Lincolnshire Pride November 2024

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Each season brings its own particular joy, from sharp frosts on glistening gardens in winter, to the emergence of bulbs and the return of blue skies in spring, to long balmy days of summer spent in the garden. Autumn’s joys, meanwhile, include walks around the county with crunchy leaves underfoot and a dazzling array of colours carefully selected by Mother Nature from a palette of gold, bronze orange and red.

Nowhere is that colour palette more evident than across Lincolnshire’s open spaces from its parks to its nature reserves and the fields and headlands of our dormant fields. This month, we’re celebrating such spaces around Lincoln to delve into the history and origins of the city’s open spaces, parks and commons in advance of autumn walks around Lincolnshire.

Someone else who’s a joy all year round is veteran broadcaster Peter Levy. This year Peter’s long service to local broadcasting was rewarded with an honorary doctorate from Lincoln’s Bishop Grosseteste University. We catch up with Peter in this edition in anticipation of his 70th birthday and 50th year in broadcasting, both of which he’ll be celebrating in 2025.

The county also welcomed a special guest recently as HRH The Prince of Wales returned to his alma mater of RAF College Cranwell to conduct the Sovereign’s Review, congratulating in person the station’s recent graduates.

Elsewhere, we’ve visiting Lincoln’s White Hart to celebrate its first anniversary since reopening, and we’re visiting Belton House to discover more about the stately home’s conservation work.

Best wishes for a wonderful month!

Julian Wilkinson CEO, Pride Magazines

This month’s cover image is Hartsholme Country Park, seen here with rays of autumn sunshine falling on a carpet of fallen leaves. Our stunning image was taken by Andrew Scott, prints and canvases of the photographer’s work are available, see www.andrewscottphotography.co.uk.

Feel free to email us your best photos of Lincolnshire to our editor, Rob Davis, via robin@pridemagazines.co.uk.

Contents

9 LUXURY HOMES Enjoy the finest selection of quality homes on the market in Lincolnshire.

28 NEWS ‘Good news’ stories from across Lincolnshire including the latest on Lincolnshire’s £750m devolution plans.

58 WHAT’S ON Live music and theatre.

128 ON THE FARM With Andrew Ward

Highlights

32 HRH THE PRINCE OF WALES His Royal Highness visits Sleaford’s RAF College Cranwell to conduct the Sovereign’s Review.

40 PETER LEVY Celebrating 50 years of broadcasting the BBC on radio and television.

46 LADY VICTORIA LEATHAM Raising money for charity at Stamford’s Burghley House.

50 AUTUMN WALKS Celebrating Lincoln’s parkland and commons.

62 PRESERVING HISTORY Conservation at the National Trust’s Belton House.

Food & Drink

70 DINING OUT A year on from the reopening of Lincoln’s White Hart and the ‘Best Town Pub’ in Stamford.

77 THE GOOD FOOD AWARDS Vote for your favourite.

Homes & Gardens

96 WELCOME HOME A modern family home in the Vale of Belvoir.

107 INTERIORS Cosy homes for autumn.

Lifestyle

132 MOTORS smart #3 & Aston’s Vantage.

138 FASHION For gents and ladies.

149 COSMETICS Autumn luxury.

154 WEDDINGS Connie & Mason’s day. NOVEMBER 2024

Delivered free of charge to high value homes in the county

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.

Church Lane, Wrangle

£895,000

This beautiful eight bedroom former vicarage sits on its own established grounds extending to approximately 1.26 acres in total (STS). Dating back to 1707, The Old Vicarage has a Grade Two* Listing in recognition of the many features of historical interest and includes many beautiful fireplaces and working shutters as well as original beams and panelling. With accommodation arranged over three storeys, this absolutely charming period property also includes four generous reception rooms, three bathrooms, a fabulous bespoke farmhouse kitchen by Murdoch Troon and established, private grounds with several outbuildings to include a former coach-house with kitchen garden.

Chapel Lane, Sibsey

£1,250,000

Standing in approximately six acres of the most impeccably maintained grounds, The Manor House in Sibsey is widely regarded locally as one of the area’s most beautiful period properties. This Grade Two Listed, four bedroom home dates back to the early 19th century and enjoys a most idyllic position, set back behind a front paddock and surrounded by its own mature gardens, quiet courtyards, a sweeping gravel driveway, and a range of useful outbuildings, to include a fully renovated three bedroom barn conversion, and separate coachhouse with an office, and studio above.

Sibsey Road, Boston

£950,000

This incredible state of the art family home has been extended and completely renovated in recent years into the most wonderful unique property of the highest quality. This spacious four / five bedroom property has a beautiful gated approach and is now offered with no onward chain. The renovation has included a brand new roof, majority new windows, new electrics and whole new plumbing and gas fired central heating systems in addition to bathrooms, kitchen and flooring. A superb indoor gym, spa and games room complex and a large oak framed outdoor kitchen and seating area will be a dream come true for an active family that loves to entertain.

Skirbeck Hall, Boston

£995,000

With a secluded location within an exclusive gated development, Skirbeck Hall enjoys an incredibly private position. This simply stunning Grade Two Listed former rectory has been completely and faithfully restored during a full renovation and has been a much loved family home for almost 20 years. It is absolutely filled with incredible period features to include decorative cornice and arches, panel doors,shutters and a fabulous stone staircase. There are five beautifully appointed reception rooms to include a brand new orangery which is less than a year old and four large double bedrooms, each with en-suite facilities. Skirbeck Hall is offered with no onward chain.

Perfect

OSBOURNBY

• Detached Residence • Grade II Listed

• Kitchen Diner & Utility • Drawing & Sitting Rooms

• Six Generous Bedrooms • Three Bathrooms

• Range of Outbuildings GUIDE PRICE: £850,000

DIGBY

• Detached Barn Conversion • Open-Plan Kitchen

• Lounge • Utility & W.C.

• Four Double Bedrooms • Three Bathrooms

• Rural Views GUIDE PRICE: £575,000

HOUGHAM

• Detached Home • Kitchen & Utility

• Breakfast & Dining Rooms • Family Room/Office

• Five Double Bedrooms • Four Bathrooms

• Stunning Gardens (approx 0.75 acre) GUIDE PRICE: £795,000

SOLD

SAXILBY

• Detached • Attractive individual property in a bespoke development

• Four bedrooms • Two en-suites

• Family bathroom • Generous living spaces

• Popular village location GUIDE PRICE: £525,000 - £540,000

Aylesby Hall is an exceptional country estate, comprising seven opulent bedrooms and set amidst exquisitely landscaped grounds extending to 12.9 acres (subject to survey). This distinguished residence features a captivating water garden, a meticulously designed walled kitchen garden, and elegant gazebos. The property has been refined with remarkable care and meticulous attention to detail, seamlessly marrying classic period charm with contemporary comforts.

Guide Price: £1,500,000

Masons 23 Cornmarket, Louth, LN11 9QD Call 01507 350500 or see www.movewithmasons.co.uk

Aylesby Hall Grimsby

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

• High Specification Contemporary Detached House

• Open Plan Poggenpohl Kitchen Living Area, 4 Reception Rooms, Cinema Room

• Oak Fitted Office, Under Floor Heating, Triple Garage Incorporating Gymnasium

• Paved Parking Area with Private Rear Gardens with BBQ Area, Spa Pool, Garden Office

• Spacious Second Floor Modernised Apartment

• Lift Access and Riverside Views

• Open Plan Kitchen Living Area

• 3 Double Bedrooms, En-Suite Master with Dressing Area and Walk-in Wardrobes

• Beautifully Converted Grade II Listed Warehouse

• Parking and Communal Gardens

To

• Immaculate Five Bedroomed Detached House with Master En-suite For Sale,

• 2 Reception Rooms, Conservatory, Kitchen with Separate Utility Room

• Desirable Location on the West Side of Town

• Garage, Front Garden, Driveway and Private Rear Garden

WITH VACANT POSSESSION

SALE FREEHOLD WITH VACANT POSSESSION £350,000 Subject To Contract

Sibsey Road

Boston

Situated within a convenient walking distance to the hospital, high school and the historic town centre, this beautifully presented property really is the perfect family home. The current owner purchased it in 2016 and spent the following 18 months both extending and completely renovating this C19th property to the highest levels of specification. Today this spacious four / five bedroom property is offered with no onward chain.

Price: £950,000

Fairweather 22 Dolphin Lane, Boston, PE21 6EU. Call 01205 336122 or see www.fairweather-estateagents.co.uk

Luxury Homes

Yew Lodge

Spalding

Yew lodge is an incredible Grade 2* listed Georgian property, overlooking the river Welland. The property has been lovingly restored over the past 20 years by the present owners.

Guide Price: £875,000

Longstaff 5 New Road, Spalding, PE11 1BS. Call 01775 766766 or see www.longstaff.com

Stanway House

Lincoln

Built in 1903 Stanway House is a fine example of Edwardian architecture. This substantial dwelling extends to around 4,337 square feet and nestles in approximately 0.60 of an acre.

Guide Price: £1,150,000

Brown&CoJHWalter Lincoln Office, 5 Oakwood Road, Lincoln LN6 3LH Call 01522 526526 or see www.brown-co.com

Washdyke Lane

Osgodby, Market Rasen

A stunning Georgian style residence with a wealth of charm and original features throughout including original cornicing, and ceiling roses, along with a stunning marble fireplace with working cast iron fire.

Guide Price: £875,000

Mount & Minster 32 Eastgate, Lincoln LN2 1QA. Call 01522 716204 or see www.mountandminster.co.uk

Mistlethwaite House

Horncastle

A grand detached property situated in a sought-after area, Mistlethwaite House is a substantial residence with extensive grounds and leisure facilities. The house is set within a Victorian walled garden.

Guide Price: £1,500,000

Savills Olympic House, 995 Doddington Road, Lincoln LN6 3SE Call 01522 508908 or see www.savills.co.uk

Luxury Homes

The Broadway Woodhall

Spa

The former Wesleyan Chapel comprises a large and luxurious two storey residential conversion with a small room in the tower. Most of the accommodation is centred around a lounge double height atrium with balcony.

Price: £950,000

Poyntons 24-28 South Street, Boston, PE21 6HT. Call 01205 361694 or see www.poyntons.com

The Pines

Sleaford

This stunning Grade II-listed six double bedroom family home is located in the centre of Sleaford with its own gated entrance. The property offer s exceptional space and beautiful period features throughout.

Guide Price: £725,000

Purplebricks Cranmore Drive, Shirley, Solihull B90 4RZ Call 024 7511 8874 www.purplebricks.co.uk

Newark Road

Lincoln

A rare opportunity to purchase an outstanding period family home located in this sought after position to the south of the historic Cathedral and University City of Lincoln. The property is immaculately presented throughout.

Price: £775,000

Mundys 29 Silver Street, Lincoln, LN2 1AS. Call 01522 510044 or see www.mundys.net

The Cottage South

Rauceby

Constructed in the mid-17th century, this striking stonebuilt home is one of the finest houses in the sought-after village of South Rauceby, set within mature, landscaped gardens and offering versatility and character in spades.

Guide Price: £1,150,000

Savills Olympic House, 995 Doddington Road, Lincoln LN6 3SE Call 01522 508908 or see www.savills.co.uk

A unique opportunity to acquire a stunning, Grade II listed, stone five-bedroom barn conversion in the picturesque village of Spridlington, with open countryside views. The property offers well-considered, spacious accommodation throughout and has been finished to the highest quality.

Guide Price: £1,500,000

Mount & Minster 32 Eastgate, Lincoln LN2 1QA. Call 01522 716204 or see www.mountandminster.co.uk

Spridlington Market Rasen

This magnificent detached home was built in early 2006, set in a prime setting within the highly popular village of Harmston, in an elevated position perfectly designed for maximum views over the Lincolnshire countryside. The impressive house is situated on a private development of just seven homes and feels wonderfully quiet and secluded, with stunning gardens to the front and rear. The generous plot envelops the property, enhancing the feel of space.

Offers Over: £1,600,000

or see www.savills.co.uk

Ridge View

Harmston, Lincoln

South Elkington

Woodrow Cottage is a unique detached thatched cottage dating back to the 1930's, nestled on the edge of Louth in the picturesque Lincolnshire Wolds village of South Elkington. The property has been well-maintained by the current owner and boasts many original features including beamed ceilings and Inglenook fireplaces. The cottage is set on a wonderful plot of just under 1 acre (STS) with immaculately maintained gardens with a woodland walk.

Price: £750,000

Mundys 29 Silver Street, Lincoln, LN2 1AS. Call 01522 510044 or see www.mundys.net

Woodrow Cottage

Luxury Homes

Town Street Westborough, Newark

A magnificent, grade II starred listed, predominantly Georgian former rectory stands in a secluded position in the little village of Westborough.

Guide Price: £1,250,000

Fine & Country Central Lincs & Grantham 55 High Street, Navenby, Lincoln LN5 0DZ Call 01522 287008 www fineandcountry.co.uk

Jasmine Cottage Harlaxton

In the idyllic village of Harlaxton, just a stone’s throw from Grantham, Jasmine Cottage stands as a testament to timeless elegance and meticulous craftsmanship. Dating back to the 1800s.

Guide Price: £800,000

Pelham James 3 Saddler’s Court, Oakham LE15 7GH. Call 01572 497070 or see www.pelhamjames.co.uk

Church Lane Farmhouse Grantham

Church Lane Farmhouse is a stunning Georgian farmhouse which was constructed in 1782, and has been subject to an extensive and thorough restoration. The fantastically private house has been updated in recent years.

Guide Price: £1,250,000

Savills Olympic House, 995 Doddington Road, Lincoln LN6 3SE Call 01522 508908 or see www.savills.co.uk

Main

Street Hougham

Set in the heart of this tranquil village, in landscaped grounds and up a sweeping gravel driveway, this is a prominent residence.

Guide Price: £795,000

Mount & Minster 32 Eastgate, Lincoln LN2 1QA. Call 01522 716204 or see www.mountandminster.co.uk

Luxury Homes

Spalding

Lincolnshire

Tucked away in a very secluded, tranquil spot yet within a five minute walk of the centre of the pretty, market town of Spalding stands a stunning, five bedroom, top quality home with adjoining indoor swimming pool.

Offers Over: £900,000

Fine & Country The Old Jewellers, 30 High Street East Uppingham LE15 9PZ. Call 01780 750 200 or see www fineandcountry.co.uk

Thoresway

Lincolnshire Wolds

A very rare opportunity to purchase an exceptional detached Georgian farmhouse of substantial proportions in a peaceful and secluded Wolds village setting, directly adjacent to the Grade II Listed church of St Mary.

Offers in the region of: £1,100,000

Masons 23 Cornmarket, Louth, LN11 9QD Call 01507 350500 or see www.movewithmasons.co.uk

Ludney House Farm Louth

Rarely available to the open market is this incredible six-bedroom family home, situated in a beautiful rural location with an impressive plot of approx. 9.52 acres.

Guide Price: £2,950,000

Savills Olympic House, 995 Doddington Road, Lincoln LN6 3SE Call 01522 508908 or see www.savills.co.uk

Coosane

Spalding

Featured in the acclaimed TV series "Grand Designs" in 2021, this unique self-built property offer s a blend of contemporary design and local architectural heritage.

