Lincolnshire Pride March 2021 by Pride Magazines Ltd

Owl Covers (224).qxp 11/02/2021 12:58 Page 1

READ

LINCOLNSHIRE

PRIDE LINCOLNSHIRE’S FINEST MAGAZINE

Going wild with a camera in Lincolnshire

Master the art of wildlife photography with Lincoln’s Dean Eades...

The Spalding couple with Grand Designs

TV fame for Nathan & Amye in Channel 4 property show...

FREE ONLINE

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 29/01/2021 10:33 Page 2

HERITAGE WINDOW SPECIALISTS ENHANCE THE STYLE, VALUE AND APPEARANCE OF YOUR HOME WITH THE VERY LATEST ALUMINIUM, WOOD OR UPVC FLUSH CASEMENT BESPOKE WINDOWS & DOORS UNRIVALLED QUALITY & SPECIFICATION, MANUFACTURED IN THE UK BY CRAFTSMEN

Call our friendly team on 0115 855 6010

hello@hardwickwindows.co.uk • www.hardwickwindows.co.uk SHOWROOM AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING BY APPOINTMENT ONCE LOCKDOWN RESTRICTIONS LIFTED. CALL FOR DETAILS.

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 11:25 Page 3

WELCOME

ike the ‘will they, won’t they?’ moment of a romantic film, a penalty shootout by England during a World Cup, or the moment you see dessert being carried over to your table in your favourite restaurant... the anticipation is almost unbearable. We know lockdown will be lifted soon but it always seems to be tantalising close and yet still some distance off.

Once it’s lifted – or at least eased – we’re looking forward to getting out and about enjoying the county’s nature reserves. Naturally we’ll be taking along a camera, and to sharpen up our skills capturing Lincolnshire’s wildlife, waders and wildflowers, we’ve enlisted the help of Dean Eades who provides amateur photographers with all the help and advice they need, one to one, to improve their photography skills and get some fresh air, all whilst maintaining social distancing. It’s the perfect post-pandemic pick-me-up. Elsewhere this month we’ve some great new garden furniture, anticipating spending more time at home and in the garden this spring and summer. And whilst you’re at home, you can enjoy great food thanks to our sister company Yummy, which delivers fresh local food right to your door. Yummy has now launched into Lincoln meaning more people than ever can access superb local food without having to leave the house. Our latest Yummy partner is Lincoln bakery and butcher, A W Curtis. We’ll meet Neil Curtis later in this edition. Stay safe during what we hope will be the end of lockdown, and please accept our best wishes for a great month!

Executive Editor robin@pridemagazines.co.uk 3

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:52 Page 4

08 CONTENTS NEWS & EVENTS 08

NEWS The best ‘good news’ stories from across Lincolnshire... including HRH the Countess of Wessex thanking our NHS heroes.

115

HOMES & GARDENS

Dean Eades helps Lincolnshire’s keen amateur photographers to develop their skills on the county’s reserves.

INTERIORS A bolt from the blue with luxury interior design and luxury cabinet making.

GRAND DESIGNS South Holland couple Nathan and Amye on how they created their Grand Designs home.

GARDENING Make the great outdoors even greater with designer garden furniture.

LADIES & GENTLEMEN

A NEW LOOK LINCOLNSHIRE

102 WEDDINGS Alison and David

WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY

FOOD & DRINK 46

enjoy at home, tableware and tipples.

WELCOME HOME An impressive French château-style property on the market in the Deepings.

The developments and projects set to change the look of Lincolnshire’s towns and city centre in 2021.

RECIPES & WINE Delicious food to

HIGHLIGHTS 18

CURTIS OF LINCOLN Great local food with one of Lincolnshire’s oldest bakers and butchers.

enjoyed an out-of-this-world wedding during lockdown.

106 FASHION & COSMETICS A selection of spring greens, gentlemens tailoring and luxury gold cosmetics.

AND FINALLY... 122 MOTORS BMW’s X5 luxury 4x4.

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:52 Page 5

102 30

18 THE WEALTHIEST PEOPLE IN THE AREA READ PRIDE MAGAZINE

READ

FREE ONLINE

Pride Magazine is delivered free of charge, via Royal Mail, to high value homes in the county. Our circulation is to homes in the top three council tax bands, which are predominantly worth over £300,000. This guarantees the magazine has an affluent readership commensurate with our content. The magazine is also sold in supermarkets and newsagents and our in-house distribution team also works hard to hand-deliver the magazine to selected hotels and restaurants, 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 30,000 online readers each month who view the magazine 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. Amazing new app out now: You can read our magazines on any device anywhere.

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

THE PRIDE TEAM Managing Director: Julian Wilkinson. Production Director: Ian Bagley. Sales Director: Zoie Wilkinson. Sales Manager: Charlotte Daubney. Sales Supervisor: Cydney Dyson. Executive Editor: Rob Davis. Illustrator: Jocelyn Lawman. Customer Care Manager: Mandy Bray. Web Developer: Joe Proctor. Administration: Sue Bannister, Carissa Clay, Sami Millard. Sales Executives: Cassy Ayton, and Grace Mumford.

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

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

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:52 Page 6

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:52 Page 7

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:52 Page 8

NEWS & EVENTS

NHS staff praised by Sophie Wessex HRH COUNTESS OF WESSEX PRAISES LINCOLNSHIRE’S NHS HEROES IN VIDEO CALL... LINCOLNSHIRE HRH The Countess of Wessex recently attended a virtual healthcare symposium as the special guest of Lincolnshire’s NHS General Practice Nursing and Healthcare Assistant conference, an event which also happened to fall on her birthday. The Royal spoke about the hard work that our NHS heroes have demonstrated in fighting Covid-19 and used the opportunity to thank the county’s healthcare workers following the vaccination of her 89-year old father. “Thank you so much, to all of you,” the countess said. “It doesn’t matter which part of the system you’re working in, whether you’re a general practitioner, nurse, whether you’re healthcare assistants – we all know how much this whole pandemic has put on you, and we’re hugely grateful for all of your hard work.”

“I had a wonderful early birthday present yesterday. It was an early birthday present because my father received his vaccine. He’s 89 years old, and I’m so happy that he’s actually got it.”

Puppy love for rescue dogs AMAZING SKEGNESS MAKEOVER FOR RESCUE DOGS SEEKING A HAPPY NEW HOME...

“It’s a huge weight off my mind. And he was full of praise for the way that it had been handled and how quick and easy and simple the whole process was, and I know that wouldn’t be happening

without the care and attention of the nurses out in general surgeries.” The purpose of the virtual symposium was to share experiences and best practices during the outbreak. n

SKEGNESS There was puppy love online for the RSPCA after the animal welfare charity uploaded a video of its remarkable makeover of 30 dogs rescued from Skegness now seeking happy new fur-ever homes. The charity rescued the dogs from a property near Skegness, and they were given veterinary attention as well as some cosmetic TLC to sort our their matted fur. The video shows the dogs wagging their tales and enjoying a new lease of life following their makeover. The dogs are now being offered on

the RSPCA’s Find a Pet page which matches rescued cats and dogs to those seeking a new companion. The RSPCA took in 11,500 dogs, 29,500 cats and 786 horses last year, in addition to 17,500 wild animals. On average, the charity helps an animal every 30 seconds and receives about 1.2m calls each year to its 42 animal centres, four animal hospitals and 152 branches. The charity estimates the UK pet population is 9m dogs and 8m cats. n To rehome a dog or cat or view the video of the dogs’ makeover, see www.rspca-radcliffe.org.uk

COMMUNITY LINCS’S NEW CAMPAIGN...

Old tales to inspire new writers in the Deepings... Children and young people are being invited to take part in an exciting new short story writing competition in association with the Deepings Literary Festival. Authors up to 13 years old are invited to write a story of up to 500 words creating an imaginative twist on a nursery rhyme or tale. Entries should be in by 21st March, 1st prize is a £50 book voucher. n Email: enquiries@deepings literaryfestival.co.uk. DEEPINGS

Appleby Village Hall in North Lincolnshire built in 1950. LINCOLNSHIRE Community Lincs has re-launched its campaign to save our village halls for post-lockdown life in 2021. England saw the creation of around 10,000-plus village halls since the 1920s, and Community Lincs’s campaign aims to show the benefits that they have provided for rural communities ever since. “Village halls are a vital hub for our rural county and we estimate over 4,000 people volunteer to run and maintain

halls for our local communities,” says the charity’s Samantha Smith, launching the local campaign to highlight their importance in January. “Village Halls Week is a national celebration of village halls, their volunteers and the services they offer their communities.” The campaign has been created in conjunction with Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE). n See www.communitylincs.com.

Local Food Forethought... NEW BUSINESS ZONE WILL HELP LINCOLNSHIRE TO REMAIN THE COUNTY THAT FEEDS THE COUNTRY

HOLBEACH South Lincolnshire is to gain a new Food Enterprise Zone near Holbeach to facilitate better collaboration between those in the food and farming sector, and to incubate new food businesses, say organisers. “The Food Enterprise Zone will create fantastic job opportunities for our region, as well as generating an estimated £51m of additional GVA over the next 10-years.” “Subject to planning approval, work is due to commence on the Hub building in spring 2021, with view to completion in early 2022.” n See www.greaterlincolnshirelep.co.uk.

£25,000 Boost

Saving Village Halls

NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE North Lincolnshire Council is offering parish and town councils a share of £25,000 to ensure that spring and summer is ‘blooming’ fabulous. The money can be obtained via the North Lincolnshire In Bloom initiative and can be used for planters, flowers and shrubs that will enhance the local area. n

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:52 Page 9

LOCAL

NEWS In Brief SLEAFORD x

A ROUND ABOUT WAY OF MAKING DRIVING EASIER... Sleaford’s Holdingham Roundabout will be improved this summer with work due to begin as Pride goes to press. The A17 roundabout connects Lincoln, Sleaford, Grantham, Boston and Newark, so improvements will benefit all those travelling across the county, and will benefit holidaymakers and HGVs travelling to Norfolk via the A1 and A17 during the summer. Improvements will include traffic lights, to ease congestion and improve safety. The improvements will be complete by the end of 2021. n 9

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:52 Page 10

YOUR HOME, OUR VISION

3-4 BEDROOM HOMES FROM £185,000 Surfleet is a popular village location with plenty of amenities and good transport links.

STATION ROAD, SURFLEET, LINCOLNSHIRE PE11 4DG Showhomes open Thursday to Monday 10-5pm book your private viewing on 07935 502728.

01406 490590 • www.ashwoodhomes.co 1 GOODISON ROAD, LINCS GATEWAY BUSINESS PARK, SPALDING, PE12 6FY Please Note: Internal photographs reflect the typical style and finish of properties, but exact specifications and room layouts may vary according to individual plot and development. Help to Buy terms and conditions may apply, please call for further details.

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:52 Page 11

THE BURROWS, FRAMPTON, BOSTON

£595,000

Distinctive five-bedroomed country residence offering elegant and light-filled spacious family living in a delightful rural setting. Internal accommodation includes a superb family kitchen/breakfast room with Range oven, elegant dual aspect sitting room with parquet flooring and inset multifuel stove, formal dining room, charming study with double doors onto a large Victorian style garden room and the principal bedroom boasts a luxury en-suite jacuzzi, shower, and dressing area. The secluded lawned garden leads to a large outdoor heated swimming pool and entertaining area, with separate pool room and attached workshop/studio, together with a bespoke children’s tree house, and parking for numerous vehicles. Excellent and sought-after grammar schools are available in nearby Boston with mainline train services to London King’s Cross (approximately 95 minutes) from Spalding (12 miles). 4

EPC Rating: N/A

LAUNDE HOUSE, ANCASTER, GRANTHAM

£599,950

A handsome Grade II listed Georgian country residence located in a designated conservation village surrounded by beautiful countryside. This spacious stone-built property combines stylish interior design with elegant proportions to create a truly special family home. The porticoed entrance leads to a delightful hallway giving access to the four ground floor reception rooms which include a spacious sitting room with stunning bay window and feature fireplace, family room with log burner, formal sitting room and hi-spec breakfast kitchen which leads into a beautiful garden room. The principal bedroom boasts a walk-in wardrobe and luxurious en-suite bathroom and the three additional bedrooms are located over two floors. The property is set in large secluded and mature walled gardens with a spacious terrace. 4

EPC Rating: Exempt

THE WOODHALL, ALLINGTON, GRANTHAM

£595,000

A charmingly contemporary property in a sought-after tranquil village location which has been extended and upgraded to create a stylish hi-spec four-bedroom family home boasting over 2,200sq ft of accommodation. The stunning family kitchen/breakfast room offers bi-folding doors which expand the room fully out onto the terrace and garden. Ground floor accommodation includes a generous dining room with views over the surrounding countryside, an elegant sitting room with feature inglenook fireplace and woodburning stove, study / play room and utility room. To the first floor there is a stylish principal bedroom with luxurious en-suite wet room, guest bedroom with en-suite and a further two double bedrooms. To the front aspect of the property there are far-reaching countryside views and a driveway leading to a double garage, to the rear, the south-facing garden has been professionally landscaped. In addition, Grantham’s excellent grammar schools. 5

EPC Rating: C

BURWARD HOUSE, BURTON PEDWARDINE

£600,000

Burward House is an impressive executive home located within the pretty hamlet of Burton Pedwardine which is just two miles from the well served village of Heckington. The accommodation, nearing 4490 sq. ft, has been built to the highest specification throughout and provides the ideal home for both entertaining and open plan family living. Each of the principle reception rooms radiates from the impressive entrance hall which features a spectacular central staircase, and include an open-plan kitchen and family room, large living room, generous dining room, and separate study. The property boasts a superb master bedroom suite with a Juliet balcony overlooking the garden, an en-suite guest bedroom and three further bedrooms. Externally the property occupies an enviable position with formal lawn gardens, wonderful open views and detached double garage with workshop area and office space. 4

EPC Rating: C

Fine & Country Lincolnshire and Grantham, 55 High Street, Navenby, Lincs LN5 0DZ Telephone: 01522 287008 or 01476 247070 Email: lincoln@fineandcountry.com www.fineandcountry.com With offices in over 300 locations worldwide Fine and Country combine the widespread exposure of the international marketplace with national marketing campaigns and local expertise...

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:52 Page 12

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:52 Page 13

Millfield Lane, Frampton

£375,000

Spilsby Road, Boston

£445,000

Spilsby Road, Boston £525,000

This four bedroom detached cottage enjoys a semi-rural village position with open ﬁelds to the rear and yet has good access to Boston, the village of Kirton and the A16 for anyone wishing to commute. The property has two generous reception rooms and a dining kitchen, has a large private plot and a detached double garage / workshop.

Such a beautifully maintained period property with four reception rooms, and ﬁve bedrooms over three ﬂoors. It enjoys a private mature rear garden, ample off road parking for many vehicles a brand new bespoke sun-lounge and a detached Double Garage and is within a convenient walking distance to schools, hospital and the town centre.

Fantastic four bedroom Grade Two Listed Georgian property, with many original features and a range of outbuildings to include former coach house, stables, multiple garages, games room and a workshop. There are four reception rooms, three en-suites and an attractive mature garden with outdoor kitchen and pizza oven.

Linden Way, Boston

Rawsons Lane, Boston O/O £650,000

Wainfleet Road, Boston

Enjoying what must be one of the most attractive uninterrupted parkland views to the rear, The Elms is filled with charm and character and has a superb dining kitchen along with three other spacious reception rooms all fitted with wood-burners. There are five double bedrooms two of which are en-suite.

This individually designed four bedroom family home may beneﬁt from some cosmetic updating but has two generous reception rooms, a kitchen with a spacious pantry off and a conservatory overlooking the large, established and well maintained rear gardens. Offered with no onward chain.

£395,000

Situated in one of Boston’s most desirable locations and convenient to both Pilgrim Hospital and Boston High School, this four bedroom detached home has two reception rooms and two bathrooms, is ﬁlled with Art Deco style character features and has a very large and established rear garden with a covered outdoor dining area.

