Rutland Pride December 2014

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STAMFORD AND RUTLAND RutlandPride

RutlandPride THE

NUMBER

ONE

MAGAZINE

D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 4 £3.70

A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of our Readers...

DECEMBER 2014

Merry Christmas to all our Readers Exclusive Interview with Spymaster Stella Rimington SEASONAL RECIPES - gIFTS - FINE ART - HOMES - wINTER FASHION AND bEAUTY

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ROB davis Editor, PridE magazinEs editor@pridemagazines.co.uk

Firstly, a thankyou. A thankyou for your wonderful, varied and well-judged recommendations in our three Good Food Awards categories. We’ll be delighted to reveal our winners in next month’s edition, and will name our Restaurant of the Year, Bistro or Coffee Shop of the Year and crown our Rutland Food Hero.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, so we this month present suggestions as to how you can create your Christmas with ideas for wrapping the gifts you’ll find on our Gift Guide pages, ideas for decorations and Christmas tables, and seasonal food, including treats from Hambleton Bakery’s Julian Carter.

Elsewhere, Rutland received a VIP visitor recently as former spymaster Dame Stella Rimington visited the county. In this edition, we talk to her about life in the service, find out why only a woman could bring the security services into the modern age and we discover why not every fictional account of life as a spy is inaccurate.

RutlandPride STAMFORD AND RUTLAND

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NUMBER

ONE

MAGAZINE

D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 4 £3.70

Merry Christmas to all our Readers Exclusive Interview with Spymaster Stella Rimington SEASONAL RECIPES - GIFTS - FINE ART - HOMES - WINTER FASHION AND BEAUTY

This Month’s Cover: The Cottesmore Hunt rides out; Nico Morgan took this image of the hunt at America Lodge Crossroads, with Derek Hopkins leading the pack.

For more countryside scenes, see www.nicomorgan.com.

Finally, we meet Nigel Rhodes, who this month brings fine art to Stamford’s High Street St Martin’s, with a variety of work from Britain & Europe and prices from a few thousand to several million pounds.

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RutlandPride STAMFORD AND RUTLAND

RutlandPride

THE

NUMBER

ONE

MAGAZINE

D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 4 £3.70

A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of our Readers...

DECEMBER 2014

Merry Christmas to all our Readers Exclusive Interview with Spymaster Stella Rimington SEASONAL RECIPES - GIFTS - FINE ART - HOMES - WINTER FASHION AND BEAUTY

With best wishes from the Rutland Pride team Publisher: Julian Wilkinson. General Manager: Ian Bagley.

Executive Editor: Rob Davis. Features Editor: Ceri Jackson.

Graphic Designer and Customer Care: Mandy Bray.

Accounts Manager: Sue Bannister.

Sales Managers: Zoie Wilkinson, Jayne Broughton.

Sales Executives: Liz King, Abigail Colley, Carissa Clay, Emily Brown, Sami Millard, Lauren Chambers, Emma Barrett, Hayley Scott and Amy Whiley.

Distribution Manager: Paul Dixon.

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!

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.

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!

Pride Magazines Elm Grange Studios East Heckington, Boston Lincolnshire PE20 3QF Tel: 01529 469977 fax: 01529 469978

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Contents

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December 2014

Find out WHAT’S ON in Rutland this month with an array of theatre and music events to ensure festive cheer!

Meet spymaster turned author Dame STellA RimiNgTON this month as the former head of MI5 comes to Rutland.

This month we’ve a RuTlANd ReSTAuRANT recommendation in the form of The Barn on Oakham’s Burley Road.

Julian Carter of Hambleton Bakery this month provides a few CHRiSTmAS ReCipeS based on his seasonal confectionery.

In our HOmeS SeCTiON, we visit Church Street at Easton on The Hill, home to Robin and Pearl Cox which has been lovingly updated and renovated in recent years.

Stamford’s Nigel Rhodes introduces a range of fiNe ART to the town with a new gallery which the art dealer opens this month.

Dance the night away with Ted Baker’s new fASHiON collection, with luxurious and beautifully elegant, feminine looks.

Create CHRiSTmAS AT HOme this year with Rutland crafter Jane Schofield, who has some great ideas for hand-made cards and gift tags.

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County News spire Leicester Hospital celebrates 25th anniversary with Pride...

are treated on the same day and we offer sophisticated assessment procedures and highly advanced surgical microscopes to give patients near perfect vision.” says Mr Chaudhuri.

leicester’s Spire Leicester Hospital is celebrating 25 years since opening its first hospital in Oadby to treat patients.

Spire Healthcare took over in 2007, and now has a comprehensive range of care, and has carried out more than 225,000 operations and seen more than 1.8 million outpatients.

Treating patients since day one, Consultant Ophthalmologist Mr Ray Chaudhuri has witnessed the changes and improvements the hospital has made to keep up with the advances in ophthalmic surgery over the years.

Exciting bid for new Harington school has been approved... three local schools who joined forces to create a sixth-form free school, are taking next steps after their bid was approved by department for Education Oakham School, Catmose College and UCC’s plans for their academic sixth-form free school, Harington School, have been approved by the Department for Education.

Harington will provide A-level academic education, focusing on core subjects for 300 local pupils, and offer high quality sixth-form provision to students from the local area.

The School will offer a curriculum designed to develop individual and academic potential, opening doors to the most prestigious universities.

Students will also be given the opportunity to extend their learning. “‘This is extremely exciting news for all the young people of Rutland and will provide an outstanding opportunity for future

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generations to come. I am delighted that the Department of Education has recognised the need for this provision and the strength of the team that will work together to ensure its success.” says Jan Turner, Principal of Uppingham Community College (pictured).

“I have been extremely privileged to have worked in the hospital from the very first day. 25 years ago cataract surgery was very basic; phacoemulsification surgery was not available. Today, patients

“The hospital is a special place and very well equipped to offer the best experience, and we continue to invest in the hospital.

All our staff are passionate about what they do, and caring for each individual patient is at the heart of our business. We pride ourselves on providing the very highest standards of care,” says Douglas Pattisson.

outgoing miss rutland praises Emma as she takes the crown...

“This is the fruition of a determined effort over many years to provide a high quality 6th form for all students, sponsored collaboratively by high performing secondary schools.”

The bid team have entered the pre-opening phase, which will see rapid development of their plans.

To support the school and for info about developments, like their Facebook page www.facebook.com/haringtonschool.

Regular updates will also be posted online ar www.haringtonschool.com.

Rutland has a new ambassador - 22 year old Emma Chevalier from Cottesmore. The title Miss Rutland was created last year when Cara Pereira impressed the judges in the Miss Leicestershire contest with her passion for her home county. Cara went on to organise the first Miss Rutland competition and crowned the winner. The winners were selected for their natural beauty and personalities.

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send your press releases and county news to: Editor via editor@pridemagazines.co.uk.

Prestigious national engineering scholarships for oundle pupils two pupils from oundle school have been awarded the arkwright Engineering scholarship...

Hegarty’s staff proves that the only way is up!

Hegarty staff tackle Wales’s highest mountain to raise funds for a new hospice in Peterborough...

Rutland’s Team Hegarty knew they had a challenge ahead with the peak of Snowdon looming above them.

The 33-strong team tackled Wales’ highest mountain as part of their year of fundraising efforts for the £6 million appeal in support to build a new hospice at Thorpe Hall in Peterborough.

The commitment to raise £10,000 has been a key part of Life Begins at 40 celebrations

marking Hegarty LLP Solicitors 40th anniversary.

Partners, solicitors and administration staff all took part in the challenge – and those who were unable to tackle the climb provided much-needed support.

“It was a tremendous effort from everyone. Everyone pulled together to enable the team to reach the summit.”

Find out more about Hegarty’s charity work with a feature on their event later in this edition.

stamford’s georgian Festival confirmed for 2015 for september...

in true Georgian style, and there was different traders who were selling a range of products. There was also a re-run of the famous Stamford Bull Run.

stamford’s heritage will be celebrated in 2015 as part of Stamford Georgian Festival, which will return for its second year.

Feedback from both local people and visitors was excellent following the first festival, so South Kesteven Council have decided to mark its return in 2015.

The first festival took place in 2013, and attracted 22,000 visitors over three days with a variety of activities including talks, recitals, shows and tours, a tea dance and cricket match

Oundle School pupils William and Omer have been awarded a sought-after Arkwright Engineering Scholarship, placing them amongst the country’s future leaders in engineering and technical design.

The Arkwright Engineering Scholarships provides a £600 financial award towards A-level studies and a range of activities to enhance their understanding and experience of engineering.

The Scholarships are respected by universities and companies, and supported by engineering employers and organisations.

They are also funded by charitable donors.

William and Omer completed a rigorous selection process of a detailed application form, a twohour aptitude exam and interview at a top engineering university.

“We are very proud of William and Omar. An Arkwright Award helps open the gateway to an engineering career by putting them in touch with sponsors and with everything that this collabo-

ration can offer, giving them invaluable opportunities outside the classroom.” says Head of Design and Technology Clive Humphreys.

Omer is being sponsored by Sir William Lyons Charitable Trust which has links to the Jaguar motoring industry. He is studying Biology, Chemistry, Physics and an Extended Project Qualification course and has also started to restore an old classic car. He is hoping to study automotive engineering at university.

William has been sponsored by Caterpillar UK and is working on an aerodynamics based project using the School’s wind tunnel, and hopes to study Chemical or Mechanical engineering.

“With competition for rewarding jobs becoming ever-more fierce, receiving an Arkwright Engineering Scholarship can help dynamic young people on their journey in engineering and technical design.” Dr Martin Thomas, CEO of Arkwright Scholarships Trust.

A September date for next year’s Georgian Festival is yet to be confirmed, but it is hoped even more events will take place.

Visit www.southkesteven.gov.uk.

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County News

send your press releases and county news to: Editor via editor@pridemagazines.co.uk.

new rutland showground and Pavilion is open for business the showground, home to the rutland agricultural society’s annual County show, is set in 150 acres of beautiful countryside, and is now open for business Rutland’s new Showground is now available to hire for both outdoor and indoor events.

The Showground, home to the Rutland Agricultural Society’s annual County Show is set in 150 acres of beautiful Rutland Countryside located a mile from the town of Oakham.

It has two function rooms and extensive grounds, and is perfect for a wide variety of events including a meeting, training course or workshop, wedding, charity fundraiser, party, quiz or race night.

There are 13 fields with two areas specially laid for sport

Valuation day in Bourne sees scores of visitors hoping to find a fortune!

Bourne’s antiques valuation day was held at The Croft recently.

Scores of people brought different items, heirlooms and trinkets to be valued in the hope that they might be worth a fortune.

Valuers from Batemans in Stamford were on hand to take a look at the items.

There was a great atmosphere throughout the day with great weather, and the Manor House had lots of visitors, cakes and treats!

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Copthill school Early Years is praised as ‘outstanding’ Local school is delighted as they are praised as outstanding in all areas after a recent inspection...

pitches that are flat, well drained and located a short walk from the car parks. There is a separate shower and toilet block on the main showground, and ‘The Clubhouse’ has a fully licensed bar with a small kitchen and changing rooms at ground level.

There’s a large catering kitchen off the main hall, The Rutland Pavilion, a spacious hall and boardroom that can seat 12, with tea/coffee making facilities.

The Showground also as a camping area with drinking points.

For more information, please visit www.rutlandcountyshow.com.

stamford’s Copthill School’s Early Years Department has been praised as outstanding in all areas after a recent inspection by the Independent Schools Inspectorate.

“The school is outstanding in meeting the needs children who attend, staff have high expectations and constantly challenge children.”

Provision for children’s wellbeing, leadership and management and the overall quality and standards of the Early Years Foundation Stage have all been judged ‘outstanding.’

“We are delighted that the inspection team was so impressed with the teaching and learning opportunities.” says Headmaster Mr Jonathan Teesdale.

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diamond Lover’s Heaven in the City of Leicester Situated on Loseby Lane just off the High Street in Leicester Lanes Fine Jewellery is a small family owned jewellery shop offering bespoke fine diamond jewellery and luxury watches.

There is a fantastic display of sparkling diamonds in the window including a 7.02 carat round brilliant cut diamond, and diamond solitaire rings in a huge variety of designs including Tiffany and Cartier styles.

Mr Onguc is passionate about diamonds and helping to find the perfect stone. “I really enjoy the challenge of finding the perfect diamond for a client and helping them to select or design the best setting to show it off. We often have to search through hundreds of different stones to find the most beautiful and once we have a perfect selection it’s down to them to

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choose their favourite”.

The boutique also offers a select range of luxury preowned watches including Rolex, Breitling, Hublot and Panerai.

As well as creating jewellery from scratch the company also offer a jewellery remodelling service which can be the perfect way of using existing jewellery or family heirlooms to make something modern and more wearable such as using the diamonds in a brooch to make a pendant or drop earrings. The bespoke service means anything can be made from scratch to suit taste as well as budget and all the designs on offer can be made in yellow, white or rose gold, palladium or platinum depending on taste and budget.

The shop is open Mon-Sat 10am to 5.30pm, Sundays in December 11am-4pm.

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What’s On

aladdiN paNTO Family spectacular full of song and dance, magic & mayhem starring Alison Hammond, best known as presenter on This Morning, and star of Strictly Come Dancing. Take a trip on the magic carpet, meet genie, make a wish and live happily ever. Glittering sets, stunning costumes, beautiful songs and plenty of feel-good magic. Showing at The Cresset in Peterborough from 12th December. Tickets from £12. www.cresset.ticketsolve.com 01733 265705

geRMaiNe gReeR

Top: The Reverie Choir will return to Hambleton Hall for their Christmas concert.

Top/Right: Enjoy a traditional family panto this year at De Montfort Hall, Leicester.

Above: Swing into Christmas with the Glenn Miller Orchestra at Stamford Corn Exchange.

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Academic and broadcaster Germaine Greer will be speaking at Uppingham Theatre on Wednesday 3rd December, 7.30pm. She is widely considered as one of the most influential commentators of the 21st century.

On a raft of contentious issues, she take a refreshingly practical view where others mire themselves in political correctness.

Germaine fields questions on almost any subject, serious or light. Tickets £16. www.uppthearts.co.uk 01572 820820

sWiNg iNTO CHRisTMas Swing into Christmas as Ray McVay leads the Glenn Miller Orchestra with a spectacular Christmas concert playing all the favourite seasonal songs. Catherine Sykes and Colin Anthony join The Moonlight Serenaders with The Uptown Hall Gang to give an unforgettable evening. Saturday 20th December at Stamford Corn Exchange. Tickets £20 or 2 course carvery and ticket £33.50. www.stamford-corn-exchange.co.uk 01780 766455

adveNTuRes iN WONdeRlaNd Christopher Wheeldon’s full-length ballet based on Lewis Carroll’s book features an instantly recognisable cast of characters.

Wheeldon, along with composer Joby Talbot

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- WHat’s on -

and designer Bob Crowley, have created a genuine family ballet in the spirit of Carroll’s much-loved children’s classic. Live screening from the Royal Opera House, Tuesday 16th December at 7.15pm at The Key Theatre.

singers from the UK’s top choral institutions, and this year are likely to include music by Byrd, Palestrina, Britten, Tchaikovsky and Tippett Spirituals. Concert only £25 per person, concert and dinner £255 for two.

www.vivacity-peterborough.com 01733 207239

www.hambletonhall.com 01572 756991

CiNdeRella paNTO

piNOCCHiO

Enjoy a traditional family panto brought to life for the 21st century at De Montfort Hall in Leicester from Saturday 13th December to Sunday 4th January. Packed full of singing, laughter, silliness and romance. With pumpkins galore, costumes, slapstick and lots of audience participation! Early bird tickets: adult £14, child £13.50. www.demontforthall.co.uk 0116 233 3111

CHRisTMas CONCeRT The Reverie choir will return to Hambleton’s St Andrews Church on Thursday 4th December. Reverie is a group of young

Pinocchio is a magical festive adventure for families at The Curve Theatre in Leicester.

Follow Pinocchio and his grasshopper friend as they set out on an adventure - to find some fun! If only his nose would just stay still! Hiccup Theatre join forces with acclaimed writer Michael Rosen to bring Carlo Collodi’s classic tale to life in a sparkling new version, using puppetry, guaranteed to fill you with festive joy!

From Wednesday 10th December to Wednesday 17th December. Suitable for ages 3+, tickets £12.

Above: Germaine Greer.

Top: Christopher Wheeldon’s full length ballet, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland - live screening from the Royal Opera House at The Key Theatre.

www.curveonline.co.uk 0116 242 3560

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Kilworth House Theatre: The country house hotel provides a warm welcome whilst its dedicated allweather outdoor theatre hosts its own theatrical productions and live music events. Pictured left is Celia Mackay, theatre owner and Producer.

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Box office opens this month, proving that

All the World’s a Stage in Kilworth

Three to see at Kilworth House a preview of the live events in summer 2015. tickets are on sale from this month...

Kilworth House Theatre in Leicestershire opens its box office this month for its 2015 open air performances, proving that all the world’s a stage. We speak to Celia mackay to preview the theatre and hotel’s upcoming productions and live music events…

Kilworth House in rural leicestershire is nothing short of extraordinary. If you’ve yet to pay a visit to the Grade II listed four star country house hotel, with its 44 beautiful bedrooms, its high quality à la carte dining and 38 acres of leafy Victorian parkland, you’ve a treat in store.

What’s more, the venue - which is less than an hour away from Rutland - offers unique performances of theatre productions equal to any in the West End with bespoke in-house choreography, direction, sets and casting, all overseen by Kilworth House Theatre’s owner, Celia Mackay.

“I can understand why people might think that our shows are ‘bought in’ as part of a national tour, because many professional theatres do ‘receive’ tours, rather than producing their own shows.” says Celia, showing us around the weather-proof outdoor auditorium with its 550 capacity.

air theatre venues in the UK, it’s easy to see why nearly 50,000 theatregoers attended over 90 performances in 2014.

But for us there’s an even better reason to enjoy Kilworth’s 2015 season.

Visitors can enjoy each performance on its own, or bring along a picnic to eat in the grounds. Alternatively, you can incorporate an à la carte pre-theatre dinner with three courses for just £28/person, or enjoy the complete Kilworth House with an overnight stay from £250.

Even when combining an overnight stay, pre-theatre dinner and tickets for one of this year’s productions, patrons will undercut West End box offices prices, with less travelling time, free parking and no need to negotiate London’s public transport network.

