Lincolnshire Pride March 2024 by Pride Magazines Ltd

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FRES H OK

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LINCOLNSHIRE’S FINEST MAGAZINE

FINE DINING IN THE ‘HART’ OF LINCOLN

NEW LO

INGLE

OF LIN C ST BE

SHIRE EV LN

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£4.50

THE FINEST FLOWERS FOR

Mother’s Day

OUR DEFINITIVE VERDICT ON THE WHITE HART’S ANTLERS

SPRING SNOWDROPS

HOW LINCOLNSHIRE’S OWN INTERFLORA HELPS TO MAKE MUM’S DAY SPECIAL

ENJOYING A REJUVENATING WALK AND EASTON’S PRETTY SNOWDROP DRIFTS

A History of Faith EXPLORE LINCOLNSHIRE’S ABBEYS, MONASTERIES & PRIORIES

FIVE-STAR ENGLAND

LUXURY HOMES

WHAT’S ON GUIDE

THE BEST SHORT BREAKS FOR SPRING TRAVEL ADVENTURES

THE LARGEST SELECTION OF THE FINEST HOMES IN THE AREA

A ROUNDUP OF MUSIC, THEATRE AND LIVE EVENTS IN MARCH

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Welcome T

here’s joy to be found in every season, of course, but spring always feels particularly optimistic. Grey skies are replaced by much nicer bright blue ones, the trees are once again adorned with greenery and temperatures are a little more tolerable if you’re out and about.

A mini-ritual that always seems to mark the coming of spring for many is a visit to Easton Walled Gardens to view the beautifully restored grounds’ blanket of pretty little snowdrops. We’re providing a reminder of just how beautiful they are later in this edition. Another joy of spring is new restaurant menus, such as the ones at The White Hart’s new restaurant, Antlers, up on the Bailgate in Uphill Lincoln. Again, we pay a visit this month to deliver our definitive verdict on what we reckon will be one of the city’s best dining experiences.

Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/LincolnshirePride Find us on Instagram: @lincolnshirepride Download our App: Search for Pride Magazines in Apple’s App Store and on Google Play.

This edition comes out just before Valentine’s Day, and later in the month it’s another occasion too, Mothering Sunday. We’ll go behind the scenes of one of Britain’s best-known brands, Sleaford-based Interflora, to discover the 100 year old history of the company that helps us to ‘say it with flowers.’ We continue to receive some really great feedback for our new look, new feel magazine, which is so rewarding... in our bid to ensure we produce the area’s finest magazine, we’re always happy to receive your news, suggestions for features and to receive invites to your black-tie balls and charity events, so please so keep us up to date so we can continue to report on all the good things happening right across Lincolnshire! Our best wishes for a wonderful month! Julian Wilkinson Publisher, Pride Magazines

March’s front cover is by photographer Dean Fisher (www.deansaerialphotography.co.uk) and shows Crowland Abbey, one of the abbeys, monasteries and priories we explore later in this edition. We’re always looking for great images of the county so please feel free to email us your best photos of Lincolnshire to our editor via robin@pridemagazines.co.uk

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58 81

122 Contents

LUXURY HOMES Enjoy the largest selection of homes on the market in Lincolnshire and the surrounding area.

NEWS ‘Good news’ stories from around Lincolnshire including anniversary celebrations for Batemans.

HIGH LIFE Horncastle’s Farmers’ Ball.

WHAT’S ON Live music and theatre.

ON THE FARM With Andrew Ward.

TRAVEL Fivestar travel suggestions for English Tourism Week.

Food & Drink 58

DINING OUT Lincoln’s newest restaurant, Antlers, deserves success... find out why as we sit down to dinner.

RECIPES & WINE Impressivelooking patisserie and premium Chablis.

Homes & Gardens

Highlights

WELCOME HOME An impressive modern ecohome in Saxilby.

HOMES Designled style for spring.

GARDENS Snowdrops at Easton.

102 WALKING Lincolnshire’s East Coast.

105

MARCH 2024

SAY IT WITH FLOWERS Providing beautiful flowers Valentine’s Day and Mothering Sunday... business is still blooming for Sleaford’s Interflora, 100 years on. HOLY RELICS The history behind the Lincolnshire abbeys, monasteries and priories that managed to escape a vengeful Henry VIII.

Lifestyle 105 MOTORS An unusual Bentley EV. 110

FASHION & BEAUTY Designer handbags and spring cosmetics.

122 WEDDINGS Jasmine and Lewis.

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36 READ

Delivered free of charge to high value homes in the county

FREE ONLINE

Pride Magazine is delivered free of charge, via Royal Mail, to high value homes in the county. Our circulation is to homes in the top three council tax bands, which are predominantly worth over £500,000. This guarantees the magazine has an aﬄuent readership commensurate with our content. The magazine is also sold in leading newsagents and supermarkets and we also deliver the magazine to local businesses including selected hotels, restaurants, coﬀee shops, doctors, dentists, executive motor dealerships and golf clubs. This helps to ensure we have a continued presence, right across our catchment area. Our titles also have more social media fans than any other local magazine. In addition we have over 45,000 online visitors viewing our magazines free of charge, online, on their tablet, computer, laptop or mobile phone via our website, our app, and via the Readly and Issuu platforms. If your business would benefit from being showcased to the wealthiest people in the area, please call our friendly sales team on 01529 469977. Download Our App: Read our magazines on any device anywhere.

Read Pride Magazine free online at www.pridemagazines.co.uk or by downloading our free iOS and Android App to your device.

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

Managing Director: Julian Wilkinson. Advertising Director: Zoie Wilkinson. General Manager: Matthew Deere. Executive Editor: Rob Davis. Sales Executives: Aisha Joyce, Ellie Poole, Chloe Yeoman, Gemma Mills. Accounts Department: Steve Parrish, Chloe Watson, Beth FreemanBurdass, Mia Garner. Customer Care Manager: Mandy Bray. IT Manager: Ian Bagley. Web Developer: Joe Proctor.

Pride Magazines, Boston Enterprise Centre, Enterprise Way, Boston, Lincs PE21 7TW

Telephone: 01529 469977

www.pridemagazines.co.uk | sales@pridemagazines.co.uk

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T H E O U TL E T C O L L E C T I O N

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Barneyfield Lane, Freiston

£699,000

Shooters Cottage, Fishtoft

£249,950

Situated along a quiet country lane, just around the corner from the RSPB Freiston Shore Nature Reserve is this beautifully presented equestrian property. The property benefits from approximately six acres to include paddocks, menage and a stable block which are just as well maintained and presented as the property itself. Outbuildings also include a 15m x 11m agricultural style barn which could be incredibly useful for many reasons. Barneyfield has three well-appointed bedrooms to the first floor plus four reception rooms to the ground floor, one of which has been used as an additional bedroom. The superb extended ‘living-kitchen’ is filled with sunlight due to a sky light and the games room will definitely appeal to families. This rural country home is surrounded by big skies and open views and yet is only a mile from the amenities in the village centre and approximately 4 miles from the town itself.

This most attractive three bedroom cottage enjoys a sought after position close to amenities in the popular village of Fishtoft. Offered with no onward chain this period property would suit many different types of buyer and has been modernised throughout in recent years while still retaining many charming features. The property also benefits from a large driveway providing parking for many vehicles with the option available to house vehicles securely beyond the fencing. The generous garden enjoys young trees and has well-stocked borders planted with a host of flowering cottage style plants and shrubs as well as spring bulbs. The village park is located at the end of the road – ideal for families and dog walkers alike. The Pilgrim Father’s Memorial and miles of coastal walks are also less than 5 minutes away.

The Paddocks, Wigtoft

Wigtoft, Boston

£525,000

Launched in January this year this is an example of one of the incredible architect designed new homes built by well-respected Master Builders S L Developments is one of only four available in a small exclusive new development. With a popular open-plan design and under-floor heating to the ground floor, the bespoke kitchens all have quartz worktops, are full of high quality integrated appliances and have Quooker taps as standard as well as 6m fully opening bi-folding doors. All properties are finished with Karndean flooring and Comar wool carpets, have four double bedrooms with beautiful ground floor shower rooms, en-suites and main bathrooms. All gardens are landscaped as standard with outside lighting, double garages and EV charger points and are ready to move into.

£775,000

Llewelyn House in Wigtoft comprises a substantial and most beautifully renovated four bedroom period property with four reception rooms in addition to a completely separate detached three bedroom house referred to as ‘The annexe’ which has two reception rooms, a conservatory, a double garage and private garden. Situated upon a plot of approximately one acre, the owners have continued to improve both properties during their many years of ownership and some elements of their investment are immediately obvious such as new uPVC sash windows, oak doors and flooring and the new quality bathroom and en-suite shower room. The owners have also invested considerably in updating the electrics, heating and insulation throughout. These updates are paired with an attention to detail (for example detailed cornices and ceiling roses) that compliment the age and character of the properties. The grounds also include a large custom-built workshop with power, lighting and electric roller door. Measuring 15m x 6m, the workshop would serve a wide variety of uses, for example classic car storage/maintenance and offers the space for any number of hobbies and interests.

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Luxury Homes

Find Your Perfect Home The largest selection of luxury homes on the market in Lincolnshire and the surrounding area

Above: The Cottage at Thurlby, currently on the market with Pelham James.

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Woodlands Cottage Ashby-Cum-Fenby, North East Lincolnshire This superb home stands as a testament to meticulous design an quality craftsmanship and this executive four bedroomed detached home was bespoke designed by the current vendor and constructed to the highest specification. It showcases an exceptional blend of modern comfort and timeless elegance. Guide Pride: £825,000 Jackson, Green & Preston 19 West St. Marys Gate, Grimsby, DN31 1LE Call 01472 311 113 or see www.jacksongreenpreston.co.uk

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Townhouse Market Deeping A beautifully refurbished, grade II listed, family home stands in a conservation area in the attractive town of Market Deeping, on the borders of South Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire. The fabulous, 6 bedroomed house with its tranquil rear garden, dates to the late 1700s and is a masterful blend of old and new with a contemporary style and palette highlighting the building’s traditional features. Guide Price: £1,000,000 Fine & Country The Old Jewellers, 30 High Street East Uppingham LE15 9PZ. Call 01780 750 200 or see www.fineandcountry.co.uk

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Lysterfield End Nettleham, Lincoln Lysterfield End is a most impressive family home with more than 3100 sq ft of space across three floors set on a private road in the highly regarded village of Nettleham. The house has excellent kerb appeal with generously proportioned interiors designed in a largely open plan style which is well suited to family life. Guide Pride: £895,000 Savills - Lincoln Doddington Road, Lincoln, LN6 3SE. Call 01522 508908 or see www.savills.co.uk

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Heath Road Scopwick, Lincoln An exemplary conversion of a historic, grade II listed and award winning home with its prominent tower proudly standing overlooking the surrounding rural, Lincolnshire landscape, a reminder of a bygone era but now forming part of a spectacular and unique home affording stunning views. The former windmill sits on around 2 acres of land and the flexible accommodation inside offers 4 to 5 bedrooms. Guide Pride: £1,000,000 Fine and Country Central Lincolnshire and Grantham 55 High St, Navenby, Lincoln LN5 0DZ. Call 01522 287008 or see www.fineandcountry.com

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The Cottage Thurlby Chocolate box charm and quaint, characterful features abound at No. 18 High Street in Thurlby, where, set beneath traditional thatch, The Cottage awaits.