£325,000

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:52 Page 14

39B SPILSBY ROAD Boston | Lincolnshire | PE21 9NX

29 SPILSBY ROAD Boston | Lincolnshire | PE21 9NX

• A Secluded and Unique 5 Bedroomed Detached House • Nestled in 0.42 acres of mature gardens Located in Desirable Area • 3-4 Reception Rooms, Large Conservatory/ Sunroom, Balcony to Master Suite • Double Integral Garage

FOR SALE FREEHOLD WITH VACANT POSSESSION

£450,000 Subject To Contract

55 LINDEN WAY Boston | Lincolnshire | PE21 9DS

• Sought After Three Bedroomed Detached Bungalow with Parking and Private Gardens • Tastefully Upgraded Bungalow in Good Decorative Order • Conservatory and Gas Heating, uPVC Windows • Master Bedroom with En-Suite Shower Room • Front and Rear Gardens, Parking and Garage

SOLD

• A Substantial and Improved Four Bedroomed Grade II Listed Town House • Spacious Period Property with Open Plan Living Accommodation FOR SALE • Period Features Include Fireplaces, High Ceilings, FREEHOLD WITH Decorative Plasterwork, Wooden Flooring, Decorative VACANT POSSESSION Mouldings, Bay Window • 30ft Kitchen/Dining Room, Large Living Rooms, 2 Bathrooms Subject To Contract • 80ft Rear Garden with Patio Area, 2 Parking Spaces

£189,950

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:52 Page 15

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 12/02/2021 08:16 Page 16

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:52 Page 17

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:52 Page 18

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 11:27 Page 19

WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY

GOING

WILD

WITH A WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER Dean Eades is the Lincolnshire wildlife photographer who has known since 2011 that there’s only one thing better than taking the perfect picture; teaching others to do the same. For eight years now he’s been oﬀering one-to-one tuition for photographers of all skill levels – novice to expert – who want to hone their techniques and discover new places to shoot... Words: Rob Davis. Images: Dean Eades, 07778 632764, www.birdmad.com.

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:52 Page 20

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:52 Page 21

WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY

STAY VERY STILL. Stay very quiet. Be patient. Reframe left a bit, and give the very slightest twist to the focusing ring on your lens to ensure those eyes are super sharp. Then, hold your breath, hold down the shutter button and hold the camera steady. In a single second, with a decent camera, you’ll capture 10 frames, ten frozen moments in the life of the bird, animal or insect you have in your viewfinder.

the operation of your camera should be instant, as is often the case in wildlife photography when a split second of hesitation or delay means you could miss that once in a lifetime shot. “There’s some fantastic equipment out there now,” says Dean. “But also some ‘not so fabulous’ equipment. I believe in investing in quality where necessary, but the price tag of something is not a guarantee that it’s the best.”

It’s a form of magic that has never lost its appeal decades on for Dean Eades, the Lincoln-based wildlife photographer, and there’s only one thing that appeals more to Dean than taking incredible shots of wildlife; teaching others to do the same.

“I shoot on a Canon and some of their lenses are quite expensive, whereas a brand like Sigma, once seen as a budget option, actually produces some fantastic optics at a much better value price point. It’s the same with cameras.”

It’s a bit of a paradox that these days; we have quite remarkable camera technology even in the mobile phones we carry around in our pocket. With that ubiquity comes the our ability to take more photographs than ever, and we do. It’s estimated that we took 1.2 trillion photos last year – that’s 1.2 trillion – but most of those were taken on smartphones, and though we’re sold the marketing line that ‘megapixels makes memories,’ the fact is, irrespective of how many megapixels your camera has, if the rest of the hardware (the speed and low light performance of the sensor and the lens) isn’t up to the job, you’ll still end up with, on the whole, more mediocre photos.

“One of the shots I’m most proud of from my career is a Capercaillie taken on a very modest camera, pre-digital photography. My father, David, was a keen wildlife photographer, as was my brother Wayne, who gifted me my first camera. I think I was

So, if you’re keen to take some incredible photographs, proper cameras are the only devices that cut the mustard. Which brings a budding photographer up against their next problem. Modern camera are sophisticated. Hugely sophisticated. Clever, ostensibly intelligent, capable of functioning as video cameras as well as a photographic camera. But with that sophistication comes a dearth of features that makes their operation incredibly difficult to master. What’s more, modern cameras, trying to help out their owners with automatic or intelligent functions, detracts from the need to have a fundamental understanding of the basics of photography; exposure, depth of field, focus, colour. It means that, when the user wants to begin taking more nuanced control of their photography, it’s often tricky to work out what settings to change or techniques to employ, especially in that split second when

“Because I was posting new images all the time my work was also noticed and picked up by National Geographic, by the BBC, by publishers of many bird guides and so on...” about seven years old when I took my first shot of the bird, and I’ve taken lots since to see how I’ve progressed, but I’m still proud of that first photo, taken with a very ordinary 50mm lens using a low-tech film camera.”

really prolific, posting to photo-streaming sites like Flickr every day.” “I was worth it, as it got me noticed, and London Camera Exchange, still one of the UK’s best camera and camera equipment retailers, started inviting me to their shows to discuss how to get the best from equipment.” “I was also approached by Nikon to be their brand ambassador, but I was very familiar with Canon, and so very grateful that they subsequently approached me instead.” “Because I was posting new images all the time my work was also noticed and picked up by National Geographic, the BBC, publishers of bird guides and so on.” “You don’t need to be quite so prolific if you’re not aiming to go professional but the point still stands that you can have all the gear, but if you don’t get out and about, you’re not going to see anything to take pictures of. And happily, that’s where living in Lincolnshire is ideal.” “I travel to Norfolk and to places like Speyside and the Hebrides, but there’s an enormous variety of wildlife right here in Lincolnshire, some of it quite rare. The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust looks after 100 reserves and the coast is really impressive in its biodiversity.” “I enjoy shooting at Frampton Marsh, Toft Newton Reservoir, Covenham Reservoir near Louth, and Far Ings near Barton. That’s helpful, too because two or three years into my career I also began offering tuition. And though I tutor photographers from all over the UK who want to improve their wildlife images, those who are based in Lincolnshire enjoy the most convenient access to my one-to-one courses.”

“Technology has moved on, and it’s nice to have new features but the best equipment isn’t a guarantee of success. It’s often better to have more modest equipment that you really understand and know how to use, rather than equipment that’s all-singing and all-dancing but confusing and fiddly when you’re in the field.”

I like to tutor ‘little and often,’ sharing a few of the technicalities, but without overwhelming someone. Time-wise it’s possible to give someone a ‘crash course’ on their camera but the amount of settings and the wealth of information you’re imparting isn’t ideal. Giving someone a technique or setting to familiarise themselves with, then ensuring they come back for a little more, and a little more, and a little more is the best way to gradually build up their skills.”

“One immovable fact, though, is that if you need to be out in the field if you’re going to see anything. I went full time with my photography about 10 years ago and I was

“Because I’m local and because I offer tuition the way I do, I can be more cost effective, breaking down tuition into several smaller chunks and ensure advice is ongoing, 21

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:52 Page 22

WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY

and by doing that I can make sure that more of my guidance sticks.” “Once you’re happy with the way your skills are building, there are plenty of semi-local places to shoot, from Bempton Cliffs north of the Humber, or Norfolk, which is a really spectacular county.” “There’s a fair bit of bad tuition out there, most of it online. The benefit of working with someone in the field is great, but there’s another element to that too. Wildlife varies enormously from county to county, and trying to remember a YouTube video on a technique you watched a few weeks ago isn’t the same as having a photography tutor next to you who is also familiar with that area or the species you’re trying to capture.”

“Among the advice I try to offer is that it’s better to be prolific with your photography, because experience is also a great teacher...” Top/Above: Dean has offered guided tours around the Scottish Highlands, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and the Yorkshire Coast since 2011.

“Among the advice I try to offer is that it’s best to be prolific with your photography, because experience is also a great teacher. The days of changing your film roll every 24 or 36 frames is unthinkable now. Today you can take hundreds or thousands of frames; and you should.” “I’ve spoken to some people who have taken a couple of hundred shots and felt dismayed that they’ve not ended up with anything impressive. I can take upwards of 3,000 shots each day, even if most of them never see the light of day. Nobody cares about the ratio of wasted shots to brilliant images; it’s just important to make sure you get those one or

two amazing shots when the opportunity arises. Another tip that Dean imparts is not to not to crop in too closely.” “All modern cameras have a sufficient number of megapixels to give you a bit of headroom when cropping. What you can’t do is pull back your in-camera crop once the image has been taken. “I teach people to leave a bit of room around the subject not just for this reason but to help with depth of field; the amount of the image, fore and aft of the focus point, that’s sharp. Sometimes there might only be a three inch ‘window’ of focus so it’s essential that your focus is as accurate as possible. Reducing the tightness of your crop can help this, giving

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:52 Page 23

you sharper shots, more accurate focus and greater flexibility on your crop, in post-production. A shorter focal length will also help to alleviate camera shake, the number one cause of blurry shots.”

with it’s important to master the gear you have before adding to your equipment, and ensure that you can take control of your photography rather than relying on equipment to make decisions or ensure quality.”

“It’s a misnomer that you need a megaexpensive lens on your camera. A 70mm200mm or 70mm-300mm lens is ideal and there are a number of price points. Mastering that lens, then building up to more expensive ‘glass’ is a better way to develop your photography.”

“Focusing zones are a typical example of the way you need to master your camera and lens. A top of the range camera might have 190 focus points, but if the one it chooses isn’t on the animal’s eye, sometimes your ‘clever’ camera can give you a bird’s chest or wing in focus, not its eye.”

“I work with a Sigma, with a focal length of 150mm-600mm which is a beautiful lens, but again, to achieve images you’re happy

“It’s vital that your subject has character, and that you gain an insight into its behaviour. Ensuring you make eye contact

with it is one of the best ways to ensure that. It’s like human interaction; if you’re talking to someone and they won’t make eyecontact, you’re less connected to them. More modest cameras – or at least knowing how to take charge of your focus system – will help to connect more easily with your subject.” “I’ve other classes and techniques, too to help people master other photographic techniques, and one of those is close-up or macro photography. I’ve a number of really good tips to help with that but it’s a nuanced way to take pictures, with lots of ‘tricks of the trade.’ That’s where one-to-one photography tuition comes in.” >> 23

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:52 Page 24

WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY

>> “Some who are a bit more advanced in their knowledge of photography want to explore specialised techniques like using flash to freeze action. I’ve taken photos of otters or birds like the grey heron with off-camera flashes to left and right, and one at the rear to backlight the bird and separate it from its background.” “Conditions like that are when you can utilise the advances that technology has given us, but many of the techniques and much of the information I have goes right back to film photography techniques – the real fundamentals – the understanding of which there’s no substitute for; not even technology.” “I usually take four or five people to the Hebrides or Speyside a few times a year, and we’ve a few wonderful cottages we know of which, for less than £700 a week, provides a holiday, good photographic tuition and the ability to take amazing images for the rest of your life.” “To say I enjoy my work is an understatement and decades into my career I still get a thrill from taking an amazing shot, but to pass on the skills and enthusiasm to others is wonderful, I’m so happy to be able to work with people as they develop their skills, whether they’re looking to improve on one or two aspects of their photography, or really really invest time and effort in taking amazing shots.” n

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:52 Page 25

Dean’s Wildlife Photography Courses

One-to-one tuition to take your photography to the next level... Are you interested in learning some of the skills needed to become a wildlife photographer? Dean offers one-to-one wildlife photography workshops to help you capture the perfect shot. Dean’s work has appeared on the BBC and ITV. He has also worked for Canon, London Camera Exchange and Beeswax Dyson Farming. Dean has also been published in books and many magazines; National Geographic, BBC Wildlife Magazine, Canon EOS and is a BirdGuides Photo of year winner. He is also one of the administrators for the Lincolnshire Bird Club Forum, and a warden for the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. His one-to-one workshops are suitable for all levels, from complete beginners starting out to experienced photographers looking to learn advanced techniques or fine-tune skills. Participants will be asked to provide a brief list of what they’re looking to learn, so you can gain the maximum benefit from your day. Examples of some of the topics covered include macro and extreme close-up photography; exposure aperture; shutter and ISO plus manual modes. Dean also offers guided tours around the Scottish Highlands, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and the Yorkshire Coast. Tours include transport around the UK, and Dean’s expert advice and shooting tips to capture the perfect shot. n Dean Eades is a wildlife photographer based near Lincoln who one-to-one tuition for those with any level of photographic skill. Call 07778 632764 or see www.birdmad.com.

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:52 Page 26

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:52 Page 27

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:52 Page 28

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:52 Page 29

Garr y R avenhall P ORT RAI T

PAI NT I N G S

People, pets or cherished places, from £199. Commissions undertaken with pleasure. Call or email for an informal discussion.

07801 853418 www.garryravenhall.co.uk • garryravenhall@hotmail.co.uk

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:53 Page 30

GRAND DESIGNS

Grand Designs

ON A NEW HOME Lincolnshire couple Nathan and Amye Marshall had grand ideas to create a Dutch-barn style property when they happened across a plot near Weston Hills in South Holland. Channel Four’s Kevin McCloud and the Grand Designs team also joined them on their journey to create their forever home… Words: Rob Davis. Images: Channel Four.

At what point does a house become a home? For Spalding’s Nathan & Amye Marshall, it was when the dust settled, and the camera crew left. At that very moment, their project became their home; their labour, their love. The two have created a great home in South Holland with a spacious living room, a cosy sofa and big TV from which to watch the story of how they created their home unfold on Channel Four’s flagship property show, Grand Designs. Nathan is a bit of a property polymath. He’s worked in construction, as a property consultant, as an estate agent and as a developer of properties, in addition to building his two previous homes. This project, though, was slightly different. It was to be a Grand Design such as the type the TV show of the same name is keen to see come to fruition. Nathan & Amye met in Spalding after Amye had left behind her native Ballydehob to come to Lincolnshire in order to take on a teaching post. Nathan was running his microbrewery at the time and drove past a plot of land which was on the market, having been denied planning permission twice already. “It was a bit of risk, given that fact,” he says, “But one of the ways to secure planning permission is to utilise the National Planning Policy Framework’s so-called Paragraph 79 which allows for construction of buildings which would ‘significantly enhance’ the areas in which they’re situated and represent the highest standards of architecture.” 30

In other words the couple had to build something really special. And so, working with architectural firm Studio 11, based at nearby Wisbech, Nathan and Amye devised a giant cathedral-like new home modelled on the Dutch barn style houses of the area – but with a sleek contemporary twist and a rather striking 5,000 tile ‘armadillo’ roof. Adjacent to the property, which sits in about an acre of land, was an additional annexe which would accommodate Nathan’s mum and stepdad to provide multi-generational living. It was easy to anticipate the quality and practicality of the architecture, but less easy to anticipate the circumstances in which the property would be constructed. “We found the plot back in early 2019 and Studio 11’s Kris Baxter and his team had completed the drawings and gained approval by August 2019, so work began the following month.” >>

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:53 Page 31

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:53 Page 32

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:53 Page 33

GRAND DESIGNS

>> “It took just over a year, from late September 2019 to November 2020, and the final filming for Grand Designs took place on 17th November 2020. That morning we were still rushing to get the last delivery of gravel down!” Naturally Covid-19 was rife throughout the project, but undaunted, Nathan – who project managed the build, and Kris worked through the pandemic to ensuring work could continue. “Grand Designs keep an eye on the local planning portals and look out for interesting projects. They made contact with Kris and met us to ask if we could film the project.” “I don’t think we realised just how much time and work goes into filming the programme. In total I think we had three ‘Non-Kevin’ visits as well as five or six ‘Kevin Visits,’ with anywhere from three to six people on site. The final shoot day took place over three days and involved 20 people!” “The team are brilliant but necessarily their work is sometimes at odds with the need to get on. When they’re recording sound, for example, you have to avoid making any noise and there were a few times that we started to fall behind schedule when we really needed to just get on.” “The experience was fascinating though, Kevin’s great and we didn’t see any rough cuts, we just settled down in front of the TV and watched ourselves for the first time just like everyone else did. I think the crew were struggling to film the series with the pandemic. It’s put all of their projects in a state of chaos so they were especially talented pulling the programme together in tricky conditions.” “As for the property itself, we wanted something architecturally different. The house is about 4,500sq ft, arranged over two storeys and has five bedrooms and five reception rooms. I’ve managed builds on conventional properties before, so I thought this would be fairly simple,” says Nathan, “But in fact, timber-framed properties are, it turns out, a lot more complex than I envisioned. I was concerned about how many tradespeople’s availability we’d struggle with, but actually the pandemic meant that they were more able to work not less. Sometimes materials weren’t as readily available but though Covid-19 was a concern, it wasn’t as much of a hindrance as the weather!”

