about 50 times the throughput of Boston.

Above: Fydell House is owned and run by The Boston Preservation Trust, built circa 1700 for the Jackson family. It’s Grade I listed and has links to Joseph Banks and the influential 20th century American political Kennedy dynasty. US ambassador Joseph Kennedy, father of President JF Kennedy, visited Boston in 1938, his itinerary included Fydell House where he officially named The American Room.

The Boston Woods Trust now owns and manages almost 150 acres of woodland for the public to enjoy...

St Botolph’s 365 steps to the tower, 52 windows, 12 pillars, 60 steps to the roof and 24 steps to the library correspond to days, weeks and months of the year, minutes in the hour and hours in the day...

>>The legacy of Boston’s medieval past is spread right across the town, from the retail space Pescod Hall to Shodfriars Hall and the now all-but derelict Hussey Tower – once part of a much larger medieval manor house – still owned by the Borough Council and managed by Heritage Lincolnshire.

Nowhere is the town’s heritage more celebrated, though, than at the northern end of the Market Place where, adjacent to the Witham, is the town’s Grade I listed, 81-metre tall, perpendicular-style church, construction of which commenced from 1309.

Colloquially known as The Stump, St Botolph’s 365 steps to the tower, 52 windows, 12 pillars, 60 steps to the roof and 24 steps to the library correspond to days, weeks and months of the year, minutes in the hour and hours in the day.

The church’s 1,200 books and its library are currently undergoing careful restoration, ensuring that future generations can see them online in an electronic archive.

A rather more recent addition to the town for those with an almost as reverential devotion to

the town’s National League North football team – Boston United – is its new stadium.

The team itself will celebrate its 90th anniversary in August, and in December 2020, ‘The Pilgrims’ moved to their new home, the Boston Community Stadium, which also incorporates Ellenders, a rather good restaurant.

A regular follower of the team is one of the most reassuring faces from the Pandemic, Professor Sir Jonathan Van Tam, knighted in the summer 2022... after missing his first date for investiture, ironically, due to Covid.

2021 saw Boston secure £21.9m of Town Deal funding, with key projects including the regeneration of Boston’s Market Place and Wide & Strait Bargate shops, as well as the regeneration of 10 acres of town centre space behind West Street.

With a larger population than ever, with regeneration projects and with fresh new housing stock being created all around the town, we reckon that Boston has a brighter future than ever before! n

Above: Blackfriars Arts Centre, C13th, Grade II* listed and a former Dominican Friary’s refectory. It became a theatre in 1967.

THE LAST DAMBUSTER Sqn Ldr George ‘Johnny’ Johnson

As the last edition of Lincolnshire Pride appeared in shops, we were saddened to hear of the loss of Squadron Leader George Leonard ‘Johnny’ Johnson, whom we had the privilege of meeting on several occasions. The last surviving member of The Dambusters raid often recalled flying the 1943 Operation Chastise sortie which would make heroes of Scampton’s 617 squadron...

ON A FROSTY MORNING in December, news broke that Britain had lost a hero, one with strong connections with Lincolnshire and a place in history as the final surviving member of the squadron which led 1943’s Dambusters raids to cripple industrial Germany and shorten the second world war.

Heartbroken to have lost one of their most beloved colleagues, the Royal Air Force, and particularly those serving at Scampton, paid tribute to George Leonard ‘Johnny’ Johnson following his funeral. At the time of his death, he was the last surviving member of the original Dambusters.

Wreaths to remember Johnny and his fellow Dambusters were laid by Air Vice Marshal Simon Edwards, the Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Strategy), at the RAF Bomber Command Memorial in central London, and by the RAF Scampton Station Commander, Wing Commander Neill Atkins, at 617’s World War II hangar at RAF Scampton.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston said: “We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to Johnny Johnson and all his generation who fought for our freedom in World War II. Their courage, skill and resilience continue to inspire the Royal Air Force to this day. Johnny’s contribution to the war effort, and that of his colleagues, has continued to be recognised by the RAF and the wider public

right up to the present day. He remained a much-loved member of the RAF family and a well-known attendee at key World War II memorial events over the years.

Many current service personnel had the privilege of meeting him on these occasions and hearing more about his life and service. He also attended the Pride of Britain Awards in 2018, as part of the RAF’s 100th birthday celebrations and was delighted to share in those celebrations.

RAF Scampton Station Commander, Wing Commander Neill Atkins said: “The courageous actions of Johnny, and his comrades

on 617 Squadron during Operation Chastise are enshrined in the history of RAF Scampton. While we remember Johnny personally, Station personnel have today taken time to reflect on the brave actions of the many thousands of aircrew who flew in Bomber Command, so many of whom laid down their lives in World War II.”

Following training as a Lancaster bomb aimer and multiple operational sorties over Europe, Johnny Johnson went on to take part in arguably the most famous bombing raid of World War II, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal. In 2017, he was also made a Member of the Order of the British Empire.

Wing Commander Stewart Campbell, the current Officer Commanding 617 Squadron said: “As Johnny Johnson is laid to rest, the current members of 617 Squadron pause and reflect on the service of Johnny and the rest of the original Dambusters. The famous raid that gives us our squadron name, was a feat of great daring, but also significant technical innovation.”

“The weapons techniques and equipment were at the cutting edge of technology and today, as the first front line squadron in the RAF to fly the fifth generation F-35B Lightning, we are striving to maintain that tradition of technical innovation that our squadron forebears set right from the beginning.” >>

Words: Peter Singlehurst. Images: UK MOD © Crown copyright 2022.

LDR

‘JOHNNY’

Wing Commander Neill Atkins, RAF Scampton's Station Commander, lays a wreath at the door of Hangar 2, RAF Scampton, in honour of Johnny Johnson.

>> Johnny volunteered to join the RAF in 1940 as aircrew and after training in Florida, became an Air Gunner before being posted to 97 Squadron, that was then based at RAF Woodhall Spa.

His first operational raid was to Danzig now known as the city of Gdynia, Poland in 1942. This first sortie however was aborted due to an engine failure. The following night Johnny and the rest of his crew was part of a successful raid on the city of Nuremberg in southern Germany.

After training to become a Bomb Aimer at RAF Fulbeck, Johnny returned to 97 Squadron. His first raid as a Bomb Aimer was to the southern German city of Munich. During this raid his Avro Lancaster bomber was forced to make an emergency landing at RAF Bottesford near Grantham, after suffering damage after being attacked by German night fighters. Johnny flew on a further 18 missions with 97 Squadron.

In March 1943, aircrew from across Bomber Command were selected to form a new squadron for a special mission. This new squadron became 617 Squadron, and the special mission was Operation Chastise, the daring and innovative attacks on the Eder, Sorpe and Möhne Dams that supplied hydropower and water to the industrial Ruhr region of Germany.

Led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson, who was awarded a Victoria Cross for the operation, Johnny flew as a member of the crew of Lancaster ‘T-Tommy,’ flown by American Joe McCarthy, who was serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force and who had been Johnny’s pilot for most of his operational sorties with 97 Squadron.

Johnny’s Lancaster was detailed to attack the Sorpe Dam which required a different style of attack to that carried out on the Eder and Möhne Dams. For this dam the Lancasters had to fly 60 feet above the dam along its length. For Johnny’s Lancaster it took ten attempts, before he was finally able to release the bomb.

The dam was damaged, contributing to thousands of Germans having to withdraw from their Atlantic defences to repair the dams. Over 100 factories and 33 bridges were impacted. The feat earned 617 Squadron the name ‘Dambusters,’ after the complex planning, ingenuity, skill and bravery it took to carry out the raid.

Johnny went on a further 19 missions with 617 Squadron, before working as a bombing instructor until the end of the War. He then served as a Commissioned Officer navigator with both 100 and 120 Squadrons.

Retiring from the RAF in 1962, he trained as a teacher. Initially teaching in primary schools, before becoming involved in adult education, including teaching psychiatric patients at Rampton Hospital.

On his retirement, Johnny and his wife moved to Torquay, where they both became active in local politics, both as a local councillor and chairman of the constituency party. Johnny received an honorary doctorate from the University of Lincoln for his contribution to British Society.

He was also an Honorary Life Member of the RAF Club in Piccadilly, London. Johnny had published an autobiography recounting his story, ‘George ‘Johnny’ Johnson, The Last British Dambuster.’

The death of Johnny Johnson also reminds all serving RAF personnel that Johnny, as a Dambuster, was part of an exceptional group of aircrew who conducted the raid and have gone on to inspire subsequent generations. n

Johnny Johnson inspects 70 Sqn’s A400m Atlas aircraft at RAF Brize Norton in 2018. Dr George ‘Johnny’ Johnson MBE DFM RAF (Ret’d) was the Bomb Aimer on Flt Lt John McCarthy’s Lancaster AJ-T tasked to attack the Sorpe Dam on the night of the 16 May 1943. He died on 7th December 2022.

Air Vice Marshal Simon Edwards, at the RAF Bomber Command Memorial in central London, laying a wreath for Johnny Johnson.

How John Wesley became ‘THE BEST LOVED MAN IN ENGLAND’

Nobody knows who first described Lincolnshire’s John Wesley as ‘the best loved man in England’ but with religious devotion and a desire to bring health, well-being and faith to the whole of England, his legacy as the founder of Methodism endures...