Guide Pride: £675,000 Pelham James 3 Saddler’s Court, Oakham LE15 7GH. Call 01572 497070 or see www.pelhamjames.co.uk

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The Priory Freiston A beautiful, fully refurbished, elegant home in a heavenly setting is Grade II starred and dates back to the 16th century. Once a vicarage, with views of the church and its surrounding 4.6 acres, the finely proportioned rooms are filled with light through the numerous, original sash windows.

Guide Pride: £1,200,000 Fine and Country Central Lincolnshire and Grantham 55 High St, Navenby, Lincoln LN5 0DZ. Call 01522 287008 or see www.fineandcountry.com

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The Cottage Osbournby, Sleaford The Cottage is an impressive six bedroom grade II listed stone house laid out over three floors in this sought after village. The property is beautifully presented throughout with picturesque garden views and an excellent range of outbuildings. Guide Pride: £970,000 Savills - Lincoln Doddington Road, Lincoln, LN6 3SE. Call 01522 508908 or see www.savills.co.uk

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Chimneys Marston, Grantham A superb opportunity to acquire a recently renovated home in extensive grounds with the flexibility of extra accommodation to create an annexe that is currently used as holiday accommodation and provides additional income, but would also be suitable as a 'granny' annexe or as a self-contained flat for an au pair. Guide Pride: £950,000 Mount & Minster Atton Place, 32 Eastgate, Lincoln, LN2 1QA 9QD Call 01522 716204 or see www.mountandminster.com.

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Manor Farm Barn Lenton, Grantham Escape the rat race and seek solitude and solace at Manor Farm Barn, an awe-inspiring home, where modern and traditional meet to redefine the term ‘barn conversion’. Nestled in the heart of the Lincolnshire countryside, for those who value peace and privacy above all else, Manor Farm Barn is a rural refuge. Guide Pride: £1,250,000 Pelham James 3 Saddler’s Court, Oakham LE15 7GH. Call 01572 497070 or see www.pelhamjames.co.uk

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Cecil Square Stamford Situated on the edge of the exclusive Cecil Square development just a few moments' stroll from the renowned George Hotel, Burghley Park and the train station, this fabulous town house offers the perfect fusion of elegant proportions with modern, convenient living. Offers in Excess of: £700,000 Digby & Finch 8 St. Marys Hill Stamford PE9 2DP. Call 01780 758090 or see www.digbyandfinch.com

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INGHAM

FOSTON

• Executive Residence • 1.8 Acre Gardens • Three Reception Rooms • Open-Plan Kitchen • Six Double Bedrooms • Gated Entrance • Double Garage

• Detached Barn Conversion • Elegant Lounge • Vaulted Garden Room • Open-Plan Kitchen • Five Bedrooms • Three Bathrooms • Triple Garage

GUIDE PRICE: £775,000

GUIDE PRICE: £750,000 - £800,000

LINCOLN

OSBOURNBY

• Former 18th Century Grade II listed conversion • Two Bedrooms • Desirable Uphill Location • Two allocated car parking spaces • Share of Freehold • Electric gated access to gardens • Underfloor heating

• Detached Residence • Built 2002 • Four Reception Rooms • Vaulted Kitchen & Utility • Four Bedrooms • Three Bathrooms • Front & Rear Gardens

GUIDE PRICE: £650,000 - £675,000

GUIDE PRICE: £635,000

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01205 361694 www.poyntons.com

sales@poyntons.com

CHARTERED SURVEYORS & ESTATE AGENTS

GLENTHAM GRANGE Cross Lane | Glentham | Market Rasen | LN8 2AH

THE RETREAT PEASGATE LANE | TOYNTON ALL SAINTS | SPILSBY | LINCS | PE23 5RB

• Holiday Park Set in Approximately 10 acres • Sale Includes Large Well Appointed Five Bedroomed House • 2 Holiday Cottages, Site Shop, Inn and Modernised Facilities FOR SALE • 20 Licenced Pitches and Additional Lodge FREEHOLD WITH • Around 6,000sqft of Outbuildings with Substantial VACANT POSSESSION Stores and Workshops • Superb Opportunity to Buy Established Touring Park with Lakes in Landscaped Setting Subject To Contract

• Unique Opportunity to Acquire an Exceptional Private Woodland Site Extending to 1.2 acres • Permanently Sited Static Caravan with FOR SALE 3-4 Bedroom Accommodation • Planning Permission Granted for a FREEHOLD WITH Replacement Dwelling VACANT POSSESSION • 0.48 Hectares Woodland Site with Stocked 0.3 Acre Lake • Solar Array of 10 Panels Subject To Contract

£1.95 Million

DELAMERE MAIN ROAD | WRANGLE | BOSTON | LINCOLNSHIRE | PE22 9AN

£310,000

CHARTERED SURVEYORS • ESTATE AGENTS • COMMERCIAL

• Unique Opportunity to Acquire a Large Family Home • Set in Beautiful Mature Gardens with Private Patio • 5 Reception Rooms Comprising 3 Living Rooms, Large Sun Lounge and Dining Room • 5 Ground Floor Bedrooms with 1 First Floor Bedroom • Large Kitchen with Separate Utility Room, Double Garage

SOLD

OUR SOUTH STREET OFFICE

POYNTONS 24-28 SOUTH STREET PREMIER PROPERTY MARKETING & PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

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F OX HOLLOW 5% D E P O S I T P A I D * WHEN YOU RESERVE AT FOX HOLLOW IN MARKET RASEN Three bedroom semi-detached and detached homes from £210,000 Fox Hollow is an exceptional development located off *)('&%$%#"! ' ' %( '! ' ($' % )' % ') (!' % )%#' %#"' distance of the bustling town of Market Rasen, designed with ' % "(#( % # ' #% '%#' %#$ The Ridings, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire LN8 3EE STRICTLY VIEWING BY APPOINTMENT ONLY CONTACT US TODAY 01673 276033 | FOXHOLLOW-SALES@RIPPONHOMES.CO.UK

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A SELECT DEVELOPMENT OF FOUR PROPERTIES WITH THREE BEDROOMS AND THOUGHFUL FEATURES THROUGHOUT. BASED AT WIGTOFT, WITH CONVENIENT ACCESS TO SPALDING AND PETERBOROUGH

07961 017017 | info@sldevelopments.co.uk | www.sldevelopments.uk

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Local News Eco award for Lincoln Cathedral A wonderful start to the Cathedral’s ‘Our World; God’s Creation’ theme for 2024

Lincoln Cathedral has been awarded a bronze Eco Church award for environmental considerations into its daily life, work and worship. The Eco Church Award assesses five key areas of church life; worship and teaching, management of church buildings, management of church land, community and global engagement, and lifestyle. The news comes as the Cathedral announced that its theme for 2024 will be ‘Our World; God’s Creation.’ The year will be a celebration of life on earth, communities and sustainability, with events, talks and education activities throughout the year. One of the first major events is ‘Mindful Mile’ short walks around the Cathedral to promote well-being and appreciation of the environment.

Anniversary year for Batemans Wainfleet-based brewery celebrates its 150th anniversary with a new look but the same taste and provenance... raise a glass to good honest ales! Lincolnshire brewery Batemans is celebrating its sesquicentennial year with new branding for its flagship ales due to be revealed in March. It’s 150 years since George Bateman started his brewery in Wainfleet, and it still remains one of the few, truly independent, family breweries left in England, brewing 1,759,754 pints a year and with 50 pubs within the group. Staffordshire-based branding firm PhD have refreshed the company’s branding and logos to reflect the milestone, whilst a programme of celebrations, events and promotions are planned to mark this landmark year. The company will also launch a brand new cask beer, Five Generations (5G), a 4.2% ABV beer brewed with only English hops; Harlequin, Fuggles and Olicana and local malts. Jaclyn Bateman says the company is “Very proud of our past, and are looking forward to future challenges and successes.”

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Send your press releases & business news to us via editor@pridemagazines.co.uk.

Lottery grant to revive Old Hall

Reds’ new nine-aircraft show

Gainsborough’s Old Hall will be transformed thanks to a £222,000 National Lottery Heritage Grant

2024 is the 60th anniversary for the display team and will feature a new nine-aircraft formation

Work has already begun on the conservation and restoration of Gainsborough’s Old Hall, which is now under the custodianship of English Heritage. 2021 saw the charity take over the property from Lincolnshire. County Council, and now the new Lottery Heritage Grant will fund a coordinator to engage

with the community, as well as funding work in the grounds and enabling conservation work to preserve the fabric of the building, which dates back to 1460 and remains one of the best preserved medieval manor houses in the UK. Work on the Hall is expected to be completed in 2025.

International Women’s Day Speakers confirmed for special event to be held at the Lincolnshire Showground on Friday 8th March International Women’s Day will be marked at the Lincolnshire Showground this month with a networking event and lunch on Friday 8th March. Lincolnshire Chef Rachael Green will host the event, speakers will include Sian Potter, Market Rasen-based founder of the Choowee Cooking Company and British Army Reservist, and Friskney’s Rachael Mittleton,

founder of Women’s Ag which supports women in agriculture and farming. “International Women’s Day is a growing global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women,” says the Showground. “At the Showground, we’re celebrating women who have achieved something fantastic from their Lincolnshire roots.”

The Red Arrows have given those on the ground around RAF Waddington a sneak preview of their new routine, freshly revised for the team’s 60th anniversary. The Red Arrows have been performing since 1964 and have completed 5,000 displays in 57 different countries. For this special year the display team are back to nine aircraft for the first time since 2021 and so they have been practising a new formation under Squadron Leader Jon Bond – the new Red 1 – over the skies of Lincolnshire since returning to the country from Greece where they train throughout the winter months.

And Finally... A Lincolnshire wildlife park reduced a BBC news presenter to fits of laughter last month during a light-hearted piece on some very rude parrots. The African Grey birds at Lincolnshire Wildlife Park in Friskney have picked up some rather naughty language along the way, and have been put into isolation to reconsider their vocabulary. Reporting on the birds’ verbal rehabilitation, Jon Kay and Sally Nugent couldn’t help laughing at the birds, which have become a very popular attraction at the park!

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High Life

The Horncastle Farmers Charity Ball Warming up our winter was The Horncastle Farmers Charity Ball hosted by The Petwood Hotel and providing entertainment for over 460 members of the farming community whilst raising money for local charities Images: Rob Davis.

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The Horncastle Farmers Ball is held each year and began life in the early 1900s. This year over 460 attendees enjoyed supper, dancing and fundraising activities from a raffle to the ‘heads or tails’ competition, the proceeds of the latter going to the Lincolnshire Rural Support Network which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. Local charities to benefit include the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance, LIVES, Riding for the Disabled, Headway, the Getaway Club, Sellwood Gardens Memory Support Group. Sponsors of the event included Chattertons, NFU, Brown & Co/JH Walter, British Sugar, Welton Aggregates, Warden Agri, Crossley Thompson, Fairburns, SR Kilby, Viterra, Irelands and Handelsbanken. Rosedale House provided floristry, Lincolnshire Poacher and Cote Hill provided local cheese. The Baltic Donkeys band performed and the event was helds at The Petwood Hotel.