Kevin McCloud’s introduction made it clear from the outset that the Fens are notoriously soggy under the surface, but early 2020’s biblical levels of rain and a rising water table were a real frustration.

“Interiors were from Wisbech Quay Centre and we commissioned bespoke sliding doors with industrial frames plus a staircase that Amye has seen online from March’s S&L Engineering.”

One sequence in the programme shows a 36-tonne crane sinking into the ground and stubbornly refusing to move just as another delivery of concrete – which needs to be poured into the piling – is due to arrive on site.

“Amye was an incredible source of support throughout and she really is my best friend, as well as my partner so she was really keen to contribute ideas. It’s interesting that understanding the building trade you have more of an idea what will and won’t work practically, but we made decisions together and her good humour was appreciated by everyone on site.”

The show demonstrated once again the cheery stoicism of Lincolnshire folk and our ability to roll up our sleeves and get the job done, with a tractor used to pull the crane out and the crane driver ever so slightly cringing with embarrassment as he realises that the grounded crane also has its handbrake on. “We maintained really good humour which I think is really quite something under the circumstances we were building in,” says Nathan. “But I put that down to the fact that we had really good people working with us. Kris and his team were really switched-on and easy to work with through the process.” “We used Peterborough-based Kestrel Timber Frame for the structure and Harlow Civils in Surfleet for the groundwork and civil engineering. Manor Roofing, based in Peterborough provided the 5,000 times that made up the roof.”

“During the project, too, we found out that we were going to have a baby, so a lot of the time that Amye is on screen she’s pregnant. I’ve joked with her that a fiery redhead, undergoing a stressful complex design project, during a global pandemic, amid pregnancy hormones was probably not ideal... but honestly, she was amazing and our beautiful daughter Niamh is now 11 months old!” “To come home each evening to her and to Amye and to the house that we’ve built, and to know there’s a space for our parents and my older children Noah and Ava has really made the whole journey worthwhile.” “The Grand Designs team were amazing and I’ve extended a few of the crew an open invitation to pop in whenever they’re going past. It’s been the experience of a lifetime, and we loved almost every second!” n

Above: Nathan and Amye’s Grand Design came to fruition in a recent episode of Channel Four’s self-build series. Watch it again at www.channel4.com. Studio 11: 01945 467339, www.studio11architecture.co.uk.

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:53 Page 34

Carefully selected artists from the Royal Academy, Royal Institutes, Federations and Societies

David Hockney OM CH RA | Untitled No. 22 from “The Yosemite Suite” | I-Pad Drawing | 37” x 30”

New Fine Art Gallery Now Open in Stamford 5-8 The Mews • The George Hotel • Stamford • PE9 2LB Tuesday - Sunday from 11am to 5pm | 01780 480800

Also at Lees Yard • Holt • Norfolk | Monday - Saturday 10am - 4pm | 01263 713883 Please visit the website to view and purchase our artworks

w w w. a d r i a n h i l l f i n e a r t . c o m 34

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:53 Page 35

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 12:03 Page 36

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 12:03 Page 37

LINCOLNSHIRE IN 2021

2021’s New Look LINCOLNSHIRE

Last year’s restrictions saw a number of local development projects put on hold, but happily 2021 looks like it will provide a much brighter future for the whole county. Here, we review a few of the projects that will bring a new look to Lincolnshire... Words: Rob Davis. Lead Image: Chris Vaughan Photography.

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:53 Page 38

Sleaford’s Multi Screen Cinema If you’re a fan of the silver screen there’s a solid gold project due to resume in Sleaford throughout 2021...

2020 was supposed to see the release of the latest James Bond film, No Time to Die... unfortunately it was, instead, no time to release a movie, and the premiere was postponed along with the year’s other big releases. From a reboot of the Batman franchise to Respect, a biopic of Aretha Franklin, plus a long-awaited sequel to James Cameron’s cautionary tale of humanity’s lack of respect for the environment; Avatar. Other big screen treats to be delayed include a new film from the Jurassic Park franchise; the 34-year-late sequel to Top Gun; Steven Spielberg’s glitzy adaptation of West Side Story and Elvis; Baz Luhrmann’s biopic. As well as being a belting year for cinema, it was supposed to be the year when plans were finalised for the creation of a new multi-screen cinema in Sleaford.

Below: Covid-19 has caused work on Sleaford’s £4m three-screen cinema to stall, but the project will resume in 2021... so there’s bound to be a happy ending for a project which is designed to regenerate the whole of the town centre.

In May 2020 is was announced that Covid-19 would delay the £4m project, which is a particular shame since the project wasn’t just exciting in isolation but was also to prove the centre of a larger regeneration.

Named The Heart of Sleaford. The project will effectively link the current Money’s Yard car park to the town’s market square via the town’s old Butter Market and Corn Exchange – buildings which were themselves ripe for a redevelopment. So as well as the cinema itself, and its restaurant and food court, the redevelopment will bring together the whole of the town centre, from St Deny’s Church to Money’s Yard and the area surrounding the National Centre for Craft & Design. Sleaford’s Robert Hodgson will be overseeing the project once it resumes. He’s one of the town’s most talented developers; a safe pair of hands in which to place what is essentially the town’s regeneration. n Woodhall Spa & Grantham Cinemas: In addition to Sleaford’s proposed cinema, 2021 will be the first full year that film-goers will be able to enjoy new releases at Grantham’s Savoy, which opened in late 2019, and on Woodhall Spa-based Kinema in the Woods’ third screen which opened in summer 2019.

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:53 Page 39

Works start on transformational coastal projects in Skegness and Mablethorpe...

East Lindsey District Council has secured £500,000 and £750,000 to progress two ‘transformational’ projects on the Lincolnshire Coast via the Towns Fund programme. Sutton on Sea’s 1950s structurally unsafe Colonnade will be removed and replaced with a new structure (below), whilst Skegness will see the part-pedestrianisation of Tower Esplanade in 2021 plus the completion of its modernisation which has already seen the installation of new curved street lights. n

Huge Towns Fund Investments for North Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire...

n Grimsby will benefit from up to £17m from Central Government’s Towns Fund and Future High Streets Fund to regenerate the town centre with a new public space at Riverhead Square, refurbishment of Central Library, further regeneration of St James Quarter and regeneration of Garth Lane. Separately the western side of Victoria Street and Freshney Place will be redeveloped with a £25m cash injection.

Continuing Cornhill’s Transformation... 2020 saw the remarkable unveiling of Lincoln’s new Cornhill Quarter and this year will continue its transformation with a new food market Lincoln’s Cornhill Quarter has already been completely transformed with the completion of the £70m first phase of a heritage-led restoration. Sadly the potential of its new Everyman Cinema hasn’t yet been recognised, but Lincolnshire Co-op’s excellent work in bringing the Cornhill Quarter’s transport hub to fruition has already improved the area enormously. Work will continue in 2021 with Historic England’s High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) funding secured for the transformation of Lincoln Central Market. The market’s 1937 stalls will be recreated and a new food court designed to create a ‘farm shop in the city,’ will connect the market to the High Street and City Square. n

l Also in 2021, Lincoln’s Lower High Street will gain a makeover with a £3.5m cash injection which will also make available grants for the renovation of historic shop fronts, and new public realm areas. The plans are part of the High Street Heritage Action Zone plan which will also fund a HAZ officer for four years to deliver community engagement and cultural activities, creating, for instance, markets and entertainment on Lower High street to ensure the area enjoys increased footfall.

n Meanwhile the South Humber Industrial Investment Programme (SHIIP) is a £42m project which will create Stallingborough Business Park and 467 acres of developed land for new businesses, plus a new 64-hectare business park, and £8m Humber Bank link road and an area of wetland reclaimed for wildlife as a SPA (Special Protection Area) and SSSI area. n 35-acres of space will be transformed by the departing Novartis pharmaceutical firm, with the creation of a new area of migration land for birds adjacent to the Cress Marsh wildlife site. n North Lincolnshire Council has also submitted a £27m Town Deal bid for a 4,000,000 sq ft advanced manufacturing park to attract engineering firms to the town, and to create a new cultural quarter around Church Square. The money will also be used to invest in 500 new homes, a skills development programme and the installation of gigabit broadband to help businesses stay connected. n On the site of Scunthorpe’s former market site will be an innovation hub with new business space for the technology and creative industries, an investment of £10.7m. n 250 eco-lodges, a hotel and conference centre will also create one of the biggest holiday destinations in Cleethorpes on the 57-acre site of the former Pleasure Island theme park which closed to visitors in 2015.

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:53 Page 40

A New Home for the Reds...

A new look and lots more exhibition space for Sleaford’s National Centre for Craft and Design...

Above/Right: Sleaford’s NCCD – formerly known as The Hub – will gain a £1.2m extension with a new food & drink area.

Team will relocate to Waddington in 2021 2022 will see the closure of

Sleaford’s National Centre for Craft & Design will reopen around May following a £1.2m extension created by Lincolnshire’s Lindum Group. Bryan Palmer is managing the project and says: “The project has been very smooth so far. The public have been understanding and we’ve

got a great relationship with the craft centre team. Once complete, the new-look building will feature a ground floor gallery, artists’ workshop, a children’s zone and a performing arts studio. There will also be a large indoor bistro and an outdoor seating area taking in views of the River Slea.” n

RAF Scampton as an operational base. Founded in 1916 and renamed RAF Scampton (it was known as Air Station Brattleby Cliff) in 1918, the station will be sold and redeveloped into housing, and the Red Arrows display team will relocate to nearby RAF Waddington, securing their future in the county. n

Training a New Generation of Doctors in Lincoln... The University of Lincoln will open a new purpose-built facility in which to train the next generation of doctors and nursing staff. The University has enjoyed exceptional success in recent years, rising in the

league tables to its highest ever position; The Guardian ranks the University the 17th best in the UK. In order to meet the government’s target of educating 25% more medical students, the University

decided to create the a medical school in 2018 and will relocate it into a purpose-built facility this spring. It has a range of laboratories, an anatomy suite, and health sciences library.

The University has an annual budget of £138m and has 30,000 students, employing 1,500 people. It’s estimated the University contributes over £300m a year to the economy of Lincoln. n

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:53 Page 41

Phase Two of Boultham’s restoration... Work will be completed in 2021 on the next phase of Boultham Park’s restoration, which will see new activities and events around its lake Phase one of Boultham Park’s restoration was completed in 2018, and saw a new education centre, café and community facilities created. Phase two was set to be completed in 2020, but work will instead continue this year on the restoration of the park’s lake. The area will be de-silted, fishing pegs will be created, lake edges, seating areas and paths will be improved and facilities for boating will be created too. The second phase of the project will take place as a collaboration between the Boultham Park Advisory Group and Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. n Boultham Park’s 2021 calendar has been published by the Boultham Park Advisory Group featuring photographs submitted by members of the public as part of a photography competition. The winning entrant is Emily Speed who captured this image of a swan’s reflection as it swam along the soon to be refurbished lake. For further information see www.boulthampark.co.uk.

A Place for the Iron Lady... The question as to whether a statue in Grantham of Margaret Thatcher is a celebration or an abomination will doubtless depend on your politics. However, to our mind, irrespective of your opinion of her policies, there’s no doubt she put Grantham on the map and remains a famous figure. South Kesteven District Council is currently deciding whether it can underwrite the £100,000

cost of creating the 10ft plinth the statue is designed to stand on. The statue has been created by Douglas Jennings and was privately funded. A decision was made to position it in the former Prime Minister’s home town with a launch event that also recognises the town as the birthplace of Edith Smith, the country’s first female police officer. n

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:53 Page 42

Lincoln Cathedral Connected You can fall in love with Lincoln Cathedral all over again this year as spring sees the opening of the new Dean’s Green area...

Below: Lincoln Cathedral’s Dean’s Green reopens after 40 years this spring, enabling even locals who are familiar with the Cathedral to fall in love with it all over again!

Lincoln Cathedral is the county’s most wellknown and best-loved landmark, but at nearly 950 years old, efforts to preserve and enhance the building for future generations are tricky, and costly. That’s why this spring’s opening of the Cathedral’s new Dean’s Green and its new visitor centre is so eagerly anticipated. It’s not often that the public is treated to a whole new area of the Cathedral to enjoy, but the area in question has indeed been closed to the public since the 1970s. Previously under the custodianship of Lincoln Minster School, which vacated the grounds in 2012, the Cathedral has, since October 2018, been embarking on a huge programme of restoration to restore the area with the addition of a new reception area with shop, café with indoor and outdoor seating area, plus education and exhibition spaces and community rooms. £12.4m of the £16.5m money needed to complete the work has been from National Lottery Heritage Fund contributions. What’s more, as part of the work the projects (which are known collectively as Lincoln Cathedral Connected) have also facilitated the restoration of Eastgate Wall, Exchequergate’s archway, the Cloister Wall and the Cathedral’s Romanesque Frieze

which runs right across the façade of the Cathedral from the west front to the southern side of the building and depicts scenes from heaven, hell and features images from both the old and new testaments. Featuring prominently is the C14th carving of the 11 kings on the Cathedral’s portico. In addition to the Dean’s Green’s new lawned areas, and its flower beds and seating the gardens, which have been designed by Neil Swanson, the area also features a water feature with poetry from Lincolnshire’s most famous son, Alfred Lord Tennyson. The gardens are also designed in such a way as to direct the eye right to the Cathedral’s Dean’s Eye window. “It’s wonderful that we can now welcome visitors to the Dean’s Green,” says The Very Revd Christine Wilson, Dean of Lincoln. “The area looks truly beautiful and is a calming and serene place to be. The project has enabled us to protect, restore and open up new areas of the Cathedral for all to enjoy.” After nearly a year of lockdown, it’s anticipated that when government restrictions are lifted and we’re able to venture out once more, we’ll be able to enjoy the spring and summer sunshine in the newly created area of the Cathedral, enjoying a familiar favourite but in a completely new setting! n

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:53 Page 43

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

MORRISS & SHAW LUXURY GARDEN HOUSES

Based in Sleaford, so for a free, no obligation design consultation and an initial discussion of your project call 01529 300609

www.morrissandshawgardenhouses.com 43

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:53 Page 44

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:53 Page 45

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:53 Page 46

CURTIS OF LINCOLN

GREAT LOCAL

FOOD Tradition meets technology as one of Lincolnshire’s longest established butchers and bakers is making its products available on Yummy, the website which delivers fresh local food, right to you door... Words: Rob Davis.