Price: £1,150,000

Ark Property 6 New Road, Spalding, Lincolnshire PE11 1DQ Call 01775 766888 www.arkpropertycentre.co.uk

Local News

Devolution Agreed for Lincolnshire

Lincolnshire will gain greater powers, a dedicated mayor for the whole county and £720m funding as devolution has finally been agreed by three authorities

Dean of Lincoln Installed

The Very Revd Dr Simon Jones was installed as the 85th Dean of Lincoln at a service in Lincoln Cathedral

The Very Revd Dr Simon Jones was installed as the 85th Dean of Lincoln at a service in Lincoln Cathedral last month. Simon has moved to Lincoln with his partner, Canon Darren McFarland, who has become Interim Priest of St Mary & St Nicolas, Spalding.

The Installation service began with the new Dean being escorted into the Cathedral by Professor Jennifer Payne, the Warden of Merton College, The Rt Revd Dr Steven Croft, Bishop of Oxford, and Ruth Brewin, who chaired the appointment panel. During the ceremony, official letters from King Charles III were read, Simon was placed in his stall in St Hugh’s Choir and he took his place in the College of Canons.

The following day, the Cathedral had to hold its Sunday Sung Eucharist al fresco after a fire alarm sounded in the building. An electrical unit in the choir stalls was found to be at fault, and was swiftly dealt with by Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue, with Cathedral staff sending their thanks to the service.

Lincolnshire will gain a new mayor and greater powers under a devolution deal for Greater Lincolnshire that will go forward following a successful series of meetings between local authority leaders and the new government.

The three lead authorities of North East and North Lincolnshire unitary councils, plus Lincolnshire County Council, will now complete the arrangements to form a brand new Greater Lincolnshire Combined County Authority with its first mayoral election scheduled for May 2025. The deal will now progress through its final parliamentary stage. The financial deal remains the same as the one finalised between the three lead authorities and the previous government with a total investment fund of £720m over the next 30 years. See www.lincolnshire.gov.uk.

Greylees refurbishment

Building dating back to 1230 now being refurbished by Heritage Lincolnshire City of Lincoln Council

The redevelopment of Lincoln’s culturally significant Greyfriars building has now begun, thanks to over £3 million in secured funding. City of Lincoln Council, in partnership with Heritage Lincolnshire, are thrilled to see work commence on the project,

which will enable the iconic historic building to realise its potential. Greyfriars is set to welcome visitors again in late 2025 thanks to a successful bid for funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and partner organisations.

Lincolnshire’s Harvest Festival

Annual service to give thanks for the county’s food and farmers takes place on Sunday 3rd November

The County Harvest Festival for 2024 will take place at Lincoln Cathedral on Sunday 3rd November from 3pm. The event will be held in conjunction with Lincolnshire Rural Agricultural Chaplaincy and Lincolnshire Rural Support Network. It will also celebrate 50 years of the Lincolnshire Federation of Young Farmers. Everyone is welcome!

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Pick up a Pumpkin

Bells Pumpkin Patch – East of England’s largest and original Pumpkin Patch – returns for 2024

Bell’s Pumpkin Patch reopens this month with fantastic new features and displays for visitors to enjoy on 12th-13th & 19th-27th October 2024 from 9am-5pm, the patch offers a fun filled family day out for all ages! Visitors can pick their own pumpkins from two large patches – full of anything from original orange pumpkins to specialist squashes to great gourds of all different shapes and sizes – with no fewer than 300 varieties grown on site.

“Bell’s Pumpkin Patch is also home to the UK’s largest pumpkin cannon, the pumptastic master blaster! Take the opportunity to fire our cannon for charity – we’ve raised over £15,000 over the years shooting wonky pumpkins across the fields. Youngsters can enjoy the pumpkin blaster, expanded assault course, ride on tractors, the tiny tots area, bouncy inflatable pumpkin and potato catapults, tug of war, plus garden games to challenge every family member.”

The 2024 event also sees the Makers Market return after a popular first year, with local food producers, artists and craft sellers exhibiting their wares each day, plus Circus Skills, and a funfair. Tickets bookable in advance on www.bellspumpkinpatch.com and you can find us at Bell’s Gardening Outlet, Benington, Boston, Lincolnshire, PE22 0EE.

And Finally... The chips are down for the Great British favourite, fish ‘n’ chips. Cleethorpes’ Ian Stead runs Corner House restaurant in the coastal town and has seen the cost of potatoes rise from £6-£22, and the price of fish almost doubling. Now, more than ever, is time to support those in the industry, so support your local chippy and keep Lincolnshire’s independent businesses busy!

A Royal Visit to Cranwell for HRH

The Prince of Wales

His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales recently served as the Reviewing Officer for the Sovereign’s Review at Royal Air Force Cranwell

His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, arrived on the College Parade Square recently, escorted by the Commandant of the Sleaford-based Royal Air Force College, Air Commodore John Lyle, to take the Royal Salute.

After inspecting the parade of graduating officers, His Royal Highness presented prizes to the top performing cadets from the course and annual awards to the top performing cadets who have completed Modular Initial Officer Training in 2024. A flypast by a Typhoon aircraft, from Number 41 Squadron based at RAF Coningsby, marked the conclusion of the parade.

The Commandant of the Royal Air Force College, Air Commodore John Lyle said: “I am delighted to oversee the graduation of Modularised Initial Officer Training Course 29 and Commissioned Warrant Officer Course 29 today.

This has been an extra special day for the graduating officers, their families, and the Squadron staff, as we have been privileged to

have His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales as our reviewing officer. I wish the newly graduated officers all the very best in their future Royal Air Force careers.”

The visit of His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, to Royal Air Force Cranwell also marks the 90th anniversary of College Hall Officers’ Mess, which was officially opened on 11th October 1934 by the then Prince of Wales, later King Edward VIII.

The Sovereign’s Review witnessed the graduation of 52 officer cadets from Modular Initial Officer Training Course Number 29 and Commissioned Warrant Officer Course Number 29.

After the Parade concluded, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, met with the graduating officers, families and friends in College Hall Officers’ Mess.

The Band of the Royal Air Force College provided musical accompaniment to the parade, under the direction of Wing Commander Richard Murray, Principal Director of Music for the Royal Air Force.

Images: Andrew Wheeler, UK MOD © Crown copyright 2024.

Images by Andrew Wheeler. His Royal Highness

The Prince of Wales was the Reviewing Officer for the Sovereign’s Review at Royal Air Force Cranwell.

The Trusted Face of Regional News

Peter Levy

One of the most popular and well-respected broadcasters in the region, Peter Levy was awarded with a Doctorate from Bishop Grosseteste University this summer. As he approaches 50 years in broadcasting – including more than two decades presenting the area’s flagship evening news programme – Peter tells us why a new generation of broadcasting talent and the loyalty of viewers are two reasons why the BBC’s local coverage is stronger than ever

Words: Rob Davis.

In 2022 the BBC celebrated its centenary, and over the years the organisation has seen off – or learned to coexist with –cinema newsreels, print, radio, multi-channel TV, the internet, social media and, latterly, streaming services. Undoubtedly more media content is available to us than ever before, and yet the BBC remains not just an important broadcaster in Britain, but the most well-respected and most-trustworthy source of news, anywhere in the world.

The corporation has over 21,000 employees, and achieves revenues of £5.3bn with interests in TV, radio, online media and print, operating 24-hours a day across the world, but also right here in Lincolnshire as a trusted source of local news.

Underwriting that trust in Lincolnshire and the East Riding of Yorkshire is broadcaster Peter Levy who, in the run-up to his 50th year as a broadcaster and approaching his 70th birthday year, says that the past couple of decades working on the area’s flagship evening news broadcast, Look North, have been the most enjoyable of his career… which is surprising consider it was radio, rather than TV, that was Peter’s first love.

“I was born in Farnborough and spent most of my childhood in Cornwall, but moved to London when I finished secondary school,” says Peter. “It was then I fell in love with radio and really wanted to be a part of it. The BBC’s local radio stations were on air and already well-established, Radio Caroline had begun broadcasting about five years earlier and commercial radio was providing something different, something that could sit alongside the BBC’s content.”

“Commercial stations were playing music, running competitions, being silly but offering great entertainment, whilst the BBC was

playing music but also offering news and information about your local area. There was a lot to listen to, it was all very good.”

“So, I was about 19 when I found myself moving to Bradford and beginning a long, happy association with Pennine Radio first, then with Liverpool’s Radio City before joining BBC Radio Leeds in 1987… again with no ambitions towards a career in television.”

“I hadn’t been there very long but one day they were short of somebody to read the news on TV. Judith Stamper was presenting the news that day. She was talking to the programme’s editor and said she knew someone at the BBC who worked in radio ‘but always wore a tie,’ so I presented the news for the first time that day... and rather enjoyed it!”

“From that point on I would broadcast on TV or radio, but radio remained the first love. Lately, being able to feature in the afternoon on Richard Stead’s BBC Lincolnshire radio show has been great. He’s a brilliant broadcaster, really clever, and he really makes the relationship between broadcaster and audience work… he’s a pleasure to listen to.”

“What started off as a way of promoting that night’s Look North has become a way of going back to what I love and being part of that radio experience. Radio is instant, and you can do so much with it.”

“If there’s a common quality of TV and radio it’s the fact that you’re only ever talking to one person, you never address an ‘audience,’ only with one person in mind, listening or watching in their place of work or in front of the TV.”

“TV demands a bit more attention but radio in particular is the thing that people tend to have on in the background all day, every day. As a listener you form a really strong bond with a good presenter and it becomes a really intimate, friendly medium.”

Interview

“You’re also there to reflect the listener or the viewer too. Being asked to represent a new BBC region in 2002 was a big honour. There have been so many stories from the challenging to the joyful. The whole experience is a privilege and a responsibility, especially in the respect of holding people to account for that viewer who may feel very strongly about the item you’re covering.”

“Interviewing Lincoln’s MP Hamish Falconer recently about changes to the winter fuel allowance for pensioners was of huge interest. The letters came in not just from pensioners but from their families too.”

“Hamish was good enough to agree to be interviewed, whereas a lot of MPs would have run for the hills, but he put himself up there even though he knew he was going to be presented with difficult questions. The questions had to be the same questions that someone sitting at home would want to ask him.”

“Depending on your agreement or disagreement with the position of the person you’re interviewing you can come across as rude or unwilling to give somebody a chance to speak, but as a broadcaster you’ve got to ask the questions, control the interview and play devil’s advocate when necessary, often with tight time constraints.”

“Broadcasting is a very good device for holding those in power to account when necessary, and the ability to question and debate is an essential freedom that people in other countries aren’t afforded. The BBC has always been able to do that, and it does it very well.”

The History of the BBC...

n Founded on 18th October 1922 as statutory corporation with a royal charter. First broadcast was made from the Marconi factory in June 1920, it was sponsored by Viscount Northcliffe of the Daily Mail, and the broadcast featured Australian soprano Dame Nellie Melba.

n The BBC’s first audio broadcast was from London on 14th November; then from Birmingham and Manchester 15th November; from Newcastle 24th December 1922; from Hull on 15th August 1923. TV service began in 1936, and reached Lincolnshire in December 1949. Reception was improved with the creation of the Belmont Transmitter in Christmas 1965.

n BBC Lincolnshire was founded at Stamp End 8th March 1951, BBC Radio Lincolnshire began broadcasting 11th November 1980. BBC Look North was established 2002.

n Today, the BBC has 21,000 staff and generates revenues of £5.3bn. The BBC’s World Service reaches a weekly audience of around 318 million people and operates in 42 languages, reaching over 200 countries/territories.

“But the more light-hearted stories are an important part of the programme too. Viewers have often been at work all day and they want that sense that we’re a team and we do relax. The ‘Peter and Paul’ dynamic was never forced or engineered.”

“We’ve known each other for nearly 30 years now and he is genuinely my best mate, so we enjoy banter just like any other workplace. We’ve never had a cross word, and people really do tune in from elsewhere in the country for that dynamic. People like the fun and the ‘man in suit lets his hair down,’ element of the programme.”

“It’s a juxtaposition against more sober stories, which was proven during Covid when we were having to report every night that people had passed away due to the virus. It was draining for us, and I think it was draining for the viewer, especially if they were isolating, so that bit of normality was valuable.”

“When Her Majesty the Queen died, we were very keen not to be seen to be joking or messing around. But our viewers soon wrote in telling us that whilst they knew why we were being more low-key, and acknowledging the sadness, they wanted us to be ‘normal’ again. It was really poignant, the viewers’ way of telling us that they were OK.”

“Another point about Paul is that he’s not just a good presenter, he’s a brilliant climatologist and so knowledgeable. He has to look at the data, interpret it and compose the forecast as well as presenting it.”

Interview

“An enjoyable part of being a broadcaster today is that you’re connected to your viewer or your listener in an unprecedented way. The world has become a smaller place thanks to technology and for us, that means I can now interview someone – by Zoom or Skype or whatever – as they sit in their front room with no more elaborate technology than their computer.”

“It means I can read an email from a viewer and know first-hand why a story is important to them. It means that a breaking news story will be captured on somebody’s smartphone. And it means we can hear from our viewers about what stories they’d like us to cover and channel our efforts accordingly.”

“We’re a lot more agile now as a result, able to edit stories and send them back to the studio from a laptop. And though viewing figures are going down regionally, nationally and internationally as a result of YouTube or Netflix or people watching on iPlayer rather than live, the technology we have means we can provide a better experience than ever across different media.”

“We’ve new and brilliant journalists like Sarah-May Buccieri who are TV, radio and website literate, and who don’t necessarily need a dedicated camera operator and don’t need to specify a preference for, say, TV or radio. They can go out to cover a story, and present that for broadcast across all of our channels whilst being totally across the story. They’re super-talented, young and enthusiastic, but also rooted in the fundamentals of good journalism: knowing what makes a good story.”

“In addition we have new leadership like BBC Radio Lincolnshire’s super Executive Editor Maggie Curtis, who is keen to nurture talent within her teams and continue to provide world-class broadcasting that’s fundamentally grounded in the place we live.”

Peter’s position as the area’s most trusted broadcaster was affirmed this year with the awarding of a Doctorate from Lincoln’s Bishop Grosseteste University which, he says, was a complete surprise.

“It was a huge shock. I found out about it five months before the ceremony but I didn’t tell a soul. It was this summer in the middle of July and I found myself sitting on the stage watching the ceremony.

I was deeply honoured!”

“Often it’s easy to look back on how things were with a sense of nostalgia but honestly, I think the BBC – and particularly the BBC in our area – is firing on all cylinders right now and it has many more years of success ahead of it.”

Above: Chancellor of Lincoln’s Bishop Grosseteste University, Dr Tracy Borman, presented the doctorate to Peter Levy. Opposite: Peter collects a Royal Television Society award in 2021.