“A theatre break with accommodation and dining will still undercut West-End ticket prices.”

“But in fact, the shows you see at Kilworth House are all produced by us. The creative team behind each performance is like a family. Mitch Sebastian is director and choreographer, we’ve musical director Garth Hall, plus costume and set designers, lighting and sound designers, and a cast personally hand-picked by myself.”

Kilworth House opens its box office on Monday 8th December for its 2015 season, but tickets for the productions sell out quickly, so it’s prudent to secure your tickets well in advance of the New Year.

With tickets ranging in price from just £30 to £38, and with The Independent naming Kilworth House one of the top five open-

Kilworth House Theatre opened in June 2007 and since then, the venue has become renowned for the highest quality productions and live music with its regular Live at Kilworth event; 8 nights of music, comedy and Last Night of the Proms’ events.

“Our aim as a team was to produce only the very best events, which I think was a sound ambition. But even we’ve been surprised by the popularity of our productions.” says Celia.

“This month we’re revealing our 2015 season and anticipate each one being just as popular. We’re both humbled and delighted by the number of visitors who return each year but we’re equally delighted to welcome new visitors, and treat them to an experience that, for many, is the most enjoyable highlight of the summer!”

3rd June - 19th July

singin’ in the Rain

Adapted from the 1952 musical, set in Hollywood’s showery 1920s, this production is packed with the charm, romance and comedy of glamorous tinseltown.

22nd-29th July

live at Kilworth

Kilworth House Theatre hosts its annual Live at Kilworth series of live music, comedy and prom nights. Last year’s acts included A Viennese Strauss Gala, The Magic of Motown, Gary Mullen’s Queen, Björn Again, Ken Dodd and The Johnny Cash Roadshow as well as two nights of prom music with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra. This year’s line-up is to be confirmed as Pride goes to press.

20th august - 20th september

legally Blonde

Based on the Hollywood movie of the same name, the tale of a perennially perky ‘ditsy’ girl who tries to prove herself by enrolling in Harvard to study law.

Tickets for ‘Singin’ In The Rain’ and ‘Legally Blonde’ will go on sale from Monday 8th December, priced from £30-£38. Early booking is strongly recommended to avoid disappointment.

Call the Box Office on 01858 881939 (Monday-Friday 10am-4pm) or see www.kilworthhousetheatre.co.uk.

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W E N

LANGTOFT, LINCOLNSHIRE £525,000 Ty Mawr is an impressive stone-built home with elegant reception space, extensive accommodation and a sunny secluded garden. The house is located within a private gated estate comprising four properties set amongst maintained lawns and surrounded by stone walls and hedging and was built in 2005 of local stone with a slate roof. The attractive façade has a classic timeless architectural design and inside the interior features stylish reception rooms with double doors and a semi-open plan design that allows an easy flow between the main living areas. French doors along the back of the house allow many of the rooms to be extended out into the garden on sunny days and the many windows throughout increase the feeling of light and space. The house has been fitted to high standards throughout with solid oak floors, double-glazed timber frame windows, oak doors, modern bathrooms, a water-softening system and alarm system. The enclosed garden has a sunny south-west facing patio and wide lawn edged by tall mature hedges. With its private, secure situation, extensive accommodation and light-filled rooms, Ty Mawr is a smart, welcoming and practical home in an excellent Lincolnshire location. EPC Rating: C.

NEWTON, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE £1,250,000 Set in a wonderful elevated position on the edge of gently rolling countryside, The Manor Barn is a handsome period residence with stunning open views to the south and west. The Grade II listed barn was built in the seventeenth century of golden Weldon stone with a Collyweston slate roof, and much of the fabric and character of the original building remain, with features such as solid oak beams, roof timbers and exposed stone throughout the interior. More recent additions such as reclaimed latch-handled doors, oak door frames and lintels and stone floors have further enhanced the style and charm of the interior. At the heart of the house is a stunning Living Room with two walls of floor-to-ceiling windows making the most of the captivating views and flooding the vaulted ceiling and oak Gallery with light. The house sits within several acres of extremely secluded south and west-facing grounds overlooking a valley designated a Site of Specific Scientific Interest which is a haven for wildlife and birds. With the added benefit of two paddocks, The Manor Barn is an excellently located, charming and welcoming country home. EPC Rating: Exempt.

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

CASTOR, CAMBRIDGESHIRE

£695,000

The Lodge is a charming Grade II period cottage dating from the1700’s and built of local stone with a slate roof. In recent years it has been carefully renovated and extended to create a stunning light-filled home that combines historic charm with excellent modern fittings and practical living spaces. Throughout the house a simple décor enhances the many original features which include exposed timbers and stunning oak beams, pitched ceilings and a handsome inglenook fireplace. Natural materials such as stone flooring and a solid oak staircase match the period style of the house whilst casement shutters, window seats, cast-iron radiators and latch-handled doors add to the overall style and charm. Practical use has been made of all available space with fitted display cupboards, wardrobes and library shelving on the sunny landing, and the stunning oak-frame Garden Room adds extra living space and successfully combines contemporary design with historic character. Outside, the pretty, landscaped garden features a sunny terrace, patio, lawns, and a delightful Summer House. The property has the further benefit of a detached Garage with a sunny first floor studio room which could serve as a home office. With its excellent location, period charm and stunning interior, The Lodge is a unique property and an exceptional village home. EPC Rating: Exempt.

BARNACK, CAMBRIDGESHIRE £1,500,000 Surrounded by private grounds in a secluded location, Cayman House is a luxurious, contemporary residence with a superb mix of impressive entertaining rooms, informal family space and excellent accommodation over two floors. The interior is designed with clean lines and a pared back décor to set off striking features such as the ‘floating’ oak and glass staircase, the vaulted ceilings, and the double height windows which flood the house with natural light.

Highlights of the extensive accommodation include the magnificent home cinema, an airy gym and a luxurious master-bedroom suite, whilst a spacious open-plan kitchen and family room make the house as practical and relaxing as it is striking. Fitted throughout to the highest specification, Cayman house has the benefit of many modern, energy-efficient systems, in particular Lutron zoned lighting, built-in speakers in many rooms and under-floor heating.

With its modern design and excellent location, Cayman House is a unique, practical and striking twenty-first century home. EPC Rating: D.

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BARROWDEN

GUIDE PRICE £750,000

OAKHAM

GUIDE PRICE £650,000

York House is a five bed detached stone built house in a select development with a private south facing garden in one of Rutland’s most popular villages.

A stunning and beautifully designed, highly contemporary four bed detached house, finished with outstanding fittings and situated in the heart of Oakham.

An enchanting Grate II listed ironstone village house situated in mature and secluded gardens with a separate one bed annex/office.

A beautifully presented and very well appointed detached stone and thatched cottage with separate guest/granny annex set in pretty cottage gardens.

CALDECOTT

GUIDE PRICE 449,000

BARROW

GUIDE PRICE £315,000

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Ivydene Cottage, Belton in Rutland A Pretty Grade II Listed Cottage in a Popular Rutland Village

GUIDE

£745,000

• Entrance Hall, Kitchen, Inner Hall • Drawing Room, Dining Room, Sitting Room • Principal Bedroom Suite • 3 Futher Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms • Double Garage, Conservatory, Garden

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Discover Tenerife - The Island of Eternal Spring

1 BED APARTMENT

Guide Price €110.000

Beautiful apartment with a south facing terrace in a quiet seafront resort of Palm Mar.

4 BED VILLA

Guide Price €490.000

Detached villa with a private pool and independent guest apartment.

2 BED BUNGALOW

Guide Price €154.800

Poolside bungalow with a roof terrace in Golf del Sur, in the vinicity of two golf courses.

4 BED FINCA

Guide Price €539.000

Canarian Finca with fully heated swimming pool set in exquisite landscaped gardens, surrounded by mature palm trees and exotic plants.

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Looking ahead to new opportunities Professional property finder Kate Vincent reflects upon the last year and discusses who will be leading the East Midlands property market in 2015.

Many house hunters were surprised at just how challenging finding, and then indeed securing, a home in the East Midlands was throughout 2014. In the early part of the year, a severe shortage of premium properties frustrated many buyers and when this was followed by a hike in asking prices, negotiating a sensible deal became increasingly difficult.

Encompassing rural village life, bustling market towns and easy access to our capital, the East Midlands provide an abundance of opportunities.

With Rutland offering a rural idyll within easy reach of some of the country’s top education establishments and Stamford, a vibrant and social community; it is of no surprise that our region is popular for those looking for a flexible rural retreat Reflections on the past year Many buyers entered the East Midlands market in 2014 with the dream of a securing a rural home set in a breath-taking landscape whilst remaining close to local amenities and having access to London. At its peak, the market in Stamford saw multiple viewings within days of properties coming on the market, leading to multiple sealed bid situations and on occasion, significantly over-asking price deals made.

In the countryside, a shortage of premium landed properties forced several successful sellers to move into rental premises in order to bide their time until a desirable property could be found and successfully secured. With a lack of

stock and increasing property prices, many buyers became increasingly frustrated with the market and looked for an alternative strategy in purchasing their ideal property.

Decisive action in 2015 With a general election and potential changes to property tax looming in 2015, many believe the housing market will cool and until the political landscape becomes clearer, it is likely that caution will be high. However, this climate could present an opportunity for buyers willing to act early in the year.

Without a crystal ball it is impossible to guarantee how the property market in the region is going to behave. However, with property prices in market towns such as Stamford, Oundle and Market Harborough growing at nearly double the rate of the region during 2014, it is likely that the fashion for small town living will continue in the year ahead, making a purchase in these towns a sound investment.

Alongside this, the relative scarcity of properties on the banks of Rutland Water means that these village homes will continue to be in high demand and are likely to hold their value. Finally, for those needing to commute daily to London, the villages of Barnack, Bainton and Ufford, just east of Stamford, offer the highly desired rural life within 20 minutes of Peterborough station.

Ahead of the competition Whilst it is a common misconception that using a professional property finder is only for those

Kate Vincent

moving to a new area, this is a long way from the truth. Coupled with an established track record in the market, property finders are well known to local selling agents and have an extensive network of professional contacts. This ensures they are one step ahead of the competition and first to know of new opportunities and discreet off-market sales.

The service proves invaluable to those short of time or without the expertise or the desire to face the property market without support. This may be because they are down-sizing after living in a property for many years, find themselves living alone or needing specialist advice when buying investment properties.

With the opportunity to prepare for the year ahead through decisive action and a carefully considered plan, now is the time for purchasers to consider their options and seek expert advice on how to secure their next home.

Garrington work on behalf of private and corporate clients who want to buy, rent or invest in property throughout the UK. They also provide a negotiation only and overseeing of sales service.

If you are thinking of moving and would like further information on how Garrington can assist, contact Kate Vincent from their East Midlands office: Tel: 01780 408377 Email: info@garrington.co.uk www.garringtoneastmidlands.co.uk 25

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- damE stELLa rimington -

“it really did happen.” says Stella Rimington, recalling the spying techniques made famous by Le Carré’s Smiley; bundles of money in hollow tree trunks and chalk marks on walls.

It’s one of the few fictional accounts of life as a spy with a semblance of realism.

She dismisses Bond, with its violence, and the BBC’s Spooks too, with its technology and frantic car chases through London. “We have to operate within the law, and we’re accountable for health and safety practices.” says Stella.

The reason why Le Carré is one of the few fictional representations that’s not wildly inaccurate is, perhaps, because Le Carré was a former MI5 spy, as was Dame Stella Rimington, another spy turned author.

Unlike Le Carré, though, Dame Stella’s story is as fantastic as fiction, especially fascinating given that she represented each of the three spy departments counter espionage, counter subversion and counter terrorism - rising through the ranks to become an aggregated service’s first Director General.

Dame Stella also presided over a dramatic modernisation of the services, one which would see women make the transition from their single role of Junior Assistant Officers to full members of the service.

The spymaster also served at a time when modern terrorism became common and when the proliferation of internet based communication changed the nature of interception dramatically.

Dame Stella joined the service in the late 1960s, having moved to New Delhi in 1965 when husband John was offered a posting at the British High Commission. She would later discover that his role was not ‘First Secretary (Economic)’ but, in fact, MI5’s British representative in the country.

Having worked as an archivist in the UK, she too joined the service initially assisting with clerical duties before gaining her security clearance. The couple worked in India before they

returned in 1969 when Stella took up a permanent position with MI5 in the UK. “There was none of what you’d face these days - no long discussions with a psychiatrist about your deepest innermost thoughts - just a charming conversation with a couple of gents in suits, to which I just turned up in a miniskirt made of silk and a little hat.”

The nomenclature of MI within the directorate of Military Intelligence was established during World War One, and by the Second World War, there

can now see a film with Benedict Cumberbatch, which tells you all about his predecessors at Bletchley Park; they’re the codebreakers.”

“MI6 is the ‘James Bond service.’ It’s our foreign intelligence gathering service.

They gather information to help with our foreign policy. They’re not really like James Bond of course... nobody in the intelligence service is licensed to kill.

If there’s any killing to be done, it’s done by the military; usually the SAS.” “Then there’s MI5, which is my former service. MI5’s job is to try to defend the

I, Spy... she was the spymaster who not so much came in from the cold, as stepped into the limelight. former head of Mi5 dame stella rimington dCB came to rutland recently to help raise awareness of the Children’s air ambulance charity at Barnsdale lodge. in addition to hearing about the charity’s work, stella undertook a rare public speaking engagement to talk about her life in the security services...

Words: Rob Davis. were no fewer than 19 branches - MI1 broke cyphers and codes, MI4 was the geographical section responsible for producing maps, whilst MI15 specialised in aerial photography, for example. Post-war, these were amalgamated into what is now GCHQ , the Government Communications Headquarters, with just MI5 and MI6 remaining.

“There’s GCHQ and we all know what they do because Edward Snowdon has told us.” says Stella. “If you haven’t heard about Edward Snowdon, you

country against serious threats to our national security. The way they try to do this is by gathering secret intelligence, and then you have to assess it, analyse it and discuss what you’re going to do about it, and work with the police to take whatever action is required.”

“This intelligence comes in many different forms. They’re fundamentally the same as when I joined today, so interception of communication is one of the main forms of secret information. When I joined that meant landline telephone calls and letters. Now, of 27

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- damE stELLa rimington -

course, it’s more complicated. That’s why there are enormous computer systems like Prism - things like that which are trying to intercept emails, Facebook, Twitter.”

“Then, there’s surveillance. In those days it was following people round.

Now of course there are drones and all kinds of complicated things in the sky that can give you that kind of surveillance... but, there are still people following people around.”

“Then, very very importantly, human sources. In today’s technological world it’s still to vital to have human sources of information deep in terrorist organisations, ones who are prepared stay where they are and tell you what’s going on, or the foreign spy prepared to tell you what’s going on in his country.”

“The reason why we need human sources is that a human can tell you not only what people are saying, but what people are thinking. They can tell you, therefore, what might be about to happen as well as what is happening.”

“There’s a great deal of talk about hostages at the moment.

You can’t get hostages out if you don’t know where they are, what kind of buildings they’re in.

That sort of detailed information needs a human source.

And the reason we’re not being successful now is that we don’t have enough human sources in the right places.”

“When I first joined it was run entirely by men. They were all the same kind of men. Men who had been in the colonial services, in the military. A lot of them knew each other. When you recruit by tapping people on the shoulder, you tend to tap on the shoulder of people like you. It was self-regenerating, inward-looking and very secretive because of the fear of infiltration.”

“There were all sorts of rules as to what you could say to who, which invariably was nothing to anybody. You could tell your fiancée where you worked, but not your boyfriend. Nowadays it’s much more open. They have family days in which people can bring in their nearest and dearest and the Director General will explain some of the things that are going on.”

“But for women this was how it was.

Gradually though, the supply of men from the colonies and military began to dry up. They started to recruit graduates like me. They were still recruiting women to this second class career thing.

Not surprisingly as the 1970s wore on there was sex discrimination legislation and women’s lib. We women decided we weren’t going to put up with it.”

“We had a kind of revolution. It wasn’t the kind of revolution you might imagine with people burning bras. In that kind of organisation you have to control your revolution fairly carefully. ‘Why can’t we have a proper career?’”

So women did move on from that point. It wasn’t easy at first though.

Even though they accepted we could do the work, there was no concessions made at all to women - women with children, for example. No part time work or job shares. You were expected to work 24/7, if that’s what the job required.”

“From the 1970s, into the 80s and of course the 1990s, these changes continued, but as that was happening, a new threat came along, and that was the threat of terrorism. It changed everything about the service that I had joined.”

“It began with the Provisional IRA. Almost at the same time in the early 1970s - in the Middle East, Palestinian groups began to emerge, too.”

“It was about balancing and taking risks. If you got it wrong, you knew there was going to be, minimum, blame.

Maximum, bodies and broken glass all over the pavement...”

Stella stresses that whilst the modus operandi of the spying remains the same, the world has still moved on.

This is evident in both the new communication technologies MI5 needs to intercept, the speed at which communication occurs, but also in the way the service needs to present itself.

These are the changes that Stella presided over during her tenure as Director General of the service.

“When I joined it was a long term, steady business. A long term study sometimes over years - of your enemy.

Speed was not nearly as important as certainty was, back then.”

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“The nature of the threats we posed then dictated the culture of the organisation. MI5 in those days was a secretive, inward looking organisation.”

“For women it was a very very difficult situation. I joined in the women’s grade, which was called Junior Assistant Officer. Women never moved from this grade. Their job was to look after paper, the men went and looked after the sharp end of the work; the women stayed at home.”

“Primarily they were women of a very nice upbringing, but not very well educated. Twinset and pearls. On my first day in a training section, much to my surprise they pulled open the drawer of their desk and took out a bottle of the finest sherry and cut glasses and helped themselves to a pre-lunch drink. I though I’d landed in the land of the eccentrics.”

“Suddenly we had to deal with a situation that was very different. It was no longer a case of the quiet, steady investigation. Now we were faced with situations where we needed to take action quite quickly.”

“You had to decide whether the information you had was reliable, whether you had time to wait or not.”

“It was about balancing risks and taking risks in circumstances where, if you got it wrong, you knew there was going to be a great deal of blame. Minimum, blame. Maximum, dead bodies and broken glass all over the pavement.”

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“It presented us with a completely different series of decisions and a different timescale. The old ways of doing things no longer worked; we needed to move very fast and the whole culture of the organisation changed very quickly.”