THERE’S NOTHING QUITE LIKE the smell of baking bread. The scent is particularly prevalent on Lincoln’s Long Leys Road, the main site for the production operations of A W Curtis Bakers & Butchers of Lincoln. Happily, A W Curtis is still thriving even amid general trading conditions, and even during Covid-19. And now, the availability of the company’s range of bread, meat and teatime treats will be available from Yummy, the sister company of Lincolnshire Pride which delivers fresh local food right to your door. It’s one of the oldest butchers and bakers in Lincolnshire, not to mention one of the largest and the one with the most comprehensive ranges of products. So old is A W Curtis, in fact, that its exact date of origin is unknown, but we are certain that it existed in something like its modern form in 1828, beginning life as a pork butcher. Today, A W Curtis Bakers & Butchers and its retail sister company Curtis of Lincoln is the most well-known butchers and bakers in Lincolnshire. Our High Streets, though, have taken a battering during lockdown with footfall even more thin on the ground and the 46

abundance of out of town retailers – not least among which is the big four supermarkets – driving people out of our town centres. Today, A W Curtis is almost a 24/7 operation and though he’s researched the history of both his profession, and of the family business, the firm’s Neil Curtis is still discovering new facts about the company and its extensive history all the time. In addition, he still keeps his hand in across the company, delivering or helping his team with production, despite having nearly 100 employees to look after as well. Neil is still a dab hand with a sharp butcher’s knife but he’s just as sharp as a businessman, and a keen ambassador for local food. “At times such as these, you’ve got to be able to roll up your sleeves and get the job done when it’s necessary,” he says. “And we’ve 20 shops, so the demand is still there, we’ve got to keep the orders going out! At the same time though you’ve also got to embrace change, hence working with Yummy to provide our very traditional high-quality products but retailing them in a really modern way.” >>

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:53 Page 47

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:53 Page 48

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:53 Page 49

CURTIS OF LINCOLN

>> “We’ve a greater number of products than before, and today there’s a bigger market than ever for especially food to take away. We’ve sausage rolls and pastries, filled baps and coffee for those who pop into our shops at lunchtime and probably half of our shops have seating areas which will reopen when the rules allow us to do so.” It’s difficult to think of a better advocate for Lincolnshire food than Neil, and as he points out, food and culture are inextricably linked, especially in Lincolnshire. As a rural county it was more common – certainly prior to the industrial revolution – for villages to have regular days when a journeyman butcher or slaughterman would visit local villages and butcher the pigs that each villager would have kept domestically for meat. The practice was known as ‘pig-killing day,’ as prior to refrigeration, techniques like salting were used to preserve food for future consumption. It was a real ritual and neighbours would gather together to help each other out with ensuring they derived as much value from each animal as possible. They’d share pig fry and many other cuts that have today fallen by the wayside. Diets in previous centuries were incredibly fatty by today’s standards, but of course, their lifestyles were much more active so they’d need the energy for manual labour. As the industrial revolution consolidated communities, emerging centres of population

like Lincoln began to gain areas where butchers habitually gathered to service a larger population. Butcher’s Court off the city’s Clasketgate Street was one such area, and with more of the population working over the successive 200 years, there became a more consistent customer base and so butchers began to occupy permanent premises, establishing their shops on the High Streets of towns and cities. At the time, single-species butchers were more prevalent, or at least beef and lamb butchers were. Pork butchers tended to operate as separate entities, because beef and lamb is traditionally butchered and sold only in cuts. Pork, by contrast, tends also to be cured, made into sausages, bacon, and manufactured into goods such as polony, brawn, and haslet or chine, in Lincolnshire – hence dedicated butchers creating the by-product of butchery. As the saying goes, every bit of a pig can be eaten, except the squeal. In a more frugal age even the animal’s bladder was retained as a receptacle for storing lard and it wasn’t unknown for people to make clothing out of pig’s hair! Naturally, there were fewer commercial breeds and a greater number of local ones associated with pre-industrial food production, and Lincolnshire livestock breeds like the Lincoln Red, Curlycoat, Longwool and Buff were more prevalent. >>

DISCOVER YUMMY IN LINCOLN...

Bringing fresh local food – like A W Curtis’s products – right to your door and now the service is available in Lincoln..!

One of Lincoln’s oldest butchers and bakers, A W Curtis is just one of a number of local suppliers you can buy from using Yummy. Yummy is the food delivery service which delivers produce from local butchers, bakers, fruit & veg suppliers, fishmongers and other local food businesses, with shopping delivered straight to your door. How does it work? Simply visit www.yummy.co.uk and browse through the different products available. Once you’ve chosen your products from each of our different Yummy partners, you complete one single secure checkout. Next, we visit each of our partners in turn, collect each of the different products in your order, then pack them safely and delivery them using our fleet of our refrigerated vehicles. We’ll deliver your Yummy box to your doorstep which means you can enjoy local food, from local suppliers, delivered to your door for maximum convenience. As well as local produce, Yummy has lots of practical groceries too such as milk, butter, honey, and sliced bread. n Discover Yummy now by visiting www.yummy.co.uk... you won’t be disappointed!

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:53 Page 50

CURTIS OF LINCOLN

“The firm’s range of bread and bakery goods expanded and now the business is equally well-regarded for its bakery as its butchery products...”

>> From the 1900s, our High Streets were a little more settled and butchers were beginning to consolidate their trades to become the multi-species butchers we know today. By the middle of the 20th century, the company was already making pastry for its sausage rolls and pork pies, and so reasoned that selling them too wouldn’t incur much additional effort. The firm’s range of bread and bakery goods expanded and now the business is equally well-regarded for its butchery and its bakery. A mini-booklet from 1928 in A W Curtis’s archives carries the strapline ‘Serving Lincolnshire for over 100 Years,’ so we can be confident that the company dates back to at least at least 1828, but Neil’s great-great grandfather Charles Curtis; great-grandfather Arthur William Curtis; grandfather Bert Curtis with his brother Frank and father

Arthur Curtis with brother Ray and sisters Sheila and Barbara are all known to have run the business through the years. Now there is Neil with Susan and members of the eighth generation involved in the business. In days gone by, the company’s slaughterhouse was based on St Marks Street, and a legacy of its presence remains in the form of a pig-shaped weathervane on top of what is now the JD Sports store and Tesco. The vane is located on the site of the old St Marks Church and is a reminder of when the odd pig would escape its fate in the butchery and flee to the church opposite, presumably seeking holy sanctuary… trying to, quite literally, save its bacon. Since then, the company’s operations have expanded and moved to its current location on Long Leys Road. >>

Above: A W Curtis began life as a pork butcher before diversifying into other butchery and eventually it became a bakery too. Director Neil Curtis is now making his range of products available on Yummy the website which delivers fresh local food right to your door across Lincolnshire.

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:53 Page 51

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 03/02/2021 10:51 Page 52

CURTIS OF LINCOLN

Neil with Annabelle Anderson, the latest generation of the Curtis family to work in the business. Image courtesy of Lincolnshire Co Op and Electric Egg.

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:54 Page 53

TASTING

NOTES OUR FAVOURITE PRODUCTS FROM A W CURTIS & SONS’ RANGE AVAILABLE ON YUMMY, DELIVERING FRESH LOCAL FOOD RIGHT TO YOUR DOOR! n White Crusty Loaf £2.14/800g. Curtis’s traditional pillow-soft daily bread, perfect for sandwiches or toast.

>> From journeymen butchers to a permanent presence on our High Streets, to A W Curtis’s two mobile shops, selling meat and baked goods in a radius of about 20 miles from the city and finally to the rather more modern trading environment of Yummy.co.uk, the history and culture of how we buy and how we eat our food has changed dramatically. Yummy has just extended its operating radius to include all of Lincoln, and now customers in and around the city can purchase products from A W Curtis, from the site’s greengrocers, fish merchants, farmers and food producers, then have all of the site’s locally sourced food delivered right to the doorstep in a single, convenient delivery. And does Neil believe there’s a place for a traditional butcher and baker in the 21st century? “Absolutely! We still enjoy food; more than ever in fact. Recipe books, TV shows and websites are always presenting us with different ways to prepare food, and we live in an age in which the access to different ingredients is wider than ever, and free from seasonal limits. “So whilst it would be easy to complain about modern retail, actually we live in an age where food is produced to an unprecedented quality, cheaply, and with a better approach than ever to animal welfare. You only have to look at the Lincolnshire Show – when it returns to the calendar – to see that there are amazing

farmers in the county who really care about their animals.” “But as a society we’re busier than ever. The temptation of convenience is understandably appealing but still people appreciate that there’s something wonderful about a traditional family business which supplies great products.” “This past year has been unprecedented of course, but anecdotally I’ve had plenty of people reporting to me that in lieu of being able to go out, they’ve been enjoying cooking more at home and have eaten less processed meals. In the process they’re discovered just how wonderful local food can be.” “Being a local food producer, too, we can also champion the products that have a special place in our hearts, like Lincolnshire sausages, pork pies, plum bread, haslets, and stuffed chine. Chine is virtually unknown out of the county, but it’s a real favourite in our family. I was working on our stand at The Game Fair when it was held in the south of the county and one very confused lady asked, ‘what’s all that grass doing in that ham?’”

n Wholemeal Loaf Brown yeast bread, ideal for sandwiches or toast.

£2.43/800g

n Small Farmhouse Loaf Brown yeast bread, ideal for sandwiches or toast.

£1.63/400g

n White Bread Rolls £1.65/pack four Soft white rolls ideal for savoury filling or burgers. n Lincolnshire Plum Loaf £3.63/430g The county’s traditional teatime treat, fruited sweet yeast bread, good served with cheese or simply toasted with butter. n Madeira Cake £3.34/350g Sweet traditional sponge cake, lovely with a cup of tea. n Teacakes £2.17/pack four Fruited sweet yeast bread, ideal toasted. n Jam & Lemon Tarts £2.42/pack six Individual pastry case filled with jam, lemon curd and rich coconut filling. n Medium Apple Pie £2.18/300g Apple pie, full of apple chunks, ideal for serving as portions with cream or custard either hot or cold. Above products available to purchase at www.yummy.co.uk.

“We’ll lose products like haslet and chine if we rely solely on national retailers for our food, but people like us can keep them alive. And if, the 21st century, we can enjoy a presence online with services like Yummy, we can suddenly take all of our wonderful local food to a much wide audience.” n

Find Out More: A W Curtis has 18 shops across Lincolnshire plus two mobile shops operating in Lincoln. Its products are now available at www.yummy.co.uk, delivering fresh local food from A W Curtis’s butchery and baked goods as well as fruit, vegetable, and fish plus groceries and other foods... right to your door!

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:54 Page 54

LINCOLNSHIRE BUTCHERS

QUALITY AND LOCAL

LINCOLNSHIRE FISHMONGERS

With Yummy, you can fall in love with

He’s a keen advocate of supporting

food all over again! Enjoy fresh,

local retailers and food producers, but

high-quality meat, fish, fruit, herbs,

also a fan of the convenience that

vegetables, bread, and other locally

online shopping provides. So now…

sourced food like smoked barbecue

he’s combined the two!

dishes, cakes plus speciality oils and sauces, all sourced from the local

Julian and his team have partnered

shops you already know and love.

with trusted independent butchers

You simply choose your favourite shops and select your items to create one ‘basket’ using our website. Complete your order, then we’ll pick up all of your products from all of the shops, pack and deliver all of your items together, right to your doorstep.

115

LINCOLNSHIRE BAKERS

like Simpsons Butchers, Carl Dunham Butchers, and Dawsons Butchers, Curtis of Lincoln for butchery and baked goods, smoked barbecue products from The Lincolnshire Smokehouse and of course, Yummy works with local greengrocers and farmers for fresh fruit & vegetables.

Yummy is the idea of Lincolnshire businessman Julian Wilkinson and

Yummy also provides seafood from

owner of Lincolnshire Pride magazine.

East Lincolnshire Seafood and

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:54 Page 55

THE LINCOLNSHIRE SMOKEHOUSE

LINCOLNSHIRE FARMERS & GREENGROCERS

CURTIS OF LINCOLN, BAKERS & BUTCHERS

LINCOLNSHIRE FOOD... DELIVERED! Chapmans of Grimsby, locally made

We will try to source local produce

cheese from Lymn Bank Farm, and

where possible, though sadly our

delicious cakes and teatime treats

efforts to source a Lincolnshire

from Posh Nosh, Myers Bakery and

banana grower have not borne fruit –

Hawkens Gingerbread as well as jam

literally or figuratively – so we’ll also

from Jenny’s Jams of Lincoln.

look a little further where necessary,

We will add more shops over the forthcoming months. If you are food producer or restaurant in Lincolnshire

to keep the quality of our produce high, our prices competitive, and our range comprehensive!

why not get involved? Yummy

Enquiries

provides the amazing convenience

If you’d like to get in touch, please

of home delivery from local shops

email us at enquiries@yummy.co.uk.

with one single doorstep delivery. We’re rolling out Yummy across the United Kingdom, starting with Lincolnshire and then the rest of the UK, prioritising local independent retailers, food producers and farmers.

SHOP NOW AT

WWW.YUMMY.CO.UK OR CALL 0800 122 39 39 BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 9AM TO 5PM, MON-FRI AND OUR FRIENDLY TEAM CAN TAKE YOUR ORDER AND CREDIT/DEBIT CARD PAYMENT. OUR WEBSITE IS REALLY EASY TO USE, SO WHY NOT GIVE IT A GO!

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:54 Page 56

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:54 Page 57

In the KITCHEN Whether this month brings bad weather and plummeting temperatures or – hopefully – early spring sunshine and lots of reunions with friends and family, this should be your go-to dish. It’s a cinch to prepare, it suits winter and spring alike, and it’ll easily scale up to feed more people if lockdown is lifted... there’s even a one-pot supper variation that’s fast enough to provide an easy mid-week meal solution.

BAKED MEATBALLS with TOMATO & MASCARPONE Preparation Time: 10 minutes. Cooking Time: 30 minutes. Serves four. ⁄2 tbsp olive oil • 300g pack reduced fat British beef meatballs • 200g pack swiss chard 3 garlic cloves, crushed • 680g bottle passata - Cirio Rustica is a decent brand • 2 oregano sprigs • 2 tbsp mascarpone 1

Preheat the oven to 180 ̊ C, gas mark 4. Heat the oil in a large ovenproof casserole dish, sauté pan or frying pan over a high heat. Add the meatballs, season and fry for five minutes until browned all over. Meanwhile, strip the chard leaves from the stalks. Finely slice the chard stalks and add to the pan with the garlic; fry for a minute. Pour in the passata, add the oregano sprigs, then season (you may want to add a pinch of sugar too).

Transfer the uncovered pan to the oven for 15 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and stir in the mascarpone. Tear the chard leaves into large strips and stir into the sauce. Return the pan to the oven for five minutes, then serve with couscous or pasta, if liked. For a one-pot meal, stir a pouch of ready-cooked freekeh or can of drained butter beans into the sauce along with half the chard leaves, before baking for the final five minutes. n

Recipes & Dishes: Find thousands of recipes online at www.waitrose.com/recipes.

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:54 Page 58

BRING SOMETHING TO THE

TABLE The Chubby Castor’s Chef Patron Adebola Adeshina launches his new range of tableware to bring the look of a fine dining restaurant into your home...

Plates, 1: Narumi Shower plate, 28cm - matte or shiny, £20.23. 2: Degrenne Modulo Nature plate 28cm - warm grey, £7.42. 3: Narumi Esprit deep plate matte/shiny white, 27cm £35.15. 4: Narumi Forest plate 28cm - matte or shiny, £20.23. 5: Montgolfier Clair de Lune dinner plate 25cm, satin white, £43.18 6: Montgolfier Boheme charger plate 30cm - linen, £57.71. Bowls, 7: Montgolfier Clair de Lune Couscous plate 24cm, £43.18. 8: Narumi Ena rock plate 10 x 10 x 4.3cm - white, £21.19. Glassware, 9: Italesse Etoile Blanc glass, 57cl, £7.22 and Italesse Champagne flute, 29cl, £7.00. Cutlery, 10: Radford Bright table knife and table fork, £5.43, £4.90; Perceval 9.47 steak knife in white and beige, £76.25/set of two.

Visit www.goodfellowsathome.com or call 0844 334 5232. The Chubby Castor is based at Castor PE5 7AX. To book, call 01733 380801 or see www.thechubbycastor.com.

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:54 Page 59

Kitchen Ade

Local chef Adebola ‘Ade’ Adeshina launches his new range of designer tableware... Chef Patron of The Chubby Castor Adebola Adeshina has partnered with G&G Goodfellows to launch his own range of dinnerware, bringing the luxury of dining out, to your home. G&G Goodfellows are firmly established and affectionately known as the home of ‘Sexy Plates’ proudly supplying the nation’s favourite chefs and restaurants. Now, after six superb years of working with the best in the industry, they have teamed up with Adebola and other celebrity chefs to bring the restaurant look to your home. “Food is art and when plating a dish, it is all about the finer details,” says Adebola. “Our new range of tableware allows you to take food presentation to the next level and really impress your dinner guests.” Since opening in 2017, The Chubby Castor has been recommended in the Michelin Guide three years consecutively and has received 2AA Rosettes. n For more information see www.thechubbycastor.com.

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:54 Page 60

THE BLACK HORSE GOSBERTON RISEGATE

HOMEMADE, BEAUTIFUL, CLASSICAL DISHES

Open for quality pub dining in a warm and welcoming Covid-save environment... sample dishes from our new award-winning head chef, Michael Henry Burgoyne...

01775 840 995

www.theblackhorse-gr.co.uk

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:54 Page 61

Wine of the Month

Blueberry Thrill: the perfect spring and summer drink?