Burghley House Celebrating the Festive Season at

As the festive season approaches, we’re reflecting on the success and the appeal of Burghley House’s Christmas Fair, organised in association with the Angel Committee including Lady Victoria Leatham, a previous custodian of the historic property

Words: Rob Davis

As the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness leaves dew on the parkland, and trees coloured in the same golden yellow hues at the stonework of Burghley House, the estate is enjoying a few weeks of relative calm.

At the time of writing this year’s Burghley Horse Trials has concluded with 160,000 people cheering for Lincolnshire rider Ros Canter as she lifted the silver salver. Granted there have still been events like Burghley by Twilight and a performance of Messiah, plus the estate’s Halloween activities to look forward to at the end of October… not to mention visitors enjoying autumn walks and freeflow visits to the property, but until the end of November at least, Autumn will be a little quieter.

However, with over 20,000 people expected to visit Burghley House from 28th November to 1st December, the estate will soon be a festive flurry of activity. The estate’s Christmas Fair is run in association with the Angel Committee, providing festive gifts, the estate’s fine food & drink market and Christmas stocking fillers and decorations.

The Angel Fair was established six years ago as a separate event, but this will be the fourth year it has been based at Burghley House and run as part of Burghley’s own Christmas Fair. One of its biggest advocates and someone keen to see its continued success is Lady Victoria Leatham, custodian of the property from 1982-2007 and the daughter of David Cecil, 6th Marquess of Exeter.

For a number of years Victoria has also been a supporter of Sue Ryder, founded in 1953 by its eponymous palliative and bereavement support ambassador. It’s a charity which now has 3,000 staff across the service as well as 6,000 volunteers, care hubs and seven registered hospices including Thorpe Hall near Peterborough with its consultant-led care and 20 inpatient beds, but support is really important in order to meet the huge daily costs necessary to provide care at the place.

“I visited various people who lived in and around the Burghley Estate there and that’s how, one day, I came to meet Sue herself,” says Lady

Victoria. “She was an amazing woman, I remember her energy and her very bright blue sparkling eyes. She had such enthusiasm that it was impossible not to be swept away by that.”

“But she also had a point. She couldn’t bear to see people dying badly in this country, and as she pointed out, a lack of care or willingness to acknowledge a stage of life that we’ll all come to is simply not the mark of a civilised country, we have to do better.”

“I wanted to do something to contribute. That’s how the Angel Fair came about. I had contacts in retail as I was running a business at the time, so I contacted a few friends who were in retail too, and said how keen I was to support Sue Ryder and their work.”

“They said ‘of course,’ and then – bless them – they all came, and so did hundreds of visitors to the event. The Angel Fair has grown and grown, and then a few years ago Burghley offered us the opportunity to join their event too. Today, we’ve around 150 stallholders, and tens of thousands of visitors, which help to makes the event a success, but also to ensures it has a busy, festive feel, with just the kind of happy energy that Christmas is all about.”

“It’s just the kind of event that Burghley House and our family enjoy, and just the kind of event that the estate suits. When my father was custodian of the house, it was open, but on very different terms.”

“You could make an appointment with the housekeeper in the 1950s who would show you around, but tourism as such, had not begun at that point. My father was responsible for democratising access to the house, he and my mother too. In the early years my father would be in the dining room at lunchtime on a Sunday and say ‘my goodness, I’ve just seen half the town walk past.’”

“Soon busloads of visitors would come along and then word got out and it was just regarded as being a great day out, visiting one of England’s most beautiful properties. When we took over the house in 1982 things had changed a great deal, but I remember one comment in the visitor book ‘the house is interesting, but dusty.’” Lady Victoria Leatham

“It’s hard to believe but when I lived in the house as a young girl, the Horse Trials was based elsewhere. It only came to Burghley House in 1961 after an outbreak of Foot & Mouth at the previous fixture, Harewood. The early days of the trials was a bit more modest with just a few straw bales and people in bowler hats… much more relaxed!”

“My mother set up the Orangery restaurant and together with my husband Simon, we created the Education Centre, now the visitors’ entrance. Before that you’d just enter the house and walk into what used to be my kitchen, which wasn’t exactly an impressive or ideal start to a tour.”

“Simon did a good deal to persuade the property’s trustees that it was a good idea to spend the money to encourage people to visit, and to provide a proper environment into which they could be welcomed. At first the trustees would put on hard hats when we walked in as they knew we were going to come at them with our plans for the house, but we soon worked together very well and the huge success is evident. The education centre, though, was very much Simon’s baby.”

“It’s a challenge to balance the need to encourage people to come and visit the house with not selling the soul of the estate. The fact of the matter is, without encouraging some degree of commercialisation, we would have been letting the house down greatly.”

“Revenue from visitors and from events like the Horse Trials is essential if we’re to keep on top of preserving the fabric of the building, but also the collection of art and furniture within it.”

“It’s very necessary to share the property and its contents with visitors, but it’s essential for its upkeep too. The property features some incredible carvings by Grinling Gibbons, frescoes by Antonio Verrio such as the Heaven Room and Hell Staircase, but also paintings from artists like Artemisia Gentileschi and other 17th century Italian Old Master paintings, regarded as being among the finest in private ownership.”

Lady Victoria Leatham

“Everyone should be able to enjoy those works of art, and the parkland itself, but I can’t think of another property in our area that’s so open to visitors and in such good condition.”

“I really am so proud of my daughter Miranda. She’s an amazing person and I’m in awe of her energy. She shares that same understanding that there’s a careful path to walk between keeping the house alive for people whilst preserving its soul.”

Like her daughter Miranda, who has a Masters degree in Arts Policy and Administration, Lady Victoria is an expert in antiques who began her career working for Sotherby’s on Bond Street and was a regular contributor to the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow for 20 years.

The couple lived in Northumberland where Victoria ran a knitwear shop with colleagues in Corbridge. Simon was working as an accountant and so later the couple also spent working around the home counties before returning to her childhood home.

“Growing up at Burghley felt normal. As a child you don’t question things, you just accept them. But returning to the place, we were reminded of just how wonderful the house is, not just as an historic property but as a family home too.”

“It was quite impractical though. The first thing we had to contend with when we moved in was how to keep the rain out. And as you either live on the ground floor or the top floor, you’re always up and down stairs.”

“When Simon retired from working in London and as we were getting older, we reasoned that it was time to let Miranda and her family enjoy the property. We moved to a smaller property in Fotheringhay, although it dates back to about 1473 or something, so of course we’ve had to contend with all of the troubles that a very old property brings, but it’s a privilege to be the custodian of an old house, to help it thrive into the next century.”

“Before we left, we created the Sculpture Gardens and Gardens of Surprise, based on the design of a similar property belonging to Lord Burghley in Hertfordshire. As Miranda and her family moved in, we were proud to leave the property in good condition and good health, but we were definitely ready to leave.”

“It’s a lovely place to revisit when we see family though, and we’ve had some wonderful Christmases there. This year I think we’re at home for Christmas Day, with our son and the grandchildren. I really enjoy hosting a good family Christmas with the usual traditions… the stockings, the bread sauce, panic over the turkey in the kitchen, all the usual things!”

“Christmas will start for us properly, though, with a visit to the Angel Fair. There’s a lot of planning and a lot of hard work that goes into creating an event that we hope people really enjoy. The festive season is a really important time for families, and we all really hope that we can use the joy of the season to also highlight the work of Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall and ensure it’s as well supported as it deserves to be.”

n The Angel Fair and Burghley Christmas Fair take place from Thursday 28th November to Sunday 1st December. The event raises funds for the Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice in Peterborough, see www.burghley.co.uk.

Open Spaces Lincoln’s Best

It may be a city with a population of more than 100,000, but Lincoln has retained its green spaces from common land to Victorian parks and sites requisitioned and preserved for nature. This month, we’re recommending autumn walks around Lincoln’s best open spaces

Lincoln’s Open Spaces

HARTSHOLME PARK

200­acres of Victorian parkland

Located three miles southwest of Lincoln, Hartsholme Country Park covers over 200 acres of space and dates back to the 1860s.

It’s located on the site of a reservoir which was created a couple of decades earlier, intended to provide fresh drinking water for the city’s population. The lake covered 25 acres and held 23m gallons of water. It was used until 1911 but then deemed ‘not fit for purpose’ following a suggestion that it was a source of a typhoid outbreak in 1904.

Joseph Shuttleworth purchased the land surrounding the lake upon which to create his country home, Hartsholme Hall, in 1862, commissioning Edward Milner to create its grounds. The property was used for military training accommodation during WWII then sold to Lincoln Corporation and opened as a park in 1951. Its iconic White Bridge (left) was restored, reopening in March 2014.

BOULTHAM PARK

Lincoln’s 50­acre Grade II listed park

The Boultham Estate was owned by Richard Ellison III, High Sheriff and MP from 17691812. Ellison was also the founder of what is now National Westminster bank and gifted the estate to his son Col Richard Ellison in 1830.

The place passed down another generation of the family and in 1914 it became a convalescent home during WWI then a place to grow food during WWII.

The City of Lincoln Council took ownership and control of the parkland from 1932 and turned it into a public park.

More recently an appeal was launched in 2013 to raise the £3.2m for a restoration of the park funded by the Heritage Lottery, Big Lottery Fund, city council and Linkage. The work was completed in 2018 with the charity creating a community centre and glasshouse on the site for visitors to enjoy adjacent to the fountain garden.

Opposite/Above: Hartsholme Country Park, www.andrewscottphotography.co.uk.

Lincoln’s Open Spaces

LINCOLN ARBORETUM

Created as a public space in 1872

Following the passing of the Lincoln Commons Act in 1870, Monks Lees Common to the east of the city was purchased and turned into Lincoln Arboretum. In July 1870 Edward Milner, who had already designed the grounds of Hartsholme Hall in 1862, was hired to lay out the new park.

The opening ceremony was held in August 1972 and was attended by 25,000 people. Attractions included Professor Renzo’s Performing Dogs and Mr Emmanuel Jackson, the Midland aeronaut, in his new balloon.

The 300m long terrace was the longest in Europe when the park opened, lined with lime trees. A bandstand was erected in 1884 attracting up to 40,000 people for brass band concerts, fêtes and flower shows. The Arboretum was subject to a £1m restoration in 2003.

LINCOLN WEST COMMON

100­acre 11th century common

Back in July 1912, the Daily Mail held its Circuit of Britain cross-country air race. One Scottish competitor, William H Ewen, arrived in Lincoln from Peterborough using West Common as an airfield.

His flight wasn’t a great success and after having his Caudron biplane repaired at a local garage, Ewen made a further (unsuccessful) attempt to take off before dismantling the plane and instead leaving the city for Hull... by train! The place remained an airfield during WWI.

The area dates back to 1773 but West Common was officially designated as such by the Enclosure Act of 1803. A racecourse grandstand was constructed there in 1897, with the last horse race held the being the Lincolnshire Handicap in 1964. The common remained a popular space for the owners of horse to ride and train their animals.

Below: The Arboretum. Right: South Common, www.andrewscottphotography.co.uk.

LINCOLN’S SOUTH COMMON AND COW PADDLE

Flat grassland and grazing horses on Lincoln’s South Common

Lincoln’s South Common and adjacent site

Cow Paddle is a pre-medieval area of common land, crossed by the Roman Ermine Street.

In the 19th century the main road (now Canwick Hill), housing and the new railway line all threatened the continued presence of the Common but happily the area managed to survive and the first Lincolnshire Show was held on Cow Paddle in 1869, ending the show’s itinerancy.

South Common was one of four commons, alongside West Common, The Holmes, and Monks Lee Common (which became The Arboretum). Two miles from the Cathedral, it covers 400 hectares (988 acres). The area originally included the land to the east of the Lincoln Road, but it was sold off to create the cemetery in 1856 and 1884. In 1887, Queen Victoria’s Jubilee was celebrated with a grand bonfire on the top of the Commons.

Lincoln’s Open Spaces

WHISBY NATURAL WORLD CENTRE

Opening in 1989, Whisby is managed by the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust

The site of a former gravel pit, Whisby was established as a nature reserve in 1985 and opened to the public four years later. Five miles out of Lincoln with six miles of footpaths, the site was named in The Guardian as one of the top five birdwatching places in the UK, especially as it offers visitors a chance to enjoy the sight and sounds of nightingales.

The visitor centre was opened by the Duke of Edinburgh in 2001, who enjoyed walking around the five lakes. Autumn brings some smashing birdlife, from goldcrests, redpolls and grey wagtails to murmurations of starlings when the weather cools down. It’s open seven days a week and the centre’s cafe is really quite good, too.

What’s On

Tuesday 12th November

G4 at Christmas, at Lincoln Cathedral

Escape into the world of G4 with mesmerising harmonies, beautifully-blended voices and some impeccable showmanship within an idyllic festive setting. Jon, Jai, Mike & Duncan are delighted to present their hotlyanticipated, 20th Anniversary G4 Christmas tour across the UK in 2024, with more dates than ever before!

From traditional carols to sacred contemplations, classical classics to popular favourites; all the way to modern festive hits, enjoy G4 in the beautiful setting of Lincoln Cathedral. 7.30pm, Lincoln Cathedral, call 01522 561 644, or see www.lincolncathedral.com.

Burghley Christmas Fair

Thursday 28th NovemberSunday 1st December Christmas Fair

Stamford’s Burghley House is proud to present the region’s largest and most magical Christmas Fair with stalls offering a wide range of artisan and unique gifts. You can also enjoy the very best festive food and drink for the most wonderful festive day out. With lights twinkling, music filling the air, and a Victorian carousel, there’s lots of seasonal cheer!

£10/adult, £5/child, from 9.30am, Burghley House, PE9 3JY.

See www.burghley.co.uk.

Saturday 9th November

Hancock’s Half Hour

In 1954, comedian Tony Hancock burst onto the BBC with a new comedy show unlike anything the British public had experienced before. Hambledon Productions is delighted to be recreating three, ‘lost’ episodes from the original television series. Missing from the BBC archives, this UK Tour will mark the very first time these hilarious scripts have been brought to life since their original broadcast.

From 7.30pm, Grantham’s Guildhall Arts Centre, NG31 6PY Call 01476 406158 or see www.guildhallartscentre.com.

Sunday 17th November

The Big Craft Event

Meet many carefully chosen local crafters, artists and makers at this popular event. Discover beautiful items to give as a Christmas gift, or treat yourself!

10am­4pm, Lincolnshire Showground, 01522 522900, lincolnshireshowground.co.uk.

Thursday 28th November

The Nutcracker

Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece brought to life by Ballet Theatre UK at Skegness’s Embassy Centre.

Tickets £26, 7.30pm, Skegness Embassy Theatre, PE25 2UG. Call 01754 474100 or see www.embassytheatre.co.uk.

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

Friday 1st November Autumn Light: Fireworks in Lincoln

The Lincolnshire Showground is teaming up with Autumn Lights to present Lincoln’s biggest firework display on Friday 1st November.

Enjoy the family funfair, tuck into delicious street food and watch two spectacular firework

displays choreographed to music from around the world.

Fire performers, live music from Phats & Small and DJ Ryan Swain. From 6pm-9pm. For more information call 01904 202760 or see www.autumnlights.co.uk.

