NEWS The best ‘good news’ stories

Olive Branch wins Pub of the Year

FINALLY! AT LAST! THERE’S SOME GOOD NEWS FOR THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY...!

CLIPSHAM The Good Pub Guide which was published last month, has named The Olive Branch at Clipsham, Rutland, as UK Pub of the Year for 2021. “In this most difficult of years, we are delighted to award Pub of the Year to The Olive Branch in Clipsham,” says Fiona Stapley, Editor of the guide. “To compete in the Pub of the Year category a pub has to have unanimous enthusiasm from all readers on all aspects of its business – it has to be top of its game and The Olive Branch is most definitely that.” “It’s a really special place for a drink, a meal or an overnight stay. It’s also a perennially successful inn which attracts a deservedly loyal following from both near and far, and will celebrate its 21st anniversary this month, too.” The Olive Branch is a small village pub in England’s smallest county. Three friends bought it in 1999 and, with the help of family and villagers, rescued what was then a closed pub from an uncertain fate. Since then, The Olive Branch has achieved many accolades, including the same title in 2014. “It’s brilliant news to receive at the end of a bad year,” says co-owner Ben Jones. RUTLAND Local couple Alex Tuppen and Kelly Henderson have launched their very own range of all-natural solid soap bars under their Oname brand, inspired by the Two Minute Beach Clean Initiative. “Handmade in small batches, Oname soaps are SLS free, palm oil free, cruelty-free and use essential oils rather than fragrance oils to softly scent the lather,” says Kelly. “The benefits of inhaling essential oils has long been established. We encourage our customers to slow down in the shower, inhale their soap, massage the body and breathe “Sadly, we will not be able to celebrate safely with locals and villagers. But we have an amazing team and wonderfully loyal and supportive customers, so celebrations are only

What’s in Oname...?

ALL NATURAL INGREDIENTS, THANKS TO KELLY & ALEX’S NEW RANGE OF SOLID SOAPS

delayed... not cancelled!” n in the moment. This is washing with joy.” Reaching out to the sociallyminded, those who love natural products and those who appreciate the well crafted and packaged, a percentage of the sale of their Polar Bear and Diver, doublemint soap bar, will supports the charity work of the Two Minute Beach Clean charity. “What we have created is more than just soap.” says Alex. “Oname is about making good lifestyle choices and living more in balance with the world that sustains us.” n Find out more at www.oname.uk.

Cash for Hospitals

£2.2M FOR LOCAL NHS HOSPITAL TRUST

RUTLAND Rutland and Melton MP Alicia Kearns is delighted to welcome over £2,200,000 of investment in the North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust to upgrade hospitals, directly benefitting Rutland residents. “I am delighted that Rutland residents will directly benefit from over £2,200,000 in hospital upgrades. Many Rutland residents use Peterborough Hospital which is part of North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, and this investment will allow the Trust to upgrade services and provide better, safer care.” “That doesn’t mean I’m done fighting for residents though. I am delighted that the CCG has committed to me that they aim to expand community health services in Rutland, on which they will do a future engagement with residents in 2021, and that I have secured the Prime Minister’s support for my campaign for improved GP services in Rutland.” n See www.aliciakearns.com.

OBE for Matt Hampson

NEW YEAR HONOUR FOR THE FORMER LEICESTER TIGERS PLAYER AND OAKHAM SCHOOL COACH MATT HAMPSON

Matt at the opening of his foundation’s Get Busy Living rehabiltiation centre in 2019.

Starfish, the Rutland film by Bill Clark, goes stateside...