Beaune 1er Cru Nicolas Rolin, Bordeaux, 2011

We think we’ve found the perfect summer drink! A speciality cider produced in collaboration with Oundle-based Blue Aurora and cider producers Long Brothers... What could be better than the refreshing tang and playful fizz of an English artisan cider? How about that same cider with a twist of hand-picked English blueberries too? Oundle based Blue Aurora and Long Brothers have produced this quintessentially English cider, lightly sparkling, with a wonderfully dry, crisp and refreshing taste. A great aperitif to enjoy in the sunshine! £11.95 per bottle, 75cl each, 6.5% ABV, call 07766 696403 or see www.blueaurorawine.co.uk.

£62 / 75cl / 13.5% ABV

It’s been a rotten winter so far... so we think you deserve a treat. That’s why we’re introducing you to this premier cru Bordeaux with its bright, cherry tartness which balances the elegant oak, and tucked under the perfume of red-berry fruit is a hint of spicy chocolate oak.

The Wine Cellar MARCH SEES BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS FOR THE RIESLING GRAPE, A NEW ARTISAN GIN FROM PETERBOROUGH AND BETTER WEATHER IN WHICH TO ENJOY BLUEBERRY CIDER...

MARCHING TOWARDS SPRING: A trio of Riesling wines to chase away winter blues... 1. March 13th 2019 was the first annual Riesling birthday. Villa Maria’s example makes the most of the grape and of New Zealand’s climate to produce this ripe, citrus wine. £7.79 / 75cl / 12% ABV.

2. For those keen to exploit the potential of Riesling as a dessert wine, Seifried from New Zealand’s Nelson region is a symphony of honey, rosy apple, lime and passion fruit. Deliciously sweet and an ideal digestif. £16.29 / 37.5cl / 10.5% ABV.

3. And for those who really appreciate the grape, this Leitz Rosenbeck Riesling is from Germany’s Rheingau and is dry and powerful. £36 / 75cl / 12.5% ABV.

Brand new to Waitrose, it’s at the higher end of the market, certainly, but find a reason and you’ll enjoy a full-bodied wine founded on Pinot Noir that’ll chase away the winter blues! Available from Waitrose Cellar, www.waitrose cellar.com.

All Roads Lead to a Gin & Tonic! Peterborough’s newest artisan gin distillery is Nene Valley Spirits, and last month the company unveiled its two flagship sprits, Ermine Street and its sister gin, Colibri. Ermine Street is a stylish and refined Gin with a lemon devotion, that’s complemented with locally foraged rosemary. It’s produced by the distillery in the newly renovated artisan’s courtyard of Nene Valley’s Sacrewell Farm and you can purchase both spirits from the distillery or online. £35 / 70cl / 40% ABV, nenevalleyspirits.co.uk.

n Our featured wines are available from

the best local independent wine merchants, supermarkets and online, prices are RRP and may vary from those stated. 61

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:54 Page 62

A ‘Gold’ Armed Forces LINCOLN’S International Bomber Command Centre stands proudly over the city as a unique reminder of the county’s famed RAF history. From the famous 617 ‘Dambusters’ Squadron of 1943 to today’s RAF Waddington - the UK hub for Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance – the county’s military importance has remained steadfast. Civilians too, have been celebrated for their Armed Services’ work. Those familiar with Lincoln will remember the name Gilbert Blades whose legal office was based in the city centre. In general practice for more than 40 years, he spent 25 of those specialising

in military law and was renowned for his Court Martial work and his role in introducing procedural reforms. In 1998 Gilbert Blades was merged with Wilkin Chapman solicitors and whilst the company name no longer exists, the latter’s dedication to military law and supporting the Armed Forces community is a true focus. Evidence of this was the recent award to Wilkin Chapman, of the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award. This is the highest recognition of its kind, received by businesses that encourage employers to support defence, whilst also assisting serving personnel, their families, Reservists, and veterans. With an established military sector, the firm has specialists across its five regional offices. Supported by the wider Wilkin Chapman team, the sector has a growing, national client base. Importantly too, it recognises the value of employing ex-service personnel with transferrable skills and qualities. Former RAF Data Analyst Roly Freeman is now a Partner within the agriculture team at Wilkin Chapman

in Lincoln and has first-hand experience of how firms are becoming aware of the benefits of employing such personnel. Roly enjoyed an RAF career for 12 years before seeing structural change within the organisation as an opportunity to start again. Whilst extremely happy with military life, he decided he could have an equally good future outside the Armed Forces and opted to take a law degree. “I was 28 at that time and saw it as a real opportunity. My experience of the RAF is of an organisation that produces highly skilled and highly qualified individuals who are also extremely motivated,” said Roly. An experience whilst working in London opened Roly’s eyes to a reluctance amongst some to employ such professionals. Waiting to go to University, he applied for a position in advertising. “There was definitely a slight nervousness, however they were thrilled when they realised, they had employed a skilled, motivated person with the right qualities. In fact, the firm then

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:54 Page 63

service in Lincolnshire began to seek people from the military as employees,” added Roly. Wilkin Chapman’s Armed Forces Sector head, James Marsden, further highlighted the skills within his team, which allowed it to offer a full range of support. “Our exposure to military personnel has enabled us to hone our expertise in meeting the varied legal demands that are thrown at the Armed Forces community. Very often those legal challenges are different to those experienced by civilians,” said James. James’ work, and that of his colleagues, often focuses upon clients who have left, or are leaving, successful careers within the Forces and have needs around pensions, the making of Wills, divorce and partnership breakdowns, and property transactions. To assist this passage into civilian life, the firm offers a discount to serving personnel and members of the Armed Forces community, the latter by advertising through the Defence Discount Service. “There is often a real need for people to focus upon a Will that suits them and offers the correct level of

protection. While serving a purpose, Forces’ Wills, using the MOD Form 106, are basic and can have a disastrous impact if completed with no legal guidance,” said James. “The breakdown of a marriage or partnership often results in the need for specific advice to ensure an Armed Forces Pension is protected. Whilst a military divorce is no different to a civilian divorce in terms of practice and procedure, the intricacies of service life, and the complexities that arise from the regular Armed Forces Pension Schemes, 1975, 2005 and 2015 and the Reserve Forces Pension Scheme 2005, are such that we receive instructions from members of the Armed Forces community throughout England and Wales when they are facing the prospect of divorce,” added James. Reflecting on the Gold award, he said: “It was obviously a huge honour for the firm. But what we can give back to the Armed Forces community is only a small token of appreciation for the sacrifices that are made by its members, past and present, and their families.”

As a member of Forces Law, in 2019 Wilkin Chapman provided more than 350 hours of free legal advice to the Armed Forces community nationwide. Its charitable work in this sphere is also extensive, and it offers a flexible approach to the employment of former services personnel or those who are married or partnered to members of the community.

The firm’s Lincolnshire offices are in Lincoln, Horncastle, Louth, and Grimsby. For further information, please contact us on 01522 512345 or visit wilkinchapman.co.uk.

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:54 Page 64

HOMES & INTERIORS

A HOME with

ART & SOUL

This month we’re enjoying a masterclass in how to reinvent an old property for modern living as we take a look around The Old Maltings in Market Deeping. It’s home to Bernadette and David Walding, as well as a collection of pop art and some pretty impressive interior design touches... Words: Rob Davis.

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:54 Page 65

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:55 Page 66

What a place to enjoy this spring! In fact, Bernadette Walding confesses that she doesn’t really want to leave. But like many people who have renovated a few properties, the idea of living an environment free from dust and rubble, half-finished building work and paint pots soon finds homeowners getting the refurbishment equivalent of itchy feet. “I absolutely adore the place,” she says. “But I’m really keen to start a new project; perhaps something in a Georgian or Victorian property. This is the first full renovation we’ve completed, we’ve only re-styled existing properties before. I’ve enjoyed it so much!” Bernadette’s friends and family are all so impressed with the work that she and David have completed at Market Deeping’s Old Main/Right: The mid-C18th property is located on the banks of Welland and carries a Grade II listing despite its modern interiors and sense of style.

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:55 Page 67

Maltings that they reckon she should take up a career in interior design. But – for now, at least – she’ll have to be content with finding her next character property and (as she’s an English teacher) with educating local pupils about the roman à clef nature of narratives such as those from George Orwell. “I’ve just been introducing year eight to Animal Farm,” she says during our lockdown telephone interview. “I like to host a few classes in the conservatory. It has lots of natural light, ideal for Zoom calls, for Teams meetings, and of course, for reading!” Alternatively, if Bernadette fancies a spot of writing, her pretty little summerhouse is just the spot. The weather during our call wasn’t exactly conducive, but as the spring and summer months come along, the property’s next custodians will be very lucky to have so

“The building dates back to the mid-18th century and it’s arranged over three floors, carrying a Grade II listing...” many sunny little places to sit and admire their new home. The Old Maltings is on the market now, and all of the hard work in ensuring it looks pretty has been completed by Bernadette and David... all its next owners have to do is move in, position a garden chair to face the sun, then pour an indecently large G&T. “David is from Peterborough and I’m from a bit further up North. We moved to the area so I could pursue a career teaching at my present school, and we found this property about eight years ago.”

“My husband was keen to renovate it but I initially said wouldn’t live here... which is quite ironic, as I don’t want to leave now!” “The building dates back to the mid-18th century and it’s arranged over three floors, carrying a Grade II listing. When we arrived the place had a mud floor. There were plenty of ‘window’ apertures – thanks to its legacy as a malthouse – but were no frames or glass within them.” “We took the place back to four walls, wired, plumbed and replaced the roof. It was OK structurally, but it needed lots of work. We pride ourselves on the fact that very little was disposed of, though. Flagstones and old beams were requisitioned for the garden.” “Both David and I love our art, so the kitchen had to be part-reception room and part-art gallery.” >> 67

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:56 Page 68

>> “We incorporated oak work surfaces and Siemens appliances, and added French doors and the conservatory, to really bring the inside and the outdoor spaces together.” “In the spring and summer months there’s a nice flow of air through the conservatory so it never feels stifling, but it’s never too breezy either, and the terrace next to it really serves as another reception room all season long.” “There’s a large sitting room which has a contemporary fireplace and we’ve installed underfloor heating throughout the house too. Elsewhere I’ve indulged a love of mid-C20th furniture like an Aarnio chair in the kitchen and I’ve commissioned pop art prints of the family. There’s a Paul Smith design to the carpet which runs up the stairs, hopefully reflecting our aim of imparting a modern feel into a period property.” Right: The pièce de résistance of the garden is Bernadette’s rather fabulous shed, ideal for reading!

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:56 Page 69

“I had a fascination with French château style properties so I laid out the gardens myself in keeping with that aesthetic. There’s box ball hedging, and a number of olive trees as well as oak, horse chestnut and walnut trees.” “The house also leads down to the Welland and we keep a little rowing boat there. On one occasion a few friends and I took it upon ourselves to row into town to pick up a takeaway with some pretty hilarious consequences. It took about an hour and it was pretty impractical but definitely worth it for the giggles.” “And I think that sums the house up really. It’s a really happy place with lots of light, lots of bright space and lots of fun touches like the pewter free-standing bath in the master bedroom.” “We’ve absolutely loved living here but a new project is beckoning. We think we’ve found something nearby – we don’t want to leave the town – so we’re looking for someone who will love the space and put their own character into it.” n

THE OLD MALTINGS, MARKET DEEPING Location: Market Deeping, Stamford 14 mins, P’Boro 16 mins. Style: Beautifully restored former malthouse with modern interiors. Guide Price: OIEO £700,000. Find Out More: Fine & Country, Seaton Grange Barn Offices, LE15 9HT. Tel: 01780 750 200, or see www.fineandcountry.com.

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:56 Page 70

Home Interiors Studio

Interior design for reception rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and bathrooms Plus: Finishing touches from lighting to mirrors to bedding & home decor

Anelise Home, 140 Burton Road, Lincoln, LN1 3LW

01522 530400 • www.anelisehome.co.uk

UNSURPASSED QUALITY, AFFORDABLE CRAFTSMANSHIP Bespoke Kitchens, Bedrooms and Bathrooms - full project management and free quotations

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

Tel: 01507 527113

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

PJCabinetMakers

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:56 Page 71

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:57 Page 72

HOME FURNISHINGS

Bolts from the

BLUE Cool, restful and pairing beautifully with white, this month we’ve fabrics and furnishings from light blue to the deepest indigo from the area’s leading independent interior designers... This Spread: Rufolo fabrics from William Yeoward, over the company’s Morris Queen Bed in greyed oak £8,989.

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:57 Page 73

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:57 Page 74

HOMES & INTERIORS

Above Left: Harlequin Dentella from the Paloma range is available in powder blue and soft grey colourways. Above Right: Harlequin Mirador; curtains in Alvaro, throw in Amalfi. Below: Clarke & Clarke’s brand new Eco collection with weaves and textures in sky blue and indigo. Opposite Page: Sanderson’s Maelee wallpaper in mineral colour scheme and fabrics from the Bilberry range.

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:57 Page 75

75 75

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:57 Page 76

Sanderson Art of the Garden fabrics, with sofa in Woodland Plain, curtains in Fig Harvest and cushions in Baroque Trellis and Fig Harvest.

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 11:30 Page 77

HOMES & INTERIORS

Above Left: William Yeoward Mérida, Flores and Lakhama in Peacock and Indigo colourway. Above Right: W Morris Pure Trellis rug, four sizes from 140cm x 200cm to 250cm x 350cm, from £514. Below: William Yeoward Brinkstone dining table, £5,950; Limpton chair in Yeoward fabric, Avalone mirror in antique bronze £1,750. Alfie turquoise lamp £995; Appia console lamps £450/ea.

Lincolnshire Suppliers: Aitch Interiors: 01522 810961, www.aitchinteriors.co.uk. Anelise Home: 01522 530400, www.anelisehome.co.uk. Delcor: 01780 762579, www.delcor.co.uk. Elizabeth & Stevens: 01636 822000, www.elizabethandstevens.com. Lees Furnishers: 01472 353251, www.leesfurnishers.co.uk. Richard Sutton Interiors: 01472 268377, richardsuttondesigninteriors.com. Sack Store: 01205 310101, www.sackstore.co.uk. Stevensons: 01472 233111, www.stevensonsgroup.co.uk. n

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:57 Page 78

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:57 Page 79

Bring Richwood into the Heart of your Home

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

Call 07534 808903 richwood-cabinetmakers@hotmail.com

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 11:49 Page 80

ASHWOOD HOMES

Building The Communities of the

FUTURE As Ashwood Homes releases the first properties of its biggest ever development – Holbeach Meadows – Chairman Ashley King describes how its 900-home flagship project will create not just new homes, but a whole new community for future generations... Words: Rob Davis.

“WE’VE BEEN BUILDING high quality homes for over 25 years,” says Ashley King. “I met someone who moved into one of our early homes recently, and over the past two-and-a-bit decades, they’ve married and had children, then their children have now left home and started families of their own, in their homes too.” “It goes to show that your home isn’t just bricks and mortar. It isn’t just the biggest investment you’ll make in your life either. It’s the place that you, and your children will live, conduct family life, laugh, cry and celebrate in, year after year.” Ashley and I are looking out over Holbeach Meadows. It’s the largest development the company has ever embarked on, comprising over 900 homes. These are not just new homes, this is an entirely new village, a soon-to-be thriving new community. >> 80

Top/Above: Holbeach Meadows is a development of 900 homes with between one and five bedrooms which will form a future community less than a mile from the town. Opposite: The Thames is the development’s five bed detached home.

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 11:49 Page 81

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:58 Page 82

“We need to invest care and thought and attention to detail into each home to ensure our future residents are happy here...”

Above: Executive Specification homes feature underfloor heating, USB charging points to master bedroom, plus 18mm solid kitchen units and induction hobs in the kitchen.

>> “The way we feel about our home has a direct affect on our sense of happiness; our sense of security. That’s why we can’t afford to just build houses. We have to put care and thought and attention to detail into each one to ensure that our future residents will be happy here.” “That makes it sound daunting, but actually we love the job, we take a great deal of pride in it and none of us would have it any other way... hopefully that’s obvious to anyone who comes to look around the development.” Holbeach Meadows was granted planning permission in December 2016, and comprises 15 different house styles, with one to five bedrooms priced from £165,000 to £575,000.

“We’ve designed properties to suit people at different stages of their lives from first time buyers eager to get a foothold on the property ladder – especially using schemes like Help to Buy – to those with growing families who need more space and ‘empty nester’ couples seeking a lower-maintenance, but still comfortable executive home.” The company has existing developments in Kirton, Spalding, Crowland, Cowbit and Swineshead, but Holbeach Meadows will change the landscape of Holbeach and create quality family homes including those with Executive Specification like integrated appliances, induction hobs and electric garage doors, plus landscaped grounds and energy efficiency for low running costs.