To the Ends of the Earth

Author and TV presenter, specialising in exploration and conservation, presents an amazing new live show

Friday 15th November

Definitely Oasis, and The Complete Stone Roses

When 1990s Britpop band Oasis recently announced it was reuniting, and with Labour being returned to power, there’s a faint wiff of Cool Britannia in the air. Enthusiasm was in no small part tempered, though, by the fact that tickets were priced between £135 to £355. Happily, they’re a much more reasonable £20 at The Drill this month... with a Stone Roses set thrown in for good measure. Things can only get better, even 30 years on!

Tickets £20/advance, 7.30pm, The Drill, Lincoln, LN2 1EY. Call 01522 534 160 or see www.lincolndrill.co.uk.

Saturday 2nd November

Sunday 10th November Annual Service

of Remembrance

Canwick-based International Bomber Command Centre’s Service of Remembrance at the Memorial. The service will include hymns with the IBCC Orchestra and Choir, poetry, and a Roll of Honour for the veterans who have left us in the last year.

See internationalbcc.co.uk.

Sunday 10th November Remembrance Sunday Service

Gather to remember those who have suffered the pain of war and conflict. Remembrance service from 10.40am, Lincoln Cathedral, www.lincolncathedral.com.

Simon Reeve: To the Ends of the Earth

Simon is an author and TV presenter, and one of the world's most adventurous travellers. His unique brand of documentary film-making combines travel and adventure with current affairs, history, wildlife, culture and conservation.

Simon’s journeys have taken him to more than 130 countries, across jungles, deserts, mountains and oceans, and to some of the most beautiful, but also dangerous and remote regions of the world.

On his new UK tour Simon will offer stories, surprises, thrills, deeper thoughts and hearty laughs. He wants to nudge and encourage audiences to get out of their comfort zone, take a few gentle risks in life, and embrace the great outdoors. With behind the scenes footage and stunning imagery, Simon will remind audiences that we all need adventure in our lives! Baths Hall, Scunthorpe, 7.30pm, call 01724 296296 or see scunthorpetheatres.co.uk.

Lights, Christmas... Action!

Great ready for the festive season with half a dozen seasonal events

Wednesday 6th November ­ Sun 2th Jan

WINTER WONDERLAND WALK

Springfields, Spalding

A unique journey of shimmering lights right through Springfields’ beautiful Festival Gardens. Springfields is also home to all your favourite brands across fashion, homeware, cosmetics, food, drink and more, offering up to 60% off, all year round. See springfieldsoutlet.co.uk.

Friday 22nd November ­ Wed 1st January

CHRISTMAS AT BELTON 2024

Belton House, Grantham

After-dark festive fun for everyone. Discover colour-changing, larger-than-life neon string flowers, candles floating high into the sky and batons of light that shine all the colours of the rainbow. Complete your walk under the stars with a hot chocolate and marshmallow. See www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Saturday 30th November

LINCOLNSHIRE FOOD & GIFT FAIR

Lincolnshire Showground

Shop for unique gifts, handmade crafts and delicious treats at the Lincolnshire Food & Gift Fair with everything you need for a wonderful Christmas.

10am­4pm, Lincolnshire Showground, Grange de Lings, call 01522 522900 or see www.lincolnshireshowground.co.uk.

Thursday 28th November

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON Lincoln City Centre

Lincoln’s annual Christmas Lights Switch On event to celebrate the lighting of Lincoln’s Illuminations with a variety of exciting entertainment. The switch-on event is a fun, family friendly evening in the city-centre to highlight the start of the festive period. See www.lincoln.gov.uk.

Wednesday 6th November ­ Sun 2th Jan

LINCOLN CASTLE ILLUMINATED Uphill Lincoln

Walk through displays of Christmas lights, enjoy a hot chocolate or mulled wine in the Castle’s festive grounds. Visitors can take in the spectacular sights from up high, by upgrading and purchasing a ticket for the Illuminated Wall Walk.

See www.lincolncastle.com.

Saturday 7th ­ Sunday 8th December

THE LINCOLN ICE TRAIL

Cornhill, St Marks & Uphill Lincoln

Experience a weekend of magic as Lincoln welcomes ice sculptures, live ice-carving demonstrations, the taste of Christmas, entertainment and more to the city. A magical weekend of frozen fun with festive fun and over 20 Lincoln-themed ice sculptures. See www.visitlincolnshire.com.

Preserving History at

Belton House

This season Grantham’s 17th century Carolean mansion reopens its doors with dazzling Christmas displays.

The house is all spick and span thanks to its collections team of staff and volunteers, including Debbie Marsh & Lydia Wardingham, who talk us through the team’s conservation work

Words: Rob Davis.

The effete Naked Civil Servant, Quentin Crisp, was famously averse to housework, stating that he didn’t bother as ‘the dirt doesn’t get any worse after four years.’ That’s not a luxury afforded to those who care for some of Britain’s most venerable properties, with their precious collection of historic furniture and artwork though.

Traditionally a property like Belton House would have closed over the winter to give the team time to perform a full deep clean. However, its owner, the National Trust, is acutely aware of its obligation to keep the property open for visitors to enjoy. And so these days, surface cleaning and deep cleaning take place all year round, 365 days a year... in fact, you can even watch the conservators at work as they care for the property and its collections; it turns out that watching somebody doing their cleaning is a fascinating and enjoyable distraction from getting on with your own housework.

Lydia Wardingham is one of nine in the collections team, who labour all week performing surface cleaning, and conduct two days of specialist deep cleaning on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, with visitors invited to watch as part of weekly ‘Spotlight on Conservation’ days.

You’re welcome, as long as you’re not one of the ten so-called agents of decay which include light (the intensity of light and its UV irradiance are factors), dust, pests... and humans who can cause damage – sometimes knowingly, but more often inadvertently.

“We’ve about 20,000 items in our collection, and then 20,000 books which are categorised separately,” says Lydia. “Our collection comprises ceramics, furniture, horology, textiles, sculpture, photography, designs, paintings & portraiture, silverware & metalwork, and then objets de virtu. Each have their own sensitivities, and each requires unique care.”

Measures to prevent light damage include closing the property’s shutters and the use of UV blocking film: relatively simple. But then, there’s dust... or rather different types of dust.

“We’re so grateful for our 200-strong team of volunteers, and to everyone who visits the property to experience its rich history first hand!”

“Dust in our own home looks untidy, but for conservation purposes it’s a real problem,” says Lydia. “It can cause abrasion and it attracts moisture, which in turn can become the perfect home for mould. It can be a source of food for pests.”

As for simply emptying the vacuum bag, think again. Each property in the National Trust’s portfolio is unique so the team also rake through what they collect and take note of the colour and type of dust they collect.

“There are definitely different types of dust,” says Lydia. “A beige or caramel colour dust is composed of grit from our stone paths, so that’s particularly hard and abrasive. A fluffy grey dust is likely to be composed of fibres from visitors’ clothing, and very dark grey dust is probably residual coal soot from the fires being lit up to the 1970s.”

One of the conditions of dust is its likelihood to cement or concentrate in layers. In this event it’s sometimes more damaging to remove it from an object rather than just leaving it undisturbed.

All of the conservators’ vacuum cleaners are Conservacs – low power, often worn with a shoulder strap or belt strap, especially when working at height cleaning pelmets or the top of picture frames, for example. The vacuum never makes contact with the item the team is cleaning; dust is only ever swept into the airflow using a delicate brush.

“We use three types of brushes,” says Lydia. “Hog hair brushes are our most dense, used for sculpture and metalwork, whilst mediumdensity pony hair brushes are used for gilded ceramics and portrait frames. Goat hair brushes are used for textiles.”

“There’s a large range of sizes and shapes to our brushes and all of them are ethicallymade, exclusively for us. We do also use cloths, but mainly on the glass of our modern display cabinetry. We never use chemicals in the house because of the danger of having too much moisture and the potential for a chemical to become airborne and react with collection items.”

The team clean the frames of paintings, but leave the canvases themselves to dedicated conservators who work across the country, and the property’s windows are dry-cleaned internally using the same methods, then cleaned eternally by the estates team.

Spring 2025 will also see the property’s external stonework cleaned – again using specialist methods, to be determined by conservators. For example, the stonework of Lincoln Cathedral used to be cleaned using dry steam but a more common way to clean delicate porous stonework these days sees contaminants like soot vaporised through the use of lasers which ablate the buildup of dirt.

The carpets and floors of Belton House are just as delicate. You’ll be familiar with the checkerboard black and white marble floor in the property’s entrance hall. You’d think that could stand up to the slings and arrows of outrageous Henry hoovers, but even that relatively hard-wearing surface is cleaned with conservation-grade vacuums.

“Surface or maintenance cleaning is useful but it’s the deep cleaning which is essential to conservation of the property and its collections. The processes we adhere to ensure that the whole property and its contents are deep cleaned once every three years, and deep cleaning also involves using scaffolding to reach up the highest pelmets, cornices and ceiling plaster.”

“Half of our time is spent cleaning but half is spent documenting our work and the condition of each item. We’re lucky as an organisation to have an breadth of knowledge that we can call on as we pursue what we refer to as preventative conservation.”

“Pests are another concern and another reason we’re so diligent with our cleaning. There are around 30 different pests that can frustrate efforts to conserve a property but the main one for us at Belton are woolly bears or carpet beetles which damage textiles. Elsewhere, silver fish are especially fond of wallpaper glue and deathwatch beetles can be extremely damaging to timber.”

“The items on display from our collections are usually set around a particular period –1680, Georgian or the 1960s, in the case of Belton – or around a theme. This year we’ve been running a theme of travel, so our conservation work has allowed us to refresh some of what’s been on display, and ensure there’s something new to see even if you’re familiar with the mansion’s interiors.”

“I’m from Warwickshire but studied at the University of Lincoln and loved the area so much that I’ve made it my home.”

“Likewise I’ve fallen in love with Belton House as it’s such a lovely property, with a remarkable history, but it also has a team which really does care both about preserving the property and ensuring it remains open and accessible for the public to enjoy.”

“We’re so grateful for our 200-strong team of volunteers, and to everyone who visits the property to experience its rich history and our efforts to protect its future first hand!”

n Belton House is open seven days a week, with Tuesdays and Wednesdays dedicated to bookable Spotlight on Conservation visits, where you can see Lydia and the team at work. Also this season, enjoy Christmas in the Mansion and Belton’s House’s Christmas illuminations, see over. 01476 566116, www.nationaltrust.org.uk.

From Saturday 23rd November

Christmas Lights at Belton House

The Christmas lights at the Belton Estate, near Grantham, have become a firm favourite on the calendar, offering the chance to gather with family and friends for an unforgettable festive experience. The estate will again be offering a magical light trail in partnership with Sony Music. Created by award­winning, internationally acclaimed light trail producers, this year there will be new lights to be discovered. Explore a meadow of light stretching out into the distance, huge, colour­changing, neon string flowers, candles floating high into the sky and batons of light that shine and sparkle. There will also be the opportunity to enjoy seasonal snacks during the after­dark experience from a variety of street food vendors.

Visitors can also explore Christmas in the Mansion, where it will be decked out with magical woodland influences and enchanting creations inspired by Belton’s parkland. Utterly transformed, the Marble Hall will take on an ethereal beauty, leading through a sugarplum fairy inspired land. The delicate wildlife origami will enhance the Library’s features. Christmas in the Mansion will be open seven days a week, from Saturday 23rd November – Sunday 5th January.

n Meanwhile at Gunby Hall and Gardens, near Spilsby, there will be the chance to experience Christmas Around The World between Saturday 30th November to Sunday 22nd December. The house is being decorated with global themes, offering visitors the chance to discover the various ways this festive time of year is celebrated and enjoyed around the world. During the festive season there will also be will be wellbeing walks organised around the gardens and leading to the Icehouse Pond or Bratoft

Belton Estate, Grantham NG32 2LS. Tel: 01476 566116. Gunby Hall, Spilsby, Lincolnshire, PE23 5SS. Tel: 01754 890102.

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

Dining Out

Antlers Restaurant at The White Hart, Bailgate, Lincoln

Happy first anniversary to Antlers, the à la carte restaurant within Lincoln’s White Hart on Bailgate. The hotel has recently been awarded an AA Four Star Silver Award, the only hotel in the county to hold the title. It’s an achievement which we felt justified a return visit to enjoy the place for ourselves!

Words & Images: Rob Davis.

Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them. It’s the second of those conditions which can account for the success of Lincoln’s White Hart. It’s been a year since the opening of Antlers Restaurant within the recently-refurbished Uphill Lincoln hotel, and it’s really gone from strength to strength.

It’s definitely one of the best restaurants in Lincoln, with a smart dining room, a dedicated cocktail bar in which to enjoy an aperitif, and a menu that’s hewn from a solid chunk of satisfaction.

Add to that attentive front of house service and probably the best location in which you could establish such a restaurant in Lincolnshire... and you’ve a recipe for a success.

The hotel dates back to the 14th century, it carries a Grade II* listing, it’s right in the centre of a busy city, and a couple of years back, it was in need of some serious investment.

Those aren’t ideal conditions even for someone with a robust sense of ambition, but happily Andrew Long has sufficient derring-do to take on even the most challenging

projects, as evidenced when he purchased the hotel in July 2022, reopening the White Hart after embarking on a full refurbishment from March to October 2023.

Upon reopening, the hotel’s 49 bedrooms, its Colonnade Cocktail Lounge, Gibson Club Bar and Antlers Restaurant were all beautifully redesigned and they look splendid.

As we celebrate the hotel’s first anniversary since its reopening and relaunch in its extensively refurbished format, there’s more to report, too. The AA has recently awarded the White Hart its Four Star Silver status – the only hotel in Lincolnshire to enjoy such an award – in addition to its AA rosette, underwriting the quality of its dining.

Andrew and his team, including the hotel’s lovely general manager Paul Noble, have also announced that 2025 will see a new pool and wellness facilities opening on the ground floor of the Eastgate Coach House Wing. The team will also be converting the two upper floors of the adjacent Leigh Pemberton House into four luxury suites, which will be fully serviced from the hotel.

Opposite: Duo of pork, tenderloin, belly, peach, wild garlic, £26.50.

Above: English asparagus, bubble & squeak, mint verde, £8.

Dining Out

Antlers Restaurant at The White Hart

STARTERS

Octopus carpaccio, saffron, fennel, capers, £9.

Pan-fried scallops, rhubarb, pancetta, nasturtium, £15. English asparagus, bubble & squeak, mint verde, £8.

MAIN COURSES

English lamb, wellington, pressed belly, green onion £28.50. Duo of pork, tenderloin, belly, peach, wild garlic, £26.50.

Pan-seared turbot, broth, vegetables, smoked oil, £34.

THE GRILL

8oz ribeye steak, vine tomatoes, portobello mushroom, twice cooked chips and watercress, £35. 16oz Châteaubriand, pont neuf potatoes, grilled vine tomatoes, portobello mushrooms, watercress, choice of two sauces £80/two sharing.

28oz butchers block, chimichuri flat iron, dijon lamb rump, beer & treacle cured pork belly, butter roasted chicken supreme, cavatappi mac & cheese, celeriac dauphinoise £70/two sharing.