UPPINGHAM It’s the truly incredible story of Rutland couple Tom and Nicola Ray... and now it’s going stateside. Filmmaker Bill Clark retold the story of how Tom’s life was devastated by the sudden onset of Sepsis, a condition that few had heard of before the film. Together with the couple, Bill created Starfish, which tells how the family rebuilt their lives. Starfish debuted in Rutland in 2016 and was released on US Video on Demand (VOD) services last month. n

LEICESTERSHIRE Local sporting hero Matt Hampson has been recognised with an OBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours for his services to charity. Since establishing the Matt Hampson Foundation ten years ago, hundreds of people have joined his special community at the Get Busy Living centre and received support to rebuild their lives. Matt was paralysed from the neck down following an accident in 2005 during an England Under 21 rugby training session and has dedicated his life to ensuring others who have suffered similar injuries can receive support and assistance. n www.matthampsonfoundation.org. STAMFORD South Kesteven District Council and the Burghley Estate have applied for planning permission to transform the Barnack Road site formerly occupied by Cummins into a new residential area with a retirement village and green spaces. If successful the 14.6/ha site will also include a commercial area and affordable homes. n

14.7 Hectares

LOCAL NEWS In Brief

STAMFORD x

ARTS CENTRE WILL BE BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE BY SKDC...

SKDC has agreed a £190,000 programme of work at Stamford Arts Centre in St Mary’s Street. The work, which has now started, will include replacement or restoration of the existing Collyweston slate roof, leadwork, along with timber treatment and repairs. Rosemary TrollopeBellew, of SKDC said: “We’re delighted that this important work can begin. It’s home to a number of resident artists and many other local cultural organisations and is much-loved by Stamford audiences. n

WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT?

Experienced team of vets and nurses providing quality healthcare at a sensible price. l The practice is fully equipped with excellent facilities. We offer in house blood results, microscopy, digital X-ray, ultrasound and have a large operating theatre. l Separate dog and cat waiting areas and kennels ensure your pets feel more relaxed. l A team of animal lovers, we treat and care for your pets as though they were our own and make the time to get to know you too. l Guaranteed same day appointment for any pet if the owner thinks it is needed. l We offer Deferred Payment Plans for those unexpected expensive procedures with no interest and no fees. l Owners can stay with their pets while sedated before routine operations. l We offer and encourage open visiting for hospitalised patients during opening hours.

MARKET DEEPING, LINCOLNSHIRE OIEO £700,000

In a beautiful little town, sitting on a charming stretch of the River Welland, there is a superb stone and brick building originally used for making malt. Dating back to the 18th century, it has recently been converted into a gorgeous and modernised home set over three floors. Being just one room deep, natural light pours into all three floors through the multitude of windows.The timber front door is positioned centrally around the back where three pairs of glazed French doors open onto the conservatory, garden and terrace - a perfect arrangement for summer living and entertaining. Outside, the garden is completely enclosed and surrounded by mature trees. A large gravel drive provides much parking, with a row of olive trees delineating the lawn area, with a paths punctuated with box balls giving way to a paved terrace outside the sitting room, an ideal spot for al fresco dining.

ALDWINCLE, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE Guide Price £1,450,000

In the charming village of Aldwincle, an attractive property on a considerably large plot is hidden down a drive benefitting wonderful views of open countryside. The L-shaped house itself has five reception rooms and five bedrooms, a separate garage block to the rear has accommodation above, and it and the garage to the front both have planning permission to extend and convert into individual homes, providing superb potential for development. The proposed design of the rear garage cleverly capitalises on the rural views with an upstairs living space, that also allows room for a bedroom and bathroom, with two more bedrooms and bathrooms downstairs. The plans for development of the front garage are even more extensive with there being four, potentially five bedrooms. The plot is large enough for the developments not to impinge on any of the three properties, nor compromise on their privacy. This is a very attractive opportunity indeed for any enterprising new owner.

Glebe Road, North Luffenham

A rare opportunity has arisen to acquire a range of building plots with full consent granted for stunning new high specification stone village houses, with magnificent far reaching views over prime Rutland countryside. These properties have been designed by a renowned, award-winning local architectural company. The design of the properties are in local vernacular and positioned to take full advantage of the unique site with some of the best southerly views in the county. This site is fronted by beautiful stone walls and benefits from mature trees on all sides. North Luffenham is one of Rutland’s most sought-after villages with a very popular primary school and a thriving public house. The market towns of Uppingham and Oakham are only a short distance away and the desirable Georgian town of Stamford is also within easy reach. Each of these towns offers a wide array of amenities, with Oakham and Stamford providing train stations with good access to London.