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 03/02/2021 10:02 Page 83

Let’s Move To: Holbeach Meadows...

The Thames: Located on premium plots, The Thames is the first of its kind at Ashwood Homes. With just over 3,000sq ft space, this stunning home has enough room for an ever-growing family, or for those who love larger spaces. Featuring an executive specification, five double bedrooms plus a guest suite, modern open plan style, underfloor heating to the ground floor, bi-fold doors and much more! This house type has so much potential!

Location: Holbeach 0.5 miles; Spalding 8.6 miles; Peterborough 23.3 miles. Development: Over 900 1-5 bed homes priced from £165,000 - £575,000. Community Facilities: New primary school, community hub and open spaces. House Styles: Broad range including The Dee, a modern two-bedroom starter home, featuring two double bedrooms each with an en suite bathroom. The Huntingdon is ideal for growing families, a three bedroom with garage. Meanwhile the Ribble is a beautiful executive four bedroom family home with a stunning open plan layout. Above: Holbeach is a quiet rural town home to 10,500 people.

Released in stages from spring 2021, all of the properties can be tailored to your chosen specification and feature a 10 year LABC warranty for peace of mind. The company also offers part-exchange to ensure you can make a quick transition into your new home. “Residents – especially those who come from older properties – report to us that they love the low-running costs of a brand new property, and also the fact that they can move straight in and add their own look and feel to their homes at their own pace,” says Ashley. “The development already has a great feel to it, and already seems like it’s going to be a thriving community of happy families. That’s probably the most exciting and rewarding aspect of working in our industry!” n

The Town: Holbeach is a bustling and attractive Fenland town, situated in the South Holland District of South Lincolnshire. Surrounded by countryside and small, friendly villages, the whole Holbeach area is known for its strong communities and successful bulb and flower industry. The town is also home to the stunning All Saints Church, dating back to 1225, and the Manor House Hotel, in which Nobel Prize winner Sir Ralph Norman Angell was born in 1872. Presently, Holbeach is thriving and boasts many amenities for locals and visitors to enjoy. These include restaurants, takeaways, schools, pubs and much more. Holbeach is proud to have great education centres around the town, from nurseries to secondary schools. The town is also very family-friendly with lots of activities for parents and children alike. So if you’re looking for a new home in the heart of the Lincolnshire Fens, Holbeach’s beautiful semi-rural community could be perfect for you. n

Find Out More: The Holbeach Meadows development is being created by Ashwood Homes. It’s based on at Hallgate, Holbeach, Spalding, Lincolnshire PE12 7HZ. Call 01406 430940 or see www.ashwoodhomes.co for more information or a tour.

83 83

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:58 Page 84

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:58 Page 85

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:58 Page 86

RICHARD SUTTON DESIGNS

DESIGNS FOR

LIFE

Just how ‘bespoke’ is your bespoke kitchen? If it’s from Lincolnshire’s Richard Sutton Designs, you can be reassured that it’s totally unique! Words: Rob Davis.

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:59 Page 87

Alongside the style is the substance. Walk along Wellowgate, peek through the windows of Richard Sutton Designs and you’ll see all sorts of accessories for your home. Clocks, mirrors, photo frames, vases, tableware and glassware... all of those finishing touches that turn a house into a home. You’ll be forgiven, then, for thinking that the company dedicates most of its time and resources to curating a collection of smaller – but perfectly formed – items to make you smile every time you walk into a room. But in fact, the design skills and expertise of Richard Sutton’s 17-strong team spend much of their time helping to create your kitchen, bathroom, dressing room, reception room, study or utility, crafting bespoke cabinetry with real design flair and submillimetre accuracy. “It’s common for a kitchen to be referred to as bespoke when, in fact, its cabinetry or doors are purchased from a supplier,” says the firm’s Richard Sutton. “By contrast each of our kitchens, like the one shown here, begins life as solid beech, walnut, maple or oak. The worktops we create are seamless engineered stone and the tradespeople we use to create a client’s room are employed by us, not sub-contracted.” “Alongside a full project management service, that means we take full responsibility for the look, the quality and for the longevity of our work, and for the process of design and installation.” Richard Sutton Designs began life in 1994, with its Interiors homeware studio added three years ago. Since its creation the company has created kitchens from a competitive £25,000 to those with six figure sums, and appliances from names like Miele, Wolf & Sub-Zero, for which the company is a specialist supplier and installer. >> Left: Richard Sutton Designs creates bespoke kitchens, bathrooms, dressing rooms, studies, utilities and other rooms, offering a full project management service.

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 09:59 Page 88

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 11:32 Page 89

KITCHENS

“Working with one supplier is ﬁnancially more eﬃcient but also logistically easier, too,” says Richard. “Clients praise us for the fact that there’s a single, accountable contact taking responsibility for the job.” >> Bathrooms from £15,000 plus studies, bedrooms, utility rooms and libraries are all spaces that the company can create using bespoke cabinetry. And with fittings and appliances, floor and wall tiles, bespoke upholstery and so on, the company offers a genuinely turnkey service. “Working with one supplier is financially more efficient but also logistically easier, too,” says Richard. “Clients praise us for the fact that there’s a single, accountable contact responsible for every aspect of the job.” “The kitchen shown here is a typical example of our work, but also one that we’re characteristically proud of. It was created from combining three separate rooms in an old Victorian farmhouse.” “We then created bespoke cabinetry in solid beech with an oak interior, painted in two-tone Farrow & Ball shades. We sourced engineered quartz Silestone surfaces which have a seamless appearance, with stain and moisture resistance. They’re also pleasingly cool to the touch with a solid feel.” “We created a surround for the client’s reconditioned four-oven Aga, and installed

a Miele oven and dishwasher, Qooker tap and created a practical utility room with space for laundry appliances, coats and clutter.” “To work well, a kitchen not only has to look good but it has to function efficiently for a family despite having a multitude of uses.” “We all work, dine, cook and socialise as a family in modern kitchens, and it was a brief from the family that this kitchen should be the heart of the home.” “For that reason we created a bespoke table and banquette seating to sit around, working with the client’s colour scheme we created the upholstered seating area.” “We then sourced bar stools to create a casual dining area. Finishing touches like the wall clock glassware and vases helped to complete the room too.” “Creating amazing interiors is a real pleasure or us. We enjoy not just the finishing touches but giving each room a sense of solidity and quality, even in the bits you don’t normally see.” “The client was delighted and hopefully it’ll be a room they’ll love to live in, for years to come!” n

Find Out More: Richard Sutton Interiors is based on Wellowgate, Grimsby DN32 0RA. Call 01472 268377 or see www.richardsuttondesign.com for more information.

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 10:00 Page 90

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 10:00 Page 91

How Green is your Home...? With winter on its way out and spring just around the corner, ‘now’s the time to replace draughty windows with modern – and green – windows and doors,’ says Roy Wakeman OBE, Chairman of the CTI (Confederation of Timber Industries) and of local Window and Door installer The New Window Company at Frieston Heath It’s now widely recognised that global warming is a real issue, and that mankind has been the major factor in influencing events leading to the causes. Amongst them is the release of CO2 or carbon into the atmosphere and this has been a significant factor in damaging the ozone layer leading to global temperatures rising. So much so, that now all governments are targeting zero carbon either before – or by – 2050. In the UK the preferred target is to cut emissions by 68% by 2030. We already know that petrol and diesel powered vehicles are going to be phased out, and that the burning of fossil fuels will cease at some point in the future. Major changes, these are, but the single biggest action the world can take is to make use of the world’s oldest and versatile material for building and construction... namely timber. ‘It’s time to put timber at the heart of the climate debate.’ That was the headline used recently to report on the Climate Change Committee (CCC) release of their sixth Carbon Budget report which sets out a detailed and achievable ‘balanced’ route for the UK to drastically reduce emissions by 2050. The report recommends that the UK cuts its territorial emissions by at least 78% by 2035 compared to 1990 levels. To achieve this the CCC suggests ramping up the use of wood in construction, a £12 billion investment in a

long-term refurbishment programme to existing housing stock that would create an additional 200,000 jobs by 2030 and plant two billion trees in the UK. So, timber-framed houses should be used as they are quicker to build and much easier to keep warm using less energy. We also need to recognise that using wood as a key material in our windows and doors is a no-brainer since timber in any form – and particularly in finished products – is a natural ‘carbon sink’ and the carbon will be stored within the products for their lifetime, which has been proven in life cycle analysis to be at least 65 years (Herriot Watt University and the BRE Green Guide). Timber windows and doors, as supplied locally by The New Window Company, come in hardwoods and softwoods engineered to suit the customer’s bespoke needs and to avoid the issues of warping or rotting. Modern paint finishes are offered in myriad colours to match the customer’s needs and are now guaranteed for 12 years before any further decoration is necessary. There are lots of initiatives available sponsored by government grants (Green Deal) as well as help for listed buildings where heritage products are needed to meet today’s demanding performance standards, but also fit in with local planning rules, too. So, our world wants to go green and we can help the cause by using timber wherever we can, ensuring the area in which you live remains a green and pleasant land! n

Find Out More: New Window Company is based at Elms Farm, The Old Barn, Frieston Heath Lane, Grantham NG32 3HD. For a free no obligation discussion about your property’s needs call 01400 272538 or see www.new-window.co.uk.

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 10:00 Page 92

GATES GARDEN CENTRE

The ‘Even Greater’

OUTDOORS Words: Rob Davis.

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 12:58 Page 93

This season looks like being one to make the most of our gardens, so if you’re not sitting comfortably, it might be time to invest in some new furniture and lifestyle accessories to enjoy the great outdoors... Cold Overton based Gates Garden Centre has some rather wonderful suggestions!

IT’S THE SEASON TO ENJOY getting out in the garden, and today’s quality garden furniture is a million miles away from the uncomfortable or rickety products you’d have to put up with some years ago! Instead, comfy new products can create a living room in your garden. This month we’re presenting a few of the latest ranges from one of the area’s largest and most well-respected locations to find quality outdoor lifestyle products, Cold Overton based Gates Garden Centre. “For many people who were stuck at home during lockdown, last summer, the garden was a real source of comfort,” says the centre’s Nigel Gates. “Having somewhere that provided the chance to enjoy fresh air, being able to sit and read or even work in comfort was important to prevent a feeling of isolation and avoid that sense of cabin fever.”

“Last year more than ever we were reminded of how valuable to our mental health our gardens can be, and we think this year is likely to be similar.” “We’ve noticed that more people are keen to invest in quality furniture to be comfortable outdoors, so we’ve worked really hard to source products which strike a balance between being good value, but still providing the quality and longevity you’d expect.”

Opposite: Chedworth modular sofa set with rectangular fire pit, £3,299. Top: Toulouse Mosaic bistro set, a best seller, in powder-coated iron, £159. Above: Seville rope side table with centre planter, £109.

“We’ve all you need for comfortable outdoor living from dining sets to outdoor sofas, recliners and tables, plus outdoor games, and barbecues... and speaking of barbecues, our farm shop provides all you need to dine al fresco in the garden too. That’s in addition to plants, shrubs and core gardening products to ensure your garden is a great place to relax this summer.”>> 93

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 10:00 Page 94

“For many people who were stuck at home during lockdown, last summer, the garden was a real source of comfort,” says Gates Garden Centre’s Nigel Gates... Right: Tetbury dining set with wood effect, Tree-Free top and six armchairs, plus matching three metre parasol and 15kg base, £1,199. Below: Weber Genesis II SP-335 Gas Barbecue in Stainless Steel, £1,304.99.

Right: Seville rope side table with centre wine cooler, £74.99 Far Right: Monte Carlo reclining sun lounger with side table. All-weather faux leather; table has frostresistant glass top, £949.

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 10:01 Page 95

OUTDOOR LIVING

This Page: Monterey Triple Cocoon, new for 2021. Relax in this contemporary and stylish swing seat for three. This luxury hanging chair is for indoor or outdoor spaces and is made for sharing, £849.

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 10:01 Page 96

Capri 8-seat rectangular dining set in bronze with amber cushions, new colour for 2021. Perfect if you want low maintenance, this cast aluminium set includes a matching three metre parasol and 15kg base, £1,699.

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 10:01 Page 97

OUTDOOR LIVING

Above: Scatter cushions for outdoor use. Add a hint of colour to your outdoor furniture with the addition of these weather-resistant cushions, available in a wide range of colours and designs, you’ll be sure to find the perfect designs to complement your outdoor spaces, from £9.99. Left: Plain Jane firepit with swing arm BBQ rack, choose from a range of sizes from 60cm, to 90cm diameter, £259-£419. Right: Seville rope rocking chair, perfect for outdoors or in the conservatory, grey or beige. Water repellent, £299.

Find Out More: All of our featured products are available at Gates Garden Centre, still open and trading under Covid-19 compliant conditions. Visit the Garden Centre, open seven days a week on Somerby Road, Cold Overton, Oakham LE15 7QB, call 01664 454309 or see www.gatesgardencentre.co.uk. n

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 03/02/2021 09:45 Page 98

LINCS SURFACING

The Road to

SUCCESS

There are a number of ways to provide a safe, neat-looking surface for the exterior of your home or business, but nothing beats the longevity, quality and cost-effectiveness of traditional hot tar and chip surface dressing. Here, we introduce Dean Laverack of Lincs Surfacing... Words: Rob Davis.

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 03/02/2021 09:45 Page 99

The road to success and a way to improve the quality and appearance of your outdoor areas. Lincs Surfacing is the local surface dressing company which has grown over the years and will this month relocate to the Revesby Estate, where the company has already completed work for landowner Gavin Wiggins Davis. Let us introduce you to Dean Laverack. Dean is the owner of Lincs Surfacing, and he has the solution to all your resurfacing problems.

“Recent advances in our 150-year old industry have enabled us to change to a Highways Grade polymer-modified bitumen which gives even more longevity, higher bonding capabilities and waterproofing.”

“We work mainly within the commercial sector on properties ranging from holiday parks to private estates and large rural properties,” he says.

“We also complete remedial work like sweeping and pothole filling to ensure the longevity of our work and to prevent

“Our tar and chip surfaces also have good anti-slip properties, and utilise specially washed Staffordshire 2-6mm top surfacing or 6mm or 10mm Welsh granite for high-traffic or commercial areas.”

potentially costly trip hazards occurring in your outdoor areas.” “Tar and chip is also the solution that bodies like the National Trust use on their estates and it remains the most aesthetically suitable solution for period properties or those in conservation areas.” “There are many ways to resurface your external areas, but we recommend using good materials and good workmanship instead, to achieve a longer lasting surface and more importantly to really protect your investment.” n

“Many of our clients often think the only option is to have their roads or access areas fully removed and resurfaced, at a very high cost, but this is not the case. Our recent work has seen us repair and resurface the exteriors of car parks, holiday parks and large country estates, creating anti-slip, waterproof areas.” If you’ve worn, potholed or damaged areas, Lincs Surfacing, based on the Revesby Estate, north of Boston, is a local business helping domestic and commercial clients with a cost-effective, time-proven solution. “Hot surface dressing is Highways England’s chosen method of repairing, waterproofing and resurfacing our country’s roads and car parks with a new wearing layer of bitumen bonded stone which is available in numerous options depending on the project.” “We call this a ‘preventative maintenance’ measure, saving our clients money in the long term. With business budgets being very low, surface dressing is the most economically viable option, for commercial repairs in particular.” “Tar and chip dressing will last several years in a commercial environment – perhaps more, but we’re conservative in our estimates – or over a decade in a domestic or light duty setting, and its surface can be re-dressed periodically, in much the same way as you’d redecorate your home.” Find Out More: Dean Laverack’s Lincs Surfacing is based on the Revesby Estate and provides quality traditional hot tar and chip surface dressing and resurfacing work for larger domestic, agricultural and commercial environments. Call 0800 141452 or 07793 140190 for a free, no obligation site survey. Alternatively, see www.tarchip.co.uk.