“Many people left, unable to cope with this new world. Many people, much younger people, got on quite quickly because they were able to take these risks and to make these fast decisions.”

The Provisional IRA were very well organised, but by the 1990s we had them riddled with informants. As a result they realised terrorism was never going to get them what they wanted, and they came to the negotiating table.”

“Intelligence paid a large part in that.

Nowadays, the kind of terrorism my colleagues are dealing with is very different. Primarily because we don’t know what they want.”

“They’re not structured, not organised.

And they’re prepared to do what the IRA was not prepared to do - to kill themselves. The problem they’re trying to deal with now is serious and difficult.”

“However, dealing with terrorism began to bring us out from behind the shadows we had occupied most of my working life.”

“We had to start appearing in court, talking about what we were doing.

Government ministers became very interested in what we were doing.”

“All of the covertness of the service I joined began to be disappear.

As a result, the government needed to legislate for our activities. A whole host of things appeared; acts of parliament, supervision by judges etc. All a good thing. Timely.”

“I can remember as director of counter-terrorism having to go to a meeting at Number 10 to tell the Prime Minister what was going on. It was John Major at the time.”

“I can remember occasions when I used to say ‘Well, Prime Minister, we know the IRA is about to bring in a large lorry bomb. We don’t know what port it’s coming to or when, and we don’t know what the target is. But, Prime Minister, I thought you should know.’”

“It’s not the kind of thing you want to tell the boss but, to do him credit, he behaved in exactly the right way.

He used to sort of close his eyes, lean back in his chair and say ‘Oh well, Stella, do your best.’”

“It was exactly what he should have said, and of course we did our best and very often, those bombs didn’t go off, because we managed to intervene.”

Stella’s intervention on that and myriad other occasions ensured the safety and security of the country.

Serving as Director General from 1992-1996, she was the first ever DG to be publicised on appointment, the first woman DG and the first to publicise details of MI5’s activities.

That makes her, not so much the spy who came in from the cold, as the spy who stepped into the limelight - albeit reluctantly.

Stella appeared at Rutland’s Barnsdale Lodge to raise money for The Children’s Air Ambulance - see www.thechildrensairambulance.org.uk.

Stella was booked via Diana Boulter at DBASpeakers 01932 228544 .

spymaster, author... as well as talking about her life in mi5, stella also promoted her latest novel at Barnsdale Lodge dame stella Rimington has published her autobiography, open secret (2001), plus eight spy thrillers based on her character, Liz Carlyle since leaving the service. the latest, Close Call, was published in July under the Bloomsbury imprint.

See www.stellarimington.com.

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to view and purchase photographs from the Event visit www.pridemagazines.co.uk

Stella Rimington in Rutland

for The Children’s Air Ambulance spymaster turned author, Dame Stella Rimington, recently visited Rutland to discuss her role in MI5 and to raise money for the Children’s Air Ambulance Service. The event was hosted by Barnsdale Lodge, and included a drinks reception followed by a three course meal.

The Children’s Air Ambulance is a unique national service, flying seriously ill babies and children from their local hospital to a specialist unit where they can access expert care. The fundraising evening was organised by Dr Laurence Howard, Lord Lieutenant of Rutland and Miles Williamson-Noble, High Sheriff of Rutland.

For more information on the charity, see www.theairambulanceservice.org.uk.

Photographs: Rob Davis.

Feature your event in our magazine.

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Purchase photographs from this event online.

Visit www.pridemagazines.co.uk.

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- Food -

Rustic Quality at

The Barn

Oakham couple Neil and Karen Hornsby enjoy a well-deserved reputation in rutland as providers of high quality dining experiences. this month sees the first anniversary of their Burley Road restaurant, The Barn, and we’re happy to report that it’s very much worthy of our recommendation!

Words & Images: Rob Davis.

Oakham’s The Barn Restaurant is a new venture for Neil and Karen Hornsby, but they’re by no means new to the Rutland dining scene, with an established reputation for excellence in hospitality within Rutland.

The Barn represented an opportunity for the couple to take their dining provision more upmarket, which they’ve certainly done with a high quality menu served at their in-town restaurant on the town’s Burley Road.

Whilst Neil’s family are from Oakham, Karen hails from Glasgow. It was whilst working in the city’s Skean Dhu, then owned

by Forté, that the two got together. It’s the old story; the couple’s eyes met over a 1,000 delegate banqueting conference.

The rest is history but the highlights include a return to Oakham in 1987 to run The Lancers, a small bistro fewer than 150 yards from The Barns.

The couple then took over The King’s Arms at Wing and ran the pub for a number of 35

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Left: The Barn restaurant on Oakham’s Burley Road provides 50 covers with a ‘loft’ area for private dining or pre-dinner drinks.

Below: Assiette of fish terrine with horseradish and lime dressing.

“The couple don’t market their food as ‘fine dining,’ but are quick to stress that despite its relaxed welcome, their food is as high quality as one would expect in any such restaurant...”

Dining at The Barn is by way of two menus; a lunchtime menu (with a dedicated Sunday menu), or evening menu. Whilst lunchtime service generally runs from 11.30-2.30pm from Tuesday to Sunday, evening service is from 6pm from Wednesday to Saturday.

Daytime service sees a choice of around eight main courses and four desserts, whilst lunchtime service provides a choice of around five starters, seven main courses plus a couple of grill options and a range of five puddings, made in-house by Karen.

Below: Owners of The Barn, Karen and Neil Hornsby have been running restaurants in Rutland since 1987.

years before being invited to takeover the two restaurants on Rutland Water’s shoreline, building each one up before leaving to run Cottesmore’s Sun Inn until 2012.

“Finding the building in which we’ve created The Barn was a piece of good fortune.” says Karen. “We’ve been able to update it cosmetically and create somewhere with an in-town location to provide higher quality dining than our previous pub fayre for customers across Rutland. It’s really allowed us to express our creativity and take our food a little more upmarket.”

The couple are conscious not to market their food as ‘fine dining,’ but remain quick to stress that despite its relaxed welcome, their food is as high quality as one would expect in any such restaurant.

From our experience, dishes are beautifully presented, with robust combinations of flavours that work well together without falling into the trap of pretentiousness or over-complicated composition.

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The restaurant also hosts regular speciality dinner events, with seven course taster menus such as their New Year’s Eve Hogmanay supper. This time last year the couple hosted an Around The World event which proved successful, so Neil and Karen are currently working on menus for a series of events in 2015.

With local suppliers providing many of the ingredients, Neil’s mission statement of providing high quality food in a warm and welcoming environment is proving successful.

“I’d say that the food we provide is brasserie style, with both English and continental influences.” says Neil. “The emphasis is always on value for money. Food portions are generous, and if we ever hear a complaint, it’s that there’s too much food on the plate.”

“We ensure we provide a choice of at least four fresh vegetables with each main course, usually two potato dishes to accompany, including home made twice-cooked chips.”

Our starters included a fish terrine, presented cleanly on the plate with a trio of fish, salad garnish and horseradish and lime dressing, as well as a toasted goat’s cheese

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- Food -

“Karen’s dessert sharing platter featured no fewer than five desserts, with quantity, but quality too!” featured no fewer than five desserts, with one of the finest and most flavoursome vanilla crème brûlées we’ve enjoyed for a while - accompanied by home made biscuits as well as a berry fruit salad, sticky toffee pudding with fig garnish, meringue and a white chocolate cheesecake with Oreo base. salad with caramelised pears and a honey & mustard vinaigrette.

Featured on our opening spread, our rack of lamb was cooked pink, served with a creamy mash and a reduction of rosemary, port and redcurrant.

An alternative suggestion for main course was a pan fried pork loin presented with a Calvados liqueur glaze with a sage jus.

In each case, portions were generous, presentation clean and flavours robust - a clear validation not just in terms of chefcraft but in terms of creative flair and the pairing of flavours, too.

Even if you’re not usually inclined to enjoy a pudding, we’ll happily recommend Karen’s dessert sharing platter. This arrived on the table with a scale that might shame entire restaurant dessert trolleys, and 38

For anyone with a sweet tooth, it’s a dream come true, and definitely a way to finish your meal on a high if you’re a party of like-minded diners who appreciate the opportunity to grab a spoon and ‘dig in’ the quantity element of the dessert is certainly present, but not at the expense of quality, as each individual dessert was delicious. A range of wines all weigh in below £35, but there’s a connoisseurs selection with a few very impressive bottles ideal for a special celebration.

The couple’s aim to take their food more upmarket, whilst still retaining the warm welcome of their previous village pubs, has been successfully achieved. With superb food, a great location in the heart of Oakham and an equally warm welcome, it’s a restaurant we’re happy to recommend this month to anyone seeking to escape festive preparations.

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Sample Menu startErs Chicken and Pork terrine

£5

Smoked chicken, sage & pork terrine with spiced plum & ginger chutney and brioche.

Haddock Fillet

£8

Smoked Lock Fyne haddock fillet with chive rösti potato, poached duck egg and hollandaise butter sauce.

Wood Pigeon

£6

Pan-fried wood pigeon breast on Dijon mustard mash with a blackcurrant liqueur and thyme reduction.

mains Pheasant supreme

£15

Pan fried supreme of pheasant with fig, cream and Armagnac sauce and crisp sweet potato. duck Breast

£18

Gressingham duck breast carved over a St Clement citrus sauce finished with a Grand Marnier liqueur glaze. swordfish

£20

Spanish style mixed fried fish; swordfish, sardines, crevettes, scallops and cod loin with garlic butter and marinara sauce.

Beef Fillet

£25

28-day aged rare breed Dexter beef fillet topped with Stilton cheese and a Burgundy wine and sage reduction.

PUdding Platter of Puddings

£12

Sharing platter of five puddings including white chocolate cheesecake, meringue, berry fruit salad, crème brûlée and sticky toffee pudding.

Brioche

£6

Brioche bread, golden sultana and cinnamon butter pudding with Calvados glaze and crème Anglaise.

Find out more: The Barn Restaurant, Burley Road, Oakham le15 6dH. Tel: 01572 722255 www.thebarnrestaurantoakham.co.uk.

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Festivities at The Marquess FESTIVE COOKING Book now for the fabulous Festive Cooking Demo on Monday 24th November, £35pp, also includes a 2 x course lunch with a glass of wine.

FESTIVE FUN Enjoy your Christmas celebration at The Marquess. Choose from our delicious a la carte menu your favourites for a set meal to savour.

Two courses £21.50 Three Courses £26.50

FESTIVE LUNCH We will be serving a Christmas set lunch throughout December Monday - Saturday. Two Courses of traditional Christmas favourites for £15.95pp including tea/coffee

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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- CHristmas rECiPEs -

The Great Rutland

Bake-Off... rutland’s Julian Carter is officially Britain’s best baker. Based at Hambleton Bakery, he this month reveals his 2014 range of Christmas confectionery. Here, we’ve simplified just a few of his new recipes should you wish to embark on some pre-Christmas baking... absolutely delicious. That’s our verdict on Hambleton Bakery’s new Christmas 2014 range of savouries and confectionery, which go on sale from December. They’ve been created by Julian Carter - Britain’s best baker, according to The Bakery Industry Awards - who opened Hambleton Bakery with Tim Hart in Exton back in 2008.

The company’s seasonal ranges go on sale this month, with highlights including Christmas puddings (£8/small, £15/large) Christmas cakes (£2.50/individual), puff pastry mince pies (£1.10/ea) and a seasonal Assorted Christmas Cake Box, to include a puff mince pie; morello cherry & almond tart; Christmas pudding truffle; Chestnut macaroon; Christmas cake; yule log; mulled wine cake; caramel tart and Finnish gingerbread, all for £9.50, ready for your seasonal teatime in front of a roaring fire.

Other highlights this year include a glazed Christmas crown, chocolate brownies, seasonal cookies with cranberry and white chocolate and a light, zesty lemon tart.

“Hambleton Bakery’s Christmas range is on sale now... but Julian this month shares a few recipes should you wish to indulge in a spot of seasonal baking...”

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“Our customers tell us that our ranges are delicious - just perfect for Christmas.” says Julian. “We hope that’s a reflection of the time and effort we put into each product.”

“The mincemeat in our mince pies and tarts is handmade to an old family recipe, for example. It’s allowed to mature in order develop a really traditional flavour.”

“Meanwhile, the cake team spend weeks in the late summer and early Autumn perfecting recipes, adding sugar and spice to our tarts and cakes, experimenting with white or dark chocolate for cookies and so on.”

“You can be assured that the quality and flavour of everything you buy at Hambleton Bakery has had as much care taken over it as if you had made it at home!”

This month we’d be foolish not to advocate taking advantage of the team’s expertise, but should you wish to indulge in a spot of seasonal baking, we’ve worked with Julian to reproduce simplified version of some of his favourite seasonal recipes over the next few pages.

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- CHristmas rECiPEs -

Hambleton Bakery’s Christmas cakes are made two months in advance and are fed with brandy each week to ensure they remain moist and delicious...

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Classic Christmas Cake a long, slow bake and using the correct blend of dried fruit and spices are two of the secrets to creating a classic Christmas cake. this is a simplified version of the recipe Julian Carter uses to produce Hambleton’s individual iced cakes...

1 x 9in cake, or four small individual cakes.

Cook at 150°c, for approx 4 1/2 hours.

550g currants • 225g sultanas • 225g raisins • 100g mixed fruit peel, chopped • 150g glacé cherries, halved • 300g plain flour • pinch salt • 1/2tsp mixed spice • 1/2tsp ground cinnamon • 1/2tsp ground nutmeg • 300g softened butter • 300g light brown sugar • zest of 1/2 lemon • six eggs, large • 3tbsp brandy

A good Christmas cake needs a nice long bake so pre-heat the oven to 150°c, gas 2, and line a 9” spring-form tin with greaseproof paper. You can also use four small individual tins. Mix the dried fruit, flour, salt and spices together.

In a different bowl, cream the butter and sugar together, stir in the lemon zest and add the beaten eggs - don’t rush as the mixture could curdle. Fold into the egg and butter mixture, half the flour and fruit, then the rest and add the brandy. Spoon into your tins ensuring no air pockets remain. Smooth over, making a dip in the centre of the cake.

Bake for four and half hours, checking halfway through and testing with a skewer or thin knife. If you’re making your cake in advance, feed with brandy every week or two.

Ice only a week or two before serving to prevent oil from the marzipan seeping into the icing. Use a few tablespoons of apricot jam, warmed slightly. Having dusted the cake with a little icing sugar, roll a layer of marzipan over the cake, using around 100g on the top and the same again around the edge of your cake/s.

Create your icing with three egg whites and 600g icing sugar adding 11/2 tsp glycerine and a squeeze of lemon juice. Spread the icing over the cake. Alternatively, roll out pre-made royal icing and carefully fold over a rolling pin before draping over your cake and smoothing, using any remaining icing you trim off to create holly or star shapes to decorate the top.

White Chocolate & Cranberry Cookies these cookies are one of Hambleton Bakery’s best sellers around the season, with a texture that’s just perfect; soft and chewy. White chocolate and cranberry provide a wonderful seasonal flavour... makes 25. Cook at 190°c for approx 25 mins.

330g soft unsalted butter • 325g caster sugar • 65g whole egg • 525g plain flour • 40g runny honey • 5g vanilla essence • 5g baking powder • 5g salt • 230g white chocolate chips • 230g dried cranberries.

Beat the butter, sugar and honey until light and fluffy. Gradually add the egg and vanilla essence until smooth. Add the flour, baking powder and salt, combine well, then add the chocolate and cranberries. Portion the cookie dough, ball and shape, then place on a baking tray and cook, taking care not to brown them.

spiced pear & almond Tart a favourite with Hambleton customers each year with a rich, warming flavour... makes 2 x 8” pastry case. Cook at 180°c for 30-35 mins.

1 tin of pear quarters • 250g soft unsalted butter • 250g icing sugar • 250g ground almonds • 50g plain flour • 300g whole egg • 2 drops almond essence • 5g ground cinnamon • 5g ground nutmeg • 4 tablespoons apricot jam • 2 x 8” blind baked sweet pastry tart cases

Beat the butter, sugar & ground almonds together until light and smooth. Gradually add the eggs. Beat until light and fluffy.

Add the flour, spices and almond essence.

Spread the pre-baked tart cases with apricot jam. Fill the case, 2/3 with the almond mix (do not overfill, as the mix will spill over in the cooking). Arrange the pears on top and bake until golden brown. Glaze with apricot jam when cold, then serve.

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- CHristmas rECiPEs -

Zesty lemon Tart traditionally, Christmas means heavier puddings and pastries, but this seemingly unseasonal sweet is light, and zesty - the perfect antidote to weighty winter puddings... makes 6 individual or 1 x 8” pastry case.

100g lemon juice • 150g fresh whole egg (whisked until well blended) • 150g caster sugar • 100g unsalted butter (cubed) • 15g cornflour • 250g sweet pastry (line the tart cases with pastry, then blind bake until golden)

Heat the lemon juice to boiling point, then whisk in the combined sugar and cornflour.

Bring the mixture back to the boil, whisking gently. Then, when back to boiling point, remove from the heat, gently whisk in the egg mix. Return to the heat and cook gently until the mix begins to thicken.

Once it has a gooey emulsive texture, remove from the heat, add the butter and stir until thoroughly combined.

Pour the cooked lemon tart custard into the pre-lined and blind baked pastry cases.

Allow to set and glaze with a blow torch.

Hambleton Bakery Each of our featured recipes are simplified versions of Hambleton Bakery’s winter ranges, created

by Britain’s best baker, Julian Carter. if you’re stretched for time this season, Hambleton can provide a box of assorted cakes or individual teatime treats from its Exton bakery on Cottesmore road or its four shops; gaol street, oakham; ironmonger street, stamford; Church street, market Harborough; melton road, West Bridgeford.

To place an order or for more information call 01572 812 995 or see www.hambletonbakery.co.uk.

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OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK FOR HIGH QUALITY PUB RESTAURANT DINING Main Street, Great Bowden LE16 7HB For table reservations call 01858 463571 www.redlion-greatbowden.co.uk

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- food -

Find all you need for Christmas at Farndon Fields Farm Shop There’s free range turkeys, Christmas lunch essentials and hampers, all at farndon fields farm Shop...

Christmas at Farndon Fields is a feast for all the senses. The farm shop located in Market Harborough is your one stop for the best quality local food that your table deserves.