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Mother’s Day Flowers

100 years of saying it with

FLOWERS Business is booming, or rather blooming, for Sleaford-based Interflora, which delivered over 480,000 stems of roses every Valentine’s Day, and helps to tell mum how much she means to us on Mothering Sunday Words: Rob Davis. Images: Interflora. These days, shopping online or ordering something over the phone is so ubiquitous we barely give it a second thought, but in the 1920s, options for choosing a thoughtful gift for a loved one was a rather more limited experience, and if your loved one was in a different town or city, the only option was delivery via Royal Mail. Pre-empting the idea of ordering by the phone or online, Interflora was founded on an idea that two US florists had whilst living on opposite sides of the country. Teaming up, they reasoned, would enable them to service each other’s customers on a quid-pro-quo basis, depending on who was in closest proximity. If your loved one was dear, but not so near, it was suddenly a good deal easier to send a thoughtful token of your love in the form of fresh flowers.

Scottish florist Joe Dobson visited the US and thought the idea that the Florists Telegraph Delivery Association (now known as Florists’ Transworld Delivery) has created was brilliant. He offered to form a UK arm of the business, and in 1923 he did just that with just 17 members. The company’s strapline was ‘flowers by wire’ given the ubiquity of the telegram which had its origins in the 1850s but died out with the advent of the telephone and became officially obsolete in Britain in 1981. The service grew its number of member florists and in 1952, the company’s identity was transformed with a new name, Interflora, as well as a Mercury Man logo, depicting Apollo, god of – among other things – beauty and agriculture. Alongside the new name, a new catchphrase was

created, ‘say it with flowers’ which still endures today. 1974 saw Interflora move to a new dedicated headquarters in Sleaford where its customer services team now works. Close by, too, there are other important people to the business such as the company’s development florists, who help to redesign new products, finding innovative and beautiful ways to present traditional cut flowers. The headquarters underwent a £1.8m refurbishment in 2022/2023 and still employs about 200 staff in and around the building, despite technology changing the company’s business model beyond all recognition. What hasn’t changed, though, is the appeal that fresh flowers have, not least at some of Interflora’s busiest times of year; Valentine’s Day and Mothering Sunday.

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Mother’s Day Flowers

There’s even a ‘world cup’ of flower arranging which is held in Manchester in September each year. Nicolaus Peters was the Interflora World Cup 2023 Champion... Interflora’s Brand Manager Erica Nicholson says that last year the company delivered over 430,000 stems of roses on Valentine’s Day 2023, but that’s not the whole story since many more heads of roses are incorporated into other mixed-stem bouquets. Mothering Sunday, meanwhile, originated in the US in 1907 but was soon championed by Hallmark which released a range of cards first in the US and then worldwide. In Britain, Constance Adelaide Smith who lived in Nottinghamshire was responsible for encouraging the day to be celebrated here, incorporating it into her strong Anglican faith. With flowers an ideal gift given that the day is marked in spring, they became an obvious choice for letting mums know how grateful we are for their love and support. The Interflora network grew accordingly and today there are nearly 1,000 Interflora florists across Britain plus partner organisations overseas in over 140 companies helping to ensure worldwide reach. What’s nice, too, is that the company’s arrangements are not created in a factory environment but rather by your local florist with a professional floral artist who has a keen eye for design, guided by the company’s range of bouquets, to ensure a mix of consistency but individuality too.

The company and many like it too also enjoyed an unexpected boost a few years ago, albeit for entirely unfortunate reasons. The pandemic left people feeling rather low, and unable to see their loved ones, or celebrate special occasions such a birthdays. Sending flowers was still possible with certain caveats. During Covid there was a sharp increase in the demand for ‘I love you’ flowers, the sentiment making up 44% of all messages... the company even created a special bouquet just for that message. Speaking of concentrating on creating new designs, there’s even a ‘world cup’ of flower

arranging held in Manchester in September each year. Around 20 contestants from as many countries compete in the three-day floral design competition, with an audience of 600, and with the florists using over 200,000 flowers and 2,000 plants. Nicolaus Peters from Germany, was the Interflora World Cup 2023 Champion, walking away with a prize of £15,000... a decent sum, but the flower delivery market is worth £28.4bn internationally, and that’s set to rise to £35.6bn in 2027... leaving nobody in doubt that business is booming, or rather, blooming!

Interflora was founded in 1923 and is headquartered in Sleaford, employing over 200 people in and around the town, see www.interflora.co.uk.

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Abbeys & Monasteries

Holy Relics Once home to thriving communities of different religious orders and now, sadly, in a state of ruin, Lincolnshire’s abbeys, monasteries and priories nonetheless still provide a window into what life was like for their devout occupants centuries ago

t one time, Lincolnshire was home to over 100 monastic houses, but sadly only a handful remain today, and those that do are in a somewhat ruinous state. It’s difficult to look at any of the remains or engravings of what the area’s abbeys, monasteries or priories would have felt like centuries ago, to imagine their peace-loving quiet communities and then conceive of anyone wanting to bring harm to them. Unfortunately, Henry VIII was a monarch on a mission, determined to destroy the church that would defy his desire to divorce Catherine of Aragon. His fury was unleashed on religious orders across the country and today in Lincolnshire only ten sites remain as earthworks and about the same number in monastic or ecclesiastical service. A handful, like Crowland Abbey, and similar structures at Tupholme, Kirkstead and Thornton are still visible with a little of their original buildings remaining. One or two are luckier still, such as Stamford’s St Leonard’s Priory, now under the custodianship of Stamford Town Council, and Lincoln’s Greyfriars which is currently being restored by Heritage Lincolnshire with the building’s future set to be reevaluated. The terms abbey, monastery and priory all tend to be used interchangeably, but in fact, all abbeys are monasteries, as are priories, preceptories and friaries. The term monastery refers to the living quarters and workplaces of the monastic communities who choose to live in seclusion to pursue their faith. Right: Crowland Abbey, image by Dean Fisher.

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Abbeys & Monasteries

The term abbey specifically refers to a larger monastery with multiple rooms, and one which includes a residence for the Abbot or Abbess. The word priory typically refers to a smaller monastic order with less autonomy headed up by a prior or prioress. Preceptories, meanwhile were monasteries founded on military orders typically during the crusades, whilst friaries were founded after the 13th century for the Franciscan order.

Orders, orders The oldest monastic order still commonly heard about is the Augustinian order, founded by St Augustine of Hippo (modern day Algeria) around 350AD. The order advocated a balance between contemplative and active life, commitment to study, community and social justice. Established around a hundred years later, the Benedictine order of St Benedict of Nursia was more pious, engaging in liturgical prayer, manual labour and living a life of obedience and humility. The Cistercian order of the 11th century went even further than their forebears and were known for their dedication to silence and contemplative prayer. Keenly involved in farming, the order also made a significant contribution to agriculture in medieval Europe Finally, the Franciscan orders. established by Sir Francis of Assisi in the late 12th century valued poverty, chastity, and service to others, well-known especially for their charity.

A day in the life Within a typical Benedictine order, monks would be woken up for morning vigils at 2am to chant in unison, sing psalms and pray for the dead. A second service would follow at around 7am – known as lauds or daytime service – and was held to symbolise Christ’s resurrection. After breakfast, the study of religious texts would be followed by their transcription; copying the text to spread the words of God to preserve their faith for future generations. Mid-morning would see each monk attend confession then conduct their chores around the monastery, typically gardening and other practical work, before a simple lunch, followed by vespers or evensong. A reading by the abbot would be accompanied by a cup of ale, but don’t expect a wild night; silence was observed from this point on, and bedtime was 7pm!

Lincolnshire’s abbeys and monasteries

Above: Kirkstead & Tupholme Abbeys, St Leonard’s Priory, Stamford. Opposite Page: Thornton Abbey, by David Wright.

Of Lincolnshire’s remaining abbeys and monasteries, Crowland Abbey is the best preserved, mostly dating back to 716 but with some elements of the building older still. It’s thought that there have been three successive abbeys on the site, with the Benedictine order founded in memory of St Guthlac by Ethelred, King of Mercia, then refounded after its destruction by the Danes around 866.

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Abbeys & Monasteries

A rather grim exhibit is the skull of 9th century Abbot Theodare, removed at the altar by some rather tetchy Vikings. It has been on display since 1999 having been returned to the Abbey following the theft of the skull back in 1982. A less macabre exhibit is a display of The Guthlac Roll, a manuscript drawn near Lincoln in 1210 documenting the life of a member of the order. Crowland Abbey is open seven days a week, from 11am to 3pm, for visitors. Thornton Abbey, meanwhile, was probably one of Britain’s richest Augustinian orders with a large fortified gatehouse. It was founded in 1139 by William le Gros, the Earl of Yorkshire, and raised to the status of abbey in 1148. Surviving the dissolution of the monasteries, Thornton Abbey was also a hospital from the 1300s and a secular college in use until 1547. A later 17th century building behind the gatehouse was a substantial private dwelling, although this was either abandoned or removed with no trace remaining today. Countering Crowland Abbey’s skull exhibit for the most grim feature, Thornton Abbey was the subject of excavation works by the site’s owner, English Heritage, back in 2013 whereupon a Black Death

plague pit was discovered. Nearly 50 adults were discovered in the pit, with DNA testing confirming the presence of the bacterium responsible for the plague. Ordinarily Thornton Abbey is open to visitors but is currently the subject of further conservation work on the fabric of the building and will remain closed until further notice. Even less remains of Tupholme Abbey between Bardney and Horncastle and of Kirkstead Abbey near Horncastle. The former was acquired by Heritage Lincolnshire in 1988, preserving the site for visitors, whilst at Kirkstead just a south transept wall of the abbey church remains. And finally, to Lincolnshire’s two remaining priories; St Leonard’s Priory near Stamford was founded by St Wilfred in 657 then rebuilt after being destroyed by invading Vikings. It was jointly refounded by William the Conqueror and the Bishop of Durham until its dissolution in 1538, and today the site remains a Grade I listed scheduled monument. Haverholme Priory, near Anwick was founded in 1139 as he only mixed Cistercian and Gilbertine order. The site was owned by the Finch-Hatton family until, having fallen on hard times, they sold the land in 1920. The stones, purchased by an American, were to be taken overseas so that the priory could be reassembled over there... but when the buyer sadly died, the material that was being stored near Liverpool, was instead used to create new docks there!

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What’s On Tuesday 19th March

Saturday 16th March to Sunday 17th March

Madama Butterfly by Ukrainian National Opera

Discover Lincolnshire Weekend

A tale of doomed love between an American naval officer and his young Japanese bride. Easily one of the world’s most colourful and exotic operas. Music by Puccini. Sung in Italian with English Surtitles. Performed by Dnipro Opera.

A celebration of county-wide heritage, history and hidden gems. Part of English Tourism Week, visitors will be able to enjoy free entry at a number of top attractions, as well as special offers from businesses across Lincoln and Lincolnshire too. For more information see the event’s dedicated web page.

The same company (Amande Concerts), will also present Carmen on Tuesday 5th March at Grimsby Auditorium, and

www.visitlincoln.com /discoverlincolnshire

Madama Butterfly at Baths Hall, Scunthorpe on Thursday 7th March.

February until 28th March

The Spring Bulb Pageant 2024 at Doddington Hall

7.30pm, tickets £38, Lincoln New Theatre Royal, LN2 1JJ. Call 01522 519999 or see newtheatreroyallincoln.co.uk.