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 10:01 Page 100

NATURAL STONE S U R F A C I N G TRADITIONAL TAR & CHIP SURFACING RESURFACE YOUR DRIVEWAY, ENTRANCE ROAD OR CARPARK WITH A DURABLE BONDED STONE

We oﬀer free unbiased advice for anyone looking to learn about or switch to renewable energy in the home, workplace or car. INSTANTLY ADD CURB APPEAL • INCREASE SALEABILITY AND VALUE RESTORE & PREVENT FUTURE WEAR • COST EFFECTIVE FOR LARGE AREAS

For a free no obligation chat, call Renbrac Renewables Oakham oﬀice on

01572 729538 New installation and resurfacing of driveways, roads, tracks and carparks.

Call now for a FREE, strictly no obligation quote on:

08000 141452 or see lincs-surfacing.co.uk

100

see www.renbrac.co.uk or email hello@renbrac.co.uk and start saving money! Solar Solutions for Power or Heating Air & Ground Source Heat Pumps and Home Charging for Electric Cars

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 10:01 Page 101

101

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 10:01 Page 102

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 10:01 Page 103

WEDDINGS

“OUR WEDDING WAS OUT OF THIS WORLD!” This month’s couple conducted their wedding on exactly the same terms as they conduct life; enjoying the good, accepting the odd hiccup and working as a team to make the most of their own relationship and the presence of family and friends in their lives... Wedding Photographer: Christian Thompson, 07989 796875, www.christianthompson.co.uk.

Being sci-fi fans, Alison and David Burling aren’t averse to looking into the future. And if we were to do the same for a second, we might be inclined to make a prediction that even when Covid-19’s lockdown is lifted and it’s possible to plan a wedding for a hundred guests or so, couples still might not be inclined to do so.

WEDDING SUPPLIERS ALISON & DAVID BURLING

“As it happens the weather was terrible! Fortunately the indoor space The Chequers afforded us was still lovely and we had a really great wedding photographer, Christian Thompson. He worked around the weather really well and still ensured we had some great images to remember the day.”

“An intimate wedding was what we both wanted right from the start,” says Alison, “We’re genuinely close to about 30 people and so that number for our ceremony and perhaps a few more – 50 for the reception – seemed appropriate.” The couple married pre-Covid, before such a restriction was a requirement, but say that couples wondering whether to marry in 2021 shouldn’t necessarily discount the idea of a more personal wedding with fewer guests. “The proposal was completely unexpected and again really sweet and understated, just so personal,” says Alison. “We’d been to enjoy the snowdrops at Little Ponton Hall and just spent a lovely day enjoying each others’ company. Later that evening I was just about to go to sleep and he cuddled up to me and asked ‘will you marry me?’” “It was the perfect proposal and a really nice surprise. We started to plan the day the very next day and viewed a few wedding venues before settling on The Chequers at Woolsthorpe, a lovely 17th century country pub restaurant. We liked the look and feel of the place and we liked the way that our wedding planner, Mandy, was so attentive. Nothing was too much trouble.”

“The other aspect of The Chequers which appealed was the different options it gave us. We could have just the reception or the reception and the ceremony there, and there were both indoor and outdoor spaces depending on what the weather was going to be like.”

Wedding Ceremony/Reception: The Chequers Inn, Woolsthorpe, 01476 870701, www.chequersinn.net. Wedding Hair/MUA: Emma Weguelin at Enchanted Hair Up & Beauty 07766 566374. Wedding Cake: Nan’s Nice Cakes 07809 624740, nansnicecakes.co.uk. Flowers: Julie’s Floristry, 07736 781055. Gentlemen’s Hire: Slaters Menswear, 0330 363 6071, www.slaters.co.uk. Venue Decoration: Make My Day Venue Dressing, 07506 541103, makemydayvenuedressing.co.uk String Quartet: Highly Strung, 07967 361717, highlystrungquartet.com. Disco: Matt Black, 07904 163260. n

“One of the other really early decisions we made was to have live music from a classical performer. We found Southwell-based Highly Strung String Quartet who have a really wide repertoire of classical, jazz and modern music. We walked down the aisle to a classical reinterpretation of the Game of Thrones theme.” “We had around 30 people to the daytime reception and then 50 people at the reception in the evening and it was just the right amount of people to ensure nobody was left out but to also make sure we could spend a meaningful amount of time with everyone instead of trying to get around too many people and not affording them the time they deserved.” “The ceremony, was lovely, and we had an afternoon tea accompanied by the musicians. We chose a country garden theme but as simply and as elegantly implemented as possible. Our wedding flowers comprised white roses, and gyp, and we incorporated classic books into the decoration.” >> 103

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 10:02 Page 104

- WEDDINGS -

“Guest list issues or bad weather? It doesn’t matter. If you’re marrying the person you love, everything else is just a minor detail!” >> “Our wedding cake was really delicious, too, a semi-naked cake with three tiers. It actually came about because we couldn’t decide which of our several favourite flavours we wanted to use in the cake, but it was absolutely delicious!” “On the day I surprised David with a steampunk-style orrery sculpture which had subtle references to our relationship and our favourite sci-fi series in it... the X-Files, War of the Worlds and Star Trek are all referenced in it, and the clock face has our names and wedding date written on the dial.” “Later on in the day we had a disco with the very best choice of music. We’d worked with Matt Black Disco and he’d done a really great job of choosing songs that ensured all of our guests were up and dancing.” “Undoubtedly though the best thing about the day was that our family were all there enjoying the day. David’s Best Man was his son, James and our daughters Amelia and Tahnie were flower girls.” “We created a wedding on exactly the same terms that we live our lives; together as a family and as a team. It was definitely the best day of our lives and we were so happy that everyone was there to share it with us.” “If I’ve any advice for future brides it’s to not get stressed about things like guest lists and the weather. Whatever happens, if you’re marrying the person you love, everything else is just minor detail!” n 104

All images Christian Thompson, 07989 796875, see www.christianthompson.co.uk.

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 10:02 Page 105

PLAN YOUR WEDDING PROPERLY WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM OUR 900,000 MEMBERS

We are the Number One wedding website in the UK -

Win a £25,000 dream wedding Browse through 20,000 wedding dresses Free wedding planning tools like our table planner Claim a free engagement photoshoot Win monthly wedding related prizes Talk to like-minded brides in your area for support

Join now for free at www.ukbride.co.uk To advertise your wedding business to 43% of brides-to-be in your area, call us on 0800 112 3 112.

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 10:02 Page 106

SPRING GREENS This month we’ve a selection of stylish fashions suitable for whatever weather spring might present, each making the most of a fresh green colour palette... This Page: Include’s round neck-jumper in pure new-wool and cashmere, olive colourway, £92.

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 10:02 Page 107

Peter Hahn cashmere poncho in pure cashmere, dark olive colour, £85.

107

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 10:02 Page 108

MYBC’s short coat in dark olive colourway, £209.

108

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 10:02 Page 109

Emilia Lay faux suede coat in dark olive, £185.

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 10:02 Page 110

- FASHION -

Top/Left: Samoon bouclé cardigan, £119. Top/Right: Gerry Weber Milano cardigan, £140. Bottom/Left: Riania cardigan in olive, £195. Bottom/Right: Margittes faux fur gilét, £209.

For local stockists see www.peterhahn.co.uk.

110

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 10:02 Page 111

Purveyors of Luxury Eyewear Since 1979

The NIFTIES 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.

111

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 10:02 Page 112

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 10:02 Page 113

HOLISTIC HEALTH

Follow Your Gut Instincts Ali Hutchinson has always valued nutrition, good lifestyle choices and wellness, but to ensure she remains healthy, keeps her energy levels up and remains able to avoid fad diets, the healthy lifestyle advocate follows her gut instinct and maintains good gut health too. This is the first of Ali’s new regular columns on healthy living and wellness... Looking after our health and wellbeing has never been more important than it is today Just ask Ali Hutchinson, who runs a thriving health and nutrition practice with a passion for helping people with menopause and gut health issues as well as general weight loss, weight management and energy. Ali has always valued good nutrition, and maintaining the continuity of good health practices instead of following inconsistent diets and brutal eating regimes. “Good health shouldn’t be something you’re a slave to, nor something that requires lots of effort,” she says. “It should be something positive, something you enjoy, something that gives you energy and liberates you from lethargy. I’ve been working in the field of health and wellness since 2013. That was initially alongside my interiors and garden design business and then latterly on its own.” “I think the transition came when I realised what a huge difference I was making to the day-to-day lives of my clients simply by getting them to look at food differently and to make changes that supported their gut health, which is often the window to our overall health.”

“Friends kept saying ‘you’ll never lose weight now you’re over 45 and I was determined that was nonsense. I had also suffered with IBS for most of my adult life.” “As anyone with the condition will know, I had choices of clothes for a flat tummy day and clothes for when I was really bloated strangers would ask when my baby was due! “I set about exploring what foods I was consuming and looked into those which energised me and those which left me depleted and reaching for more caffeine or sugar to get me back on a high. This led me towards re-training in nutrition and to later becoming a fully certified Health & Wellbeing Coach so that I could approach this from a holistic whole-self basis.” “I became totally committed and passionate and now I rarely suffer with an IBS flare up and have maintained my weight at a level I’m really happy with. My mission is to change the health habits of a generation one family at a time.” “As a wife, mother and complete foodie, I’d always been interested in eating healthily and being active but I had a very different relationship with food and what I call clean eating than I do today.”

“I kept hearing about gut heath, and the benefits seemed too good to be true. But once you realise that you can work with your own body, feel the benefits physically and emotionally, and that it can help you to live with symptoms of conditions like IBS or menopause, the benefits are too great to ignore.”

“It’s easy to get taken in by fad diets and over-hyped products making outrageous claims (I did) and I think being a busy mum puts a huge strain on women and often just getting a meal on the table is enough to think about, let alone does it have something from every food group or is it nutritious and energising.”

“It all started during my journey to healthy living. I realised that in my mid 40s I was feeling tired, lethargic and sluggish as a norm and really thought it was age related.”

“I was so pleased to discover a sustainable and positive way to be healthy and promote wellness that would even work for a sugar and ‘carb addict’ like me!”

“I’m passionate about natural wholefoods and clean eating – and often get asked what this means. So, for me, clean eating is eating whole foods; think things that were once living or growing.” “Knowing how well these changes had worked for me, I want to share my experiences, recipes, helpful tips and even snippets from my day-to-day life in order to inspire others on their clean-eating, wellness journey.” “I’ve latterly become a menopause expert too, again largely driven by my own need to find the answers I craved to this changing time in a woman’s life. I’m so passionate about helping women at this stage in life as they are so often, lost, lonely, fighting terrible battles and feeling totally misunderstood.” “Menopause has largely been a topic swept under the carpet but it’s a natural part of most women’s life journey so I’m looking to change that in order that future generations don’t approach this empowering time of their lives in the dark.” “One thing I discovered along the way was a botanical brand called Arbonne. They’re a ‘B-Corporation’ meaning they put the planet and people above profits, something that’s close to my heart and I knew I could always rely on them to do the right thing and source quality ingredients backed by expert research.” “With more energy, a leaner body, boosted confidence and a passion for promoting wellness and clean eating, I decided to start a blog and to reach out to readers, so look out for this column in forthcoming editions of Pride... and we’ll make positive changes together!” n

Find Out More: If you’re struggling with gut issues, weight loss or weight management, energy levels, menopause or would just like a body MOT, Ali would love to hear from you. Through her blog www.ali-hutchinson.co.uk you can book a free discovery call to find out how she could help put you on the path to a brighter future or ring 07973 843020. Alternatively, email hello@ali-hutchinson.co.uk to book a consultation. 113

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 10:02 Page 114

114

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 10:02 Page 115

SPRING COSMETICS

Going for Gold THIS MONTH EMBRACE THE RICHNESS OF GOLD AND ENJOY A RANGE OF TOP-END LUXURY COSMETICS PRODUCTS DESIGNED TO MAKE YOU FEEL JUST AS PRECIOUS AS THE SHADE ITSELF

1. A golden scent to enjoy on warm evenings... Cuir Noir is the brand new scent from Giorgio Armani available as an EDP in one of 26 different fragrances. Cuir Noir is ‘warm, addictive and elegant,’ ...at least according to the accompanying press release. Sensual vanilla fragrance partners the leathery scent of sandalwood, rose, coriander, and nutmeg. £225 / 100ml.

2. Satin from YSL... Yves Saint Laurent Satin Crush Eyeshadow provides wearable colour for every occasion with six different shades available. The lightest of these is Scandalous Beige, shown here. Glide-on formula; wear alone or layer for a smokey eye makeup, £27/1g.

3. Adore Dior’s L’Or... Dior L'Or is a moisturising balm designed to improve the skin’s elasticity and firmness, reduce fine lines and leave skin radiant, youthful and fresh. SPF30 and with antioxidants, £320/50ml.

5. The fragrant ‘must have’ from House of Cartier Maison Cartier has relaunched its first fragrance, Must. It’s an oriental, woody perfume with top notes of peach, lemon and bergamot, middle notes of leather and ylang-ylang, and base notes of vanilla and sandalwood. It offers incomparable freshness in an oriental fragrance, with floral opulence and a sophisticated rich scent. £109/100ml.

6. An investment in elegance from Creed... Olivier Creed has designed this elegant gold and leather-bound atomiser to complement the perfumier’s range of scents. Choose from Jardin d’Amalfi with its exotic fruits and luxury spices, to Santal with its orange & sandalwood, or Aventus with its light, apple & patchouli scent, £155 - £845. Atomiser £155.

4. A Gold Foundation... Guerlain’s Parure Gold Fluid Foundation utilises light-reflecting pigments to provide moisture and a heat-resistant finish to your skin, ensuring it looks moisturised, luminous, and radiant. 12 shades available, £63/30ml.

n All our beauty products are available from local independent stockists unless otherwise stated, please note that prices stated are RRP and may vary according to retailer. 115

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 10:02 Page 116

116

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 10:02 Page 117

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A NEW DENTIST...? Here are five reasons you might be overdue a visit...

YOU HAVE BAD BREATH

YOUR TEETH ARE YELLOWING

YOUR GUMS BLEED WHEN BRUSHING

YOU HAVE TOOTH PAIN

YOU HAVE DIABETES OR ARE AT RISK

If you have any concerns about your teeth, make an appointment to see one of our dentists today.

01476 847 885 Avenue Road, Grantham, NG31 6TA www.dentalhealthcentre.co.uk

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 12:58 Page 118

BESPOKE TAILORING

WORTH ITS WEIGHT in

WOOL Bespoke tailoring is worth its weight in gold... or rather wool. Where do we begin? A substantially better fit from better quality cloth, a feeling of luxury, the longevity of a hand-made garment and of course, the feeling that there’s no better suit for you. The benefits are obvious, so all you need now is a local expert with Savile Row provenance, like bespoke tailor Andrew Musson! THE BRITISH TEXTILE DESIGNER William Morris advised that you should have nothing in your home which you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful. So, what if something is both useful and beautiful? That would certainly be worth the investment. Sadly, we live in an age when products tend to be produced in an increasing volume by a decreasing number of manufacturers, made to a price point and almost intentionally designed with a limited life expectancy. So it almost comes as a pleasant surprise when you encounter something that’s made well; designed to last and designed just for you, rather than for a market sector. It’s especially true in fashion, where price points dictate the market and, somewhat paradoxically, a turnover of new ranges provide a lack of choice. And if that’s true of fashion generally, it’s certainly the case when one considers gentlemen’s clothing. Happily there’s a corner of the market – albeit an ever smaller one – where a personal service, absolutely quality and attention to detail still remain. Andrew Musson is a traditional tailor based in Lincoln and provides gentlemen with completely made-to-measure and bespoke garments, making the most of over 25-years of experience working on London’s Savile Row. The tailor’s two options provide the perfect ﬁt for men seeking suits, sports jackets and shirts. Made-to-measure suits are especially well-priced, starting from £800, which is not a great deal more than you’ll pay for a very ordinary oﬀ the peg suit with a designer label, produced in a factory overseas much like any other brand. There’s a distinction, incidentally, to be drawn between a made-to-measure suit and a bespoke one. Both options provide a suit cut to Andrew’s precise measurements, with a choice of cloth, lining and other options. >> Words: Rob Davis.