OVER A FESTIVE SHERRY, with the Pride team, I managed to slip into conversation one of the lesser known facts about Lincolnshire and specifically about one of its most famous sons, John Wesley. He was in fact the author of the Christmas Carol Hark! The Herald Angel Sings, in his 1739 collection of Hymns & Sacred Poems. Conservative estimates suggest that Wesley wrote over 480 hymns during his years preaching, but some estimates put the number as high as 6,500. Wesley died in 1788 so it wasn’t until 1855 that Felix Mendelssohn’s Festgesang – The Gutenberg Concerto – was adapted by William Hayman Cummings to serve Wesley’s lyrics.

Wesley wasn’t just a preacher or a man of hymns, either, he was also one of the earliest advocates of clean living, too. In 1747 he published Primitive Physick in which he advocated a healthy diet, ‘a due degree’ of exercise and giving up booze.

Coffee and tea were considered ‘hurtful to people with weak nerves,’ water is wholesome and a vegetarian diet was considered desirable. In total, though, Wesley provided more than 800 prescriptions to cure 300 different medical disorder in his book, which was republished in 32 editions and reprinted at least until 1840.

John Wesley was born to parents Samuel and Susanna, and was their fifteenth child. Samuel Wesley served as Church of England rector of Epworth with the nine children who survived beyond infancy.

Samuel and Susanna expected all of their children – including the girls – to be proficient in Latin and Greek, and to have committed portions of the New Testament to memory.

It was a loving but disciplined upbringing, albeit one that was dramatically interrupted in February 1709 when the five year old John Wesley had a brush with death as a fire blazed through the rectory at about 11pm.

A parishioner plucked Wesley to safety and the experience left an indelible mark in the preacher’s memory as a story of deliverance and the role of Christians in looking after one another. The scene was immortalised in a lithograph by Henry Parker in 1840.

The young John Wesley was educated at Charterhouse School and entered Christ Church in Oxford in 1720, ordained deacon in 1725 and Church of England Priest in 1728, briefly working with his ailing father in Epworth. >>

Words: Rob Davis.

>> Favouring a call to ministry rather than academia, John Wesley returned to Christ Church, reading William Law’s Christian Perfection and a Serious Call which inspired him to seek religious truths and contemplate the changes which would proliferate throughout the C18th. John’s brother Charles would also enrol in Christ Church and would found Holy Club, which advocated a devout life. John would become the leader of the group upon his return to Oxford and in 1720 cultivated his list of General Questions which would dictate what daily activities and resolutions a committed Christian should follow.

John and Charles travelled to Georgia in October 1735 to practice ministry and whilst there, encountered Moravian settlers, with their deep faith and piety, inspiring John to travel to Germany and England to further his understanding of the Moravians.

English churches were unconvinced by Wesley’s approaches, increasingly influenced by the Moravians and from 1739 began preaching in the open air rather than just churches. In 1739 John Wesley formerly broke with the Moravians and began his own Methodist movement, preaching form his father’s tombstone in Epworth, an in fields, halls, cottages and chapels for the next 40 years, often facing persecution from clergy and religious magistrates.

Doubtless Wesley flouted many regulations of the Church of England concerning parish boundaries and accused some clergy of corruption, showing favour to lay preachers rather than just ordained ministers.

The first Wesleyan chapels were established in Bristol, London and Manchester, and with the movement growing, created the General Rules for the United Societies in 1743, founding the movement in America from 1784 following its declaration of Independent from Great Britain in 1776. It was around the same time that Wesley called for the abolition of slavery.

By the time of his death in 1791, John Wesley’s legacy was over 135,000 members and 541 itinerant preachers, as well as his 400 publication which, as well as religion, provided social commentary on music, marriage, politics, health and medicine.

Right up until his death, John Wesley continued to travel and one claim is that he rode over 250,000 miles on horseback.

His Calvinist sparring partner was George Whitefield, and it’s believed that Wesley invented the phrase agree to disagree after one of their passionate but mutually respectful discussions.

Today, there are over 75m Methodists worldwide in more than 130 countries, and in a BBC survey in 2002, John Wesley was declared the 50th greatest Briton as voted for in a public poll.

John Wesley’s legacies – as well as that beloved Christmas carol – include the Grade I listed Old Rectory in Epworth. Rebuilt in 1709 and owned by the Church of England until 1954, it was later sold to the British Methodist Church and opened as a museum in 1957. n

Find Out More: Old Rectory Epworth is a museum open from spring dedicated to reflecting on the life and legacy of John Wesley, see www.epwortholdrectory.org.uk.

John Wesley preaching to native American Indians, Wellcome Library.

JOHN WESLEY TIMELINE

1703 Born at Epworth, Lincolnshire, 15th child of Samuel and Susanna Wesley

1709 Fire at Epworth Rectory saw John Wesley rescued

1720 Entered Christ Church College, Oxford 1725 Ordained Deacon in the Church of England 1726 Elected Fellow of Lincoln College, Oxford 1728 Ordained Priest

1735 Embarked for Mission in Georgia

1738 Arrived back in Great Britain

1738 Conversion experience at Aldersgate 1739 Began preaching out of doors

1742 First ‘class-meetings’ organized, they became a ‘germ cell’ of the Methodist Society

1743 Published his General Rules for the Methodist Societies

1744 First Methodist Conference held

1747 Began first of several visits to Ireland

1748 Opened Kingswood School

1778 First Issue of Monthly, Arminian Magazine

1784 Legally incorporated Methodist Conference

1784 Ordained preachers for USA, led to formation of Methodist Episcopal Church the following Christmas.

1791 John Wesley dies in London, aged 87. n

Indulge

Our beautiful, iconic 400-year-old Hotel, sits beside the River Nene in the idyllic surroundings of the conservation village of Wansford, in Cambridgeshire. Throughout its history the Hotel has hosted an incredible array of famous and Royal guests including Mary Queen of Scots, Queen Victoria, Princess Diana and many others.

Having completed an extensive restoration, the Hotel has once again regained its reputation as one of the region’s finest. It now cleverly displays all its historic glory with luxuriously appointed rooms featuring painstakingly restored medieval fireplaces combined with all of the modern technology and conveniences we all enjoy.

With two restaurants to choose from we know our ‘foodie’ guests will be fully satisfied! Fine dining can be enjoyed in our Michelin recognised, 3 rosette awarded ‘Prévost’ restaurant. This showcases a contemporary Tasting Menu by our Executive Head Chef, Lee Clarke and Head Chef Sam Nash, all paired with the eclectic wine choices from our Sommelier.

Relax and unwind in our Courtyard Bar and Lounge, smile at its unique playful décor, enjoy the music and the warm friendly atmosphere. Even outdoors, if the weather suits, in the historic courtyard setting warmed by our open firepit.

A New Kitchen and a New Chapter for THE OLIVE BRANCH

After The Olive Branch’s annus horribilis, the team has not only survived but emerged stronger and better than ever... and with a brand new kitchen to work in. Luke Holland shows us around!

Words & Images: Rob Davis.

BACK IN NOVEMBER 1992, Her Majesty The Queen dubbed the year her annus horribilis, following a year of royal scandal, turmoil and of course the fire at Windsor Castle. 2022 was to prove similarly challenging for Clipsham’s Olive Branch.

On 15th October 2021 – having shaken off Covid, and after being named Pub of the Year in The Good Pub Guide, UK Pub of the Year, and GQ Food & Drink winner 2021 – and as the team were gearing up for a busy festive season, a faulty tumble drier overheated and decimated the pub’s kitchen. Now, in 2023, a year on from the fire, Executive Head Chef Luke Holland is showing me around his well-appointed and brand spanking new kitchen. It’s a belter: one of the best-looking and the best-equipped kitchen I’ve ever seen... domestic or commercial!

“We’re more than a restaurant,” says Luke. “It’s a complete cliché but we’re a family here, and on that night we were all in tears, just sobbing on each other’s shoulders. The kitchen was reduced to nothing. Not a single thing could be salvaged.”

“Because we’re a family we hurt together, but we pull together too. The fire took place on the Friday. We called a company which provides temporary commercial kitchens and by Monday they had delivered a Portacabin building, albeit a fraction of the size of our usual kitchen and scarcely as well-equipped.”

“We redesigned the menu to fit the circumstances and actually what we found was that we were working in a much sharper, much more focused way, whilst still retaining the quality and presentation of our dishes. That’s testimony to the team’s technical ability but also a determination to give our diners the very best experience possible, even in challenging circumstances.”

“Over the past year, our customers have loved our dishes, and only after they’ve

enjoyed their meals have we thanked them for the compliment but explained the circumstances in which the team is working, and that’s commanded even more respect from diners.”

In addition to maintaining the pub’s high standards and creativity, Luke has also been working with owner Ben Jones to design their new, state-of-the-art kitchen in place of the old one... and it’s a beauty!

The kitchen was due to be commissioned as I wrote this but now, they’ve moved in and they’re back up and running... so what was the first dish that Luke cooked in his new, £500m kitchen? One of the new dishes we’ve photographed here, from The Olive Branch’s January 2023 menu? Nope. >>

MEET THE CHEF

LUKE HOLLAND

Food Heaven: I’ll be cooking at home for family this year, so an amazing rib of beef is on the menu. I love winter puddings too, with lovely buttery shortcrust pastry and lots of filling!

Food Hell: Sprouts!

At The Olive Branch we microplane them, add bicarbonate of soda, butter and salt then quenelle them. Only then are they edible... otherwise, I can’t stand them! n

DINING OUT AT THE OLIVE BRANCH, CLIPSHAM

Slow cooked Beef Rib.

on the MENU

Evening Dining: £39.50/two courses. £9.50/third course.

Starters

Carrot dumplings, braised ox tail and tongue, onion broth £9.50 (lunch menu).