CLASSICS

House burger, bacon jam, smoked cheddar, beer onions, vines milk bun, skin-on-fries, frickles £19. Beer-battered haddock, twice cooked chips, charred lemon, curry sauce, minted mushy peas, tartar sauce, £18.

Chicken parmigiana, pesto, new potatoes, dressed salad, £18.

DESSERTS

Chocolate textures, macadamia, Pedro Ximenez, malt £9.

Fruit Salad flavours, paté de fruit, watermelon, nougat, £8.50.

‘The Fairground,’ candy floss, churros, toffee apple, popcorn, marshmallow £9.

NB: Sample menu and featured dishes, subject to availability and change.

Joint head chefs Matt Porada and Thadi Crook provide well-known dishes but add innovation and flair...

Antlers Restaurant’s new autumn menus have just been confirmed, prompting our visit around the first anniversary of the hotel’s reopening. This would be interesting…

Prior to reopening the team undoubtedly had a strong vision for the restaurant. However, diners would have their own idea as to what they wanted too, so we were keen to see how closely aligned the hotel’s aspirations were, with what their customers wanted.

The answer is the team either completely anticipated what customers would enjoy, or perhaps, had the confidence to execute their vision to the satisfaction and delight of those who have enjoyed dining at the hotel.

This is evident because the menu has evolved, not changed direction, with dishes finessed and with a halo ingredient allowed to come to the fore and just enough flair in tertiary components to complement – not compete with – the main element of the dish.

Above: English lamb wellington, pressed belly, green onion £28.50.

Opposite: Pan­fried scallops, rhubarb, pancetta, nasturtium, £15.

Lunchtime service is via an à la carte menu with five starters, six main courses and a trio of salads. Antlers Restaurant’s provision of daytime à la carte dining also runs alongside the hotel’s bar menu with its platters, burgers, salads and hot and cold sandwiches.

Evening à la carte dining in Antlers Restaurant, is also hugely impressive, comprising five starters, four Classic dishes, plus salads. Thereafter the restaurant offers four smashing main courses which are beautifully presented and flawless in their chefcraft. There are also three steak options and two sharing options; a 16oz Châteaubriand plus its farmyard-worrying 28oz Butchers Block. Private dining is also offered with dedicated dining areas and bespoke menus.

Kudos to joint head chefs Matt Porada and Thadi Crook who provide well-known dishes but with sufficient innovation and flair to ensure a unique expression of their nature, such as the duo of lamb with pressed belly and pastry-encased Wellington.

Even side dishes and steak sauces are elevated, from Pont Neuf potatoes, English asparagus with aged balsamic and celeriac

Dining Out

dauphinoise to Café de Paris butter alongside truffle béarnaise, brandy peppercorn and port & Stilton. Such attention to detail requires a wealth of suppliers, and local businesses are favoured but the team isn’t apologetic about looking a little further when the need to fulfil quality necessitates.

Redhill Pork on the Bailgate, Mel Ward of Rushington and Monk Road’s Fosters supply butchery as well as Derbyshire’s Price & Fretwell, whilst fish is sourced by a couple of suppliers from Grimsby’s fish market.

Welbeck, GW Price and Pilgrims of Boston are three suppliers of fruit and veg whilst Lincoln’s Vines bakery provides sourdough, ciabatta and focaccia. Thadi recalls Gordon Ramsay’s motto; ‘let cooks cook, and bakers bake bread.’ Sound advice when you’ve such a good artisan bakery on your doorstep.

Opposite: Chocolate textures, macadamia, Pedro Ximenez, malt £9.

Right: Fruit Salad flavours, paté de fruit, watermelon, nougat, £8.50.

Naturally desserts are made in house, the most popular with diners being Chocolate Textures. However a word about Fruit Salad Flavours, based on Thadi’s favourite penny chews from his childhood and presented as a sort of paté de fruit using pineapple, raspberry and watermelon flavours.

And then there’s Sunday lunch. Following the same theme of ‘excellence, elevated,’ the hotel’s dry-aged beef is cured in treacle and then cooked slowly overnight allowing the molasses to do their thing. Clotted cream potato, Lincolnshire Poacher cauliflower cheese and red wine & thyme gravy are just a few of the accompaniments… suffice to say, we’re definitely heading back to try Sunday lunch at Antlers.

It’s so satisfying to see a restaurant thriving with a new look, great dishes and true talent. But most of all, they’re also a lovely team clearly loving what they do… we wish the whole team continued success for their second year, and each one after that!

Antlers Restaurant at The White Hart, Lincoln

The Pitch: “The epitome of boutique elegance in Lincoln, with Antlers providing sophisticated à la carte dining.” Antlers serves lunch from noon­3pm (12.30pm Sunday); dinner 6pm­9.30pm. Colonnade Lounge Bar open seven days a week. The White Hart Hotel, Bailgate, Lincoln LN1 3AR. Call 01522 526222 or see www.whitehart­lincoln.co.uk.

The 2024 Pride Magazines Good Food Awards

This month we’re cooking up something rather special as we launch our Good Food Awards for 2024. Vote for your favourite restaurants and food & drink producers from across Lincolnshire and we’ll ensure they get the recognition they deserve...

Words:

Rob Davis.

Magazines

Good Food Awards 2024

Cast your vote in our Good Food Awards and help us to recognise Lincolnshire’s finest food and drink businesses...

Lincolnshire Pride’s Good Food Awards are designed to seek our readers’ opinions as to the county’s best restaurants, coffee shops and food & drink producers, with no commercial bias on our part, whilst ensuring the whole county is evenly represented.

Our awards are designed to provide really good publicity for those working hard in Lincolnshire’s hospitality sector who deserve recognition for providing great dining and front of house service.

You can vote for whichever businesses you believe are the best in their respective categories. They don’t have to be one of our advertisers although they do have to be in, or near the border of, Lincolnshire.

In keeping with the spirit of the awards, you should not be commercially affiliated with the businesses and should only nominate those business you think truly deserve recognition.

Our Six Good Food Award Categories

n Restaurant of the Year 2024:

Our flagship award which aims to find our readers’ favourite formal dining venue or a high quality pub restaurant.

n Best Café, Coffee Shop or Bistro: Celebrating daytime dining from cafés serving cake to places for lunch.

n Best International Dining Restaurant: Celebrating cuisine from around the world, from pan­Asian dining experiences to Mediterranean restaurants.

n Best Restaurant with Rooms: Recognising quality accommodation or a place to enjoy a great short break with really good dining.

n Best Local Food Producer/Retailer: In this category we’re looking to celebrate a local producer or retailer of artisan food e.g.: a butcher, baker or cheesemaker.

n Best Local Drink Producer: From real ale to gin, tea and coffee to soft drinks, a favourite local thirst­quencher.

Vote online at www.pridemagazines.co.uk or by filling in the form at the end of this feature. Please vote in all six categories!

Restaurant Jericho.

Winteringham Fields.

Jew’s House, Lincoln.

The Pride Magazines Good Food Awards

Voting Form 2024

You’re free to vote for whichever Lincolnshire businesses you choose; they don’t have to be mentioned in this edition. You can also vote online at www.pridemagazines.co.uk

Restaurant of the Year 2024: Your overall favourite place to dine in Lincolnshire.

Café, Bar or Bistro of the Year 2024: Your preferred place to enjoy a lighter meal or coffee.

International Cuisine 2024: A Lincolnshire restaurant providing great international dishes.

‘Restaurant with Rooms’ 2024: A restaurant that also has really special accommodation.

Local Food Producer 2024: A producer/retailer of local food e.g.: a butcher, baker or farm shop.

Lincolnshire Drink 2024: This could be a wine or spirit, locally roasted coffee, local tea or soft drink.

Name:

Address:

Postcode: Telephone:

Cut out this page and send your nominations to Pride Magazines Good Food Awards, Pride Magazines, Boston Enterprise Centre, Enterprise Way, Boston, Lincolnshire PE21 7TW. Closing Date 1st November 2024.

Food for Thought

A reminder of the desserts we’ve enjoyed over the past few months... and a gentle reminder to cast your vote in this year’s Good Food Awards!

1. San Pietro’s pistachio and mascarpone parfait was presented with crispy white chocolate, pistachio filo and nectarine. It’s on the restaurant’s menu del giorno £28.50/two courses. Call 01724 277774 or see www.sanpietro.uk.com.

2. The Queen’s Head prepared their popular sticky toffee pudding, with butterscotch sauce and vanilla ice cream, for our May Dining Out feature, £7.95. Call 01529 300750 or see www.thequeensheadpub.com.

3. The White Horse, Baston’s chef Adam Childs prepared this crème brûlée tart, £8, for our February visit. Call 01778 560923 or see www.thewhitehorsebaston.co.uk.

4. The Bustard Inn at South Rauceby offer diners this Eton Mess-inspird dessert of Roasted pineapple and raspberry with vanilla mascarpone, £9. Call 01529 488250 or see www.thebustardinn.co.uk..

5. The Dower House at Woodhall Spa presented this dark chocolate torte with Chantilly cream and passionfruit gel, for our October Dining Out feature, £9. Call 01526 352588, or see www.dowerhousehotel.co.uk.

6. The Petwood Hotel’s August Dining Out feature gave us the opportunity to photograph this honey panna cotta with Yorkshire rhubarb and ginger crumb, £7.50. Call 01526 352411 or see www.petwood.co.uk.

7. The White Hart in Lincoln presented this month’s Dining Out dessert, chocolate textures, macadamia, and malt £9. Call 01522 526222 or see www.whitehart-lincoln.co.uk.

NB: You can vote for these, or any other restaurant you wish as you nominate your preferred Restaurant of the Year winner. Featured dishes are subject to availability and change.

Opening Times: Wed-Fri from 12 noon to 2.30pm and 5.30pm to 10.30pm. Saturday from 12 noon until 10.30pm. Sunday from 12 noon until 4pm.

Great British Pub Awards accolade for Stamford’s

Bull & Swan

Congratulations to the team at Stamford’s Bull & Swan who are celebrating an impressive recent win. The Great British Pub Awards has named the High Street St Martins establishment Britain’s Best Town Pub. The news follows its award of an AA rosette at the end of summer and its first anniversary under the custodianship of its new owner Paul Brown

Words: Rob Davis.

‘Everything a traditional English pub should be.’ That’s the claim of Stamford’s Bull & Swan on its website. We’d follow that statement up with ‘and more,’ as the place goes well beyond the remit of your average local pub, given the quality of its dining, the warmth of its welcome and a lively events calendar all combining to ensure that locals really have taken the place into their hearts.

Located on Stamford’s High Street St Martin, the Bull & Swan was established within the Grade II* listed 1653 building still owned by the Burghley Estate.

The sister venue of the William Cecil and its bistro, Milly’s, The Bull & Swan was created in 2012 but last November a management buyout saw current owner Paul Brown adopt the place under his Woodford brand which is progressive in its approach to providing modern hospitality in a

traditional environment, commensurate with the look and feel of Stamford.

A year on from Paul bringing the Bull & Swan into the Woodford family and it’s safe to say this has been its finest moment.

As Pride goes to press, the team will transform The Potting Shed – the pub’s outdoor drinking and dining space – into a venue in its own right with an Alpine ski chalet feel, with the addition this winter of a dedicated outdoor bar.

Octoberfest on 26th October will mark the transition, debuting new menus of satisfying dishes to enjoy outdoors including bratwurst, fondue and monkey bread – for the uninitiated the latter is a sweet, sticky bread with cinnamon and caramelised sugar.

Opposite: Cod loin, Morteau sausage, beans, chicken butter sauce £24.

Above: Mussels, ‘nduja, sourdough, £10.50. Jerusalem artichoke, mozzarella, radicchio, £9.50.

Dining Out

The Bull & Swan

St Martins, Stamford

SNACKS

B&S scotch egg, black pudding, pork crumb, apple sauce and mustard, £7.

Camembert topped with mac & cheese, bacon bits, chutney, bread, £16.

Hambleton sourdough, butter, £5. STARTERS

Chicken liver parfait, chutney, toast £9.50.

Mussels, ‘nduja, sourdough, £10.50. Butternut squash, miso glaze and seeds £9.50.

Jerusalem artichoke, mozzarella, radicchio, £9.50.

Curried crispy chicken thigh, £7.

Cod cheek scampi, tartare sauce, £7.

Mushroom arancini, truffle mayo, £7.

MAIN COURSES

‘The Bull’ burger with two smashed patties, fig jam, black truffle relish, crispy onions, crispy bacon, cheese, steamed brioche bun, gherkin, skinny fries, £18.50.

Fish and chips, curry sauce, mushy peas, tartare sauce, £20.

8oz sirloin steak, sauce Diane, confit tomatoes, rosemary fries, £28.

Cod loin, Morteau sausage, beans, chicken butter sauce, £24.

Braised lamb shoulder, herb crumb, kale, chips, £23.

DESSERTS

Apple tarte tartin, vanilla ice cream, £9.50.

Spotted dick and custard, £9.

Pineapple fritter, rum ‘n’ raisin ice cream sundae, £9.

NB: Sample menu and featured dishes, subject to availability and change.

A

‘garden to plate’ philosophy is adopted with a range of satisfying dishes that are very well-executed...

Adjacent to the outdoor space is a kitchen garden with raised vegetable beds which service both the Bull & Swan and The William Cecil’s Milly’s. Such has been the success of the kitchen garden and Potting Shed/Alpine ‘Ski Chalet,’ alongside the pub itself, that each has organically evolved to achieve its own following over the past couple of years.

The outdoor spaces feature live music and Alpine parties, whilst in the pub itself many local groups like The Stamford College Old Boys have adopted the Bull & Swan as their regular meeting place too.

The pub is open seven days a week with a daytime and evening menu comprising eight ‘snacks’ to graze on, plus four starters, 13 main courses, four puddings and an English cheese board.

Interestingly, the Bull & Swan and Milly’s Bistro at the William Cecil not only co-exist but actually complement each other very well, with regular customers enjoying both establishments, and accommodation guests

Above: Iberico pork cheeks, celeriac and potato mash, cavolo nero, £24.

alternating between the two for their evening meal. The days of pubs providing uninspiring dishes whilst more formal restaurants provide smarter dining are long gone. Today, both the Bull & Swan and Milly’s provide an exceptional experience, albeit with a different feel. The Bull & Swan’s dishes are unfussy dishes, elevated.

Local suppliers include Hambleton Bakery, game is sourced from the Burghley Estate, Grasmere Farm supplies pork and there’s a cheese board curated by Stamford’s Rennet & Rind.

A ‘garden to plate’ philosophy is adopted across a range of satisfying dishes that are traditional but well-executed. That’s thanks to great ingredients but also the skill of Head Chef Jake Parfitt, Executive Head Chef Liam Goodwill and Jake’s five-strong kitchen team.

Such is the Bull & Swan’s success that the Great British Pub Awards sent along a secret shopper and interviewed Paul, ascertaining that the Bull & Swan was worthy of its coveted Best Town Pub title in the Great British Pub Awards.

Apple tart tatin, vanilla ice cream £9.50.