Farming with Kaleb Cooper The man who taught Jeremy Clarkson everything he doesn’t know comes to the stage with his life show

Monday 4th March 2024

Farming with Kaleb Kaleb Cooper is the (sometimes) reticent and (often) long-suffering source of experience behind Jeremy Clarkson’s bid to become a farmer at Diddly Squat in the Cotswolds. This is his live show comprising rural anecdotes and commentary on modern farming. It also serves as a therapeutic outlet for his frustrations with the former Top Gear presenter. Grimsby Auditorium, DN31 2BH. £29.50, 7.30pm. Call 0300 300 0035 or see www.grimsbyauditorium.org.uk.

Beginning in early February with wonderful snowdrops and winter aconites, cyclamen and crocus continuing through March and early April with drifts of Lent lilies and a unique collection of heritage daffodils. Call 01522 694308 or see www.doddingtonhall.com.

Saturday 23rd March to Sunday 24th March

Dog Days at Lincoln Castle Free entry for four-legged friends when accompanied by an owner! Dog-friendly days, with light refreshments available. See www.lincolncastle.com.

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

Saturday 2nd March

Cloudbusting: The Music of Kate Bush The longest running and best homage to the music of Kate Bush performs Wuthering Heights, Hounds Of Love, Babooshka and of course Running Up That Hill.

Friday 8th March

Weeds: The Good, The Bad and The Wonderful The Grantham Area group of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust this month gathers for an informative talk on weeds by Professor Libby John, who will hopefully explain why we can do away with that back-breaking

weeding and weedkillers to embrace our inner imperfection. Non-members of the LWT are welcome, to Professor Johns’ talk, which takes place at St John’s Church Community Hall in Manthorpe NG31 8NF. The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust cares for nearly 100 reserves across the county and has over 25,000 members. www.lincstrust.org.uk.

Tickets £27, 7.30pm, The Drill, Lincoln LN2 1EY. Call 01522 534 160 or see www.lincolndrill.co.uk. Friday 8nd March

International Women’s Day A day of networking, lunch, and inspirational stories from Lincolnshire women! www.lincolnshire showground.co.uk.

Luxmuralis in Lincoln

From Tuesday 12th March

Light, sound and architecture combine to explore the world of science in a groundbreaking new installation

Luxmuralis in Lincoln Following sell-out shows in February 2023, Luxmuralis is back with Science; an immersive show which is designed to enable people to explore and contemplate the contributions of science and human understanding to the physical world around us. The installation will see Lincoln Cathedral turned into a fully immersive light and sound-based modern art

Friday 29th March Saturday 30th March

The Wonders of Our Universe A visually stunning and emotionally charged journey through the cosmos, delivered in a distinctive storytelling style for both young and old alike. Stars, planets, galaxies, nebulae, black holes, the search for life beyond Earth… all are explored here. A wonderful evening of inspiring family entertainment for all ages with a stunning soundtrack and live presenter in the form of astrophysicist Ian Hall. From 7.30pm, £14/adults, £12/under 16s. Blackfriars, PE21 6HP. Call 01205 363108 or see blackfriarsartscentre.co.uk.

installation which explores Chemistry and Biology to interpret artistically the scale of tiny molecules cells and DNA as well as exploring the history of science, the contributions of science to humanity, and offers a reflection upon famous scientists past and present. Booking is essential and tickets are now on sale, time slots from 7.15pm to 9.30pm. £8/adult, £6/children, Lincoln Cathedral, LN2 1PX. Call 01522 561600 or see www.lincolncathedral.com.

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Travel

Exploring

England English Tourism Week runs from 15th to 24th March, the ideal opportunity to explore some of the spectacular short breaks on offer without leaving our own shores... here are six of our favourites! Below: Padstow in Cornwall, home to Rick Stein and a great option for a short break.

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Travel

rom 15th to 24th March, English Tourism Week aims to recognise the benefit that the sector makes both to Britain’s reputation for its blend of wonderful landscapes, vibrant cities, its history and culture, but also to our economy. Each year, visitors contribute £106bn to Britain, supporting 2.6m jobs via 1.4bn domestic day trips and with over 31m overseas visitors to Britain all keen to discover what all the fuss is about. This month we’ve a few suggestions for enjoying the best that England has to offer with travel tip-offs ideal for weekend breaks, long weekends or slightly longer breaks.

The Lake District Few people have been to the Lake District without being caught in a torrential downpour, but what’s the expression? No such thing as the wrong weather, just the wrong clothing. It’s incredibly pretty, and in particular, Windermere and Ambleside offer the opportunity to explore the life of Beatrix Potter and Wordsworth. Windermere is also the home of Lakeland’s head office and flagship store should you wish to embark on a pilgrimage to the spiritual home of apple corers and baking dishes. If that’s too exciting though and you don’t mind a 20 mile drive, the Cumberland Pencil Museum is substantially more interesting than it sounds. Otherwise, the point of the Lake District is to just take in the spectacular scenery, so pop on some thick woolly socks and a bobble hat and enjoy some great walking opportunities. Our preferred Lake District bolthole is Gilpin House in Windermere, two venues in one comprising both the 30-bed Gillpin Hotel with its Michelin-starred Source restaurant, and Gilpin Lake House with its six boutique rooms and private lake. Some rooms in the main hotel have their own hot tubs; private spa lodges, cedar-clad, are around £710/night in March. See www.lakedistrict.gov.uk, 01539 488818, www.thegilpin.co.uk.

The North East Chatton Park House is a five-star B&B located close to Alnwick, Northumberland, and it is exactly the kind of place we imagine when trying to picture Lynda Snell’s Ambridge Hall in The Archers. Ideal for a romantic break, £298/mini suite in April. Visit Alnwick Castle (‘Hogwarts’ during the broomstick flying and Quidditch scenes in the Harry Potter franchise) and Alnwick Garden with its actually very interesting Poison Garden (filled with over 100 of the world’s most toxic, intoxicating or narcotic plants; an ideal topic upon which to base a visitor attraction, thought some bright spark). The Holy Island of Lindisfarne is half an hour away – do check details of the tide, as the island is accessible at certain times. The island has a lovely abbey to explore, the gospels to view and St Aidan’s winery, home of Lindisfarne Mead, helping monks to get blotto since 635AD. See www.visitnorthumberland.com, www.chattonpark.com.

A London City Break The most obvious destination but it’s also one that’s never the same twice! Every trip enables visitors to find somewhere decent to eat, enjoy a pilgrimage to Covent Garden, and naturally get a bit of retail therapy in too. Our favourite hotel is The Connaught, providing five-star luxury in Mayfair, with deluxe rooms from £1,200 (average per night). Dine at The Connaught Grill or the three-Michelin star restaurant headed up by Hélène Darroze, whose nine-course tasting menu is priced at £225/head. During the daytime, if you’ve never visited the Houses of Parliament it’s a half-day worth of insight into our democracy (£25). Ticket sales to tour Big Ben (more accurately, the Elizabeth Tower) resume mid-February for tours running from May, at £25. Another suggestion is a tour of Buckingham Palace, from July to September, or monthly for Exclusive Guided Tours, £95/person. www.theconnaught.co.uk www.parliament.uk.

Above: Trademark dog patisserie at The Connaught and Gilpin Hotel & Lake House, Lake District.

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Travel

Above: Five star luxury at Grantley Hall, Yorkshire.

Exploring Yorkshire

Cornwall’s Coast

A Visit to Bath

It’s for very sound reasons that Yorkshire is often referred to as ‘god’s own county,’ with its dales and moors providing a spectacular scenery and pretty market towns like Harrogate. The city of York itself is a treat too with its Shambles shopping area, York Minster and the Yorks Chocolate Story. Visit Bettys for cake or afternoon tea, too.

Synonymous with an incredible coastline featuring beautiful beaches and blue waters, Cornwall has a legacy of smugglers, fishing villages, tin mines and brooding men with their wavy hair and painted-on abdominal muscles... Ross Poldark, we’re looking at you.

A visit to Bath puts you within easy reach of a number of pretty good attractions, not least among which is Cheddar Gorge and Caves with some majestic cliffs and a subterranean chamber, plus Wookey Hole, and Longleat, the Capability-Brown landscaped estate which is home to the UK’s original safari park.

Grantley Hall is about an hour from York and 30 mins from Harrogate, offering five-star luxury. Its Michelin-starred Shaun Rankin restaurant features a Taste of Home menu leaning heavily on the estate’s kitchen garden. There’s also a luxury spa, and some truly spectacular grounds, including the Japanese Gardens and sculpture and rose gardens.

A visit to Padstow ensures you’re close to Rick Stein’s restaurants, Prideaux Place castle. Eden Project is slightly further afield at 40 mins away, but there’s good scenery along the way and it’s a fascinating day that the weather can’t spoil.

Rooms are from £550/night; suites are from £800/night. Full day spa experiences £245.

Michelin-star chef Paul Ainsworth’s Padstow Townhouse is a pretty, boutique C18th bolthole with plenty of character for about £395/mid-March. His restaurant, Paul Ainsworth at No6 features seafood-biased tasting menus at £160/person.

See visityork.org or yorkshire.com and www.grantleyhall.co.uk.

See www.visitcornwall.com and www.paulainsworth.co.uk.

The city is home to gothic writer Mary Shelley with a museum dedicated to the author of Frankenstein in 1818. And stretching back a little further in time, the Roman baths created in 70AD are where 1,170,000 litres of steaming spring water, reaching 46°C, still fill the bathing site every single day. The Royal Crescent Hotel offers beautiful Master Suites from £1,255, whilst Montagu’s Mews within the hotel offers à la carte dining or a tasting menu for £105/head. See visitbath.co.uk and www.royalcrescent.co.uk.

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Dining Out

Antlers Restaurant at the White Hart, Lincoln Now open to diners at The White Hart on Bailgate, Antlers Restaurant is the hotel’s new flagship à la carte dining option. It’s phenomenal, and all of our expectations have been surpassed! Words & Images: Rob Davis.

Goodness me. I was already expecting something pretty good from Antlers, the newly-opened restaurant within The White Hart on Bailgate. Somehow I could just feel it in my cutlery: this was going to be a really great new dining room.

Take all of the challenges associated with breathing new life into an old building, then scale up that project to the size of The White Hart with its 49 bedrooms, and finally add the necessity to be fit for purpose as a busy hotel.

But even I was taken aback by just how great Lincoln’s newest restaurant has turned out to be. The venerable hotel has been given a comprehensive refurbishment by Andrew Long, who purchased it in July 2022. A significant investment both in capital and in time is seen in every aspect of the building – which dates back to 1650 and carries a Grade II listing – redesigned, reimagined, reinvented.

It’s a brave team which embarks on such a project, but The White Hart opened in November to finally reveal its Colonnade Cocktail Lounge with its sophisticated bar menu, the adjacent Gibson Bar and its newly designed bedrooms. A few weeks later, its new à la carte restaurant, Antlers, also opened and is now available for both hotel guests and local residents alike.

Left: Pan Seared Duck Breast, celeriac, cherries, confit leg croquette, £24.95. Above: Pan Fried Halibut with curry sauce and tempura, £24.95.