Venison tartare, artichoke, lovage and crispy quail egg (evening menu).

Main Courses

Roast Cod Cheeks, cauliflower, smoked butter, fermented honey, pickled mussels £22.50 (lunch menu).

Slow cooked Beef Rib, smoked mustard, sour cream, fermented cabbage, Lincolnshire Poacher, pub chips £35.50 (lunch menu).

Burghley Park Lamb Rump, curried aubergine, grilled onion, aged yoghurt (evening menu).

Goosnargh Guinea Hen (Leg & Breast), charred sweetcorn, peanut butter, nasturtium, girolles (evening menu).

Desserts:

Beetroot cream, hedgerow bramble, frozen horseradish £9.25 (lunch menu).

Baked apple terrine, honey beer, apple marigold (evening menu).

Selection of three English cheese Ragstone, Vintage Red Leicester, Lincolnshire Poacher, Cropwell Bishop, Baron Bigod, Barkham Blue, Shropshire Blue, Black Bomber.

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

>> “Bacon butties,” says Luke. “One each for the whole team, with really thick smoked local bacon, and handmade brown sauce. The team have worked so hard, they all deserve it. Then we’ll get to work!”

The kitchen has been designed and made to Luke’s exacting specification – bespoke to the millimetre with Athanor equipment – it’s all electric, with air conditioning, stainless steel hotplates and granite work surfaces.

The metro tiles are Olive Branch green with black highlights to match the chefs’ uniforms and equally well-equipped is the pass, the pastry sections and the butchery out the back. Next to it is the restaurant’s hen house. There’s also the paddock – across the road from the pub, adjacent to its letting rooms, Beech House – from which Luke sources or grows as many ingredients as possible.

What Luke can’t grow, he buys locally, and on the back of the menu is a map naming all of suppliers and showing where they’re based.

In-house the team produce desserts, petit fours, and the marmalades, jams and muffins served to guests at Beech House at breakfast. Even head barman Aaron produces his own coffee liqueur, limoncello and rhubarb or marigold gins, with produce grown in the paddock. A local microbrewery is even commissioned to create craft ales to complement dishes on The Olive Branch’s tasting menu.

On both the lunchtime and evening menus, there’s a choice of six starters, seven main courses and five desserts, plus a well-curated selection of cheese, and a wine list that extends to 25 pages with even the really desirable options still priced under £40.

“The Olive Branch remains completely unique. It’s a fantastic place to work, a fantastic place to create first class food. 2022 was challenging, but we’re all ready to make 2023 our best year ever!”

Roast Cod Cheeks.

Braised ox tail & tongue.

Slow cooked Beef Rib.

Beetroot cream, hedgerow bramble, frozen horseradish.

The pub shop is still doing a roaring trade as well. It offers wine, beer, cheese and The Olive Branch’s homemade pickles, preserves, jams and marmalades and so on.

Wine dinners are a regular treat – co-hosted with Charles Hawkins of Awin Barratt Siegel – as are cooking demonstrations and butchery classes hosted by Luke and the team, which will return in earnest in 2023.

Unusually for such a popular restaurant, The Olive Branch closed over the festive season. Luke’s son is four years old and whilst others in the hospitality industry are missing out on a family Christmas, he and Ben think it’s important for their team to be with their family. They’ve reopened for January with a generous Lunch for Less promotion offering discounted daytime dining, well-rested, with a renewed enthusiasm too.

“Ben really is a great boss and he goes above and beyond for the team,” says Luke.

“And this in turn means the team isn’t burnt out and tired, they can still feel creative and in return we retain staff well, which is why we can give the customers the best experience. Alongside great ingredients, a lovely dining room and now a brand new kitchen, a happy healthy team with lots of experience and enthusiasm are all reasons why we enjoy such a great reputation but also such good support from our customers, something that we’re really grateful for and that we never take for granted.”

“The Olive Branch remains completely unique. It’s a fantastic place to work, and a fantastic place to create first class. After a year with ups and downs, we’re all ready to make 2023 our best year ever!” n

DINING OUT AT...

The Olive Branch at Clipsham

The Pitch: “An award-winning village inn with friendly and knowledgeable staff, passionate about food and drink...”

Lunchtime Service: Wednesday-Friday, 12pm to 2pm. Saturday, 12pm to 2.30pm. Sunday, 12pm to 4.30pm. Evening Service: Wednesday to Saturday: 6pm to 9:15pm.

The Olive Branch Pub, Main Street, Clipsham, near Stamford LE15 7SH. Telephone: 01780 410355, www.theolivebranchpub.com.

In the KITCHEN

What could be better on a winter evening than a dish inspired by the Mediterranean and with the smoky warmth of chorizo? This dish is a perfect Valentine’s Day treat with a chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc!

SPAGHETTI WITH PRAWNS, CHORIZO & FENNEL

Preparation Time: 10 minutes. Cooking Time: 15 minutes. Serves: 2.

1 fennel bulb, fronds trimmed, bulb halved and tough core cut out • 1 tbsp olive oil

1 echalion shallot, finely sliced lengthways • 1 clove garlic, finely sliced • 60g pack Cooks’ Ingredients chorizo crumb 180g spaghetti • ½ unwaxed lemon, zest and juice • 220g pack extra large king prawns

Finely slice the fennel bulb lengthways and put in a large frying or sauté pan along with the oil, shallot, garlic, chorizo crumb and a pinch of salt. Set over a medium-high heat, cover with a lid and cook for eight minutes, stirring regularly until tender. Uncover and cook for another 5 minutes until nicely caramelised and turning golden. Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti in a large pan of boiling salted water for a minute or two less than the pack instructions. Scoop out a mug of the cooking water, then drain.

Add the lemon zest and juice to the pan with the fennel and chorizo, then tip in the prawns, cooked spaghetti and a glug of cooking water. Toss over the heat until combined and glossy, and the chorizo and prawns are piping hot throughout. Divide between plates and scatter with the fennel fronds to serve. n

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

In the KITCHEN

CHERRY & ROSE MERINGUES

Preparation Time: 25 minutes + 1 hour cooling. Cooking time: 1 hour. 150g caster sugar • 3 medium free range eggs, whites only • 1 tsp cornflour• 1 tsp lemon juice 2-3 drops rose water • 2-3 drops red food colouring • 150ml whipping cream • 150g Greek yogurt 1 tbsp icing sugar • 1 tsp vanilla bean paste • 180g cherries, halved and pitted 1 tsp Rose Petals (these can be purchased from Waitrose from the company’s Cooks Ingredients range).

Preheat the oven to 150°c, gas mark 2; line a large baking tray with parchment. Put the sugar in a roasting tin and warm in the oven for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, put the egg whites in a large mixing bowl with a pinch of salt; using electric beaters, beat on medium speed to soft peaks. One spoonful at a time, sprinkle the sugar over the egg whites and whisk on medium-high speed until dissolved and incorporated. Finish adding the sugar in small amounts and beat constantly until you have a stiff-peaked, glossy meringue.

Mix the cornflour, lemon juice and rose water; sprinkle over the meringue, then beat in for 30 seconds. Dip a cocktail stick into the food colouring; swipe through the meringue. Repeat 3-4 times, then use a metal spoon to mix the colour through the meringue (add more colouring if you wish).

Spoon 4 piles of the meringue onto the parchment; use a spoon to round the edges and make a dip in the middle (for the topping). Put the meringues in the oven, lower the temperature to 130°c, gas mark 1, and bake for an hour. Turn off the oven, prop open the door and leave the meringues to cool inside the oven for at least 1 hour.

For the topping, use a balloon whisk to whisk the cream, yogurt, icing sugar and vanilla to soft peaks. Spoon into the cooled meringues. Scatter the cherries and rose petals over the top and serve immediately. n

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

Rose meringues by any other method might taste as sweet but we think this tried and tested method marries the romantic flavours of rose water and cherries beautifully... ideal for rounding off a Valentine’s Day supper!

La Hechicera Reserva Familia

Columbian Rum

If a barrel – or a bottle – of this rum doesn’t put a ‘yo’ in your ‘yo, ho, ho,’ we can’t think what will!

For those seeking a bit of Columbian warmth this month, we present one of the finest rums on the market in the form of La Hechicera. A bitter chocolate-led palate gives way to warming cinnamon, espresso and cracked black pepper spice for a naturally ‘unpolished’ rum, which has not been rounded up with additives or sugar. A smooth flavour and a lot of authenticity.

£42 / 75cl / 40% ABV, www.lahechicera.co.

The Wine Cellar

THIS

IN THE PINK: A trio of rosé wines to toast Valentine’s Day...

1. A go-to sparkling rosé for many aficionados, created by Domaine Laurent-Perrier. Created with pinot noir grapes, for raspberry and redcurrant hues across a vibrant palate, £65 / 75cl / 12% ABV.

2. Not only is Hindleap a sterling mid-range sparkling rosé, it’s one from our own shores too; Bluebell Vineyard in Sussex, specifically. Strawberries, and rose, with orange and peach to add complexity, plus a fine mousse, £27.99 / 75cl / 11.5% ABV.

3. And finally, a non-sparkling rosé option from Henri Bourgeois’ in the form of their Sancerre based wine ideal when paired with spiced Asian or Middle Eastern cuisine £23.99 / 75cl / 12% ABV.

Wine of the Month

Château Pichon Baron 2017 Pauillac, £150/75cl; £900/6 x 75cl, 13.5% ABV, from Bordeaux

region

A new release from the 2017 vintage, this flagship Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blend is refined and elegant with supple tannins.