Dining Out

The Bull & Swan has nine letting rooms, all in the old building with its charming wonky walls and exposed beams. In the pub itself there’s a log burner, tweed and leather furnishings, timber floorboards and stonework with an attractive lived-in patina. It’s all authentic, and all the better for that, especially in winter when it feels particularly cosy and traditional.

Speaking of which, a word too about the very strong Sunday lunch offering. Roast beef sirloin is with roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, seasonal veg and cauliflower cheese, a winter crowd-pleaser for £26.50.

To accompany there’s a really good selection of real ales including those from Grainstore plus spirits from Lincolnshire’s State of Rum and gin from Mallard Point and Tipplemill

“We don’t want to reinvent the wheel. We’d rather stick faithfully to our town pub remit,

but elevate that to a really enjoyable experience,” says Jake. “We love the fact that so many Stamfordians enjoy visiting us, get to know us and build up an authentic relationship with us.”

“It means a lot to us that we provide a really enjoyable experience and serve as an ambassador for Stamford’s values… we’re an independent business providing an enjoyable, quality experience that’s sufficiently welcome and inclusive to ensure that everyone wants to come back… and I think that’s the secret of our popularity.”

Just a couple of months ago, the team were proud to be able to display their AA rosette, awarded to the pub for the quality of its dining. The award underwrites 2024’s Best Town Pub Title in the Great British Pub Awards competition. Quality would be nothing without the warm welcome you’d expect from a great local pub, but that’s abundant too. We’re therefore thrilled that such a lovely team are able to celebrate their success!

The Bull & Swan St Martins, Stamford

The Pitch: “Just as an inn should be, cosy and unpretentious, where the ale is real, and the food is comfortingly traditional. With outdoor spaces inspired by Alpine ski lodges promising comfort all winter long.”

Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday 12 ­ 11pm (food served 12 – 2.30pm, 5 – 8.30pm)

Sunday 12pm – 10.30pm (food served until 7pm)

The Bull & Swan, St Martins, Stamford, PE9 2LJ. Call 01780 766412 or see www.thebullandswan.co.uk.

Above: Salted caramel chocolate bar, vanilla ice cream £9.50.

Sunday lunch, image Jack Matthew Photography.

www.mayfieldvineyard.co.uk

07976 912883 events@mayfieldvineyard.co.uk

CHRISTMAS IS COMING, SO WHERE CAN YOU BUY OUR DELICIOUS LOCAL WINES?

Our on site shop will be open on 1st October and you can order for pick up or delivery from our website.

If you’d like to meet Fraser and buy some wine (sampling available) come and find us at the following venues:

FULBECK ARTISAN MARKET: 14th Oct, 9th Nov and 14th Dec

WITHAM HALL SCHOOL WINTER FAIR: 16th Nov

BURGHLEY CHRISTMAS FAIR (main Marquee): 28th Nov to 1st Dec

Wine tasting vouchers make a fantastic Christmas gift and can be personalised with a special message. Looking for a mini break in the country. Mayfield Retreats has a selection of properties all with hot tubs from 2 bed glamping pod to 12 bed luxury homes.

The essence of the Lincolnshire coast... in a glass!

Local gin inspired by the North Sea coastline

Inspired by the Lincolnshire coast and infused with seven hand­selected botanicals including sea buckthorn berries, blackberries and bladderwrack seaweed. A sweet, slightly woody nose is followed by a pleasingly fruity and spicy palate with a hint of salination Unique, surprising, yet very well balanced.

£37.99 / 70cl / 40% ABV www.coastaldistillery.co.uk

The Wine Cellar

This month we’ve a trio of Beaujolais from some of the area’s best appellations, plus a celebrity cider courtesy of Clarkson and a local gin ideal for toasting autumn and winter by a roaring fire...!

A Trio of Beaujolais in time for Nouveau Day...

In-cider information on Hawkstone’s fruity autumn offering Wine of the Month

A benchmark Cortese­based wine from Italy’s Piedmont, a cooler climate where the Broglia family’s estate yields this fresh and fruity wine with its pear and almond flavour. Best served with fish dishes and white meats, it’s also an ideal wine to pair with your Christmas turkey next month. Straw yellow in hue, a dry wine that you’ll also enjoy in front of the fire this month.

£11.99 / 75cl 13.5% ABV, www.waitrose cellar.com.

Wild Soul? Aren’t we all, dear. Lower alcohol, a floral lift and a little pepper elevate this Juliénas appellation wine nicely! £23.50 / 75cl / 12.5% ABV, www.bbr.com.

From the Moulin­à­Vent appellation, Thibault LigerBelair utilises the Gamay grape for a floral red. £37 / 75cl / 14% ABV, www.thibaultligerbelair.com.

Les Impénitents is fun branding for a seriously good red with dark berries & brambles, medium bodied. £79 / 75cl / 14% ABV, www.bbr.com.

Jeremy Clarkson’s Hawkstone Brewery produces this autumnal Hedgerow cider, made with tart pressed juice from (of course) British apples which are blended with the delicious sweet juice of equally indigenous blackcurrants and blackberries for a bold fruity flavour and a clean, crisp finish. Other offerings include an apple cider, an IPA and a premium lager.

£35 / 12 x 500ml / 4% ABV www.hawkstone.com.

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

Light Seeing the

Huge amounts of natural light, open plan living and well chosen materials are the ingredients for Orchard Barn, architecturally designed with a remit to blend the old with the new with ultimate efficiency

Words: Rob Davis.

Some people can’t help themselves. Having completed a stunning contemporary barn conversion on the border of Lincolnshire in the Vale of Belvoir, Neil Smith and Jo Mapletoft stood back to admire their work. No sooner had they began to adjust to no longer being surrounded by building work, architects’ plans and contractors, the two are embarking on another project, having discovered the perfect plot nearby to create their next home; a passivhaus.

Orchard Barn is a rather lovely property in the village of Thoroton, on the Lincolnshire/Nottinghamshire border, equidistant from Grantham & Newark and only five miles or so from the A1. Location-wise it’s surrounded by breathtaking countryside whilst also being close enough to civilisation and decent schools. Little wonder, then, that the couple decided it was an ideal place to create their modern interpretation of a traditional barn conversion.

“We’re both good at working together and visualising what something could look like,” says Jo. “But Neil’s on another level: his eye for what will work is brilliant, and we’re always on the same page as each other with creative ideas and a keenness to get the details right.”

The couple purchased the plot in 2020 and began work just as Covid was throwing the world into chaos. Prices for materials rose sharply and the availability of contractors was reduced, but the couple managed to make steady progress, converting an existing barn whilst adding an additional south-facing structure in aluminium standing seam cladding combined with solid oak columns.

Orchard Barn is set on a 1.1 acre plot and provides a reinterpretation of a country home with open plan living, lots of natural light and stunning views. The house has four bedrooms and two reception rooms.

The property sits on a plot of just over an acre and provides versatile accommodation with a light and airy entrance hall with expansive glazing.

The property’s beating heart is its open plan living, dining and kitchen space, with two sets of Origin floor-toceiling sliding doors which flood the place with natural light.

The media wall is clad in bespoke oak with concealed LED lighting with handsome timber-effect porcelain tiles, with underfloor heating.

The adjacent kitchen has an island with breakfast bar. The kitchen features handleless cabinetry in Hague Blue and a suite of integrated appliances from premium German brand Siemens: it’s a great place to prepare dinner whilst entertaining friends or keeping an eye on younger children.

Designed and installed by Long Eaton based Steven Christopher, it also incorporates a matte black Quooker boiling water tap and Bora induction hob with its built-in down draught extractor.

There’s a separate utility room for keeping laundry and family clutter out of the way, as well as a dedicated plant room for the property’s air source heat pump, supplied and fitted by Green Source Heating.

A separate dining room meanwhile is located adjacent to the kitchen with a soaring double-height ceiling, oak and glass staircase and first floor landing balustrade, plus its large skylights.

The large galleried landing leads to bedrooms in each wing of the house. The master has a large en suite bathrooms, dressing room and a covered balcony for enjoying decent coffee, a croissant and the Sunday papers overlooking the countryside.

The second upstairs bedroom also features an en suite bathroom and there are two additional bedrooms on the ground floor.

Welcome Home

Both are accessible, one has an adjacent shower room and the other, next to the principal reception room, has been designed with conversion into an annexe in mind.

The property is especially suited to those seeking intergenerational living, designed from the ground up to be accessible.

The house is approached via a long private driveway with neat landscaping or curved lawns, rustic limestone setts, paved terrace and raised beds plus a separate paddock, underwriting the property’s remit as a modern reboot of a country home.

Whilst the couple are looking forward to getting started on their next project – a passivhaus – they both admit that Orchard Barn has been a fantastic property, and will be a very difficult place to leave!

Orchard Barn, near Thoroton

Location: On the Lincs/Notts border. Newark 10.3 miles, Grantham 13 miles. Long Benington/A1 6.4 miles.

Provenance: Unique country residence with eco­home features and good transport links, surrounded by open countryside. Two/three receptions; four bedrooms.

Guide Price £1,395,000

Find Out More:

Currently on the market with Mount & Minster Grantham, 01476 515329 or see www.mountandminster.co.uk.

Autumn Sofas for

Cosy Homes

November is the perfect month for getting cosy on the sofa with a roaring fire, a hot drink and a good book. You’ll be sitting pretty with our selection of sofas for country homes, shown here in olive and green shades, although most are available in a selection of colourways...

Cotswolds Company’s Hurley two­seat sofa (148cm) in forest green matt velvet, £1,599. The retailers is based on Stamford’s High Street, 01733 911489, www.cotswoldco.com.

Barker & Stonehouse Finch sofa, designed in collaboration with English Heritage. Shown here in brushed cotton fossil, with five other colourways, four­seater 190cm, £1,895. Pillow­back shown, standard back available. Corner, four­seater, cuddler chair and accent chair also available, call 0333 010 2352, www.barkerandstonehouse.co.uk.

www.barkerandstonehouse.co.uk.

Top: Barker & Stonehouse Artenis five­seater corner sofa in Astrid Moss, 337cm, £5,249, 0333 010 2352,

Top right: Tetrad Ava snuggler in olive Beatrice loose­cover fabric, £1,829, 01772 792936, www.tetrad.co.uk.

Above: English Heritage/Barker & Stonehouse Quarry chenille sofa, four­seater, £1,749. 10 colours, Serpentine shown here. Opposite: Abingdon sofa, sage velvet, 202cm, Rowen & Wren, 01276 451 077, www.rowenandwren.co.uk.

Devereux Way, Horncastle LN9 6AU

Tel: 01507 527113

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

Peter Jackson Cabinet Makers Ltd

Beautiful lighting inspired by historic interiors, shown here is Down House, part of the Patterns with Provenance’ collection designed in partnership with English Heritage, from Broughtons of Leicester, four­light pendant, 57cm diameter, £280.

1933 DESIGN

Royal Air Force blue, 23cm diameter, 16 colours available, £170.

CIRCUS TABLE LAMP

Complete with ivory shade, 58cm, ceramic, £149.

ENGLISH HERITAGE

Down House four­light pendant, 57cm diameter, £280.

BOBBLE LAMP

49cm tall, Persian blue and coconut, £294.

Seeing The LIGHT Lighting

Specialists in designer lighting and architectural ironmongery for doors and windows, Broughtons of Leicester presents some of their newest ranges

Broughtons is based on Cropston Road, Leicester LE7 7BP. Call 0116 234 1888 or see www.broughtons.com.

TEARDROP TABLE LAMP

Mouth­blown glass, 74cm tall, light blue, £246.

SHOREDITCH

Pendant in smoke blue, 31cm diameter, £330.

1950s TABLE LAMP

1950s style in blue and brass, 70cm tall, £150.

HYDE PENDANT

Finished in smoke blue and brass, 53cm diameter, £780.

BOSTON

J&J FUELS

• Tree Surgery & Felling

• Tree Reports

• BS 3998

• BS 5837

• Stump Grinding

• Site Clearance

• Hedge Cutting

• Council Approved Contractor

• £10 Million Public Liability

• NPTC Qualified

• BSC Honours Landscape Ecology

• Professional Tree Inspection

• National Diploma in Forestry and Arboriculture

Christmas at Gates Garden Centre A Novel Approach to Celebrations

This month there’s a literary theme to seasonal celebrations at Gates Garden Centre as the beloved local retailer reveals its 25,000sq ft Christmas department: a must for anyone who adores getting into the festive spirit!

Are you sitting comfortably? Then Christmas will begin, with a visit to Gates Garden Centre and the chance to enjoy the area’s largest display of festive decorations, gifts and food.

This year Gates is finding inspiration in our favourite Christmas novels to present a range of festive themes for its huge 25,000sq ft range of Christmas decorations.

“From the rich history of Charles Dickens Victorian London to the elegance of the Snow Queen on her frosty, icicle clad sleigh, we’ve a range of themes to help get your Christmas creativity flowing,” says the centre’s Claire Parker.

“Browse through our superb range online for wonderful ideas or visit us to see the magnificent displays, filled with twinkling lights, glittering stems, eye-catching baubles and stunning greenery – everything you need to bring your Christmas story to life!”

Gates Garden Centre will this year present ten different festive themes across its display area, with each one centred around a beautifully decorated Christmas tree surrounded by everything you need to recreate the look. Elsewhere there are beautiful Christmas scenes, and a wealth of quality artificial trees, sustainably sourced real Christmas trees from the end of November, plus all of the lights and accessories you need to create a dazzling festive display.

Making its debut last year, The Barn is a new area for Christmas crafting, and there’s a larger-than-ever display of Lemax model villages and accessories. Festive decorations is only half the story though.

Gates Garden Centre is also well-renowned for its range of gifts for men and women, including those in the new Gates Wardrobe clothing department, plus fragrances and accessories, jewellery and even gifts for pets. There’s a large toy department too with games, toys, puzzles and books for every age. naturally there’s a wide selection of festive gift wrap and cards, as well as stocking fillers, crackers and table games for keeping the family around the Christmas table.

Speaking of which, Gates Garden Centre’s farm shop opened in 2019 and now covers 12,000sq ft with more than 4,000 products. Partnering with Hambleton Farms, you’ll fine high welfare beef from Gates’ own farm, as well as lamb and pork, plus local freerange turkeys and quality fruit and veg.

Organic milk from the shop’s self-serve vending machine, self-serve orange juice plus a range of zero-waste loose-fill products (nuts, seeds and pulses, for example) will ensure you have all the ingredients close to hand. Meanwhile, your local Lakeland store is also located adjacent to Gates’ Farm Shop, with cookware, kitchen and home essentials for everything you need to cook, carve, serve and savour during the festive season.

Finally, Gates Garden Centre’s 360-seater Garden Restaurant, Courtyard Coffee Shop, Glasshouse Winter Kitchen and in November, tasty treats from food trucks in the covered plant area, will all prove satisfying, whilst events like the centre’s Wreathmaking Workshop and Dine with Santa events, you’ll have fun and make memories, for the whole family.