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Dining Out Antlers Restaurant at The White Hart STARTERS Crispy Pork Belly, blackberry, apple, celeriac £8.50. Pan Fried Pigeon, caramelised chicory, carrot & chocolate £8.50. Crab Pa ̂té, homemade crumpets, preserved lemon, watercress £8.50. À LA CARTE MAINS Porter Braised Short Rib, celeriac mash, horseradish dumpling, caramelised cipollini, roast baby carrot £23.50. Pan Seared Duck Breast, celeriac, cherries, confit leg croquette £24.95. Beef Wellington, pommes purée, roast baby veg, bordelaise £39.95. CLASSICS House Burger, truffle gouda, onion jam, rocket, milk bun, tempura pickle, skin on fries £18.95. Battered Haddock, triple cooked chips, pea puree, charred lemon, homemade tartar sauce £16.95. SALADS Heritage Carrot & Spelt, watercress, spinach, dukkah, preserved lemon, yoghurt dressing, grilled halloumi £14.95. GRILL 8oz Fillet Steak £35.95. 8oz Sirloin Steak £28. 8oz Ribeye Steak £28.

“We’ve created a modern British dining experience that’s timeless, and reflects Lincolnshire’s food culture” Happily, The White Hart has retained its revolving door, and welcoming guests into the hotel is a dapper chap in a bowler hat and a long coat, a smart touch redolent of the finest London-based restaurants. Straight ahead of the entrance, Colonnade offers excellent daytime dining, running from 11am-9.30pm, and comprising tapas-style small plates, seasonal salads, sharing platters. hot sandwiches and its proper stonebaked pizzas, as well as homemade cakes. Antlers is available for lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, with a very well-designed menu comprising pre-starters, six starters, five main course options plus four classics (e.g.:

Roasted vine cherry tomatoes, field mushroom, twice cooked chips, watercress. Sauces Truffle Bearnaise, Brandy Peppercorn, Smoked Garlic & Bone Marrow butter.

a really good house burger and haddock &

DESSERTS

anticipation gave way to excitation and

Banana Soufflé, toffee ice cream, banana bread £8.50.

appreciation.

Pear Tart Tatin, brandy ice-cream £8.50.

Porada, Thadi Crook, and Gareth Lightfoot.

Malt Chocolate Tart, Guanaja, marshmallow, muscovado £9.

but more importantly they’re beautifully

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

chips) plus salads and grill options. With each dish that head chef Chris Punter and his brigade presented, expectation and

Chris works alongside sous chefs Matt The team’s dishes are dazzling in appearance, judged, well-balanced, and they taste superb.

“We’ve been really lucky,”says Chris. “We all heard about the hotel being under new ownership in July 2022 and the refurbishment was announced just before Christmas. We were all enfranchised and had lots of input, especially in the design of the kitchen, which is all new and brilliantly equipped.” “I was tasked with working with the team to create a menu that reflected the new-look White Hart and we all wanted to create a modern British dining experience that was timeless, but one that reflects Lincolnshire’s food culture and its best local suppliers.” The restaurant’s pork is sourced from Redhill Farm on the Bailgate, Wards of Ruskington and Fosters on Monks Road. Fish is from Grimsby’s Sailbrand. Lincoln’s artisan bakery Vines provides sourdough, and vegetables are from Lincolnshire fields where possible. The restaurant looks fantastic with its parquet flooring, a large skylight which will cast natural light on the dining room as the nights draw out, and some comfortable seating, a combination of tables for two, a private dining room for up to 14 and banquette seating in an oxblood-coloured leather.

Above: Crispy Pork Belly starter with blackberry, apple, celeriac, £8.50. Opposite: Pan Fried Pigeon starter with caramelised chicory, carrot & chocolate, £8.50.

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Dining Out

I did notice – and appreciate – proper flowers on the tables; orchids and crimson roses with pussy willow. Artificial flowers on tables are a huge turn-off for me: there’s something really begrudging about them, constituting an acknowledgment that effort is required but with a lack of will. Restauranteurs: either do it properly or don’t bother. Happily, it’s done properly here. Local floral designer Chambers Florist on Lincoln’s Sincil Street provides beautiful (and real) flowers which really do serve to underwrite the authenticity of the feel and experience the restaurant is keen to establish. Opening just before Christmas, the restaurant has been packed with diners ever since and it’s telling that despite Chris’s predictions as to which dishes will be big sellers, every option on the menu has proven to be just as popular. To our mind though, restaurant highlights include our crispy pork belly starter and a pan-seared duck breast. We will, however, also draw your attention towards Chris’s

It’s a brave kitchen team that risks making a soufflé for a photoshoot, given the dish’s tendency to sink, but they did and it was absolutely delicious.

individual beef Wellington dish served with

Each plate looks phenomenal, but like the

pommes purée and a bordelaise sauce with

restaurant itself, there’s true substance

its silky demi-glace finish.

behind each one, in addition to their style.

It does command a bit of a premium over

Chris says his philosophy is to only

other main course options, but it’s a classic

incorporate three or four elements to a dish,

dining option so rarely found on restaurant

with a key ingredient acting as an ambassador

menus given that it relies on a tenderloin

and other elements amplifying – not

fillet and involves some fiddly preparation.

overpowering – the dish with different

Desserts? A physicist I am not, but I gather

flavours and textures, resulting in fussiness.

that the centre of a black hole is considered

With immediate effect, Antlers Restaurant at

the densest phenomenon in the universe –

The White Hart becomes one of the city’s

about two quadrillion grams of matter per

best restaurants.

cubic cm according to Google.

The place looks fantastic, which is the least

That’s about the same concentration of cocoa

you’d expect from such a comprehensive

in Chris’s malt chocolate tart, it’s the most

refurbishment, but the restaurant’s provision

chocolate I’ve ever tasted in a single dessert

of food is also absolutely flawless, a great

and all the better for it.

credit to the kitchen team. Antlers is a dining

I must confess that immediately after the

room that’s admirably commensurate with the

chocolate tart I also polished off the banana

rest of the hotel. It’s definitely recommended,

soufflé which was presented to the camera.

so visit soon and enjoy every second!

Antlers Restaurant at The White Hart, Lincoln The Pitch: “Newly refurbished restaurant in The White Hart Hotel; an elegant place to stay, eat and celebrate in the heart of historic Uphill Lincoln.” Antlers serves lunch from noon3pm (12.30pm Sunday); dinner 6pm9.30pm. Colonnade bar open seven days a week from 11am, serving food until 9.30pm. The White Hart Hotel, Bailgate, Lincoln LN1 3AR. Call 01522 526222 or see www.whitehartlincoln.co.uk.

Opposite: Malt Chocolate Tart, Guanaja, toasted marshmallow, muscovado £9. Above: Banana Souﬄé , toﬀee ice cream, banana bread £8.50. Antlers is the new, flagship dining room within The White Hart on Lincoln’s Bailgate, and it is open to both residents and nonresidents alike.

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SAN

PIETRO RESTAURANT • ROOMS

20 years of award winning ﬁne dining

/SanPietroRestaurant @SanPietroNLincs

Whether you are visiting for a unique dining experience, a luxurious overnight stay or both, San Pietro truly is the perfect boutique destination. Taste of Excellence ﬁnalist and Food & Farming’s Restaurant of the Year - visit us soon and say ‘Salute’ to quality...

11 High Street East Scunthorpe North Lincolnshire DN15 6UH

01724 277774

sanpietro.uk.com

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Recipe

Éclairs &

Macarons with Blackberries and Blueberries Preparation & Cooking Time: 60 minutes (éclairs), 120 minutes (macarons). ÉCLAIRS: (Choux Pastry) 150g plain flour • 120g (1/2 cup) unsalted butter 250ml (1 cup) water • 4 large eggs. FILLING: 300ml double cream •2 tablespoons icing sugar • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Fresh blackberries and blueberries. GLAZE: 150g icing sugar • 23 tablespoons blackberry and blueberry puree. MACARONS: (Shells) 150g almond flour • 150g icing sugar 110g egg whites • 150g sugar • 40ml water. (Filling) 150g unsalted butter 200g icing sugar • 23 tablespoons blackberry and blueberry jam/purée

FOR THE ÉCLAIRS, preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a saucepan, melt the butter in water over medium heat. Once melted, bring it to a boil. Remove from heat and quickly stir in the flour until a smooth dough forms.

Cut the cooled eclairs in half horizontally. Fill the bottom halves with whipped cream and top with fresh blackberries and blueberries.

Fold the almond flour mixture into the meringue until the batter is smooth and glossy.

For the glaze, mix icing sugar with blackberry and blueberry puree until smooth. Drizzle over the filled eclairs.

Transfer the batter to a piping bag and pipe small circles onto the prepared baking sheets. Allow the macarons to rest for about 30 minutes until a skin forms.

Allow the dough to cool slightly, then beat in the eggs one at a time until the mixture is smooth and glossy. Transfer the choux pastry to a piping bag and pipe eclairs onto the baking sheet.

TO CREATE THE MACARONS, line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Sift almond flour and icing sugar together, then set aside. In a saucepan, combine granulated sugar and water. Heat over medium-high heat until it reaches 118°C.

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the eclairs are golden brown and puffed up. Allow them to cool completely. Whip the double cream with icing sugar and vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.

While the sugar syrup is heating, whip the egg whites until soft peaks form. Once the sugar syrup is ready, slowly stream it into the egg whites while continuing to whip until stiff, glossy peaks form.

Preheat the oven to 150°C (130°C fan) and bake the macarons for 15-18 minutes. While the macarons are cooling, prepare the filling by beating together butter, icing sugar, and blackberry and blueberry jam or puree until smooth. Pair the cooled macaron shells and sandwich them together with a dollop of the filling. Allow the macarons to rest in the fridge for 24 hours before serving.

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Recipe

Blueberry Loaf with Lemon Glaze Preparation Time: 20 minutes, then 60 mins baking time plus cooling. 225g unsalted butter, softened • 225g (1 cup) granulated sugar • 4 large eggs • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 300g plain flour • 2 teaspoons baking powder • 1/2 teaspoon salt • Zest of 2 lemons • 120ml whole milk • 200g fresh blueberries, washed and dried • For the Lemon Glaze: 150g icing sugar • 3 freshly squeezed lemon juice plus the zest of 1 lemon

Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease and flour a loaf tin. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk together the plain flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Gently fold in the lemon zest and fresh blueberries until evenly distributed in the batter.

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre comes out clean. Allow the loaf to cool in the tin for 15 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. In a small bowl, whisk together the icing sugar, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and lemon zest until smooth. Once the loaf is completely cool, drizzle the lemon glaze over the top. Allow the glaze to set before slicing and serving, with optional garnishes of blueberries and with cream.

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Wine of the Month

Say yes ‘peas’ to a non-alcoholic spirit with a difference

We’re quite partial to a really good ChâteauneufduPape, but they are rather pricy when they appear on restaurants’ wine lists. Happily this example weighs in at much less than you’ll pay when dining out, so put your feet up in front of an open fire and enjoy a smooth, fragrant fullbodied red. Outstanding wine evocative of the rolling hills and the stony terroir of the Rhône.

A trio of non-alcoholic spirits, but Seedlip’s Garden 108 is intriguing Seedlip is careful to ensure its products are not described as nonalcoholic gins, since there’s no juniper base. Interestingly, though, peas, hay, hops and rosemary & thyme help to provide its fresh taste. Citrus and spice versions are also available. £22 / 70cl / 0% ABV seedlipdrinks.com

The Wine Cellar A trio of wines from the Chablis appelation making the most of Chardonnay grapes, plus an intriguing non-alcoholic spirit and a really top notch whisky made in collaboration with Stella McCartney...