A complex nose of black fruits, combined with spice and notes of vanilla and coconut.

An intense show of dark juicy fruit, chocolate and a little bit of liquorice, this is beautifully in balance.

It’s the best from a vineyard dating back to 1694, creating wines from their 73 hectare estate.

Available from waitrosecellar.com

If your efforts to see Dry January through to the bitter end are holding up, nay we recommend Eceaux Vitalitem, which has all the energy of a Parisian evening full of promise, filling you with bonhomie, but with none of the guilt.

Ginseng, wormwood and other stimulating herbal extracts are great for reviving your spirit, with Eceaux’s invigorating herby citrus flavour. Enjoy a good squeeze of fresh lemon, top up with Tonic water, garnish with a slice of lemon. It’s low in calories, vegan, and gluten free.

£28 / 70cl / 0% ABV, smallspiritscompany.co.uk.

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

A non-alcoholic spirit to end Dry January!

BRINKE ALIKE GREAT MINDS

There are property experts, and then there’s John & Rachel Taylor, who have created – no, crafted – their property with an assiduous attention to detail and a terrific sense of design flair. Welcome to Brinke House Barn!

Words: Rob Davis.

THE DETAILS

Brinke House Barn, Wisbech

Location: Long Sutton nine miles; Holbeach 14 miles; Spalding 21 miles; Peterborough 21 miles.

Provenance: Contemporary barn completed in 2017 and offering 3,500ft2 of modern living space.

Rooms: Four bedrooms with en suite and dressing room to master, three further en suites. Three receptions; living kitchen, sitting room and sunroom. Garden room.

Guide Price: £995,000.

Find Out More: Sowerbys, Kings Lynn, call 01553 766741 or see www.sowerbys.com.

JOHN & RACHEL TAYLOR aren’t just poised on the brink of greatness. They have in fact leaped over the edge, parachuted back down to Earth and have been greeted with rapturous applause for their magnum opus, Brinke House Barn, complete and on the market seeking new owners.

There are property developers, then experienced property developers... and then there’s John and Rachel. The former joined his father in the demolition industry back in the 1970s when a less than devout approach was taken to retaining heritage building materials. Soon, John realised the importance of keeping and reusing old bricks, slate and other materials, founding his reclamation firm, which rescues old bricks, stone and roofing materials to be reused in the projects of local architects, developers and self-builders.

His experience as a property developer developed in parallel and John reckons that they’ve worked on about 30 properties so far, bringing to bear a working knowledge of materials and a not inconsiderable amount of design flair and attention to detail.

Top/Main: The matched grain of the walnut veneer in the kitchen ensures a consistent look, combined with Orinoco marble and cabinetry made from recycled plastics.

It’s testimony to John’s talent that upon seeing Brinke House Barn for the first time I really couldn’t date it. A quick search revealed a property of the same name so I believed, incorrectly as it turns out, that the property was a listed building.

“We moved to the site in 2000 and built four new properties here, purchasing the land and then the older property before beginning work on the new Brinke House,” says John.

“The goal was to create an environment for open plan living suitable for a family that would be styled like a barn conversion but would retain a sense of individuality to look well-established without becoming a modern pastiche of a barn conversion.”

Naturally John was picky about making the most of heritage building materials and about reflecting the area’s architectural vernacular, utilising bullnose bricks – hand-

cutting 5,000 of them – to soften angular lines, and replicating that curved architecture everywhere from the interior of the inglenook fireplace to the mezzanine level landing above the main open plan living space.

The landing area necessitated glass specially made for the house in Huddersfield then curved by roller in Birmingham, before it could be installed into a bespoke channel fabricated in Manchester, finally yielding the frameless design with no visible metal fittings that the couple sought.

The living kitchen’s cabinetry has been created from recycled plastic, and covered in work surfaces hewn from a single piece of granite for a consistent Orinoco grain with no seams or interruption, waterfalling down the edges for smooth lines. A boiling water tap, integrated premium appliances and brushed copper handles complete the look. >>

>> Everywhere is a symphony of materials, visual and tactile, from the bespoke Dekton surface in the utility with its quirky industrial gate valves to the solid walnut treads of the bespoke staircase. There’s a brushed nickel and copper bath in the master en suite and tiny tiles – about 28,000 of them – used to create the gently curving en suites to each of the four bedrooms. Detail. Everywhere.

The house is arranged over three floors with a large open plan living space to the ground floor and three internal reception rooms. Throughout the downstairs space is a polished concrete floor with underfloor heating, and the two bedrooms on each of the upper floors – each with their own en suites – have solid walnut flooring.

A sun room with bifold doors opens to two aspects and leads to a covered garden room which incorporates an outdoor kitchen. The property is positioned centrally in a plot of around an acre which is designed to capture a 180° radius of sunshine throughout the day.

A desire to downsize and flex their creative talents once more, plus a house waiting for them in North Norfolk, has left the couple to put Brinke House Barn on the market. They’ll miss it enormously, as this was not just another property in the life of John and Rachel, but undoubtedly the finest one they’ve ever created. n

n Atherstone House, Lincoln Guide Pride: £2,600,000

Situated within the historic Uphill area of Lincoln, Atherstone House has six bedrooms, 1.2 acres of land and six reception rooms, not to mention its position right next to Lincoln Cathedral. A truly spectacular home. www.pygott-crone.com and www.savills.co.uk.

n Mill House, Market Deeping Guide Price: £2,500,000

Mill House is, as its name suggests, a former watermill with the original stream, pond and weir, plus 18 acres and a heated indoor swimming pool. Six bedrooms, five receptions. www.pelhamjames.co.uk.

n London Road, Boston Guide Price: £1,950,000

Rare opportunity to acquire a magnificent Grade II Listed estate steeped in history. Four reception rooms, seven bedrooms, 11 acres of parkland. Extensive wine cellars under entire house; workshop; attic rooms; coach house and Victorian greenhouse. www.fineandcountry.com

A HOUSE FIT for

ROYALTY

ROYALTY A HOUSE FIT for

This month’s featured property has royal connections, having accommodated His Royal Highness Prince Albert (later King George VI) and the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII). It was sympathetically extended in 1830 by none other than architect Augustus Welby Pugin!

This month’s featured property has royal connections, having accommodated His Royal Highness Prince Albert (later King George VI) and the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII). It was sympathetically extended in 1830 by none other than architect Augustus Welby Pugin!

Words: Rob Davis.

Rob Davis.

THE DETAILS

The Cottage, South

Rauceby,

Sleaford

Location: Sleaford 3.6 miles; Grantham 13.3 miles; Lincoln 17.7 miles; Newark/A1 15.7 miles.

Provenance: 17th century cottage created for the Welby family with 18th century additions by Auguste Pugin.

Rooms: Four receptions currently arranged as drawing room, dining room, library, and breakfast room. Six bedrooms with dressing room and en suite to principal bedroom.

Guide Price: £1,250,000.

Find Out More: Mount & Minster, Lincoln. Call 01522 716204 or see www.mountandminster.co.uk.

IT ISN’T OFTEN we’re able to report on a local property with royal connections. But then, The Cottage on Rauceby’s Main Street is rather special. Its name is a little deceptive, really, since the term cottage implies somewhere modest in size. With nearly 4,500ft2 of living space, this property is anything but... and its appeal isn’t just in its scale, either.

Set in an acre of grounds, the property was created in or around 1655 for The Welby family. It was located adjacent to the long since demolished chapel, and it’s believed the place served as a convent, with its niche and bell provision still visible on the southern elevation. The Welby baronetcy was created in 1801 for William Welby, MP for Grantham, and its current holder is Sir Richard Welby, with three heir apparent/presumptives.

It was in 1830 that respected architect Augustus Welby Pugin was commissioned to extend The Cottage on the eastern and southern aspects before beginning work on perhaps his most famous commission; rebuilding The Houses of Parliament for Sir Charles Barry, following the fire of 1834.

Top/Main: With Pugin’s architecture, four reception rooms and six bedrooms, The Cottage is spacious, very pretty and it boasts an outstanding location.

The designs that Pugin created for the Houses of Parliament were ratified by a committee chaired by Edward Cust, brother of the first Baronet Brownlow, custodian of nearby Belton House.

When Belton House was used as the home of the Machine Gun Corps during the First World War, HRH Prince Albert, later King George VI was stationed at nearby Cranwell, and visited Belton House prior to its decommissioning the following year. Prince Albert stayed at The Cottage, as did HRH the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VIII.

More recently, the property’s owners moved in around December 1997, having relocated from the US to restore and refurbish the property. Despite viewing a couple of other properties afterwards, they knew that The Cottage was the property for them, and that nothing else would compare.

A complete redecoration followed the moving around of some rooms, with the original kitchen now used as a library and a scullery and boot room now serving as a breakfast kitchen.

In addition the property was repointed, and its electrics and plumbing were given some love and attention, whilst windows were all replaced with new hardwood timber ones.

Today The Cottage is arranged over three floors with a large drawing room and dining room as well as a library and breakfast room to the ground floor.

A separate kitchen and utility room provides practicality whilst a cellar – once believed to be a priest’s hole – provides extra storage, and there’s additional storage space on the second floor too.

The property’s six bedrooms are split between the two upper floors, with the

master bedroom suite incorporating a dressing room and en suite bathroom with lots of practical space for storage.