Gates Garden Centre’s Christmas displays are now available to enjoy. The centre is open seven days a week, 8am­5.30pm. Open until 7pm from 1st Nov to 21st Nov, Mon­Sat. Open until 7.30pm 22nd Nov to 23rd Dec, Mon­Sat at Somerby Road, Cold Overton, Oakham LE15 7QB. Call 01664 454309 or see www.gatesgardencentre.co.uk.

flower from

.

Christmas roses or helleborus niger

January

Bulbs to Plant in Autumn & Winter

1. Snowdrops generally flower from December, but they’re often early... plant them in October! and November in borders and under deciduous shrubs.

2. Plant pansies in November, preferably in part­shade, for colour in late winter and early spring.

3. Magnolias can be planted from October to December ready for spring flowering.

4. Plant hyacinths in October and November ready for flowering from January to April.

5. Christmas roses or helleborus niger flower from January, and can still be planted if October and November are mild.

6. Pale tulips do best in shade, plant bulbs from October to December.

7. Plant bare root roses in November and they will give a good display in their first year.

8. Plant daffodil bulbs until December, as long as conditions are mild. Flowering from January to April.

November in the Garden Six Jobs for Autumn

We’d love to say that you can put your feet up and enjoy the joyous colours of autumn through the window, from your armchair. Unfortunately (or fortunately, if you’re a keen gardener) there are plenty of ways to remain busy outdoors in October and November, and a little preparation work now will yield real benefits when winter finally turns into spring next year...

1. AUTUMN PLANTING

When the soil is still reasonably warm and moist, conditions are perfect for establishing everything from spring bulbs to perennials and bare-root trees.

Likewise, it’s an ideal time to move those established shrubs and trees as they’re dormant, taking as much of the rootball as possible, firming in and watering well.

Plant tulip bulbs ready for spring both in containers or borders. In the case of the latter they shouldn’t need too much water. Autumn bedding plants such as pansies, violas and wallflowers can still be planted if we experience mild weather. However, these should be planted on a sunny day, in rich, moist soil.

2. PRUNING USING THE SISSINGHURST METHOD

This month is a good opportunity to cut back and tidy borders generally, but it’s important to give roses attention in particular, as you’ll help to protect the plant itself from wind-rock. The aim is to shorten the stems of tall bush and shrub roses, and among the best techniques is the Sissinghurst method, established at Clivedon by the Astors’ groundsman Jack Vass in 1939 and best practised in November.

Prioritise climbers and ramblers, cut off most of this year’s growth, then take out large, woody stems to encourage new shoots. Next, border shrubs; cut off this year’s growth, then bend the stem over into an arch and tie-in, preventing them becoming too woody and fostering good growth for next year. Generally, open up the centre of each cluster of roses to improve air flow and deter fungal diseases, and remove any dead, or diseased shoots.

Deadhead flowers like pansies, violas and primulas, and cut back peonies to encourage growth next year, generally cutting back perennials and clearing borders of detritus.

3. LOOKING AFTER YOU LAWN

The last cut of your lawn should be completed with a higher, less severe height of cut. Remove any thatch, moss or loose leaves retain these for compost and edge your lawn once borders. are clear. Aerate your lawn to improve drainage where necessary. Finally, treat your mower to a good service over winter and it’s ready to go in spring, or if its seen better days, consider treating yourself to a new one... perhaps a robotic mower, since the technology has really improved.

Whilst you’re in pruning duties around your formal borders it’s also advisable to give fruit trees a good prune, cutting back leader branches (the vertical stem at the top) and removed branches that are rubbing against one another. Plant new fruit trees with twice the space of the root ball and fill with good organic matter.

Tie in and tidy up soft fruit beds, and clear away climbing beans. Keep planting onions, shallots and garlic, spread manure across veg beds to rot down over winter, and harvest parsnips. Rotate your veg beds between roots, brassicas & legumes and potatoes onions and tomatoes to prevent pests and diseases from successive seasons of planting.

In the greenhouse or a sunny window, sow microgreens, herbs, pea tops, herbs and carrots and broad bean for a spring crop.

PLAN NOW, PLAY LATER

Start to organise projects for next spring and summer now to avoid disappointment

Many people make the mistake of waiting until spring to start thinking how they want to use their gardens and outdoor spaces as the weather warms up, but getting a head­start now on garden design projects, maintenance and other work will ensure you’re able to put your feet up and relax when the weather improves in 2025!

GARDEN DESIGN

We’re afraid that there’s no avoiding it. Autumn is the ideal time to clear leaves, generally tidy up your outdoor spaces, pressure wash terraces and paths free of moss, algae and lichens prior to frosts, and give the greenhouse, potting shed and tool shed a good sort out. Sweep and tidy thoroughly, giving pests nowhere to hide, and then thoroughly clean and lubricate tools like secateurs.

With a lot of material to get rid off, –especially if you’ve been pruning fruit trees, – and if the grandchildren have a fondness for toffee apples, it’s tempting to have a bonfire night party. In that case, do check for careless hedgehogs who mistake your pyre for a place to hibernate. If you do find yourself with a prickly visitor this season, remember they prefer meaty pet food: no bread or milk please!

Clean out bird baths, ensure fresh water and provide nuts and fat ball to wild birds and leave a few of the holly or rosehip berries in tact as they’re a good source of food for wildlife.

Floating a tennis ball on the surface of your pond will help to prevent it freezing over, which will lead to a build-up of toxic gases that harm fish and frogs. Don’t break ice with force; use luke-warm water to melt a hole in the surface of a frozen pond.

Beardsley Landscaping Services, 01778 561344, www.beardsleylandscaping.co.uk.

David Greaves Landscape Design & Construction, 01664 823588 or 07507 506842, www.davidgreavesdesign.co.uk. Precision Landscapes, 01780 721174, www.precision­landscapes.co.uk.

GARDEN SERVICES

GreenStripe Innovations, 01673 844250, www.greenstripe.net.

Lincolnshire Tree Services, 01673 838901, lincolnshiretreeservices.co.uk. TruGreen, 07932 785208, www.trugreen.com.

GARDEN CENTRES & NURSERIES

Foras, 01366 381069, www.foras.co.uk.

Gates Garden Centre, 01664 454309, www.gatesgardencentre.co.uk.

Humber Bridge Garden Centre, Barton­upon­Humber, 01652 637095, www.humberbridgegardencentre.co.uk. Roxie’s Roots, 01778 422700, www timberdisplays.co.uk.

OUTDOOR SPACES

Midland Garden Buildings, 01623 345040, midlandgardenbuildings.co.uk.

HOT TUBS AND POOLS

Oceanos Pools, 01572 337599, www.oceanospools.com.

4. IN THE KITCHEN GARDEN

5. LOOK OUT FOR NATURE

6. TIME FOR A THOROUGH CLEAN

On the Farm Farming

What’s happening in the fields of Lincolnshire with farming correspondent Andrew Ward MBE

It’s a worrying time for our colleagues in the livestock sector. An exclusion zone has been established following an outbreak of bluetongue disease in North Lincolnshire. Farmers are now restricted from transporting cows, sheep and goats in the latest challenge for farmers in Lincolnshire.

Bluetongue is a virus that affects sheep in particular, but cattle are also in danger from its symptoms which include fever, swelling of the lips and tongue, lethargy and sometimes foot lesions.

It’s not usually lethal, and vaccinations and vigilant farmers are good at keeping it suppressed, adhering to quarantine rules and most of all, being determined to provide the best care for their livestock. Incidentally, the virus can not pass to humans and presents no risk to public health or food safety.

Nevertheless, it’s additional pressure that the sector could do without, and of course we wish our colleagues well and keep our fingers crossed for a swift relaxation of restrictions.

On the ninth annual Back British Farming Day in September, 180 MPs, peers and NFU members joined Defra secretary Steve Reed as he pledged to ‘make farming’s case’ to the treasury. Defra’s ‘new deal for farmers’ is said to include protection for farmers in future trade deals, fairer supply chains, veterinary agreement with the EU to simplify the movement of food exports and also the speeding up of flood defence repair and planning decisions.

That last point will prove especially important for farmers like Henry Ward at Shortferry, East of Lincoln, who is yet to see any money from the Farming Recovery Fund, despite

£25,000 being pledged to farmers whose land has been flooded... and despite an underspend by Defra of £358m over the past three years which will now be returned to the Treasury. It’s frustrating to say the least when that cash could have been used to compensate local farmers for losses of up to £100,000 after their land – 2,000 acres adjacent to the Barlings Eau – was under as much as three metres of water with some of that now planted with SFI crops, not food. As Pride goes to press, uncertainty surrounds what October’s budget will mean for British agriculture... we hope rumours of a difficult time ahead for farmers are overstated.

Closer to home, and with help from the Rural Payment Agency’s Farming Equipment Technology Fund (FETF), we’ve invested in a new 6.4m Weaving Sabre Tine drill ideal for planting in wetter or heavier soils like our clay land, with a view to being able to establish crops in a broader range of conditions.

We’ve also trialled a Väderstad TopDown 5m combination cultivator in the field in which we will be planting our Capulet haricot beans – the ones which will be made into baked beans. Väderstad is based in Grantham and its kit is always well made and very well-respected.

Lincoln’s Agrii recently visited with their mobile seed-cleaning rig to dress our seed wheat, removing chaff and coating it with a product called Vibrance to help prevent disease and give the plant its best start as we plant it in the ground and look forward to seeing a decent crop emerging.

Watch Wardy’s Waffle: Our farming correspondent Andrew Ward MBE farms 1,600 acres in Lincolnshire, growing wheat, barley, oilseed rape, sugar beet, beans and oats. Andrew has his own YouTube channel, Wardy’s Waffle, which is enjoyed by over 17,500 subscribers. Watch his updates Wednesday evenings from 7pm and Sunday mornings at 8am. Search YouTube for @WardysWaffleAndrewWard.

Above: Väderstadt TopDown 5m combination cultivator was no match for the first frosts of September but it required quite a bit of muscle to pull... thankfully, our 8RX was up to the task!

Bluetongue is causing concern in the livestock sector, with restrictions currently in place.

smart #3 Brabus

All-electric SUV-coupé with bags of style and character, and an impressive powertrain thanks to Brabus. The flagship smart #3 is easy to love and easy to live with day-to-day thanks to great driver assistance technology... it’s a definite recommendation against its rivals!

Words & Images: Rob Davis.

With great power comes great responsibility. And apparently, a slight sense of trepidation. Regular page-turners may recall that earlier in 2024 we test drove the new smart #1. We were impressed. So impressed that we were keen to revisit the brand, this time to try the second car in the company’s lineup – a lower, sleeker, sportier version of the former, called the #3. But… there’s a twist.

Our #1 was a Premium spec car, all electric, boasting 200kw of power. Among the many reasons to be impressed by the car was the instant, rapid availability of power, and upon handing the car back and remarking as such to Rory of smart at Mercedes-Benz of Lincoln, the smart product specialist replied ‘if you think that’s responsive, should try the Brabus version!’ So this time we did just that.. with eyebrow-raising results.

smart was founded in 1994, oddly as a design collaboration between Mercedes-Benz’s parent company Daimler and the Swiss folk who made Swatch fashion watches in the 1990s... remember those? ‘Swatch Mercedes Art’ became smart and it is now co-owned by Mercedes-Benz and Geely, as a sub-brand, in the same way that Mini is now a premium compact sub-brand of BMW.

And, in the same way that Mini under BMW has abandoned the notion of producing a car that’s as small as possible, smart under Mercedes has abandoned similar intentions.

The #1 was rather like that last bowl of porridge in the story of Goldilocks in the respect of being compact and usable in town, without being too limited in terms of cabin and boot space… it doesn’t feel compact, nor is it too unwieldy. It’s just the right size, without sacrificing comfort.

smart’s #3, meanwhile, is like the more attractive sibling of a partner you’re already dating. Nothing wrong with the #1, its jelly mould shape is rather endearing. But the #3 is sleeker, a little wider and longer on paper, objectively and subjectively it’s a prettier, more desirable car.

A compact coupé-SUV, #3 rides a little higher than a sporty car, which is ideal on Lincolnshire’s rough roads, and it’s handling is crisper, thanks to a lower profile and larger wheels.

In Brabus form, it’s also fast. Not just nippy or rapid or quick, but genuinely fast. Brabus is a trim level here but the name derives from the Mercedes-allied high-performance tuner with form for working on Mercedes-Benz, Maybach, smart and Porsche vehicles.

On paper, the Brabus version of the #1 and #3 is faster than the other smart models but we were curious to see what it’s like in the real world, given that the standard other models in the range are so responsive. First impressions of the Brabus variant are favourable.

The car was finished in a nice pearlescent metallic Digital White, which was accented with a black roof, mirrors and lower body cladding, plus additional red accents in the front spoiler, along the lower flanks of the car, on the spoiler and lower diffuser at the rear. It also sported huge-looking 20” wheels with bright red brake callipers.

I’ve never been one for two-tone colour schemes on cars, black packs, etc., but on the #3 Brabus they work fantastically well. It’s a great looking car whose sporty inclinations are tastefully obvious. I really did find myself admiring it and I can’t help thinking the Brabus is a better looking car than is Pro, Pro+, and Premium versions.

All #3 versions are very well-equipped and great value. Kicking off the range is the Pro at £32,950 with its 44kWh battery, 202 miles range of 60mph reached in 5.8 seconds. Standard fare includes artificial leather seats, powered and heated, with a heated steering wheel too. Adaptive cruise and 360° camera, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and phone charging are also standard, as is a panoramic roof.

Pro+ trim commands a £4,000 premium but provides additional range (270 miles total) thanks to a larger 66kWh battery. Premium trim provides automatic parking assistance, LED headlights, gesture tailgate and larger alloy wheels, whilst Brabus – our test car – at £45,000 is a range-topping performance model.

Inside the car, Brabus stands out thanks to its Alcantara/leather seats, some really nice red seatbelts and red stitching around the man-made leather on the dashboard and on the steering wheel. The centre console is a little higher on the #3 anyway, and the overall result is a really snug driving environment that’s modern and sporty, really appealing with great quality materials.

The real point of the Brabus version of the #3 though is the additional performance. 60mph is reached in 3.7 seconds. For reference that’s faster than a Porsche 911 Carrera. Top speed is 112mph, range on a full charge is 258 miles.

Naturally there’s a driving mode switch, as is de rigueur these days. In Eco and Comfort modes, acceleration is brisk enough for changing lanes or overtaking, Sport mode dials things up a notch, but put the thing in Brabus mode and all hell breaks loose when you floor the accelerator. I’ve never felt anything like it: it’s easily the quickest car I’ve ever driven.

One of the nice things about electric vehicles, about smart’s #1 and #3, and about the Brabus in particular, however is the split personality that the cars possess.

We drove the car over the course of weekend in Sleaford, Lincoln and on A-roads like the A15 and A17. In town it’ll creep around the narrowest of Lincoln’s streets or the supermarket car park in silence.

Then, away from the lights and along the A17 between Sleaford and Boston, it’s brisk in other driving modes but unfeasibly rapid in Brabus mode.

For changing lanes and overtaking HGVs, it’s good to have that capability, but the rest of the time, when you just want to drive steadily, the #3 provides a smooth, nearsilent, comfortable driving experience albeit with a slightly firmer ride thanks to its larger 20” alloy wheels.