Locally reared free range bronze turkeys are available to order from the Butchers along with their Christmas Dinner Essentials Box for only £25. This box has all those extras including pigs in blankets, gammon joint, streaky bacon and cranberry sauce. To accompany they’ve got the best sprouts on the stalk, potatoes, cabbages, leeks and carrots all grown on their farm.

A selection of delicious cheeses, home-baked pork pies, home-

“If you’re looking for a special food inspired gift, make your own hamper.”

cooked hams, pickles, local pates and chutneys are perfect for Boxing Day and are available at the Deli too.

If you’re looking for a special food inspired gift, why not make your own hamper? Pick out your favourite foodie treats and Farndon Fields farm shop will wrap them all in a beautiful basket for you, creating a perfect and useful gift for friends or a loved one.

Why not visit with friends and family and enjoy their new winter menu in the Kitchen@Farndon Fields too before having a browse.

Everything is cooked to order by their Chef using the fresh ingredients from the farm shop and produce grown on their farm located near to the shop.

Visit Farndon Fields Farm Shop on Farndon Road, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, LE16 9NP. Call 01858 464838 or see www.farndonfields.co.uk.

Exciting new café at Sacrewell farm Refurbished café complete just in time for working farm and country centre’s calendar of Christmas events...

Sacrewell, with fantastic views across rolling farmland our newly refurbished café and coffee area, offers you a wonderful venue so come and try our Christmas themed menu we are launching on 29th November.

for children, there’s a special pick-and-mix cold food area with mini-sandwiches, cheese and biscuits, fruit pots, our jellies, cookies, muffins and lots more or children’s portions of the hot food.

Working with local suppliers we hand-make our range of lunches and have different daily specials for you to try.

There is no admission to Sacrewell required to visit the café. An exciting Christmas event is planned from 29th November at weekends with Christmas Stalls and father Christmas will be in his grotto daily from the 13th-24th december.

our hot main meals are £4.95, with a seasonal soup with bread £3.95, whilst our range of sandwiches start at £2.40, or you can just enjoy barista coffees and some delicious cake in our comfy seating area.

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Check out the details on www.sacrewell.org.uk.

Free parking. Mon-Sun 10am - 4.30pm.

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Taste the Grasmere Difference... family owned business provides quality pork and bacon products...

Grasmere Farms has a reputation for excellence that sees it providing many of the area’s top quality restaurants.

Now, you can enjoy the taste of farm-reared Grasmere quality at home, either by shopping online, visiting the company’s shop on High Street, Stamford, its Market Deeping or Peterborough shops, or by visiting your local farmer’s market.

The firm offers its Essential Christmas and Grasmere Deluxe kits with sausages, streaky bacon, gammon and pâté, as well as individual items like smoked gammons, pork pies and stuffings. All are available for delivery directly to your home.

For stockists of Grasmere Farm pork products, and the company’s presence at local markets, see www.grasmere-farm.co.uk or call 01778 342344.

Treat yourself to the ‘Rolls Royce’ of Turkeys...

You’ll find everything you need this Christmas at Hambleton farms fine foods, including their ‘Rolls Royce’ of turkeys...

Hambleton Farms is a family run butchery, delicatessen and pie maker based in Oakham.

At their farm based in Hambleton, you can see their cattle and sheep grazing from the shores of Rutland Water.

The firm prides itself on hand selecting only the best tasting cuts of beef, lamb and pork from their selected, approved suppliers.

All of their turkeys are sourced from specialist suppliers, the Hambletons Free Range Bronze and Norfolk Blacks direct from Robert Garner at Godwick Farms in Norfolk. They are game hung to ensure that the flavours are deep but also the meat remains moist and tender.

As well as the Hambleton Bronze there is the ‘Rolls Royce’ of the turkey world from Copas.

Free-ranging in cherry orchards, these birds are treated with the utmost in care and attention

and have won many awards.

They also come with a comprehensive cooking guide including a temperature probe that tells you when it’s perfectly cooked.

And finally, locally sourced from Lincolnshire, they have barn reared white turkeys. Gordon Laird has been supplying Hambleton for over 10 years with these great tasting and brilliant value turkeys.

As well as turkeys, they also have large range of pork pies,

hampers, cooked meats, sausages and bacon all available in their store situated on Gaol Street in Oakham. So pop in and place your Christmas order with one of their friendly team today.

For more information, please visit the Hambleton Farms Fine Food shop on 2-3 Gaol Street, Oakham, LE15 6AQ. Please call 01572 724455 or see www.hambletonfarms.co.uk.

They also have shops located in Boston, Doddington, Mareham & Mears Ashby.

Festive flavours in Belvoir’s winter drinks range...

Enjoy a winter tipple this month with beautifully flavoured local drinks from Grantham’s Belvoir Cordials. If you’re enjoying festive drinks at home this year, Belvoir’s non-alcoholic cordials, pressés and cans are perfect for the ‘designated driver.’

Our favourite flavours for winter are spiced apple and ginger, honey, lemon and ginger, apple plum & cinnamon and the company’s mulled winter punch.

Find Belvoir’s winter range in your local farm shop or order online at www.belvoirfruitfarms.co.uk.

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TheWineCellar

Not so much the 12 days, but rather the five wines of Christmas this month, as wine writer Trevor Langley suggests wines to tittivate your turkey, go with your goose, or make your guinea fowl gleeful. Trevor also makes his mind up as to which is the best bubbles for Bucks Fizz, recommends a beautiful brandy for your Christmas pud, and treats Santa to a joyful sherry that will bring a smile to the man in red, when he comes down your chimney this month...

Our Gift Subscriptions last a whole year

Louis Roederer Cristal 2004, France; £190.

Clos Apalta Casa Lapostolle, Colchagua Valley; £50.

For Christmas morning Bucks Fizz has become very traditional. This mix of two parts orange juice and one part champagne can incorporate your favourite champagne or you can purchase Bucks Fizz ready bottled.

Roederer is powerful but elegant with a crisp & complex finish.

Merlot is a lighter wine option and accompanies turkey very well. Chilean Merlot is great, like Clos Apalta 2010 Casa Lapostolle, a deep purple, the wine is chocolately, bold and voluptuous. It’s a great recommendation and a wine to enjoy round your Christmas table.

Villa Maria Reserve Pinot Noir 2011, New Zealand; £20.

every single month in 2014!

As goose has a stronger flavour than turkey, Pinot Noir is an excellent pairing.

Villa Maria Reserve Marlborough (New Zealand) Pinot Noir accompanies the rich flavour of goose, perfectly. The complex palate is balanced, yet complemented by fine silky tannins.

Grant’s Morella Cherry Brandy, £28.99.

Fernando de Castilla Classic Pedro Ximenez; £20.

A favourite tipple of Queen Victoria, this has a full, fruity style, with lovely notes of maraschino cherries and fresh morella with blackcurrant leaf and tea character. Beautiful by itself, Grants makes a brilliant addition to a rich, fruity Christmas punch and goes well with your Christmas pud.

Don't Forget to leave a Sherry for Santa (and his grown-up helpers!)

Fernando De Castilla Classic Pedro Ximénez is, to me, a sherry that entices and pleases.

Big on flavour and sweetness, their aim is to offer the best products from the Sherry district in an elegant way.

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- HomES -

A Trio of

Cottages for Robin and Pearl Cox, a new renovation project at their Jacobean style cottage proved to be once, twice, three times a joy. We explore the Easton on the Hill property that will provide its next custodians with lots of living space...

Words: Rob Davis 58

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Fate can sometimes intervene in the most amusing way when it comes to choosing a new home. Robin and Pearl Cox were just about to purchase a property, back in 2006, when they received a last-minute call from a Rutland estate agent.

“She urged us not to purchase the property we were nearly ready to buy, until we’d seen a pretty cottage on Church Street in Easton on the Hill which had just come onto the market.” says Robin.

According to the date stone of the Grade II listed property, Church Street dates back to 1688, though it’s believed that some parts of the building are even earlier. Created in a Jacobean style, the cottage offers cosy accommodation in itself, but provides no fewer than three separate dwellings plus a couple of outbuildings and a beautiful little folly that could also serve as guest accommodation, with a little modification.

Above/Main: The estate comprises a main house, plus a separate cottage, ‘two-up, two-down’ studio and a small cottage or folly. The main drawing/dining room leads to a bespoke country kitchen with sycamore work surfaces.

“Robin and Pearl believe they’ve renovated more than 20 properties in the area, many of which have been Grade II listed...”

“We had to hop over a five bar fence to reach the property but as soon as we did so it was love at first sight!” recalls Robin.

Robin and Pearl believe they’ve renovated upwards of 20 properties in the area, many of which have been Grade II listed.

An antiques dealer by trade - currently sharing a shop on Stamford’s St Martin’s with Claire Langley - his home echoes his working life, with antiques from a range of different eras.

His furnishings echo the architecture and style of the building, a style which wraps local stone and Collyweston slate around exposed oak timbers, flagstone flooring and the reclaimed materials the couple used during their renovation. It’s almost criminal, that the house had uPVC windows upon 61

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Robin and Pearl’s arrival, which the couple immediately replaced with timber. The French doors which lead from the drawing room, in fact, belonged to Engelbert Humperdinck’s Leicester property and were relocated to the house when the couple created the cottage’s main living space.

A farmhouse kitchen created by a local joiner features sycamore worktops, a gas range, butler sink and integrated appliances.

“From the hand-carved open fireplaces to the hatch-handled doors, period details are rich in character and plentiful...”

Two sets of doors lead to the living and dining room, and to a utility room which, far from being new and mundane, is actually the oldest part of the property, perhaps Elizabethan in origin.

The first floor has two bedrooms and two bathrooms, one of which is an en suite, so despite its age the house does make some convenient concessions to modern living.

Downstairs there is also a study or second reception room, plus a large reception hall and cloakroom. The stairs to the first floor are a delight, with medieval wall paintings depicting pastoral scenes and elaborately carved oak lintels up to the first floor.

Above: The entrance hall has a hand-carved fireplace and hand-carved oak lintels, with medieval friezes along the staircase walls.

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Everywhere, from the hand-carved open fireplaces to the hatch-handled doors, period details are rich in character and plentiful.

The plasterwork is elaborate beyond the property’s original rustic origins, but that’s unsurprising, as one of the house’s previous owners was a tradesman, specialising in decorative plasterwork, who used the house as a sort of showcase of his craft... the property remains today richer for his attention to detail.

The adjacent cottage has a dedicated kitchen and living room, two bedrooms, a bathroom and its own cellar and garage.

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Meanwhile, an additional studio adds two ground floor rooms and two first floor rooms in a ‘two-up, two-down’ layout. Robin and Pearl have also obtained planning permission for the main house to be joined to the studio via a glass extension, which will provide the option of retaining three separate buildings, or the creation of a much larger house with a modified layout.

In addition to these three separate buildings, there’s also a really cute folly in the 3/4 acre garden. To refer to it as a folly is a bit of a misnomer as it’s much larger than the term suggests, with electricity and water all supplied to it. With the addition of a studio kitchen and shower room on the first floor, the property’s next custodians could create a quirky annexe for guests or a two-storey office. It is, however, currently a des res for the couple’s four year old granddaughter!

Above: The property’s folly could offer guest accommodation with the addition of a studio kitchen and shower room.

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The country garden was one of the big attractions for Robin and Pearl when they first came to see the house. The previous owner created the grounds with great care and attention, and it’s a rambling mixture of pretty patio areas, wide borders and traditional cottage style planting.

A small orchard yields more figs than the couple know what to do with, plus apples, pears and plums meaning a home made crumble or pie is never far away.

Roses and shrubs ensure the grounds are pretty, as well as productive, and box-edged borders, a wild flower meadow garden and a pond area.

“It’s an absolutely stunning garden, the best we’ve seen, and a pleasure to maintain.” says Robin. “We’ve seen another project that we’d like to begin, but we’ll definitely miss the house. With the ability to join up the buildings or keep them separate, it offers plenty of flexibility, as well as really nice architecture and plenty of history!”

Church Street Location: Church Street, Easton on the Hill, Rutland.

Style: Country home, cottage and studio on a three-quarter acre plot.

Receptions: (Main House) Three, currently arranged as drawing/dining room, reception hall and snug.

Beds: (Main House) Two, one en suite.

Other Features: Medieval wall friezes, medieval plasterwork.

Additional two bed cottage, studio, small cottage/folly. Cottage gardens.

Guide Price: £850,000

find out more: Estate Agency: Fine and Country Stamford, 2 St Mary’s Street, Stamford PE9 2DE. Tel: 01780 750200.

Web: www.fineandcountry.com

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In Principal

at The Old Vicarage in Croxton Kerrial This month we visit The old Vicarage, Croxton Kerrial’s principal village house which is on the market with Smiths Gore for £1.1million. dating back to the 1700s, the property has been significantly updated and restored, creating a beautiful family home.

Words: Ceri Jackson.

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The Old Vicarage in Croxton Kerrial is an impressive principal village house currently on the market for £1.1million with Smiths Gore, a leading provider of rural property services throughout the UK. Dating back to the 1700s, the property was given a Victorian extension built in the 1860s and the house is predominantly constructed of stone walls under a variety of Collyweston slate, clay pantile and Welsh slate roofs.

Current owners, Robert and Liz Wilson purchased the property in 2005 and they immediately began work on their extensive renovation project which lasted a year.

“Works included totally re-wiring and re-plumbing throughout the house. We installed new bathrooms, fireplaces and renovated and extended the kitchen, replacing the units and appliances. We also refurbished the wooden floors and staircase and turned the former outhouse into a utility room.” says Robert.

New hardwood double glazed windows replaced the former drafty windows to the upstairs of the house, significantly helping to improve the insulation of the property.

A principal village house located in the heart of the village, the front door has a beautiful covered walkway and timber gate and Victorian tile floor, providing an exceptionally warm welcome.

As you walk through the main entrance hall, there are four reception rooms currently being used as the drawing room, dining room, study and family room.

All of the reception rooms have tall ceilings and an abundance of character, including

open fireplaces, light bay windows, wooden floors and are very spacious.

Leading from the study and family room is the Vale garden room which the couple had built during the renovation work, which has also aided the flow to the rear of the property.

The garden room has fantastic views out on to the rear garden, and is a lovely place to sit and relax whilst enjoying views of the countryside. There is also underfloor heating which keeps you warmer during the colder months.

An impressive part of the property is the kitchen and breakfast room. It features high quality German units and island with granite worktops, a four door oil-fired Aga and plenty of integrated appliances, as well as underfloor heating. French doors lead onto the terrace, which provides the perfect place for al’fresco dining throughout the warmer months.

Next to the kitchen is an ante room which has an integrated fridge and separate freezer.

This leads down to the large utility room with washing machine, tumble dryer and ample storage.

“The renovation project lasted a year, and it included re-wiring and plumbing, new kitchen, refurbished wooden floors and staircase, and hardwood windows the replaced drafty windows...”

Opposite: The front door has a beautiful covered walkway and timber gate with Victorian tile floors.

Above: The kitchen and breakfast room has been renovated, featuring high quality units and island with granite worktops, an Aga and integrated appliances.

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Right: The reception rooms have a wealth of character including bay windows and open fires, and have lots of space.

Below/Right: The property features five double bedrooms, three en suites and a family bathroom.

Below/Far Right: As part of the renovation, the couple built a Vale Garden Room which has extensive views of the garden and countryside.

As you make your way up to the first floor, you will find five double bedrooms, with the master bedroom featuring an en suite shower room and dressing room.

Two of the bedrooms also have an en suite bath and shower rooms, and there is a family bathroom which is shared by the two remaining bedrooms.

The two acre garden is mainly laid to lawns with mature trees, and has exceptional views out over the open countryside. The owners have added extensive terracing from the garden room with steps leading to a sunken hot tub, a beautiful addition.

Outside, there is a series of adjoining outhouses including a boiler room with an oil-fired boiler and hot water tank, a log store and a gardener’s toilet.

The property also has a double garage with electric doors, and a traditional stone cart shed which is currently being used as an additional garage.

An exciting element of this property is the room for further development and expansion.

“When we purchased The Old Vicarage, we applied for planning permission to replace the stone cart shed with a one-bedroom dwelling and studio, and also for a new double garage with a garden equipment store.

These applications have now been approved, so there is great potential for the new owners to develop.”

of Belvoir which is renowned for its beautiful rolling countryside and quality hunting ground. The village has a church, doctor’s surgery, a primary school, The Peacock at Croxton pub, and a village hall.

“There’s planning consentfor a one bed dwelling and a new double garage with adjoining store...”

The property is located in the pretty village of Croxton Kerrial, on the edge of the Vale 70

The village is close to other villages and towns, including Harlaxton, Grantham and Melton Mowbray which are great for a spot of shopping, restaurants and sporting facilities.

“There are a number of local places of interest in the area too, like Rutland Water and Stapleford Park.

There are also excellent schools in the area, so this house would be the perfect home for a family.” says Robert.

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About This Property: Location: The Old Vicarage, Middle Street, Croxton Kerrial, Grantham, Leicestershire, NG32 1QP Style: Five bedroom village house set in an elevated position within a conservation area, with views over the garden and open countryside, located in the heart of this popular former Estate village. The house is predominately constructed of stone walls of Collyweston slate, clay pantile and Welsh slate roofs.

The Old Vicarage: ÂŁ1,100,000

find out more: Estate Agency: Smiths Gore, 9 High Street St Martins, Stamford, PE9 2LF Tel: 01780 484696 Web: www.smithsgore.co.uk.

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Châteaux d’

ELEGANCE

With the launch of Sanderson’s new fabienne collection, you don’t need to travel to Paris to find create a Châteaux inspired interior. You can create your own elegant yet classic home decor with a rustic and antique charm...

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Giselle is the signature design of the fabienne collection, and is a very modern take on an archive document. Painted in oils then gravure printed, it depicts a fabulous oral bouquet in a ceramic vase. It is reminiscent of frescos in châteaux...

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This month, there’s no need to hop onto the Eurostar in order to achieve a ‘châteaux chic’ home. Thanks to Sanderson’s brand new collection, Fabienne, you can give your own home an elegantly classic French styled decor.

Inspired by relaxed, classic French interiors made up of inherited patterns and rich furnishings which have been worn over time, the collection conjures up the faded elegance of châteaux and the charm of rustic country manoirs.

“18th and 19th century documents from the Sanderson archive provided the inspiration for many of the floral prints which have been given a fresh, yet contemporary treatments, with stunning results.” say Sanderson.