The gardens are well-established and beautifully landscaped, consisting principally of grassed lawns and mature borders with trees, shrubs, perennials and flower beds. A ha-ha wall (typical of Capability Brown who landscaped nearby Burghley House) leads to a lower tier garden with an attractive wood and concealed pond. A courtyard garden is located to the eastern elevation. To the exterior of the house is a double garage with additional storage plus a gardener’s store, and two additional storage areas.

The current owners say that over the years they’ve changed the garden, added some new planting areas and created the terrace adjacent to the sitting room.

A move back to the US to be closer to family means the owners have put the property on the market, but say they’re hoping for a new family to own and love The Cottage as much as they have. It’s certainly an easy property to fall in love with, able to boast lots of history, character and space. Add in to the mix a great location in a super village with both Sleaford and Grantham in easy reach, and we think The Cottage is one of the nicest properties on the market in the area right now! n

n Gibraltar Road, Skegness

Guide Price: £650,000

Spacious six bedroomed Arts & Crafts house in sought-after location set in an acre of grounds with six bedrooms and three reception rooms. Approximately 1.5 miles to the south of the resort overlooking Seacroft Golf Course and the beach. www.poyntons.com

n Aisby, Grantham

Guide Price: £1,850,000

Wildwood is, Lincolnshire’s only Huf Haus, created in 2004 using post and beam construction methods. Five bedrooms, open plan living space and panoramic glazing over 12 acres of land. www.fineandcountry.com

n Low Farm, Fulstow, Louth Guide Price: £1,600,000

Beautiful four bedroom farmhouse set in quiet location with 2,500ft2 living space, recently refurbished to high standard. Farmhouse kitchen with living/dining area plus further living room and dining room. Farm outbuildings currently used for poultry, totalling 85,500ft2 www.savills.co.uk

SPRING WARM UP YOUR

Mulberry and red shades to warm up your reception rooms, from some of our favourite soft furnishing brands...

Chair upholstered in Pera Linen in Ochre, Cushion, Izmir in Indigo and Curtains Muza in Spice from the East to West collection by GP & J Baker. in Pera Linen in Ochre, Cushion, Izmir in Indigo and Curtains Muza in Spice from the East to West collection by GP & J Baker.

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

Above: Tree Poppy fabric on chair, in red/forest colourway, Colefax & Fowler.

Top/Right: Ravello fabrics from Clarke & Clarke.

Right: Hutton Plaid, Colefax & Fowler.

Blind and chair cushion in Minack Check, brick colourway; Lamorna Check fabric on chair, red colourway; window seats in Hardy Stripe beige and cushion in Sidbury, red. All Colefax & Fowler.

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

Opposite Page: Morris & Co Melsetter curtains.

Top/Left: Heiress Damask fabric from Zoffany.

Top: Harlequin fabrics.

Left: Sulking Room Pink from Farrow & Ball used in a bedroom scheme.

Lincolnshire Interiors: Delcor: 01780 762579, www.delcor.co.uk. H-Works: 01780 754605, www.hworksdesign.co.uk. Richard Sutton Interiors: 01472 268377, www.richardsuttondesigninteriors.com. Stevensons: 01472 233111, www.stevensonsgroup.co.uk. n

Please note availability of brands and ranges at the above design studios subject to variation.

Cushions in Morris & Co Strawberry Thief fabrics.

YOUR FEET THE WORLD at

Rachel Bassill has the world at her feet, with 28-years experience of advising clients on the purchasing of rugs, providing restoration, specialist cleaning and valuation services too. Each one is a visual reflection of its provenance, expressing the history and culture of the country of its origin...

STAMFORD’S Rachel Bassill has the world at her feet, both figuratively and literally. With over 28 years of experience, an art school degree in woven textiles, with 10 years provenance as a retailer of rugs in Lincolnshire and with the industry’s very best names in her book of contacts. She’s definitely the area’s – and probably among the country’s – foremost experts in the purchase, restoration and valuation of rugs.

Our interview takes place as Rachel is en route to London, a weekly occurrence to visit clients, other restorers and washhouses with whom she has curated excellent working relationships.

This facilitates Rachel’s access to thousands of off-market rugs in addition to the several hundred or so examples she has in stock in her Stamford studio, a larger premises which she’s occupied for four years, having moved from her smaller and quaint – but rather impractical – previous premises which overlooked Uppingham’s Market Place.

“The term rug is overused, really,” says Rachel. “It’s come to mean carpeting that’s loose, rather than wall-to-wall, and to encompass runners, doormats and modern machine-made rugs.”

“A more precise definition from our point of view is a hand-woven rug, in materials like wool, silk or artificial silks – cotton or bamboo-based ‘silks’ – though not one in man-made fibres like acrylic.”

“‘Real’ rugs are usually from Persia, India, Afghanistan or caucasian in origin, usually over a century old, although there are some modern rugs with a desirable provenance.”

“Historically, the design of a rug was highly localised and intrinsically linked with the culture of its creators. But throughout the 20th century, they became home furnishings in their own right, and stylistically, ceased to stick rigidly to precedents established in their place of origin.”

Rachel works locally based in Stamford, and in London, but also in Holt, North Norfolk, and around the country too. In the unlikely event that she can’t source the rug that her

client wants from her contacts, she’s also able to commission a bespoke rug too.

Rachel’s rugs range from ‘doormat-sized’ examples to pieces up to seven metres in size and from less than a hundred pounds to tens of thousands of pounds, depending on the provenance.

A couple of days a week Rachel performs restoration work, working to repair holes, missing threads and damaged fringes or discolouration, for example. The work is painstaking, specialised and of course it’s completed entirely by hand.

“All of the rugs we provide are designed to be walked on; enjoyed on the floor day to day. We do, however, offer a professional cleaning service which we advocate every five to 10 years in order to prolong your rug’s life and ensure it retains its value.”

“Cleaning a rug is incredibly specialised and the techniques vary dramatically depending on weave, material and types of dye, so an evaluation and a professional clean also comes with an insight into your rug’s provenance!”

“William Morris remarked that you should never have anything in your home that you didn’t know to be useful or believe to be beautiful. Well, we’re home to products which are as beautiful as they are functional, often hand-made by real craftspeople and often possessing real history and culture, which is literally woven into their fabric.” n

n The Rug Studio is based The Courtyard, just off Brownlow Street in Stamford, and has premises in London and Holt. For more information on the sale, restoration and repair of rugs, call 01780 239594 or visit www.therugstudio.co.uk.

Devereux Way, Horncastle LN9 6AU

Tel: 01507 527113

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

Peter Jackson Cabinet Makers Ltd

David Hunt Lattice Table Lamp Base Black & Gold £282.

Athena

David Hunt Athena wall light, 23 shade colours, £450.

BROUGHTONS

AND IRONMONGERY

Smithy’s Lamp

Created by the Lamphouse Light Company, copper, brass detail £1,022.

Planet Four

David Hunt Planet Four, 24 colours, shown here is Inky Blue, £810.

SEEING the LIGHT

This month, we showcase new season lighting with fresh design-led products from Broughtons of Leicester...

For more information visit Broughtons on Cropston Road, Anstey, Leicester LE7 7BP. Call 0116 234 1888 or see www.broughtons.com.

Boavista

Volcanic table lamb designed by David Hunt, £342.

Laguna

Elstead Lighting’s eight light pendant in brushed gold, £1,050.

Victorian Globe

Designed by Kansa, with hand-blown glass and antique brass, £2,287.

Apollo

David Hunt seven light pendant in Antique Brass, £870.

Parisienne

Extra large hanging lantern, solid brass, from £2,092.

Dexter & Sharpe

ACCOUNTANCY ADVICE, ACROSS LINCOLNSHIRE

Advice that’s tailored to your business, a friendly team offering continuity of contact, plus the knowledge, experience and insight of a team that has been established for nearly 140 years... it’s no wonder that Lincolnshire’s Dexter & Sharpe retain clients as they build their businesses!

TIME & AGAIN the philosophy of ‘simpler is better’ proves to be a sound one. That’s why Dexter & Sharpe has a simple aim; to provide the best possible service they can.

“There’s a lot to be said for consistency and if something works well for your business, it’s likely you’ll retain it for many years,” says Tristran Russell of Lincolnshire-based accountancy and business advice specialists Dexter & Sharpe.

“For that reason we just offer the best possible service, and so we naturally retain our clients and get to know the specific needs of their business year after year.”

“It’s because of this we’ve managed to grow our own practice organically by retaining customers, although we’ve also amalgamated other practices into our own and can trace our lineage back to 1883, perhaps even earlier.”

“But we’ve always been mindful to build the business on a foundation of caring for clients and helping them navigate not just through running a business, but growing it too, and ensuring it can adapt to changing circumstances, like those we’ve seen over the past few years.”

“A good long term working relationship with your accountancy partner can also help you to create systems which leverage technology to make managing your business’s finances easier, more reliable, secure and scalable.”

“We’re keen advocates of using accountancy software like Quickbooks, Xero and Sage, which have cloud-based storage to ensure your data is always safely backed-up off site.”

“The advantage of this isn’t just security and accessibility for your important information; allowing your accountancy partner to work with your remote data means a more convenient way to ensure your bookkeeping, accounts, VAT and auditing obligations are maintained continually, with no end of year stress, and no late-filing penalties.”

“The point of having accurate, up-to-date information, of course, is to ensure you can benefit from the best advice when you come to seek or advice about growing your business, creating strategies for growth and accessing specialist tax advice.”

“We’ve 12 partners and associates around Lincolnshire, with offices in Boston, Bourne, Horncastle, Lincoln, Louth, Skegness and Spilsby, so as well as the convenience of

shared data and advice via telephone and email, you’re always assured of being able to secure a face-to-face appointment with someone who understands your business.”