Teenage son discovered fishing over the summer, a hobby which appeared from absolutely nowhere but is now all-consuming.

A trip to Westwood Lakes on a smashing sunny Saturday saw the car’s 370-litre boot loaded with folding chairs and stinky fishing gear (sorry Rory). The #3 has a wider, deeper boot than the #1, very practical, with underfloor storage and a front boot that’s probably enough to store some muddy boots or a mucky charging cable. Space in the rear is surprisingly generous, and there was plenty of headroom for my willowy teen even with the coupé like roof profile and panoramic roof.

What’s especially lovely and particularly compelling as an ownership prospect, though, is how ergonomically good and easy to live with day to day the #3 proves to be.

Its parking cameras are the best – the very best – I’ve ever used. Offering a 360° view, and an augmented view, you can scroll around the car and easily see where curbs and parking bollards are located. The presence of nearby objects aren’t just forecast by increasingly frequent beeps, but by way of a countdown, in centimetres, as to how close an object is.

Motors

The automatic parking system and adaptive cruise control systems are easy to access too. The latter reads road signs and automatically adjust the vehicle’s speed when the A17’s changes from a 60mph, to a 50mph and a 40mph limit... all really clever.

The #3 is a little bit longer than a Range Rover Evoke, and Mini Countryman, and about 30cm shorter than a Porsche Macan or Tesla Model 3. It feels as spacious as all of the above though and it’s as competitively priced and better equipped than its rivals.

smart as a brand is absolutely fantastic, with a sense of style underwritten by rock-solid Mercedes engineering. We’d opt for the #3 instead of the #1 too, as it’s such a pretty car.

In terms of the Brabus version, it offers bottomless performance, lovely styling and massive entertainment. We think the slightly tamer Premium (or 25th Anniversary special edition model – with its red accents outside and white leather interior) is our preferred version, but you’re very much in the realms of personal preference now.

The Details smart #3 Brabus

Price: £45,450

Powertrain: 66kWh electric, all­wheel drive, automatic gearbox, 428hp, 543Nm torque.

Performance: Top speed 112mph. 0­60mph: 3.7 secs.

Range: WLTP combined: 258miles.

Charge time: ＜30 min 10­80% (150kW).

Equipment: Adaptive cruise control, 360° camera, automatic parking assistance, heated, ventilated, electrically adjustable Alcantara/leather seats, heated steering wheel, wireless phone charging, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. Head­up display, 20” alloy wheels, power/gesture tailgate.

Our smart #3 Brabus was on loan from smart at Mercedes­Benz of Lincoln, call 01522 696016 or see www.listers.co.uk/smart/lincoln

Aston Martin’s New Vantage

It’s tricky, improving on perfection. And yet, Aston Martin has released a newly updated version of its baby grand tourer. The changes are certainly welcome

Improving on Aston Martin’s Vantage is a tricky task. The vehicle is already considered one of the best GTs on the road, but engineers have still found a few ways to improve the car, including tweaks to its engine.

As you may recall from previous road tests the Vantage, which was all­new from 2018, has been powered by a Mercedes­AMG sourced V8 engine, 4.0 with twin­turbos.

It’s a good fit for the car, being relatively light and allowing the vehicle to reach 60mph in 3.5 seconds, and 202mph on a closed track.

For the facelifted version, power has been increased to 656bhp and the car’s 1,605kg means its mass doesn’t fight against its power. Fuel economy is a so­so 23.3mpg, it’s a strict two­seater and limited boot space means this is a weekend treat car, rather than a daily driver.

Still the facelift brings good old­fashioned rear­wheel drive plus muscular power to

Aston Martin Vantage

Price: £165,000.

Engine: 4.0V8 t/turbo.

Top Speed: 202mph.

0­60mph: 3.4secs.

Economy: 23.3mpg.

Standard equipment:

Adaptive cruise control, 360° camera, front and rear parking sensors, lane keep assist and lane centring. Heated leather seats with electric adjustment.

21” alloy wheels, 10” infotainment screen, navigation, Apple CarPlay, wireless phone charging.

provide a suitably visceral experience against the more anodyne power deliver of a fully­electric car

Happily the facelift also brings a new interior with physical controls – little rollers – for key controls like music volume and climate control temperature. Modern safety features like adaptive cruise control and a 360° camera are also standard. The latter is essential given the car’s precious alloy wheels and a high window line compromising parking visibility.

Whilst the Aston’s 60mph sprint is matched by electric vehicles, not least the Tesla Model 3 Performance – which is also £100,000 cheaper and comes with four seats and decent boot – this is the car to buy. Unlike the Tesla, the last of the great internal combustion engined cars will surely appreciate in value and will prove a good investment for the future.

Brown for Town Fashion for Men

Opposite: Hackett check blazer, £370 (www.hackett.com). This Page: Charles Tyrwhitt merino roll­neck jumper (centre), oatmeal, £59.95 (www.charlestyrwhitt.com). Pringle cashmere scarf in camel, £119 (www.pringlescotland.com). Crockett & Jones suede loafer in khaki, £460 (www.crockettandjones.com). Czech & Speake Amber 7, a warm captivating unisex scent, £160/100ml (www.czechandspeake.com). Ralph Lauren socks, £44.95 (www.ralphlauren.co.uk). Cashmere crew­neck jumper in nutmeg, £129.95 (www.houseofbruar.com). Buckley tailored shirt in stone, £84.95 (www.barbour.com). Reiss Pitch slim­fit chinos in navy, £88 (www.reiss.com). Dents Birkhall leather gloves, £65 (www.dentsglove.com). Buckingham brogue in dark brown, £299 (www.loake.com). Aspinal men’s woven leather belt in tan, £135 (www.aspinaloflondon.com). Hawes & Curtis Pocket Square, 100% silk, £29 (www.hawesandcurtis.co.uk).

Fashion

Hide & Chic

Opposite: Ralph Lauren Andrea distressed calfskin moto jacket in dark mocha, £3,870, www.ralphlauren.co.uk.

Above: Katy Shearling coat in grey, £1,299, www.baukjen.com.

Opposite: Leather cape detail trench coat in dark red, £799, www.karenmillen.com.

Above: Jigsaw merino shearling leather coat in ginger, £850, www.jigsaw­online.com.

Fashion

Opposite: Dakota glamorous leather coat in truffle, £1560, www.nour­hammour.com. Top left: Cleo Atelier grained leather jacket, £498, www.reiss.com. Top right: Reversible shearling cosser coat in oak, £2,045, www.joseph­fashion.com. Above left: Spelter merino shearling coat in Driftwood, £1,775, www.belstaff.com. Above right: Italian Nappa leather crop jacket in ochre, £650, www.meandem.com.

Day to Night

Fashion for Women

Day: Cream Jacquard Blouse, £89 (www.mintvelvet.com). HC Classic Slim Belt Champagne Croc, £99 (www.hollandcooper.com). iPhone 16 Pro, £999 (www.apple.com). Superstella Gold & Silver Leather Trainers, £149 (www.sargassoandgrey.com). Taifun Gilet Padded In Bronze, £125 (www.elizabeth­rose.com). Gold Leather Woven Knot Handle Bag, £119 (www.mintvelvet.com).

Night: Cream Textured Ruffle Blouse, £120 (www.mintvelvet.com). Gold Metallic Nappa Mini Bag, £675 (www.jimmychoo.com). Rouge Louboutin Silky Satin lipstick, £84 (www.christianlouboutin.com). 30 Montaigne Bracelet, £410 (www.dior.com).

Metallic leather slingback pumps, £890 (www.prada.com). Born in Roma The Gold Parfum, £149 (www.valentino.com).

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.

Purveyors of Luxury Eyewear

Since 1979

REYKJAVIK EYES a collection in stock now.

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

Offering an Olive Branch Cosmetics

This month we’re contrasting the orange and gold hues of autumn with product recommendations based around a lovely olive-hued bancha green

The scent of autumn

Loewe presents this delicate floral scent for autumn, which combines pear, muguet, and jasmine. The fragrance has top notes of pear and lily of the valley.

A beautiful floral scent from the fragrance house founded in 1846, £153/150ml, www.loewe.com

Mac Eyeshadow

Luxury from Liz Earle

Enhance and maintain the firmness, smoothness and brightness of your face with Liz Earle’s Superskin Advanced Mourishing Cleansing Balm, and follow up with Superskin moisturiser and night cream, all designed to work together, £9/15ml, www.lizearle.com.

From one our favourite brands comes this beautiful intense green shade, Humid, with its with shimmer and generous pigments, £20/1.5g, www.maccosmetics.co.uk.

Charlotte Tilbury Eyeliner

Charlotte Tilbury presents this Magic Eyeliner Duo in Green Lights. Also available in Super Blue, Copper Charge and Mesmerising Maroon, each with super rich colours, £25/1g, www.charlottetilbury.com.

The Treatment, La Mer

Achieve next­level hydration with this silky lotion, with its Active Liquid Hydrogel to cushion on contact and penetrate rapidly, delivering all­day benefits, £165/150ml, www.cremedelamer.co.uk.

Reviving Rosemary from Molton Brown

Everyday luxury from the undisputed kings of the cloakroom, Molton Brown presents this everyday shower and bath oil­in­gel, whose beneficial aromatherapy comes from a balance of enlivening rosemary, grounding geranium and rich patchouli, £27/300ml, from Molton Brown’s new studio at Springfields Outlet Shopping & Leisure.

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

The highly coveted Jo Loves Advent Calendar has returned in another iconic design. You're invited to experience the magic of the season through Jo's cherished family ski trip to the enchanting mountains of Whistler, £375, www.joloves.com.

HARRODS: The Harrods Beauty Advent Calendar 2024, £250, www.harrods.com.

SPACE NK: Beauty Advent Calendar, £250, www.spacenk.com.

SEPHORA: Sephora Favourites Advent Calendar, £199, www.sephora.co.uk.

L’OCCITANE: Luxury Advent Calendar, £130, www.uk.loccitane.com.

THE ADVENT of BEAUTY Beauty

Enjoy the build-up to Christmas and treat yourself to a little luxury each day with these very posh but very lovely advent calendars!

Selection: Mandy Bray.

LIBERTY: Liberty Beauty Advent Calendar 2024, £260, www.libertylondon.com.

SELFRIDGES: Beauty advent calendar, £250, www.selfridges.com.

CHARLOTTE TILBURY: 12 Door Advent Calendar, £170, www.charlottetilbury.com.

BENEFIT: The Gorgeous Grocer Kit Advent Calendar, £156, www.benefitcosmetics.com.

Weddings

A Special Guest

For this month’s couple, Connie & Mason, it was love at first sight, just like in the movies… but the groom had his own ideas for the big screen, and their story had a bit of a plot twist, with a surprise ending too!

Photographer: Sarah Carter, 07970 327716, www.sarahcarterphotography.co.uk.

We’ve heard some fairly romantic stories over the years, but Mason’s surprise proposal has to be one of the best. He and Connie were born and raised near Boston, and met one evening on a night out. Mason was a friend of Connie’s brother and upon bumping into each other in their preferred club, neither could deny that it was love at first sight, just like in the movies.

And speaking of which, when Mason surprised Connie with an unexpected proposal in July 2021, he’d worked hard to create not just his own blockbuster, but the cinema too.

“It was totally unexpected and it came out of nowhere!” says Connie. “We knew that we loved each other and wanted to spend the rest of our lives together, so I guess I knew it would happen at some point, but I wasn’t expecting him to propose there, or with as much style!”

Connie had planned a day out with her mum but the latter insisted they make an unexpected visit to her grandmother’s farm to pick up something that her mum had ‘forgotten.’

There, Mason had created an outdoor cinema in an inflatable igloo complete with a big screen, fairy lights, candles and flower petals, beanbags and even a popcorn machine.

That night saw Mason making his directorial debut as the creator of a film about the couple’s life together with all of their moments from their travels and holidays to their first dog and the first house they moved into all recorded, featuring little videos and photographs of their life together.

At the end of the film Mason dropped down on one knee and asked Connie to marry him.

“We considered a barn wedding, a marquee wedding… but when we visited Harlaxton Manor we absolutely fell in love with the place, with its history, its architecture and its grounds,” says Connie. “Mel and her team were absolutely amazing and really went above and beyond to help us.”

Connie found her wedding dress – a dress by British designer Suzanne Neville – at Oxford bridal boutique Ellie Sanderson, with bridal makeup styled by Rachel Bray, and hair by Lorna Dobrianskyj.

The couple’s bridesmaids sourced their black dresses online and the gentlemen wore Cavani tailoring.

The couple’s wedding breakfast was courtesy of Harlaxton and took place in the State Dining Room with its Jacobean ceiling and frieze.

On the cake table was a tall two-tier vanilla and white chocolate cake courtesy of Old Leake’s Cake Happy. Floristry, meanwhile, was created by Glen Esk of Grantham with orchids and oxeye daisies, and the couple

Weddings

created their own wedding decorations, stationery and favours.

Mason has also worked hard on the wedding transport, his beloved – and beautifully restored – Mk1 Volkswagen Caddy pickup truck with its beautiful blue paintwork and Porsche alloy wheels. Connie says she’s not entirely sure of the exact order in which she, their beloved dappled dachshund Stanley, and the VW feature in Mason’s life…

Entertainment was courtesy of local singer-songwriter Matty Haynes and DJ Jack Toyer… although the three groomsmen, Lewis, Tom and Jason also surprised the couple with a bespoke ballad they’d written and diligently rehearsed.

The fledgeling boy band appearing during the speeches in matching gold jackets to perform the song, all about the couple’s life together.

“It was absolutely incredible, they’d worked so hard, getting together in

secret to rehearse it and perfect the lyrics,” says Connie.

“It was captured by our videographer Josh Hyde who worked with our photographer Sarah Carter. Together they worked made such an effort to ensure we’ve capture all of the incredible moments during the day.”

“Our parents, grandparents, and our friends all worked helped to give us the day we’d dreamed of sharing with them. But there as another secret special guest at our wedding too.”

“A couple of weeks before the day we found out that I was pregnant. At the stage we hadn’t told anyone.”

“We’ll find out in a couple of weeks whether we’re expecting a boy or a girl, but we’re just happy and can’t wait until our due date in March.”

“We had the best day and we’re so grateful for all of the people who were there to share the laughs and the fun and the love with us!”

Local Suppliers

Photography: Sarah Carter, 07970 327716, www.sarahcarterphotography.co.uk.

Videographer: Josh Hyde, www.jhydeweddings.com.

Venue: Harlaxton Manor, Grantham, 01476 403000, www.harlaxton.co.uk.

Wedding Dress: Suzanne Neville at Ellie Sanderson Studio, Oxford, www.elliesanderson.co.uk.

Makeup Artist: www.rachelbraymakeupartistry.com.

Hair: Lorna Dobrianskyj, Boston.

Gents’ Tailoring: Cavani, www.cavani.co.uk.

Flowers: Glen Esk Flowers, Grantham, 01476 578376.

Wedding Cake: Cake Happy, Old Laake.

Entertainment: Matty Haynes Music, Jack Troyer Events.

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