Chablis-lutely Fabulous: Chardonnay at its best... Great value Chablis boasting a rich minerality with crunchy orchard fruit notes, hints of citrus fruit and fern. £16.50 / 75cl / 12.5% ABV, www.tesco.com. Midrange organic Chablis from Les Domaines Brocard, redolent of crisp, clean Chardonnay minerality. £19.99 / 75cl / 13.9% ABV, www.waitrosecellar.com. Push the boat out with this Montée de Tonnerre, 1er Cru from Berry Bros & Rudd, or lay down until 20262028. £50 / 75cl / 13% ABV, www.bbr.com.

£25 / single; £150 / six, 75cl, 14.5% From Marks & Spencer.

Stella McCartney and Macallan in harmony Third release in collaboration with Stella & Mary McCartney for Macallan distillery... The third release in Macallan’s Harmony Collection has been created in collaboration with Stella and Mary McCartney to celebrate the fertile lands of Scotland. Rich warm citrus and barley with seasoned oak and bourbon casks providing a warm and distinct joyful character. £160 / 75cl 44.2% ABV themacallan.com

Our featured wines are available from local independent wine merchants, supermarkets and online, prices are RRP and may vary.

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Lincs Pride MARCH 260.qxp_Layout 1 30/01/2024 16:21 Page 73

Welcome Home

Fossdyke Paddock Created by renowned Lincoln cabinet makers Martin & Mel Holliday, Fossdyke Paddock is a development of contemporary eco-homes with one example now seeking new owners Words: Rob Davis.

There are some stunning (and large) period properties across Lincolnshire. They make lovely family homes with their grand reception rooms, ample grounds and high Georgian ceilings. Inevitably though, the custodians of those very properties can sometimes feel a bit lost in large houses as circumstances change. Kids have a habit of growing up and clearing off to university, maintaining that lovely big garden becomes a chore, and the

amount of cleaning and ongoing maintenance for an older property can become burdensome at a time when a couple would rather be free to enjoy entertaining, travelling or spending time with grandchildren. For those seeking a move to a more convenient property (i.e.: one which incurs minimal maintenance, lower heating bills, and offers a better quality of life), plus an opportunity to liberate some bricks and mortar

equity, this month’s featured property is a compelling prospect. It’ll prove equally appealing, though, for young professionals seeking a very nice home that combines high-specification living with a place that’s efficient to run and sustainably designed. This is one of six properties on a very pretty development adjacent to the Fossdyke at Saxilby, and it has been created by Martin & Mel Holliday, the founders of Chiselwood Kitchens.

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Welcome Home Martin & Mel Holliday have created six homes with the highest levels of sustainability and energy efficiency... Martin & Mel founded Chiselwood back in 1989 and very soon gained a formidable reputation as exceptional cabinet makers and kitchen designers. Today they tend to take on about 10 large commissions – typically kitchen projects from £50,000 upwards – plus a few smaller furniture design commissions in between. Martin previously won the prestigious Sub-Zero and Wolf-sponsored kitchen design awards (KDC) for the UK and Europe and has since been inducted onto a panel of just seven worldwide judges charged with the responsibility of finding the world’s best kitchen from about 2,000 entrants... this year’s ceremony takes place at Palm Beach in Florida! In between, the couple sought to create a new development of ecofriendly properties at Saxilby and purchased land to do so, achieving planning permission in 2015. The couple have previously renovated a number of properties, but their first undertaking to build brand new homes would see them create six properties which would reflect the highest levels of sustainability, and express contemporary harmony with the look and feel of the city of Lincoln. Of the properties, four are occupied with the one featured here, number five, now seeking its first custodians. A further property on the development is also expected to be available later in 2024. As well as sustainability, Martin & Mel were keen right from the outset that the homes would also embrace the concept of ‘upside down’ living, with four bedrooms on the ground floor and first floor living space.

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The open plan first floor is configured as a sitting room area with a dining room, and sliding doors leading to the first floor terrace... Since heat rises, and since people generally prefer their bedroom to be a little cooler than their reception rooms, this makes a good deal of sense. The elevated reception rooms and kitchen also ensures that occupants see more of the trees and benefit from lots of natural light. Built using a timber frame and clad in treated larch with brickwork and breathable render, the properties are super thermally-efficient and with a Scandinavian membrane on the roof they’re designed to keep warmth in. A mechanical heat recovery system and an air source heat pump as well as high-specification glazing also aid energy efficency. Of course, you’d expect the kitchen to be something special. And sure enough, bespoke cabinetry, engineered stone work surfaces and premium appliances from Sub-Zero and Wolf all conspire to create a beautiful space with plenty of storage and a dedicated breakfast area. The open plan layout of the first floor also incorporates a sitting room area and a dining room, with sliding doors leading to the first floor terrace; a sunny, elevated space over the garage ideal for entertaining or allowing the fresh air in. There’s also a second room ideal as a study or snug, whilst back downstairs, there is a dedicated utility room with laundry appliances right next to the bedrooms, of which there are four including two en suites and a family bathroom.

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Welcome Home

Work began on the properties in January 2020, interrupted somewhat by Covid but in fact that ensured the couple were compelled to redouble their efforts, taking their time over the development to ensure each detail was right and that only local trades contributed their skills.

and longevity both throughout the design and also in the construction of the properties.”

Fossdyke Paddock

“We’re now going back to our kitchen design clients 30 years later, not to replace their kitchens, but to update appliances or to give them a mid-life refresh such as repainting them.”

Provenance: Awardwinning eco house, one of six homes adjacent to the Fossdyke Navigation at Saxilby.

The first of Fossdyke Paddocks’ residents moved in back in 2022 and in 2023, two more properties were signed off and the keys were handed over to the new owners.

“It really matters to us that the same expression of quality and longevity has been incorporated into the properties we’ve created at Fossdyke Paddock.”

“We’d initially considered working with a contractor to create the properties but found it would be easier to manage our own team of trusted local tradespeople. Along with favouring local trades, we also wanted to ensure there was a sense of quality

“Just as important to us, though, is that we’ve created not just houses here, but a proper community. We’re good friends with each of our neighbours and we’re proud that this is a place we will all enjoy living for many years to come.”

Rooms: Four bedrooms with two en suites and family bathroom to ground floor. First floor open plan living space with roof terrace. Starting Price: £699,000 Find Out More: Adam Lascelles at By Design Homes, call 01522 412802 or 07897 340172 www.bydesignhomes.com.

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Interiors

Spring Interiors Fresh ideas for updating your home this season, from the area’s best interior design specialists and their newest collections...

Barkstone Britishmade sofa, in lefthand corner, £1,399 from Askews of Alford and Horncastle, 01507 462936 or see www.askewsfurniture.co.uk.

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Interiors

Above: Witham Console Table, £1,200. Balustrade lamp with shade £165; Langham rustic stoneware lamp, £120; Langham glass lamp £210, Lyddington Mist paint shade, from Sophie Allport, call 01778 560256 or see www.sophieallport.com. Opposite: Tetrad Ava in Beatrice Wedgewood shade, our best local stockists of Tetrad is Sack Store, Boston, 01205 310101, www.sackstore.co.uk.

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Interiors

Top Left/Above: Delcor’s bespoke armchair and Valentina divan, call 01780 762579, www.delcor.co.uk. Top/Right: Witham Blue shade of matte waterbased ecopaint, part of a new collection comprising 12 colours from Sophie Allport, call 01778 560256 or see www.sophieallport.com.

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

Tel: 01507 527113 W: www.peterjacksoncabinets.co.uk E: info@peterjacksoncabinets.co.uk

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KITCHENS • BEDROOMS • BOOT ROOMS • STUDIES INDIVIDUALLY MADE FREE STANDING FURNITURE

Call 07534 808903 richwood-cabinetmakers@hotmail.com BRING RICHWOOD INTO THE HEART OF YOUR HOME

• Tree Surgery & Felling

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• BSC Honours Landscape Ecology

• BS 5837 • Stump Grinding • Site Clearance

• Professional Tree Inspection

• National Diploma in Forestry and • Council Approved Arboriculture Contractor • Hedge Cutting

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Homes & Interiors

Striking Lighting Specialists in designer lighting both indoors and outdoors, as well as architectural ironmongery for doors and windows, Broughtons of Leicester presents some of their most striking design-led lighting products

Tracing its origins back to 1888, Broughtons of Leicester is a family-owned business specialising in period accessories for doors and windows plus interior and exterior lighting at impressive showrooms in Anstey. Here we’ve picked a few of our favourite products from the company’s portfolio of designer lighting products. Opposite Page: Saddler by David Hunt (www.davidhuntlighting.co.uk) is an eight-light cartwheel pendant, £684; Author table lamp, £276; Hopper table lamp, £252. Top Left: Flambeau Mosaic 10 light chandelier, £303. Top Right: Dachshund table lamp vintage gold, £96.Above Left: Blenheim Lantern in black, £475. Above Right: Balance pendant in brown/brass, £178. Broughtons is based on Cropston Road, Anstey, Leicester LE7 7BP. Call 0116 234 1888 or see www.broughtons.com.

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YEAR ANN

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YEAR ANN

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ERSARY

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Gardens

A Celebration of

SNOWDROPS A sign that winter is nearly over and spring is just over the horizon, this month we celebrate the snowdrop, and there’s nowhere better to view them than at Grantham’s Easton Walled Gardens Words: Rob Davis. Images: Fred Cholmeley.

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Gardens

ew gardens have endured quite as much as Easton Walled Gardens, just off the A1 between Stamford and Grantham. 450 years old, a 12-acre site, now attracting over 20,000 visitors a year, the site was once home to the formal gardens adjacent to Easton Hall. The stately home, though, was requisitioned during both worlds wars as a convalescent home and later as barracks, before later falling victim to pillages of lead and other materials, leading Sir Hugh Cholmeley to the sad conclusion that it needed to be pulled down.

The gardens also fell into disrepair, but unlike the stately home itself, enough of the grounds remained to ensure that in the early 1990s when Fred Cholmeley – grandson of Sir Hugh – returned to Easton, he and his new wife Ursula could return them to their former glory. Ursula lead the work from 2001 and about 10 years later, Easton Walled Gardens was well on the way to become re-established. Today it’s one of the most beautifully presented gardens with the Applestore Tearoom, Courtyard Shop and four holiday cottages too. Above all though, Easton Walled Gardens has two annual events for which it’s exceptionally well-renowned; sweet peas in late June and snowdrops in February and March. For the most part the snowdrops in the gardens have naturally established themselves, particularly the common snowdrop, Galanthus nivalis, as in the Cedar Meadow and White Space Garden leading through to the Woodland Walk where they’re joined by aconites lilac and purple crocus and eventually Narcissus like Tete-à-tete. The Woodland Walk also features Galanthus Flore Pleno a double-form, and in total, visitors can expect to see about 10 varieties of snowdrop during a spring walk.

Photos by Fred Cholmeley.