“Because we’ve nearly 140 years experience in the industry, and because our team is Lincolnshire through and through, we’ve also become really good at working in specific sectors like agriculture, transport and logistics, as well as working with retail, manufacturing and charity-sector clients.”

“That means we’re well-placed to provide the sort of sector-specific expertise that will help to give your business the best possible advice whether you’re a sole trader, a partnership or a larger limited company with hundreds of employees.”

“No matter what the scale of your business, whether it’s new or has been established for decades, the same principle of giving the best possible service means you’re more likely to remain with us for years and years.”

“A long-term outlook means our clients benefit from good advice, systems that meet their needs – both now and also in the future – plus the advantage that comes from working with a friendly firm that really understands your needs.” n

Find Out More: Dexter & Sharpe has offices in Horncastle, Boston, Bourne, Lincoln, Louth, Skegness and Spilsby. The company provides a range of services from accountancy and payroll to tax and wealth management. For more information call 01507 526071 or see www.dextersharpe.co.uk.

Growing Pains for flagship Volvo EX90

Volvo’s big seven-seater family SUV, the XC90, gives way to an all-electric successor: the EX90. But along with a modern electric drivetrain comes an eye-watering price that will see the car go head-to-head with Range Rover...

SINCE ITS RELEASE in 2002, Volvo’s XC90 has taken just one new generation model and a couple of facelifts in between to remain one of the most dependable and desirable family cars on the market.

Over 108,000 XC90s were sold in 2021, making it the third best selling model behind the XC40 and the XC60. It’s easy to see why.

As a mild hybrid from £62,000 or a plug-in hybrid from £71,000, the car offers plenty of metal for the money, lots of standard kit, seven seats, Volvo’s reputation for safety and a bit of Scandi-individuality too.

But with a push towards electrification, the XC90 must give way to the all-electric EX90, and to a huge hike in price to £96,225 for the Twin-Motor version and £100,555 for the Twin-Motor Performance variant... and that puts it in Range Rover territory.

We can very easily discount the Performance version. The regular model produces 408hp, it has a range of 363 miles combined, and zero emissions from the tailpipe, reaching 60mpg in 5.9 seconds, with top speed limited to 112mph. We see no point in opting for the Performance version to shave a second off the car’s acceleration.

Seven seats are standard, and Volvo’s seats are regarded as the most comfortable car seats on the market. Luggage space is an OK-ish 310 litres with all seven seats, a more than decent 655 litres in five seater configuration and a whopping 1,912 litres with just the two front seats in use.

Also standard is a huge amount of kit, from a 14.5” touch-screen to built-in Google and 5G, a panoramic roof, 360° camera, blindspot assist, four-zone climate control, massaging heated seats, cabin pre-heating, adaptive cruise, automatic parallel and perpendicular parking, a Bowers & Wilkins stereo, wireless phone charging and a power tailgate.

The cabin has a lovely Scandi feel to it, with artificial leather or tailored wool blend upholstery and light ash wood trim. We like it best in the lighter Nordico colourway, though.

Off-road, the EX90 won’t get near a Range Rover, and the six-figure price tag puts it within sniffing distance of some seriously desirable competitors. But there’s no denying the subtle, tasteful and really very beautiful execution Volvo has achieved with the EX90.

Price: £96,255 (on sale now).

Powertrain: All electric, 408hp with front and rear motors, and automatic gearbox.

Performance: Top speed 112mph, 0-60mph 5.9secs. Range 363 miles.

Equipment: Artificial leather, heated massaging seats. Seven seats, 14.5” screen, Google and 5G connectivity, adaptive cruise, 360° camera, Bowers & Wilkins stereo, power tailgate, panoramic roof, wireless phone charging. n

The VW ID.Buzz

Remember those old Volkswagen Kombi campers, with their split screens and fold down beds? Now, the company has given the vehicle a hippy-hippy-shake-up with a 21st century reboot...

THIS MIGHT BE A TOUGH SELL, for one of two reasons. Firstly, Volkswagen faces the same problem as Land Rover when it reinvented the Defender, and Mini when it reinvented its beloved small car from the swinging sixties.

Volkswagen’s classic campers and Kombi models are synonymous with hippies, surfers, and those who enjoy a bit of retro camping. Fans of the original are likely to draw comparisons, and it probably won’t be pretty. Secondly, though, even without us making reference to its forebear, the ID.Buzz is still a bit of a Marmite car; you’ll either love it, or hate it, looks-wise.

The company says it’s a ‘visual homage’ to the original camper, which is marketing speak for ‘we’ve not actually made it into a camper, yet.’

A camper will inevitably follow, but for now, there’s a van-based ID.Buzz, with just under four square metres of cargo space, and then the passenger version, in Life or Style trim, costing £57,115 or £61,915 respectively. Both are fully electric, powered by a 77kWh motor with 204ps of power and a respectable electric range of 258 miles.

Brisk? It is not. 60mph is reached in 10.2 seconds, top speed is 90mph. More than plenty for safe and legal drivers, in fairness. Spacious? It is. Just the five seats, but decent headroom and 1,121 litres of boot space with the seats in place. Fold the rear seats

down, and there’s 2,205 litres of space... which is positively van-like.

A sliding door adds practicality, and aids egress for passengers in tight car parks. And that’s just the beginning of the car’s list of standard kit. A heated front windscreen, heated seats and steering wheel keep you toasty in winter. Adaptive cruise control, a rear view camera and Park Assist all help with manoeuvrability, and there’s sat nav, Apple CarPlay and ambient lighting.

Modern? Definitely. Has it lost a bit of character when compared to the old one? Certainly. Are we crying out for a camper van version? Absolutely. However, as a family car proposition, The ID.Buzz is spacious, practical and well-equipped. Unusual, but not bad at all. n

A Volkswagen for the 21st Century, it’s

Price: £57,115 (On sale now).

Powertrain: 77kWh electric motor, generating 204ps, RWD. Performance: Top speed 90mph, 0-60mph 10.2secs. WLTP range 258 miles combined.

Equipment: Electric windows, mirrors, two-zone climate control, sat nav, DAB radio, adaptive cruise, heated seats and steering wheel, Apple CarPlay, Park Assist Plus (automated parking), and sensors 10-colour ambient lighting. n

SPENT

SLOPING OFF AN AFTERNOON

A significant investment in Tallington Lakes’ dry ski slope has seen the facility resurfaced with a state-of-the-art surface that will benefit anyone, from an expert in the sport to... well, to a novice magazine editor who had never seen a pair of skis in his life. This month we test both the new surface and the patience of the facility’s instructors, too!

Words: Rob Davis. Images: Matt Nicholson & Lotti Abbott-Christie.

Tell

Lincolnshire

met with derision. After all, the place is known for being as flat as a pancake, at least in the south of the county. But since the 1980s Stamford has been home to Tallington Lakes which – among its other watersports and leisure activities – offers an excellent ski experience recently enhanced with a brand new surface...

‘I must be missing something,’ I reasoned. Each year, colleagues, neighbours, clients, even my in-laws all excitedly report that they’ve booked their annual skiing holiday.

Meanwhile I’d never even seen a pair of skis, let alone taken to a slope in this country or any other. Happily, Tallington Lakes’ Chas Shrosbree recently got in touch with Pride to report that the park had recently completed the installation of a brand new surface on its 120-metre dry slope. This, I reasoned, was the perfect opportunity to give the sport a go and find out what the fuss was all about.

Leaving the house in early December there was a final snarky comment from the present Mrs Davis to the fact that I’d return with a broken leg or two, whereupon her schadenfreude was replaced by the bitter realisation that with an incapacitated

husband, Christmas would be ruined and she’d be waiting on me hand and foot for two weeks as I recuperated on the sofa with a barrel of sweets and a little bell to ring for a fresh cup of tea.

The joke was no longer funny but fortunately for her, she needn’t have worried. Whilst Tallington Lakes is very well appointed for those with more experience in the sport – a very well-stocked pro-shop, new obstacles for ambitious skiers – it’s equally well suited to catering for those who have never tried on a pair of skis... like me.

I was introduced to instructors Lotti AbbotChristie and Matt Nicholson who assured me that even as a nervous novice, I could expect to see some progress after a taster session which would serve as a very condensed form of the tuition offered at Tallington.

Pro

Shop at Tallington

Tallington Lakes also has a Pro Shop stocking walking boots, shoes, and technical clothing – ideal for walking the dog and for those who work outdoors, as well as the pursuit of winter sports.

someone you’re going skiing in

and you’re likely to be

Above: Tallington Lakes’ pro-shop, with technical clothing and winter sports gear. Just as useful for those who work outside or walk the dog on chilly mornings.

Tallington Lakes is the site of a former gravel pit which ceased operations in the 1970s and was subsequently purchased for redevelopment into a leisure facility covering just over 200 acres, much of which is taken up by the clear, spring-fed lakes which resulted from the site’s excavation.

A dry ski slope was created in 1987 and when the current owner took on the site in 2008, it was decided that more investment in the site could realise its potential.

As a result, Tallington Lakes – actually, its proper name is Activities Venture – Tallington Lakes or Tallington is a mere colloquialism – gained a climbing centre with 15-metre tower, plus provision for waterskiing, wakeboarding, jet skiing, sailing, windsurfing, kayaking and paddle boarding, zorbing and open-water swimming... all potential material for future features, but first I needed to get my ski legs.

