Rutland Pride December 2022

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It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the office, with proofs across my desk featuring images of firesides with stockings hung up and delicious dishes of Christmas food. The December edition is usually one that’s really photogenic, which is always helpful to a magazine editor, and makes it a pleasure to work on.

This year has seen lots of unrest both in our domestic politics and throughout the world too. Closer to me, people I care about haven’t had the easiest time either. Does that mean it’s wrong to enjoy Christmas and the usual festivities it brings? I think not. Actually, I think it makes it more important than ever to celebrate the season with those we love.

A nice tree, beautifully wrapped gifts and a turkey large enough to make the table heave under its weight aren’t what the festive season is about; the people we love matter far more.

But all the same, after a year of ups and downs, let’s make this a good one, and tell those with whom we’re sharing it how much they mean to us.

Enjoy a very Happy Christmas!

Executive Editor

robin@pridemagazines.co.uk

Our Rutland cover shows a beautiful view of Exton in the snow, painted by Rutland artist Penny Richardson (www.pennyrichardson.co.uk). We’ll meet her later in this edition, where she’ll tell us about her career, and how you can commission her to create a beautiful portrait of your pets: an ideal Christmas gift, perhaps? Meanwhile our Stamford cover shows photographer Kingsley Singleton’s image of a very frosty Stamford Meadows in February. Kingsley is a professional photographer of dogs and photography journalist (his work can be seen at www.kingsleysingleton.zenfolio.com).

We’re always looking for scenes of Rutland and Stamford to feature on our covers and in the magazine. If you’re a budding photographer, email your pictures to the address above!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

CONTENTS

NEWS & EVENTS

NEWS The best ‘good news’ stories from across Rutland & Stamford, including a welcome return for Oakham’s NSPCC Charity Concert.

WHAT’S ON Live events, music and theatre productions this Christmas.

FOOD & DRINK

HOMES & GARDENS

THE EXTON ARTIST Exton’s talented artist, Penny Richardson.

LIFESTYLE

THE WEALTHIEST PEOPLE IN THE AREA

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 leading newsagents and supermarkets and we also deliver the magazine to local businesses including selected hotels, restaurants, coffee shops, doctors, dentists, executive motor dealerships and golf clubs. This helps to ensure we have a continued presence, right across our catchment area.

Our titles also have more social media fans than any other local magazine. In addition we have over 45,000 online visitors viewing our magazines free of charge, online, on their tablet, computer, laptop or mobile phone via our website, our app, and via the Readly and Issuu platforms.

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

Amazing new app out now: You can read our magazines on any device anywhere.

THE PRIDE TEAM

It pays to shop around for the best mortgage deal.

The events of the past few months have left many of us reeling. Increased living costs, a spate of interest rate rises, and waves of political and financial uncertainty have dented our confidence in the future.

Homeowners coming to the end of a fixed rate mortgage and first-time buyers have been left stunned by the sharp increase in borrowing costs, with average new two- and five-year fixed rate deals now at their highest rates since 2008.

Adding to the uncertainty, lenders have been changing rates and prices, or withdrawing products completely, at short notice.

Oliver Smith, Director at mortgage experts, BCM Wealth Management Ltd in Stamford says: “If you need a new mortgage, now more than ever, it pays to find a trusted adviser and shop around.”

Finding the right mortgage

The right mortgage isn’t always the one with the cheapest interest rate. You need to consider other factors, such as suitability, overall affordability, product fees and early repayment fees. But the right mortgage always starts with the right advice, and the right advice always starts with the right conversation. BCM’s friendly and experienced mortgage advisers take the time to get to know you, understand your situation and guide you through the entire process.

Whatever your circumstances and whatever

kind of mortgage you are looking for, BCM Wealth Management can help.

First-time buyers

Buying your first home, or helping your children or grandchildren buy theirs, is a huge moment. It’s both exciting and daunting in equal measures. The BCM team will explain the range of different mortgages available and help you make the best choice based on current market conditions. In fact, BCM can manage the entire house-buying process, from application to completion, giving you much less to worry about.

Remortgaging

looking for a better mortgage deal. Your home is usually your biggest asset, and remortgaging your property is also a common way to raise capital for extensions or renovations. BCM’s experienced mortgage advisers can lead you through the remortgaging process from start to finish.

Essential advice

BCM Wealth Management has earned a strong reputation for excellent service, with 50 five-star Google reviews. As Oliver Smith explains: “We don't go into a relationship looking to sell you something. Our aim is to help you find the best solution. That’s what really matters to us.”

You’ll find the service very different, giving you friendly, expert mortgage advice and keeping you informed every step of the way.

BCM can help you find the best mortgage, whether you’re employed or self-employed, buying for yourself or helping your children get a foot on the property ladder.

The next step is yours. If you’re looking for a better mortgage deal, speak to a BCM.

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep repayments on your mortgage. n

We offer a comprehensive range of first charge mortgages from across the market, which lenders make available to mortgage intermediaries, for which we will be paid a procuration fee by the lender.

BCM Wealth Management Ltd is an appointed representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the Group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the Group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products.

Chat to our specialist mortgage team at BCM Wealth Management, based at 5 Ironmonger Street, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 1PL www.bcmwealth.co.uk 01780 437500

With interest rates rising, many people are

NSPCC Christmas Concert Returns

A welcome return to the county’s festive season! Margaret Wheeler, chair of the Rutland NSPCC Committee has confirmed the return of the local charity concert which many Rutlanders regard as the very start of their festive celebrations.

The concert hasn’t been held during Covid, but it will return on Monday 5th December, with tickets on sale now.

As in previous years the concert is a blend of music –including audience participation in what is usually a hilariously raucous rendition of the 12 Days of Christmas – plus speakers who deliver thought-provoking, touching or just hilarious Christmas sketches. Interspersing those for this year’s concert will be performances by Foresters Brass and the Rowell Camerata Mixed Choir.

The event will be held at All Saints’ Church in Oakham, with a hamper raffle including prizes donated by Harrods, Otters, Gates Garden Centre and a couple of others too.

Peterborough Cathedral

UNIQUE AND HANDMADE GIFTS TO BE ON SALE AT CATHEDRAL’S CRAFT & GIFT MARKET

Speakers this year are expected to include regular favourites including hotelier Tim Hart, Anne Davies of BBC Leicester, Lars Tharp and Nigel Colburn, although

a line-up is still being confirmed as Pride goes to press. Tickets £15 from Oakham’s James Sellicks and Don Paddy’s, Uppingham or by calling 01572 813626. n

Unique and handmade gifts will be on sale at Peterborough Cathedral’s Christmas Craft and Gift Market Peterborough Cathedral’s popular indoor Christmas Craft and Gift Market, taking place on Friday 18th November and Saturday 19th November.

Set inside the beautiful Cathedral building, it is an inspiring space in which to do your Christmas shopping and offers a wonderful selection of gifts and crafts

The Market is open on Friday 18th November from 1.00pm until 9.00pm and

on Saturday 20th November from 10.00am until 4.00pm.

The Friday evening coincides with the Christmas Lights Switch-On in the city centre, so it’s a great opportunity to pop in after the lights go up and see what the stalls in the Cathedral have to offer.

Amongst the unique range of items on sale will be hand crafted jewellery, glassware, woodcrafts, handbound leather notebooks, vegan bath bombs, artisan oils and spices; not to mention honey, cupcakes and fudge! n Tickets, £2/person, see www.peterborough-cathedral.org.uk.

PETERBOROUGH

OAKHAM

Community Champions

SOUTH KESTEVEN CELEBRATES THOSE WHO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR COMMUNITY...

Rutland MP overwhelmed by Christmas card designs

MP for Rutland and Melton, Alicia Kearns says she has been delighted and touched by the response to her invitation for local primary and secondary school children to design her official Christmas card. This year’s theme is ‘Christmas Carols’ and as Pride goes to press, Alicia will reveal the competition’s winner! n

SOUTH KESTEVEN

South Kesteven’s community champions have been celebrated at a ceremony to recognise the people and organisations who have gone above and beyond to help others and make a difference.

Deeping St James Community Primary School boosted awareness of key environmental issues including reducing litter, cutting electricity use and increasing recycling, winning the Best Green

Schools Award in the process, whilst Grace Knightall received the Lifetime Community Champion award for her 30 years service to the Royal British Legion.

Bourne Army Cadet William Craft acted quickly to save a life following a serious road accident and received the Beyond the Call of Duty Award, and Gary Gooch was named South Kesteven’s Good Neighbour for 2022. n

Meet Santa Claus’s Reindeer

FESTIVE APPEARANCE FOR SANTA’S HELPERS IN STAMFORD THANKS TO NICK DEAN & FAMILY...

Nothing is more likely to thrill little ones in the run-up to Christmas than the chance to meet Santa’s reindeer, and that’s exactly what Nick Dean and family are promising this month. One of just a few reindeer farmers in the country, Nick and his girls will be visiting Stamford’s Mole Country Stores on 15th December, where children can meet real live reindeer, find out more about their celebrity appearances and perhaps whisper in their ear to ask that they put in a good word with Santa Claus! We’ll also meet Nick and the girls later in this edition of Pride! n

STAMFORD A pop-up Christmas Card Shop has reopened in St John’s Church, Stamford, after a bumper season last year saw the Cards for Good Causes shop raise over £75,000. The shop sells cards, wrap and gifts and is open seven-days a week. n LOCAL NEWS In

£75,000 for Charities

Brief STAMFORD Enjoy Christmas Carols at Burghley House

We can’t think of very many places which make a better backdrop for festive Carols than Burghley House, and happily, we’re able to bring news of two festive services at the stately home taking place this season. A Christmas Concert takes place on Sunday 11th December from 6pm, with mulled wine and mince pies in the Tudor kitchen during the interval. Then, at 6pm on Wednesday 14th December, Burghley will host a Carol concert in the Great Hall, with music performed by the Cantus Choir. Tickets for each event £30/person, visit online at burghley.co.uk or call 01780 752 451. n

STAMFORD

RUTLAND

Remembrance Day in Rutland...

SERVICE IN GROUNDS OF OAKHAM CASTLE AND THE TOWN’S ALL SAINTS’

As Pride goes to press, Rutlanders will gather together to mark Remembrance Day, with Rutland County Council, the Lord Lieutenant and the Royal British Legion all inviting residents to attend some events taking place throughout the county from 11th to 13th November.

On Remembrance Day, Friday 11th November at 10.45am, there will be a short service of Remembrance, in the grounds of Oakham Castle. This will mark the day when the guns fell silent and the armistice was declared. This service will include a minute’s silence at 11.00am.

At 7.30pm on Friday 11th November, in the Chapel of Uppingham School, Rutland’s first ‘Festival of Remembrance’ will take place, organised by His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Rutland, Dr Sarah Furness.

LOCAL NEWS

In Brief

On Saturday 12th November at 7.30pm in All Saints’ Church, Oakham, Rutland Concert Band will present their annual ‘Music for Remembrance,’ which has

become something of a tradition in recent years, and finally on Sunday 13th November, The County Service of Remembrance will take place at 2.30pm in All Saints’

Lord Mayor visits Wittering

RIGHT WORSHIPFUL GEORGE COLE, LORD MAYOR OF LEICESTER, VISITS RAF WITTERING

Three Counties Dog Rescue in Bourne is hoping that two-year old black lab Chunky will be spending Christmas in a new home. He arrived at the centre due to his previous owner’s ill health. The charity provides care, adoption and help for unwanted, lost or stray dogs, to support the charity, visit threecountiesdogrescue.org.

CHURCH

Church, Oakham. Military Units from within the County and beyond will parade to the Church, from the Market Place, moving off at 1.55pm. n See www.rutland.gov.uk.

The Right Worshipful George Cole, The Lord Mayor of Leicester, visited RAF Wittering recently, attending the Station’s Honours & Awards Ceremony. The Lord Mayor is Leicester’s first citizen and is elected each year at an Annual Council. Originally from Jamaica, Councillor Cole came to England in 1964 and has dedicated much of his life to contributing to Leicester. After signing the Station visitors’ book, Cllr Cole was introduced to the logistics capabilities of No 85 Expeditionary Logistics Wing, which specialises in deployed catering, transport, fuels & supply, and mountain rescue. n

COULD CHUNKY FIND A NEW HOME FOR CHRISTMAS?

WITTERING

OAKHAM

A highly individual, spacious home stands in a superb, secluded location on the south side of Stamford. With easy access into the heart of the town, as well as only a stone’s throw to the A1, has to be one of its prime assets whilst the 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom home itself is an exceptionally striking build and presented in beautiful order. Down a no-through lane that branches off the main First Drift thoroughfare, the house is approached through automatic gates where a gravel drive in front of the house and double garage offers parking for up to 8 cars. Constructed in 2000, the impressive piece of architecture has a cathedral-like interior with a spectacular living space where the ceiling stretches up to skylights in the apex of the roof with timber cladding and exposed brick and stone, a major feature. The connection with the garden is excellent with many doors opening onto the outside. A paved terrace to the rear provides a private and sheltered sun trap for alfresco dining.

Pristinely presented up a gravelled driveway, The Birches, set in the idyllic village of Marholm, was originally a bungalow. Having been spectacularly extended to create a substantial family home over two floors, the property now comprises a spacious open plan kitchen/dining/family room, a handy utility room, WC, a living room, study, and two en-suite double bedrooms on the ground floor, while a bathroom and four bedrooms await on the first floor - two with en-suites. Though exuding modernity, the property also maintains a welcoming warmth - a balance that many contemporary houses cannot boast - and offers ample garden space to the rear for children to run around, or for one to simply sit in tranquility amongst myriad trees. A stones throw from Peterborough, Bretton Centre is only a few minutes drive away from the well connected property, and the grand Milton Hall is also a short distance away.

GRETTON

£850,000

Substantial detached family home with 3 well-proportioned Reception Rooms, 4 Double Bedrooms and 3 Bathrooms occupying a splendid elevated position, with large, private rear garden and enjoying magnificent 180 degrees views over the Welland Valley. The property has been refurbished to a demanding specification with an array of improvements and features a superb high-tech kitchen equipped with exceptional range of appliances. Energy Rating: D.

OAKHAM

£595,000

Beautifully presented and much improved detached house providing extended accommodation in one of Oakham’s most sought-after areas within walk of town centre. The property occupies a large private plot with detached Double Garage, ample Parking and beautifully landscaped Gardens. Lounge, Dining Room, Garden Room, Breakfast Kitchen, Utility, WC, 4 Bedrooms, En-suite Shower Room, Bathroom. Energy Rating: C.

MORCOTT

£595,000

Detached house set on a good size plot with double Garage, ample off-road parking and large, mature gardens in the popular village of Morcott. The property offers spacious, well maintained accommodation with 2 Reception Rooms, Breakfast Kitchen, Utility, Clkrm/WC, 4 Double Bedrooms and Family Bathroom. Energy Rating: TBC.

WHISSENDINE

£550,000

Spacious, modern detached family home with Double Garage and enclosed Garden set in the ever-popular village of Whissendine. The property offers very well maintained, extended accommodation with Sitting Room, Study, open-plan Living Kitchen/Diner, Utility, Clkrm/WC, Master Bedroom with Dressing Area and Wet Room, four further Bedrooms, one of them with en-suite Shower Room, and Family Bathroom. Energy Rating: C.

EMPINGHAM OFFERS OVER £525,000

Detached property occupying a large plot backing onto wooded area with open farmland beyond in a highly desirable Rutland Water village. In need of general modernisation, the property offers potential to provide a fantastic family home in a highly sought-after location. Lounge/Diner, Conservatory, Kitchen, Utility, WC, 5 Bedrooms, Shower Room; Double Garage, mature Garden. Energy Rating: TBC.

MARKET OVERTON NO ONWARD CHAIN * GUIDE PRICE £650,000

A substantial, detached, individual property with private, mature, south-facing garden in a desirable village location. 2 Reception Rooms, open-plan Kitchen/Breakfast Room, Utility Room, Cloakroom/WC, 4 Bedrooms, Master Dressing Room & En-suite Bathroom, Family Bathroom; double Garage, ample off-road Parking. Energy Rating: C.

Little Acre, Clipsham

Old Walls, Lyddington

A wonderful, three bedroom iron-stone single-storey home sitting in a superb position at the heart of one of Rutland’s most sought-after villages. Guide

75 Station Road, Oakham

Court Barn, Cold Overton

An attractive, red-brick family home with four-bedrooms, off-road parking and garaging and a mature garden located within easy walking distance of Oakham town centre.

A superbly renovated and reconfigured single-storey village home finished to an exacting standard with a large plot and beautiful countryside views.

YOUR FESTIVE

GIFT GUIDE

Gifts from local, independent and quality retailers for Christmas 2022... Compiled by: Rob Davis.

Above: Mos Mosh Thora fuchsia jumper £110, Energy Clothing, Stamford, 01780 765 633, www.energy-clothing.com.

Right: Fluffy heat-up heart, pale pink with lavender scent, £32, The White Company, Stamford 01780 769192, www.thewhitecompany.com.

Right: Earrings from Fei Liu’s Bubble Collection at Heidi Kjeldsen, sterling silver, £108; pendant £84, 01572

www.spacenk.com.

Left: Amira over-the-knee boots in plum suede £445, Fairfax & Favor, Stamford 01780 767709, www.fairfaxandfavor.com.

Right: Stamford bobble hat, £15, Energy Clothing, Stamford, 01780 765 633, www.energyclothing.com.

Above: Joules Karin silk scarf in navy pink floral design, £49.95, Gates Garden Centre, Cold Overton, 01664 454309, www.gatesgardencentre.co.uk.

Below: Caudalie Des Vignes duo gift set, fragrance and body & hair oil, £27, Chameleon Boutique, Stamford, 01780 755405, www.chameleonboutique.co.uk.

Left: Swarovski nova pen, pink and rose-gold tone, £45, Pearces Jewellers, Oakham, 01572 770899, www.pearces jewellers.co.uk.

Above: Schoffel Country ladies socks, £24.95, Cavells, Oakham, 01572 770372, www.cavells.co.uk.

Below: Lakeland heated super-soft throw, £99.99, at Gates Garden Centre, Cold Overton, 01664 454309, gatesgardencentre.co.uk.

Right: A5 notebook with Aurum Cahier leather cover in burgundy, £64.50, Stamford Notebook Company, 01780 762550, www.stamfordnotebooks.co.uk.

Below: Grand Chocolatier’s Table, 121 ruffles, pralines, tipples and batons £125, Hotel Chocolat, Stamford, 01780 766946 or see www.hotelchocolat.com.

Left: Emu Marberry slippers, choice of colours £49, Cavells, Oakham, 01572 770372, www.cavells.co.uk.

Right: Van Cleef & Arpels Moonlight Patchouli EDP, £130/75ml, Chameleon Boutique, Stamford, 01780 755405, chameleonboutique.co.uk.

Right: Signature Gloves in plum S/M/L, cashmere and wool lined, £80, Fairfax & Favor, Stamford 01780 767709, www.fairfaxandfavor.com.

Above: William Morris at Home dried lavender sleep mask, £14, Gates Garden Centre, Cold Overton, 01664 454309, www.gatesgardencentre.co.uk.

Left: Lise Charmel Splendour Soie Robe, teal or fuchsia, £210, Chameleon Boutique, Stamford, 01780 755405, www.chameleonboutique.co.uk.

Above: Fishbone throw, silver, 150cm x 183cm £60, Elizabeth Stanhope, Oakham, 01572 722345, elizabethstanhopeshop.com.

Right: Stripe bed socks in cashmere, £36, The White Company, High Street, Stamford 01780 769192, www.thewhitecompany.com.

Above: Plum & Ashby Spiced Orange and Red Berry diffuser & votive gift set, £39 from Hunters Interiors Stamford, 01780 757946 or see www.huntersinteriorsofstamford.co.uk.

Above: Regina women’s belt, plum suede, £75, Fairfax & Favor, Stamford 01780 767709, www.fairfaxandfavor.com.

Above: Merino wool jumper in charcoal, £98, The White Company, High Street, Stamford 01780 769192, thewhitecompany.com.

Left: Three bottle of real ale, e.g.: Osprey, Rutland Panther, Gold, Ten Fifty, same or mixed, £12, Grainstore Brewery, Oakham. 01572 770065, grainstorebrewery.com.

Above: Shaun Leane, quill wrap bracelet in black leather and silver, £195, Rubirox, Stamford 01780 755996, www.rubirox.co.uk

Below: Westminster hip flask, conker brown, £50, Fairfax & Favor, Stamford 01780 767709, www.fairfaxandfavor.com.

Above: Paul Smith Polka scarf, £110, Cavells of Oakham, 01572 770372, www.cavells.co.uk.

Left: Heyland and Whittle, Luxury 3-in-1 Wash, £18, from Joules on High Street, Stamford, 01780 751892, www.joules.com.

Below: Amazon Echo Dot smart device, £21, from John Lewis Leicester, 0116 242 5777, www.johnlewis.com.

Below: Men’s brushed cotton pyjamas, £85, The White Company, High Street, Stamford 01780 769192, thewhitecompany.com.

Above: Signature men’s socks, £35, Fairfax & Favor, Stamford 01780 767709, www.fairfaxandfavor.com.

Above: Fred Perry classic bi-fold wallet, £35, Energy Clothing, Stamford, 01780 765 633, www.energy-clothing.com.

Left: Thistle & Black Pepper gift set, £36, Gates Garden Centre, Cold Overton, 01664 454309, www.gatesgardencentre.co.uk.

A

GIFTS FOR HIM

Right: Lego Star Wars Millennium Falcon, £149.99, from John Lewis Leicester, 0116 242 5777, www.johnlewis.com.

Below: Fynch-Hatton v-neck merino and cashmere jumper £105, from Colin Bell, Stamford, 01780 757888, www.colinbell.uk.

Right: Schöffel Brancaster Shirt in Purple/ Green check, £79.95, Cavells of Oakham, 01572 770372, cavells.co.uk.

Below: Deep Grey Round Enamel Sterling Silver Cufflinks, £250 at Heidi Kjeldsen, 01572 722666, www.heidikjeldsen.co.uk.

Below: Mey boxer shorts for men, £30/ea, Chameleon Boutique, Stamford, 01780 755405, www.chameleonboutique.co.uk.

Left: Leather men’s holdall, £149.99, Gates Garden Centre, Cold Overton, 01664 454309, gates gardencentre.co.uk.

Right: Oxford classic fit shirt, £39.95, from Joules on High Street, Stamford, 01780 751892, www.joules.com.

Left: Dubarry Galway boot in navy and brown, £379, from Fairfax & Favor, Stamford 01780 767709, www.fairfax andfavor.com.

Below: Glass decanter, £42, and glass, £5.60 at Elizabeth Stanhope, Oakham, 01572 722345, www.elizabeth stanhopeshop.com.

Below: Sophos leather tipped stretch belts, £12.50 - £13.99 from Burghley House Gift Shop, 01780 752451, www.burghley.co.uk.

Below: Tim Walker, Walkers Bookshops.

n Local Authors

The Accidental Duchess, biography of The Duchess of Rutland, £22.00.

Wild Light, Angela Harding, 24 hours in nature through exclusive lino cut prints and pen and ink drawings, £25.00, signed.

n Non-Fiction

Weather Almanac, Storm Dunlop, a guide to 2023, £9.99.

Britain’s Best Political Cartoons, Tim Benson, a whistle-stop tour of 2022 from Boris to Truss to Rishi, £14.99.

Colditz: Prisoners of the Castle, Ben Macintyre, human spirit and real life espionage £25.00.

Nadiya’s Everyday Baking, delicious bakes £25.00, signed by Nadia.

Landlines, Raynor Winn, a 1,000 mile journey across Scotland, £20.00, signed by author.

60 Years of University Challenge, “What book covers TV’s most challenging... [ring] Tim, Stamford.” “This one!” Correct. £20.00.

Is This A Cookbook? Heston Blumenthal, adventures in molecular gastronomy, £27.00, signed by Heston.

50 Times Football Changed the World, Gary Lineker/Ivor Baddiel, the beautiful game, £14.99, signed.

n Biographies

Calling The Shots, Sue Barker, the life of an award-winning broadcaster, £20.00, signed by Sue.

Agatha Christie, Lucy Worsley, uncovering the mystery of history’s most elusive author £25.00, signed.

Madly, Deeply: The Alan Rickman Diaries, Alan Taylor unpicks the personal thoughts of the laconic actor who died in 2016, £25.00.

The World’s Strongest Book, Eddie ‘The Beast,’ Hall, part-biography, part lesson in fitness, £20.00, signed.

n Fiction

Who Are You Calling Vermin?, Pam Eyres, a poetic imagining of country hegemony, £12.99, signed by Pam. Lessons, Ian McEwan, love, loss, and a search for answers, £20.00, signed.

n Children’s Book

The Baddies, Julia Donaldson, Julia and illustrator Axel Scheffler return with another captivating children’s book, £12.99.

n Recommendations courtesy of Tim Walker of Walkers Bookshops

10 High Street, Stamford PE9 2AL

27 High Street, Oakham LE15 6AH Call 01780 764405 or see www.walkersbookshops.co.uk.

Right: PlayStation 5, from £389-£629 at John Lewis, Leicester, 0116 242 5777, www.johnlewis.com.

Above: Play-Doh Ice Cream Truck, £80, at John Lewis, Leicester, 0116 242 5777, www.johnlewis.com.

Below: Santa’s Visit Lego set, 1,445 pieces, £89.99, lego.com.

Right: Vtech JotBot Robot, a cute little robot who loves to draw, interactively, with your child, £39.99, Smyths Toys, Peterborough, smyths toys.com.

Left: Jiggly pup the funky dog! Electronic dog walks, barks and plays music when you touch his head, £9.99, www.smythstoys.com.

Below: Crayola My First Art studio desk folds up into easel, £42.99, Smyths Toys, Peterborough, www.smythstoys.com.

Right: Wooden Train Set with 120 pieces, £58.50, at John Lewis, Leicester, 0116 242 5777, johnlewis.com.

Below: Peppa Pig's Wooden Playhouse 65cm, £59.99, smythstoys.com.

Below: Schleich T-Rex from a selection of Schleich figures at Gates Garden Centre, Cold Overton, 01664 454309, www.gatesgardencentre.co.uk.

Left: Charlie Bears’ Madame Roquefort, £30, for infants over 18 months, Gates Garden Centre, 01664 454309, www.gatesgardencentre.co.uk.

GIFTS

Left: Fifa World Cup 2022 foil football, £30, www.jdsports.co.uk.

Right: Meta Quest 2 VR headset and controllers, £399, at John Lewis, Leicester, 0116 242 5777, www.johnlewis.com.

Left: Fifa 2023 for PS5 £61.95; XBoxSeries X £64.99; Nintendo Switch £30.99, at John Lewis, Leicester, 0116 242 5777, www.johnlewis.com.

Right: The Story Orchestra: The Nutcracker Musical Book, £16.99, from The Burghley House Christmas Shop, 01780 752451, www.burghley.co.uk.

Left: Schleich Sophia & Blossom from a selection of Schleich figures at Gates Garden Centre, Cold Overton, 01664 454309, www.gates gardencentre.co.uk.

Right: Blindside quad skate, sizes 4-7, £39.99, Smyths Toys, Peterborough, www.smythstoys.com.

Right: Hot Wheels City Ultimate Garage set with 20 cars, £124.99, at John Lewis, Leicester, 0116 242 5777, www.johnlewis.com.

Below: John Deere ride-on tractors, £call, from a selection at Doubleday, Swineshead, www.doubledaygroup.co.uk

Above: Rainbow High series four dolls, £23.9/ea, Smyths Toys, Peterborough, www.smythstoys.com.

Above: Thorpe 20 electric scooter, max speed 20km/h, 15km range, folds down, Smyths Toys, Peterborough,, www.smythstoys.com.

Below: Fetch dog bed, £75, Sophie Allport Stamford or buy online at www.sophieallport.com.

Left: Barbour luxury dog shampoo and cologne, £15.95, £14.95, John Lewis Leicester, or www.johnlewis.com.

Right: House of Paws tweed dog jacket, S/M, £29.99£32.99, Gates Garden Centre, Cold Overton, or shop online at gatesgardencentre.co.uk.

Above: Bramley Digby Dog Wash, £12, Elizabeth Stanhope Interiors, 01572 722345,shop online at www.elizabethstanhopeshop.com.

Left: Cupid & Comet Christmas ball gift pack, £15, Gates Garden Centre, Cold Overton, or shop online at gatesgardencentre.co.uk.

Right: Fitzroy dog collar, in mahogany leather, S/M/L, individually handmade, £45, Fairfax & Favor, Stamford 01780 767709, www.fairfaxandfavor.com.

Left: Morris Blackthorne pet bowl, £15, John Lewis Leicester, or www.johnlewis.com.

Left: Purrfect cat treat tin, £26.50, Sophie Allport, Stamford, or buy online at www.sophieallport.com.

Below: Forest Green Rope Collar, £11.50, Sophie Allport Stamford or buy online at

Left: Pheasant rope dog toy, tested to destruction, £12.50, Sophie Allport, Stamford, or buy online at www.sophieallport.com.

Stamford Dog Photography

BY KINGSLEY SINGLETON

VOUCHERAGIFT MAKESAGREAT PRESENT

At home, in the studio, or out on a favourite walk, receive a beautiful memory of

MARK MIDDLETON

What’s On...

OAKHAM

FRIDAY 2nd DECEMBER

MIDWINTER REVELS

BY GREEN MATHEWS

Chris Green and Sophie Matthews are modern-day balladeers, specialising in telling stories through song. Midwinter Revels is a brand new Christmas show, and a celebration of Yuletide Past guaranteed to warm the cockles of the most Scrooge-like heart.

Featuring Christmas carols, winter folk songs, toe-tapping tunes and a plethora of weird and wonderful instruments, the show is brought to life with Green Matthews’ trademark wit and humour.

n Oakham Castle, doors from 7pm, tickets £14/adults, 01572 757578 or see www.oakhamcastle.org.

A Ceremony of Carols

JOIN WORLD-RENOWNED TENEBRAE CHOIR, AT UPPINGHAM SCHOOL FOR A BREATHTAKING PERFORMANCE OF CAROLS

UPPINGHAM SATURDAY

3rd DECEMBER

TENEBRAE: A CEREMONY OF CAROLS

Join the world-renowned Tenebrae choir, directed by Nigel Short, in the beautiful surroundings of Uppingham School Chapel for an evening of festive choral music, including Benjamin Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols for choir and harp, alongside music by Joanna Elizabeth Poston and Holst. n Tickets £10-£25, Uppingham School Chapel, www.uppingham.co.uk

CLIPSHAM

THURSDAY 1st DECEMBER

THURSDAY 8th DECEMBER

SEASONAL COOKERY DEMONSTRATIONS AT THE OLIVE BRANCH, CLIPSHAM

Seasonal cookery demonstrations at The Olive Branch - an enlightening and amusing two hour demonstration followed by a wonderful three course lunch.

n Pre-booking essential, £70/person incl three courses, glass of wine and two-hour cookery demonstration. Call 01780 410355 or see www.theolivebranchpub.com.

RUTLAND WATER

FRIDAY 2nd DECEMBER FRIDAY 9th DECEMBER

GUIDED WALKS AROUND RUTLAND WATER

A brace of birdwatching adventures courtesy of Jeff Davies and his guided walk on Friday 2nd, then Terry Mitcham’s bird-watching walks on Friday 9th Dec. n Pre-booking is essential, visit www.lrwt.org.uk.

STAMFORD

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

EXTON

STAMFORD

THURSDAY 24th NOVEMBER

- SUNDAY 27th NOVEMBER

BURGHLEY CHRISTMAS FAIR

Make sure you’re off to a good start for the festive season even before December with the magical festive shopping experience of Burghley’s Christmas Fair in the idyllic surroundings of the town’s Elizabethan stately home.

Wander amongst the traditional chalets, heated marquees and avenue of pagodas bedecked in sparkling Christmas decorations and lights. The region’s largest Christmas Fair, with over 130 stalls offering everything from luxury gifts, artisan food and drink to Christmas decorations and winter clothing. n £6/adult, £3/children, call 01780 752451 or see www.burghley.co.uk.

The Wizard of Oz at Curve

SUNDAY

11th DECEMBER CHRISTMAS CONCERT AT BURGHLEY

A classical Christmas concert performed in the intimate setting of the family Chapel within Burghley House. Enjoy the magic of traditional festive pieces performed by the excep tional Cantus Choir and string quartet, directed and conducted by Alwyn Pollard. During the interval retreat to Burghley’s beautiful Tudor kitchen to enjoy mulled wine and mince pies. Sunday 11th December from 6pm to 8.30pm.

The concert begins at 6.30pm with a 30 minute interval at 7.15pm n £30/person, call 01780 752451 or see www.burghley.co.uk.

LEICESTER

FROM 19th NOVEMBER TO 8th JANUARY 2023

THE WIZARD OF OZ AT CURVE THEATRE

Follow the Yellow Brick Road to Leicester this month for a live stage adaptation of The Wizard of Oz. Join Dorothy and Toto as they are swept up from sepia-soaked Kansas and transported over the rainbow to the technicolour wonderland of Oz.

On her adventure down the Yellow Brick Road, Dorothy meets new friends Scarecrow, Tinman and Lion who help her on her way, but the villain

SATURDAY 10th - SUNDAY 11th DECEMBER FAMILY

FESTIVITIES

Put on your Christmas jumpers and join the Barnsdale team for a festive family day of Christmas crafts: children’s Christmas wreath making and Rudolf tree decorations, festive quiz, raffle.

n Barnsdale Gardens, Exton, LE15 8AH, call 01572 813 200 or see www.barnsdalegardens.co.uk.

HAMBLETON

SATURDAY 3rd DECEMBER - MONDAY 5th DECEMBER 100 CRIBS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

An exhibition of over 100 cribs from around the world lent by Times correspondent and Radio 4 presenter Libby Purves.

n St Andrew’s, Hambleton, www.oakhamteam.org.uk.

ous and frightfully glamourous Wicked Witch has other plans for Dorothy.

Directed by Nikolai Foster and featuring a 15-piece or chestra playing music and songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice as well as the iconic originals from the MGM film, The Wizard of Oz is a spectacular Christmas at Curve adventure!

‘Toto, I’ve got a feeling we’re not in Leicester anymore...’

n Tickets from £10-£45, from 2pm, 2.15pm, 7.30pm, at Curve Theatre, Leicester LE1 1SB. Call 0116 242 3595 or see www.curveonline.co.uk.

Pick of the Pantos...

Stamford Arts Centre

ALADDIN Spectacular scenery, dazzling costumes, spellbinding special effects and lots of audience participation that will keep the whole family entertained. That’s what’s promised from Polka Dot Pantomimes’ production of Aladdin this year at Stamford Arts Centre. n 6th-15th Dec, £15, 01780 763203, www.stamfordartscentre.com.

Cinderella in Leicester

CINDERELLA TV favourites and dancing duo AJ and Curtis Pritchard make their Leicester debut playing the roles of Prince Charming and Dandini, alongside CBeebies Evie Pickerill in the title role of Cinderella. Optional VIP ‘Evening with AJ & Curtis’ meet and greet event.

n 10th Dec-2nd Jan, £15.25-£33.50, 0116 2333111, demontforthall.co.uk.

The Cresset, P’Boro

PETER PAN This timeless story of the boy who never grew up has captured the imagination of generations of children, and now it received The Cresset Panto treatment, with Kevin Kennedy –Coronation Street’s Curly Watts – staring as Captain Hook. ‘Aar! n 15th-21st Dec, £14.50-£17.50, 01733 265 705, www.cresset.co.uk.

The Corn Exchange

CINDERELLA Stamford Pantomime Players have been performing shows for 71 years and are so pleased to bring one of the greatest pantomimes to the stage this year ‘Cinderella’. With a strong cast of over 80 people ranging from five years – 72 years old.

n 22nd Dec -1st Jan, £10-£12, 01780 766455, stamfordcornexchange.co.uk.

Uppingham Church

SLEEPING BEAUTY New year family pantomime written and directed by Joy Everitt, performed in Uppingham Parish Church, doors from 7pm. Presented by the Rutland Arts Theatre Company. Tickets from Colemans, High Street, Oakham.

n 13th-15th Jan, £5-£10, 01572 723247, www.rutlandartstheatre.wordpress.com.

IN FINE VOICE: G4 PERFORM IN PETERBOROUGH

Bringing festive spirit to Peterborough Cathedral, Jonathan Ansell is one of the founder members of the classical crossover group G4. Here he reveals what he’s looking forward to most over Christmas, and what to expect from the group’s winter tour...

BACK IN THE EARLY NOUGHTIES, TV producers hit upon a superb idea. Programme making is expensive – famous folk are expensive – but members of the public are cheap and a dime a dozen. Hence the proliferation of reality TV shows, and specifically talent shows.

The latter, we venture to suggest, had double appeal for producers. For a start we could enjoy the talent of the decent contestants, and in the following audition we could mock the less credible acts vying to be put through to the next round.

The format of Pop Idol, then X Factor and ultimately The Voice has yielded some en during acts – One Direction, Will Young and Little Mix – amongst many who were novelty acts at best, social media fodder at worst; Susan Boyle, Jedward and Honey G.

However successful or otherwise any of the above have proven, though, there’s a single act that I can think of that serves as a defence against the format, and to justify it against accusations of it being low brow.

Back on 11th December 2004, families gathered around the TV for the grand final of X Factor, in which two very different acts were squaring up against one another. The first was Steve Brookstein, and the second was classical crossover act, G4.

The latter were unique for bringing classical music to a pop-oriented audience and for blurring the boundaries between the tradi tional distinction of popular culture and high culture.

One of the founder members of G4 was Jonathan Ansell, then aged 22. A week before, he and the other members of the group had still been busking on the streets.

“I’m from Bognor Regis in Sussex, originally, and attended the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, to study towards a bachelor degree in music.”

“There were only 20 singers that year among other disciplines in the performing arts, so we gravitated towards one another and we were encouraged to work together to get a feel for different styles, for working with different voices and generally to exper iment a bit.”

“There I met Mike Christie, who’s another founder member, Ben Thapa and Matthew Stiff. We were classically oriented, and an agent who was allied with the School used to get us work at livery company dinners and similar events across London.”

“That was handy when you were a student, as you could earn good money on a Satur day night to help pay for University!”

Words: Rob Davis.

“The suggestion came along that a Barbershop quartet would yield work and so that’s what we formed – albeit without the straw hats. There was a bit of interplay during the performances, but it was traditional songs like Goodnight Sweetheart.”

“We found the repertoire of songs within the genre a bit limiting and so Mike transcribed a version of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody for us to incorporate into the next performance.”

“Usually at a function such as the ones we used to perform at there’s a bit of background noise as people continue to eat, drink, and make conversation but when we performed the track, they were all silent, hanging on every line. It was the only performance the agent had ever booked which resulted in an overpayment; the client paid us double what they were quoted that night, I think it was £140 compared to the usual £70 each!”

“About the same time, we auditioned for X Factor but even when we were performing on TV on a Saturday night we were still on the streets busking!”

“There was definitely a level of production in choosing which contestants to build up. Some were definitely going to get ripped apart and the producers knew that. As for acts like us, we had no real way of gauging public response but a vote.”

>> Mark Zuckerberg had invented a means of keeping in touch with his fellow Harvard students FaceMesh, which changed its name to The Facebook in February 2004, and wasn’t made available outside of Harvard until the end of the year, and so social media as we know it was only just in its infancy.

“There was no way to know. We just held our breath for the vote and discovered that we had come second to Steve. We were devastated, and we weren’t sure what the future held as runners up in the contest. Nonetheless we signed to Sony and created an album.”

“At the time you’d still listen to the radio on Sunday evening to hear the charts, and Louis Walsh called us ahead of the charts broadcast to tell us that we’d reached number one in the album charts in time for Mother’s Day.”

The group’s first album released in February 2005 sold a quarter of a million copies in its first week alone, going platinum twice over. A follow-up album later in the year reached number six in the charts and another album followed in 2006.

The group, though, was exhausted. They disbanded, having spent two and a half years suddenly thrust into the spotlight. When the opportunity to reform arose following a performance at the Barbican Centre in 2014, Matthew Stiff declined to re form, and the band’s line-up now comprises Jonathan and Mike as founded members, plus Lewis Raines and Duncan Sandilands who joined in 2018 and 2019 respectively.

“The second time around we knew more about the potential perils of working in such an intense profession. We’re now internally managed and much more democratic. We’re older too and we recognise the merits of getting your work/life balance right. It’s still an intense career, though.”

“The nature of our singing means there’s minimal accompaniment and amplification so your voice has to be really disciplined and strong and has to survive on its own merit. You can’t hide behind post-production during a live performance.”

During our interview, Jonathan and the band were mid-way through a six-week tour during September and October, and had already spend five weeks on tour back in early spring.

“We’ll only have about three weeks off and then in November we’ll begin our 32-date tour, G4 Christmas which pauses for three or four days on 23rd December and then continues between Christmas and New Year.”

“We try to take summer off and spend time with family, which is lovely, and taking breaks between tours allows us to make sure we’re able to perform at our best. People think that as a group touring around you go from posh hotel to hotel… not a chance!”

“In fact we invested recently in a motorhome and when we’re touring, we use that.”

Cathedral. “Its acoustics are amazing, and the sound really works well in the space.”

“But above all, as hard work as it is, we never ever forget how lucky we are. We never take for granted the fact that for our audiences the night out is a chance to dress up, enjoy an evening out and have a great time listening to our music. The relationship we have with our audience is definitely one of mutual respect, so we could never have an off-night, we’ve got to be as good as we can every single time.”

“That’s not to say that we won’t be exhausted on 23rd December, but it’s a lovely feeling to return home to my wife Debbie and our children Dexter and Siena.”

“Being on tour makes Christmas shopping a little tricky, but on tour we usually end up picking up Christmas gifts from Amazon delivery lockers en route!”

chance to really go all over the UK and see lots of lovely cities but also some incredible buildings, like Peterborough Cathedral!”

had

“When I walk through the door Debbie I reckon will have outdone herself, as usual, turning the house into a grotto. She’s phenomenal at decorating the place for Christmas and giving my children a big hug when I return home for Christmas will be lovely! Meanwhile, I’m the chef in the family so I’ll look forward to getting started on Christmas dinner and generally just enjoying being around the family.”

“When we say that we’re living on top of each other for weeks on end that’s very literal. We sleep in bunk beds and we all hear each other snoring.”

“As band members we are also very good friends though, and perhaps thanks to our ages we’ve learned how to tolerate each others’ quirks and to get on well even when we’re tired. The motorhome does have an advantage in that we’re usually parked right outside our tour venues, or at least very close.”

“We’ve stayed in some really stunning parts of the country and I’m very grateful that we’ve had a chance to really go all over the UK and see lots of lovely cities but also some incredible buildings, like Peterborough

“I usually end up getting lots of socks for Christmas but that’s fine. I need them. My favourite gifts, though, are the home made ones that the children make me.”

“We all love Christmas songs as well and of course on the tour we couldn’t neglect to perform traditional songs like O Holy Night and Silent Night or Away in a Manger alongside Nessun Dorma and our crossover songs.”

“We’re lucky this year, too, as we’ll have some help from the children’s choir of the Stagecoach Spalding, and their sound just adds to an already festive atmosphere, especially in a building like the Cathedral, so we’re hoping that it’ll be a full house and everyone will bring the Christmas spirit with them!” n

Find Out More: Tickets are on sale now for G4 Christmas at Peterborough Cathedral. The event takes place on Saturday 3rd December from 7.30pm. Tickets £17.50-£64.50, to book, visit www.g4official.com.

“I’m very grateful that we’ve

a

Cinderella Visits to Celebrate CHRISTMAS at BELVOIR

It’s set to be a magical Christmas at Belvoir as theatre designer Charlotte Lloyd Webber turns fairy godmother to create the Castle’s beautiful festive displays, enchanting visitors, young and old alike! Here we meet the designer and find out what goes into creating the impressive displays...

IT WAS THE MONTH BEFORE CHRISTMAS, and all through the Castle lots of people were stirring. Not least among them was Charlotte Lloyd Webber, working with Belvoir Castle and some of the country’s other leading stately homes to prepare some really stunning festive displays.

We joined the designer and her team at the stables just five minutes down the road from the Belvoir Castle, surrounded by foliage, fabric and some seriously scaled-up plans for the festive season.

“It’s my second season working for Belvoir Castle, and this years we’re really upping the ante with some stunning displays and the much-loved narrative of Cinderella, told in visual form with lots of colour throughout a number of the Castle’s state rooms.”

Charlotte’s provenance is working in theatre, having co-founded Lamplighter Drama and also the Oxford Shakespeare Company. With experience of theatre design, and contacts at properties like York’s Castle Howard though, the designer was approached around six years ago to lend her expertise to creating festive installations for visitors to enjoying some of the country’s most beautiful stately homes.

Doing so with such success aesthetic and commercial – led to Charlotte founding CLW Event Design two and a half years ago, and this year, she’s in the throes of creating Christmas experiences for Castle Howard,

Bamburgh Castle and Belvoir Castle. Each property’s displays are between a year and a year and a half in the planning necessitating, Charlotte reckons, no fewer than 8,000 baubles for Belvoir and a kilometre of lighting at Castle Howard.

“Last year’s displays at Belvoir Castle were themed around a Regency Christmas, and so this year we’re also introducing a narrative element to the displays, telling the classic story of Cinderella.”

“This year we’re really upping the ante with some stunning displays and the much-loved narrative of Cinderella, told in visual form with lots of colour...”

“It’s about putting the story into context in the property,” says Charlotte. “The narrative, the art and architecture of Belvoir Castle and the displays can all come together to work congruously.”

“Initial ideas are pitched and can be finalised even before the current festive season, so right now we’ve a good idea of what we’d like to see for Christmas 2023. That enables us to begin designing, with visual sign-offs of the whole project around April or May, by which time we’ve also had a good opportunity to

evaluate what worked well for this year’s Christmas display, too, and what our visitors really enjoyed.”

Building the displays takes from May or June right until we install round October. There’s a core team of six but with a bulging contact book, Charlotte also brings along the talents of graphic designers, costume designers, florists and lighting designers, not to mention woodwork and metalwork specialists.

“The starting point is always the property,” says Charlotte. “I let the architecture inform the scheme. It’s fundamental since it dictates the physical space and route of visitors through the displays.”

“But interiors of older, grander properties can also be quite dark, so to really make the most of each display, I’m always keen to utilise professional theatre lighting in this case, working with Bretta Gerecke and our professional soundscape designer to create an immersive experience.”

Journeying through Belvoir Castle this season, visitors will see both Lady Tremaine’s gilded life and that of her two daughters, Anastasia and Drizella. They’ll also see the humble manner in which Cinderella lives. Lady Tremaine in the Elizabeth Saloon is pure high camp, with an enormous wig, her chaise lounge and a Chartreuse gown. Later, in the State Dining Room, we meet the Fairy Godmother against a backdrop of soft pastels and pinks, with the orange of Cinderella’s pumpkin as is transforms into a glittering carriage.

Words: Rob Davis. Images: Jon Scrimshaw, www.instinctivecollection.co.uk.

The displays tell the story chronologically as visitors pass through the rooms of the Castle culminating, of course, in the wedding of Cinderella and Prince Charming in the Regents’s Gallery.

“Belvoir Castle has the most extraordinary beauty so it’s always a pleasure to walk around the rooms, and every time you do so you see new details in the architecture and new colours. It’s also wonderful to work with The Duchess of Rutland who has a great eye, comes from a design background and who really appreciates the work involved in

creating the displays and making them work as well as they can in order to thrill visitors.”

“We want everyone to have a great time, of course, but ensuring visitors to properties like Belvoir Castle also means they have funds to facilitate the upkeep of these big and often very demanding historic buildings.”

The time it takes not just to design or make but to install the displays is measured in weeks, not hours or days. Castle Howard alone saw 75,000 people visit to see Charlotte’s work, and that not only means great entertainment for the crowds, but funds the stately homes and castles’ upkeep, for future generations too. So visiting this year’s displays will not only provide a wonderful day out for visitors, but will ensure a happy ever after for Belvoir Castle, too. n

Find Out More: Cinderella at Belvoir takes place from 18th November - 1st January, tickets £24/adult, £10/children, call 01476 871001 or see www.belvoircastle.com.

>> Belvoir Castle’s Picture Gallery and Ballroom reflect the ball at which Cinderella meets the Prince with Charlotte’s co-creator Adrian Lillie having created a really stunning couture dress for the event.

What’s On at BELVOIR

n Brand New Adventure Playground

Younger visitors will enjoy Belvoir Castle’s brand new Adventure Playground is inspired by the iconic architecture of Belvoir Estate and its past and present explorers. Entry included in either a Castle & Garden Ticket, Garden Only Ticket or Annual Pass.

n Father Christmas at the Castle A magical opportunity for children to meet the famous Belvoir Elves, listen to a story told by Mrs Claus and see the jolly man himself, Father Christmas. Each child will also receive a gift to take home. Pre-booking required, £15/child.

n Festive Afternoon Tea at the Castle Revel in a sumptuous Festive Afternoon Tea experience in the grandeur of the Regency-styled tearoom. Only available for visitors with a Cinderella Christmas at Belvoir Admissions Ticket. Pre-booking required, £25/ad, £15/child.

n Engine Yard Christmas Markets

Soak up the festive atmosphere at the Engine Yard with our Scandinavian style Christmas Markets taking place over five consecutive weekends, starting 18th November. Explore an abundance of artisan delights, discover unique gifts and feast on festive favourites. Browse over 20 Christmas stalls hosted by independent brands each market weekend, alongside our permanent boutique retail stores.

Pre-booking required, £25/ad, £15/child.

“There’s No Place Like Curve!”

There’s no story like The Wizard of Oz and no place like Curve Theatre to enjoy a brand new Made at Curve production of that very story this month. Here, we join the team for pre-costume rehearsals and speak with Artistic Director Nikolai Foster to find out why the team wanted to bring the land of Oz to the stage...

Words: Rob Davis. Rehearsal Images: Marc Brenner.

This month Leicester’s Curve Theatre brings to the stage one of the favourites of early cinema as Georgina Onuorah clicks her heels together three times and steps into the ruby slippers of Judy Garland’s iconic Dorothy in a new version of The Wizard of Oz. Here, Nikolai Foster tells us why ‘there’s no place like Curve...’

>> “We don’t tend to put on pantomimes at Christmas,” says Nikolai Foster, Artistic Director of Leicester’s Curve Theatre. “Ostensibly that’s because other theatres in the city host pantomimes so we like to offer something different, and that’s usually a musical production instead.”

This year, too, Nikolai agrees with my suggestion that I think we’ve had quite enough pantomime in 2022, albeit political rather than theatrical.

At a time when the skies are as grey and as foreboding as the suits in Westminster, and when all we hear on the news is political uncertainty and the cost of living crisis, we need something to bring a bit of colour to our lives instead, and what could be more colourful than the land of Oz with its glittery ruby slippers, yellow brick road and its equally colourful characters.

It’s as if Nikolai and his team could have predicted the national mood, although as a production four years in the making, that’s not quite the case... it’s just a very happy antidote to the sort of national fractiousness that few could have predicted.

“We must at least be shortlisted for having the longest pre-production period, having started to design Curve Theatre’s Wizard of Oz pre-pandemic,” says Nikolai. “Although that has given us time to hone it, and to consider it... and in doing so, to make it the very biggest, very best and the most colour ful production we’ve ever created here.”

“Our last winter production was 2021’s A Chorus Line, and it was incred ibly well-received. All through 2022, as well, it felt as though theatre was returning to nor mal post-pandemic levels.”

Curve, Theatre, Leicester

Engaging with over 750,000 theatregoers a year and with a 900-seater main auditorium, Curve is managed by The Leicester Theatres Trust, supported by Leicester City Council and Arts Council England.

Above: Curve Theatre opened in 2008 and engages with over 750,000 theatregoers each year.

“The auditorium was full again, your voice no longer echoed in the place and there was once again a real sense of community, with our audiences right at the centre of it.”

“Some months on and with both Christmas festivities and the cost-of-living crisis competing for our hard-earned cash, we’re more conscious than ever that we have to offer a really great production and provide real value.”

“We’ve worked closely with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group to bring this script and his musical score to Curve. That’s given us a superb bedrock for a great production, one with a narrative at its heart that everybody will be familiar with.”

“And from that point on we’ve really been able to make the production our own with costumes, sets and a really wonderful cast and crew all helping to make the production something that the whole family can enjoy from the age of five to ninety-five at a time when we’ve never needed more the spectacle of big sets, big costumes and big songs that only live theatre can provide.”

“We’ve taken the colourful look of Oz and moved the time in which the production is set a little further forward, to bring in a sense of 1950s Americana, with good reason.” >>

Above/Left: Jonny Fines will play Scarecrow; he’s pictured here in rehearsal, with his costume still due to be completed.

>> “We’re using America’s Route 66 in an allegorical way and we’re bringing into the production contemporary themes like con sumerism and an awareness of ecology.”

“In Act II we reach the Emerald City and encounter a sort of Devil Wears Prada meets Putin-esque Wicked Witch, with Charlotte Jaconelli in that role.”

“Dorothy is played by Georgina Onuorah, and in casting we live for the moment when an actor walks into an audition and blows the roof off the room with their voice, vision and ideas for a role.”

“Georgina did exactly that and set out a compelling vision for her Dorothy. Listening to Georgina’s heart-wrenching rendition of ‘Over the Rainbow’ is worth the price of ad mission alone! Georgina leads an incredible company and we are proud to introduce her to audiences here in Leicester, as we prepare

to journey up the fantastic yellow brick road together.”

“Our last really big production here at Curve was Billy Elliot and it’s impossible to overstate how well that went and what fantastic feedback we had, but necessarily the look of the production was pared back.”

“By contrast, here, we can turn up the colour of the sets, the songs and the costumes We’ve a 12-piece orchestra, along with our Musical Director and Musical Supervisor George Dyer, for a live soundtrack featuring about 20 songs, many of which will be familiar from the 1939 film, but with other tunes which will bring new songs and fresh appeal to a story that’s set to be both familiar and fresh at the same time.”

Above: Made at Curve will bring a new look to the 1939 musical which made a star of Judy Garland.

“We’re even more conscious this year of the need to create a really spectacular show that represents great entertainment and great value for money for our audiences as well as two and a half hours or so of complete and joyful escapism!”

“Curve Theatre opened in 2008 and it was set to bring in audiences of 750,000 a year. Whilst Covid prevented us from hosting the kind of shows that Made at Curve is capable of creating, 2019’s West Side Story, last year’s A Chorus Line and July & August’s Billy Elliot have given us the chance to show off what we’re capable of both as a venue and as a creative team.”

“We genuinely believe that Wizard of Oz will be Made at Curve’s finest production yet: colourful, filmic and with amazing performances from a brilliant cast and dazzling production values.... exactly what we need this Christmas!” n

Christina Bianco will play ‘good witch’ Glinda... she’s traded in her magic bubble for a scooter, commensurate with the 1950s America ‘mise en scene’ of the production.

Christmas at Curve Theatre...

n Dear Santa LIVE!

From the author of the well-loved children’s book Dear Zoo, Rod Campbell, comes Dear Santa and it’s LIVE! This show is an ideal introduction to theatre for those aged 2+ and who believe in Santa.

Thursday 1st Dec - Wednesday 14th December

n Christmas Music by Candlelight

One of Britain’s very best choirs, Ex Cathedra’s Consort of 10 singers, returns to the beautiful church of St James the Greater with its popular Christmas concert. A seamless sequence of seasonal favourites, little-known gems and inspiring new music – with readings to make you reflect and rejoice – combine to create a deeply atmospheric celebration of this most wonderful time of the year.

Saturday 3rd December

n The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Christmas Show

Four timeless stories brought to life in one delightful show. Dive into Eric Carle’s bright and colourful world as his beloved stories are transformed from page to stage using a menagerie of 75 lovable puppets and charming music. Featuring your favourite titles: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, 10 Little Rubber Ducks, The Very Lonely Firefly and of course, the star of the show, The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Friday 16th December - Saturday 31st December

n The Wizard of Oz is coming to Curve Theatre as a special ‘Made at Curve’ production from Saturday 19th November to Sunday 8th January, tickets £10-£45, call 0116 242 3595 or see www.curveonline.co.uk.

Even Toto receives a Made at Curve makeover!

PENNY & JOHN RICHARDSON

The Exton Artists

From your beloved pet or a family member, to your favourite Rutland landscape, no commission is too challenging to inspire Penny Richardson, the Exton-based artist who works alongside husband John to create portraiture and so much more...

only, each signed individually

Three sizes, from £59-£135, see www.pennyrichardson.co.uk or call 07884 198748.

Photos of Art: John Richardson. Image: Normanton Church, Limited Edition Prints of 100 copies

by the artist Penny Richardson.

THE EXTON ARTISTS: PENNY & JOHN RICHARDSON

IT’S A PARADOX, isn’t it. These days we all have reasonable quality cameras in our pockets, built right in to our smartphones.

We take more photographs than ever before and yet despite our prolific tendencies as shutterbugs – most of those languish on our devices, never to see the light of day.

Perhaps we’ve become complacent as to the power that a really striking image can have, the memory it can evoke or the emotion that it can convey... at least, until we’re presented with a picture too beautiful to ignore or one of somebody too precious to us to overlook.

Nobody knows that better than Exton artist Penny Richardson. Growing up in Rutland, and schooled at Morcott Hall School for Girls, Penny remembers her art teacher John Walton fondly, as an artist in his own right as well as somebody who fostered her prodigious talent.

“He then encouraged me to go on to A-Levels on the next leg of my scholastic journey, which would be at the Rutland Sixth Form College in Oakham.”

Pet Portraits & Commissions

Penny is still taking commissions for pet portraiture as Christmas gifts. These range in size from 8x6 to 16x20 and vary in price from £250, with a typical turnaround of one or two weeks, for details see www.pennyrichardson.co.uk or call 07884 198748.

“When I’d completed my A-Levels I successfully applied to the Leicestershirebased Loughborough College of Art and Design. I studied life drawing, sculpture in clay, photography, plus 3D work that helped to direct me onto the path I am still on today.”

Penny worked for a couple of years on the family farm whilst pursuing her painting, quickly picking up commissions.

A few years later she married John who today is an exceptional picture framing expert and photographer. It’s a skill set which segues nicely with Penny’s work, as he can frame her images and he also manages her website too, and brings to the partnership

all sorts of IT, printing and other technical skills.

“Growing up on the farm was wonderful, and it al lowed me to see animals going about their daily busi ness, which actually gave me quite a keen eye for anatomy too.”

When Penny and John first married in 1989, the family had five dogs, plus a clowder of farm cats. Today they have five (“beautiful!”) children and three grandchildren who they’re immensely proud of, as well as the family pets, Meg & Chutney. Regular dog walks around their village, Exton, provides constant inspi ration right through the seasons, and some of Penny’s work has seen her paint their own street in the snow, as well as local landmarks like Exton’s Fort Henry and Normanton Church. However, Penny’s preferred subjects and the ones she’s most frequently called on to paint are dogs, horses and cats. >>

>> “I have painted people, of course, but pets are by far the most popular subjects,” says Penny. “I think it’s because young human beings change as they’re growing up, whereas our pets look the same throughout their adult lives. And perhaps it’s because pets, sadly, aren’t with us for as long. We love them and want to remember them.”

About half of Penny’s commissions are of dogs, and she most commonly works from a photograph, even one taken on one of those camera phones. Even if the quality of the photo isn’t terribly good, Penny can still use it as source material. However, if a client is really struggling, the fact that John is a photographer can come in handy.

“I’m a mixed media artist, and tend to let the breed of animal dictate whether I work in gouache, watercolour or oils.”

“My own opinion is that longer coats look better in oils whilst shorter coats are more

suited to gouache, and for the latter I use watercolour board, but for oils and acrylics I paint onto canvas.”

Alongside dogs, horses are a common commission, and one where attention to anatomy is even more important. Her cat portraits too, are adorable, and capture the marble-like eyes of an alert feline. People and landscapes are a less common commission but you may soon see more of them.

John is a keen runner and a member of his local triathlon club. His previous adventures have included the 66-mile Rutland Round and a 160-mile trip around Rutland’s 50 parishes.

Back in January 2021, a nasty case of Covid saw him hospitalised for six weeks, but despite doctors’ warnings that he wouldn’t be able to run again, John has focused on becoming well enough to take up walking and running again, and has enjoyed a summer out in the fresh air.

One of the advantage is being able to go out for walks with the dogs and to enjoy the area’s scenery. He and Penny have also been visiting local villages and hope to create a collection of work based on the area’s most beautiful churches... although commissions are always coming in, which necessitates this project being put on the back burner.

“Especially around Christmas I’m always very busy, and I think there’s a balance to be achieved between helping as many people to capture beautiful portraits of their pets as possible, but not treating a commission like something to be rushed. I can turn around work in as little as a week around Christmas but I like to quote two weeks.”

“It’s incredibly rewarding to immortalise somebody’s dog, their horse or their cat. We know how precious ours are to us, and when you get the sparkle in their eye, or the glossy highlights of their coat just right, it feels wonderful!” n

from £250/8x10

Find Out More: Penny Richardson is an Exton-based artist who specialises in pet portraits and landscapes, prices

original, with bespoke framing available courtesy of John. Turnaround is around two weeks, for examples of her work see www.pennyrichardson.co.uk or call 07884 198748. Prints are also available of Penny’s Rutland scenes from £65, including Hambleton, Normanton Church, Exton’s Fort Henry and her Battle of Britain aeroplanes over Rutland series.

Book 1: All for Overalls: “Just because you’re out of the way doesn’t mean you’re not in the middle of it!” The news from Dunkirk in the summer of 1940 finds a small Lincolnshire village adapting to wartime ways and the new RAF hospital, as characters and best-intentions abound! A 14-year old errand-boy called Gertie, is spurred into action and inspires a young gang of Salvage Scamps to join him in ‘The Effort’. Equipped with bicycles, wheelbarrows and buckets, they manage to bring half the village in to their scrapes along the way.

Book 2: If the Sock Fits! “You get them to believe they can fight back … and they stop feeling beaten.” This second book in the Trilogy moves on to the autumn of 1940 and the harsh reality of harvest time in the countryside as the Battle of Britain rages in the skies overhead, then the news starts coming of the London Blitz and the Greatest Generation rises to the challenge… as determined and inventive as ever!

If ever there was a time to sit down and give yourself permission to enjoy a book that has absolutely nothing ‘gritty’ or ‘challenging’ about it, then surely this must be it! These stories are gloriously gentle; charming, nostalgic and surprisingly insightful. Presented in beautifully crafted hardback books, with original commissioned artwork cover, ribbon marker, soft-tint paper and generous font size... Book 1: ‘All for Overalls’ and Book 2: ‘If the Sock Fits!’ are available NOW from Walkers Bookshops (Stamford and Oakham) and from purchases@GertiesPath.co.uk Book 3: ‘Raids, Rallies & Reserves’ (due out early 2023, can be reserved directly through GertiesPath.co.uk).

Residential

Care Dementia Care Nursing Care

Quality of life in the heart of Oakham...

Residential, dementia, nursing or respite care. Luxury facilites including cinema and library. Landscaped gardens and café/bistro/bar. Outstanding, personalised care, no hidden costs.

For a personal, no obligation tour around our beautiful new home, call 01572 494770

Aspen Manor Care Home Barleythorpe Road

Oakham LE15 6GL

info@aspenmanorcarehome.co.uk www.aspenmanorcarehome.co.uk

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

A New Kitchen and a New Chapter for THE OLIVE BRANCH

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

Words & Images: Rob Davis.

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

On 15th December 2021 having shaken off Covid, and after being named Pub of the Year in The Good Pub Guide, UK Pub of the Year, and GQ Food & Drink winner 2021, and as the team were gearing up for a busy festive season a faulty tumble drier over heated and decimated the pub’s kitchen.

A year on from the fire, Executive Head Chef Luke Holland is showing me around his well-appointed and brand spanking new kitchen. It’s a belter: one of the best-looking and the best-equipped kitchen I’ve ever seen... domestic or commercial!

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

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

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

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

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

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

The kitchen is due to be commissioned as I write this. The team will move in and begin working there on 3rd November... so what’s the first dish that Luke will cook in his new, £500k kitchen? One of the new dishes we’ve photographed here, from The Olive Branch’s winter menu? Nope. >>

MEET THE CHEF

LUKE HOLLAND

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

Food Hell: Sprouts!

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

DINING OUT AT THE OLIVE BRANCH, CLIPSHAM

Slow cooked Beef Rib.

on the MENU

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

Starters

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

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

Main Courses

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

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

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

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

Desserts:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Roast Cod Cheeks.

Braised ox tail & tongue.

Venison tartare.

Beetroot cream, hedgerow bramble, frozen horseradish.

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

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

Unusually for such a popular restaurant, The Olive Branch will close on Christmas Day. Luke’s son is four years old and whilst others in the hospitality industry are missing out on a family Christmas, he and Ben both think it’s important for their team to be with their family. For the same reason, the team only works a four-day week to prevent the kind of exhaustion which is so common in the industry.

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

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

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

DINING OUT AT...

The Olive Branch at Clipsham

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

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

The Olive Branch Pub, Main Street, Clipsham, Rutland LE15 7SH.

Telephone: 01780 410355, www.theolivebranchpub.com.

In the KITCHEN

An easy-peasy party piece, packed with pastry and pickle... great for grazing with family and friends this Christmas!

BRIE & PICKLE PASTRY WREATH

Preparation Time: 15 minutes. Cooking Time: 15 minutes. Serves Six. 320g ready roll puff pastry • 6tbsp Perfect Party Pickle (320g jar) • 200g brie cheese, sliced • 2 tbsp pistachio nuts roughly chopped • 1 egg, beaten

Pre-heat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas 6 and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll the pastry and cut a large circle out of the pastry. Lay the large pastry circle on the prepared baking sheet. Mark an inner circle with a medium-sized bowl, don’t press all the way through the pastry. Cut four cuts into the centre circle, this will create eight triangles. Spread a liberal amount of good quality pickle around the outer circle then top with the brie and pistachios. Our preferred pickle is Country Delights’ Perfect Party Pickle, if not for the flavour then simply for the alliteration (see www.cottagedelight.co.uk).

From the four cuts, bring one triangle of the centre outwards over the filling as well as bringing the outer edge of pastry inwards. Press the two together and continue all the way around with the remaining seven triangles until you have a wreath. Brush with beaten egg then place in the oven and allow to bake for 15 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the oven, allow to rest for five minutes then slice and serve. n

In the KITCHEN

What festive flavours marry together better than chocolate and orange? This showstopper will look fabulous and it’s much lighter than traditional Christmas pudding!

MULLED ORANGE & CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE

Preparation Time: 10 minutes. Chilling Time: Overnight. Serves: 12. (Biscuit Base) 300g Bourbon biscuits • 150g unsalted butter (Cheesecake Filling) 600g cream cheese (full fat) • 300ml double cream • 75g icing sugar 300g Terry’s Chocolate Orange • 1 x 305g jar Cottage Delight Mulled Orange All Butter Curd (8 heaped tbsp) 1 orange zest (Decoration) orange zest • orange slices, thinly sliced 2tbsp crème fraiche •

For the biscuit base, melt the butter in the microwave, on short bursts, until fully melted. Blitz the biscuits in a food processor to a small crumb or by bashing them in a bag with the end of a rolling pin, add the butter, and mix until it is combined well. Tip into a 20cm deep springform tin and press down firmly – chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour.

For the cheesecake filling, melt the 300g Chocolate Orange in a bowl over a pan of gently simmering water, stirring gently or microwave in short bursts until fully melted. Mix together the cream cheese and icing sugar until thick and whip up the double cream in a separate bowl – fold the mixtures together, and then fold through the melted chocolate. The secret ingredient here is the Mulled Orange All Butter Curd, which is available from decent farm shops (or from www.cottagedelight.co.uk). Add two heaped tablespoons then zest in the orange. Evenly spread six more tablespoons of the Mulled Orange Curd over the chilled biscuit base, then pour the cream cheese mix on to the curd layer, smooth over, cover, and chill in the fridge for six hours, or preferably overnight. Top with sliced oranges, orange zest and crème fraiche in the centre. n

A

whisky

advent

calendar for the true connoisseur...

On the night before Christmas not a creature will stir after they’ve enjoyed their nightly dram!

A pilgrimage across Scotland in whisky form with 24 rare and aged single cask and blended expressions from the five Scotch whisky regions to offer the perfect advent calendar for Whisky enthusiasts.

Presented in the form of a cabinet, handmade in wood and finished in the same way as a traditional whisky cabinet. Each 50ml dram is bottled straight from the cask and represents an expression of some of the best whiskies Scotland has to offer from leading distilleries. n

£160 / 24 x 50ml / 42-50% ABV, www.harveynichols.com.

The Wine Cellar

1. Pinot noir is a great match for turkey or goose, and this mature example is from the 2010 vintage of Pommard in burgundy. Full-bodied, tannic, with leather and blackcurrant. £39 / 75cl / 13.1% ABV.

2. At the opposite end of the scale, Australian this Chardonnay is drier than your mother-in-law’s Christmas pudding, with creamy oak, buttery, vanilla flavours, and just a hint of lemon and grapefruit, too. £45 / 75cl / 13.5% ABV.

3. And finally, Reisling is a lovely sweet option more conventionally considered a dessert wine, but pairing nicely with turkey. It’s lighter in terms of its alcohol content, too. £29.99 / 75cl / 8.5% ABV.

Beer of the Month

Rutland Osprey from Grainstore Brewery from £2.20 + postage, 500ml each / 4.0% ABV

If you hold good beer dear to your heart, there’s only one brew to champion. Grainstore Brewery’s flagship Rutland Osprey is a refreshing light golden brew, whose flavour is complex and mellow with a finely balanced floral aroma and smooth bitterness. Real ale gift boxes from the brewery tap £12/three bottles, or £2.20 plus shipping from British Local Craft. The brewery was founded in September 1995 and has earned Own Brew Pub of the Year on five occasions. n

Buy from brewery at www.grainstore brewery.com or from www.british localcraft.co.uk.

For designated driver or those who want to enjoy the festive season hangover-free, Belvoir Farms has the answer with a special festive edition of one of their premium drinks. This non-alcoholic Festive Fruit Juice Punch is made with a blend of cranberry, blackcurrant and orange juices with extracts of cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg for a fruity winter warmer. Enjoy it cool, with lemonade, or warm it up and let the soothing winter scent radiate!

£2.95 / 75cl / 0% ABV, www.belvoirfarm.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.

THIS MONTH WHAT ELSE COULD WE RECOMMEND BUT ONE OF THE BEST LOCAL ALES, AN ALCOHOL-FREE TREAT FOR THE ABSTEMIOUS AND A TRIO OF WINES TO GO WITH YOUR TURKEY

Alcohol-free, locally made and delicious!

LET’S TALK TURKEY: Three excellent wines to accompany your Christmas lunch...

THE CHRISTMAS HOME THAT’S

SIMPLY DIVINE

For Isabel Howett and family, Christmas is always a delight, but compounding their delight this year is a celebration of their time living in The West Wing of their former monastery in West Deeping...

Words: Rob Davis.

THE DETAILS

The West

Wing,

Market Deeping

Location: Stamford 7.9 miles, Peterborough 8.9 miles, Oakham 18.9 miles.

Provenance: Grade I listed former rectory dating back to the 1400s set in three-quarters of an acre.

Rooms: Three receptions currently arranged as living kitchen, sitting room and dining hall. Four beds.

Guide Price: £1,250,000.

Find Out More: Pelham James Unique Homes, Saddler’s Court Oakham LE15 7GH.

Telephone: 01572 497 070, or see www.pelhamjames.co.uk. n

FROM THE 1400S, the Chanting Hall of The Old Rectory in Market Deeping was filled with the sound of liturgical chanting as its ecclesiastical inhabitants pursued their faith. Never more was this faith stronger than during advent. And 600 years on, the property is still a place to gather for festive celebrations.

“We can’t wait,” says Isabel Howett. “Christmas Day usually means the extended family gathered together in the hall, around the huge fireplace with a roaring fire, opening presents from under the tree with plenty of candles and lights.”

“More than anything though, we love to host large parties for our family and friends, with plenty of food, a well stocked bar, children racing all over the house and garden, some fireworks and the natural acoustics of the house electrifying the joyful sound of fun and laughter.”

The entrance hall of the property is certainly spectacular. But you’d expect nothing less of a property which dates back to the 1400s and carries not just a Grade II or starred listing, but a Grade I listing – one of fewer than 9,500 buildings in the UK and just 120 buildings in South Kesteven to be designated as such.

Extended in the 1600s to include a dormi tory and again in the 1800s by Reverend William Hildyard, the property was split up into three dwellings in the early 1980s: The West Wing, The East Wing and The Coach House.

Born and raised in the Fens, Isabel is a complete polymath and having worked in the Media, she escaped the city with her husband, Tim, to return to the area. She keeps herself busy that’s for sure, raising their two children Rafe and Georgia, managing projects as a interior design consultant; co-curator of the website of local interiors retailer That Rebel House (that rebelhouse.co.uk), and an Operation role with sustainable skiwear company Ecoski.

“We’ve always purchased and sold houses, but this is the first time that our friends have all given us a shake and asked us what on

Earth we’re doing contemplating moving. We arrived at the house in 2014 in awe of the flagstone floors, sweeping staircase and parquet floors but the house revealed a long long list of jobs urgently required.”

“The scale of rooms just blew our minds, lots more time, and lots more paint than your regular four bedroom semi-detached.”

“Having renovated a property on Stamford’s Rock Terrace, we were lucky enough to find out the new owners were replacing the kitchen so we managed to get our old but barely used kitchen into the West Wing.”

“Making sustainable choices is very important to us. We don’t have loads of rooms but we use them well rather than adding an extension that would require unnecessarily using the planet’s precious resources.

>> With that in mind, rather than extending, Isabel got permission from English Heritage to move the narrow galley kitchen into the exisiting Drawing Room to create a wonderful kitchen come entertaining space onto the garden.”

“The tones of muted creams and browns set off the Devol cabinetry, grey Carrara marble surfaces, copper sink and brass taps, fixtures and fittings. The unexpected talking point has turned out to be the white Smeg induction hob.

The entrance hallway in Obsidian Green courtesy of The Little Greene Company, and a stone fireplace upon which is written, in Old English script, the words ‘pees to this house,’ which we assume is legacy spelling rather than an affectation towards legumes. The room has a feel of a bygone era with Arched beams, gargoyles and angels, not to mention the most handsome of oak doors dating back to the 14th century.

On the first floor of the property is the principal bedroom and its en suite, together with a second bedroom and family bathroom. Bedrooms three and four – as well as a snug – are on the second floor.

Outside are limestone parapets, steeped buttresses, quoins and dressings plus a gabled porch entrance, created by Hildyard in the 1800s. A sheltered dining terrace is covered in wisteria during the summer months and the property is located right next to the 15th century St Guthlac’s Church, where the family will enjoy Midnight Mass this month.

“It really is a spectacular property,” says Isabel. “It has a comforting charm, it’s strong and as much part of the family as the kids and the dogs. The West Wing has certainly looked after us, as our fam ily has grown and the squeals of laughter reverberate around it, like the chanting of monks, but just a little more raucous!”

“We’re definitely looking forward to Christmas, and we can hardly believe it will be our last one here. We’re keen to move on to the next challenge and our lives with teenagers.”

“It really is a very unique property and has been an absolute privilege to bring The West Wing into the 21st century, so the next custodians can add their stamp to a genuine piece of history, both in the New Year and for many generations to come!”

n The West Wing is on the market with Pelham James, 01572 497 070.

n Main Street, Empingham

OIEO: £950,000

An attractive, substantial home in the Rutland village of Empingham. This well presented property presents a total of five bedrooms, and three reception rooms plus a huge kitchen diner whilst enjoying a lovely connection with the garden. www.fineandcountry.co.uk

n Main Street, Empingham

Guide Price: £2,000,000

An elegant and beautifully presented listed home, with cottage, within delightful gardens of almost an acre and a quarter, with four bedrooms and three bathrooms, four receptions and tennis courts in grounds. www.savills.co.uk

n Gretton, Rutland Guide Price: £850,000

Substantial detached family home with three well-proportioned reception rooms, and four double bedrooms. Large, private rear garden and enjoying magnificent 180 degrees views over the Welland Valley to the front. www.murrayestateagents.co.uk

CHRISTMAS BEAUTIFUL HOMES forBEAUTIFUL HOMES

There’s nothing more enjoyable than creating your festive home to delight family and visitors, so here’s our selection of loc al stockists for beautiful decorations...

This Page: John Lewis pre-lit Isla Diamond Frost 7ft tree, £279, www.johnlewis.com.

Top: Scatter stars, £15/set of 20, from The White Company, Stamford, 01780 769192, www.thewhite company.com.

Table runner from Hunters Interiors, 01780 757946, www.huntersinteriors ofstamford.co.uk.

Above/Right: Pre-lit snowy pine wreath, £39.50, M&S, www.marksandspencer.com.

Right: Sophie Allport Home for Christmas. Hand roller towel, £16; Double oven glove £24; Tea towels £19.50/two, Stamford or Bourne, call 01780 751044, www.sophieallport.com.

78

Sophie Allport Snow Season, Christmas crackers (set of six) £30; Fabric placemats £11/ea; Cushion £57; Sophie Allport Stamford and Bourne, or www.sophieallport.com.

Nordmann

Stamford & Rutland Interiors: Broughtons: Leicester, 0116 2341888,www.broughtons.com. Delcor Interiors: Stamford, 01780 762579, www.delcor.co.uk. Elizabeth Stanhope Interiors: Oakham, 01572 722345, www.elizabethstanhope.co.uk. H-Works: 01780 754605, www.hworksdesign.co.uk. Hunters of Stamford: 01780 757946, www.huntersinteriorsofstamford.co.uk.

M&S: www.marksandspencer.com. Sarah Harding Interiors: Uppingham, 01572 823389, sarahhardinginteriors.co.uk. Sophie Allport: 01780 751044, www.sophieallport.com. The White Company: 01780 769192, www.thewhitecompany.com.

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

Fir Christmas tree, 7.5ft, £595; The White Company, Stamford, www.thewhitecompany.com.

Four Christmas Scents

Enjoy the meditative flicker of candlelight and a soothing festive scent this month

3. Branch D’Olive boxed candles, hand-poured and hand-finished, frosted jars for a warm glow, mellow fig scent. Diffusers and room spray also available.

Sarah Harding Interiors, Uppingham, 01572 823389, www.sarahhardinginteriors.co.uk

1. Orange and cinnamon, Winter Woodland reindeer candle, £9.95, wide range of styles and scents available. Stamford Garden Centre/Sack Store, 01205 310101.

2. Spiced Orange and Red Berry diffuser and votive gift set from Plum & Ashby, £29/ea, at Hunters Interiors, Stamford. Hunters Interiors, 01780 757946, www.huntersinteriorsofstamford.co.uk.

4. The Elizabeth Stanhope no.12 candle is a blend of amber, lemon and cedarwood, £32.

Elizabeth Stanhope, Oakham 01572 722345, www.elizabethstanhopeshop.com.

Change and Opportunity

After a series of unprecedented changes in the UK, Kate Vincent from Garrington Property Finders discusses how opportunities still exist in the local property market for the well-advised buyer.

It is well known that markets do not like uncertainty, and this is never truer than in the property market, where transactions are typically for the long term and significant in value. Seismic changes to the country and economy over recent months has affected confidence levels, and for homeowners this has created a nervousness to sell until a new property has been identified to buy.

As such, many sellers are now more tentative and cautious, often seeking to quietly find a buyer in a measured and more structured way.

In a market where opportunities are elusive and increasingly hidden from view, how can buyers secure their next home?

Where do opportunities exist locally?

The apparent shortage of prime properties for sale across Stamford and Rutland, has resulted in some homeowners deferring plans to put their properties on the open market for fear of being pressurised to move out before they have had a chance to find a place to buy. Where previously a seller might have considered moving into rented accommodation as a temporary solution to facilitate a sale, with rental prices rising and the availability of rental property falling, sellers are less willing to adopt this approach as a stopgap.

Consequently, an increasing number of homeowners are discovering the benefits of discreetly selling their home away from the usual pressures associated with openly marketing a property. For buyers, tapping into this secretive market is not always easy, but can provide an exciting wealth of opportunities for those in the know.

How do property finders buy discreetly?

A clear distinction between a property finder and an estate agent is that the former acts solely on behalf of buyers. As a result, there is no reason why every estate agent in the area would not share details of a confidential property with a fellow property professional with whom they work on a regular basis and trust for their discretion. Indeed, Garrington is one of the first to hear when an exceptional property might be coming available and are often one of the earliest to view.

In addition, property finders use their extensive local network to gain access to homeowners who would prefer a direct introduction to perhaps only one buyer. In this way they can save on selling fees and work collaboratively with the buyers to agree a price and timing for the transaction to take place. Garrington is also able to identify potential off-market opportunities using

proprietary software that can filter all properties not currently on the open market, which may be available for sale privately.

Get help

Engaging in discreet property transactions presents opportunities to purchase in an exclusive arena and at a different pace than in the open market. However, it is not always easy to gain access to this market and the negotiations and brokering of a deal takes skill and experience. Garrington has extensive knowledge of the ‘off-market’ aspects of the local property market and can bring buyers and sellers together effectively to the mutual benefit of all.

If you are contemplating moving home over the coming months and would value objective advice from an independent specialist, get in touch with Kate.

Tel. 01780 408377. Email info@garrington.co.uk www.garringtoneastmidlands.co.uk

Kate Vincent Garrington

BEDROOMS BY MOIR WADE

DREAM KITCHENS by MOIR WADE

T’was the night before Christmas and all through the house not a creature was stirring, because this satisfied customer of Leicester-based Moir Wade was enjoying her brand new bedroom, commissioned six and a half years after the company also created her dream kitchen, too...

Words: Rob Davis.

ANYTHING MISSING? Anything that’s perhaps been accidentally overlooked, or forgotten about? Nope. That’s because Yvonne chose to work with Leicester’s Moir Wade when she had her kitchen designed and crafted back in 2016, asking the company to return earlier this year to create her new bedroom, too.

“It never crossed my mind to use anyone else,” she says. “I’m certain that there were less expensive options when I started considering what I wanted for my bedroom, and I knew Moir Wade weren’t the cheapest but they were the best value in the sense that you know the attention to detail, quality and the working relationship that the company invests in making sure they get everything right. Sure enough, they’ve proved their worth the second time around as well.”

Back in 2016 Yvonne wanted a new kitchen for her 1970s property, a home she describes as being stuck in a time-warp when she moved in. Having seen a friend’s Moir Wade kitchen before, she was sure the company knew their stuff, but was still surprised by the gulf between Moir Wade and other companies.

“I’d approached five companies including Moir Wade, and these were independent cabinet makers and kitchen companies, all professing to provide bespoke kitchens they weren’t multinational companies or builders’ merchants.”

“The worst experience was when one firm sent around a very young chap and I explained what I wanted, only for him to return having disregarded most of my preferences. Worse still, he’d ‘designed’ the whole kitchen but had forgotten to include an oven! There was absolutely nothing to cook on in his plan!”

“By contrast, my experience with Moir Wade has been the best working relationship I’ve ever had. They’re brilliant listeners, never pushy. Their designers are responsive to what the client says and they always understood the vision I had for my home.” >>

Opposite: Moir Wade created Yvonne’s dream kitchen six and a half years ago, and were commissioned this year to create her new bedroom, pictured over the page.

KITCHENS AND

>> “The attention to detail extended to taking my cutlery to their workshop to have a custom-designed 10-section cutlery drawer made, into which everything fits exactly, and to having a plywood template of the island the exact size and shape I thought I wanted sitting in my existing kitchen so I could live with it for three weeks.”

The cabinets in Yvonne’s kitchen are made of oak, some of which are painted in Farrow & Ball’s Stiffkey Blue. The boomerang-shaped island quite intentionally creates a ‘zone’ for cooking and one for socialising, enabling Yvonne to spend time with guests without them being in the business end of the room when she’s busy.

The company created the tall larder cupboard to Yvonne’s specifications including four drawers deep enough to accommodate bread and cereal boxes plus a shelf to accommodate the toaster and coffee machine. The door-shelves are enclosed to prevent little jars or loose stock cubes tumbling out, and there’s a tall, narrow cupboard to store large serving platters. Underneath this are three built-in chopping boards and two built-in trays which are all created in the same oak as the cabinetry.

Appliances are all Siemens an induction hob; warming drawer; steam oven; oven/microwave combo, plus fridge with separate drawer freezer – and the hardware is brushed nickel.

“It’s a fantastic kitchen. Six and a half years on, it still looks as good and works just as well. I wasn’t sure about the Stiffkey Blue shade at first but Jim encouraged me to trust him. I did, and I loved it then... but I love it even more now!”

“When I came to redesign my bedroom there was nobody else I’d trust and so I approached Moir Wade and the room was completed at the end of August. I’ve travelled to some beautiful places so my aim was to create a Caribbean hotel bedroom look light and airy with limed wood and some bright pops of colour.”

“The built-in wardrobes are all different inside; a half-and-half hanging one, a full-length hanging space, a half-height rail with four drawers and then one with four shelves. Inside the wardrobes are the same handles used elsewhere in the room. There’s internal light ing to make the contents easier to see, and the wardrobes match the two bedside cabinets which have the leads for phone chargers and bedside lights in-built, so there are no trailing cables.”

“Moir Wade created the headboard, upholstered in a chenille fabric, and designed and installed the walnut panelling behind it. There’s also a dressing table, with mirrored finish to reflect natural light upwards when I’m applying makeup. It all looks and works beautifully.”

“The install was amazing and the craftsmanship is superb, right down to details like achieving the right degree of limewashing. The company is a pleasure to deal with, and I’d have no hesitation in recommending them to anyone.” n

Find Out More: Moir Wade is based on Nelson Street, Syston, Leicester LE7 2JQ. Call 0116 269 5915 or see www.moirwade.co.uk for a free, no obligation, pressure selling-free discussion about your project.

OH! CHRISTMAS TREE

Get ready for the festive ritual of choosing a fresh, beautifully scented tree to decorate your home... this month we meet Gill Miller and the family at North Luffenham’s Digby Farm, home to enough Christmas trees to supply a quarter of Rutland’s homes!

IF YOU WERE to raise a glass of something festive to Gill Miller and family in the run up to Christmas, we’d suggest a toast that goes something along the lines of ‘may next year bring plenty of rain, and far fewer rabbits.’

There are about 20,000 households in Rutland and as Digby Farm harvests about 5,000 trees, a year, that’s the equivalent of one each for a quarter of all homes in the county. Of course, it’s not quite that simple, because Digby Farm’s customers also visit the place from Stamford, Leicester, Peterborough and even further afield. Nevertheless, if you find yourself admiring a really beautiful tree

somewhere in Rutland at some point over the festive season, there’s a good chance that if came from the North Luffenham Farm. The family supplies Wicksteed Park and Nene Valley with their monster trees, and also the tree that appears in the Market Place of Uppingham during Fatstock. But by far the most popular trees aren’t those which grow to 23ft, they’re the 6ft ones which many Rutlanders take home, usually on the last weekend of November so they can put up and decorate their tree ready for 1st December... which means Gill and the family are about to be very busy indeed. >>

Words: Rob Davis.

RUTLAND’S CHRISTMAS TREE FARM

>> “The soil isn’t ideal here, so we have to work quite hard, but we’ve been producing Christmas trees for the area since 1991,” says Gill.

“Christmas trees aren’t especially good for rotating with other arable crops, but we tend to leave a field fallow after we’ve harvested trees so that it can rest. Over the years, too, we’ve planted so many trees and incorpo rated back into the soil so much organic material, including tree roots from harvested trees, that the soil has become more acidic, which the trees love.”

“Rabbits are a pest, and we’d always like to have a bit more rain. This year has seen an exceptionally dry spring and summer which hasn’t been ideal.”

By far the biggest challenge of being a Christmas tree farm, beyond the obvious issue that your crop is only in demand once a year, is that trees take so long to grow... about a foot each year, in fact.

So when you take your 6ft Christmas tree home, it’s probably eight years old, having been established for a couple of years before shooting skyward for six years or so. The farm covers over 150 acres with about half of it dedicated just to Christmas trees.

“There’s no convenient or automatic way to irrigate the farm if we don’t get enough rain, so we’re at the mercy of nature a little in that respect, and neither is there an automated way to harvest them at this scale either. So it’s down to the team to venturing into the fields at this time of year with a chainsaw and a tractor & trailer to ensure we can keep the Christmas shop continually stocked with nice fresh trees.”

“We open to the public from about 25th November and it’s become a regular ritual for many people; the start of their festive season. They enjoy a walk through the fields, with a cup of coffee or a hot chocolate, and have a wander, just enjoying the scent of the trees and the fresh air.”

“Sometimes we’re asked to cut a specific tree for a customer but most of the time we’ve something of the right size and shape already cut. When we harvest we’re always selective, choosing trees which aren’t effected by pests and which have a nice healthy appearance and a good shape.”

“The best way to make a tree last through to Christmas is to make sure it’s fresh. We’re cutting daily throughout the season so ours are really as good and as fresh as they get.”

“Because the sap hasn’t sealed the base of our trees yet there’s no need to cut the bottoms off, just make sure they’re secured in a really good quality stand and given plenty of water.”

“As for our family, we don’t tend to put our tree up until 24th December. We’re completely exhausted by that time as we’re all so busy right up to Christmas itself, but we’ll also be on a real high, knowing that we’ve helped to make so many people’s Christmas really special!” n

BRANCHING OUT: Exploring Different Tree Species...

NORWAY SPRUCE

Traditional, slightly spikier Christmas tree, with the freshest coniferous scent. Tends to have a really good shape, and broad, bushy base. Prone to needle-drop, so keep it in a cool place. n

NORDMANN FIR

The Nordmann Fir has become one of the more popular varieties in recent years with softer needles and excellent needle retention. There’s much less scent but more tolerance to heat. Less green, with a more white/blue hue. n

SCOTCH PINE

Much longer needles, with a wonderful scent and good needle retention. Ideal as larger trees as it’s quite bushy, and for those seeking a Christmas tree which may have pine cones growing on its branches. n

Find Out More: Digby Farm has been selling Christmas trees to the public for 30 years from their family Christmas tree farm and its Christmas shop, located in North Luffenham, LE15 8LF. Call 01780 678508 or see www.digbyfarm.co.uk.

LOOKING AFTER YOUR TREE...

1.

Buy a top quality, fresh tree...

If you want a Christmas centrepiece that can withstand more than a few weeks in your home, shopping with quality in mind is a priority. When checking the health of a tree you can also try tapping the cut end to the ground, a few falling needles is expected, but if lots fall off without much movement, it’s time to find another!

2. Trim your trunk... You shouldn’t need to do this at all if your tree has been freshly cut, but once you get your tree home, saw half an inch off the trunk. This will rid your tree of any hardened sap and make sure it can absorb lots of water to stay fresh and green throughout your festivities. If you don't have the tools available to do it yourself, ask your friendly local Christmas tree seller!

3. Keep your tree waterered... Water is key to keeping your tree alive throughout the festive season. Make sure you choose a sturdy stand that can hold a good amount of liquid. Your Christmas tree needs to be kept in water at all times, so finding a base with a good well that you can access is important. Check your tree’s water source every day, you'll be surprised just how thirsty they can be, drinking upwards of 2-3 pints a day! Make sure the trunk is nicely submerged for happy and healthy needles.

4. Forget the Gimmicks... You might have been told that Coca-Cola or some other house hold staple in the base helps to keep your tree alive. Don’t fall for it! Your beautiful tree just wants a constant supply of fresh water, it’s that simple.

5. Not too hot, not too cold... Your tree’s natural habitat at this time of year is out in the cold air; minimise the shock of the relocation. Constant heat or fluctuating temperatures can dry your tree out very quickly and if you're planning to put your tree up very early this year, it’s vital you keep it away from direct heat.

Words: Forestry England.

I’M DREAMING OF A GREEN CHRISTMAS

THE HOLLY & THE IVY, AND LOTS OF OTHER FESTIVE FOLIAGE TOO...

Ivy is often mischaracterised, accused of strangling trees or damaging buildings, a sort of clingy, misunderstood vandal. Research by English Heritage has shown that in some cases, ivy can help preserve stonework on old buildings. In fact, this woody, evergreen, much maligned, supports over 50 species of wildlife and lives symbiotically with other trees. There are two sub-species; Hedera helix and Hedera hibernica. The latter doesn’t climb, but

rather spreads across the ground. Mature plants produce flowers from September to November and there are few habitats or conditions in which it doesn’t thrive – sometimes a little too quickly for some gardeners’ preferences. The association of ivy with Christmas celebrations dated back to the Pagans but was adopted by Christians in medieval times. Sharp’s English Folk-Carols (1911) was the first published version of the song The Holly and The Ivy. n

CHEERFUL

POINSETTIAS

Poinsettias are a Christmas classic and an obvious choice to have brightening up your home during the festive season. Many are grown locally, at Spalding, for instance, just down the road from Stamford. The reason that poinsettias thrive during Christmas is because they’re tropical plants and so if you’re placing one on a windowsill, make sure it’s not touching the glass, since the cold will damage it almost immediately. Never overwater poinsettias or leave them sitting in water, and make sure their pots have good drainage. n

Mistletoe is hemiparasitic, meaning it gains much of its nutrition and water from its host in order to photosynthesise. There are 900 species worldwide, but only European mistletoe (Viscum album) is native to the UK.

Mistletoe prefers cultivated apple trees but will also grow on hawthorn, poplar and lime, meaning orchards and churchyards are its most common home. It wasn’t until the 1700s that the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe was established, with a belief that the plant symbolised fertility and romance. n

Shakespeare reckoned that a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. Well, The Christmas Rose is in fact a hellebore, also known as a Lenten rose, because they flower from late winter into spring. Hellebores actually belong to the buttercup family. What’s in a name? Very little we reckon! n

BECOME A HOLLY BUDDY...

A festive favourite, holly is a dioecious plant, meaning it has separate male and female plants.

Much more common prior to enclosure, the ancient forests of the Midlands were cleared of vast swathes of holly following the 1803 act. Still, mature holly trees can stretch up to 15 metres tall and live for 300 years.

Holly is a staple food to over 30 species, including Britain’s five thrush species, which eat holly berries and disperse the seed when excreting digested berries.

There are more than 400 varieties of holly – whose Latin name is Ilex – with many different shapes, degrees of prickliness and with variegated varieties too.

Bushes grow best in moist well-drained soil, and are tolerant of either sun or shade. Berries are produced on female plants from autumn until mid-winter. Both genders produce white flowers with four petals, but male plants have more prominent stamens, whilst females flowers produce the berries. If you’re planting holly in your garden, be sure to have at least one male plant in close proximity to female plants.

Holly leaves and berries reflect the light and add colour to the dark days of Yule, and it’s the red berries’ asso ciation with blood and spiky leaves, too, that has led to an association with Christian tradition. In Celtic mythology the Holly King ruled over the half of the year from the summer to the winter solstice. At this time the Oak King defeated the Holly King to rule for the time until the summer solstice. n

Lesser known facts about this festive favourite

The Zero Carbon Myth

Can we achieve net zero carbon by 2050, given the planning regime and Conservation planning rules? We ask Roy Wakeman OBE, Chairman of The New Window Company

We are led to believe that there are 9m existing homes that require home improvement work that will insulate them from the vagaries of our winter weather and thereby reducing energy consumption as described by all the leading politicians and was a key component of COP 26, and the aim to achieve net zero carbon by 2050.

By our standards some 25 to 30% of these homes come under conservation planning rules as set out by English Heritage and their devolved equivalents in the rest of the UK. Included in the scope of the planning rules and rigidly kept to by most local authorities is the fenestra tion including windows and doors. The vast majority of these are products made from timber and more than often historic box sash windows.

The condition of most of these are in a bad way and were made in times when the performance of the products to reduce noise, energy consumption and pro vide security was not a major consideration.

Today modern manufacturing methods and the treatment of the timber component are such that compliance under the building regulations for these key performance standards is a given.

The condition or the existing windows and doors is such that most leak air and water, provide no comfort for

thermal efficiency and as a result will not help to reduce energy costs. They are normally single glazed putty lined.

The modern window has energy efficient features and can include a slim double-glazed unit 14mm for the her itage market, paint finishes that can be warranted for 12 years and have proven through lifetime cost analysis to have a life expectancy of 65 years.

With our supply chain partner Timber Windows.com we provide a collection of specially designed windows and doors that have gained positive feedback and planning approval from planning authorities across the UK.

When presented to the home they are an exact replica of the existing products but have a slightly heavier section to carry the performance characteristics so do not detract from the period design the houses are meant to maintain.

But approval from the planning authorities does not come readily and homeowners wanting to improve the thermal efficiency, security and sound insulation will find a sensible discussion with the planning authority to explain the features of the products will generally win approval.

The end result will provide protection for the maintenance of the Heritage state of the home whilst providing all the benefits of modern performance in Security, thermal and sound insulation. n

Find Out More: Modern Timber Windows made by the UK’s recognised market leader Timber Windows.com are available from: The New Window Company Ltd., and have extensive showrooms with full size displays at Elms Barns, Frieston Heath, Caythorpe Lincolnshire, NG32 3HD. Telephone 01400 272538, www.newwindow.co.uk.

FARM’S HERD OF REINDEER

DEERLY BELOVED

Nick Dean and family enjoy bringing festive joy to the area... with more than a little help from their herd of adorable reindeer!

Words: Rob Davis.

THERE ARE FEW SIGHTS more festive, or as jolly as a reindeer. For decades they’ve been inspiring wide-eyed awe as children look upon them as Santa Claus’s magical friends. But for one local family, their appeal goes much further, with Nick & Steph Dean en joying a great bond with their herd of 22 reindeer on their 14-acre farm near Oundle. “Welfare. Welfare above and before anything else,” says Nick, as he completes the ritual of the morning feed. “When you spend as much time around the animals you know instinctively whether they’re happy or not, long before they show any signs, and we can definitely vouch for the fact that our girls are really happy.”

“At this time of year we’re really busy taking them to schools, markets and other events, but when they’ve had one day out they’re always rested the next day, and at the events they’re always really happy to see people and enjoy being stroked.”

It was back in 1939 that Chicago department store and mail order business Montgomery Ward was enduring the worldwide downturn in the economy we would come to know as The Great Depression, with finances tight and many expecting a fairly bleak Christmas... doesn’t sound familiar at all, does it? >>

Above: Nick, Steph and ‘the girls’ with Olly Murs and Lorraine Kelly.

Nick and Steph provided reindeer for an appearance on EastEnders last year!

“We make TV appearances, and attend winter weddings with the girls, and of course people love to see them at Christmas, so we’ll be in Stamford this season!”

>> Montgomery Ward’s boss at the time enlisted advertising man Robert L May to create a story that could serve as the flagship element of their Christmas campaign, to cheer customers up and encourage them to part with their money.

In 1821, a poem called Old Santeclaus with Much Delight had already been published in New York, written anonymously, but attributed to its publisher William Gilley. This was the first time that Santa Claus or Saint Nicholas (who actually originated from Turkey) had been placed in a colder climate and associated with caribou and sleigh as a means of transportation.

Robert L May took the story a little further with the story of a red-nosed reindeer who saved Christmas... and his boss hated it.

He reckoned that the story implied Rudolph had been drinking, and so needed much convincing. Thankfully, he and May decided to publish the story nonetheless, and the resulting book sold 2,000,000 copies. The association between both reindeer and Christmas had been secured, and some time

later, 13 years ago in fact, Nick’s long-stand ing fascination with the animals led him to take on his first reindeer.

“There can’t be many more than 30 reindeer keepers across the UK, and most only have a few of them, so I reckon we probably have one of the largest herd in the UK. We’re definitely unique in the area and we’re often requested to take the girls further than the hour or so radius that we choose to work in. We’ve three bulls now, and 19 cows... alongside our rheas, emus, alpacas, llamas, and camels!”

>>

Above: Nick and Steph enjoy taking their 22 reindeer out around the festive season and will appear at Mole Valley Stores in Stamford on 15th December as well as visiting the Danish Invader pub, date TBC.

“There can’t be many more than 30 reindeer keepers in the UK, and most only have a few of them, so we probably have one of the largest herd in the UK...”

“Adult reindeer can weigh between 60-150kg. They can measure up to 240cm long and they’re really strong and fast. A 6-10kg calf can easily outrun a man!”

>> “They’re not easy animals to keep, perhaps because they’re less common. In the wild they’d walk about 100 miles a day and in temperatures down to -30°c or -40°c. The climate here is quite different, and so are their nutritional requirements as a result.”

“We have to use particular reindeer pellets as feed and purchase a special grade of reindeer lichen 18 pallets of it in fact to ensure they remain healthy. In addition, they’ll eat hay and grass, and they’re hardy enough to live outside all year round.”

“Unlike roe, muntjac or fallow deer, reindeer (caribou) are the only species of deer whose females grow antlers. In January the boys lose their antlers but the girls will retain them until spring. They’ll usually give birth to their young in May and their antlers will grow back in summer at a rate of about 2cm a day. These are covered in a velvet skin which they scrape off, leaving behind solid bone.”

“About the same time, the boys enter rutting season and can get quite nasty as the hormones kick in and they get ready to breed in September. In spring they moult their thick hollow hair and are left with just soft fur, then their outer coat grows back in autumn.”

“Adult reindeer can weigh between 60-150kg. They can measure up to 240cm long and they’re really strong and fast. A 6-10kg calf can easily outrun a man!”

“We attend about 50 events a year, a few for filming assignments, plus school visits and then appearances for Christmas lights switch-ons Christmas fairs and so on which help us to cover the cost of their feed and vets’ bills. But they’re pets, not profit. They’ve individual characters, from Snowflake and Coraline, who are really placid, to the slightly more ‘hyper’ Mary. But we do really enjoy looking after them and introduc ing them to people, especially children over the festive season, is really quite incredible!” n

Find Out More: Nick and Steph Dean are based at Woodbine Farm near Oundle. Their 22-strong herd of reindeer are available for appearances for winter weddings and Christmas events... Nick also has a snow machine for hire to create the ultimate winter wonderland! See www.woodbinereindeer.co.uk.

BMW

TAKES ON RANGE ROVER with its

BMW XM Plug-In Hybrid

With a starting price just shy of £149,000 and plug-in hybrid technology, the BMW XM is the most advanced car the company has ever built, and represents the brand’s new flagship...

IF, LIKE CHRIS REA, you’re driving home for Christmas, you’re probably surrounded by beautifully-wrapped gifts, bags of food and bottles of wine, a great big turkey... and perhaps you also have a whopping great Christmas tree strapped to your roof rack or poking through between the two front seats. If, in such circumstances, you find yourself short on cabin space, passenger space or boot space, fear not as BMW has the answer.

The XM is BMW’s new flagship plug-in hybrid SUV. It’s enormous. At 5,110mm it’s nearly as long as a long-wheelbase Range Rover and 10cm longer than the standard model. It’s about as wide, too, and weighs in at about 2.8 tonnes, matching the Range Rover almost kilo for kilo. It’s also frightfully expensive, at £148,635.

For your money, the whopping flagship BMW is powered by a 4.4 litre eight-cylinder engine mated to a plug-in hybrid system generating 800Nm torque, 653hp and facilitating 51 miles of electric-only range.

The car has five seats no seven seat option, like the new Range Rover but with seats folded, the XM has a potential luggage space of 1,820 litres, which for reference is about six times the size of a Ford Focus with its rear seats in place... so plenty of room for all of that festive collateral.

With five seats in place, the car provides 527 litres of space, which is perhaps a bit bigger than a Range Rover Sport. Clearly the packaging here is about accommodating both a plug-in hybrid powertrain, but also a vast interior with plenty of space. Luxury is the aim, here and that extends to the beauti ful materials throughout the cabin.

Exclusive vintage leather in contrasting tan, an illuminated headliner a sort of in-car aurora borealis plus comfort cushions for rear passengers and carbon fibre trim all create an interior which befits the car’s price tag.

Doubtless the XM is a very large, very smart and sophisticated flagship, but it’ll need to be. At this price, it’s not just competing with Audi or Mercedes, but now brands like Range Rover and Bentley, too. n

THE DETAILS BMW XM

Price: £145,885 (available to order now, deliveries spring 2023).

Powertrains: 4.4 litre V8, 653hp, 800Nm torque, plus 30kWh electric motor.

Performance: Top speed 155mph, 0-60mph 4.3secs. Electric range 51 miles, WLTP 176.mpg.

Equipment: Heated seats, steering wheel, armrests, massaging seats. Wireless phone charging, adaptive cruise with steering, surround view camera, 14.9” display, 21” alloy wheels, illuminated headliner, vintage leather. n

CURRENT VACANCIES

Location: Boston Enterprise Centre, Endeavour Park, Boston, Lincolnshire, PE21 7TW

Full time, permanent, 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. No weekend work.

Heading up our team is an exciting role with plenty of scope for personal growth. We’re looking for an organised, hard-working individual to oversee our professional team, as they produce the area’s best county magazines, and grow the UK’s number one wedding website, UKbride. HR, ideas generation and experience of motivating and managing a sales team essential, as is fluency in Excel. Knowledge of Sage accounts workflow an advantage.

We are seeking a Bookkeeper & Accounts Manager to work across our county magazines, and our national wedding website, UKbride. You’ll have knowledge of Sage 50cloud Accounts plus efficient and accurate organisation skills, and good working knowledge of Excel. Tasks include credit control, sales and purchase ledger, bank reconciliation and preparation of wages, as well as general office management/administration duties.

We’re looking to grow our team of Customer Service Advisors and to recruit four members of staff to work across our county magazines and the UK’s number one wedding website. You’ll be joining a friendly, fun, hard-working and happy team, so the ideal candidates must demonstrate confidence and determination plus excellent verbal communication skills and should be methodical, accurate and hard-working.

JUST SOME OF OUR GENEROUS BENEFITS: Exciting career with a friendly, professional team. • No weekend work, no late nights.

• 25 days holiday, all bank holidays paid for. • Ongoing training with opportunities to progress your career within the business. • Workplace pension.

• Modern air-conditioned offices with free parking. • Free unlimited tea, coffee and juice, use of kitchen, microwave, fridge and break-out area.

If you’re the ideal candidate then send your CV to our Managing Director, Julian Wilkinson julian@pridemagazines.co.uk with covering letter. Pride Magazines, Boston Enterprise Centre, Endeavour Park, Boston, Lincolnshire PE21 7TW. www.pridemagazines.co.uk.

Rutland & Stamford Pride and its sister title Lincolnshire Pride are the number one magazines in their areas, providing the highest quality editorial content and photographs for our affluent readership.

Raising a Glass to 100 years of

Oakham RFC

OAKHAM RFC recently welcomed over 200 guests to mark the beginning of its centenary with a black tie dinner in a marqee at its Rutland Showground clubhouse. The club’s President, Chris Burton hosted the event, with VIP guests including the club’s honorary life members, life members, the former RFU President Peter Wheeler and speakers including John Inverdale and John Duggan.

Oakham Rugby Football Club was formed at a meeting called by several masters from Oakham School on January 19th 1923, the club has grown considerably and for the last seven years, it has been situated just off the Oakham bypass at The Rutland Showground.

“We’re a welcoming, inclusive and friendly club,” says Barbara Crellin, “With excellent facilities and great support from across the community! We’re looking forward to a year of celebrations including our Centenary Ball on 10th June.” n

Images: Alan Walters Photography, 07568 737152, www.waltersphoto.co.uk.

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

A selection of beautiful, luxurious and comfortable nightwear and loungewear to ensure you’re sound asleep when Santa arrives to drop off your gifts...

A selection of beautiful, luxurious and comfortable nightwear and loungewear to ensure sound when Santa arrives to drop off your gifts...

Scallop-trim silk nightie in ivory £129.

At Market Place Dental Practice, we are an independent local dental practice situated in the heart of Rutland, Uppingham established in 1994. We are focused upon providing holistic and preventative treatments to all our patients whilst using the latest in innovative technology. We pride ourselves on being a long-standing member of the local community and this is evident in our ethos to promote good oral health and hygiene.

TEETH STRAIGHTENING IN UPPINGHAM

With continuous advances in technology, orthodontic treatment is becoming more popular. The traditional metal braces and clear brace aligners like Invisalign are the top choices for straightening teeth.

FIXED BRACES

Fixed braces are made up of small brackets attached to each individual tooth and connected by a wire. Thicker wires are placed and adjusted overtime, creating a gentle pressure which gradually aligns your teeth to the desired position.

INVISALIGN

Invisalign offers more comfort and convenience with removable plastic aligners that can be taken out to eat, drink, brush your teeth, and floss. Invisalign aligners are virtually invisible when they are being worn, so you can carry out your daily routine with confidence.

FACIAL AESTHETICS IN UPPINGHAM

Sometimes just a subtle change can make all the difference. At Market Place Dental Practice we offer facial aesthetic treatments to rejuvenate your appearance to bring back your smile.

ANTI-WRINKLE INJECTIONS: The toxin is known to help your body ‘naturally’ retrain itself to help further reduce such things as frown lines.

DERMAL FILLER INJECTIONS: When injected with a very fine needle into the crease line, the gel creates volume under the wrinkles, lifting up and smoothing out lines.

Cosmetics for Christmas

HEALTH & WELL-BEING PRODUCTS TO PUT UNDERNEATH YOUR OWN TREE, OR TO TREAT A LOVED ONE!

1. The gold standard for hair from GHD...

With a dazzling Champagne gold finish and red storage case, GHD’s haircare duo doesn’t just look fantastic, each of its appliances are top performers too. The Helios dryer provides 120km airflow, independently controlled airflow and temperature, plus ionic technology for 30% more shine.

The firm’s Smart Straighteners have high-gloss plates for 64% more shine. £419/set.

2. Lunar Lip Colour

For kissing under the mistletoe, Charlotte Tilbury has perfected her Lunar New Year matte lip colour, shown here in festive K-Romance shade. Softens and conditions lips, and remains kiss-proof for impeccable colour all season long, £28/3.5g.

3. Precision Eyeliner

NARS makes it easier than ever to create stunning eyes, lined with unprecedented precision, thanks to its Liquid Eyeliner shown here in Explicit Black shade. In addition to its deep matte pigment, it’s designed to last 16 hours without smudging, £22/0.4ml

4. A Glossy Christmas

For stunning nails, Gucci’s Vernis À Ongles Nail Polish shown here in Goldie Red provides a brilliant and intense high shine, and up to four days of long-wear. Beautifully formulated to glide evenly and cover effortlessly, and available in 10 different shades, £24, 19ml.

5. A Christmas gift courtesy of Estée Lauder...

Estée Lauder’s biggest, most beautiful collection to date includes seven of the brand’s full-size favourites such as Advanced Night Repair Serum and so much more. £398.98 or just £70 when you spend more than £50 on Estée Lauder at Coneys Department Store, Spalding PE11 1TB.

6. The Luxury Advent Calendar from Space NK

every day in the lead up to Christmas thanks to Space NK, whose ‘25 Days of Beauty’ advent calendar includes brands like Charlotte Tilbury, Caudelie, Sisley and La Mer. Available in Stamford and

£215 from High Street, Stamford or www.space

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

White Christmas Wedding

From The White House to a White Wedding during a White Christmas. The festive nuptials of Britt Elmes and Matt Bailey last December were amazing, particularly as two special guests, Snowflake and Tash, made a surprise appearance!

Wedding Photographer: Rob Smith, Milk Wood Photography, 07825 279228, www.milkwoodphotography.co.uk.

MOST OF US like Christmas, but Matt and Britt love it. That’s why, when they chose to marry, there was only one time of the year that appealed.

Matt says that they both love to think differently, to really push the boat out... and that eccentricity, we reckon, is an inherently British trait. Unfortunately, for the proposal, Matt had to negotiate the rather more straight-laced and rather less idiosyncratic American guys in one of the world’s most famous buildings.

“We met through work and at the time we were both nursing broken hearts. Gradually we became really good friends and then friendship blossomed into romance,” says Britt. “We got together in about 2016 and Matt had floated the idea of marriage to a generally favourable conclusion!”

The couple wanted to burn through some American Express points and tick a few destinations off their bucket list, and so they embarked on a trip to America and Japan.

The former seemed like a better destination for a proposal but the destinations of Times Square, the Empire State Building, Disney World and Niagara Falls had all been used to exhaustion.

There have only been a couple of proposals, however, at The White House in DC. That’s probably because in order to pop the question there, you have to deal with some rather hefty and very serious Secret Service guys: dark suits, dark glasses, discreet earpieces and concealed firearms... theirs is not exactly a profession known for its sense of levity.

“Visitors aren’t generally allowed and it’s not something the British Embassy are too both ered to involve themselves in, but fortunately I was able to make contact with a local

WEDDING SUPPLIERS

BRITT & MATT BAILEY

congresswoman and we ended up with an appointment to view the East Wing,” says Matt. “Unfortunately, there was still the small matter of smuggling a metal ring past a modestly-sized army of some firearmswielding staff and their X-Ray machines.”

Deciding that in this case honesty would probably be better than attempted deception, Matt had a very discreet word with the aforementioned Secret Service and told them he had a concealed engagement ring. They assisted in separating him from Britt and in preserving the surprise.

Wedding Ceremony and Reception: The Talbot Hotel, Oundle, 01832 273621, www.talbothotel.co.uk.

Wedding Dress: Ditsy Rose, Nuneaton, 0800 2461985 www.ditsyrose.com.

Groomswear: A Farley, Kibworth Harcourt, 0116 410 5440, www.afarley.co.uk.

Wedding Flowers: Eden Floral, Thrapston, 01832 359139, www.flowersfromeden.co.uk.

Wedding Cake: 01525 716236, www.iceddelightscakes.co.uk. Reindeer/Snow Machine: 07973 165865, www.woodbinereindeer.co.uk.

Photographer/Videographer: Milk Wood Photography, milkwoodphoto@gmail.com, www.milkwoodphotography.co.uk. n

“I think it was at the third layer of security that a security guard purred ‘calm down, son,’ in a Transatlantic drawl, as I was obviously getting nervous and looking suspicious! I tried to leave my bag with a security guard in the corner of the room which didn’t go down well but happily, one of them implored his colleague to ‘C’mon, maaan,’ and I was able to propose. Almost immediately it was all over The White House, discreetly whispered into earpieces.”

Back in Britain the home of wet weather and dry humour the couple decided that only a Christmas wedding would do. They both loved the idea of somewhere amazing and festive... but having considered Lapland, a remote castle and various other places, the logistics were already confounding.

“When we found The Talbot in Oundle we nearly screamed. It had history, thick walls, open fires, it was perfect! We had a look around and were really impressed.”

Britt found her fit and flare dress from Ditsy Rose from one of its 500 dresses. Matt’s suits country attire supplier A Farley of Kibworth Harcourt, and they opted for a forest green highlight colour, rather than the usual red of other Christmas weddings.

>> Wedding flowers were provided by Eden Floral of Thrapston, including luxurious romantic roses but also seasonal and rela tively inexpensive pine cones and berries to provide extra volume.

The choice of menu for the couple’s wedding breakfast was easy: who doesn’t love Christmas dinner? Meanwhile, Iced Delights supplied a three-tiered cake comprising a Christmas cake layer, and an apple and cinnamon sponge and a white chocolate and raspberry tier.

Any other element to make the day special? Reindeer. And as luck would have it, Steph and Nick of Woodbine Farm were able to provide Snowflake and Tash, a couple of reindeer from their 17-strong flock. The couple also hire out snow machines and so they were able to guarantee a white Christmas for the couple’s day. It also created some spectacular photographic opportunities for Rob Smith to capture. Alongside his colleague, Ravi, the two produced photos and a wedding video for what must have been one of the most exciting weddings they’ve ever shot. In fact, the couple were so thrilled with their images that they became friends with Rob and have kept in touch ever since.

“We managed to reschedule our original date for a year down the line after Covid interfered. We didn’t get to go on honeymoon either so we’ve decided to owe ourselves a deferred one to Singapore, Sydney, Rara tonga, Aitutaki, Moorea, Bora Bora and LA. For now though, we’re looking forward not just to a lovely family Christmas with our kids, Aurora and Madison the first Christmas we’ve had off together in years but also to our first anniversary!”

“It was a pretty special day, and so much better by virtue of the fact that it took place so close to Christmas!” says Britt. “We loved every single moment of the whole day and wouldn’t have changed a thing!” n

Wedding Photographer: Rob Smith, Milk Wood Photography, 07825 279228, www.milkwoodphotography.co.uk.