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Gardens

While snowdrops may seem abundant in the wild, some species face threats due to habitat loss and climate change... It’s thought there are 18 different species of snowdrop, and about 500 named varieties. While snowdrops may seem abundant in the wild, some species face threats due to habitat loss and climate change. Conservation efforts are underway to protect these delicate flowers and ensure their continued presence in the British countryside, but happily, Easton Walled Gardens is a site where they thrived and have become a particular attraction for the site since the mid-2000s. Cultivating snowdrops is an art in itself. These hardy bulbs thrive in well-drained soil, often naturalising in woodlands and grassy meadows. Their preference for partial shade makes them ideal for planting beneath deciduous trees, creating a serene carpet of white blooms as winter fades away. Speaking of when winter fades away, and despite snowdrops being synonymous with spring, it’s during late summer and into autumn that the bulbs are best divided, when the top growth has died back and before new root growth has started. Dig up the bulbs and replant singly into smaller clumps of three or four, ensuring that the bulbs and roots aren’t allowed to dry out. Part of the challenge of dividing snowdrops, of course, is remembering where the drifts of snowdrops are in the first place, so take plenty of photos on a phone when your snowdrops are on display in order to remember where to dig later in the year!

One of the most remarkable aspects of snowdrops is their early arrival in the gardening calendar. These resilient flowers begin to appear as early as January, often pushing through the frost and snow to announce the end of winter’s hibernation. Their punctual emergence makes them one of the first signs of life in the dormant landscape, earning them the endearing nickname ‘Candlemas Bells’ as they coincide with the Christian festival of Candlemas celebrated on the 2nd of February, just before this edition of Pride appears in shops.

Perhaps one of the reasons that Easton Walled Gardens remains to popular with visitors is the sense of reassurance that a visit provides of winter nearly being over and spring being on its way. Visit Easton this month, and a there’s also a welcome pot of freshly-brewed coffee and slice of homemade cake waiting after you’ve admired the drifts of snowdrops. We can think of no better antidote to the winter than a visit to Easton Walled Gardens, 450 years in the making and a true labour of love for the Cholmeley family.

Find Out More: Snowdrop Season at Easton Walled Gardens will take place from Wednesday 14th February 2024, open from Wednesdays to Sundays, 11am4pm. £10/adults, £5/children. Free parking. Call 01476 530063 or see www.visiteaston.co.uk.

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On the Farm The frosty mornings back in January and February enabled us to drag over some of our fields with a cultivator to help loosen the soil in preparation for planting sugar beet.

The organisation sourced free forage through donations from farmers and organisations around the UK, providing free delivery via haulage companies and farmers.

Cultivating and planting gives us a sense that the farming cycle is beginning all over again – but it’s not business as usual for all farmers. Yet more rain has left parts of the country soaked, with standing water on fields at a time when those farmers with livestock would normally be getting ready to turn out their animals to graze.

About £100,000 of forage & bedding – 73 loads from 56 farms – was delivered that year to over 200 farmers, mainly in Wales, Cumbria and North Yorkshire, which saved thousands of animals’ lives.

Lincolnshire is overwhelmingly an arable rather than livestock county, but it isn’t lost on anybody in the farming industry that when farmers have to rely on commercial feed rather than their own pasture, the effects can be financially very difficult indeed. Back in April 2013, I co-founded Forage Aid to help livestock farmers who had thousands of animals die due to heavy snow that winter.

Since then, Forage Aid has continued to respond to calls for help from UK farmers whose livestock are in crisis due to extreme weather or Acts of God. As chairman, I was proud to see Forage Aid become a registered charity in 2015 and in early 2023 the Addington Fund – which is well known for its work in providing housing, disaster relief and young entrants’ support within the farming community – joined forces with us to support farmers and farm workers experiencing hardship.

Forage Aid remains a potentially important lifeline to livestock farmers experiencing hardship. Fortunately, Forage Aid has strong support both from farmers themselves, and from our partners like Sleaford’s Bailey Trailers, NFU Mutual, Map of Ag, CF Fertilisers, JCB Agriculture and from the Farming Community Network. Back on the farm, a job we recently completed was the re-mapping of our fields using John Deere’s Greenstar technology to improve the accuracy of our precision farming approach. Thankfully, once set up, the technology is easier to use, accurate down to a centimetre and helps to raise yields and reduce waste. Elsewhere, Lamma recently took place at the NEC in Birmingham. Established in 1982, the Lincolnshire Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers’ Association’s annual showcase used to take place here in the county, but with over 600 exhibitors and over 40,000 visitors, a new national venue since 2019’s show affords the event more space to show off some of the larger crowd-pullers. Attracting a great deal of attention for its UK debut was New Holland’s brand new CR11 Combine – the largest combine in the world. The machine has 780hp, 25% greater grain capacity, a 20,000 litre grain tank and had a whopping 50ft MacDon header on the front. You certainly won’t miss it when it appears in a field near you over the next year or so!

Above: Making its debut at Lamma, the world’s biggest combine, New Holland’s CR11. Opposite: Forage Aid, cofounded by Lincolnshire’s Andrew Ward, remains a lifeline for farmers.

Watch Wardy’s Waffle: Our farming correspondent Andrew Ward MBE farms 1,600 acres in Lincolnshire, growing wheat, barley, oil seed rape, sugar beet, beans and oats. Andrews has his own YouTube channel, Wardy’s Waffle, which is enjoyed by over 14,000 subscribers. Watch his updates Wednesday evenings from 7pm and Sunday mornings at 8am. Search YouTube for @WardysWaffleAndrewWard.

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Walking

Make the most of the East Coast It’s not quite beach weather yet... but that’s no reason not to enjoy Lincolnshire’s East Coast including this route along the The Queen Elizabeth Memorial Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park, officially renamed in honour of late Queen. This is a circular route of about 5.5 miles, about 8.8km, a level route, across field paths, quiet lanes and of course

Charles III England Coast Path. Unusual attractions along the route include The Cloud Bar, with a 360-degree panorama of the North Sea, plus the Round and Round House, created as part of Bathing Beauties in 2005, as well as the North Sea Observatory, The latter opened in 2018 and is an ideal place to explore the area’s history, view local

the beach. The route is also part of the King

art and enjoy a coffee.

Starting point: North Sea Observatory, Anderby Road, Chapel St Leonards. Grid reference: TF 562 732. Post code: PE24 5XA.

Leave the car park via the entrance, cross the road, turn left and then immediately right, past Chapel Point Nature Area. After approximately 90m turn right onto a public footpath through the entrance of Eastfields Park. Take the second road on the left, signed public footpath, and after approximately 60m bear diagonally right to the far corner of the grassed area. Turn right and walk between the rows of chalets to a bridge.

Cross the bridge, turn left and walk between fences and caravan parks to a kissing gate. Go through the gate, and follow the driveway past the house and out of the caravan park to join a road. Follow the road straight ahead for approximately 400m to a Tjunction. Continue straight ahead along the road for approximately 200m.

Turn right along Stones Lane. At the end of the lane, by a small compound, carry straight on, keeping the drainage ditch on your right. Follow the drain for approximately 550m to a junction with a track and footpath.

Turn right and follow the footpath as it bends to the left. As the path bends to the right, leave this path and walk straight ahead along another footpath, keeping the ditch on your left. Follow the path straight on as it becomes a track.

At a junction with another path turn right over the drain and walk straight ahead along the field edge to a road.

Cross the road with care and walk up the track opposite, turn right and follow the permissive path along the top of Roman Bank to Wolla Bank.

At the road turn left to the car park. Walk straight ahead onto the beach, turn right and walk along the beach to return to the North Sea Observatory. Route provided by Lincolnshire County Council, for more routes right across the county, see www.visitlincolnshire.com.

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JJ &

FUELS BOSTON

HEATING OIL IN LINCOLNSHIRE AT A FAIR PRICE

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Motors

Little Wonder City cars. Electric cars. Both are practical around town. Both sometimes lack a little character... not this one though!

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Motors

If we told you that you can own a brand new Bentley, for less than £90,000, you’ll probably jump at the chance. There are a couple of provisos, though: it’s a smaller scale, all-electric replica of a much earlier car and the range is a bit limited to say the least. Back in 1929, Bentley achieved vintage motor racing success with its 4½-litre Supercharged Team Car No. 2. No other pre-war Bentley had an impact like the supercharged 4½-litre ‘Blower’ Bentley. Though it never won an endurance race, the Blower Bentley was the outright fastest race car of the day, and counted amongst its fans the author Ian Fleming. He later decided that his famous fictional secret agent James Bond would drive a supercharged 4½-litre Bentley Blower, with the often-associated rival British sports car (coughastonmartincough) merely the MI6 ‘pool car.’ In 2020, we delivered the news that just 12 people were able to secure reverse-engineered replica models, should they be willing to spend £1.5m on a car hand-built by a team led by the company’s specialist vehicle operation, Mulliner. Four years later, another Blower-based vehicle has gone on sale, and this time it’s a collaboration between Bentley and Oxfordshire’s Little Car Company whose other projects include a 65% scale replica of James Bond’s DB5 and a 75% scale version of the Lamborghini 250 Testa Rossa J. The car you see here is 85% of the scale of the original 1929 Blower, and by way of a modern twist, the 41/2 -litre supercharged engine is ditched in favour of a 10.8kWh engine sufficient to power the 550kg car to a top speed of 45 mph, for about 65 miles. Its L7e/LSV status, incidentally, means it’s road-legal in the UK, the US and the EU. Left: Blower Junior is inspired by Bentley’s 1929 41/2litre supercharged model, but this is an 85% scale replica, fully electric with a 65 mile range and a top speed of 45mph!

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Motors

At 3.75 metres in length, a bit longer than a Fiat 500, shorter than a Ford Fiesta, and has two seats in tandem configuration plus dedicated space for luggage. The bodywork is crafted in two sections, and while the rear body structure is crafted in carbon fibre rather than being an ash frame, it’s covered in impregnated fabric, just as the original. The bonnet, with its multiple cooling louvres, is hand-crafted in aluminium using traditional techniques and fastened with beautiful leather buckled bonnet straps. The first 99 examples of Blower Jnr will be First Edition Models. These will feature First Edition badging on the hood, door sill plate and dash as well as an engraved and numbered ‘1 of 99’ plaque. All First Edition models will be finished in Blower Green, with matching painted chassis and wheels, and a Union flag hand-painted on both sides of the body as per the original, while the seats and interior are upholstered

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in the Dark Green Lustrana Hide used by Mulliner for the Blower Continuation Series. Where the original car’s supercharger would be positioned is a neatly integrated charging socket, and believe it or not there’s also a very discreetly integrated USB socket and a dual-function display that serves as a Garmin satellite navigation screen and reversing camera. Imagine a 1920s motorist seeing that in the cockpit of their Blower! What were magneto switches now operate lights and indicators, and there’s a drive selector in place of the fuel pressure pump. There are drive, neutral and reverse positions plus the option of selecting Comfort, Bentley or Sport mode.

It’s a very beautiful machine, sympathetically reinvented for the 21st century and to also end up being road legal is very impressive. If you’d like to make a statement with your motor car and stand out from the crowd, what could possibly be better than this?

The Details

Bentley Blower Jr Price: £90,000 (£18,000 deposit). Powertrain: 10.8kWh engine with top speed of 45mph and 65 miles range. Three to five hour charging time.

The steering wheel, meanwhile, is wrapped in rope as was standard for cars of the era, and the original ammeter now serves as a dial to indicate battery charge.

Equipment: Three position drive, neutral, reverse selector, plus Comfort Bentley and Sport modes. USB, reversing camera, indicators and lights. Blower Green paint and Lustrana green Mulliner hide.