Chas and the team are rightly proud of their new surface. It is, they reckon, the closest representation of skiing on real snow. Perhaps more importantly, though, is the fact that the surface is so advanced that it will benefit both enthusiasts and novices alike. It would be, Chas reckons, impossible to spend any amount of money and get a better surface than that which Tallington can now boast.

Top: Pride Editor Rob Davis gets his ski legs. Apparently none of the photos of him falling over came out... camera glitch, perhaps?

>> There are around 200 Snowsport England-affiliated places to ski in Britain –including Tallington – mostly clubs with dry slope facilities, but 10 outdoor facilities and about six indoor snow venues.

Tallington Lakes enjoys its position as the exclusive venue for winter sports within a radius of two or three hours. A venue in West Yorkshire offers ‘real’ indoor snow, whilst two additional centres in Norfolk and Hertfordshire provide a dry slope experience albeit without the swish new surface that Tallington can boast.

As for the merits of ‘real’ indoor snow, it’s still not exactly like the sort of snow you’ll encounter on the mountain, and the fact that you’re indoor remains an oppressive experience, at least according to the more experienced skiers I polled.

We reckon, then, that Tallington is not only the nearest but also the best quality experience for those seeking to gain a realistic grounding in winter sports, an opinion underwritten by Lotti and Matt who both learned to ski at Tallington at the age of four and 12 respectively and have each worked at the site instructing others for over five years. It was also lovely and sunny during our Friday afternoon visit, and actually, quite warm and pleasant.

“We teach groups or on a one-to-one basis and we’ve a mix of abilities from complete novices to fairly experienced people, or those who want to finesse a particular aspect of their abilities, for instance, transitioning from skiing to snowboarding or visa versa.”

“My youngest student is four years old, my most senior is in their 60s, and we have a mix of abilities right up to those who want to ski competitively.”

Lotti and Matt reckon that four sessions of tuition can see a novice make significant progress. First on the agenda is to familiarise a beginner with ski boots and the skis themselves, learning how to take them on and off. >>

This lesson also covers the art of walking, in skis, traversing the nursery slope sideways and establishing one’s self in the ski stance.

Evidently it also covers listening carefully and learning from Lotti’s years of experience, as evidenced in my first tumble. Remember she said to put my weight forward and lean into my boots? Exactly that.

It seemed almost miraculous, but Lotti’s advice immediately turned a stumble into a graceful glide. Her patience, combined with sufficient professionalism to stifle giggles at a 43-year old man who suddenly finds himself unable to stand up is nothing short of transformative. Within minutes I’d just about managed to stand, walk and almost stop.

“Sliding down the nursery slope and stopping with the snowplough stance is the first and second lesson, alongside a general feeling of getting used to the sensation,” says Lotti.

“In a second lesson we’d introduce the lift, and get up onto the main slope, turning down into it and practising stopping.”

“By a third lesson we’d expect someone to be controlling direction and speed, turning and knowing a few warm-up exercises. It’s also the point at which we’d introduce poles.”

“We consider that recreational level skiing, and beyond that point it’s finessing skills, using the plough-parallel, Stem Christie and parallel turns, and increasing confidence.”

A natural? Hardly. But as a clumsy novice I really can’t praise highly enough the absolute patience and professionalism of Lotti and Matt and it’s easy to see why thousands of visitors enjoy Tallington’s winter sports facilities and its watersports each year.

“Generally speaking once people discover skiing they’re hooked,” agree Lotti and

Matt. “There’s something about it which is liberating, perhaps the way you have to combine the physical movement with the mental challenges it presents.”

“Even we’re always learning, and I suppose it’s a bit like driving a car, where some aspects become automatic but you’re always in a sort of meditative mindset, concentrating on what you’re doing to the exclusion of anything else.”

“It’s also one of the few sports that you can enjoy socially, and pursue alongside family and friends irrespective of age.”

“We’re biased, says Lotti, “I’ve been skiing here from the age of four and working here for years, so it’s natural that I have an enthusiasm for the place, but to introduce Tallington itself and snowsports generally to others is really very enjoyable! I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather work... or ski!” n

Find Out More: Tallington Lakes provides winter sports including skiing and snowboarding and climbing plus water activities like waterskiing, wakeboarding, jet skiing, kayaking and windsurfing. It’s also home to lakeside lifestyle homes. Call 01778 347000 or see www.tallington.com.

SKI

FASHIONS

Look great and stay warm on the slopes with a selection of technical skiwear

Prtpeonies Ski jacket, £139.99. www.protest.eu.

Bunny Slope Printed Ski Pants, £268. www.freepeople.com.

1. Prtmoorena Leopard anorak ski jacket, £169.99. www.protest.eu.

2. Rossland Insulated Jacket, £260. www.volcom.co.uk.

3. Cozy Sound - Technical Ski Jumper, £90. www.roxy-uk.co.uk. 4. Porter Jacket White, £427. www.goldbergh.com/en-gb. 5. Blizzard Snow Jacket, £126. www.dopesnow.com.

JUMPSUITS FOR JOY

A stylish way to step into February, this month we’ve selected a few jumpsuits from our favourite designers...

This Page: Gina Bacconi Dorota floral jumpsuit, £220, www.ginabacconi.com.

WINTER FASHION

Phase Eight’s Charley pleated jumpsuit, £250, www.phase-eight.com.

Top/Left: Phase Eight Alessandra sequin jumpsuit, £199, www.phase-eight.com. Top/Right: Reiss Lennon tuxedo jumpsuit, £238, www.reiss.com. Above/Left: Olivvee Cape jumpsuit, £225, www.tedbaker.com. Above/Right: Ralph Lauren sequined sleeveless jumpsuit, £299, www.ralphlauren.co.uk.

Aspinal of London Lottie Bag, Black, £495.

Aspinal of London

Milly Pebble Leather Cross Body Bag, Black, £221.25.

ACCESSORIES

Tommy Hilfiger

Flow Backpack, Black, £140.

Longchamp

Le Pliage Extra Small Top Handle Bag, £360.

Longchamp

Le Pliage Original Large Shoulder Bag, Black, £100.

BACK TO BLACK

Stylish designer bags for any occasion and in any colour you like... as long as it’s black!

Available from www.johnlewis.com.

Radley

Tulip Street Medium Drawstring Leather Shoulder Bag, Black, £239.

Link

Radley

Tie

Mulberry

Mayfair Lane Small Leather Cross Body Bag, £199.

Calvin Klein

Knot Detail Cross Body Bag, Black, £160.

Silky Calf Leather Small Shoulder Bag, Black, £1,295.

Winter Wellness

Coco Mademoiselle is the essence of a bold, free woman, according to the PR material. We say it’s an oriental scent with an ambery woody fragrance and an extreme character.

Patchouli is warmed by an accord of vanilla and tonka bean, with a heart of rose and jasmine followed by a contrasting freshness from citrus elements, £91/50ml from www.johnlewis.com.

2. Shade &

A cosmetic alternative to lip fillers, this superstar from Le Mer instantly plumps, hydrates and softens the appearance of fine lines around the lips, leaving behind a rich, smooth gloss that can also serve as a primer underneath colour, £70/7ml.

3. Shade & Illuminate

Tom Ford’s premium Shade & Illuminate Soft Radiance Foundation provides medium to full coverage, designed to diffuse light and reflect soft light to create flawless skin. Provides SPF 50 and utilises a trio of naturally derived oils to calm the skin, £112/30ml.

4. Bigger & Brighter

A sublime eyeshadow quad for spring 2023, from Charlotte Tilbury. Champagne gold, copper-gold, dark chocolate brown and deep brick-red shades, ideal when paired with the brand’s Legendary Lashes Volume II mascara, for some truly incredible eyes, £43/5.2g

There’s little to do at this time of year but snuggle under a duvet and enjoy an early night... and whilst you’re catching up on your sleep, Neom’s Perfect Night’s Sleep overnight facial cream will be helping to provide nutrition for your skin, plumping, restoring and nourishing it. Powered by hyaluronic acid and with a natural fragrance to help you sleep, it’s the ultimate overnight facial.

£45, from John Lewis.

6. Radiant colour for nails from Hermès...

Hermès brings to bear its expertise to create this fine, smooth nail colour, available in 24 shades including this one, Rose Porcelaine. Provides radiant colour and a long-lasting lacquered shine thanks to its formula, composed of over 71% natural origin ingredients, £42/15ml.

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

1. A bold scent from Chanel to set you free in 2023...

5. Don’t lose sleep over healthy looking skin...

THIS MONTH, A SELECTION OF PRODUCTS TO KEEP YOU FEELING GOOD AND LOOKING GREAT!

WEIGHT LOSS AT THE FITZWILLIAM HOSPITAL for HEALTH & WELLBEING

Why Peterborough-based Ramsay Group Fitzwilliam Hospital's Weight Loss service is more in demand than ever...

LOCATED in Peterborough and with Boston West Hospital as an outreach clinic, Ramsay Group weight loss service at the Fitzwilliam Hospital has seen demand for its advice grow almost four-fold over the last five years. Recent analysis suggests more than 21 million UK adults will be obese by 2040 which is around 36% of the adult population. Most worryingly, if this rapid upward trend continues, the number of people who are obese could overtake the number who are a healthy weight in the UK by 2040.

UK obesity is growing

The reasons for the rise in obesity include diet, lack of exercise, environmental factors, and genetics. The imbalance between food and activity is the greatest contributor to weight gain. Environmental factors such as a lack of affordable gyms and leisure facilities, oversized food portions, increasing costs of living, and food advertising have an impact. In addition, genes can also directly cause obesity in some conditions and may contribute to a person’s susceptibility to weight gain.