Prices from £485,000

North Luffenham is centrally located within Rutland and offers easy access to the whole of the county, particularly Rutland Water and to Luffenham Heath Golf Club, which regularly features in the top 100 golf courses in England. Rutland provides fantastic schooling options both state and public, with Uppingham and Oakham Schools both within a 10 minute drive. To complement the building plot there is also the option to purchase with full architectural and build packages. n

Plot 1

Plot 2

Plot 3

UNDER OFFER

LANGHAM £1,150,000

A superb, substantial single storey family residence set on a private plot of approximately 0.5 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens and grounds with a range of amenity outbuildings, all located down a long private driveway on the edge of this highly regarded village and enjoying delightful views over adjoining fields. 2 Reception Rooms, Farmhouse Kitchen/Diner, 2 Cloakrooms, Utility, Pantry, 5 Bedrooms, 5 Bath/Shower Rooms; Garaging. Energy Rating: TBC.

NEW

MANTON Offers in Excess of £800,000

A delightful 16th century Grade II listed farmhouse set on a large plot with a range of outbuildings within a highly desirable Rutland Water village of Manton and offering extensive accommodation with period charm and character in abundance. 3 Reception Rooms, Kitchen, Cloakroom/WC, ample Ancillary Accommodation (including Cellar), feature Orangery, 4 spacious double Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms; lovely Gardens. EPC Exempt.

UNDER OFFER

BELTON IN RUTLAND £550,000

A beautifully extended character property providing spacious family accommodation situated in this desirable village. The property has been sympathetically refurbished to offer a contemporary home which still retains some original features. Family Room, Dining Room, Snug, Kitchen, Utility, WC, 4 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, Dbl Garage, ample Parking, Walled Garden. Energy Rating: TBC.

UNDER OFFER ASHWELL £745,000

A beautiful period cottage situated on an enviable plot in the heart of a premium Rutland village. The property offers extensive family accommodation with a wealth of character and is set within very private, glorious gardens and grounds of approx. 1.0 acre. 3 Reception Rooms, Farmhouse Kitchen, 5 Bedrooms, 2 Bath/Shower Rooms; Dbl Garage, parking. EPC Exempt (Grade II listed).

BARLEYTHORPE £425,000

Stunning modern four bedroom detached family home with double garage and enclosed south facing garden situated in a cul-de-sac within a popular development on the edge of Oakham. The property provides immaculately presented, energy efficient accommodation with Sitting Room, Study, superb open-plan Kitchen/Diner, Utility, WC, 4 Double Bedrooms, en-suite Shower Room and Family Bathroom. Energy Rating: B.

Looking for your forever home? Look no further!

VALLEY VIEW, CASTLE BYTHAM, NEAR GRANTHAM A DEVELOPMENT OF 4 & 5 BEDROOM EXECUTIVE FAMILY HOMES £POA - CALL FOR AVAILABILITY PLOTS 3 & 6 ALREADY SOLD STC

Drawing upon the expert knowledge of our in-house designers and architects, Valley View offers six 4 and 5 bedroom executive family homes on an exclusive gated development, finished to the highest of standards and specification: an exceptional build quality that has been designed to stand the test of time. A large luxurious kitchen to accommodate the whole family designed to make the most of the exceptional valley views; plenty of spacious bedrooms and bathrooms big enough to survive the chaos on those busy weekday mornings. Not forgetting the large gardens for those gorgeous summer days.

HIGH SPECIFICATION TO INCLUDE:

Oak stairs with oak newel, handrail & spindles or glass balustrades. Quartz, granite or Corian worktops and upstands. Air source heat pump system... Plus: the reassurance of an NHBC backed 10 year warranty.

Call 01733 558505 or visit www.oakwoodhomesltd.co.uk