Practical? Nope. Fast or with a generous range, then? Nope. But look at the thing.

Find Out More: Call 020 7112 9056 or see www.bentleyblowerjnr.com.

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Fashion

Bag Influence Luxury accessories in taupe to ensure storage with style...

Gucci Horsebit 1955 Mini Bag £880, www.gucci.com

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On the Go MM tote bag, £2,310, louisvuitton.com.

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Crochet shoulder bag, £ 1,700 prada.com.

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Top Left: Large Lottie bag, soft taupe nappa, £695, www.aspinaloflondon.com. Top Right: Hobo Bag with Chain Strap, £1,295. jimmychoo.com. Bottom Left: The Windsor, in tan, £225, www.fairfaxandfavor.com. Bottom Right: Squeeze bag in nappa lambskin, £2,950, www.loewe.com.

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Cosmetics

Spring Blossoms Collagen-powered products and anti-ageing moisturisers too, ensuring fresh, healthy looking skin in spring and summer...

Wind Flowers by Creed Inspired by the strength and grace of modern femininity. Wind Flowers Eau De Parfum is a beautiful and sparkling floral fragrance, opening with sweet jasmine, with peach and a soft rose heart and base notes comprising sandalwood, iris and musk. The result is a beautiful, dusky, spring fragrance. £165, 30ml, www.creed fragrances.co.uk.

Plumping Collagen Oil Enhance lips using the natural power of collagen, with Rodial’s highshine lip oil enriched with nourishing botanical extracts that help to visibly plump, hydrated lips, £29, 4ml, from www.johnlewis.com.

Lumene Nordic Bloom From Finnish brand Lumene comes Nordic Bloom, which helps to smooth the under eye area with three types of hyaluronic acid and vegan collagen, to hydrate and diminish fine lines, £26.90, 10ml, johnlewis.com.

The Rich Moisturiser Targeting the delicate under eye area, MZ Skin’s Rich Moisturiser decreases signs of ageing and smoothes uneven texture with peptideenhanced collagen and HLA, £105, 14ml, www.harrods.com.

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A hero product for ensuring hydration through spring... Angela Langford’s Thirsty Work is an antiageing moisturiser drawing on raspberry and rosehip to provide superb hydration and elasticity. Don’t just take our word for it though; Angela’s website oﬀers free skincare samples at angelalangford.com. £37.50 / 50ml.

The benefits of collagen from the inside out Captivated by collagen? Then take a look at The Skin Rejuvenator duo from Advanced Nutrition Programme. 30day system that aims to activate your skin’s collagen for visible antiageing results, courtesy of Skin Collagen Support with Skin friendly Omegas+.

£50, 30 day supplements (60+60 capsules), Available from www.harveynichols.com.

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

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Collingham Dental Practice

Smiles Better

TEETH WHITENING WHITE FILLINGS

Start your journey with a healthy smile, at a practice which provides the highest standard of dentistry for the whole family. Now welcoming new patients...

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Cosmetics

Injectables... what’s the point? Botox and beyond, yourmedical aesthetics questions answered

How does Botox work to reduce wrinkles? Botox, short for botulinum toxin, works by temporarily paralysing or relaxing muscles in the treated area. When injected into specific facial muscles, it blocks nerve signals that cause muscle contractions. As a result, the targeted muscles relax, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines associated with facial expressions. What are the common areas treated with Botox? Botox is frequently used to address wrinkles in areas prone to dynamic movements. These include the forehead, where horizontal lines may form, the glabellar region (between the eyebrows) to soften frown lines, and the outer corners of the eyes, known as crow's feet.

Additionally, Botox can be employed to enhance the jawline and neck. How long does it take for Botox to show results, and how long do the eﬀects last? Patients typically begin to notice the effects of Botox within a few days to a week after the injection. The full results may take up to two weeks to become apparent. The effects of Botox are temporary, lasting around three to six months. Regular maintenance treatments are recommended to sustain the desired aesthetic outcome. Are there any side eﬀects or risks associated with Botox injections? While Botox is generally considered safe when administered by trained professionals, some common side effects may occur.

These include temporary redness, swelling, or bruising at the injection site. In rare cases, individuals may experience headaches, muscle weakness, or eyelid drooping. It is crucial to consult with a qualified practitioner to minimise risks and ensure a safe procedure. Can Botox be combined with other cosmetic procedures? Yes, Botox can be effectively combined with other cosmetic procedures to achieve more comprehensive facial rejuvenation. It is common for individuals to undergo Botox treatments in conjunction with dermal fillers or other non-surgical interventions to address multiple aspects of facial aging, providing a more harmonious and naturallooking result.

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Struggling with Menopausal Symptoms? Reclaim control of your health and hormones with the help of a trained Women’s Health Expert. Understand WHY you gain weight and lose your “zest for life” and learn why STRESS, SLEEP, NUTRITION and the right type of EXERCISE for you can give you back control of your life. Please visit www.lincolnshiremenopauseclinic.co.uk to book your free non obligation telephone consultation.

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43/44 Wrawby Street, Brigg, North Lincolnshire DN20 8BS Tel: 01652 653595. Web: www.obriensopticians.co.uk Call for an appointment or pop in to view our latest designer eyewear.

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Call for an appointment on 07720 345236 or find us on Facebook or Instagram @sandlandtayloraesthetics

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Weddings

Classic Elegance This month’s bride, Jasmine, discovered a beautiful new venue and then a new talent too when she and Lewis began planning their Lincolnshire wedding at The Grange, Leverton Images: Lee Daniels Photography, 07738 255683, www.leedanielsphotography.com.

It’s a girl’s prerogative to change her mind... right? And when her heart wants what it wants, nothing else will do, hence Jasmine’s change of wedding venue, just six months prior to the couple’s big day. She and Lewis met in 2014, moving in together soon after and with a romantic proposal at home in 2016. The couple began planning their wedding in earnest back in December 2021 and booked a venue they really liked, but when Jasmine saw The Grange at Leverton, she immediately

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fell in love with the luxurious venue, purpose-built and completed in spring 2023. “We had a vision of a classic black and white theme that wouldn’t date and would look simple, timeless and elegant. The Grange suited the look that we wanted beautifully and we were able to keep most of our suppliers.” Jasmine designed and sent out her ‘save the date’ cards, which proved very popular with other couples she knew who were planning their

weddings, and after receiving a few commissions, decided that she ought to turn her talent into a business, founding The Collection by Jasmine as a new wedding stationery business fitting in nicely around the couple’s two young children, Ava and Bella. The two girls were guests of honour, helping to walk mummy down the aisle, and though Bella was a little reluctant in front of so many people, as soon as she saw daddy at the front, her face lit up and all was well!

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Weddings

“The Singing Waiter Masters surprised guests by bursting into a performance during the meal!” Jasmine found her ideal dress by designer Mori Lee at Spalding’s Fancy Frox and chose Dessy dresses for her bridesmaids in cashmere grey. “The Grange was really incomparable in its appearance and we were able to really make the most of it with flowers by Jenny at Tillow & Co based in Woodhall Spa. I also worked with Aimee, the Blissful Bride to coordinate our day and help with styling and we also created boards with our ‘speeches’ written on them for people to view and read.” “Most of the gentlemen were so nervous about the prospect of having to make speeches, so by having them printed on a board and displayed, a lot of stress was avoided!” Aimee, incidentally, also stayed with the couple throughout the day, serving as

a calm and collected wedding organiser helping the day run smoothly. “The wedding breakfast was really lovely, prepared by Beetroot Catering of Oundle who also provided a buffet in the evening and brunch for our family the following morning.” “We asked Samantha Harvey to sing for us at the ceremony, and we’re thrilled to see that she’s since been given a record deal! Then, during the wedding breakfast, we treated our guests to a surprise performance by The Singing Waiter Masters, who burst into song much to the delight of everyone... they were brilliant!” “We were so lucky to have found our videographer, Chris Parker and photographer Lee Daniels. We have some amazing memories and some stunning images that we’ll treasure for years to come!”

Local Suppliers Venue: 07720 392205, www.thegrangeleverton.co.uk. Catering: 07921 672076, www.beetrootcatering.co.uk. Dress: Mori Lee at Fancy Frox, Spalding, 01775 719600. Hair: My Lab Hair & Beauty, Bourne, 01778 217117. Makeup Artist: Sharpe Faces, @sharpefaces. Flowers: Tillow & Co, www.tillowandco.com, @tillowandco. Wedding Cake: H&R Bakery, Boston, 07902 560200. Singing Waiters: www.thesingingwaitermasters.co.uk. Wedding Planner: Aimee, @the.blissful.bride Stationery: @thecollection_byjasmine on Instagram. Photography: Lee Daniels Photography, 07738 255683 @lee_daniels_photography, leedanielsphotography.com. Videographer: www.chrisparkerweddings.co.uk. Singer: @samharveyuk.

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WE’LL HELP YOU CELEBRATE THE IMPORTANT MOMENTS IN YOUR LIFE

Advertise your business in the new look, new feel Pride... it’s the area’s finest magazine! Lincolnshire Pride, Rutland Pride and Stamford Pride are delivered free of charge to high value homes in the county, which means we are the only county magazine which can guarantee a wealthy, discerning readership

Kenwick Park’s versatile Meridian Suite has space for 140 friends and family members. There’s a private lounge and bar, and a dedicated team of chefs for all your food and drink requirements, plus we’ve ample car parking on site too. • Weddings • Christenings • Birthday Parties • Anniversaries • Wakes • Charity Events • Balls • Dinner Dances

Kenwick Park, Lincolnshire, LN11 8NR Tel: 01507 608806 Email: reception@kenwick-park.co.uk Web: www.kenwick-park.co.uk

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Call our friendly advertising team now on 01529 469977 www.pridemagazines.co.uk

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A Truly Special Place for Your Wedding Book a private viewing: info@thegrangeleverton.co.uk The Grange Leverton, Highgate, Leverton, Boston, PE22 0AW WWW.THEGRANGELEVERTON.CO.UK

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Accountancy & Audit Services

The only name you need to know for accountancy and audit services, it’s

Dexter & Sharpe 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 over 140 years. It’s no wonder that Lincolnshire’s Dexter & Sharpe retain clients as they build their businesses

ime and 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.

“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.”

“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 James Holland of Lincolnshire-based accountancy and business advice specialists Dexter & Sharpe.

“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.”

“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.”

“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.” “At Dexter & Sharpe we’ve already helped automate and streamline the day to day operations of for many clients. The increases in efficiency and productivity can be incredible, we’ve helped revolutionise many clients internal accounting function.” “This in turn helps free up resources for more value adding activities. In many cases this can be profit generating or provide time for upskilling staff or maybe allowing a greater work life balance.”

“Far from rendering professionals obsolete technology will empower accountants to new heights of strategic importance.” “We’ve 12 partners and associates around Lincolnshire, with offices in Boston, Bourne, Horncastle, Lincoln, Louth and Skegness, 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 over 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, or a larger limited company.” “Recent years have seen small and mid-sized practices consumed by larger organisations we strive to maintain our identity and continue to offer exceptional service at an affordable price, adding value wherever we can.”

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

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The Directory To advertise here call our friendly team on 01529 469977.

james@jamesmurrayfinance.co.uk Call or WhatsApp

07514 829945 FOR PERSONAL & BUSINESS FINANCE James Murray –FINANCE _

www.jamesmurrayfinance.co.uk

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