The NHS works hard to treat weight loss patients through a tier treatment system but waiting lists are long. Locally, patients may wait two to three years on the NHS to get the weight loss surgery they need.

Unfortunately, obesity is linked with several other health conditions. These include heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, arthritis, and acid reflux. This has been highlighted by the Covid-19 pandemic, which showed people with obesity have higher rates of death involving COVID-19 than people without obesity. Patients who undergo bariatric surgery and lose weight

are also less likely to die from heart disease, type two diabetes, and cancers.

Fitz’s best practice weight loss surgery

We have a dynamic multi-disciplinary team that includes a staff nurse and bariatric lead, two weight loss surgeons, two dieticians, and a secretary. The team can also call upon other specialists as needed such as a psychologist.

Jaco Buckby-Smit, known as Jaco, is the staff nurse and bariatric lead. He specialised in Fitzwilliam’s weight loss team since 2017. He enjoys the psychological and multi-faceted aspects of bariatrics. He is the patient’s main point of contact before and after surgery. The bariatric surgeons are Mr Andrew Tsang and Mr Farrukh Bajwa.

Both consultants are members of the British Obesity and Metabolic Surgical Society (BOMSS). They have vast experience and have worked in the NHS and keep abreast of the latest techniques in weight loss surgery.

Our two dieticians provide nutrition guidance, dietary recommendations, and counselling to our weight loss surgery patients to support them through their journey.

Working with the psychologist means that a patient’s relationship with food can be identified and supported. If patients aren’t suitable for weight loss surgery, they may be recommended other options such as seeing a dietician.

Why do our patients have weight loss surgery? Many of our patients with obesity have tried to treat it on their own, with diet and exercise. They may have had some success but then regained the weight. Other patients through no fault of their own have little to no success with diet and exercise alone.

Unfortunately, people with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 35, have a less than 1% chance of reaching a normal body weight for a lasting period of time.

Our obese patients may have lifestyle drivers for weight loss surgery such as wanting to play with their children/grandchildren, being able to get up the stairs, a desire to control comorbidity conditions such as diabetes, enjoying a better way of life, or wanting to get pregnant.

We have seen more younger people coming to us following the pandemic, as they have reassessed their life and want to deal with their obesity-related issues.

Qualifications for bariatric surgery

We see all patients on an individual basis and use standard bariatric guidelines to guide our patients.

To be eligible for weight loss surgery you will have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more, or a BMI between 35 and 40 and an obesity-related condition that might improve if you lost weight (such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure). You will have tried all other weight loss methods, such as dieting and exercise, but struggled to lose and keep weight off. You will also need to be ready to make healthy lifestyle changes and attend regular check-ups after surgery.

What weight loss surgeries do we offer?

Fitzwilliam offers a range of weight loss surgeries from the least invasive gastric balloon through to gastric band, gastric sleeve, and gastric bypass. Your Fitzwilliam bariatric surgeon will discuss with you the most appropriate weight loss surgery options for you. n

Find Out More: For more information please visit www.ramsayhealth.co.uk/weight-loss-surgery/hospitals/fitzwilliam-hospital or call 01733 842304.

MAKING A DECISION A real experience...patient’s

“Making the decision to opt for bariatric surgery was one of the most difficult that I have faced, the primary emotions for me were guilt, shame and fear.”

“Mr Bajwa was there to support me from the beginning, I had multiple questions about the procedures available, he was patient and took his time to explain everything, and I felt like I was in safe hands throughout.”

“The surgery, as expected, was challenging and the recovery gruelling. However, it has been an incredible journey.”

“One year on I am almost 10 stone lighter, I have developed a passion for running (which came as a surprise to me), but most importantly I have experienced a freedom from the shackles of obesity.”

“I’ll always be grateful to the team for the support that they have offered throughout my journey.” n

FITZWILLIAM HOSPITAL...

Fitzwilliam Hospital is one of Cambridgeshire's leading independent hospitals with a reputation for delivering high quality healthcare treatments and services since 1983. The hospital is situated in the quiet landscaped grounds of the Milton Estate in Peterborough and has 47 single bedrooms and two twin-bedded rooms all with en suite facilities. n

A Very Special Guest

Whilst Covid may have delayed the wedding on Lauren and Will, the disruption did at least allow them to invite a very special guest to their day, held at The Granary near Boston...

Wedding Photographer: Sophie Hayward Photography, 07946 595 231, www.sophiehaywardphotography.co.uk.

THE BEST THINGS come to those who wait, and though sometimes there’s a sense of frustration at having your plans disrupted, often it’s just a case of life wanting to do things in its own good time.

One of the unfortunate consequences of Covid is the number of weddings which were disrupted by rules curtailing social gatherings. Will Gosling and Lauren Wheatley were due to marry 10 years on from becoming a couple, but had to wait another year to enjoy their wedding day… although that did allow them to invite a very special guest along for the day.

Both from the village of Fishtoft, an outlying village of Boston, Lauren is a dispensing optician and Will works in finance and HR in the accountancy sector.

“We met at the age of 16 and we’ve been together ever since,” says Lauren, “We’ve been living together for about five years and we’d mentioned marriage but for a young couple practical things take priority over a wedding. We both wanted to get married though, so we knew it was going to happen at some point.”

Even so, Will’s proposal still came as a surprise for Lauren. With a rather good sense of timing the couple had just managed to book in a spa break together in Cambridgeshire before lockdown made such things impossible.

Returning refreshed and revived, Will dropped down on one knee at home and proposed to a delighted Lauren who, of course, said yes immediately. Wedding planning began in earnest, although neither of them were quite aware of just how long lockdown would delay their plans.

“I think I took the lead on wedding planning although Will was great at contributing ideas

WEDDING SUPPLIERS

LAUREN & WILL

and giving his opinion. Our main criteria was to marry somewhere we could invite all of our friends and family, a place for both the ceremony and the reception.”

“We wanted to make a weekend of it, and having heard of the place before, we looked around the Granary at Elms Farm Cottages at Hubbert’s Bridge. We liked the fact that you could take the space and make it your own, adapt it to suit. We fell in love with its character, but we also liked the fact that there was accommodation on site and a nice courtyard where guests could mix and enjoy a drink on what we hoped was going to be a warm and sunny day.”

“The owner, Carol Emerson, was really helpful and really interested in what we wanted from the day too, and there are 11 holiday cottages on the site so there were plenty of opportunities for guests to stay the whole weekend.”

Wedding Ceremony and Reception:

The Granary, Elms Farm, Hubberts Bridge, 01205 290840, www.weddingbarnvenue.co.uk.

Wedding Dress: Belle & Bouquet, Wellingore, 01522 811122, www.belleandbouquet.co.uk.

Bridal Hair: Leanne Hewerdine, leanne.hewerdine@live.co.uk.

Makup Artist: Leanne Hunt, leannehunt93@hotmail.co.uk.

Groomsmen’s Attire: Moss, Lincoln 01522 542651, www.moss.co.uk.

Wedding Band: Flipside, www.flipsidepartyband.co.uk. n

Wedding venue decided upon, Lauren turned her attention to her dress, and wisely visited Wellingore’s Belle & Bouquet where Maggie, Simone and the team helped her to choose a Ronald Joyce A-line gown in ivory with Swarovski cathedral-length train.

The boys, meanwhile, headed off to Moss in Lincoln to find their navy check tweed suits which they accessorised with Champagnecoloured ties. Lauren had four bridesmaids to accompany her on the day including Chief Bridesmaid Charlotte Hardy, whilst Will had four ushers and was joined at the front of the ceremony by Best Man Daniel Baines.

Whilst walking down the aisle, Lauren carried an arrangement created by florist Clare Dunbar, comprising native foliage, eucalyptus and blush roses. >>

>> Leanne Hunt provided bridal makeup for Lauren and the girls, whilst Leanne Hewerdine created Lauren’s bridal hair.

KP Kakes of Sutterton created Lauren’s five-tiers of sponge in flavours from Victoria to lemon to salted caramel, with chocolate ganache over the tiers, whilst evening catering was provided by Sheppard’s Delight.

“Elms Farm’s courtyard really came into its own whilst we were having our photos taken,” says Lauren. “The weather was absolutely fantastic and our caterers provided canapés and barbecue food so that our guests could enjoy being outside in the sunshine, especially as we were off having our photos taken.”

“Our photographer was Sophie Hayward, and she’s become a real friend. We knew of her before, but on the day she really was amazing, and put us totally at ease. The photographs we’ve come away with are stunning and they’re the kind of images that we want to admire and put into frames so we can enjoy them for the rest of our lives.”

“One of the highlights of the day for us was Daniel’s Best Man’s Speech, which was really funny, and our band Flipside were really entertaining, getting everyone up and about with a dance-off competition. It was so lovely to spend time with family and friends, all having a great time, but one guest made it very special indeed.”

“Between lockdown and the wedding we brought our little boy Vinnie into the world and though he slept a lot during the day –being only about nine months old at the time – it felt really lovely that he was there too. We love him so much that the idea of the most special person to both of us not being there wouldn’t have felt right.”

“We enjoyed a minimoon to Bakewell in Derbyshire after the day – still feeling a bit nervous about committing to travel anywhere, what with all the uncertainty – but we’re planning a trip to Rhodes this year.”

“It was a lovely day, just how we imagined and we’ll definitely remember it as the happiest time we’ve spent together, shared with family and friends!” n

Wedding Photographer: Sophie Hayward 07946 595 231, www.sophiehaywardphotography.co.uk.

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