Certain textures have been used throughout the collection to soften the designs, and give them an aged, antique linen feel, perfect for creating an elegant home with a French vintage twist.

“The new Fabienne collection has six prints, three embroideries and eight wallpapers - and conjures up the faded elegance of French châteaux and the charm of rustic country manors. ” The colour palette includes a number of soft, mineral colours; from serene blues and romantic pastels, through to the much richer, autumnal tones of russet.

“The beauty of this collection is that is has been given a deliberately pared back styling that is simple and relaxed. This will allow you to create a versatile range of living spaces throughout your home, from the kitchen and living room, to bath and bed, that are both welcoming and informally elegant.”

The Fabienne collection comprises of six prints and three embroideries including Abbeville, Clemence and Josette. With 31 colour variations for the nine designs, you’ll enjoys lots of choice.

There are also eight wallpapers with 39 colour variations, including the Fabienne, Florrie, Solaine and Tuileries.

Main Overleaf: Giselle, the signature design of the collection, has a very modern take. Painted in oils then gravure printed, it depicts a fabulous floral bouquet in a ceramic vase. It is reminiscent of frescos in châteaux.

Also available as a digitally printed fabric.

Far Left: Sofa using one of the Giselle fabrics.

Left: Solaine is a stylised interpretation of an old Indienne block printed fabric design.

Top: Fabienne wallpaper the faded opulence of this damask harks back to grander times, yet is equally at home in a modern country setting.

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These designs are complemented by the tumbled-textural Savary Weaves and the versatile Bramley Checks.

The new Savary weaves collection has two new designs - Luynes with eight variations, and Savary which has 11. Both are beautifully soft but, at the same time, they both have high performing qualities so they are made to last.

Each fabric is suitable for curtains and severe contract upholstery usage, and they are designed to complement the Fabienne Prints and Wallpaper collections. They have a wonderfully faded and antique feel to help complete the look of your home.

You can also use the pre-existing Bramley Checks collection, a versatile collection of small to mid-scale checks and stripes in clean, bright colours and some neutral shades. All five designs are are suitable for curtains and severe contract upholstery, and woven in 100% cotton.

“The new Savay weaves collection complements Fabienne perfectly, with a wonderfully faded, antique feel which will help complete the look...”

Above: The Josette wallpaper depicts a lively pastoral scene. This 19th century toile has been updated with a fabulous washed effect in the ground and works beautifully as a colour carrier across all of the other printed designs. It is also available as printed fabric. Pair with a Bramley Checks collection fabric.

Right: Giselle, Florrie, Fabienne, Tuileries and Giselle.

Rutland Suppliers: Elizabeth Stanhope: Mill St, Oakham, Leicestershire LE15 6EA, 01572 722345, www.elizabethstanhope.co.uk.

Furleys: High St, Oakham, Rutland LE15 6AH, 01572 755539, www.furleys.co.uk.

House of Ambience: Sheep St, Kettering NN16 0AN, 01536 513181, www.houseofambience.co.uk.

J&L Ball: North St, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 1EH, 01780 481416, www.jandlball.co.uk.

Sarah Harding Interiors: Market St, Uppingham, Rutland LE15 9QH, 01572 823389, www.sarahharding interiors.co.uk.

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Established Brand: One of J&L Ball’s most established brands is Voyage Maison. Andiamo is a new design for 2015 and will sit alongside the firm’s Country and Highlands watercolour prints.

For Stylish Homes

in Stamford

It’s an exciting time for Stamford based curtain, blind and upholstery specialist J&L Ball as the firm adds exclusive new designers to its ranges…

Words: Rob Davis.

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- HomES -

Soft furnishing specialist J&L Ball Interiors are introducing new ranges to ensure it can offer customers an even greater choice of quality interiors products for any room in your home.

Stamford’s raison d’etre has always been its mix of privately owned shops and businesses, many of which are long established and trusted by their customers.

J&L Ball Interiors is one such retailer, with 10 years provenance and a reputation for creating bespoke curtains, blinds and shutters as well as wallcoverings, fabrics and accessories.

This month sees the closure of another interiors retailer in the town, Finishing Touch, and with over 30 years of provenance in Stamford, the firm is keen to direct its customers to J&L Ball Interiors to ensure the same level of service and range of designers.

This season, customers can browse through hundreds of sample books and work with the three strong team of Jeremy, Lorraine and Laura to create the perfect design for your room.

“Finishing Touch has a great reputation for all of the 32 years it has been trading, so we were delighted when its owners approached us and asked us to take care of its customers in the future.” say the firm’s Jeremy and Lorraine Ball.

Sanderson is a strong addition to the range with its cohesive collections of paint, fabric and wallpapers with their traditional charm, whilst Cole & Son presents a range of heritage wallpapers from the firm’s archives, like its new range of 1883 papers that are perfect for Victorian properties.

“The closure of Finishing Touch means that we can now offer our customers a more comprehensive range of fabrics, giving them more choice than ever before.

Ranges such as Cole & Son, Osborne & Little and Sanderson are now exclusively available from J&L Ball Interiors.”

The new lines sit alongside the popular mid-range brand of Clarke & Clarke with its vibrant, lustrous ranges of contemporary fabrics and collections like Casamance’s metallic ranges, the rich colours of Romo and diverse, original PT ranges.

“J&L Ball Interiors has taken on brand new ranges like Sanderson, O&L and Cole & Son.”

The new names supplement J&L Ball Interiors’s existing ranges of Clarke & Clarke, Villa Nova, Harlequin and Luxaflex, enabling them to create bespoke home furnishings for any room in your home, no matter how large, small or awkward the window, utilising both traditional and contemporary fabrics.

“We’re open six days a week, and manufacture, measure & install using our own staff to ensure a perfect fit every time.” says Jeremy.

“We’ve had a wonderful year of unprecedented popularity, and to have both our customer service and our commitment to quality validated not just by the repeat business we enjoy, but by Finishing Touch, for whom we’ve always had a great deal of respect, is really satisfying.” says Lorraine.

“We’d certainly like to wish them all the best for the future, and look forward to ensuring their recommendation of us to their customers isn’t misplaced.”

Top: One of the firm’s new brands is Sanderson, whose Chika collection includes Washi wallpaper and Washi & Samaya fabrics.

Find Out More: J&L Ball can still create and install bespoke blinds and curtains in time for Christmas.

The company is based at 16 North St, Stamford PE9 1EH. Telephone 01780 481416. www.jandlball.co.uk.

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Begin Your Collection of

Fine Art

fine art and antiques dealer Nigel Rhodes is to open his new gallery in Stamford as Pride goes to press this month.

A ďŹ ne art dealer, Nigel can assist those interested in beginning their own collection, as well meeting the needs of more experienced clients.

Words: Rob Davis.

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Owning fine art is one of the most profound pleasures in life. In such a complex field of interest, though, it’s important to have the counsel of a knowledgable and honest guide as you begin or expand your collection.

Fortunately for Rutlanders, Nigel Rhodes an art dealer with over 30 years of experience and a large number of delighted clients - is coming to the area to provide just that guidance and support.

Previously based just off Lincoln’s Bailgate, the dealer opens his new gallery as Pride goes to press on Stamford’s High Street, St Martin’s, providing a whole range of services.

high quality, facilitating the sale of art, providing valuations for clients’ own pieces and advising on restoration and installation.”

“We will display a range of British & European fine art in the gallery, so we hope people will come in to browse originals by notable names such as Sir Anthony van Dyck, Sir Alfred J Munnings, Dame Laura Knight, Sir Thomas Gainsborough, to name a few.”

“One of Nigel’s biggest strengths is his willingness to encourage others to foster their own knowledge. Art is both a pleasure and a good investment, and Nigel is very good at providing an honest assessment of quality, condition, composition and provenance of a work or piece. As a gallery we delight in making the collecting of fine art as accessible and enjoyable as possible.”

“The new gallery will display a range of both British and European fine art...”

“Our clients include novice collectors and the more knowledgeable, with prices for the fine art and antiques we source typically ranging from £1,000 to several millions of pounds.” say Henrietta Clavering, manager of the new gallery.

“Nigel’s knowledge is encyclopaedic, beginning his career at the age of 18. He works tirelessly to source pieces of notably

“There’s no such thing as a typical client, but if they share one characteristic, it’s a sense of delight that they have found a piece that they can invest in financially and emotionally. We hope that our new gallery will enable us to introduce art to many new novice collectors and to service the needs of more knowledgable clients alike.”

Featured Artwork: Over the page we present a selection of artwork currently on display at the new gallery of Nigel Rhodes Fine Art. The dealer this month relocates to High Street, St Martin’s in Stamford.

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- fINE ART -

1.

Nigel provides a range of services from valuation and sales of fine art to restoration and installation, helping clients to build their own collection. This is a flavour of the fine art typically found in his gallery...

1. Cornelis Jonson Van Ceulen (1593-1661) Signed with monogram and dated 1645.

Oil on canvas 76x82cm.

2. Dame Laura Knight (1877–1972) Gypsy Caravans.

Circa 1935. Signed.

Oil on canvas, 76 × 97 cm .

3. Sir Anthony Van Dyck (1599–1641) Queen Henrietta Maria.

Oil on canvas, 215.9 × 126.7 cm.

2.

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4. Jan Mytens (1614–1670) A Family Portrait.

Signed and dated 1648.

Oil on canvas, 111 × 149.5 cm.

5. Allan Ramsay (1713 – 1784) John Prideaux Bassett. Signed.

Oil on canvas 150 x 98 cm 6. Sir Alfred Munnings (1878–1959) Winter at Flatford.

Each of our featured paintings are on display at Nigel Rhodes Fine Art, High Street, St Martins, Stamford. 01780 756667; www.nigelrhodesfineart.com.

3.

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4.

5.

6.

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Helping you to create

THE PERFECT HOME

Bespoke Timber or uPVC Windows, Doors and Conservatories...

Traditional and Contemporary including Victorian and Edwardian Any shape and size, for any style of home including listed properties Call us now for a no-pressure home visit, or find out more online

www.orchardwindows.co.uk

Meadow View, Uffington Road Stamford, PE9 2EX

01780 753 343

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- HomES -

Home Choose, remains the right choice...

Three decades of provenance for deeping company who provide personal service and the best brands...

Welcoming change this Christmas at EAS...

Window and conservatory company enter their 35th year, retaining family values and a commitment to quality for customers in 2015 Hurricane Gonzalo came and went, much like the very latest mobile phone; here today, gone tomorrow! Some change is inevitable - certainly the case with the weather - but what of insurance companies and the like, who change their name for something the marketeers think is more marketable.

At EAS Windows they have always thought there is something reassuring about companies that seem to have been around for a while - it’s as though longevity breeds trust and respect.

Home Choose Carpets is a family run business established in 1984 offering a quality, professional mobile service for measuring, estimating and giving help and advice in the selection of the right floor coverings and blinds for your home.

All our work is fully guaranteed and we like to build up a personal and friendly relationship with our customers, a fact reflected by the number of people who return time and time again.

We supply carpets from all the leading manufacturers including Abingdon and Brockway, Cormar and Whitestone, along with Karndean and Polyflor vinyl flooring ranges.

The company has a showroom at Bentley Business Park, Market Deeping, open six days.

Call 01778 346918 or see www.homechoose-carpets.co.uk

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EAS are proud of the fact that as they enter their 35th year, they are still a family run business with the originators still at the helm. They know your home is your safe haven, where you raise your family, entertain friends. They design and install conservatories, glass extensions, windows, orangeries, replace-

ment doors and rooflines, all with attention to detail in design.

site and reception area in Leicester.

The company’s attention to detail, is also reflected in their commitment to customers and its provenance in the community.

This will feature an inter active design and products display and a relaxed, informal environment with a warm welcome to all customers old and new who wish to come along and say Happy New Year.

As we each look forward to welcoming Christmas and the New Year with traditionally renewed optimism, they are delighted to announce the forthcoming opening of their brand new, state of the art show

For more information, please visit 25 New Street, Oadby, Leicester, LE2 5EB. Call 0116 271 0120 or see www.easwindows.co.uk.

Open Evening for Kitchens & Interior Design of Market Harborough...

Kitchens & Interior Design of Market Harborough is planning a series of special events during the town’s Late Night Shopping event on friday 5th december and are inviting all visitors to come through the doors to celebrate with cappuccino, wine and canapes. during the event, the company will be launching a new range of products from Zack of Hamburg, display a range of artwork by artists maria Bragoli, and franklyn J Scott.

The firm will also offer 20% discount on selected products to readers of Rutland Pride.

“We provide a complete bespoke service for our customers - a one shop experience - andtake care of everything, from initial consultation to final fitting.” says Andrea fawaz.

For more information see call 01858 465726 or see www.kitchensandinteriordesignltd.co.uk.

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On The Night Before Christmas, all through the house, not a creature will stir, thanks to Mattressman...

What’s It Worth...?

Enjoy a good night’s sleep whilst

Gildings Auctioneers, founded in 1980, is the region’s principal auction house, hosting sales every Tuesday alternating between its Harborough and Leicester salerooms.

Santa drops of his presents, with mattressman. “Naturally the bed and mattress you choose is key to ensuring a good night’s sleep.” says Steve Gilmour of mattressman, a retailer which supplies Stamford, Rutland and market Harborough.

“People choose a mattress really quickly - we believe you should spend at least 10 minutes on a bed in the shop before deciding to buy a particular mattress. After all, you spend around 20,000 hours of your life asleep, so it’s crucial that your mattress offer the support and comfort you need.”

“The foundation of good sleep is a comfortable bed and the right mattress. It can be the difference between a restorative night’s rest and poor quality sleep that results in tiredness and fatigue.”says Steve.

find the Perfect finishing Touches at Broughtons of Leicester...

An independent, family run firm, Broughtons of Leicester specialises in lighting, ironmongery and accessories for period style homes.

Established in 1979, Broughtons of Leicester has grown from strength to strength and now offers the widest range of period accessories

Take your belongings along to the region’s principal auction house, Gildings Auctioneers, and you may be surprised how much it’s actually worth!

Offering over 500 lots of antiques each week, it provides a unique opportunity for buyers to obtain period furnishings, art, jewellery and objects for their homes from 15th century furniture, to post-war design classics.

The company stocks mattresses and divans in sizes up to Super King, and has over 100 in stock in its Lincoln Road store in Peterborough, ready for immediate delivery in time for Christmas.

For more information visit Mattressman in Peterborough, PE1 3HQ, call 01733 563764 or see www.mattressman.co.uk.

for doors, windows and cabinets, and an amazing display of interior and exterior lighting at our 5000 square foot showrooms in Anstey, Leicestershire.

Whether you are looking to purchase from our website at www.broughtons.com or you’re considering paying us a visit, our staff have over 250 years of combined experience which helps us maintain a high degree of knowledge and we can guide you on your purchases.

Our ranges include antique black and satin brass ironwork, French ceramic lighting, hand-crafted period lighting and Moretti Italian lighting.

Visit Broughtons of Leicester on Cropston Road at Anstey, Leicestershire LE7 7BP, or call 0116 234 1888. Alternatively, see www.broughtons.com.

They now offer specialist sales of 20th century Decorative Arts and Collectables, including items from the Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau and Art Deco periods as well as their quarterly Fine Art auctions featuring the very best of pieces found throughout Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire.

and Monday prior to each auction with fully illustrated catalogues being posted online the week prior to the auction.

They provide confidential valuations for insurance or probate purposes, and free valuations for auction appraisal at both salerooms. The fine Arts and Crafts silver bowl shown here is a prime example; brought in to a valuation day at Leicester one Friday morning. It sold in Market Harborough three weeks later for over £7,000!

So there is no harm in asking ‘What’s it worth?’ The answer may be surprising!

Public viewing days are held on the Saturday morning

Quality Carpets in Uppingham...

The Uppingham Carpet Company is a family run business with a wealth of experience in the flooring trade. We supply and fit an extensive range of carpets, runners, real wood floors, vinyl and natural floorings to update any room with a fresh, different, traditional or contemporary feel. We have styles, patterns and colours to accommodate all tastes. our stylish luxury vinyl tiles look and feel real because they accurately reproduce the natural appearance of either wood or stone. They perform fantastically in any area of your home, office or business.

Being members of the UK's premiere buying group we can offer this vast spectrum of quality brands, whilst remaining extremely competitive. our friendly staff offer impartial advice to guide your selection, ensuring you choose the right products to suit your specific needs. Its not just the sales staff who are experts, our fitters have been selected to offer the best service and skill in every installation.

We also belong to the Carpet foundation and adhere to a Code of Practice set out by the Trading Standards Institute and as such all our work is fully guaranteed. www.uppinghamcarpets.co.uk

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- HomES -

Trent Galleries open new premises on

Oakham’s Mill Street...

With over 20 years experience, Tracey & Stuart Morris have opened a new gallery at 11 Mill Street, Oakham.

Trent Galleries offers an eclectic mix of contemporary fine art, specialising in Original Paintings and Collectable Limited Edition Prints and Sculpture from a host of critically acclaimed artists.

Our philosophy of presenting artwork and making the experience of buying art a completely relaxing and enjoyable one, means that we have captivated the attention

of an entirely brand new audience to the world of collectable fine art.

Having two galleries already, Trent Galleries’s philosophy of ‘delivering more than is expected,’ has guaranteed it a fine reputation within the art industry and the community it serves. We understand that at first glance galleries can often feel intimidating, so have created a welcoming space with a friendly atmosphere.

The Newark gallery has already hosted exciting events this year, with appearances

from the ‘modern day Lowry’ Rebecca Lardner and the internationally acclaimed Doug Hyde meeting devoted collectors and personally dedicating their artwork.

The uniquely imaginative creator of the McMoo’s,

Jennifer Hogwood will be at the Newark gallery on 29th November. Join us in our new gallery and let us inspire you!

Trent Galleries will be opening at 11 Mill Street from the end of November.

See www.trentgalleries.co.uk.

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- gardening -

A Winter of

Colour

Mark and angela Chambers’s garden provided the opportunity to create a traditional English garden from the very beginning. despite climatic instability, their garden is looking great and best of all, yields plenty of colour, even in the winter months!

This month we sent Nicola Stocken along to take a look for herself...

Words & Images: Nicola Stocken.

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- gardens -

“Initially we started to gradually reduce the trees with the help of the tree preservation officer.

It’s let so much light into the garden,” says Angela.

Far Left: A waterfall tumbles rainwater into a lake - the couple decided to use, rather than fight against, the Great British climate.

Left: The planting consists of large half-hardy and hardy perennials such a phlox, thalictrum, penstemon, heuchera, dahlias, Diascia personata and salvias.

After recent extremes of weather, few would wholly dismiss the threat of climate change, least of all Mark and Angela Chambers. “We witnessed a large part of our walled garden disappear under water, when a brook running between the wall and the orchard burst its banks,” recalls Mark.

That was five years ago, shortly before they began renovating the ancient five-acre country garden and woodland, respecting its heritage while adding imaginative contemporary touches.

Looking today at the gloriously balanced, long herbaceous borders, or the waterfall that tumbles into a lake fed with rainwater from the property’s roofs, or even the walled garden with its formal rose parterre around a still pool, it’s nigh-on impossible to envisage swirling, muddy flood waters, or any of the other climactic events that have recently ruffled the tranquil village. Bitter winters, predicted droughts and the wettest summer

of the century struck the garden, but did little to dampen the exuberance of the plants, as swathes of late flowering perennials peaked – maybe a little lankier than usual owing to the high rainfall, but resplendent in autumn’s softening light. This is a rare garden, a serene place to wander at will, to linger as hidden delights unfold at each turn.

It is, however, a far cry from the manor house and garden that the Chambers bought in 2006. “The house was structurally in good condition, but internally was in need of significant refurbishment,” says Angela.

It’s believed to have stood on the site since the 14th century, but was rebuilt with stone in 1605, with some remodeling in the 1870’s.

Back in 2006, the garden was mainly laid to lawn, with a few borders largely filled with shrubs and some roses, as well as areas that best could be described as wilderness.

“We recognised that there was potential to create a traditional English garden from scratch,” says Angela. It was a mass of overgrown shrubs, hemmed in by dense, shady woodland of oak, fir, copper beech and lots of yew. “We started to gradually reduce the trees with the help of the tree preservation officer. It’s let so much light into the garden,” says Angela.

As light returned, so too did the opportunity to flank the long gravel path in borders of Hydrangea arborescens ‘Annabelle,’ Nepeta racemosa ‘Walker’s Low,’ Penstemon ‘Rich Ruby’ and spiky Phormium.

Meanwhile, in the walled garden, a pond made in the shape of a crucifix was indeed proving a cross to bear. “The water was like pea soup by midsummer, and even though we tried installing a pump, it was a complete nightmare to keep clear,” says Mark.

“We decided to keep only the long, rectangular middle bar as a formal pool.”

A central fountain plays at its centre, creating a rainbow effect against the rising sun.

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An important element of the initial brief was three late flowering herbaceous borders, so first Paul designed the long border, which, now mature, peaks in autumn with clumps of echinacea and asters, spires of Penstemon ‘Raven’ and waving molinia grasses. Adding a sense of rhythm are repeated mounds of Sedum ‘Purple Emperor,’ ‘Matrona’ and S. telephium subsp. Ruprechtii. There are also box balls and yew cones for structure in winter, while clematis and roses clothe the wall.

“From the very outset, planning of the garden has been a collaborative effort, initially with Angela and Paul, and now with garden designer Jonathon Heath...”

Top: Angela and Paul Chambers in the garden.

Opposite: Three late flowering borders ensure the couple can introduce an element of colour into the garden in autumn.

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At the start of the garden redesign they decided to consult a designer, Paul Williams, the former head gardener of a nearby stately home. Their brief included the creation of ‘structural’ elements such as topiary, a straight line of yew hedging, box edging to borders and the pleached hornbeam screens that contain the long border on the east side of the walled garden.

From the very outset, planning of the garden has been a collaborative effort, initially with Angela and Paul, and now with Jonathon Heath.

Another border along the easterly outside wall has proved more challenging.

“Each year it’s different, as some plants have thrived while others have pulled back.”

The planting consists of large half-hardy and hardy perennials such a phlox, thalictrum, penstemon, heuchera, dahlias, Diascia personata and salvias, such as S. microphylla and S. involucrate. Adding structure are yew pyramids, espalier pear tress and shrubs such as Hibiscus ‘Woodbridge.’

So too do the four boxed-edged beds that extend each long side of the pool in the walled garden. Each is filled with Rosa ‘Flower Carpet white’, which flowers unremittingly until early frosts, smothering the ground beneath three evergreen Portuguese laurel standards (Prunus lusitanica) – a small leaved, hardy evergreen that is easy to topiaries and a good alternative to bay.

Originally, the beds were narrower, but Angela widened each by a metre. “As a result the proportions now look far better.”

The pool and rose parterre make a marvelous centrepiece to the walled garden.

“It has structure as well as beautiful herbaceous borders, a scented walk, rose parterre and two ponds,” says Angela. “These are all elements that I love in a garden.”

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- gardens -

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- naTure -

Wildlife and Folklore at

Christmas

Christmas is almost upon us; a time for giving and receiving cards. This month our nature writer richard Owens ponders the presence of nature in winter folklore, and asks why you often find the robin, holly & mistletoe on cards during the festive months...

Well folks, it’s that time of year when once again we are heartened by the sound of Carol singers in the streets, nativity scenes and of course perhaps even a visit by the man in the red suit, but only if we’ve been good boys and girls! Yes, the festive season is upon us once again.

During this season of goodwill, many of us will give and receive Christmas cards. Take a closer look at your mantlepiece and you may notice an abundance of wildlife upon them, but have you ever wondered why it’s always a Robin, a Holly Wreath or even some Mistletoe ? There are lots of theories in folklore as to why and this month I’m going to share a few of them with you.

and can be heard singing their little hearts out pretty well anywhere.

So, why do we see so many on our Christmas Cards you may well ask, well their association goes back to Victorian times when the postmen, who wore red suits were aptly nicknamed Robin redbreasts.

It’s widely believed that the Victorians were the first to give and receive cards and the picture of the Robin would mimic the postmen of the day. I think it also helps that the Robin is one of our most commonly seen garden birds at this time of year and therefore makes a great winter subject.

“During the season of good will we give and receive Christmas cards - often a Robin, Wreath or Mistletoe...”

Of course we all love the iconic Robin don’t we, the little bird with the red breast that likes to fly out from a bush and land on the handle of your spade, or if you’re patient and lucky, even feed out of your hand.

Robins become increasingly tame during the winter in their pursuit of an easy meal, 110

So why is it holly wreaths that grace so many cards and front doors? It’s actually a pagen tradition. Pagans believed that by hanging a garland of holly outside the house, you will be protected from evil forces, witchcraft and even lightning. In fact, holly trees do conduct lightning into the ground better than many other trees, so perhaps there’s more to this

myth than meets the eye? It’s also believed that the splash of colour radiated by the glossy leaves and shiny red berries would also prevent bad luck.

Christmas aside, holly is actually a really good plant for wildlife. The berries provide an important food source for our thrush species, in particular the Mistle Thrush which will often set up a territory around a holly bush and defend it vigorously.

It won’t eat them all at once though, and will make them last through winter, so if you go near a holly bush with an abundance of berries, beware you may be being watched.

Last but by no means least: mistletoe... and I think we all know what this beautiful plant symbolises. I’d like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and an even Happier New Year.

Richard has spent his career promoting bio diversity within the world of turf and is currently the UK's Golf Course Conservation Greenkeeper of the Year.

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- FaRmIng matteRs -

Opening new markets in

Farming Recent bad weather has left a black cloud looming over British agriculture, and it’s set to remain. Farming correspondent Barry Poston looks at current farming issues including low yield prices during a real winter of discontent. It’s not all doom and gloom, as new ways to generate electricity with straw opens up exciting new markets for farmers...

Heavy rain in mid-October put a stop to land work and delayed the lifting of potatoes and sugar beet. But fortunately for most arable farmers, they were well prepared with sowing rapeseed and wheat.

Good yields of potatoes were harvested in dry conditions, and although hit with bad thunderstorms, few fields had been briefly flooded and showed a degree of rotting.

Prices were a lot lower than in previous years and contracted growers for processing potatoes for frozen chips and crisps were pleased to have fixed prices.

Rape and early wheat sowings had proceeded well, and it was interesting to see a lot more land being ploughed this year with farmers anxious to reduce the likelihood of blackgrass appearing in their crops. However with a lot of early drilling the prospect of more blackgrass is increased.

A considerable quantity of maize for use in anaerobic digesters has been produced with good yields. One wonders with all the tractor power required to cultivate, plant and harvest it could be possible to produce cheaper electricity!

Farmers, however, are pleased to grow maize as it gives them a chance to reduce the amount of blackgrass and gives a useful arable break.

“Heavy rain put a stop to land work but fortunately arable farmers were well prepared with sowing rapeseed and wheat...”

Far fewer farmers are growing potatoes, rather they are letting their land to larger growers with large scale harvesting machinery and temperature controlled stores.

Although early lifting of sugar beet showed excellent yields per acre, unfortunately the British Sugar Corporation has reduced the tonnage required in 2015 at a lower price.

Some growers may decide to take a ‘holiday’ from growing this year as British Sugar will not penalise them for so doing.

Unfortunately there is a black cloud over British agriculture at the moment with a slump in most agricultural prices. Despite record yields of wheat and rape per acre, prices are well down owing mainly to high world production and returns are also reduced due to oversupply. However growing demand for straw to generate electricity is opening up new markets for

growers. New straw fuel power stations are beginning commercial generation across the UK which will give a useful additional return on cereal acres in the future.

At present, milk producers are possibly the hardest hit, with prices well below the cost of production. Generally in times of oversupply, the excess milk can be processed into butter and cheese and stored.

However, world prices of these products are at a low ebb and very little interest is being shown in them. This does seem strange when a litre of bottled water is being sold for more than a litre of milk in the local supermarket.

Most farmers will have a difficult year financially with below average returns for most of their products. However many are familiar with these situations and will hopefully be looking forward to another year optimistically.

Barry Poston is the area’s foremost farming expert with a long history working in both arable and livestock environments. During his career he has seen a great many changes in the industry!

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- MoToRS -

Ghost of a Chance...

The most modest variant in Rolls Royce’s stable of thoroughbred motor cars has been updated, with new technology and an eye-watering asking price of over £200,000. So, does it stand a ghost of a chance, against Mercedes’s S-Class, or a Range Rover?

For the price of even the most modest Rolls Royce Ghost, you can more or less purchase two Range Rovers. And not just any Range Rovers; top of the range, long wheelbase, hybrid versions. You could also purchase a couple of Aston Martin Vantages, or as many as three Mercedes S-Class saloons.

The Ghost is eye-wateringly expensive, at £209,400 for the ‘basic’ model and £239,000 for the extended wheelbase version which offers 17cm more legroom. Both models use the firm’s hand-built 6.6 litre V12 engine and feature eight speed automatic gearboxes.

Read through the press blurb for the Ghost, and phrases like ‘modern luxury,’ and ‘effortless dynamism,’ and ‘super-premium’ feature throughout. Much is made of modernising the brand with the introduction of new technology. The trouble is, in this respect, the brand is already playing catch-up with brands like Mercedes and Range Rover, whose cars already boast voice control, adaptive cruise control, wi-fi provision and night vision systems, for example.

The car’s brochure proudly boasts of a new glass Spirit of Ecstasy rotary controller, but that’s a system that has been fitted, as standard, to even sub-£20,000 cars from Audi, Mercedes and BMW, for years.

The Ghost may be nicely appointed, with lambswool rugs and beautifully polished veneers, but the fact is, the car isn’t that well-specified. Many of the car’s headline features remain optional, making it appear even poorer value for money compared to an S-Class or Range Rover.

Worse still are the overheads necessary to run such a large engine. 60mph is reached in 4.9 seconds, and the car will achieve 155mph where legal, but the Ghost is not a sports car; who on earth wants that performance in a car that’s more suited toward wafting silently around the capital?

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Spirit of Ecstasy?: The Rolls Royce Ghost has been update to blend new technology with the firm’s heritage.

However, at more than £200,000 it’s expensive next to rivals like Mercedes’s S-Class or the long wheelbase Range Rover which are just as prestigious, better equipped more economical.

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- motors -

“Rolls Royce may once have offered the best motor cars in the world, but in 2014, with rivals like the Range Rover and Mercedes S-Class, the smart money embraces a spirit of sensibility, not the spirit of ecstasy...”

Moreover, achieving little over 20mpg on a combined cycle - and just 13mpg in towns and cities - the Ghost lacks the frugality of a 40mpg Range Rover, or a 50mpg S-Class.

Both of those vehicles also have hybrid or plug-in hybrid models on the way too, offering a better option for the environmentally conscious and financial incentives for company car drivers.

The Ghost offers a choice of 11 veneers, single and two tone hides, different seat piping, personalised nameplates, monogrammed veneers and a near-infinite number of exterior colours. Doubtless, it’s beautifully made, with a glass rotary controller, but as more technology and colour screens creep into the cabin, the interior is less like Rolls Royce cars of old and more skin to an S-Class. Meanwhile, the Ghost’s unique selling point of quality is no longer applicable given the exquisitely crafted interiors of the S-Class and Range Rover.

Our conclusion, then, is that there’s nothing especially wrong with the car. However, its rivals have progressed to offer comparable luxury, more standard equipment and the ability to personalise their cars too; Range Rover offers personalisation with its Autobiography scheme whilst Mercedes offers the same with its Designio line.

At over £200,000, the Ghost is just too expensive. The £100,000 hybrid Range Rover Autobiography has just as much on-road presence as the Ghost and a badge that’s as prestigious too. It’ll achieve twice the miles per gallon, offer the same scope for personalisation, and as an added bonus, it will offer the ability to deal with the county’s bumpy, rough potholed roads with peerless ability. Meanwhile Mercedes’s new V12 S600, at £140,000, offers the best technology, a higher specification and a ride that’s just as comfortable for drivers and the chauffeured.

Rolls Royce may once have offered the best motor cars in the world, but in 2014, the smart money embraces a spirit of sensibility, not the spirit of ecstasy.

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- wedding dresses -

Wedding Dress Trends

Your wedding dress is one of the most important dresses you will wear in your lifetime, so it’s important to find the right one for you. This can be quite daunting with trends coming and going, so this month we speak with local bridal boutiques to discuss the hottest wedding dress trends for 2015...

Images: Christopher Dadey. Words: Ceri Jackson.

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- wedding dresses -

Your wedding dress: it’s probably the most important dress you will ever wear in your life. Making sure you pick the right dress for you and that gives you that ‘butterfly feeling’ of knowing it is The One is very important, and can be a great source of preoccupation for brides.

Local bridal shops often stock an abundance of different styles, from the classic A-line, fishtail and princess, to short wedding dresses and Grecian. Although some, if not all designers, have a signature style, trends are ever-changing and that is true for 2015 wedding dress trends.

Next year, there are plenty of new trends making an appearance, and some are even set to make a comeback - albeit with a bit of an update!

One style which is making a comeback and one that is becoming more and more popular amongst wedding dress designers is the ball gown, which are taking on a softer look thanks to breezy fabrics and relaxed, elegant classic silhouettes.

“Ballgown styles are set to become very popular next year, with off the shoulder V- neckline - this creates a great combination with this style of wedding dress,” says Laura from Matchmaker of Stamford.

Vintage and lace was a big trend for 2014, and one which is still going strong! This is no surprise, as this is a very romantic theme and great for a wedding day.

“Lace was a big trend this year, and this will remain throughout 2015 too. However we are seeing new variations and ways for lace to be used on wedding dresses such as lace with chiffon rather than all lace. We will also be seeing a lot more corded lace too.” says Laura.

Martin Charles, from Martin Charles Bridal Gallery in Oundle agrees: “Lace is still there, with the application and type of lace used being slightly different. There are going to be more softer laces, and Chantilly teamed with 120

soft floaty fabrics, creating a more ethereal look. However, lace will still have the blessing of the celebrity wedding!”

Sparkle and embellishments will always remain a popular choice amongst brides, however, more simple dresses with clean lines will be inspiring brides next year, with see through caps or sleeves with lace or sparkle detail.

“Back details are popular with low sheer to create illusion. Wedding dresses are now also going into plunge fronts at designer level and sheer sleeves.” says Martin.

Martin also shared that from ‘ceremony to reception,’ is the wedding version of day to night dressing. By changing the look of your dress by swapping details such as over skirts and detachable trains without having to have two gowns will be very popular in 2015, especially as you will have two looks for the price of one!

“One of the newest trends making an appearance is the modern minimal look which is reminiscent of the 90’s, in either silky soft or structured stains. In 2015 - less is definitely more! There will be a lot more detail necklines, and romantic off the shoulder is one of the biggest newcomers.”

Above: Blush will be a key colour for 2015, and ball gowns will have breezy, relaxed fabrics as shown with this Suzanne Neville wedding dress.

Right Short wedding dresses are here to stay as Cutting Edge Bridals prove!

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“Ball gowns are becoming more and more popular with dress designers, taking on a softer look with breezy fabrics and relaxed, elegant and classic silhouettes!�

Above: Brides are opting for a bit more coverage, making way for low cut or open backs and midriffs covered with lace, as Sandra Dias shows.

Top Left: Vintage is still going strong, and lace capped sleeves is a big trend, like this Claire Pettibone gown.

Above Left: Ivory & Co have mastered the elegant yet minimalistic detailing, with their simple gown with crystal belt.

Left: Top designer Jenny Packham has embraced the lace and sheer sleeves trend, and has added that extra wow factor with over-the-top embellishments.

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Left: As well as local bridal boutiques, wedding fairs such as the National Wedding Show can help you find out the latest wedding dress trends.

Local Boutiques Matchmaker of stamford Matchmaker of Stamford have been established for over 30 years and have an abundance of knowledge and experience, and they can use their expertise to help you choose your wedding dress and bridesmaids dress.

Their aim is to create a warm and relaxed environment for you, family and friends, and do their best to give you the right advice at every stage.

For more information, visit www.matchmakerof stamford.co.uk. To book an appointment, call 01780 753466.

Martin Charles Bridal gallery Martin Charles Bridal Gallery was established in 2011, a joint venture of Martin and his wife Laura.

Martin is enthusiastic about what he does as a fashion and wedding dress designer, and has 16 years experience in design and manufacture of fashion and bridal gowns.

According to Martin, next year also marks the return of the princess line dress, but revamped! Lighter than air is the key, with layers of floaty tulle or petals of sheer organza, and bigger skirts are set to return.

“The colour for the year is blush, but brides be careful as colour dates very quickly. What may be cool one year may look very dated the next.” says Martin.

The ceremony-to-reception is the wedding version of day-to-night dressing. Changing the look of your dress by swapping details such as overskirts or a detachable train, without having to have two gowns, will be very popular in 2015. With lots of new wedding dress trends coming, and old ones going - as well as those making a comeback - every year, it can be difficult to keep up with the latest fashions from the designer catwalk.

It can sometimes be quite daunting when it comes to trying on, and finding the right wedding dress for you.

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“A trend for fashion conscious brides is the two piece wedding outfit, moving the emphasis from the back to midriff.”

One way is to visit a wedding fair or show, either locally or, for instance, the National Wedding Show. These shows have experts, including those from bridal shops and boutiques, on hand to discuss finding your dream dress. They also have samples of the latest wedding dresses to try on.

Local bridal boutiques, like Matchmakers of Stamford and Martin Charles Bridal Gallery are also always on hand to give help and advice as to what wedding dresses are on trend and will suit your body shape and taste perfectly to help create your dream wedding.

They offer a relaxed atmosphere, warm welcome and the best personal service to brides, and they stock top designers with a commitment to providing quality design added to unquestioned reliability.

For more information, visit www.martincharles bridalgallery.com. To book an appointment, call 01832 273448.

stamford Bridal rooms Stamford Bridal Rooms is a fresh-thinking bridal boutique who have stripped bare the process of selecting your wedding dress to ensure only the most important aspects remain; a stylish selection of gowns from Annasul Y, Lyn Ashworth, Naomi Neoh, Jenny Packham and Suzanne Neville, passionate customer service, beautiful and spacious surroundings, and honest and expert advice.

For more information, visit www.thestamford bridalrooms.co.uk. To book an appointment, call 01780 757028.

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- BeauTY -

Achieve a Flawless Look for

Christmas This month, local beautician Catherine Tate from Olive Tanning studio in Oakham shares some of her best beauty tips to make sure your skin & make up are flawless during the festive season...

Words: Ceri Jackson For Flawless Skin “You should always make sure you cleanse, tone and moisturise twice a day, preferably in the morning and evening.

This routine will help clean your skin and get rid of any impurities. I recommend using Dermalogica or Clarins products. Organic products are great, as they aren’t too harsh on your skin. Make sure you also choose products that have an SPF as well.”

Treat yourself and make time for a monthly facial as this will help keep your skin in a good condition. Local beauticians, like Catherine at Olive Tanning Studio can help tailor facials to suit your skin type.

“Drinking plenty of water is great for keeping your skin healthy, as well is a weekly face mask and exfoliating three times a week.”

A Flawlesss Complexion “When it comes to creating your party look, you should always start with a primer. This helps to smooth the skin and makes sure your make up will hold, lasting longer. For younger skin choose a skin perfecting primer, and the mature woman should use anti-ageing with SPF.” After applying your primer, use a concealer to cover any dark circles or blemishes. It should match your skin tone or be slightly lighter.

“When it comes to finding the right foundation for your skin type, it can be quite difficult as there’s so much choice available. If you have dry skin, steer clear of matte foundations 124

as these can dry it even further. Matte is more suitable for oily skin. I recommend Artdeco as they have three ranges for dry and oily skin: long lasting, high performing and mineral, which all have a flawless finish.”

Powder is applied next, as it holds the foundation for longer and stops it from sweating off.

Use a highlighter over your cheekbones, above and below the brow and in the corner of your eyes, to add definition. Use pink for lighter skin tones and bronze for medium to dark.

Eyes with Impact Smoky eyes is a big trend at the moment, and great for the ultimate party look. There are lots of colours you can use to achieve this look: browns, greys, deeps blues and blacks to name a few. Catherine recommends choosing either Artdeco or Bobbi Brown eyeshadow.

“Start with a light natural eyeshadow on your eye lids as your base, and then gradually blend your other colours in. Apply from the corner of your eye, and blend the colours inwards.

The level of application will depend on how intense you want your look.”

You should always apply with one brush, and blend with another. Once you’ve achieved the look, apply a lengthening or volumising mascara. For a more mature look, opt for dark brown or black.

“Glitter and false eyelashes are a big trend this year, but try to keep it quite tasteful.”

Mistletoe-Ready Lips “To prepare your lips, use a skin scrub or toothbrush to smooth away any dry skin. To maintain balance, if you are opting for darker eye makeup, you should always use a natural lip colour else it can be too overpowering.”

Classic reds are a big trend this Christmas, and applying nail polish to match your lips will really help to enhance the colour.

Catherine is based at Olive Tanning Studio on Crown Walk, Oakham; 01572 755750.

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Create the

Look Dermalogica dramatically improve skin texture with the gentle Cream exfoliant; £38.80. The antioxidant Hydramist is a refreshing peptide toner that creates a hydrating, antioxidant shield; £36.50. The skin resurfacing Cleanser helps reduce fine dryness lines and prevent the signs of aging; £36.50.

Clarins use Vital Light day illuminating anti-ageing Cream with sPF 15 that helps to reduce wrinkles, firm and promote a youthful-looking glow; £60. super restorative Tinted Cream sPF 20 gives a healthy-looking, golden glow, smooth lines, minimise shadowy areas and soften facial features; £44.

MAC apply Prep & Prime Face Protect sPF 50 under make up; £24. Mineralize Concealer is creamy, easy to blend and enriched with minerals and botanicals; £17. Finish with MaC Pro Longwear sPF 10 Foundation - up to 15 hours of wear, lightweight & creamy with sPF protection; £25.

Bobbi Brown Keep eye shadow crease-free with the Long-wear eye Base; £19. Create simple-to-smoky eyes with the Limited edition Mini eye Palette; £26. get thicker, fuller, bolder lashes with smoky eyes Mascara; £22.50.

Line eyes with a powder shadow over pencil eyeliner with the smoky eye Liner Brush; £24.50.

Chanel Complement the smoky eye look with Chanel rouge Coco shine Hydrating sheer Lipshine in secret; £25. add statement colour with dialogue; £25 and matching Le Vernis nail Colour in dragon; £18 with rapid drying and lasting hold.

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Why are

Dental Implants so popular?

Dental implants are widely recognised to be the most successful method of tooth replacement used today and are hard to tell apart from your natural teeth. They are an investment but as a long lasting solution, what price can you put on being happy, confident, sociable and able to eat the foods you like and enjoy?

• Dental implants are accepted by dental professionals for over 40 years as a successful and trusted method of tooth replacement.

• They act like your natural tooth root. You do not feel the difference.

• Your implant can last a lifetime with proper care and good oral hygiene.

• Implants are made of biocompatible materials.

As a result, they are accepted by your body.

• They provide stability and comfort, for a wide variety of replacement teeth solutions including single crowns, bridges and dentures.

• Maintain natural bone, and minimise further bone loss due to bone stimulation – one of the most important advantages.

Principal dentist Colin Sutton has successfully placed hundreds of dental implants since 2000 and has an excellent reputation.

The Dental Health Centre Grantham is one of very few dental practices to have invested in a 3D dental CT scanner.

Our state-of-the-art scanner makes implant treatment, safer, quicker and more accurate for our patients and makes us one of the most technologically advanced dental clinics in the area.

If you would like to find out more, please visit us for a free 30-minute initial consultation with Colin Sutton by calling 01476 594480 or visit our website to find out more.

The Dental Health Centre, 3 Avenue Road, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG31 6TA. Tel: 01476 594480, or see www.dentalhealthcentre.co.uk

Colin Sutton and his implant team at The Dental Health Centre

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The best of

both worlds T

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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Bespoke & Made to Measure Suits by a Savile Row Tailor, Andrew Musson

Andrew J Musson Bespoke Tailor of Lincoln

CALL TODAY TO ARRANGE AN APPOINTMENT FOR A BESPOKE OR MADE TO MEASURE SUIT. 39 High Street, Lincoln LN5 8AS

Tel: (01522) 520142 info@andrewjmusson.com www.andrewjmusson.com

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A Passion for

Partywear Words: Ceri Jackson.

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- FasHiOn -

dance the night away this winter with the new collection from designer Ted Baker.

Ted has choreographed his luxurious womenswear collections beautifully, creating elegant and ultra-feminine looks, ensuring that you will look sensational for the season. Likewise, the brand’s menswear collection is inspired by exotic destinations and is full of thrilling precision and rhythmic wit this season...

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From the Mambo and Tango, through to Fandango, Ted Baker’s latest men’s and womenswear collections are dancing cheek to cheek to create a display of rhythm and electricity.

Choreographing luxury clothing and accessories, combining vintage-inspired floral prints, he continues his love affair with the 1950s to create ultra-feminine looks ensuring all ladies become the belle of the (mirror) ball.

Creating contrast, the collection also has a chic, urban and futuristic feel with 132

sportswear influences. Engineered prints, are themed around landscapes, and electric blues, acid yellows and pinks pop.

Contrasting texture is key from snakeskin and sparkling sequins, to fur and metallic graphic jacquards. Nearly every piece enjoys an embellishments, with jewelled collars and encrusted tunic style dresses.

The menswear collection comes alive with burgundy, teal, emerald green and vibrant orange on knitwear, jersey and chinos.

Exciting, contemporary textures include the Birds Eye and Royal Oxford knits.

Fresh detailing and modern finishes add classic touches, and colour blocking takes a bow on blazers, and knitwear’s bold blocks colour.

Ted Baker’s geos, dogtooth and paisley patterns stand out across the collection, and are available on everything from pocket squares and ties to jersey and even the classic brogue.

So take the lead this winter and take a stylish spotlight, as it just goes to prove that when you’ve got the spotlight, you’ve got to dance like everybody’s watching.

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Previous Left: Lyonele cape back maxi dress in deep pink; £299.

Previous Right: Graise beaded neckline dress. Also available in black; £999.

Above Left: Theon check blazer; £279. Theotro check cotton trousers; £119.

Theowai check waistcoat; £120. Wonson leopard print tie; £59. Gabsy checked pocket square; £25.

Right: Olien goat hair jacket; £499.

Karmyn blooms of enchantment dress; £399. Sackina ankle tie heel; £120.

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- FasHiOn -

Left: Candiss opulent bloom print dress; £159. Above: Flawra strapless ruffle dress; £399. Find local stockists on the Ted Baker website: www.tedbaker.com.

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Makeover for family jeweller Moore & scrupps... a fresh look, but traditional values remain at one of the area’s best-loved jewellers, which last month enjoyed a comprehensive facelift...

Quality jeweller Moore & Scrupps recently re-opened after a comprehensive facelift, aimed at presenting its traditional values of quality and good service in more modern premises.

The jeweller, which also has shops in Bourne & Newark, and in Lincoln & Peterborough under its Faze Four brand, was established in 1998, and its original Sleaford store is the first to receive a makeover.

This Christmas, you’ll find all you need for the Pandora enthusiast with new charms for the season.

A brand new brand at the shop is composable brand Links of

London, joining existing brand Mi Modena, the customisable coin and pendant jewellery.

Another new brand for the store is Clogau which combines silver and rose gold for a lovely, on-trend look, whilst Hot Diamonds’s new range Emozioni debut at the shop, and will appear alongside Endless fashion jewellery.

There’s also an extended range of watches for men and women from Michele Herbelin, Radley London, Rotary and Pulsar.

To see the store’s new ranges for yourself, visit the jeweller on Southgate in Sleaford or visit www.mooreandscrupps.co.uk.

You can also call 01529 302674 to find out more.

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- CreaTe YOur CHrisTMas -

Your Home Made

Christmas This month we seek the advice of a group of local women who have a particular penchant for presents, who go crackers for festive traditions or just enjoy seeing the season all wrapped up...

Words & Images: Rob Davis

The Festive Season may be lots of work, but it’s lots of fun too, especially when you put lots of effort into making your family Christmas really personal.

It’s easy, but somewhat lacking in depth, to purchase pret-a-pull crackers, or wrapping that’s bland and mainstream. Fortunately, we know some local ladies who specialise in showing people how to create a home-made Christmas that’s stylish, unique and a little more thoughtful.

We’ve sought the advice of Jane Means, the Rutland-born ribbon designer who has made a career out of creating Christmas ribbons and also hosting gift-wrapping courses. Her new book, Giftwrapped, which is released this month, provides ideas and inspiration, for wrapping your gifts with more panache, as well as offering stylish wrapping ideas.

Opposite: Local gift-wrapping expert Jane Means this month releases her new book, Giftwrapped.

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Meanwhile the county’s Sally Virgett and Sue Fisher sell bespoke and ‘fill-your-own’ Christmas crackers to bring a touch of quality to your table, and we talk to Jane Schofield whose Christmas craft classes provide an opportunity to create bespoke

cards, vintage gift tags and more for adults and families too, at the county’s arts centres and village halls.

Our ladies have provided fun ideas that are very simple to do. It’s the Christmas season, and you’re bound to be busy, but make this season all about investing time, not money, to create a Christmas that’s thoughtful and personal.

Purchasing presents, tags and gift wrap is all well and good, but we believe in creating your Christmas and delighting friends and relatives with beautifully bespoke gifts which evoke a sense of thoughtfulness, not commercialism.

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Wrapping Tips from The Gift Wrapping Guru...

Jane’s book describes how to wrap anything, from bottles to circular tins to plants and bouquets. Here, she’s given us a few tips on how to ensure your wrapping is a pleasure, not a chore this season... n Choose the Right Paper: If you struggle with wrapping, make your life easier. Avoid thin or flimsy paper, paper with stripes (too difficult to match up), or cellophane. One of the best types of paper to use is actually wallpaper, which is much thicker. n Double Sided Sticky Tape: Avoid using single sided sticky tape. Visible tape is unsightly, using double sided tape will ensure your giftwrapping looks polished and professional. n Less is More: Use smaller quantities of higher quality ribbon, rather than lots of cheaper ribbon. Jane is also a ribbon designer and has over 110,000 ribbons available from her studio by mail order. n Experiment with Materials: Furoshiki is the Japanese tradition of using fabric rather than paper to wrap or carry an item.

Inexpensive silk scarves and similar fabrics can look wonderful as part of your wrapping designs, as can more rustic fabrics like hemp and linen. n Accessorise your Wrapping: Utilise whatever is around to finish off your wrapping; jewellery, feathers, Christmas decorations and even leaves, twigs and other material from your garden.

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- cReaTe youR chRisTMas -

Five Themes for your Christmas Wrapping Take some inspiration from Rutland wrapping expert Jane Means’s new book, Giftwrapped, which is available in all good bookshops this month priced £20...

1. Gold and Silver: Make the most of metallics with Christmas decorations and even old jewellery.

2. Monochrome: Diamanté flashes, vibrant white stitching from and glass droplets can make a monochrome wrapping theme luxurious and sophisticated.

3. Arctic Ice: Blending silver and white works really well - snowy white paper makes a great canvas for festive wrapping.

4. Go for Glamour: Colours like rich burgundy and amethyst create a great look for those seeking a 1920s look, à la Downton.

Utilise peacock feather decorations, costume jewellery and corsages to achieve the look.

5. Bold Colours: Use different shades of one overall colour and you won’t go wrong - no colour is too bold for Christmas!

Find Out More: Hints taken from Jane Means’s Giftwrapped, published this month in hardback, 144 pages, £20 from all good bookshops, at www.janemeans.com.

Jane is a frequent visitor to Rutland and can present private giftwapping workshops to groups in the county by arrangement.

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- cReaTe youR chRisTMas -

Vintage Labels and Hand-Made Cards... creating your own cards and tags this year will give your wrapping a unique look Christmas cards purchased in bulk and gift tags that are an afterthought to your wrapping; both can let down an otherwise thoughtful gift. It’s easy to create beautiful, bespoke cards and tags that have a lovely vintage look and feel.

Crafter Jane Schofield organises and hosts regular ‘make and take’ craft courses at Stamford Arts Centre and several village halls across Rutland.

“It’s not really about instructing, it’s about inspiring”, says Jane. “The techniques I use are simple, so it’s just a case of demonstrating how they can be used.”

Jane’s vintage gift tags are created for pennies by soaking cheap white tags in tea for around an hour to give them an aged look. Then, she uses stamps, buttons and scraps of ribbons to create unique designs.

The crafter also creates homemade cards using petal templates to cut out pieces of fabric, or paper from old French text books.

The result is a pretty vintage look that’s completely bespoke.

Jane will be hosting her Christmas craft classes across the county in November and December, creating vintage gift tags, mini-Christmas tree table decorations and rustic Christmas wreaths on each date.

Top: Age labels by soaking them in a weak tea solution for an hour then using stamps and vintage ribbons to decorate.

Find Out More: o find out more about Jane’s craft courses call 01780 722148 or see www.heartstitch.co.uk/www.liveandlearncourses.com.

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Left/Above: Jane’s craft courses take place at Stamford Arts Centre November and December, with lots of ideas for creating vintage tags, cards and other ideas.

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Create crackers that’ll go with a bang...

Fill your own crackers, or design your own with sally Vergette and sue Fisher, who create over 4,000 of the things each year Every year we pull 300,000,000 crackers.

It’s a wonder, really, given the terrible jokes and cheap novelties inside. That’s why Sally Vergette and Sue Fisher decided to take their versions more upmarket, and have, since 2003, been making their own luxury and super luxury crackers, bespoke crackers, and ‘fill your own’ crackers too.

Their crackers measure a generous 14” that’s a good 2” larger than the standard size.

Quilted organza, feathers, lamé and glitter paper all create plush look and the ladies can create completely bespoke designs to match

“Sally and Sue have, since 2003, been making their own luxury bespoke crackers, and provide ‘fill your own’ crackers too...”

whatever Christmas table theme you’ve decided on, with almost limitless numbers of colours and decorations available.

Unlike conventional crackers, sold in boxes of six of 12, you can order anything from one to 99 crackers from the pair, and can specify gifts for ladies, gents or children in each.

Novelties in the pair’s Luxury ranges around £4/each - include Cath Kidston cosmetics, nail varnishes, torches, truffles.

Their Super Luxury crackers - around £10/each - are filled with luxury cufflinks, memory sticks and corkscrews.

The pair also provide the option to make your own crackers with DIY ‘kits’ or complete crackers ready for you to fill with your own novelties, as well as crackers with place names on the barrels. Sally and Sue trade as Go Crackers and will be taking orders for their bespoke crackers until 18th December.

Top/Left: A few of Sally and Sue’s festive crackers - they can be filled with off-theshelf novelties, or you can purchase them to fill with your own items.

Top: Sue Fisher puts the finishing touches to a box of her bespoke crackers.

Above: Materials like quilted organza provides the pair’s products with a luxurious look and feel.

Find Out More: See www.gocrackers.co.uk.

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Spruce Up Your Season with Designer

Christmas

Decorations

Six Festive Themes For Your Christmas Tree 1. Traditional Christmas: Angel £24.99; Santa £15.98, gold Christmas trees £10.99/£13.99, gold bauble £2.29, lime green bauble £3.49; red bauble £4.49; bells £3.99.

Whether Scots Pine or Spruce, Nordmann or Noble Fir, artificial or fibre optic, you can spruce up your tree with designer decorations on a unique theme. We’ve enlisted the help of the Christmas team from Cold Overton’s Gates Nursery, who’s responsible for creating - and themeing the county’s largest display of Christmas decorations, for her tree tips...

Gates Nursery has the largest selection of Christmas decorations we’ve ever seen, all organised according to 11 different themes.

It’s the hard work of the Christmas team, and this month, we’ve sought some expert guidance as to how to translate her tree trimming talent into your own home. n Stick to a theme. It’s easy to accumulate a hotchpotch of baubles and garlands over the years.

Have a purge and start afresh this year, choosing one of the centre’s themes to create a cohesive look for your tree this year. n Mix metallics - bronze, copper and gold - for a richer, less flat look. Alternatively, don’t dismiss bright colours which can look bold and contemporary, or traditional textured trimmings like tartan and timber for a classic look. n Decorate in layers; hang larger ornaments first and come down in size, being careful not to place similar colours next to each other. Work from the inside of your tree outward. Always add lights and tinsel/garlands first; ornaments afterwards. n Opt for LED light. Relatively new, the bulbs of these last longer and they are cooler in use, worth the extra expense over traditional candescent lights. Use around 100 lights for every vertical foot of tree.

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5. Burnt Copper Sunset: Large copper bauble £3.99; white snow scene £2.49; wooden tree £9.99, white wooden bauble £2.49; carved tree scene £2.49; copper bauble £3.49; corrugated cardboard bauble £5.99; copper icicle £3.49; half glitter bauble £1.49; furry copper bauble £1.49; glitter bauble £1.49; loose copper beads to scatter £2.49/tub.

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- ChriSTmAS DeCOrATiONS -

2. Colour Burst: Star £2.99; tree £9.99, large multicolour spiral £15.79; striped bauble £1.59; gift bauble £5.79; pink spiral £3.29, multicolour sprig £2.49, beach ball bauble £3.99; blue star £1.99; festive glasses £4.99.

3. Vintage Dreams: 6” mint pearl bauble £2.49; silver hammered glass bauble £5.29; pink pearl bauble £2.29; sequin bauble £1.29; corsage £2.99; bird £3.69; feather decoration £3.99, silver vintage heart £5.49; garland £5.49.

4. Snowy Woodland: White owls £29.99/£13.29; deer £19.99; chair £2.99, tweed bauble £3.99; green tartan bauble £3.49; red tartan bauble £2.99; white heart £2.99; wooden tealight holder £3.69.

6. Botanical Peacock: Blue peacock £3.79; large mint bauble £2.49; green peacock £8.99; purple hammered glass bauble £5.49; mask in green and gold £6.59; purple velvet bauble £2.99; blue velvet bauble £2.99; mint green chest £3.29.

Left: Put some bling in your Christmas with this sparkly reindeer £44.99.

Our featured products are all available from Gates Nurseries on Somerby Road, Cold Overton, Oakham LE15 7QB. Call 01664 454309 or see www.gatesnurseries.co.uk 145

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- ChriStmaS Countdown -

Fantastic

Gift Ideas

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Santa Claus is coming to town this Christmas with a sleigh full of fantastic presents (with some help and inspiration from some high quality local businesses too...!)

Image: Helen Moore Faux Fur Peter Pan collar (with ribbon); ÂŁ28.95 from Furleys Interiors, 01572 755539, www.furleys.co.uk.

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Rutland Fly Fishing adventures - activity gift vouchers available with options for everyone.

01572 722422, rob@learntoflyfish.co.uk.

Emma Bridgewater Year in the Country mug box set; £19.95 and Red Grouse and Blackcock boxed gift set; £39.95. 01572 823389, www.sarahhardinginteriors.co.uk.

Ukelale Kala Golden Acacia Concert Ukulele, £159.01572 756578, www.musicandmore.co.uk.

Diamond 1.32cts and 18ct white gold pendant; £8,350 from Heidi Kjeldsen.

Cyberjammies Blue check or penguins, £48.

01572 722666, www.heidikjeldsen.co.uk.

Caudelie Premier Cru anti-ageing set £49 Chameleon 01780 755405, www.chameleonboutique.co.uk

Electric BMW Car suitable for 11/2 -3yr old.

Sycamore BMW; £75.

01733 707070 www.sycamorebmw.co.uk.

Fred Yates ‘Falmouth Harbour’ watercolour from Nigel Rhodes Fine Art; £1,750. 07950 271898, www.nigelrhodesfineart.com.

Toy Boxes from £145.

01780 752414, www.chalkinteriors.com.

Family Portrait from £40, from Stamford Photo Express & Portrait Studio. 01780 763659, www.stamfordphotoexpress.co.uk or www.stamfordportraitstudio.co.uk.

Coeur de Lion Bracelet from John Cussell Jewellers, Grantham, 01476 571721 www.johncussell.co.uk Lexington Throw; £149, and Candle; £35. 01572 770372, www.cavells.co.uk.

Long leg boot from Gabor. Available from Cotton’s in Oundle.

01832 272534, www.cottons-oundle.com.

Polar Bear; £21.99, Elizabeth Stanhope Interiors.

01572 722345, www.elizabethstanhope.co.uk.

Connoisseur Corkscrew; £37.99 - five piece corkscrew that Max Benjamin Diffusers; £6.95 each. makes a brilliant gift for wine Carol Van Dyke Cushions; £87 each, enthusiasts. Kitchen Range all from Furleys Interiors, Cookshop. 01858 433533, 01572 755539, www.furleys.co.uk. www.kitchenrangecookshop.com.

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We’ve Everything You Need to Create a Wonderful Family Christmas

Huge Christmas Studio with 11 different themes for your decoration

Real Nordmann ‘no drop’ Christmas Trees

Santa’s Grotto: Open from 22nd November New Restaurant Now Open

Gates Nurseries and Garden Centre Somerby Road, Cold Overton Oakham LE15 7QB 01664 454309 | www.gatesnurseries.co.uk Find us two miles from Langham off the A606 - follow the brown tourism signs.

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- HOMes -

1.

4.

3.

2.

A great place to find unique

Christmas Gifts

5.

6.

Based at Cold Overton, rutland’s gates nurseries has a huge selection of Christmas gifts.

Kathy gates was santa’s little helper as she picked out some of the centre’s most popular gifts...

1. Mindy Brown lamps - for creating a warm Christmas glow in your home £139.99.

7. Pip Home crockery, teacup and saucer £12.75, teapot £34.99, mug £9.99.

2. Heathcote & Ivory sets; Explorer’s Journal shower créme and moisturiser £19.99, bathing flowers £9.99 and shower créme set £6.99.

8. Cath Kidston Flora range; Hyacinth set with four items £21.99, bath and body treats £11.99, travel essentials £14.99.

7.

3. Isabelle and Mimino collections of Charlie Bears - Harmony (black, 109 of 350 limited edition) £90.00, Piper (blue, 63/2,000) £54.99, Port & Stilton (ginger, 237/500) £180/pair.

4. Crabtree & Evelyn hand cream trio £12.50, bath/shower gel set £28.00.

5. Voyage Maison cushions Hunting scene £39.99, deer £49.99, lavender doorstop £27.99.

6. Rowallen bags (tan, ladies) £83.99. (brown, mens) £94.99.

9. Edge hare sculpture in resin £74.99, Sophie Allport mug £11.99 and Aga cover £10.99, Archipelago wooden pheasant £29.99.

10. Men’s gifts Rowellan wallet £21.99, laptop sleeve £37.99 and flask £21.99 by Ted Baker, shoe shine kit £29.99, cufflinks £14.99, desk bell £9.99, shoe paperweights £34.99, Aston Brown pen £19.99.

8.

11. Frith bronze Hermione rabbit £call.

12. Ashleigh & Burwood oil burner £13.99, fragrance lamp £34.99, plate £6.99, pomander oil lamp £9.99. Oils £11.99.

10.

11.

9.

12.

Our featured products are all available from Gates Nurseries on Somerby Road, Cold Overton, Oakham LE15 7QB. Call 01664 454309 or see www.gatesnurseries.co.uk

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To view and purchase photographs from The event visit www.pridemagazines.co.uk

The Osprey Ball

at Barnsdale Lodge...

Rutland’s inaugural Osprey Ball was held recently at Barnsdale Lodge. Uppingham-based training and education organisation IEPUK made a donation to the project at the ball; Company Director George Peach presented Tim Mackrill from the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust with a cheque for £808. The money will be used to support the Osprey Project’s work in West Africa, where the Rutland Ospreys spend the winter.

The Rutland Osprey Project is a partnership between the Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust and Anglian Water and aims to restore a breeding population of Ospreys in central England for the first time in 150 years. Since 2001, 87 young Ospreys have fledged from nests in the Rutland Water area, breeding in Rutland and then migrating to spend the winter in West Africa.

Photographs: 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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Purchase photographs from this event online.

Visit www.pridemagazines.co.uk.

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- Business -

Duncan & Toplis, Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers

Your Trusted Local

Business Partner Tom Hindmarch of duncan & Toplis Limited recognises the advantage of having the help and advice you need to run your business, from startup to sale, negotiating tax and managing wealth along the way...

Make no mistake; your accountant, business and tax advisers are nothing short of business partners throughout the life of your company. One of the largest practices in the area is Duncan & Toplis, but paradoxically it’s also one which enjoys the closest working relationships with its clients, offering an unprecedented breadth of expertise across every area of your working life.

“One of our biggest strengths is our directorled service.” says Tom Hindmarch of the practice’s Stamford branch. “We have 350 members of the team in total, and 22 directors who liaise with our clients. That provides our continuity of contact and ensures that we oversee the interests of around 12,000 clients whilst at the same time remaining knowledgeable about the businesses we represent and the personal circumstances of the people within them.”

Datcom, which can, in addition, procure and set up computer systems - both hardware and software – not just for accountancy and payroll workflows but for server and networking requirements, providing training on accounting packages and general office software as well.

Bishopsgate, Castlegate & Queensgate also provide additional financial support and wealth of management services, meaning a complete portfolio of services is available both from the practice’s sister companies and from the individuals within Duncan & Toplis who provide expertise in the fields of litigation support, forensic accounting, raising finance, facilitating company valuations and business sales.

“We want to provide one point of contact but with a range of expertise, a complete solution for businesses.” says Tom Hindmarch.

Established in 1925, and with a turnover of £14m, the practice has 10 offices, predominantly in Lincolnshire but reaching into Rutland with both its Stamford and Melton Mowbray branches.

The practice’s clients include startups and established businesses with turnover figures up to £100m, to whom it provides accountancy, payroll, HR and tax advice services.

Meanwhile its sister companies include 156

“We want to provide one point of contact but with a range of expertise, a complete solution for businesses.” says Tom. “We have emerged from a downturn and need to nurture businesses as they pick up, guiding different sectors accordingly – ensuring retail businesses are able to explore new areas such as online trading, or guiding businesses through ever-evolving tax systems.”

“We have good professional networks with legal, accounting and a range of other services available in-house and via our sister companies. So, we are able to offer the advice you need, no matter how established your business, no matter what its size.”

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A Wide Range of Services: The Stamford office of Duncan & Toplis is headed up by Tom Hindmarch.

The firm has a £14m turnover, 10 offices and 350 employees, meaning access to a wide range of in-house specialists.

Find Out More: Duncan & Toplis’s Stamford office is based at 14 All Saints’ St, Stamford, PE9 2PA. Call 01780 750888 or see www.duntop.co.uk.

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- LegaL serViCes -

A trio of legal portals ensuring peace of mind

Fast, Easy Accesss to Legal Advice...

One of Leicester’s largest law firms is offering Rutland businesses a range of services, plus three new online legal portals to supplement their services and provide instant answers to common legal questions for SMEs. alison neate of Smith Partnership explains more...

The help you need, when you need it.

Leicestershire law firm Smith Partnership is aiming to make its legal services more accessible and more immediate than ever before both for private individuals and companies, with the creation of three new web based products.

The company is supplementing its face-toface and telephone based legal advice with three web based products designed to provide access to information, template documents and detailed information about an ongoing claim or issue.

“Time is precious for any size of business, from sole traders to larger limited companies.” says Alison Neate. “Our new websites are designed to supplement our existing legal services by providing answers to common questions, advice and a way of tracking a case or legal issue online.”

Activate is an online debt recovery system that businesses can use to recover debts, with each business benefiting from their own account manager and a team of debt recovery clerks. Businesses can log in to check the status of their claims and can access their files with details of each telephone, postal document or email stored on the system. Activate offers excellent reporting and is also able to create ledgers 158

for download into Excel, and track balances, court or bailiff statuses for each claim.

Also for business users is a newly launched human resources portal, HRLaw24.

For £1 a day, the site gives businesses access to a wealth of information on all aspects of HR & Employment Law, from recruitment and general policies to maternity, discrimination, grievance, disciplinary and termination matters.

As well as advice, the service offers over 200 documents with downloadable templates for letters, contracts and handbooks.

“Our sites provide answers to common questions and provide a wealth of advice...”

The site also provides access to quarterly employment forums, email updates and discounted hourly rates for further face-toface or telephone based legal support.

“HRLaw24 is ideal for SMEs who want to pre-empt legal issues, and find answers to commonly asked questions surrounding employment law, as well as finding

solutions to specific problems.” says Alison.

Also launching this month is Claims Against. Whilst the firm’s Activate and HRLaw24 are designed exclusively for businesses, Claims Against is available to both private individuals and companies alike, and is designed to provide help and advice to those who have encountered problems with providers of professional services, from architects, builders, plumbers or electricians to legal and financial professionals like accountants, mortgage brokers or insurance brokers, trade unions and vets.

“The sites are a great support service that provide cost-effective access to our services.” says Alison. “And, with eight offices and the expertise of our 220 strong team available face-to-face or by telephone too, we can now offer a service that makes the best legal advice faster and more accessible than ever before.”

Smith Partnership is based in Derby and has eight offices across the UK including one in Leicester serving Rutland. The firm offers a range of private and commercial services from employment, company & commercial law to family law, conveyancing, personal injury and wills & inheritance law.

The firm is based in Charnwood Court on New Walk, Leicester, LE1 6TE. Call 0116 247 2000 or see www.smithpartnership.co.uk.

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Quick and easy access to the law Smith Partnership has launched three new legal websites to help you with common legal issues, serving to supplement the firm’s face-to-face and telephone provision of legal services...

Activate

Debt recovery made easy, with a web based portal that clients can log into in order to check balances and see how their claims are progressing. www.smithpartnership.co.uk/allaboutactivate

HRLaw24

Online advice, plus over 200 documents, with templates for letters and handbooks, covering all aspects of employment law, for just £365/year - £1 a day! www.hrlaw24.co.uk

Claims Against

Advice and help for private individuals and companies experiencing difficulties with providers of professional services. www.claimsagainst.co.uk 159

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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 1,1down Dog's not in my care? One chained, why not! (1,4,4,2,1,2) 6. Smothered in ketchup, a Venezuelan flag (4) 8. I'm backed by the party, and — only one brother can win (8) 9,22 Eternally so desperate to grab husband — might they be? (6,6) 10. See 12 11. Soldier, daft Don (8) 12,10. Finnish, we hear, from these languages? (6,6) 15. Eventually choose home for badger ahead of Trotsky (6,2) 16. Film review, "Strong hit", nonsense (8) 19. Poser, dolly (6) 21. A derringer initially firing shot beneath someone (5,3) 22. See 9 24. Island's south as frozen? (6) 25. Hollywood, where Neil Diamond's initials added to triplet of notes (2-2,4) 26. Head of government into Scandinavian money, the beast! (4) 27. Talk sure to be unintelligible at back of night club (9)

DOWN 1. See 1 across 2. View work in something charged (7) 3. See 20 4. One's written about five hundred in accurate digits (7) 5. Range fixed, I love to enter Welsh town going north (9) 6. Arcade game, where Spooner has to throw me away? (7) 7. Loved touring capital city where cyclists race (9) 13. Fast kept in check, good to be easing off (9) 14. Passport indeed put in storage compartment, as went on leave (9) 17. Little child carries gun, like it or loathe it! (7) 18. No wizards should get face and legs jumbled up (7) 20,.3 Alas, the three R's, it's difficult for ill-educated Americans (7,5) 22. ___ _ Heaven 1: away win welcome (5) 23. Trace element, for example, brought up (5) 24. Hill made from brown earth (4)

DOWN

1. Inhabitant (8) 5. Worthless people (4) 9. One of the founders of Rome (5) 10. People scorning (7) 11. Chronic anxiety about one's own health (12) 13. Most unusual (6) 14. Hazard (6) 17. Attract the most attention and praise (5,3,4) 20. Give a right to (7) 21. Become eventually (3,2) 22. Unpleasing to the eye (4) 23. Fidgety (8)

1. Undercooked (4) 2. Dog — someday (anag) (7) 3. Unhappy and unable to be comforted (12) 4. Beautiful young women (6) 6. Transparent (5) 7. Indiscriminate slaughter (8) 8. Newspaper giving prominence to gossip (7,5) 12. French painter known as le Douanier (8) 15. Native of Tyneside (7) 16. Cunning plan (informal) (6) 18. Speak well of (5) 19. Musical composition (4)

CRYPTIC ANSWERS

QUICK ANSWERS

QUICK CROSSWORD

ACROSS

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Ideas, Passion & Inspiration You’ll find all three at Elizabeth and Stevens...

Elizabeth and Stevens has a unique, stylish and unusual collection of ideas for your home, your garden and to give as thoughtful gifts this Christmas.

Our showroom is an emporium of the unexpected.

Come in and browse - we’re really friendly!

A 1 Markham Moor (also signed to Lincoln A 57) then take the turning to Retford A 638.

Near McDonalds and Markham Moor Hotel.

The Showrooms, Great North Road, Markham Moor, Retford, DN22 0QU

Telephone: 01636 822000 | www.elizabethandstevens.com | Open Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm, with free parking on site.