118

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 10:03 Page 119

119

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 10:03 Page 120

BESPOKE TAILORING

>> Andrew’s made-to-measure suits, though, are laser-cut off-site, as opposed to his bespoke suits, which are produced from cloth cut entirely in house, assembled and then refined over a couple of successive fittings to ensure the full Savile Row feel. “Compared to womenswear, men’s clothing, and especially mass-market tailoring tends to be much more limited in its design, with muted colours and price-driven ranges,” says Andrew. “Men aren’t really disposed to dress with much flair beyond their choice of neck tie, and even those are less popular these days.

“I think it’s also unusual that someone takes the time to talk to you, offer advice and provide a proper service. It’s a shame that’s become so rare but once a client has chosen their fabric, lining and once they’ve been professionally measured, it’s a genuinely exciting prospect...”

Above: Andrew and his father John were recently awarded the Midlands Enterprise Award for Best Family-Run Men’s Clothing Business for 2020.

n For information on Andrew Musson’s made-to-measure and bespoke tailoring, or for a post-lockdown appointment, call 01522 520142 or see www.andrewjmusson.com. Andrew J Musson Bespoke Tailor Ltd., is based at 39 High Street, Lincoln LN5 8AS.

120

“Shop for a mass market suit and your choice of colours and styles will be limited to just black, grey, blue and perhaps a few tweeds. Made-to-measure menswear, by contrast, goes much further, enabling you to choose linings or details such as the number and location of pockets and buttons.” “What’s more, shop for a mass market suit and you’ll choose the one that fits adequately – not perfectly, with as few concessions to the unique shape of your body as possible. Made-to-measure tailoring accommodates you as an individual, and being able to choose, for instance, how loose or snug or how light or heavy your jacket is often proves to be something men can’t live without once they’ve experienced it.” “There’s a strong argument, too, for made to measure or bespoke tailoring in the sense that you’ll get much more use from a suit which is comfortable to wear and receives compliments than one which is a grudge purchase for your office life.” “During lockdown we’ve heard of men working from home in casual clothing, and post-lockdown they expect that this new way of working will continue – they’ll work from home more, going into the office or venturing out to meet clients just a day or two a week, post-Covid. Across the industry tailors are anticipating men will purchase fewer suits, but choose them more wisely and perhaps spend a little more, investing in quality.” “Interestingly, we’ve noticed an increase in younger clients too. I think this has probably been buoyed by movies like Gatsby and TV shows like Downton and Peaky Blinders, all set before the establishment of fashion as we know it, when men had the ability to express a sense of style in a smart way that doesn’t just necessitate buying branded products.”

“Younger men recognise the benefits of our made-to-measure service and some have then opted for my bespoke suit service – from roughly £1,500 – for their next one.” “They report that with made-to-measure or bespoke tailoring, the better fitting suit is worth the investment in itself, but having the ability to design their own suit is something they’ve never had the option to do and really appreciate.” “I think it’s also unusual that someone takes the time to talk to you, offer advice and provide a proper service. It’s a shame that’s become so rare but once a client has chosen their fabric, lining and once they’ve been professionally measured, it’s a genuinely exciting prospect.” “I think we’ve over 2,000 cloths to choose from and up to 50 hours are invested in each suit. And yet, being based in Lincoln, I can still manage to undercut Saville Row prices by thousands – not just hundreds – of pounds for the same quality.” “Sadly bespoke tailors are increasingly rare but that does at least mean gentlemen travel from quite a distance away for an appointment with us. It feels really great to be keeping alive an industry and a skill that otherwise would be lost to the mass market.” “Bespoke tailoring is made to last, with better quality cloth and the kind of attention to detail that ensures men will get more wear out of their suit. If a gentleman wants something in his wardrobe that he knows to be useful – versatile – but also believes to be beautiful, an investment in quality, made-to-measure, tailoring is perfect.” n

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 10:03 Page 121

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 10:03 Page 122

122

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 10:03 Page 123

MOTORS

M is for

MONSTER From carrying the kids to rugby, to dispatching the supermarket slog, to storming down the motorway, there’s little beyond the capabilities of BMW’s X5. But in £113,045 X5M Competition trim, is this SUV too hot to handle? Words: Rob Davis.

OUTRAGEOUS is perhaps the best and only description of BMW’s new X5M in new Competition trim. True, it’s perhaps the closest thing to piloting a fighter jet down the A1, but £113,045, is a pretty hefty amount of money to pay for what is – underneath all the spoilers and carbon fibre – a family-friendly SUV you can otherwise put on your driveway for £60,000. So where does the extra cash go, and is it worth paying more for this ostentatious range-topping trim? For a start, there’s the engine. Base model X5 cars come with a 3.0V6 engine good for completing the 0-60mph dash in 6.3 seconds and achieving 38mpg. The X5 Competition meanwhile utilises a 4.4V8 engine which slashes the 0-60mph sprint to just 3.8 seconds.

Fuel economy plummets accordingly, with just 21mpg possible, and the subsequent fall in economy, greater list price and higher emissions figure will also rule out running the flagship model as a company vehicle. The standard X5 has a roster of equipment commensurate with a car of its size and class, with electric, heated leather seats as standard plus an automatic tailgate, parking assistant, auto lights & wipers and sat nav. Add to that the Driver Assistance and Parking Assistant Plus pack, perhaps two additional seats, and you’ve a respectable all-rounder as a family car. Much of the additions to the X5M are stylistic, from larger wheels and bucket seats to a head-up display and model-specific steering wheel and gear shift. >>

123

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 10:03 Page 124

>> Competition trim adds an extra 50 horsepower to the standard X5 M50, taking the car’s figures to 625hp and 750nm torque. Accordingly, the firm has upgraded the car’s cooling and oil supply systems, tuned to top-level dynamic performance and added a sports exhaust system to deliver a more stirring soundtrack. The car’s drivetrain has also enjoyed an upgrade with rear-biased all-wheel-drive, plus a model specific Active Differential and Competition active suspension, compound brakes, DSC and lighter weight alloy wheels. If all that sounds like technobabble or waffle, chances are the Competition isn’t for you. The standard X5 provides most of the performance you’d need from a large SUV, and the stylistic and dynamic changes to the 124

“The standard X5 provides such a good compromise between comfort and dynamism that larger wheels and stiffer dampers imperil the car’s well-considered existing setup...” car that X5 M50 or Competition trim entails a harsher ride, especially on the county’s broken road surfaces and down country lanes. Furthermore, the standard X5 provides such a good compromise between comfort and dynamism that larger wheels and stiffer dampers imperil the car’s well-considered existing setup. What’s more, at nearly double the price of the standard X5 and commanding a £30,000 premium over the existing X5 M50, it’s tricky to justify this trim.

Though some will love the Competition’s style we think lesser X5 models offer a package that’s more well-rounded and practical, and with budget left over, we’d choose to add a few optional extras to increase the car’s practicality and usability day-to-day instead. If, however, outright performance remains your main interest, we’d point you in the direction of a new generation of plug-in hybrid SUVs which offer a better combination of rapid acceleration as well as fuel economy and lower emissions day to day. n

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 10:03 Page 125

Roar by Roar: Three High Performance SUVs...

Range Rover 5.0V8 Supercharged Autobiography £105,330: A comparable budget to the X5M Competition puts a Range Rover with Solihull’s five litre supercharged engine in budget. Range topping Autobiography trim affords all of the bells and whistles you’ll ever need, and though the 0-60mph time of 5.4 is a little behind the X5M in Competition trim, the trade off is greater luxury, space and much stronger capabilities off road, making the Range Rover a more well-rounded package. n

Tesla Model X 100kWh Dual Motor £137,650: A refreshing approach to the performance SUV, Tesla’s Model X utilises dual motors to ensure full-electric driving with a range of over 300 miles, CO2 free. That’s not to say it’s a slouch, though. In fact, with 60mph reached and breached in 2.9 seconds, it’s even quicker than the X5. The interior is very minimal, with just a larger iPad-style central screen and hardly a physical button to be found. Gullwing doors add to the gratuitous uniqueness of the car too, making the Tesla the ideal car for the responsible extrovert. n

BMW X5M COMPETITION Price: £113,045. (On sale now). Drivetrain: 4.4V8 Twin Turbo petrol, 625hp, 750 Nm torque. Eight speed automatic gearbox, all wheel drive. Performance: 0-62 mph: 3.8 seconds. Top Speed: 180mph. Economy: 21mpg, 284g/km CO2. Equipment: Leather upholstery, heated seats, satellite navigation, climate, cruise. n

Mercedes Benz G-Class G63 £143,370: The G-Class is a motoring oddity; very old school in terms of its appearance, bluff, blocky, thuggish and yet still highly sought after. In G63 trim it’s horribly expensive, but whilst the Tesla utilises modern technology to create eco-friendly performance, the G63 uses old-fashioned brute force, from a 4.0V8 engine generating 850nm torque. 60mph is reached in 4.5 seconds but you’ll need to make friends with someone who owns a filling station, as the car achieves just 21mpg! n

125

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 10:03 Page 126

MOTORS

HORSE

POWER

What’s in a name? Plenty, it seems. If I were to tell you that Ford has released an all-new electric SUV, your eyes would probably glaze over. But if I told you that I’ve just purchased a new Mustang, that would sound a bit more impressive. Like Toyota’s Lexus, Nissan’s Inﬁniti or Mercedes Benz’s Maybach, posh sub-brands have become de rigueur in the motor industry, and now Ford has requisitioned the Mustang brand to adorn not the usual V8 American muscle car, but its new electric SUV. 126

The Ford Mustang Mach-E may sport a ridiculously masculine name for a car that needs to be, in reality, frugal, family-friendly and eco-aware, but with prices starting at £40,350 and rising to £58,080, with a ﬂagship GT version later this year raising the price even further, the Mustang ought to distance itself a little from the humdrum Ford brand. It should also do so given the competition it’s going up against. The Mach-E is the same size and price as the Mercedes EQC and the PHEV Range Rover Evoque.

So what’s it like? Well, there’s a rear wheel drive Mach-E with a standard range of 273 miles or an extended range version which can reach 379 miles on a full charge and comes with a few more bits of equipment. The extended range car, then, is the one we’d go for. Further up the range is an all-wheel drive model and a First Edition; but these sacriﬁce range for performance. Instead, our chosen model reaches 60mph in 6.2 seconds, achieves 111mph ﬂat out and charges to 80% of capacity in 45 minutes...

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 10:04 Page 127

When is a Ford not a Ford? When, instead of the blue oval logo, it has the name Mustang attached to it instead. The galloping horse sub-brand is normally associated with ‘Murican muscle cars but unusually it has been requisitioned for Ford-not-Ford’s all-new, all-electric SUV, the manly-sounding Mach-E... Words: Rob Davis.

although that’s using a high power charger, not your 240v mains outlet. The Mach-E has ﬁve seats – no seven seat option – and boot space is somewhere between a Ford Focus and a Mondeo, at just over 400 litres. The extended range version is also very well equipped. Fitted as standard are adaptive cruise, automatic parking and parking sensors front and rear, a power tailgate, 360° camera, wireless phone charger and heated, electric memory seats.

Inside, a large iPad-style tablet dominates the centre console, and supplements an additional digital screen in front of the driver. It’s all modern and intuitive. The seats have contrast stitching, too, but you don’t have to look far to ﬁnd Ford switchgear borrowed from car like the Focus. The Mach-E is a great car on paper and as long as you’re happy knowing that underneath the brand it’s a posh Ford, it’ll serve you well, oﬀering a nice looking SUV with a very modern powertrain. n

MUSTANG MACH-E Price: £46,980 (ER, on sale now). Drivetrain: 88kWh electric with 379 mile range, rear wheel drive. Performance: 60mph in 6.2 seconds, 111mph. Equipment: Adaptive cruise, self-parking, power tailgate. n

127

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 10:04 Page 128

128

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 10:04 Page 129

MOTORS

Tesla’s Triumph NEWCOMER TO THE MARKET IS ONE OF JUST TWO SALES FIGURE WINNERS

TESLA Just a few years ago, you wouldn’t have heard of Tesla. The firm was founded in 2003 with Elon Musk taking over the following year, it’s still a young company in a market where some manufacturers (e.g.: Ford) have been in the market over 100 years longer. Nevertheless, in 2020, just two car makers increased their sales; MG (by 40%) and Tesla (by 78% to 26,000 vehicles).

“Just shy of 6,000 examples of Tesla’s entry-level Model 3 EV were registered in December, making it the best-selling car of the month,” says Autocar magazine’s Will Trinkwon. “Its 5,798 registrations gave it an advantage of more than 1,000 over the next most popular car, the new Volkswagen Golf (4,470) and more than 2,000 over the Ford Fiesta (3,367).” n

The Perfect Company Car... STYLISH, WELL-EQUIPPED, FRUGAL AND ECO-FRIENDLY, THE MERCEDES C-CLASS NOW HAS A DIESEL/ELECTRIC HYBRID

Ford’s Transit triumphs in 2020 new van registrations... FORD If you run a business or you’re in charge of a fleet, the Transit is perhaps already crucial in ensuring you deliver your products or services. The best selling van or commercial vehicle in the UK in 2020 was the smaller Transit Custom, of which 43,551 vehicles were registered last year. The second best selling van was Mercedes’s Sprinter, selling 23,506 examples, and Ford’s other, larger Transit, followed closely behind with 21,724 examples sold. n

MOTORING

NEWS In Brief

TOP 20 BEST SELLERS

20 IN 2020: LAST YEAR’S BEST SELLING CARS...

Last year may have seen new car sales fall to their lowest level since 1992, but still 1.6m vehicles were driven off dealers’ forecourts. For the 12th year running, Ford’s Fiesta was the UK’s best selling car... but what were the other winners? The UK’s 20 best selling cars in 2020: 20. Range Rover Evoque, 18,509 registrations. 19. Kia Niro, 18,530 registrations. 18. Vauxhall Crossland X, 18,681 registrations. 17. Vauxhall Grandland X, 18,885 registrations. 16. Kia Sportage, 19,597 registrations. 15. Toyota Yaris, 21,209 registrations. 14. Tesla Model 3, 22,344 registrations. 13. Volkswagen Tiguan, 22,771 registrations.

MERCEDES BENZ If you’re a company driver, a fleet manager or an accountant looking to recommend a company car, look no further than the Mercedes C-Class’s new C300de model. The car has a 2.0V4 diesel engine ensuring low-cost motorway mileage, whilst a 13.5kWh battery provides low-emission urban motoring and unlocks tax savings for companies and their drivers. It’s available as a saloon or a more practical estate for those with loads to carry, plus it’s refined and well-equipped. In AMG-line trim, the C300de costs £43,715. n

12. BMW 3 Series, 23,245 registrations. 11. BMW 1 Series, 24,932 registrations. 10. Volvo XC40, 25,023 registrations. 9. Ford Puma, 26,294 registrations. 8. Volkswagen Polo, 26,965 registrations. 7. Mini Hatchback, 31,233 registrations. 6. Nissan Qashqai, 33,972 registrations. 5. Mercedes-Benz A-Class, 37,608 registrations. 4. Ford Focus, 39,372 registrations 3. VW Golf, 43,109 registrations 2. Vauxhall Corsa, 46,439 registrations 1. Ford Fiesta, 49,174 registrations. n

129

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 02/02/2021 10:04 Page 130

DOG TREAT

PUZZLES

My own design of hand made dog puzzles... 07772 491 610 130

www.jbwoodcraft.biz

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 29/01/2021 10:33 Page 131

FLAT ROOFS?

WE’VE GOT THEM COVERED

Specialising in all flat roofing work, from garage roofs to conservatory conversions. We can replace old conservatory roofing – too hot in the summer, to cold in the winter – with a fully insulated roof and skylight system for comfort and an improved appearance Commercial & Domestic Roof Repairs Guttering, Fascias & Soffits Conservatories and Balconies

Call 07825 381878

or see www.firstrateflatroofing.co.uk No Pressure Selling • Free, No Obligation Quotes • 25 Year Guarantee

Lincs Pride MAR 224.qxp 29/01/2021 10:33 Page 132

Lincolnshire Pride March 2021

Articles inside

MOTORS BMW’s X5 luxury 4x4

WEDDINGS Alison and David

GARDENING Make the great

INTERIORS A bolt from the blue

WELCOME HOME An impressive

RECIPES & WINE Delicious food to

A NEW LOOK LINCOLNSHIRE

NEWS The best ‘good news

CURTIS OF LINCOLN Great local

GRAND DESIGNS South Holland

WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY