Rutland Pride May 2014

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MAY

MAY

2014

THE BEST OF

MAY 2014

RUTLAND & STAMFORD EVERY SINGLE MONTH

RutlandPride

RutlandPride T H E

N U M B E R

O N E

M A G A Z I N E

COVERING RUTLAND AND STAMFORD

A WHOLE SUMMER OF FAMILY FUN IN RUTLAND

A Bard Influence with

Shakespeare at Tolethorpe Restaurant of the Month

WHITE HORSE EMPINGHAM Executive

Homes

Grand Days Out for the Family in

Peterborough

2014

Spring Dining

Fashion

Nostalgia

Super puddings in Rutland

Cavells on the catwalk

The halcyon age of steam

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£3.70

M AY

LARGEST EXECUTIVE PROPERTY SECTION IN THE COUNTY

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RutlandPride T H E n u M b E r o n E MAG A z inE

Welcome to May’s Rutland Pride! It’s nearly summer, which means it’s nearly time for the Rutland Show look out for our exclusive preview in this edition, and if spending time out and about in the county suits you as much as it suits us, you’ll want to read our feature later in this edition about Active Rutland’s Walking and Cycling festival this month.

This month’s cover: Alwalton Hall, currently on the market with Smiths Gore on St Martins, Stamford - call 01780 484696, or see our Executive Property pages, starting on page 10.

Pride Magazines Elm Grange Studios East Heckington, boston Lincolnshire PE20 3QF

In this issue we enjoy a bygone journey from the age of steam on one of the area’s heritage railways, and meet Tolethorpe Hall’s actors rehearsing for the Stamford Shakespeare Company’s new season.

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

Elsewhere, we’ve an artisan producer of the finest spring lamb you’ll ever taste, we enjoy a trip to two of the county’s most formidable pub restaurants, and we’ve recipes and wine for the most discerning food fanatic!

www.facebook.com/rutlandpride Why not follow us on Facebook? You can keep up to date with any news we may have for our lovely magazine! twitter.com/@RutlandPride Follow us on Twitter so you can read our tweets. We’ll let you know what’s going on and keep you well informed!

Enjoy!

by supplying editorial or adverts to rutland Pride you accept in full the terms and conditions which can be found online at www.pridemagazines.co.uk. in the event of an advert or editorial being published incorrectly, where Pride Magazines Ltd admits fault, we will include an advert of equivalent size, or equivalent sized editorial, free of charge to be used in a future edition, at our discretion. This gesture is accepted as full compensation for the error(s) with no refunds available.

With best wishes from the Rutland Pride team...

Publisher: Julian Wilkinson. General Manager: ian bagley.

Executive Editor: rob Davis. Features Editor: Ceri Jackson Customer Care Manager: Mandy bray. Accounts Manager: Sue bannister.

Sales Manager: zoie Wilkinson. Sales Executives: Jayne broughton, Elaine Hall, Liz King, Carissa Clay, rachel Jones, Emily brown, Sami Millard, Andy Taylor, Lauren Chambers, Chloe Griffiths, Emma barrett, Hayley Scott.

Sales Support: Jo Leadbitter, Amy Whiley, Emily rippin. Distribution Manager: Paul Dixon.

Enjoy rutland Pride, read it cover to cover.

Pick it up, put it down and when you have finished with it pass it on. When everyone has had a good read, pop it in the recycle bin!

Carving

Steaming

Eating

Clothing

The story behind Clipsham stone, one of the county’s most underrated local products.

The forgotten age of steam rediscovered with a trip to one of the area’s heritage railways.

Delicious meals out at Empingham’s lovely White Horse and Exton’s superb Fox & Hounds.

Exclusive images from Oakham retailer Cavells, who hosted their spring/summer fashion show recently.

SPrinG 2014

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CountyNews

Send your press releases and county news to: Rob Davis via editor@pridemagazines.co.uk.

Ospreys return to Rutland’s nature reserve from Senegal...

World Osprey Week in March co-incided with the return of Rutland’s translocated birds to the county’s reservoir

NB: File Photo.

Rutland’s ospreys are returning to the county as Pride goes to press, having completed a spectacular 3,500 mile journey from West Africa back to Rutland.

The return to Rutland has become an annual event since the area’s Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust’s translocation project began, back in 1996, with the release of 64 birds over a five year period.

The project, based at the Lyndon and Manton Bay reserves saw the first returns the county in 1999 and the first breeding in 2001.

The birds migrate to countries like Gambia and Senegal and remain in Rutland until late August or early September, returning to the UK from mid-March.

As Pride goes to press, four birds

Oakham’s new choir hits the right note...

Oakham School backs the newly proposed free school in Rutland...

Oakham’s Diana de Wet has started a new choir, which meets at the town’s Buttercross Café Wednesday nights from 7pm.

Harington School will be the county’s new sixth form

The choir performs everything from popular to light classical music and Diana has an additional group, The Rejuvenating Choir, which meets on a Tuesday evening and will perform a WWI commemoration at Kendrew Barracks on 15th June.

Diana is also hoping to form a choir for partially sighted or deaf participants, known as a sensory choir.

Anyone interested in becoming involved with the groups should call Diana on 07756002966 or email dewgroveuk@hotmail.co.uk.

were back in the county, with a fifth making an appearance whilst we were talking to the centre’s Paul Stammers.

The journey takes between 14 and 21 days with the birds flying an average of 250 miles a day.

“A total of 62 young Ospreys have now fledged from nests around Rutland Water.” says Paul.

“As part of the Osprey Flyways Project we are also organising the inaugural World Osprey Week (WOW). It’s an exciting opportunity for schools to follow the amazing migratory journeys of satellitetagged ospreys and to make contact with other schools on the migratory flyways.

For more on the project and to view live webcam feeds, see www.ospreys.org.uk.

Oakham School will join Catmose College and Uppingham Community College to sponsor Harington School, Rutland’s new proposed sixth form free school.

Nigel Lashbrook, Headmaster at Oakham School, said: “We are delighted to be a part of the proposed new academic Sixth Form provision. Harington School really will give all young people in Rutland the opportunity and choice they deserve to develop academically, and to gain access to a leading university.”

The proposal to set up Harington School has, until now, been led by the Principals of Catmose College and UCC - Stuart Williams and Jan Turner - following concerns that many pupils, after studying at their own schools, leave the county to study A-Levels.

The location of the proposed school has not yet been agreed.

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CountyNews Stamford’s new logo as part of new town branding project...

Tim Nicol has applied his experience of branding to other towns and villages, notably Tideswell in the Peak District as part of the BBC1 programme Village SOS.

Stamford has gained a new logo as part of efforts by the Stamford Town Team to create a consistant branding for the town. The team is a volunteer group that consists of retailers, councillors, and experts with skills to offer, and one of its objectives is to enhance Stamford’s attractiveness as a premier location both for pleasure and business.

South Kesteven District Council and Stamford Town Council have both been involved in the process and are supportive, so it’s hoped they will adopt the logo in their materials and marketing efforts.

Send your press releases and county news to: Rob Davis via editor@pridemagazines.co.uk.

For more information on the branding see www.visitstamford.com/townteam.

Three of the Town Team members, Giselle Brannan, of Chameleon Boutique, Jenny Fitzpatrick of The Fine Food Store, and Tim Nicol of marketing consultancy MIH, have been working on the branding and marketing of the town, with the aim of producing a logo that can be used and displayed consistently.

Adventurer Sarah returns to Rutland before continuing her epic adventure

A winter of content for star of Sochi, Jade Etherington...

Olympics star Jade returns to the Stamford area with silverware for the area following paralympic success...

Rutland adventurer Sarah Outen returned to the county last month to give a talk at Stamford Arts Centre entitled Pacific 2.0. The talk is an update on the progress Sarah is making on her attempt to circumnavigate the world using human power alone; cycling, kayaking and rowing. Sarah is hoping to raise £100,000 for her four charities; CoppaFeel, The Jubilee Sailing Trust, MND Association and WaterAid. For more information on her progress or to donate, see www.sarahouten.com.

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Local skier Jade Etherington, from Bourne, near Stamford, returned to the county a hero recently after winning four medals in the Winter Paralympics held in Sochi.

Jade is 23 and has just five percent of her vision, yet still hurtles down mountains at speeds in excess of 50mph aided by Caroline Powell.

Jade and Caroline achieved silver medals in the downhill, slalom and super combined events and bronze in the super-g event.

“We’re really happy and I am delighted with the silver medals. I don’t think it’s sunk in yet.” said Jade after being awarded her first medals.

“We knew going down that it was a solid run, despite my little jump and crash at the end, but I think I was just pleased to get down and it is

great to have that confidence boost for the rest of the competition.”

“We’ve had so much support from everyone, especially our parents and family, and we just want to thank them.”

Since competing in the paralympics she has appeared on ITV’s Daybreak and have been to 10 Downing Street to meet David Cameron.

Returning home though, Jade has said it’s the little things she’s missed, tweeting images of a cooked breakfast with the caption ‘how I’ve missed you!’

“Sochi has definitely been an unforgettable experience.” she said.

Jade is now planning to teach geography following the completion of her placement at her sixth form school.

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CountyNews

Send your press releases and county news to: Rob Davis via editor@pridemagazines.co.uk.

Artists sought for Langham ‘Art for Heart’s Sake’ event Burley on the Hill artist Rosemary Lorkings is appealing for artists to take part in a July exhibition.

Rosemary is hoping to raise money for the children’s heart charity Chain of Hope, by staging the exhibition at St Peter and St Paul’s Church in Langham from 4th-6th July.

from artists willing to be charged a small exhibition fee, plus 10% of the money from sales.

“I wanted an event that would appeal across the board and that was something different for the village.”

“I’m interested in arts and crafts myself and thought it would be something nice for people to get involved in.” she adds.

For more information see www.artforhearts.co.uk.

“Art For Heart’s Sake is an Exhibition and Sale for local artists and I hope that it will be enjoyed by many and will raise lots of money for Chain of Hope, my chosen charity.” says Rosemary.

Father and son planning to run London Marathon for the memory of John...

The exhibition will coincide with the 50th anniversary of her own paediatric heart operation, and is inviting entries into the exhibition

Oldrids and Downtown raises more than £20,000 for Marie Curie charity

Karl & Charlie raising money for Willow Foundation, helping young people with life-threatening illnesses Local housebuilder Karl Hick, chief executive of Larkfleet Group, is tackling the Virgin Money London Marathon as Pride goes to press, alongside eldest son Charlie, to raise money for The Willow Foundation.

The Willow Foundation offers ‘special days' for 16 to 40 year olds with serious or life-threatening illnesses. These special days - which can be anything from just a quiet holiday to experiences such as balloon flights and car racing aim to help these young adults escape the pressures of their daily routine and share quality time with family or friends.

“I’m running the marathon to support the fantastic work the Willow Foundation does to make a difference to young people’s lives.”

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“Every single penny Charlie and I raise will contribute to special days out for seriously ill young adults throughout the UK.” Karl has always had an interest in running and pursued athletics from a young age. Whilst at university he obtained national honours and ran for numerous organisations at home and abroad. One of the reasons Karl has decided to participate in the marathon next month is to honour a close friend, John Platt, who sadly passed away last year.

“My efforts are also in memory of John, who was so supportive of my running and I am proud and thankful to Charlie for joining me in this challenge.” says Karl, who has been training four times a week for the event.

May sees the fruition of a year’s fundraising at Oldrids and Downtown in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care and the company were very proud to present a cheque for over £20,000. The presentation was made at the Downtown Home and Fashion Store, with Charlotte Jackson in attendance.

Marie Curie was proposed and voted for by Oldrids & Downtown employees to be the company’s charity of the year in early 2013. The money raised will help to fund Marie Curie nurses and the tireless work they do in the county.

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W E N

PEAKIRK, LINCOLNSHIRE £1,650,000 With its handsome façade and historic features, The Old Rectory is a wonderful example of the elegance and style of Georgian architecture and an impressive country residence. The Grade II listed house was built in the mid eighteenth-century of local limestone with a Collyweston slate roof and the south-facing facade has classic proportions and wonderful floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the front lawns and terrace. Inside, the elegant reception rooms retain the fine proportions typical of the period with details including sash windows, casement shutters and panelled solid wood doors. Later nineteenth century additions substantially added to accommodation and the house offers extensive, flexible space with the potential for a variety of layouts and uses.

Internally, the house now combines historic character with modern fittings which include an integrated sound system, a gym and the splendid recently fitted Kitchen Breakfast room. Outside, the sunny, secluded grounds stretch to approximately three acres and include a thriving Kitchen garden, sheltered lawns, a fenced paddock, wide terraces and a hard surface tennis court.

W E N

STOCKEN HALL, RUTLAND £245,000 Copenhagen is beautifully presented period property, located within Stoken Hall, a grand and historic Grade II* listed mansion set in rolling Rutland countryside. With its impressive façade the Hall dates from the seventeenth century and has been home to many prestigious local families, until around fourteen years ago when it was carefully converted to create eleven unique residences. Situated on the ground floor of the main house, Copenhagen is one of the few properties to have the benefit of a private entrance and front door, whilst inside the lovely apartment retains much of the style and splendor of the original house with elegant, beautifully proportioned rooms, wonderful high ceilings and stunning sash windows. The apartment is immaculately presented throughout and features a superb Drawing Room and a recently fitted and well-equipped Kitchen, whilst the second reception room, currently used as an elegant Dining Room, offers the alternative option of a third bedroom or study. The apartment overlooks maintained communal grounds and gardens and, with its period elegance and stylish décor, it is a unique and impressive property in a quiet, and secure countryside location.

Fine & Country 2 St. Mary’s Street, Stamford, Lincs PE9 2DE Telephone: (01780) 750200 Email: stamford@fineandcounty.com www.fineandcountry.com

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W E N

EMPINGHAM, RUTLAND £1,295,000 With an attractive stone façade overlooking pretty, secluded south-west facing gardens, St Peter’s Barn has a peaceful location in the very heart of Empingham village. The Grade II listed barn was built in the late 1800s and converted in 1990 to create a light, spacious and stylish home. Many stunning period features have been preserved including the original stone walls, a high vaulted central arch, as well as many original solid oak beams and roof timbers. Solid wood doors and floors, and Indian sandstone flagstones have been used to enhance the barn’s natural looks and subsequent additions such as the airy conservatory with its vaulted ceiling and high windows, blend successfully with the original structure. The whole house is flooded with light with many picture windows and French doors out to the garden whilst recent additions include a superb Kitchen, stylish bathrooms, under-floor heating throughout the ground floor and double-glazing. The beautifully presented interior offers flexible use with a particular benefit being the potential to create an independent first floor Annexe suite.

MANTON, RUTLAND £699,995 Dating from 1799, The Maltings is a modernised Grade II listed detached family house set in substantial grounds; from the mellow stone frontage and traditional front porch surrounded by climbing roses and shrubs, to its elegant, charming interior. The property is tucked away down a private drive in an enviably secluded location and yet is just a few minute’s walk from the village Church, pub and the surrounding footpaths and open countryside.

Internally the Grade II listed house features thick stone walls set with deep silled windows, elegant reception space, a lovely open flow to the ground floor and airy bedrooms, as well as many practical features such as well-planned, extensive storage. Of particular note are the lovely gardens made up of sunny lawns, south-facing patios and shady seating areas and stocked with a wide variety of flowering plants, mature shrubs and trees.

Overall the Maltings is a handsome period property within a delightful setting and makes an excellent village residence in the heart of Rutland.

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COPPICE HOUSE, GLASTON

GUIDE PRICE £625,000

A Charming Grade II Listed Character Property.

RENDEL HOUSE, LANGHAM

GUIDE PRICE £730,000

Rendel House is an Imposing Newly Built Stone House of Contemporary Quality, Set in the Magical Grounds of an Important Grade II* Listed Building.

STAMFORD

Tel: 01780 484520 Offices – LONDON • MARKET HARBOROUGH • STAMFORD

www.kingwest.co.uk

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www.mooresestatagents.com/countryandequestrian

8 CHURCH LANE, BISBROOKE

OFFERS OVER £545,000

MILL COTTAGE, TICKENCOTE

£550,000

Substantial character home set in a quiet back village with views out over rolling countryside, having been refurbished to an extremely high standard, with the original stone cottage having a homely character feel. With a three storey rear extension giving a spacious open plan living with four reception rooms Master bedroom with en-suite, newly fitted family bathroom, two further good sized bedrooms. Detached self contained annexe with bedroom and bathroom plus home office, garden room, garaging. AN ADJOINING PADDOCK IS CURRENTLY RENTED AND MAY BE AVAILABLE BY TO RENT BY SEPARATE NEGOTIATION.

Idyllic set by a mill pool (which has the benefit of being controlled not to flood) this stone 2/3 bedroom cottage is situated on the edge of Stamford in a no through road position in a small village which has similar picture 'post card' properties. Conveniently set for the A1 giving quick access to mainline trains at Peterborough, whilst having south east facing open views across the River Gwash Valley. With river frontage and fishing rights plans have been drawn up for a substantial attractive extension which will give a further drawing room and large master suite without particularly taking away from the charm or grounds. No chain.

PARK LODGE, OAKHAM

HAMBLEWOOD, HAMBLETON

£995,950

Attractively set looking out over open views this substantial residence has been designed cleverly with an understated approach having a contemporary open plan design to the main reception area which gives a great flow. Taking advantage of the floor to ceiling glazing leading out onto terracing which looks over the landscaped gardens and view of parkland. Large entrance hall, sitting room area, separate dining room, leading to the breakfast room, designer kitchen. The master suite has both walk in dressing room and a feature en-suite with further glazing together with its own private covered balcony which is mirrored symmetrically by a guest suite of similar proportions, further double bedrooms with further two bathrooms, family room, snug/ fifth bedroom, cloakroom, laundry room and externally accessed home office.

This property has been designed with an air flow system.

£1,550,000

Six bedroom, four bathroom home with some of the best south-facing panoramic views over Rutland Water, its own grounds, paddocks and woodland which all lead down to the water. The sitting room and day room have picture windows which take full advantage of the aspects together with the master bedroom boasting a balcony/terrace. The property has good accommodation with a self-contained two bedroom annexe with private access, triple garaging under which may convert into further accommodation and offers the opportunity to extend / rebuild subject to planning permission being granted. Being set close to the centre of this picturesque village whilst being understated and discreetly positioned, one of the last opportunities to purchase a south-facing Hambleton property with land that has not been redeveloped.

OAKHAM 36 High Street, Oakham Rutland LE15 6AL

UPPINGHAM 2 Orange Street, Uppingham Rutland LE15 9SQ

STAMFORD 2 St Johns Street, Stamford Lincolnshire PE9 2DB

MELTON 18 Nottingham Street, Melton Mowbray LE13 1NW

LONDON 40 St James's Place, London SW1A 1NS

Tel: 01572 757979

Tel: 01572 821935

Tel: 01780 484555

Tel: 01664 491610

Tel: 0207 8390888

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Enjoy Rutland Pride magazine, every single month...

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Subscribe for 6 months or 12 months from ÂŁ14.75 with free delivery - call 01529 469977 or visit our secure website.

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TO VIEW AND PuRChASE PhOTOGRAPhS FROM ‘ThE EVENT’ VISIT WWW.PRIDEMAGAZINES.CO.uK

Oakham School's Big Night Out with Martin Johnson & Gail Emms.

THE EVENT Oakham School’s ‘ B ig Night Out...’

Oakham School’s ‘Big Night Out’ certainly lived up to expectations recently. As well as being a great evening of sporting entertainment, the School also raised approximately £15,000 for a range of charities, and to contribute towards the upcoming sports tour to South Africa. Two sporting heroes spoke during the evening - Rugby World Cup winning Captain, Martin Johnson CBE, and Olympic Badminton Silver Medallist and World Champion Gail Emms CBE. Both had the audience enthralled with anecdotes of their lives, their careers and their experiences of being on tour.

Director of Sport, Iain Simpson was “Delighted that so much money has been raised to support such a great range of charities. It was particularly good to see how many people supported the event.” He also mentioned how he was “Incredibly proud of the pupils who worked so hard to help organise and run the evening.”

If you’re hosting an event, invite our photographers along - call 01529 46 99 77 and speak to our Editor...

Oakham has produced fine sportsmen and women including Stuart Broad, Tom Croft, Alex Goode, Lewis Moody, and Crista Cullen.

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Prom, ParTy & EVEning WEar sPECialisTs Eight minutes from lincoln City Centre

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ThE EVENT Oakham

School’ ’ s Big Night Out

Oakham School has 48 acres of sports fields; supporting nine rugby, six football and five hockey pitches

The School raised approximately £15,000 for a range of charities including The Bobs for Good Foundation, and Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research.

The region’s largest dress stockist promises a shopping experience like no other • Buy & Hire • Celebrity Brands • Every taste, style & colour available Visit our website for full details & our opening hours

40 Hall lane, Branston, lincoln ln4 1Py Telephone: 01522 793777

www.redcarpetready.co.uk | facebook.com/redcarpetreadyltd

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EXOTIC BURMA Exotic Burma (Myanmar) has been mostly hidden from the outside world for many years. Now the wonders of this magical land begin to reveal themselves and in a small group of up to 16 travellers, experience the diversity in both landscape and culture in this fascinating country. Led by expert local guides and western tour leader (based on a minimum of 7 travellers), stay in quality 3-4 star named accommodation and enjoy the very best of Burma on the 12 day “Highlights of Burma” or the 14 day “Burma Revealed” small group journey.

Full of surprises, from exploring temple filled Bagan by bike to sharing a local lunch in a heart-warming nunnery in Mandalay - in Burma we delve a little deeper as Travel Indochina share’s their experience and the people of Burma welcome you to their home, with genuine warmth and friendly smiles.

Burma can be visited most months of the year. The coolest and driest time is Nov to Feb and it is recommended to book well in advance to travel during this period.

Yangon (Rangoon) Yangon is the jumping off point for most Burma journeys with most major airlines now offering it on their flight paths. Historic streets wind past the British-colonial architecture of this energetic town, perched on the shores of the tranquil Yangon river. This waterfront city is a hub of economic activity, with thriving bars and restaurants, and an emerging art scene. The Shwedagon Pagoda is the city’s shining jewel, a golden stupa which can be seen from all over town.

Bagan (Pagan) & Mandalay Follow the Irrawaddy River to Bagan, where thousands of temples dot the dusty plains.

Explore the multitude of temples by bike which is a great and fun way to see more of the area and. Each temple is a work of art in its own right, and all are magnificent at sunset as the orange rays glitter off spires as far as the eye can see.

Continue on to Mandalay, home to the “World’s Largest Book” and 200 year old teak bridge. Visit local markets and enjoy lunch with the local nuns, a unique experience.

£ SAVVI TRAVEL Savvi Travel can arrange a holiday for you: call your Travel Consultant on 01572 842012 for more information or pop into Savvi at 7 The Maltings, Oakham.

Hill tribe Villages Many Burmese people live beyond the cities and by visiting local markets and trekking to more remote villages in the hills, you can uncover their unique way of life. The country’s population is incredibly diverse and is made up of the `Bamar’ and 134 other ethnic groups.

Inle Lake One of the biggest highlight for travellers is the magical Inle Lake where houses stand on stilts and the local fishermen are famous for their distinctive leg rowing. Crops are ingeniously cultivated in lush, floating gardens on the lake and tribal people gather from miles around at the local morning markets. Spend your last few days relaxing and reflecting on the beauty of Burma in one of its most beautiful areas.

Save £300 per person and experience Burma on the 14 day “Burma Revealed” escorted Small Group Journey from £2,880pp. Including flights with Qatar Airlines from London departing on the 28th September 2014. Alternative dates available. Subject to availability

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COuNTRY-ChIC DINING IN EXTON

Fox and Hounds...

From their ďŹ rst meeting working aboard a cruise ship, Valter and Sandra Floris embarked on an exciting venture, taking over the Fox & Hounds in 2002. Today, they have created a warm, relaxing restaurant oering a variety of unfussy delightfully English and Italian classic dishes...

Local ingredients: We enjoyed a new addition to the menu - a visually striking dish of pan fried turbot with spinach, polenta, home smoked bacon and butter sauce.

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RESTAuRANT OF ThE MONTh

Left: Risotto with king prawns.

Right/Below: The Fox and Hounds pub has a welcoming, country chic style. There are three dining areas for guests to enjoy traditional English and Italian food, and they can also dine al fresco!

M

ultum in Parvo is the county’s motto - and that is exactly what you get when you visit the Fox and Hounds in Exton. Owned and run by Valter and Sandra Floris since August 2002, they provide a warm, welcoming, unfussy place to eat delightfully traditional English and Italian classic food.

Left: Antipasto platter with salami, parma ham, speck and salad served on a grey slate.

Below: Chocolate brownie topped with raspberries, served with homemade vanilla ice cream.

Owner and Head Chef Valter originates from Northern Italy, where he trained and worked as a baker before a career change took him aboard the Princess Cruises. In true ‘Love Boat’ style, this is where he met wife, Sandra, who was working as a senior purser. Rutland born and bred, Sandra has a history of working in the hospitality trade, at places such as The Crown Hotel in Oakham and the luxurious Stapleford Park.

“Taking over the Fox & Hounds seemed a natural step together having both worked in hospitality and abroad cruise ships. This was a first time venture for us, but a very exciting one. We are very passionate about what we do and since taking over nearly 12 years ago, we have really added our own style. We have created a relaxing, rustic country atmosphere that feels very welcoming.

We get a real mix of people through our doors: passing walkers, cyclists, locals from the village, ladies who lunch or those just wanting something a bit more bespoke.”

As well as serving traditional English classics using local suppliers like Grasmere Farm for their pork products and Campbell John for the meat, Valter also adds his own Italian touch to the menu. A number of his dishes use Italian suppliers, like the Casareccia Pizza and Antipasto Platter which we sampled. All of the succulent desserts are homemade, and he makes a fresh batch of dough daily.

Split into three areas - there are plenty of places to sit and unwind. The bar area can seat up to 30, and the lounge area seats 26. Both have a country-chic decor, with wooden tables decorated with bright flowers and rattan placemats. Chairs and pews are aligned with comfy cushions, and there are some seriously stylish leather tub chairs for those wanting the perfect place to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee and a catch up with friends.

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Sample M enu £ STARTERS Avocado and Crayfish Salad with Marie rose sauce.

£6.25

Duck Breast £6.25 with rocket salad and shavings of parmesan.

Baked Goat Cheese £5.95 with beetroot, sun blush tomato & pine nuts.

Chicken Liver Pâté with chutney and toasted sourdough.

£5.95

Fox & hounds Antipasto Platter £14.50 deli board to share with regional salami, parma ham, speck, salad leaves and bread.

£ MAINS Risotto with King Prawns

£12.95

Chicken £13.25 filled with stilton and apricot wrapped in bacon with potatoes and vegetables.

Beer Battered Cod with hand cut chips and peas.

£12.25

Prime Sirloin Steak £19.25 with port & stilton sauce, chips and salad.

Casareccia Pizza £13.25 with tomato, mozzarella, ham, salami, red peppers, olives, and dolce latte and oregano.

£ HOMEMADE DESSERTS Lemon Tart with limoncello ice cream.

£5.45

Chocolate Brownie topped with raspberries.

£5.45

Tiramisu with Cantucci biscuit.

£5.45

Selection of cheese and biscuits £6.50 Lincolnshire Poacher, Smoked Applewood and Colston bassett Stilton.

£ SERVICE TIMES Monday to Friday - 12-2pm, 6.30-9pm Saturday - 12-3pm, 6.30-9pm Sunday - 12-4pm

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RESTAuRANT OF ThE MONTh

The main dining room, which can also be used for private parties, seats up to 50 and has superb views overlooking the garden and paddocks. The Fox and Hounds is also one of the best pub restaurants in Rutland for outdoor dining.

cream. The brownie was exquisitely made and one we think most diners will love. Rich, dense and full of flavour, it paired perfectly with the creamy homemade ice cream and tangy raspberry sauce.

“There aren’t many places in this area where, in the summer months, you can sit outside and enjoy al fresco dining. Here you can enjoy a bottle of wine and traditional food whilst you listen to the sounds of the birds chirping.”

The impressive tiramisu was served in a tall glass; it had a light and creamy texture, with a slight kick from the coffee and Marsala wine. Served with strawberries and Cantucci biscuit, this was the perfect choice to end our meal.

They have three menus - including a dedicated Sunday lunch and children menu. It changes from time to time, but always provides simple, unfussy yet delightfully tasty food - and we were definitey spoilt for choice. We wanted to sample a true Italian style starter, so we went for the Antipasto Platter.

Served on a dark grey slate board came a selection of Italian supplied meat - salami, parma ham and speck with salad and crusty bread. Perfect for sharing! Our second starter was the Avocado and Crayfish salad with marierose sauce.

The Floris duo are now entering their twelfth year at the Fox and Hounds, and they are still as passionate as the first.

“We get involved in everything, from the cooking and cleaning to the house management. We also have four bedrooms which we let out, great for people wanting to explore the beautiful Rutland villages and countryside.”

Our main course was a risotto with king prawns. The risotto was perfectly cooked; with a fluffy creamy texture and the complete king prawn provided great ‘hands-on’ food - but it was the Casareccia pizza which stole the limelight. The first thing you notice is the intoxicating smells from the bustling kitchen, followed by the burst of colour on the wooden serving board. Tomatoes, mozzarella, ham, salami, red peppers, olives - all served on a thin, light homemade pizza dough base. Perfetto!

There’s a selection of incredibly tempting homemade desserts on offer, but we finally decided on the chocolate brownie topped with raspberries, served with vanilla ice

The couple also offers exclusive hire of the pub on limited dates - including the bedrooms, dining areas, garden, paddocks and outdoor bar: the perfect choice as a wedding venue.

In the summer, Sandra helps local villagers with their annual Extonbury Festival, a charity event with live music and food, by allowing use of their large paddock area. “We wanted to help with this fantastic event - it is a great way to get people together and boost community spirit.”

The Fox and Hounds has it all - it’s warm and welcoming with fantastic service, it offers a comfortable, laid back approach to dining with first class cuisine! As the Italians say; ‘Uno non può pensare bene, amare bene, dormire bene, se non ha mangiato bene!’ One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one hasn’t eaten well. Quite!

Opposite: The delightfully creamy Tiramisu, with strawberries and Cantucci biscuit.

FOX AND HOUNDS Exton in Rutland

Fox and Hounds, 19 The Green, Exton, Rutland LE15 8AP To book a meal call

01572 812403

From Stamford– Travelling along the A606 from Stamford, make a right turn as you enter the village of Empingham. At the crossroads, go straight ahead and follow the signs for Exton village.

The pub is located in the centre, opposite the village green.

From Oakham – Travel along the A606, turn left at the top of Barnsdale Hill and follow the signs for Exton Village.

Find out more online at www.foxandhoundsrutland.co.uk

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FANTASTIC NEW OFFERS GOOD VALUE GOURMET SET DINNER Come and enjoy a 3 course dinner Monday to Thursday evenings in our a la carte restaurant for ÂŁ17.50 per person.

SUMMER SUNDAYS We will be starting our popular Summer Sunday events from the end of May. The last Sunday of each month through the summer, come and join us for live music and food.

MARQUESS OUT AND ABOUT We will be serving up some delicious food at the local Rockingham Horse Trials from 2nd-4th May, we hope to see you there.

52 Main Street, Lyddington, Uppingham LE15 9LT Call for bookings: 01572 822 477 www.marquessexeter.co.uk Lunch & Dinner 7 Days a Week | 17 Modern Bedrooms | Four AA Star Rated

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RuRAL EXCELLENCE IN RuTLAND AT

The White Horse...

Empingham’s White Horse is a year old under Steve and Claire Glencross’s ownership, and to celebrate, we want to show all of our readers how the couple has changed the 17th century Empingham pub so it services both Rutland diners, and its loyal local customers too...

Modern: • Our roast rump of spring lamb dish features local asparagus from Manton, as well as new potatoes and a rich rosemary jus.

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RESTAuRANT OF ThE MONTh

Left: Our main course of smoked haddock fillet with bubble & squeak, sautéed spinach and peas, soft poached egg and a parsley velouté.

Right: The 17th century pub was treated to a refurbishment by new owners Steve and Claire Glencross a year ago.

Left: Seafood sharing board with tempura tiger prawns, moules marinière, home battered scampi, whitebait, calamari and selection of dips.

Below: Dessert is served... rich chocolate brownie – with salt caramel sauce and white chocolate ice cream.

T

he Great British pub is back, and examples like Empingham’s White Horse are better than ever, offering high quality food to rival even fine dining restaurants, but with a relaxed, rustic welcome, too. This month’s featured restaurant dates back to the 17th century, and was a courthouse before becoming the village boozer.

Then came the emergence of ‘posh pubs.’ Before, diners would go to a restaurant for formal à la carte dining and pay through the nose, or slink off to a local pub for a fairly mediocre offering like scampi in a basket. Come the gastropub revolution though, pubs suddenly found that there was a market for really high quality, great value food that would challenge even the priciest restaurant.

Nowadays we all have generally heightened expectations when it comes to the quality of pub restaurant food, so it’s nice when a pub reaches and breaches already raised expectations and presents food that’s absolutely brilliant.

Huge congratulations to Steve and Claire Glencross who are doing just that, having reinvented their Empingham pub with an intensive makeover, re-opening it just over a year ago.

Their makeover has gone beyond creating the fireplace in the bar area, reinstating the stripped pine floors and splashing a tasteful shade of Farrow & Ball on the walls though (Pigeon Grey if you’re interested), with the installation of Head Chef Peter Lane to create some really phenomenal dishes with just the right blend of rustic presentation and high quality composition.

A visit is highly recommended this month, with May set to dazzle diners passing through Empingham for a visit to the reservoir, with fresh ingredients and great food.

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Sample M enu £ STARTERS Trout £5.25 Home smoked rutland Water trout with granary toast & seasonal leaf salad.

Antipasti £13.85/Serves Two Antipasti sharing board of cured meats, olives, sunblush tomato and mozzarella with rosemary focaccia.

Seafood £13.95/Serves Two Seafood Sharing board with tempura tiger prawns, moules marinière, home battered scampi, whitebait, calamari and a selection of dips.

£ MAINS Cod Fillet £13.25 oven baked cod fillet with soft parsley crust, feta & olive couscous and salsa rossa infused with cockles.

Spring Lamb £14.95 roast rump of spring lamb with local Manton asparagus, new potatoes and a rich rosemary jus.

Trout £11.95 Pan seared rutland Water trout fillet with warm vegetable salad, new potatoes, lemon butter sauce and salsa verde.

£ PUDDING Chocolate Brownie £4.95 rich chocolate brownie with salt caramel sauce and white chocolate ice cream.

Tart au Citron Tart au Citron with raspberry sorbet and shortbread biscuit

£5.25

Cheese Platter £7.25 The White Horse Cheese Plate: selection of local cheeses, with homemade chutney and water biscuits.

£ SERVICE TIMES Lunch and evening service seven days a week.

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The couple grew up in the village and each worked in national sales roles. They were seeking to move back to the village with their children and heard the pub was on the market. Both recounted happy memories in the pub and after reminiscing over a glass of wine, remarked how good it could be as a high quality dining pub... the rest is history. The couple reopened the venue in February and have been doing a roaring trade since.

Steve and Claire were determined that the place would value its local trade as much as it would welcome those from further afield, and the place has a healthy mix of locals and visitors, either stopping by for a sandwich or light lunch whilst cycling or walking in the area, or for à la carte dining during both lunchtime or evening service seven days a week.

There are around eight starters, around 10 main courses plus ciabattas and baguettes on the daytime menu, a few Pub Classics on the evening menu, and a brace of sharing platters. There are also daily-changing specials and there’s an afternoon tea menu, too.

Diners can choose to eat in the lounge area with its huge fireplace, the dining room, or the so-called tartan room, and with a total of 100 covers you should always find a place to sit even during a Rutland heatwave when the nearby water is packed with visitors.

Local suppliers include the exalted Grasmere Farm for pork, and local fishermen who provides the restaurant

with line-caught trout. Ray Campbell John provides meat and Rutland Water Golf Course provides strawberries and asparagus.

The White Horse produces its own bread, and Peter (formerly of the Olive Branch and Exeter Arms) shares the couple’s vision of using these local ingredients in dishes that allow flavours to come to the fore without being lost amid fuss or pretentiousness.

Our meal was beautifully judged, with a sharing platter of tempura tiger prawns, moules marinière, home battered scampi, whitebait, calamari & selection of dips a spring lamb dish with local Manton asparagus, new potatoes & a rich rosemary jus. Our two desserts were sublime, with a zesty citrus tart, bright and beautiful, plus a rich chocolate brownie ideal for the chillier spring nights, when only a hearty pud will do.

Steve and Claire will also open up the summer house in The White Horse’s beer garden to provide locals with bottled ciders, strawberries and home made ice cream.

Whether you stop by to enjoy the sunshine en route to Rutland Water, or make a dedicated trip to the White Horse for à la carte dining, we’re confident you won’t be disappointed, either with the welcome you receive or the food you’ll enjoy.

Steve, Claire and Peter have done a great job of ensuring the White Horse will offer superb dining for everyone this month.

THE WHITE HORSE Empingham, Rutland

The White Horse, Main Street, Empingham, Rutland LE15 8PS To book a meal call

01780 460221

Location: The White Horse is located in the pretty village of Empingham on the A606, halfway between Stamford and Oakham.

The pub has a large car park to accommodate guests and the natural beauty of Rutland Water is just a 10 minute walk away.

www.whitehorserutland.co.uk info@whitehorserutland.co.uk

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Sample Dishes

JuST DESSERTS This month you’ll get your just desserts, as we ask some of the county’s most talented chefs to champion their favourite puddings...

Photos: Rob Davis

<<

Assiette of Raspberry; Créme Brûlée, Home Made Ice Cream and Raspberry Mille-Feuille of Layered Brandy Snaps.

Cherry House Restaurant, Werrington 01733 571721, www.cherryhouserestaurant.co.uk

<<

Limoncello and Cranberry Crème Brûlée.

The Cosy Club, Stamford 01780 767710, www.cosyclub.co.uk/stamford >> Brilliant Savarin with Truffle Honey and Walnut.

Barnsdale Hall Hotel 01572 757901, www.barnsdalehotel.co.uk 32

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SAMPLE DIShES

<<

Meringue with Poached Pears.

Marquess of Exeter 01572 822 477, www.marquessexeter.co.uk

<<

Glazed Lemon Tart with Raspberry Sorbet.

Barnsdale Lodge, Exton 01572 724678, www.barnsdalelodge.co.uk

<<

Chocolate Mousse with Gold Leaf and Milk Ice Cream.

Stapleford Park 01572 787000, www.staplefordpark.com 33

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RUTLAND WATER GOLF CLUB IS A HIDDEN ‘GEM’ SITUATED ON THE SOUTHERN BANK OF RUTLAND WATER OFFERING SPECTACULAR VIEWS OF EUROPE’S LARGEST MAN- MADE LAKE. PRIMARILY A 27 HOLE GOLF COMPLEX THERE HAS BEEN MANY CHANGES, EXPANDING THE FACILITIES FOR GOLFERS AND NON GOLFERS ALIKE. The modern clubhouse is open to everyone it has a balcony overlooking the water and courtyard to the rear which is a fabulous sun-trap making it a perfect place for you to bring family and friends to enjoy some lunch or afternoon tea throughout the week or enjoy a lazy Sunday with a delicious Sunday roast.

April saw new Chef Dan Ketteringham join the team alongside Gemma Wood who will be promoting the weddings and events with Matthew Williamson front of house/bar manager.

The team are looking to expand on the current menu starting this month, opening up the upstairs converted barn into a dining area offering evening meals. With locally sourced produce and everything homemade, making use of the homegrown Strawberries and Asparagus.

Call 01572 737525 or take a look at our website www.rutlandwatergolfcourse.co.uk

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TheWineCellar Make the most of spring roasts and do their flavours favours with this stunning selection of Pinot Noir and Cab Savs personally selected by our wizard of wine. Should you need any further convincing of his exemplary taste, enjoy a trip to Stamford Wine Company’s new wine terrace, now open to the rear of his St Paul’s Street wine boutique in the heart of Stamford...

Our Gift Subscriptions last a whole year

Sarget GruaudLarose Saint Julien, 2001, £29.99

Réserve de la Comtesse Pauillac, 2008, £43

Karl H Johner Pinot Noir, 2009, £20.99

Pessac-Léognan, 2009, L‘Esprit de Chevalier, £27.50

Domaine Rollin 2011 PernandVergelesses, £18.99

A go-to Claret for Bordeaux lovers that’s deep and rich.

A bottle was recently purchased at the Stamford Wine Company by a Berry Brothers executive who sampled a taste and wanted more!

A classic Bordeaux and a masterful example of cab sav at its best.

Heavy and dark with firm tannins and a ripe blackberry flavour. A truly quintessential Pauillac to enjoy with your Sunday roast.

That’s correct... a Pinot Noir from Germany!

We beg beg beg you to try this! An exemplary soft fruity PN from Deutschland that’s never let us down.

It’s a true gem for lovers of good honest Burgundian wines.

The second wine to be featured in Pride from the house of Olivier Bernard.

This superstar from Pessac-Léognan is dark and fruity with silky tannins and effortless charm. Enjoy it with spring lamb.

A lesser known Burgundian appellation, but M. Rollin conjures the majesty expected from this historic terroir.

A fabulous, young Pinot Noir that represents the very best of the region.

every single month in 2014!

This month’s features wines are recommended by: The Stamford Wine Company, 10 St Paul’s Street, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 2BE Tel: 07538 228337, www.thestamfordwinecompany.com.

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Perfect for your sunday roast

Spring Lamb...

As a producer of artisan lamb, Sophie Arlott’s Southdown flock yields probably the best meat you’re ever likely to taste. This month the shepherdess will begin selling her produce directly to the public, to a host of Michelin starred restaurants and in Harrods Food Hall...

Provenance: Sophie supplies lamb to the Michelin starred Hambleton Hall, the two-Michelin starred Sat Bains in Nottingham, and to retailers like Harvey Nichols and Knightsbridge’s Harrods.

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E

xquisitely flavoured, sweet-tasting and succulent spring lamb. Roasties cooked in goose fat with gnarled crunchy exteriors, and fluffy light insides. Spring greens and thick, glossy gravy made from pan juices.

Yorkshire puddings blooming out of their tins and perhaps some acidic mint sauce drizzled over the plate too... could anything improve one of our most beloved dishes, the Sunday roast? Well actually, yes.

above/Left: Sophie’s awardwinning lambs.

We’ve had mouthwatering lamb dishes in some of the county’s best restaurants, prepared by chefs who place great importance on quality and provenance, but even we were impressed when we turned up to sample some of Sophie Arlott’s prizewinning Southdown lamb. sophie was a country girl growing up and began her quest Sophie was a country girl for the perfect lamb for a sunday roast after finding herself growing up and began her disappointed with intensively farmed meat, compared to the quest for the perfect Sunday roasts her family’s smallholding would yield... roast for her family after despairing at the quality It was a pretty filthy day when we turned up, and the or lack of same - of intensively farmed lamb sight of Sophie’s roast emerging from the Aga made compared to the roasting joints her father used to me weak at the knees produce from the family smallholding back in Hampshire. Sophie and her family moved to the area “Nothing tastes like a Southdown.” says Sophie 15 years ago to give sons Max, 14, and Freddie, 12, vehemently, and she’s correct. The breeds that the same country life she enjoyed as a girl. you’ll find on supermarket shelves are probably a continental breed, or a cross between breeds like Her early forays into smallholding included chickens, Texel or Charollais. If you buy your lamb from a then pigs before she began to concentrate on raising supermarket, in all likelihood it will be around 12 lambs, initially for family and friends, then latterly for weeks old, slaughtered and butchered ‘wet’ before the artisan commercial market. She started off with making its way to the shelves without being hung. the simple aim of producing her own ‘bacon ‘n’ eggs,’ so it’s fair to say she probably didn’t imagine that she’d soon be supplying Harrods Food Hall with her lamb.

Being an artisan producer, though, Sophie’s lamb is different. Because she’s not producing in volume,

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above/right: Sophie produces her lamb from a six-acre 17th century smallholding.

she can slow things down a little. Her lambs are born from mid-March to the end of April, and gambol around on grass.

They’re slaughtered as and when they’re needed, and so spend more time in the field. Because they’re slaughtered later than supermarket lambs, which are killed earlier to meet the demand for Easter, they spend more of their lives being fed on grass, and less time eating concentrates and forage, which improves the taste of their meat dramatically.

At the point of slaughter, too, Sophie’s butcher Dawson’s of Boston - take their time to hand-dress

sophie named her Lavinton Lamb after the old english name of her village. she anticipates that around 250 lambs will be born on the farm by May...

Lavinton Lamb: Sophie sells her artisan lamb directly to the public. A whole lamb retails in Harrods Food Hall for £450, or £200 directly from her farm.

It comprises two legs, two boned and rolled shoulders, 20-24 chops, plus burgers, mince and liver for £200. Half lambs are available for £110.

Call 01476 585960 or visit www.lavinton.com.

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the lamb dry, rather than using water in the carcassstripping process, as is the case in industrial abattoirs.

That’s important, because butchering meat dry then leaving it to hang - in Sophie’s lambs case, for two weeks - allows the flavour to develop. The process of hanging enables the meat’s enzymes to break down the muscles and connective tissue which makes it far more tender. Butchering wet, on the other hand, allows bacteria to proliferate, so it’s not possible to hang the meat. The Southdown breed is also more suitable for hanging since it has a thicker layer of fat - it’s this layer that spoils when hung, not the underlying meat, which

takes us back to Sophie’s advocacy for the breed.

Having showed her flock at county shows both in her native Hampshire and in our county, Sophie believes that the breed of sheep is crucial to the flavour of the meat it yields.

Sophie has a six acre smallholding located around a pretty 17th century thatched farm cottage, plus more land around Lenton on which she grazes a flock of 160 breeding ewes and 20 pedigrees. By the time Pride reaches shops, they will provide 250 lambs, from Southdowns to crosses with Romney Marsh, Cheviot and Hebridean breeds.

In addition to selling whole and half Lavinton Lambs directly to the public, Sophie also supplies Michelin starred restaurants including Hambleton Hall, the two-starred Sat Bains in Nottingham, plus retailers like Harvey Nichols and Harrods.

“I’m not anti-supermarkets, or anti-large scale farming.” says Sophie. “We’re producing a different product here, one that’s been raised slowly, slightly more expensive, but with the highest standards of welfare.”

Lavinton lamb is the sweetest, most flavoursome we’ve ever experienced - from her preferred shoulder with its thicker layer of fat and most intense flavour to the traditional loin with its leanness, or her lamb burgers, home-made with fresh herbs and paprika.

Sophie recommends roasting her slow roast shoulder for 24 hours, with perhaps a few cloves of garlic and fresh rosemary. Having tried it for ourselves, fresh from the Aga, we’re happy to recommend it if you’re looking for a way to make your spring roast even more special.

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LocaL food ideas

Spring Lamb Recipes...

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve already met local artisan lamb producer Sophie Arlott earlier in this edition. Now, put her Southdown lamb to good use and prepare these quick and easy dishes to yield a real spring treat...

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reciPes

Spring Lamb

LAMB NOISETTES with LeMon & roseMary Serves Two. Prep time: Five minutes.

Cooking time: 10 minutes.

Ingredients

Grated zest of 1 lemon Juice of ½ lemon Salt and black pepper 2 x 85g packs watercress

4 lean lamb noisettes, loin chops or valentine steaks

2 pink grapefruits, peeled and segmented

4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 small bunch chives

1 large sprig fresh rosemary, snipped

3 tbsp hazelnut or groundnut oil

1-2 tbsp cider vinegar

1 tbsp white wine vinegar

Preheat the oven to Gas Mark 6, 200°C, 400°F Place the noisettes into a large shallow dish. Mix together three tbsp olive oil, rosemary, cider vinegar, and lemon zest and juice. Season and pour over the noisettes. Cover and refrigerate for 2-3 hours.

Heat the remaining oil in a large pan, remove the lamb from the marinade (reserve for later) and sear for two or three minutes, turning once until brown on both sides.

Transfer to a hot roasting tin, add a little of the marinade mixture and cook for a further 8-10 minutes according to how pink you like your lamb.

Place the salad ingredients into a large salad bowl.

Place the dressing ingredients into a screw-topped jar, season and shake until combined. Pour over the salad.

Arrange the noisettes onto a plate, garnish with extra rosemary and spoon over the jus from the roasting tin.

Serve with sauté potatoes and the watercress and pink grapefruit salad.

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“Pair our delicious saddle of lamb with a bold, juicy red to stand up to the power of the plum we recommend a dominant Shiraz or Zinfandel...”

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reciPes

Spring Lamb

SADDLE OF LAMB with BarLey and PLuM sauce This is a great dish for late spring or early summer. Native plums aren’t in season for another few months, but you can plant bare-root plum trees now to get ahead, and meanwhile, use continental ones...

Serves Four-Six Preparation time: 55 minutes Cooking time: 25min per 1lb plus 23 mins medium.

Ingredients 1 x 1.3kg/3lb lean boned saddle of lamb, trimmed Salt and freshly milled black pepper 30ml/2tbsp olive oil 30ml/2tbsp plum or damson conserve, softened with a little boiling water For the Barley and Plum Stuffing: 15g/½oz melted butter 50g/2oz pearl barley, cooked 30ml/2tbsp freshly chopped mint 100g/4oz fresh plums or damsons, stoned and finely chopped Grated zest of 1 orange For the Gravy: 25g/1oz plain flour 600ml/1pint good, hot lamb stock 150ml/¼pint dry cider

Top Tip...

Make friends with your butcher or artisan lamb producer.

Locally farmed lamb has greater provenance - it will have been produced from native breeds, grass fed and hung for a better flavour.

Preheat the oven to Gas mark 4-5, 180190°C, 350-375°F. To prepare the stuffing; mix all the stuffing ingredients together, season and set aside.

Place the saddle of lamb on a chopping board, skin side down, season on both sides. Spread the stuffing over the surface of the saddle, roll up and secure with butcher’s string or elasticated meat bands to secure.

Transfer the joint to a metal rack in a non-stick roasting tin and drizzle with the olive oil. 10 minutes before the end of the cooking time remove the joint from the oven, brush with the plum or damson glaze and return to the oven for the remainder of the cooking time.

Remove the joint from the oven, loosely cover with foil and leave to rest for 15-20 minutes. Meanwhile, make the gravy; spoon off any excess fat from the roasting tin and discard. Place the tin over a medium heat and sprinkle with the flour.

Stir well with a small whisk or spoon, add a little cider and stir again, scraping the base of the pan to release any rich lamb sediment.

Add the remaining cider, stock and any meat juices from the lamb plate, adjust the seasoning, if required and simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened. Strain before serving.

Serve with braised fennel or Brussels sprouts, roast potatoes and the gravy.

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reciPes

Spring Lamb

SPRING LAMB STEW with white wine sauce An all-in-one dish of succulent spring lamb with tender vegetables and white wine - an ideal supper dish for a chilly spring evening..

Serves Six Preparation time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 1 hr 30 mins.

Ingredients 1kg/2.2lb lean boneless lamb shoulder, cubed 2 bay leaves 4 sprigs fresh thyme 1 onion, peeled and cut into quarters 1 leek, roughly chopped 3 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed Salt and freshly milled black pepper 1.2L/2pint cold water 200g/7oz baby carrots, scraped and halved if large 200g/7oz baby turnips, scraped and quartered, if large 200g/7oz baby onions or shallots, peeled 200g/7oz baby or small leeks, halved

Place the lamb into a large pan with the bay leaves, thyme, onion, leek, garlic, seasoning and water, to cover.

Bring to the boil, reduce the heat and simmer over a low heat for one hour, skimming regularly, if required. Remove from the heat and cool slightly.

Transfer the lamb to a large, ovenproof casserole dish and strain the vegetable liquor over the lamb. Discard the vegetables and herbs.

Add the baby carrots, turnips, onions, or shallots, leeks, white wine and lamb stock.

Bring to the boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.

Add the dwarf or French beans, trimmed and cook for a further three/four minutes.

Add the frozen peas or petit pois and cook for a further two minutes, or until the vegetables are cooked.

Season and garnish with the herbs and serve with plenty of crusty bread to soak up the juices.

200ml/7ďŹ&#x201A;oz white wine (dry or medium) 200ml/7ďŹ&#x201A;oz good, hot lamb stock 200g/7oz Dwarf or French beans, trimmed 200g/7oz peas or petit pois 30ml/2tbsp freshly chopped parsley or chervil

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Top Tip...

The stew can be cooled and kept in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, then reheated slowly until piping hot.

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“This is a real rustic dish, great with freshly baked bread straight out of the Aga on a Sunday evening, perhaps after a walk with the family, out in the country...”

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RECIPES

Spring Lamb

RACK OF SPRING LAMB...

WITH HONEY & SOY GLAZE Perfect for a meal for two after work. Just 10 minutes preparation time so you spend time with one another, instead of being stuck in the kitchen. With a slow cooking time, you’ve plenty of time to enjoy each other’s company...

Serves Two Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 50 mins.

Ingredients 1 x 6-boned Quality Standard lean rack of lamb, 45ml/3tbsp clear honey 20ml/4tsp light soy sauce 15ml/1tbsp English mustard 15ml/1tbsp chopped mint Salt and black pepper For the sauce: 25g/1oz butter 1 small onion, peeled and finely chopped 1 small carrot, peeled and finely diced 10ml/2tsp plain or sauce flour 150ml /¼pint dry red wine 300ml/½pint good, hot beef stock 10ml/2tsp freshly chopped rosemary leaves

Preheat the oven to Gas mark 6, 200°C, 400°F. In a small bowl mix together the honey, soy sauce, mustard and mint.

Place the racks, fat side up on a chopping board and lightly score. Season on both sides and brush the rack on both sides with the honey mixture. Place on a foil-lined baking sheet. Roast for 30-35 minutes for medium. Cover the bones with foil if browning too quickly.

Meanwhile prepare the sauce; heat the butter in a large non-stick frying pan and cook the onions and carrots over a moderate heat for 10 minutes, until golden brown. Add the flour and cook for two minutes, stirring continuously. Pour in the wine and the stock.

Increase the heat and bring to the boil, stirring continuously, reduce the heat and cook for 10 minutes, stirring frequently until thickened. Add the rosemary, season, cover and set aside.

Cut the rack into cutlets and serve with a gooey cheese mash, fine green beans and the sauce.

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to View and Purchase PhotograPhs froM ‘the eVent’ Visit www.PrideMagazines.co.uK

THE EVENT Blankney Hunt Ball 2014 the Blankney hunt Ball is one of the most eagerly anticipated events in Lincolnshire’s calendar. The 2014 event took place last month in Newark Showground’s George Stephenson Hall and attracted around 900 people, with the theme Get Your Sparkle On. A champagne reception preceded a three course meal including rosemary and lavender braised lamb served with seasonal vegetables, prepared by CGC Events. An evening of entertainment included dancing to The Station and DJAC. The Blankney Hunt was founded in 1871 when the pack split away from the old Burton Foxhounds. Its territory covers both Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire, meeting the Belvoir to the east and Burton to the north of the county.

If you’re hosting an event, invite our photographers along - call 01529 46 99 77 and speak to our Editor...

the event was attended by over 900 supporters.

Prom, ParTy & EVEning WEar sPECialisTs Eight minutes from lincoln City Centre

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the eVent Blankney

Hunt Ball 2014

the event was held at the newark showground.

images by rob davis.

The region’s largest dress stockist promises a shopping experience like no other • Buy & Hire • Celebrity Brands • Every taste, style & colour available Visit our website for full details & our opening hours

40 Hall lane, Branston, lincoln ln4 1Py Telephone: 01522 793777

www.redcarpetready.co.uk | facebook.com/redcarpetreadyltd

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Is this you...

If you’re a ‘first thing I think about when I wake up’ go-getter, a “let’s make it better”, a cold coffee drinker, a mid-morning thinker, a missed lunch groundbreaker, an afternoon risk taker, a falling to sleep with your spreadsheet reader...

You’ll appreciate an equally dedicated marketing leader.

To advertise in Pride Magazines call our friendly team on 01529 469977.

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ON THE FARM

BARRY POSTON This month our sage of the soils considers GM crops in the light of a recent lecture. Could this controversial agricultural trend be the solution to a future food crisis?

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t seems my fears of bad soil conditions were proven correct. Nearly all arable farmers experienced considerable problems in establishing their crops in the spring. Only those farmers on very light limestone and sandy soils were able to easily find seed beds for their various crops.

The absence of a decent frost has also meant many extra hours of tractor work, consuming a great quantity of fuel. Crops that need extra soil at planting time, like potatoes, will have proved the most difficult.

Final loads of sugar beet from last year were delivered in mid-March and the crop has produced above average yields with the sugar percentage remaining high.

No doubt the extra rain and sunshine over the winter has contributed to these results. Unfortunately, this year with the later and wetter spring, the climate has meant that sugar beet sowing which normally takes place in early March has been delayed which means the chance of poorer crops this year.

Vegetable crop planting has been delayed this year but with most early crops now covered by plastic sheeting these can soon make up lost time. Because of the mild weather some crops have been able to be harvested throughout the winter, however as I drive around I see some crops well past the cutting stage, and these will have to be ploughed in.

Outdoor daffodil flowers have had a difficult season to deal with and with Mothering Sunday and the late Easter this year and these, bringing the best trade, it would appear that the later flowers will be in greater demand. However with good use of cold stores, the life of these flowers could be considerably extended.

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Those potatoes which are still ‘chitted’ in boxes in the glasshouse appear to have some good strong green chits. However the majority of seed potatoes are now delivered in one tonne bags and not so much attention the chitting process is not used.

From my old fashioned ideas I do like to see potatoes planted with good strong green chits and I believe this gives them a good fortnight start.

Last years potatoes coming out of stores appear to have kept well and with the good modern, well ventilated and temperature controlled stores that most growers now have, these potatoes can be kept well into June.

Livestock producers of beef, lamb and pork have had slightly below average prices this winter but with foodstuffs lower in cost they have been able to maintain their modest margins. During the winter months I attended several agricultural meetings. At one, a paper was presented by a previously vigorous opponent of GM food crops.

After much research and travelling he had changed his mind completely and now realises with a much enlarged world population and billions of extra mouths to feed in the future, the use of GM foods in vital.

As I see it, the great advantage of these crops is that they need a fraction of the chemical sprays, and many GM crops are moisture resistant. Already many of these crops are grown in the world; maize, soya and sugar beet in North and South America for example.

To me, the situation appears a ‘no brainer’ and that there will have to be many more GM crops worldwide grown in the future.

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ON THE FARM

with Barry Poston

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The absence of a decent frost has meant many extra hours of tractor work, consuming a great quantity of fuel.

Crops that need extra soil at planting time, like potatoes, will have proved the most difficult...â&#x20AC;?

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“We think of ‘local produce’ as being food. But what about Clipsham stone? Millions of years in the making, buried beneath the countryside, and responsible for giving Rutland’s cottages their pretty rural appearance.”

This month, Rob Davis finds out where it lies, how it’s quarried and how a local business is putting it to good use..

L

ocal produce typically means locally reared meat, locally produced ale or locally baked bread. The term is rarely used in a non-food context, but what about the local produce that we take for granted? We walk through the town and it’s everywhere, we appreciate Rutland’s pretty little villages and give little thought to it, but limestone from Clipsham is what gives many of Rutland’s most beautiful buildings their charm and character.

Limestone used in many of the county’s buildings originates from Clipsham Quarry. It’s a vast site, extending to some 80 acres, and it’s now owned by Sue Thomas. Her father, grandfather and great grandfather all worked in the quarry and it’s been in the family since the 1870s.

Sue worked in the NHS, only to retire, then take on the quarry.

“I hate golf.” she says. “This is much more fun.”

It’s not an obvious retirement project - most people are content with a rather more modest rockery in their garden - but together with the quarry’s Business Manager Rachael Barratt and their stonemasons Ruairi Sweeney and Lucy Cortese, Sue and the team have launched a new business, Clipsham Stone Products, hoping that the quarry stone will take pride of place in Rutlanders’ homes with a new range of lamps, sculptures, coasters and platters all created from the county’s Clipsham stone... that’s if the UK’s most well-known buildings The Houses of Parliament, Oxford’s Magdelane College and Windsor Castle - can spare a rock or two...

>>

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>> Rock Star at Work: One of the Clipsham Stone Products’ stonemasons Ruairi Sweeney is working with Clipsham Stone to create a range of lamps and sculptures for Rutland homes.

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DISCOVER

Clipsham Stone

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Since Roman times, Clipsham stone has been dug from the ground and has been used to create not just the country’s most prestigious buildings, but Rutland’s pretty stone cottages too, giving the county, and specifically Clipsham, its distinctive appearance.

The site reaches back over 1km and down to a depth of 30ft. There’s no vegetation, just buff stacks of local stone taken from different seams around the site.

A full survey of the site has been made by the quarry’s consultant geologist, so the team knows roughly where to quarry from, but it’s more a case of reading the geography of the site and following the seams of stone already uncovered.

You can see where the seams narrow and which areas will yield larger ‘block,’ or smaller pieces of rock, walling, aggregate, and ultimately agricultural grade lime used by farmers to balance the pH of their land.

Sue’s company quarries larger block, in three grades; ‘O’ for sculptures and the county’s new homes, its products - see opposite - then DH, which is up to 800mm, and H, the largest, 800mm and above used as building materials.

Also working in the quarry are The Clipsham Stone Cutting Company and Bullimores, who conduct their own smaller block and aggregate quarrying operations, paying Sue for what they extract according to weight.

Clipsham stone is never blasted out, only dug, using huge excavators, twice a year. With only a metre or so of topsoil, you soon reach the good stuff, and with ‘block’ teased out, the heavy (2.24 tonnes per cubic 56

metre) stone is man-handled into large piles by loaders with forks, ready to be manually split into the appropriate size.

This is done by first examining each block then determining where the cut should be made, marking it up with spray paint to work as closely with the natural seams and fractures as possible.

Holes are drilled into the stone along the intended split before plugs and feathers - a metal wedge and two shims - are inserted. Next, a pneumatic drill drives the plug into the stone to split it along the required line.

At other areas in the site, splitting equipment is used to cut more uniformly shaped building blocks which are then tumbled to provide both a straight edge for construction purposes and a more organic looking face for the exteriors of cottages. Other areas of the site crush the stone into smaller pieces. Block stone from the quarry is priced from £170/tonne.

“All of the different sizes of stone quarried from the site are useful.” says Rachael. “But we found ourselves with non-block sized stone that we really wanted to put to good use.”

“We are really proud of the stone and it has a great reputation with architects and builders because it is such a hard-wearing limestone. It’s also really attractive and because it’s so well-thought of in the area, we thought that a range of products for the home would be well-received. So, this year we’ve taken on a couple of stonemasons to create our own range of lamps, sculptures and platters.

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DISCOVER

Clipsham Stone PUTTING CLIPSHAM STONE TO GOOD USE

OWNING YOUR LOCAL STONE...

Sue and Rachael are working with stonemasons like Ruairi and Lucy to create a range of products for your home, so you can own and display a piece of the county...

Sculpture: Minervois vine sculpture £POA. Tableware: Coasters from £6, platters from £20.

Garden Ornaments: 45cm dice, larger examples available by commission for use as garden seats £POA. (Below) Lamp: Choose your stone and create a lamp from £75.

Made in Rutland: Pale cream or buff in colour, Clipsham stone contains minute pebbles and shell fragments from encrinites and echinoderms, enhanced by calcite crystals for a coarse-grained oolitic composition.

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>>

Artists like Ruairi and Lucy are also able to undertake bespoke commissions, and already interest is growing in the idea that you can take home a piece of Rutland’s heritage.

Ruairi is an architectural stonemason by day, working for the National Trust at Fairhurst, Ward Abbots, a conservation company near Peterborough, carving and fixing new and replacement stone for historic buildings across the UK. He’s worked hard with Rachael and Sue to create the first few products but the product line that Clipsham Stone Products is working on will develop over time.

The company’s smooth, thick, hard-wearing coasters will sell from £6, with the platters from £20 and lamps from £75. Sculptures and bespoke commissions will also be available, with prices on application.

The company has also set up a small showroom at the quarry and will be presenting a few examples from their range with a viewing gallery to allow visitors to watch its artists at work.

“We’re really proud of the product - as I believe Rutlanders are too.” says Rachael. “We think the opportunity to have a little of our local stone put to good use in your own home is something many people will be really enthusiastic about!”

The company’s smooth, thick, hard-wearing coasters will sell from £6, with the platters from £20 and lamps from £75. Sculptures and bespoke pieces will also be available with prices on application...

Find Out More...

Above: Clipsham Stone recently gained a tough new recruit as Rutland Pride’s Editor Rob Davis went to see how our local stone is quarried and processed.

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CLIPSHAM STONE PRODUCTS is this month starting to sell its own range of products from its website at www.clipshamstoneproducts.co.uk.

For more information call 01780 410085. Visits to the showroom and quarry are by appointment only.

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Inspiration and Ideas for your Home and Garden

A1, Markham Moor, Retford DN22 0QU 01636 822000 www.elizabethandstevens.com Wednesday to Saturday oďŹ&#x20AC; the A1 signed to Lincoln A57 then take the turning to Retford A638 - come in and browse, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re really friendly!

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TOWN FEATURE

Stamford Shakespeare

FOR THE FINEST OPEN AIR THEATRE THIS SUMMER,

The Playâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; s the Thing...

As The Stamford Shakespeare Company prepares to host their biggest play to date, we met up with the group to see the passion behind the performance...

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TOWN FEATURE

Stamford Shakespeare Company

R

ough winds doth shake the darling buds of May, but what’s shaking in Stamford this month? Rehearsals for the Stamford Shakespeare Company’s three plays, which run from June until August this summer.

Regular local performances of the Bard’s plays began when founder Jean Harley directed A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the monastery gardens at The George in 1968, to raise money for the Stamford Arts Centre.

However, disaster struck when, in 1976, the hotel wanted to expand, so the Shakespeare Company lost the use of their centre stage. Trying to find a suitable location for the right price was set to be an arduous task, but they were saved when, by chance, the Tolethorpe Hall came on the market. With a generous loan from a local business man, they quickly set to work on the picturesque amphitheatre in the grounds, and they held their opening show later in the year, with Macbeth and The Taming of the Shrew.

Today, the company is still going from strength to strength, with three plays performed throughout June, July and August.

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This is no amateur show though, with actors and actresses travelling from far and wide to audition, hoping to make the cut; who wouldn’t, with 34,000 visitors coming to the 600 seater amphitheatre?

Each play runs for four weeks, and this year the two Shakespeare plays are As You Like It and The Taming of the Shrew. Each year the group also brings something a little different to the stage, too. This year it’s Alice in Wonderland: Through the Looking Glass, their biggest play to date, with eighty costumes needing to be made for this play alone.

Steve Whittaker is the director of As You Like It, and has been an actor for years. “I choose which play I want to direct, and put myself forward to the board.

I plan the budget, propose the sets and costumes, then put all the different elements that I need together before a decision is made. We have a combined cast and crew of over a hundred all working together this year.”

Auditions are held at the end of September, and when they have a cast, the 11 strong wardrobe team, who are all volunteers, set to work making the costumes.

Wardrobe Mistress Anne Mason plans each costume, and this year a colossal 100 costumes need to be made

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On a summer’s day...

Stamford is home to a number of hidden gems, and is bursting at the seams with things to do this summer!

Brownes Hospital William Browne, a wealthy wool merchant, and his wife founded this almshouse in the late 15th Century, where they housed 10 poor men and 2 poor women with a Warden and a Confrater. Today, much of the medieval stained glass, furniture and archives remain.

Call 01780 763746.

All Saints Brewery Established in 1825 as a steam operated brewery, it was restored in the late 1990's to produce specialised fruit beers from microbrewery, Melbourn Bros. It has a coffee lounge, restaurant and shop. It is open for guided tours and tastings by appointment. www.allsaintsbrewery.co.uk.

Guided Town Walks from scratch or updated from previous costumes.

Hired professionals like dance choreographers and speech coaches make sure the performances are perfect. All three sets are built by father and son duo, Nick and Dannie Carlton. With the director’s model and specifications in hand, the pair set to work making each set in their entirety. They mainly use wood, since it’s lightweight and can be moved easily.

Top: Wardrobe Mistress Anne helps her 11-strong wardrobe team to create all the costumes.

Above: 100 costumes will be lovingly made for the three plays this year.

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They need to withstand extreme weather conditions for outdoor performances so each set incorporates steel to add strength. Nick and Dannie work hard to create visual masterpieces that bring the plays to life.

All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players... but for the 100 strong team working on these masterpieces at Tolethorpe, it’s all worth it for the rapturous applause of a grateful audience when they face the final curtain this summer.

Join Jill Collinge, Blue Badge Guide, for a guided tour and discover what really makes Stamford the finest stone town. www.stamfordtours.co.uk.

Tallington Lakes 205 acres of clean spring fed water - the perfect place to water ski, wakeboard, tube-ride, jet ski, windsurf, sail or canoe on clean calm water with all the family. www.tallington.com.

Barnack Hills & Holes National Nature Reserve Arising from the rubble of a mediaeval quarry, Barnack Hills and Holes is one of Britains most important wildlife sites.

Covering an area of 50 acres, the grassy slopes are the perfect place to enjoy an afternoon stroll. www.naturalengland.org.uk.

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GEORGI COLLECTIONS STAMFORD’S HIDDEN GEM STAMFORD iS WELL knOWn AS A bEAUTiFUL AnD hiSTORiC EnGLiSh COUnTRy TOWn. WhAT iS LESS knOWn iS ThAT AS yOU MAkE yOUR WAy FROM RED LiOn SqUARE UP ALL SAinTS’ STREET, yOU WiLL STUMbLE UPOn OnE OF STAMFORD’S bEST kEPT FAShiOn SECRETS.

F

or nearly 20 years, Georgi Collections has been a haven for ladies’ fashion. The service is outstanding and personal – Uschi Veitch and her staff can advise on what will suit you, and how to wear it. The atmosphere is comfortable and inviting – the gents can relax with a coffee whilst you browse.

The fashion is timeless, unique, wearable and made to last.

The real secret to this boutique is that every piece in Georgi Collections is handpicked by Uschi for her customers on regular visits to London and to her native Germany. The result is a beautiful array of European fashion that you are unlikely to see anywhere else in the region.

Georgi Collections is within walking distance of the train station and all parking in Stamford, at 7 All Saints’ Street.

Visit www.georgi-collections.co.uk or call 01780 756444 to find out more.

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Country Classic or

MOD-CON

You fancy a new look for spring, but how do you find the right kitchen style for you? Country classic, modern contemporary, or a bit of both? This month we can help you find the right style for you, with leading designers and stockists...

Words: Ceri Jackson.

Hen House Chicken Milk Jug Oldrids, £8.

Linum Tea Towel Elizabeth Stanhope Interiors, £22.99 for two.

Pot Luck Emile Henry Oval Casserole available in purple from Chilli Pepper Cookshop, £90.

Wooden Mutt in a sweater from Elizabeth & Stevens, £35.

Coffee Connoisseur Coffee Bean Sack Crate Seat. www.noton thehighstreet.com, £160.

Butcher’s Trolley Eddingtons Lambourn Butcher's Trolley in grey.

John Lewis, £699.

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T&G Egg holder available from Oldrids, £14.

Ooh La La...

French steel cutlery set.

Elizabeth & Stevens, £23.50.

St James rug from The Mayfair Collection. Size in stock: 10x8. Others sizes available. The Rug Studio, £6800.

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Three of The Best

Appliances Ceramic Salt & Pepper Pot

If you want a modern look for your kitchen, these cool appliances will take pride of place on your worktops!

by Little Brick House Ceramics. www.notonthehighstreet.com, £22.

Persian Gabbeh Rug from Oakham Oriental Rugs, £689.

Let Them Eat Cake Soup’s on...

Glass Cake Stand available from Elizabeth Stanhope Interiors, £41.99.

Make your own soup with this Morphy Richards soup maker - it’s as simple as pressing a button! £49, Oldrids.

Stylish silver SMEG fridge and freezer available from Oldrids, £1399.

Mojito time!

A Cut Above

Mojito Glass Set With Muddler. Cuban mojito recipe is included. £45. www.occa-home.co.uk.

Knives Carousel Set, Chopping Boards and Nest 100 bowl set. www.josephjoseph.com

Weigh me up!

These colourful and quirky kitchen scales by Bugatti are a great finishing touch! £49, Made in Design.

In an instant!

Save time, and get instant boiling water at the touch of a button; it’s safe, economical and a must have!

Variable price, Quooker.

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Industrial Chic This Industrial look Bar stool is the perfect addition to create a country style kitchen with a modern edge.

Elizabeth & Stevens, £145.

Petite Boîte We love this snazzy small collection box with potato masher, peeler and vegetable brush. £41.20, Made in Design.

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Mix and match to add a quirky touch to your table. These fabulous Denby designs are gorgeous, and are a great way to add a little something extra to your kitchen! Available from the Denby Store at Springfields.

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CUT YOUR HEATING BILLS & GET PAID FOR BEING WARM NEW GOvERNMENT INCENTIvE HELPS HOMES aND BuSINESSES REDuCE THEIR HEaTING COSTS aND GET PaID TO DO IT...

T

he Renewable Heat Incentive pays for heat from air and ground source heat pumps, solar hot water, wood chip and pellet burners - not only reducing heating costs but earning an income as well.

The incentive is available to existing or new homes, and a wide range of businesses such as farms, offices or factories. Payments are tax free and increase with inflation.

To find out about renewable heating for your home or business please call Orangehouse Renewables (01780 490095) or visit www.orangehouse.co.uk

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CREATING BESPOkE SPACES FOR yOuR HOME

Natural Structures...

The county’s prestigious homes are often beautiful but can be challenging to work with. Standard extensions can look very ‘run of the mill,’ but Simon Lewington has the answer. He can create bespoke spaces that are sympathetic to each property...

Efficient: a new family kitchen incorporates a dining area and living space - Simon’s Natural Structures can create modern rooms in older houses.

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T

ake a period property and a modern family.

One has to adapt to the other, and because the way we use our homes has changed over the years, decades and centuries, the way we design our houses has to change too.

If you’ve an older property, making it fit around your family can be tricky - especially in the case of homes with listings or those in conservation areas.

That doesn’t mean, however, you’re restricted to the size and layout of your property if you wish to expand. Simon Lewington and the team at Natural Structures produce oak structures which enable you to create extra rooms like kitchens, garden rooms and large extensions to your property without compromising the look of a period home.

The advantage over conventional building methods is a faster build time, less disruption on site and design that is individual, bespoke and sympathetic to the age and style of your property, built to a high standard.

“Each of our additions are produced in an artisan way using traditional methods and materials.” says Simon.

“It’s like commissioning art, but on a larger scale!”

Working with Simon to extend your home, or create a completely new property, involves an initial meeting so a client can express exactly what they’re looking for. Next, a client can visit Simon’s previously completed work, before Natural Structures produce a series of sketch designs to establish a concept incorporating the client’s wishes, feasibility and planning parameters.

CREaTING kITCHENS Older properties may not be suited to incorporating large modern kitchens - but with an oak framed extension, you can create a space that serves as a kitchen, day room and an informal dining area...

An oak framed structure facilitates a room of bespoke size and shape, and with lots of glazing, ensures plenty of natural light and warmth. Natural Structures are therefore particularly suited for those looking to add a new kitchen to their home.

Simon partners with a number of kitchen specialists to provide a ‘start to finish’ kitchen service.

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Right: Simon was able to dramatically extend this listed victorian house in a way which was sympathetic to the style of the property whilst providing much more living space.

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HOMES & GARDENS

Extending Your Home

Why Oak? Oak framed buildings have a number of advantages over other building methods... l The manufacturing in our workshops makes

for a very efficient assembly process with the installation of pre-manufactured components, considerably reducing time on site. l Oak framed buildings are very efficient to heat,

keeping warm in the winter and cool in the summer. l all the oak used is from a renewable source

and is eco-friendly. l The oak buildings the firm creates are very

sympathetic to their surroundings, be they existing gardens or existing period homes.

The oak structures tend to blend into their environments making them a firm favourite with the town & country planning authorities. l Oak has a natural preservative called ‘tannin,’

this tannin helps protect itself against insect attack and prevents wet rot, making the structures maintenance free, and ensuring they will look great for the years to come.

The advantage of using an oak-framed building method - beyond the look of the final building - is the creation of structures that are sympathetic to the style of your home, designed for modern families...

Once the designs are finessed, Simon will take care of all necessary planning applications, which takes eight weeks as standard, before the project proceeds.

The majority of the work takes place in the company’s workshops, but installation also includes the option of an interior design service as well as the option to install a complete kitchen with one of Natural Structures’s partner companies.

“We offer a complete turn-key service.” says Simon.

“This gives you one point of contact for every aspect of your proposed build including the initial design and planning work right through to the colour choice of your walls. When the project is complete we simply hand you over your new keys!”

Left & Below: a contemporary dining room extension and a traditional garden room, both designed by Simon.

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STyLE MEETS SuBSTANCE

Oak Designs a few of Simon’s previous commissions from around the county...

Right: The building method is also useful for creating annexes and additional bedrooms.

Above: The building method is ideal for traditional looking homes as well as sleek, contemporary homes, too.

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Modern: Simon created this bespoke property from scratch in slate, stone and glass. It sits in woodland and enjoys 180° views of its surroundings.

Simon and the team will liaise with and co-ordinate all tradespeople, as well as managing the company’s in-house installation team.

“Our groundworks team undertake all preparation work on site prior to the frames arrival to ensure the appropriate foundation for the buildings.” say Simon.

“Because the same team that manufacture the frame also assemble it on site, the whole procedure is swift and economical. The roof structure fits onto the frame with no fuss because this is also pre assembled in our workshops and with the roof on, the structure soon becomes water tight allowing all other associated trades to progress immediately.”

Simon believes he has the perfect solution to providing flexible living space in the county’s properties, saving clients time and stress whilst creating homes that also look great and blend well with the county’s finest period homes.

Workshop: The team created a bespoke luxury ‘workshop’ for this client’s collection of WWII tractors, ensuring he could tinker with them in comfort!

View: This client wanted more living space closer to their pretty millstream. The addition provided a new kitchen and master bedroom suite above.

For more information on Simon’s Natural Structures, call 01858 545518 or visit www.natural-structures.co.uk

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WELCOME HOME

A Cavernous Cottage with multum in parvo 84

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Multum in Parvo: thatch Farm may look like a quaint cottage, but it offers generous accommodation with 5,600sq ft of space and a total of seven bedrooms. it’s currently on the market with estate agents King West for £1.1m.

THATCH FARM, GLASTON

thatch Farm oFFers ‘much in little,’ With a spacious cottage Frontage giving Way to a 5,600Ft Family home comprising lots oF modern Features - a sWimming pool and home cinema, For example. it’s a grade ii listed traditional Family home that Will aFFord its next oWners the chance to create a great Family home...

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T

his month’s featured property is the perfect example of a traditional Rutland home. For a start, it’s made of local Clipsham stone (see later in this edition!) and topped with a locally managed thatched roof.

However, Thatch Farm is also the perfect reflection of Rutland’s motto multum in parvo, offering much in what seems like little.

The Grade II listed cottage was a former farmhouse believed to date back to the early 17th century.

“With a plot size of around a third of an acre, Thatch Farm is an ideal property for a family looking to downsize from a larger house when older offspring leave to pursue a university career, or move out of the family home.” says Yvonne Szymborska of King West.

Above: a large orangery was added to the property in the late 1990s.

The Grade II listed cottage was a former farmhouse believed to date back to the early 17th century. There’s also a separate home cinema annexe, as well as a self-contained cottage...

The property’s original layout, which probably comprised just three rooms, downstairs, has been extended to include a modern kitchen annexe, and afford the house two reception rooms, a generous reception hall and large kitchen with a breakfast room. Upstairs the addition created a principal bedroom taking the total number of bedrooms to five.

What we didn’t expect, however, is that the property also has a large orangery, added in the late 1990s, with a walkway to a large suite of rooms including a new master bedroom suite with library, sitting room and swimming pool with sauna.

The cottage’s accommodation doesn’t end there, either.

There’s also a separate home cinema annexe, as well as 86

a self-contained cottage, previously used as staff accommodation, which is ideal for a housekeeper, parents or teenagers, or as a holiday let.

“It’s a unique property that’s deceptively large, not too daunting to manage day-to-day, but capable of accommodating sons and daughters when they return for the holidays, or for those with parents seeking to retain their independence; they’ll find the separate cottage really comfortable.”

The new principal bedroom annexe is accessed by a covered walkway which lets natural light and heat into the property whilst insulating the cottage from any noise that teenagers enjoying the swimming pool or guests using that wing of the house might create.

With the addition of the east wing of the property in the late 1990s, the cottage benefits from a nice modern kitchen with built-in appliances including

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WELCOME HOME WELCOME HOME

Above: a glazed walkway provides a ‘secret passage’ from the traditional wing of the cottage to a thoroughly modern wing with swimming pool and library.

Left: the kitchen features an aga plus a suite of modern integrated appliances.

Left: the ‘modern’ library still has period features like high ceilings and exposed beams.

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dishwasher and cooling appliances, plus a British racing green double oven Aga. There’s also a cellar with racking for wine, a separate dining room, large drawing room and entrance hall with original twisted beams and whitewashed walls.

Upstairs are two family bathrooms and five bedrooms, and whilst fittings are modern, the best thing about Thatch Farm is that the next owners can create their own vision of a country home within the cottage.

The exterior of the property has enclosed gardens set to lawn that are enough to afford its next occupants the space to be a bit creative, but not so expansive that they’re daunting to manage.

“The grounds have been nicely maintained.” says Yvonne. “There’s not too much work, plenty of potential and the cottage is surrounded by traditional dry stone walling. The thatched roof makes it really warm, and as it was replaced just recently, so it’s in excellent condition.”

With chocolate box looks and a nice blend of quaint feel with deceptively spacious accommodation, Thatch Farm is the perfect compromise between a modern family home and a period property.

It’s currently on the market for £1.1m, and with the sun shining down on the golden stonework during our visit, it’s priced to ensure its next owners will purchase a piece of pastoral beauty at what seems to us to be a very good price indeed.

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Thatch Farm Glaston, Rutland Style: pretty thatched cottage with lots of ‘hidden’ accommodation.

Receptions: Four; currently arranged as drawing room, dining room, dining kitchen and orangery.

Bedrooms: seven; principal in main cottage with master to en suite, five further bedrooms plus bedroom in separate cottage annexe.

Features: separate annexe with kitchen, sitting room, bedroom, bathroom and attic room. separate cinema room. cellar.

Price: £1.1m Estate Agency: King West, st mary’s street, stamford pe9 2de.

Tel: 01780 484520.

Web: www.kingwest.co.uk.

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Welcome to Abama...

A land where time seems to stop and pause for breath. Hidden away on Tenerife’s glittering south-western shore is an unspoilt corner of coastline enjoying an average year-round temperature of 23ºC.

Your opportunity to acquire a bespoke world class residence set within the grounds of the prestigious Ritz Carlton managed Abama Resort with fabulous panoramic views to the immaculate golf course and the Atlantic Ocean: • Enjoy the luxury 5 star facilities of the Abama • Full concierge service available • Private Beach • Helipad • 24 hour security

Find out more by calling us on 0034 922 792 952 or email us at abama@cmltenerife.com or visit our website www.cmltenerife.com.

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HOMES & GARDENS

The New Window Company

Left: the company was founded in 1995 and provides bespoke windows, doors and conservatories for period and modern homes.

I

BESPOKE WINDOW SYSTEMS TO CREATE

Beautiful Homes for Summer...

With a completely bespoke service and a no-pressure selling guarantee, the new Window company ltd promises made-to-measure excellence and a warmer, quieter home, even if you’ve a period property...

For more information: Visit The New Window Company Ltd’s showroom at The Old Barn, Elms Farm, Frieston Heath Lane, Caythorpe, NG32 3HD. Call 01400 272538, or visit www.newwindow.co.uk.

f you’ve a period property, you’ll want high quality timber windows, doors and roof furniture commensurate with the style and character of your home. Caythorpe’s New Window Company Ltd can provide each of these, plus a service founded on a welldeserved reputation for quality and a refusal to employ pressure-selling techniques or commission-led sales.

The business was started by Darren & Tracey Elmes and provides both softwood and hardwood products, as well as timber alternative uPVC systems which are all made to measure then fitted by the company’s in-house team.

FENSA registered and providing completely bespoke units with a choice of sizes, colours, and glazing options, the company offers both Pilkington and Planitherm Total Plus glazing options which represents amongst the very best technology available to enhance the comfort of your home.

“We undertake around 300 installations a year and have satisfied customers across the East Midlands.” says Tracey. “Our beautiful showroom has an extensive range of full sized working samples from our product ranges and we are always happy to discuss customers’ requirements in our showroom or at their home.

A detailed survey is carried out on a site visit, prior to fabricating and installing completely made-to-measure products.”

“This means that all of our products fit beautifully and blend the technology and practicality of modern window systems with the look and finish of traditional windows for a look that suits your property and a service that’s easy and convenient!”

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Kitchens For cooKs ROOMS FOR FAMILIES the trend towards living kitchens means yours should be better designed, more practical, but also better looking than ever before. this month we look at the trends dominating what is arguably the most important room in your home...

Words: rob davis. Images: the Fitted Furniture company.

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HOMES & GARDENS

Dream Kitchens

We all live in our kitchens these days, so the demand on them to be practical spaces, in addition to serving as comfortable reception rooms, means the necessity of getting the design of your kitchen right has never been greater.

“The use of kitchens is changing.” says The Fitted Furniture Company’s Graham Fowkes. “There’s no one-size-fits-all way to create a kitchen either, because some people like a show kitchen, others want one that’s a bit more work-focused.”

With over twenty three years of experience, each of the company’s kitchens is lovingly created in their purpose built workshop on Racecourse Road. From initial client consultation with the Fitted Furniture Company’s own interior designer/architect, through to the final installation by the cabinet makers, and finishing touches like polished granite or hardwood work surfaces, brushed steel handles, Farrow & Ball paint, and top of the range appliances, the results are something that should be loved and admired for years to come.

There’s a greater demand for social seating in kitchens. Graham recommends window seating in bay windows with clever integrated storage, or for kitchens with central islands, breakfast bar stools which can be used when you’re working, or for casual dining and morning coffee when friends come round.

Reclaimed or antique dining tables will suit both modern and traditional kitchens with the combination of different ages or colours working well. A rustic looking dining table will soon find use for casual dining, less formal dinner parties and as a place for the children to do their homework.

Far Left: an in-frame shaker kitchen in solid wood enables you to paint your room over the years for a fresh new look. sage green and duck egg are on-trend colours, as well as perennial colours like old english white and cream finishes.

Main Image: mix materials in your kitchen - a combination of timber island and granite surfaces adds interest to your kitchen.

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The team creates and installs bespoke kitchens with hardwood doors which evoke real traditional craftsmanship. Each of the company’s kitchens are hand-painted and whilst white and creams are less likely to age, customers feel more confident about trying a bolder colour - duck egg and sage are on-trend - or even brinjal and dark grey colours, confident that if they fancy a change after a few years, the cabinetry can be repainted easily.

Likewise the firm strongly recommends solid granite or timber surfaces, or in more modern kitchens, Silestone or similar engineered stones for a hardwearing surface.

For the modern family, storage can be a challenge and incorporating clever hidden solutions such as pan drawers, single touch open and close systems, and magic corners maximises valuable space. Boiling water taps and steam ovens are other innovations designed to enhance modern living. And finally, state of the art LED lighting now offering means installers can utilise a contemporary system of lighting which can be incorporated into plinths, worktops, or cabinets, so any room can be lit to dramatic effect.

Finally, it’s always best to trust the installation and project management of your kitchen to the firm supplying it. Let them chase and organise contractors, co-ordinate and oversee works - it’s less stressful for a start, but your chosen supplier, like The Fitted Furniture Company, will also be far more technically knowledgeable... so delegate the responsibility, lose the hassle and love the result!

Top/Left: introduce curves to soften the look of your kitchen.

Above: storage doesn’t have to mean cabinetry. a plate rack looks traditional, and keeps your crockery to hand.

Right: every element of your kitchen can be improved. the humble kitchen tap can be turbocharged with the addition of a directable chef’s tap hose or built in boiling water system.

All of our images are from The Fitted Furniture Company.

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HOMES & GARDENS

Dream Kitchens

Above: an island in a contrasting colour will make efficient use of the available space and will yield a large work surface for baking.

Right: modern engineered surfaces like silestone can be shaped to fit a particular size and space. you can integrate sinks and appliances into it too.

For the modern family, storage can be a challenge, so incorporating clever hidden solutions such as pan drawers with configurable pegs, single touch open and close systems, or magic corners will maximise valuable space...

Find Out More...

Right: a reclaimed or antique dining table will soon find itself being used for day-to-day dining, the children’s studies or for those working from home.

All of our images are from The Fitted Furniture Company.

visit the Fitted Furniture company by appointment at racecourse Farm, racecourse road, easton-on-the-hill, stamford, lincs, pe9 3nt. alternatively call 01780 480080 or see www.thefittedfurniturecompany.com.

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‘Weave’ loads: The walls are aligned with bright and beautiful woven rugs from around the world.

celebrating 21 years oF

ORIENTAL RUGS oakham oriental rugs this month celebrates 21 years just off the town’s mill street in the maltings.

We spoke with owner Fiona hawker about the passion, commitment and dedication behind it all!

Words & Images: ceri Jackson.

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Celebrating 21 Years at

Oakham Oriental Rugs

F

iona and Christian have always had an interest in oriental rugs, and what began as their hobby and passion has flourished into a successful business venture. It has been 21 years since they first opened their doors at Oakham Oriental Rugs in The Maltings on Mill Street, proof that they are very much a match made in heaven.

advice. They can either offer a personal visit to the warehouse to see the stock first hand or they can bring them to you.

“As well as the smaller rugs, we have our warehouse which is home to our larger designs. We advise our customers, and show them the rugs we have that will suit the design they have in mind. This personal, bespoke service is great, as it makes sure they are given the full choice that they need, and they get the right product that will last and they will love for years to come.”

Above: christian and Fiona hawker first opened their doors twenty one years ago, bringing their passion for high quality oriental rugs to oakham.

“Christian and I have always had an interest in oriental rugs, which started as a small private collection which led to us to share our passion for them in Oakham.

It made sense to start this “Christian and I have always had an interest in oriental rugs. business venture together and here we are twenty one It started with a small private collection, and we wanted to years later. We really have share our passion for them in Oakham... for the last 21 years loved every second.”

we have been really lucky to be able to do so!”

When you visit the retailer, you will find walls decorated with the bright colours of beautifully crafted rugs - the main bulk being Persian, Afghan and Indian; all with the highest quality weaving. They also have a range of modern contemporary rugs and flat weave rugs.

Customers seeking their very own self-designed rugs can also benefit from the company’s bespoke service.

As well as this large selection, the couple have a sizable warehouse which is home to their larger rugs, and should a customer have a particular requirement in mind, Fiona and Christian are on hand to give help and

When we spoke with Fiona, it was refreshing to see the dedication and commitment they have. They both become really involved, from the buying of the high quality rugs they stock, to working in the shop and Christian carrying out rug repairs for customers.

Just last year Fiona provided Ralph Lauren with four large carpets for the fashion label’s new installations at Bond Street, just going to show how far the independently run retailer has come in the past 21 years! The extensive choice on offer and fantastic service really makes them worth the visit.

Find Out More: Visit Oakham Oriental Rugs in The Maltings, just off Mill Street in Oakham, LE15 6EA. Alternatively call 01572 724441 or see www.oakham orientalrugs.co.uk.

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Ways to make

Your Garden

Grow Julie Rush of seed specialist Thompson & Morgan has some great ideas for summer colour this month...

SIX PLANTS FOR SUMMER BEDS TO GIVE YOUR GARDEN SOME REAL COLOUR...

1. Begonia ‘Non-Stop Mocca’ features flamboyant colours, with myriad colours.

The best thing about begonias is their ability to thrive in both sun and shade, beds, borders, hanging baskets and window boxes. Mocca features double flowers, and can be planted this month for a gorgeous display in July; £14.99/36 plug plants.

2. Antirrhinum ‘Royal Bride’ is a stately plant with pure white flowers and rich green foliage. Perfect for traditional cottage gardens. £2.99/500 seeds. Plant in May for August/September colour.

For local seed stockists, see www.thompson-morgan.com.

3. Californian Poppy We’ve chosen ‘Jelly Bean’ as a favourite poppy - spectacular double blooms, feathery foliage and lots of colour! £2.29/150 seeds, plant in May for August colour.

4. Lobelia Our chosen display of Lobelia will bring mixed baskets to life with cascades of colour from tiny buds. £2.49/1,500 seeds.

Sow in April/May for colour in August and September.

5. Cosmos ‘Brightness Mixed’ can be sown until May and will produce bright, beautiful flowers from July to October. £2.49/100 seeds, with a mix of gold, lemon and orange beds.

6. Petunia ‘Purple Tower’ Cover arbours, create a riot of colour against walls and on your breakfast terrace, and provide a carpet of beautiful, rich foliage throughout your garden with this half-hardy annual, £2.49/30 seeds.

Grows to 4 ft easily, and can be planted in early May ready for a display of colour from June - real vigour, and a beautiful fragrance!

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in the garden

Create a Peaceful Haven for Wildlife...

Welcome summer into your garden by creating a beautiful and relaxing pond, one of the most important features to promote wildlife living...

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P

onds are one of the most important features that can be added to your garden to promote wildlife. They can attract a whole host of creatures from birds, to frogs and beneficial insects.

Making one does not have to be complicated: itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy to create a simple pond in your own garden and here are some handy tips and advice to help get you started.

Before you Begin Decide where you want to place you pond, and the right size for your garden. Ideally you want to be able to view the feature from every angle in your garden and house, but make sure you avoid shady areas, especially near deciduous trees.

The next step is to decide the type of pond that is right for you - a liner, or a preformed pond which are made of plastic, strong and a quick solution to creating pond.

There are different plants available for ponds, and they all require different depths of water. Decide what effect you want to create with your pond and choose plants to enhance this. Placing pond plants in separate water plant baskets at the right depth makes maintenance a lot easier. Most pond plants do not like rapidly flowing water so avoid placing them near a waterfall, and if you are planting fresh pond plants make sure the pond soil is thoroughly soaked beforehand.

right: You can create any type of pond to suit your personality and style.

Far right: Garden ponds are a great way to attract wildlife, including frogs, birds and insects.

Most pond plants do not like rapidly ďŹ&#x201A;owing water so avoid placing them near a waterfall, and if you are planting fresh pond plants make sure the pond soil is thoroughly soaked beforehand...

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gardening

in the garden

Jobs for May £ Remove moss and weeds from paths, terraces and drives and keep an eye out for pests around the garden. Try to keep chemical controls to a minimum - they may kill off pests, but they also kill off beneficial insects that prey on them such as ladybirds and hoverfly larvae.

£ Beware of unwelcome visitors such as lily beetles and the black spotted green caterpillars.

£ Continue with the spring cleaning. Hoe borders to get rid of weeds before they take hold.

Weeds such as bitter cress and groundsel are a nightmare so nip them in the bud! If it’s dry, attack ground elder and the like with weed killer painted onto the leaves. Dandelions are a nuisance - if you don’t have time to deal with them, chop their heads off before they set seed.

£ Ensure trees or shrubs have a circle of clear earth around them to allow essential moisture to get through.

£ Keep putting out bird food - they become accustomed to regular food supplies and it’s a real treat to see wild birds in the garden.

£ Cut back spreading and trailing plants, and tidy up spring flowering perennials. Cut off the old foliage, lift and divide large clumps and replant with plenty of water and organic fertiliser.

£ Make sure pots and containers don't dry out, especially if they are near a wall and in a sheltered position.

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Lets get digging...

After you have decided where you want your pond, it is time to mark the perimeter using either string, a length of hosepipe or sand. Remove the turf from the area, and using a spade, dig to the depth of your first shelf for your plants, and then dig out the centre, adding any additional shelves as you go until you reach your desired depth. It is a good idea to give one side of the pond a gentle slope to offer animals, such as hedgehogs, a means of escape should they fall in.

Remove any lumps or sharp stones from the hole and spread a layer of soft sand over the area. This will help protect your liner from punctures. Place a layer of pond underlay or old carpet over the sand to provide additional protection, and with the help of friends spread the liner evenly over the hole, and secure the sides with bricks.

Water Levels Now you can start filling your pond with water, making sure to pull the edges of the liner as you go so it continues to fit neatly over your pond. Once full, trim the sides leaving a 12 inch overlap over the sides. These can be covered with paving slabs or rocks to create the perfect rockery to compliment your pond.

Quick plant guide.. £ Bog plants are ideal where the soil remains wet but not submerged - use these in the shallow areas.

£ Marginal plants grow along the side, usually in baskets. They provide splashes of colour and some, like Veronica Beccabunga, will offer shade for fish, reduce sunlight levels and hinder algae growth.

Caltha Palustris are ideal for an early display of colour and spreading plants like Mimulus will quickly fill the top of a basket, making it a suitable companion for a tall plant, like an iris.

£ Water lilies play an important part in a pond ecosystem by shading the surface in summer months.

£ Oxygenator plants’ primary benefit is their ability to grow rapidly, using nutrients that would otherwise be used by algae such as blanketweed.

Caltha Palustris flower.

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Veronica Beccabunga.

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the West coast route: 101 takes you on a journey of a lifetime. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s punctuated by landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge.

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Explore the USAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; s West Coast

On the Road Again...

Rather than drive the usual Route 66 - why not rent a Mustang or Harley and drive the ultimate West Coast Route 101 instead?

From Seattle to LA, and with plenty of stops in between, Route 101 is the ultimate sightseeing holiday!

Words: Ceri Jackson

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big Sur.

elwha river, olympic national Park.

your WeSt coaSt road triP itinerary

What to see on the way...

1

Your road trip begins in Seattle, The Emerald City. It’s one of America’s fastest growing cities, famous for its coffee and grunge music. Before picking up your ride, make sure you visit Pike Place Market, Space Needle and Pioneer Square.

2

Your first stop is Olympic National Park, situated in the Washington State. One of the wettest places you’re ever likely to visit, wild Roosevelt Elk live amongst the trees, alpine meadows and waterfalls. Be sure to visit the magical Rialto Beach.

3

Portland, Oregon is the perfect place to visit trendy bars and cafés, and treat yourself to a shopping spree before hitting the road.

4

Next, soak up the views on the 360 mile stretch of coastline, through Cannon and Florence. Visit Crater Lake, a place of tranquil beauty with deep blue lake, cliffs, islands and a volcanic past.

5

Start your Californian experience with a visit to Redwood National Park, and commune with nature as you stand amongst its 100m tall trees.

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6

Now it’s time for a drink! Visit the Napa and Sonoma Valleys in Santa Rosa, California - with vineyards stretching across the rolling hills.

below: Hearst Castle is a National Historical Landmark mansion. Step back in time and relive a unique chapter in American history with guided tours through the castle.

7

Far below: Crater Lake is a natural beauty with a volcanic past!

Drive over the Golden Gate Bridge to San Francisco. Take in stunning views before exploring this iconic city. Visit Monterey Bay Aquarium before setting off on the 17 mile drive taking you on a tour past rugged beaches and millionaire homes.

8

Point Lobos marks the start of the Big Sur. Enjoy a walk around this State Reserve, before stopping off for lunch in Carmel and a front row seat on the beach to watch the sunset over the Pacific.

9

Big Sur is the best driving experience in America. Winding roads, State Parks and stunning vistas, and Hearst Castle and Santa Barbara are the ideal stop off points.

10

Time for the climax of your tour; Los Angeles, home to the Hollywood Stars! Hire a bike and cruise down to Venice Beach, or shop till you drop at the Third Street Promenade.

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traveL

USA West Coast

Pick of the best... Make sure you recharge as you travel from city to city. Here are some of the best restaurants to visit whilst on the road!

Seattle: A city surrounded by water; it makes sense to visit seafood restaurant The Walrus and the Carpenter. Bright and buzzing with wire baskets filled with oysters, and a chandelier that looks like it was harvested from a coral reef.

Portland: Most of the food served in cabin-in-the-woods restaurant Ned Ludd is wood-fired or smoked. The menu features dishes like roasted whole trout, grilled pork chops with green garlic confit, smoked black cod and spiced flatbread.

Florence: On your way to California, stop by Wholly Smokin BBQ & Ribs for an award-winning pulled pork and ribs. napa, california: Gott’s Roadside is renowned as the iconic gourmet burger stand from St. Helena, California. It serves American and Californian classics all day long using local, seasonal ingredients.

San Francisco: Namu Gaji is a family run restaurant incorporating New Korean American cuisine - humble, innovative; the menu is inspired by weekly harvests from their farm and the finest local bounty.

Los angeles: Visit Nobu Malibu, with ocean views and waves crashing below.

Sit on the patio or take a seat at the sushi counter and let the chef guide you through Peruvian-inflected tiradito, uni mini tacos and sashimi so fresh, you can taste the Pacific.

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DEMO: WWW.UKBRIDE.CO.UK/2014 OR CALL OUR TEAM ON 0800 112 3 112

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Visiting Tailor Service

at The George Hotel of Stamford on Sunday 11th May, 10am – 4pm

PROUD TO BE OFFERING HIS RENOWNED BESPOKE TAILORED GARMENTS. SELECTING FROM THE FINEST ENGLISH WOOLLEN CLOTHS & SCOTTISH TWEEDS.

INTRODUCTORY OFFER

£100 Off Your First Order!

Andrew J Musson Bespoke Tailor of Lincoln

For prior appointments, please contact Andrew

Tel: (01522) 520142 Mob: 07961 157119

info@andrewjmusson.com www.andrewjmusson.com 110

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the Wedding aLbuM

Beth and Simon Nix...

Teaching Assistant Beth and ďŹ ancĂŠ Simon had been making beautiful music for three years before he proposed. Their vintage day was the perfect example of how to make your day so personal, and so special...

Photos: Contact:

Lizzie haines, do it Momma 07951 030114, www.shootitmomma.co.uk.

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ag e feel The coup le w ante d a anvint iend s w it h lots of fa m ily wd-kfrey feel ... th ere, an d a re laxe d, lo

d “I t w as a re ally re lax ed Bdaety h.an re ally good fun !” sa ys

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the Wedding aLbuM

“He proposed in Somerset, where his parents had a holiday cottage, during a visit to Chalice Well Gardens, which are so beautiful...!”

V

intage weddings are still on trend for 2014 and 2015 weddings, and Beth Nix, née Webster’s, special day is the perfect example of how to ensure your special day is the kind of personal, stylish and romantic day that all brides are looking for.

Beth and Simon grew up in the same village and both played at open mike nights at their local café bar. Beth has seen Simon posing in his 1972 Alfa Spider, and the two had often spoke in passing. The offer of providing a lift home one night gave Simon the ideal opportunity to give Beth his number, but that wasn’t quite the end of the story.

“I didn’t text him for four months, it was really cruel of me!” says Beth. “We bumped into each other some time after he’d given me his number and this time I remembered to text him.”

“He proposed in Somerset, where his parents had a holiday cottage, during a visit to Chalice Well gardens, which are so beautiful. We began planning our day and

knew exactly what we wanted right from the outset.”

The couple wanted a vintage feel with lots of family and friends there, and a relaxed, low-key feel.

Beth’s aunt decorated her cake, whilst the bride herself created home-made bunting.

Beth also carried the vintage look through with a less formal bouquet composed of natural wild-flowers that were relevant to the time of year and created a look commensurate with a country wedding.

In line with the relaxed theme Beth didn’t want a dress that was too structured, and fell in love with her beautifully embroidered backless empire-line dress with a beautiful bow detail to the back.

The couple took their vows at the registration office and held their reception at a local pub restaurant.

One touch that was a bit wacky, not necessarily in keeping with the English theme but great fun nonetheless, was Simon’s friend Jay Goldsmith’s band

images: Lizzie Haines, Do It Momma 07951 030114, www.shootit momma.co.uk.

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the Wedding aLbuM

who played at the reception. Whilst Simon plays with Jay in 90s rock band, covering hits from names like Nirvana, Jay’s other musical interest is world music, and so the couple and their guests enjoyed the musical stylings of a Mongolian wedding dance, complete with wind instruments.

“It was a really relaxed day and great fun!” says Beth.

“I watched the wedding DVD back and there was a scene with Simon pretending to jump out of the window to escape, so it was really relaxed, but ultimately, it was a really fun day.”

“All of the people we worked with were wonderful, from our florist, Earthworks, to our photographer Lizzie Haines. Lizzie was so brilliant and talented, she blended in so well and produced some lovely images.”

“We had a lovely honeymoon afterwards to Broadway in the Cotswolds. It was like an extension of the English wedding theme, enjoying the countryside and playing croquet and drinking champagne!”

“It was the perfect day, with friends and family as attendants, exactly the kind of low-key, relaxed and enjoyable day we were both hoping to create.” says Beth.

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images: Lizzie Haines, Do It Momma 07951 030114, www.shootit momma.co.uk.

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A RING FOR

ETERNITY

THE BEST OF

APRIL

RUTLAND & STAMFORD

2014

APRIL

EVERY SINGLE MONTH

RutlandPride

MAGAZINE ONE COUNTY THE NUMBER STAMFORD UTLAND AND COVERING R

Restaurant of the Month

STAP LEFO RD PAR K

Great Days Out for Families

er What’s On this Summ £3.70

Oundle Exploring our market towns {Page 15}

Spring Homes

Eating Out Spring dining in Rutland {Page 24}

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The best of

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he only private hospital facility in Lincolnshire, where profits are returned to the NHS for the benefit of all local NHS patients. Patients enjoy privacy and individual attention whilst having the reassurance that The Bostonian is adjacent to the sophisticated services of The Pilgrim Hospital, with its expert diagnostic and emergency medical and surgical facilities.

H Award Winning Sleep Apnoea Service Please visit our website to view the full range of services we offer

www.the-bostonian.co.uk Comfort & Peace of Mind The Bostonian is the private wing of Pilgrim Hospital and is set in its own grounds and gardens. There are 19 en-suite single rooms with digital TVs and telephone. Our dedicated housekeeping team ensure continually high standards of cleanliness and hygiene.

Professional Expertise Almost any condition can be treated at The Bostonian by our dedicated team of professionals – most of our Consultants live only minutes away.

We welcome self referral and provide 24 hour medical cover.

Range of Payment Options Available We deal with all the major insurance companies and also offer Fixed Price packages for the uninsured.

The Bostonian Private Wing, Pilgrim Hospital, Sibsey Road, Boston, Lincs PE21 9QS Telephone: 01205 360606 / Facsimile: 01205 311442 www.the-bostonian.co.uk • ISO 9001:2008 accredited

Pilgrim Hospital’s Private Wing

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HealtH & Beauty

Blue Sky Thinking...

Hot oďŹ&#x20AC; the catwalk, blue eyeshadow is making a comeback; subtle dashes of aqua, sapphire and sky.

The secret is to keep your other make-up to a minimum to make it really stand out!

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A Summer Makeup Look...

Blue Belles This summer, blue eyeshadow is making a comeback.

Before you conjure up images of retro disco divas - subtle shades of aqua, sapphire and sky have updated the look along with bold blocks of colour.

The trick? Keep other make-up to the minimum to let the blue really stand out!

Words: Ceri Jackson.

>> Estee Lauder Double Wear All-Day Glow BB creme is the perfect start to create a natural base. It instantly perfects skintone and vibrancy, whilst brightening and evening your skin; 30ml, £29.

<<

Shiseido Shimmering Cream Eye Colour glides over the eyelids, creating a luxurious look instantly.

15 shades available.

Shade shown is Blue 711; 6g, £21.50.

<< Chanel’s LES BEIGES Healthy Glow sheer powder provides a sensation of lightness, well-being and freshness with the pure radiance of days spent outdoors.

Five shades available; £38.

<< With this sexy line up of nudes, bronzes and pinks there is an Urban Decay Naked Lip Gloss for everyone; £14.

<<

>> Thierry Mugler Angel Eau de Parfum with notes of vanilla, sandalwood, and patchouli. Refillable Bottle; 100ml, £79.50.

Nails Inc gel polish provides a high shine, super glossy finish. Shade shown is Mercer Street.

Nine shades in range; £14. >> NARS Larger Than Life Long Wear Eyeliner in Khao San Road; £19.

NARS Eyeliner Pencil in Kaliste; £16.

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Dress to Impress

Ladies Day DUST OFF YOUR SUMMER WARDROBE AND GET READY FOR A LADIES DAY! MICHAELA LOUISA’S NEW COLLECTION IS PERFECT FOR A SUNNY STROLL OR A DAY AT THE RACES WITH A GLASS OF BUBBLY OR TWO...

Words: Ceri Jackson

T

label with a strong Italian influence. Her cocktail dresses are ideal for any occasion, with a classy yet informal touch.

With Michaela Louisa’s new collection, you won’t need to worry about what to wear as the designer’s got it covered!

Bright, vivacious, chic this stylish, brilliantly British collection appeals to all ages, and will make you feel incredible.

his summer, get together with your girlfriends and enjoy a fun Ladies Day in the summer sunshine.

Established in 1992, Michaela Louisa is a London based

>>

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<< £ ABOVE Fitted dress with wrap effect and dark purple geometric pattern. >> £ PASTEL PRINCESS This pastel purple dress really stands out with bold bow and embossed detailing.

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<< >> £ABOVE AND RIGHT Fitted colour block dresses with summer sandals are very flattering and make the perfect outfit for a day out.

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<< ÂŁABOVE Geometric black and white dress with a pink twist. << ÂŁ LEFT Simple white dress with black detailing and bow, paired with a bolero jacket.

Add large round sunglasses to create a retro British look!

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<<

<<

£ BEJEWELLED Steal the show in this selection of shimmering pink fitted dresses.

£ STOCKISTS For local stockists see www.michaelalouisa.com.

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tO VIeW anD puRcHase pHOtOGRapHs FROM ‘tHe eVent’ VIsIt WWW.pRIDeMaGaZInes.cO.uK

THE EVENT Cavells Spring and Summer Show Rutland’s most well-known clothing retailer Cavells recently showed off its spring and summer collections during a fashion show to raise money for the Children’s Air Ambulance. Around 70 outfits were presented during the course of six collections, from Glorious Technicolour outfits to monochrome separates and Razzle Dazzle looks designed to show off the season’s most vibrant colours. Brands featured included Marc Cain, Oui, Ralph Lauren and Seasalt, with accessories from names like Armani, Anya Hindmarch and Michael Kors. Cavells Country also presented clothing from brands like Barbour and Shöffel. Both stores were open until 10pm, whilst 17 raffle prizes included vouchers up to £300 to spend in store. Organisers of the show want to thank Creme Hair and Beauty, who provided hair styling and makeup, Sarah Lyon for canapés, DG Music and of course, the models and their dressers.

If you’re hosting an event, invite our photographers along - call 01529 46 99 77 and speak to our Editor...

Images by Rob Davis.

Feature your event in our magazine.

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Call 01529 469977 and speak to our Events Desk...

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tHe eVent Cavells

Spring and Summer Fashion Show

Brands featured included Marc cain, Oui, Ralph lauren and seasalt.

around 70 outďŹ ts were presented during the course of six collections.

Purchase photographs from this event online.

Visit www.pridemagazines.co.uk.

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THE BEST OF

APRIL

RUTLAND & STAMFORD

2014

APRIL

EVERY SINGLE MONTH

RutlandPride

MAGAZINE ONE COUNTY THE NUMBER STAMFORD UTLAND AND COVERING R

Restaurant of the Month

STA PLE FOR D PAR Ks Familie Great Days Out for Familie

What’s On this Summer £3.70

Oundle Exploring our market towns {Page 15}

Eating Out Spring dining in Rutland {Page 24}

Spring Homes 30 pages of home ideas {Page 52}

Advertise in the number one county magazine.

To discover how we can boost your sales, call our friendly team now.

01529 469977 www.pridemagazines.co.uk

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Purveyors of Luxury Eyewear Since 1979

Designer frames from Oliver Peoples and Jaguar just two of the famous names available at Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Briens.

43/44 Wrawby Street, Brigg, North Lincolnshire DN20 8BS Tel: 01652 653 595. Web: www.obriensopticians.co.uk

Call for an appointment or pop in to view our latest designer eyewear.

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ENJOY

Nene Valley Railway

Heritage Jewel: One of Peterborough’s biggest attractions is the Norman Cathedral right in the heart of the city.

Exploring the story behind Peterborough’ s

ERA OF STEAM Riding aboard a steam train is exciting, but riding on the footplate is a very rare, and compelling experience. This month our features editor Ceri Jackson paid Nene Valley Railway in Wansford near Peterborough a visit, to take a ride on the charity’s very own City of Peterborough steam engine train and find out about the heritage railway!

Words & Pictures: Ceri Jackson.

I

t seems there’s nothing more exciting than stepping aboard a steam train for the very first time.

Back in my childhood days, I never had the pleasure of witnessing one of these majestic locomotives, let alone riding upfront on the footplate.

As soon as I pulled myself up inside the cabin, I could feel my inner child surfacing.

The heat was intense, my hands soon covered in soot. I have never been a fan of trains, but honestly - I loved every second!

Originally built in 1844, the Nene Valley Railway (NVR) was closed in the 1960’s, following a decision to cease service of a number of unprofitable lines country wide.

It remained closed until a local vicar, with the help of the Peterborough Railway Society, set to work to re-open the station as a visitor attraction in the 1970’s.

>> >>

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ENJOY

Nene Valley Railway

The railway now has a number of ‘Big Brits’ at the station, including the City of Peterborough, the Black Five and The Battle of Britain class 92 Squadron, which will be back in action by December.

There is plenty more on offer for visitors this summer, as NVR is also home to a number of continental carriages from Sweden, Poland and Germany, as well as diesel locomotives for the petrol-heads.

Now back to our train journey... as we chugged along the Yarwell to Peterborough NVR line, I was able to chat to meet Bob the driver, Nathan the fireman and Alan the cleaner and trainee fireman.

They gave me a real feel of what it is like working aboard Peterborough’s heritage railway, and it was clear that the passion and dedication of the volunteers are a real driving force at the attraction.

“It’s such an amazing experience to be a part of. I have a railway background in my family, so to be given the chance to drive such a powerful piece of machinery is fantastic.” said Nathan. “We arrive at the station five hours before the engine is needed, to get ready, and to help make sure the train and the tracks are safe and well-maintained.”

The volunteers work to a roster, and depending on other commitments, can sign up for as many train journeys as they wish. When you first sign up as a 134

volunteer on the footplate, you begin your journey as a ‘cleaner,’ like Alan - he’s responsible for keeping the coal topped up and the water replenished for the boiler.

The next step is to train to be a fireman, whose main job is to make sure there is a steady supply of steam at the right pressure to power the engine. Nathan helps ensure the track is clear when approaching level crossings, and is in charge of the token and key which changes the track’s course. The token and key also serves as a safety measure to ensure there is only one train on the track at a time.

Above left: The firebox acts as the heart of the train. Coal is burned to produce heat which boils the water in the boiler.

Above: The token or key is used to change the track’s course and make sure there is only one train on the track at a time.

The ultimate position at the heritage railway is to become a driver, like Bob, who is in charge of driving the train and maintaining its speed. Arguably, Bob is the person who has the most fun aboard the City of Peterborough, as he gets to blow the train’s whistle!

As we sped along the track we passed a number of well known places such as Ferry Meadows, where passengers can depart the train and enjoy a walk round the country park before setting off on the short walk back to Wansford Station.

>>

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“There’s something different every day. Being connected to the main line enables the attraction to bring a diverse range of trains to its visitors...”

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ENJOY

Nene Valley Railway

>>

The final stop brings you to the Peterborough NVR station, just a short ten minute walk from the city centre.

Always looking to bring diversity to their visitors, NVR bought the track connecting to the main line so they can bring other locomotives to them.

This autumn, the famous Tornado will be making a guest appearance - now famous for its role in Top Gear’s ‘Race to the North.’

The group of enthusiasts are also expanding in the shape of the Old Station building, which was purchased the day before our visit.

Built in 1844, it was part of a local haulage yard until 1999, and since has been left empty. This is an exciting venture which will help complete the attraction after its restoration. Plans for its use is a hot topic - but all we’re allowed to say is that it will be museum related and will make NVR even more exciting than it is for visitors this spring.

For more information or to book your trip, call 01780 784444 or see www.nvr.org.uk.

Taking a ride aboard a heritage steam engine train is a great experience. At Nene Valley Railway you also have the rare yet compelling opportunity to be a part of the footplate’s crew, where you can see first hand how marvellous its trains are...

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Volunteers like Nathan, Alan and Bob are the real driving force behind the attraction.

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OPHTHALMIC EXCELLENCE IN WHITTLESEY

Clearly Brilliant...

J Neville’s has been established for over 20 years and can provide designer frames, high-spec lenses and a range of fashionable sunspecs for comfort and protection all summer. All we need now is some sunshine!

Situated in Whittlesey, J Neville Opticians are an independent Peterborough optician with over 20 year’s experience, offering a large range of spectacles and sunglasses from standard to designer.

Our aim is to provide the highest level of professional ophthalmic services, using the latest techniques and equipment in a friendly, caring environment.

We all take a great pride in the work we do and believe in giving you the time and care your eyes deserve.

The practice stocks frames by many major designers including Gucci Versace Rayban Oakley Prada Polo Ralph Lauren Hackett CK and Silhouette.

Once you have had your eye

examination Jan Neville and staff will help with frame selection and explain spectacle lens options including extras such as scratch resistant or anti-reflective coatings.

We tailor your glasses to give you the best possible vision and comfort. On collection, we'll ask you to try them on so we can make any final adjustments.

This summer, you’ll also benefit from our range of fabulous sunglasses. These guarantee sharp, clear, relaxed vision and provide 100% UVA and UVB protection as standard, which means harmful UV rays are prevented from reaching your eyes. And with the best choice on the high street, it's never been easier to look effortlessly stylish.

For more information: Visit J Neville Opticians, 18 Broad Street, Whittlesey, Peterborough PE7 1HA. Alternatively call 01733 208578 or see www.jnevilleopticians.com.

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THE LAMPSHADE WAREHOUSE LIGHTING OUTLET Established in 1986 “The Lampshade Warehouse Lighting Outlet” was literally as the name suggests; 4 walls full of lampshades which were supplied to shops and stores throughout East Anglia and London.

Over the years the small high street shops have virtually disappeared but here at “The Lampshade Warehouse Lighting Outlet” we have created an up to date retail showroom where we can provide you with lighting from a bedroom to a ballroom. We stock a vast array of light fittings from established suppliers such as “Searchlight”, “Oaks”, “Mantra” and crystal from “Dyas”. For those who are uncertain about new technologies in lighting such as halogen, compact fluorescent, or LED we will be pleased to talk to you and demonstrate the various different types.

Lighting is a major part of any project be it just decorating a spare bedroom or renovating an entire house. In addition many commercial properties such as pubs, restaurants, hotels etc. have all sourced their requirements from our huge range.

Please come and see us to discuss your project, we are here Tuesday to Saturday and would be delighted to see you, for more details see our ad. or visit our web site at www.the lampshadewarehouse.co.uk

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PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL A HIDDEN gEM SITuATED RIgHT IN THE HEART OF THE CITy’S BuSy SHOPPINg CENTRE. ONCE yOu WALK THROugH THE ANCIENT STONE ARCHWAy THAT SEPARATES IT FROM THE HuSTLE AND BuSTLE OF CATHEDRAL SQuARE, yOu ARRIVE IN AN OASIS OF CALM.

T

he Cathedral is famous for its striking West Front which was completed in the early 13th century. At a colossal 26 metres high, its three lofty archways have been described as “doorways for giants.”

Inside the Cathedral there are many historic treasures to discover, including the resting place of Katharine of Aragon, Henry VIII’s first wife who was buried here in 1536. Mary Queen of Scots was also buried here in 1587, but when her

142

son James became King he had her body re-interred at Westminster Abbey.

Entry to the Cathedral is free, although donations are always welcome (group charges apply). Visitors are welcome to stroll around and explore for themselves, or to sit in quiet contemplation. To get the most out of your visit it is well worth taking a tour with one of our informative guides. These run on Monday – Saturday at 2pm (11.30am on Wednesdays). They last a little over

an hour and cost £7 (£5) per person.

The more adventurous visitor is invited to take a Tower Tour. These run on selected dates from April until October – including on Bank Holidays – and take the visitor high up in the Cathedral, getting close to the fabulous ceilings and stained glass, as well as enjoying panoramic views over Peterborough.

For more information visit www.peterborough-cathedral.org.uk or call 01733 355315.

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ANDRONICAS CERAMICS STUDIO

At Andronicas Ceramics Studio we have events and special activities running throughout the year. Here is a snippet of what we’re up to in the coming months: • Mystery Easter Egg hunt- Between April 1st and April 22nd find the hidden eggs in our shop and guess the secret films to win!

• Charity Fun Weekend happening 24th-26th May. • Father’s Day pottery available to paint from 1st June.

Keep up to date with everything we’re doing in the cafe/ studio on our Facebook or Twitter or contact us if you have an event you’d hold with us. We love to hear from you!

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UK PASSENGER DIRECT

uK

Passenger Direct offer uplifting options when you require transport (up to 8 passengers + luggage). you no longer have to just consider a ‘Black Cab’, ‘Mini Cab’…. or a converted Transit van!!

They only run nicotine free, Premium, Quality vehicles [Jaguar, Mercedes and Chrysler], professionally serviced, regularly maintained and constantly valeted, with driving staff that are English educated and speaking.

All their personnel are Police checked to Enhanced CRB level and road staffs are Local Authority cleared to carry and transport u-12’s.

They work primarily with Business users, Commercial clients and Domestic customers for Airport/Long-distance. No problem carrying a guide/Assistance Dog with Handler and collapsible wheelchair/pushchairs are easily stowed.

They even use a FREEPHONE number to reach them: 0800 211 8636.

The Complete Fireplace Service . . . With An Infinite Range We are a family run business with over 30 years experience • See an extensive range of wood and stone fireplaces with gas and electric fires in our showrooms.

• We offer a large range of Multi-fuel & log burning stoves, also on display in our solid fuel showroom.

• No standard sizes. Full survey done prior to installation.

• Removal / disposal of your old fireplace and appliance available.

• No Chimney? No Problem! With the Balance Flue, Powerflue and Flue-less Gas Fire range

• Complete flue systems and chimney fitting service available.

• Gas Safe and HETAS approved for Solid Fuel, LPG Bottled Gas and Natural Gas Installation

• All our fireplaces are manufactured in our own factories by trained craftsmen.

• All fitting work carried out by our own engineers.

Classic Fireplaces DESIGN | MANUFACTURE | INSTALLATION | EST. 1974 Telephone:

01778 347267 144

Visit our showroom: 4-5 Blenheim way, Northfields Industrial Estate, Market Deeping, Lincs PE6 8LW Open: Mon - Thur 9am - 5pm, Fri 9am - 4pm, Sat 10am - 4pm

Visit our website:

www.classicfireplaces.co.uk

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Targa: Porscheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newest 911 derivative is a retro Targa roof version combining open top motoring with the handling benefits of a rigid body.

MOTORING NEWS

Porsche 911 Targa...

Porscheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s classic two-seater sports car has spawned numerous variations over the years, but its latest version is a quirky targa derivative.

So what advantages does the new body style have over the existing soft top 911?

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MOTORING

Porsche 911

P

orsche’s 911 has a long-standing place in the hearts of most motoring enthusiasts. Not only is it well-known - established in 1963 with successive releases sharing the same nomenclature ever since - it’s also the perfect technical recipe for sports car perfection. A rearengine layout, slippery shape and lightweight six cylinder engine are proof that if it isn’t broken, you shouldn’t fix it.

Porsche 911 Targa Price: £73,413£148,511 (Targa £86,218-£96,316).

On Sale: Now. Engines: 3.4 V6 24v (350bhp), 3.8 V6 24v (400bhp), 3.8 V 24v Turbo (560bhp).

Economy: (3.4 V6 24v manual coupé), combined 31.4mpg.

Equipment: Part-electric leather seats, electric windows, electric mirrors, MP3 socket, climate control.

Not that the 911 has escaped modernity entirely the car can be fitted with Porsche’s Doppelkupplung twin-clutch automatic gearbox which is so good you’d be a fool to have a manual box. There’s also optional technology like sat nav and heated seats, plus systems for torque vectoring and active roll stabilisation, so it’s not exactly an old school sports car, but neither is it a soft, quiet GT, either.

Neither has the 911 escaped the fashion for vintage or retro style - and one motoring trend now experiencing a resurgence in the form of Porsche’s newest model is the targa roof. The term targa meaning a semi-convertible with a hard roof and roll bar - was coined by Porsche’s 1966 911 model, and arose as a result of concerns about convertible cars’ safety in the event of an accident. A ride and handling benefit of targa models is that with their rollover bars intact - unlike convertibles, who have had theirs chopped off as part of losing their roofs - targas tend to be stiffer and therefore handle better than their

soft-top counterparts, which suits the 911 ethos.

So, partly due to retro charm, and partly to ensure a wind-in-the-hair 911 can still deliver a stiff body, Porsche last month released its 911 Targa with the torsional stiffness of a coupé body but the same topless thrills as the its convertible model, which it will be sold alongside.

The 911 lineup has always been a bit convoluted.

There are basic Carerra models with a 3.4 litre engine, S versions with 3.8 litre engines, Turbo versions, and ‘4’ versions with all wheel drive, as well as coupé, convertible and now Targa body styles too, with none, some, or all of the above available in different combinations.

Basic Carerra coupé versions start at £74,000, whilst the Targa version starts at £86,000 with ‘4’ four wheel drive system. The first problem here is that a standard 911 is so good, four wheel drive doesn’t make too much difference to the way the car handles.

As for the greater amount of power, a basic 911 reaches 60mph in 4.8 seconds, and even a Turbo S model 911 shaves around a second off that time.

What’s more, all 911s can reach an un-exploitable 179mph, so you’ll need to choose a 911 carefully and ask yourself if you’ll really get the benefit of the extra performance you’re paying a hefty premium for if you opt for anything but the basic model.

That leaves the choice of body styles. In a climate such as ours, and with a £9,000 premium for a convertible or Targa model, you’ve got to either love wind-in-the-hair

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motoring, or hate the convenience and gentle, controllable comfort of the 911’s standard-fit climate control system, to warrant the premium.

Sunshine is a rare and precious commodity, and the chance to enjoy a convertible car is similarly rare, but when the sun shines, we feel that drivers should embrace the full on cabriolet or coupé/cab experience rather than sitting on the fence and driving a half-coupé, half-open top Targa model.

The appeal of the 911’s most basic coupé may be boosted by the fact that electrically adjustable leather seats, electric windows and mirrors are standard.

However, parking sensors, Bluetooth, cruise control, heated seats and sat nav are all optional extras and will add £3,800 to the price of your 911.

All of the above come as standard on the Mercedes SL, which is also £5,000 cheaper than even the basic 911. With its electrically operated retractable hard top roof, which stows itself neatly in the boot, the SL is a better compromise than the Targa version of the 911.

It provides a snug coupé style hard top throughout the year. The 911 Targa’s panels have to be removed manually, whereas an SL can lose its roof far easier, with just the touch of a button.

Undoubtedly the Targa looks rare and unusual, its rakish rear profile and aluminium roll bar detailing add to the 911’s already pretty exquisite look, and the Targa’s stiffer body shell will provide marginally better handling than the soft-top or the Mercedes, but you’d have to be a keen driver to notice.

The Targa looks rare and unusual, its rakish rear profile and aluminium roll bar add to the 911’s already pretty exquisite look, and the Targa’s stiffer body shell will provide marginally better handling...

The 911 is still, ultimately, a driver’s car, which hasn’t civilised or sanitised the driving experience with technology - which, arguably, the SL has. However, the standard 911 is so good, that there’s little point spending extra money on one of the more expensive models - you’re better to spend money on the items of equipment missing from the standard kit list.

As for the new Targa body style, it’s a stylish model in isolation, but a soft-top 911 will give a more authentic wind-in-the-hair feel. A Mercedes SL meanwhile, with its retractable hard top, is much more practical, making the Targa, to our mind, little more than a retro gimmick.

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£ JImmy CARR’S ‘FUNNy BUSINESS’

£ THE RAT PACK

, What s On...

£ THE RAT PACK

£ JImmy CARR

£ KING LEAR

The UK’s number one tribute show comes to the Key Theatre on Saturday 17th May at 7.30pm, direct from London’s Leicester Square Theatre, The O2 and a Royal Command Performance.

Get ready for some ‘Funny Business’ with comedian Jimmy Carr at The Cresset on 27th May.

Enjoy a live screening at the Stamford Arts Centre of Shakespeare’s tragedy King Lear.

Academy Award winner Sam Mendes returns to the National Theatre to direct Simon Russell Beale in the title role, an aged king who decides to divide his kingdom between his three daughters, according to which of them is most eloquent in praising him. His favourite, Cordelia, says nothing. From here, Lear’s world descends into chaos.

David Alacey, Des Coleman and Paul Drakeley star as Frank, Sammy and Dean in the original Rat Pack show, celebrating its 15th record breaking year.

Together they amaze audiences with their recreation of the music of Sinatra, Martin and Davis, in a fabulous show that brings the style and excitement of the Las Vegas heyday to vivid life.

It includes all the great hits – My Way, Mr Bojangles, New York New York, Amoré, and Come Fly With Me! The show also features BBC Musical Director Don Hunt at the piano and to add even more glamour, the stunning LA Showgirls. Memories really are made of this! Tickets £18. www.vivacity-peterborough.com 01733 207239

‘Funny Business’ is the comedian’s new stand-up skit; come for the witty and incisive musings on the human condition.

Jimmy Carr is one of the UK’s most original and distinctive comedians.

On stage, his stand-up tours have been seen by over 1.5 million people.

He has hosted Channel 4’s popular panel show 8 Out of 10 Cats for the last decade, and he has become an international star, playing to Canada, South Africa, Australia and Ireland.

He has been described as ‘the hardest working man in comedy’, which, let’s face facts, is not that impressive...

“It’s like being the tallest dwarf or the healthiest Glaswegian!” he says.

Tickets are £26.50. www.cresset.co.uk 01733 265705

Thursday 1st May at 7pm. Tickets £14. www.stamfordartscentre.com 01780 763203

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COMING UP...

The Great Gatsby Ball...

The glamour and gliTz of The 1920’s is coming To irnham hall for one nighT only, on saTurday 17Th may...

£ INTO THE WOODS

£ INTO THE WOODS

£ WINE TASTING

Performed by students from Uppingham School, Into The Woods is a clever and hilarious adaptation of James Lapine's book with lyrics and music by Stephen Sondheim. Intertwining the plot of several Brothers Grimm fairy tales, you can follow well-known characters from classic fairytales such as Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel and Little Red Riding Hood.

Make sure you visit Hambleton Hall for its Spring Wine Tasting event on Saturday 17th May at 12pm.

Tied together by an original plot, a childless baker and his wife attempt to reverse a curse placed on them by a witch, and in order to do so, must head Into the Woods. The story unfolds the hopes and dreams of all the characters through their journey and interaction with each other, in their quest to live happily ever after.

Wednesday 21st May, 7.30pm at Uppingham Theatre. Tickets are £8.50. www.uppthearts.co.uk 01733 207239

Sommelier Dominique Baduel will compare and contrast Riesling wines from Germany, Alsace, Austria and Australia.

Lunch is also included. Tickets are £70. www.hambletonhall.com 01572 756 991

The glamour and glitz of the 1920’s is coming to Irnham Hall on the border of Rutland and Lincolnshire for one night only, on Saturday 17th May. Gayle Wharton from Little Humby is organising a decadent Great Gatsby themed ball at this unique and exclusive venue, as part of her plans to raise £40,000 this year for four charities: Stamford-based Anna’s Hope, Breakthrough Breast Cancer, Bliss (the premature baby charity) and Dementia Adventure.

Gayle says; “Everyone loves the chance to dress up, and the Gatsby Ball promises to be a fabulous evening out with vintage cars on show, champagne reception, live music from Dr Jazz, four-course dinner, entertainment from the Chantry Dance Company and a live Charity Auction giving guests the opportunity to bid on some exclusive lots, including a bespoke art commission kindly donated by artist Edward Waite.”

For more information about the event and the venue go to www.irnhamhallevents.co.uk.

Limited tickets are on sale now at £75 and are available by calling 07860 394199 or emailing madfortyat40@gmail.com

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The ULTIMATE Combat Gaming Experience Airsoft is a military simulation game similar to paintball. It costs a lot less to play, it hurts less and uses realistic looking replica weapons.

Two unique sites and different styles of gaming.

Fight in and around buildings or in the woods and undergrowth.

The games run with two teams, each are given objectives which they have to try and achieve.

Competitive Prices Private, corporate and open days catered for.

01733 247171 www.urbanassault.org.uk www.freefirezone.co.uk Designed by email: games@urbanassault.org.uk Airsoft Shop www.fire-support.co.uk

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EXPLORE THE RUTLAND COUNTRYSIDE

Walking and Cycling Festival... it’s back, bigger and better than ever. This month we speak to rutland county council to find out what activities are on offer throughout may...

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National mill Weekend Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th May is National Mills Weekend, and whilst Whissendine Windmill is the only Rutland windmill taking part, there are four additional mills in Leicestershire for you and the family to explore!

Experience the wonder of our industrial heritage with a visit to one of the county’s windmills this month. National Mills Weekend is an open weekend event when many of the county’s restored mills will be grinding corn.

Whissendine Windmill A working six-storey tower windmill built in 1809 - it contains a smutter and four pairs of stones, a Wegmann roller mill, two reels and a wire machine.

Harcourt Mill, Kibworth The last 18th century post mill which was restored in the 1970s, but does not work.

Hough Mill, Swannington A red-brick tower mill, built around 1820.

There is a visitor centre with milling, mining and railway exhibits.

Ullesthorpe Windmill An 1800 Grade II six-storey brick-built tower mill, at present without sails, with original wooden machinery and three pairs of millstones. There is also a granary, stable, cart house, livestock, bakehouse, miller’s office and mill house.

Wymondham Windmill The last 18th century post mill which was restored in the 1970s, but does not work.

For a full list of participating mills, and opening times, visit: www.nationalmillsweekend.co.uk.

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Walk the 64 mile round up with author John Williams - what better way to get a true feel for the beauty of the county than through the eyes - and footprints of someone as passionate as John?

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What’s On

Rutland Walking and Cycling Festival

The Rutland Walking and Cycling Festival is back, bigger and better than ever for its fifth year in May. Active Rutland are the organisers behind the event, which is a fun packed celebration of Rutland and its glorious countryside...

The perfect place to escape from the hustle and bustle of every day life - rutland is england’s smallest county and an idyllic rural destination in the quiet countryside. small in size, and full of character; rutland has an array of unspoilt villages, market towns, and perfect countryside all waiting to be explored.

What better way than with the rutland Walking and cycling festival? Taking place from 18th to 31st may, this event provides the perfect opportunity to enjoy a variety of events all while you soak up the charm and character of rutland.

Throughout the fortnight, there will be a host of led walks and cycle rides to suit all ages and abilities - providing the perfect day out in the sunshine! as well as local villagers, many visiting cyclists and walkers travel from far and wide to take part in this popular festival.

Main: last year’s festival was a huge success, including the ladies only bike ride.

Far Left: There will be a chance to try out an electric bike.

Kickstart your Health with Walking on 18th may, you can enjoy a variety of walks, and get a real taste of the new nordic Walking activity. get your health checked by local sports centres, and start improving it straight away by taking part in the different walks throughout the day.

Walking Week (19th to 24th May) The perfect way to explore the county of rutland - during this week you can enjoy a variety of exciting walks all while you take in the beauty and diversity of the rutland landscape. There’s no need to worry as there will be a range of short and long rambles during the day and night that will suit everyone’s needs and ability.

“The county has an array of unspoilt villages, market towns and countryside, all waiting to be explored. This festival provides a great opportunity to enjoy a variety of events, as you soak up the character and charm of rutland...”

The BIG Family Cycle Launch hosted by rutland cycling on saturday 25th may at Whitwell, there lots of different activities on offer, from cycling displays and a smoothie bike maker, to face painting and stalls and exhibitors. if you want to start getting more active as a family, couple or an individual, the day will highlight the different cycling opportunities that you can get involved in.

Cycle Week (26th to 31st May) dust off your cycling helmet, and enjoy a variety of bike rides all week long. get your girlfriends together for a ladies only evening bike ride - a great way to keep fit while you socialise.

The area’s local nature rides are a great way to spend time together as a family while you enjoy the fresh air, and you might get to see some of the local wildlife too!

Try out an electric bike, and visit the cycle clinic to learn how to keep your bike maintained and safe to use.

Rutland Round during the week you can also walk the 64 mile rutland round across six days with the route’s author John Williams.

What better way to get a real feel for the beauty of rutland than through the eyes and footprints of someone as passionate as John. each section of the rutland round starts at 9am, and places are limited so make sure you register your interest early and get booked in!

Find Out More WALKING & CyCLING FESTIvAL Visit www.activerutland.org.uk or www.discover-rutland.co.uk/walking-festival for times, venues and details of all the activities featured here. you can also call the active recreation Team on 01572 720936.

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how to get lost in

Rutland... may is the best month to enjoy the county, with lots happening around the water, and active rutland’s annual cycling and walking festival. if you needed any additional inspiration though, get lost in rutland’s Kathy horner has some more ideas for Words: rob davis. getting fit and having fun...

Hire a Bike and Explore Rutland...

Get Lost in Rutland will this month begin hiring bicycles and power-assisted bikes for those seeking to get fit and see a little more of Rutland.

The company’s 20 hybrid road cycles and 15 electric bikes from Biocycles and RooDogs will provide a great day out for families. The company is also creating its own treasure hunts and cycle routes with varying levels of difficulty to suit any fitness level.

Just four miles from Rutland Water and a couple of miles away from Oakham, hiring a cycle from Get Lost’s GRRR (Great Rutland Rural Rides) costs just £9-£12 for a half day, £15-£20 for a full day. The team is also happy to recommend a few good pubs and restaurants along the way, too!

Above/Right: get lost in rutland’s Kathy horner this month launches her cycle hire service from rutland garden centre on oakham’s ashwell road. customers can hire conventional or power assisted cycles and can embark on the company’s treasure hunts and cycle routes.

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GREAT DAYS OUT

in Rutland

Camping: spend more time in the pub and less time wrestling with your tent - get lost in rutland’s range of Vango airbeam pole-free tents erect in seconds thanks to a rigid inflatable beam system and are more stable than conventional tents - they’re in stock now along with a range of other equipment to make camping more comfortable; shown here is utopia 400 with carpet, canopy & footprint £999.

Best foot Forward for Nordic Walking...

Learn Nordic Walking and you’ll benefit from a workout that tones the whole body, burns 46% more calories than conventional walking, and helps those suffering from neck, shoulder or back problems.

Get Lost is offering free one hour taster sessions by appointment, with a follow up of four sessions for £10 each. Then join the weekly organised walks - currently four per week with more planned for the future. All equipment provided and walks take place around the Rutland countryside.

Enjoy a Rutland Treasure Hunt Pick up one of Treasure Trails’s rutland murder mystery, spy or treasure hunt themed trails and you’ll have hours of fun exploring the county.

There are three to choose from, ranging from an hour and a half to three hours, and each one is packed with interesting facts about the county.

They’re suitable for families, they’ll increase your knowledge of rutland and they provide a great day out, and best of all, each comes with the chance to win £1,000 when you submit your final answer by text. £5.99 each, from Get Lost in Rutland.

Find Out More Get fit and explore Rutland everything you need is available at Get Lost in Rutland - our recommended camping, cycling, golfing and outdoor leisure store.

Get Lost in Rutland is based at Rutland Village, Ashwell Road, Oakham, LE15 7QN >> Get The Guide: Pop into get lost in rutland to pick up a copy of active rutland’s activity guide, with organised cycling, dance, fitness classes, martial arts, pilates, yoga and nordic Walking events. alternatively, see www.activerutland.co.uk.

For more information call 01572 868 712 or see www.getlostinrutland.co.uk.

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182 nd

At the

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1st Showg 2014 round ANDC OUNTY , Oakh SHOW a .C

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Be prepared for a jam packed day of family entertainment and fun in celebration of our Great British farming heritage MAIN ATTACTIONS INCLUDE: • The new craze of ‘Horseboarding’ • The ‘RAVC Military Dogs’ from Melton Mowbray • Back by popular demand the ‘The Sheep show’ • ‘Ridgeside Lurchers’ - “have a go” with your pet dog!

• A very impressive ‘Farming Through The Ages’ vinatge and modern equipment exhibition • ‘Birds of prey’ demonstrations and talks • And our New! ‘Education Zone’ showcasing rural crafts • Trade and craft stands

Early Bird tickets available ONLINE ONLY from www.rutlandcountyshow.com Tickets are £8 (before 21st May) £10 before the show & £12.50 on show day.

FREE accompanied under 14’s

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Gates Open 8 .30am Free Parking New Rutland Show ground, Show ground Way Barleythorpe, Oakham LE15 7TW

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THE RUTLAND COUNTY SHOW, SUNDAY 1ST JUNE

A New Site, A New Era...

The rutland show has always been successful, but having grown out of its previous location this year will see its 10,000 visitors attend the event at its new home in Barleythorpe. show director emma dodds talks us through what to expect from 2014â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event...

A Winning Formula: This will be the 182nd rutland show which this year takes place on a brand new showground but features the same mix of farming, food and fun.

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B

e part of the new era of the Rutland County Show and join the county’s agricultural society for a great British day out next month. Make a note in your diary for this year’s Rutland County Show which takes place on Sunday 1st June at their new Showground just north of the Oakham bypass.

and Commercial Manager of the site.

“We are giving the show an overhaul whilst still celebrating what’s great about Rutland, farming and craft. Our emphasis this year is on encouraging families and new people to the show that maybe are under the impression a county show isn’t for them – where else can you go for a fun family day out for less than £16?”

Above: from birds of prey to livestock, the show has its roots in the countryside.

Be prepared for a jam-packed day of family entertainment and fun, the show gives us a chance to showcase all thats wonderful about Rutland and to “We are giving the show an celebrate our great British farming heritage. what’s great about rutland, The new Rutland Showground is the result of 10 years of hard work by the Society to secure its future.

overhaul whilst still celebrating farming and craft. our emphasis this year is on encouraging families and new people to the show...”

The county show outgrew its original 28 acre showground site in Barleythorpe Road over 25 years ago, so the move was made to Burley on the Hill, owned by Joss Hanbury, and whilst the society was extremely grateful to Joss for his generosity in enabling them to hold the show at Burley, the time has now come for a move.

“The show is entering a new era and with that comes new ideas.” says Emma Dodds the new Show Director 158

“There will be over 150 cattle, 200 sheep, 100 goats plus more than 500 equine entries at this year’s show.

Come and see the beautiful beasts compete for the championship.”

“Even if you know nothing about livestock, we have Mike Keeble, one of the country’s most knowledgeable livestock commentators, on hand to tell you all about the different breeds and what the judges are looking for. He’s very entertaining and really makes the judging accessible to families visiting the show.”

>>

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THE RUTLAND SHOW

Sunday 1st June

“The show is entering a new era and with that comes new ideas.” says emma dodds the rutland show’s new director...

Above: don’t forget to pay us a visit and meet the rutland Pride team!

main Ring Fun...

There’s a packed programme of family entertainment at this year’s rutland show - here’s our pick of the attractions you won’t want to miss...

Horseboarding: One of the newest equestrian sports appearing in the main ring at the Rutland Show. An exhilarating mix of surfing, skateboarding and horsemanship.

Left: With over 1,000 entries into this year’s livestock and equine categories, agriculture is still an important part of the rutland show.

Military Working Dogs from the Defence Animal Centre: The Royal Military Veterinary Corps plays a key role in counter insurgency and improvised explosive device (IED) detection; searching and helping to clear routes, buildings and vehicles in Afghanistan and helping to guard and patrol key installations. Witness handler and animal in harmony with this amazing display.

The Sheep Show: A humorous educational live stage show about sheep and wool.

Edu-tainment at its best. Nine breeds introduced onto their own stage... and don’t miss the hilarious Dancing Sheep.

Ridgeside Lurchers: Ridgeside Lurchers invites you to experience the full speed hunting abilities of the lurcher. In the ring they will race, at full speed, chasing the electric lure.

Farming Through the Ages: Re-live the halcyon age before GPS tractors that drive themselves - vintage machinery and farming ephemera from the early days of the 20th century to the modern era.

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>>

“This year’s event has more emphasis on a fun, family day out with trade stands, food vendors, children’s activities as well as the fantastic array of animals in the main ring which supports the best of British farming.”

“You will see the Ridgeside Lurchers racing against the lure and the public will have a chance to have a go with their own dogs whatever their breed and speed!

Other displays include the Cottesmore Hounds and pony club (celebrating its 85th anniversary), Leicestershire and Rutland bee keepers and a dog agility course to test your own dogs, along with the traditional vintage tractors and classic cars.”

Back by popular demand is the Sheep Show as well as the impressive Farming Through The Ages collection of vintage and modern machinery including a working threshing machine.

There will also be Birds of Prey demonstrations as well as the new Rural Education Zone. The show will feature a demonstration of the Military Working Dogs from the Defence Animal Centre in Melton Mowbray; so visitors can see how these incredible dogs are trained for a variety of roles including protection and search, visitors will also have a chance to chat with the handlers on their stand and see the dogs.

The main ring will also feature a demonstration of Horseboarding a new equestrian sport in which a rider on a horse tows a board rider on a mountain board! Equine fans will see Royal International qualifying show ponies and horses, alongside some of the nation’s best of British showjumping competitors testing their skill over an Olympic jump!

“The show provides a unique opportunity to appreciate what is great about our county!” says Emma. “So, we hope we’ll have good weather and lots of fun as we debut our new showground!”

The new website www.rutlandcountyshow.com will be selling tickets online for the first time, visitors can print them off at home to scan on arrival - not only will this prevent queuing on the day but buying online before 21st may means huge discounts.

equine fans will see royal international qualifying show ponies and horses, alongside some of the nation’s best of British showjumping competitors, testing their skill over an olympic jump at this year’s rutland show...

Left: classic cars like these at last year’s event will be joined by a farming Through the ages display of machinery.

Pictured is last year’s President mr and mrs graham mills.

Discounted Tickets...

Pre-booked discounted tickets for the show can be purchased in advance via the website this month.

Tickets are £8 (before 21st may), increasing to £10 to 31st may.

Ticket price on the day is £12.50. concessions available.

ACCOMPANIED UNDER 14'S ARE FREE! For more information telephone 07568 181616 or visit www.rutlandcountyshow.com.

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

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Crosswords...

CRYPTIC CROSSWORD Test your lateral thinking skills with this month’s Cryptic Crossword. Each puzzle has a set of perplexing clues to unravel, and as every lover of logic knows, the frustration is all part of the fun!

ACROSS 1. Extravagant spending, as you'd expect from over-the-top diva playing Mimi? (11,11) 9. Number 10, perhaps, in full, is including everything (7) 10. Crestfallen Democrats covering up president no longer (7) 11. Could be Disneyland's crafty means of saving the species, Euro-politician included (5,4) 12. Landowner, look, into line dancing at first (5) 13. Supporting comedian Henry (4) 14. Ray's getting turned away, sadly, for certain (10) 16. A lot of net practice needed to make them relent with warm shaking? (10) 19. A small thing, but half the dictionary is missing? (4) 20. Check broadcast as rulers do (5) 21. Resort without worth moved where Blackpool is (9) 23. Crank action on right of reversed container (7) 24. Lecture about, say, going round Brummie's town (7) 25. See 1

DOWN 1. Initially inferior count: sceptical, sadly, about making a baby? (15) 2. Dignified refusal to live without Lord's lead (5) 3. Entry of Gladiators ultimately in old man's time (7) 4. Peach that's ready to be pulled (7) 5. A film on sea paintings by Hammer? (3,5) 6. Film musical with tempestuous shower scene ended by a cop (6,2,3,4) 7. Tasty-looking Estuary drink in glass girl put aside (13) 8. Such as the Guardian making southern English town assume importance (7,6) 15. Factory grade popular sort of banana (8) 17. Dotty or Duane's poem (7) 18. Non-soft, tangy sweet medicine introduced to a listener (7) 22. Smash hit enthralling an island republic (5)

DOWN

1. Substance applied to a wall - total defeat (9) 8. Locks (4) 9. Advisory lawyer (9) 10. Cut - bargain (4) 13. Acute remorse (5) 15. Fanciful humour (6) 16. Artificial (6) 17. Lump of gold (6) 19. Martial art (4,2) 20. Contaminate (5) 21. Dip a biscuit in tea (4) 24. Mystifying (9) 25. Courtroom promise (4) 26. Wild laughter (9)

2. Honk - laugh (4) 3. Sparse (4) 4. Soft neigh or laugh (6) 5. Liverpudlian (stew) (6) 6. Pluviometer (4,5) 7. Quadrilateral with pairs of unequal parallel sides (9) 11. Entrance opening either way (5,4) 12. Maidenhood (9) 13. Valued item (5) 14. Tickled fish? (5) 18. Public-address system (6) 19. Dubbed chessman? (6) 22. Reasonable (4) 23 Record (4)

CRYPTIC ANSWERS

QUICK ANSWERS

QUICK CROSSWORD

ACROSS

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