Rutland Pride May 2016

RutlandPride

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MAY 2016

EXCLUSIVE ‘NATIONAL WEDDING SHOW’ IMAGES

ROCKINGHAM HORSE TRIALS

COVERING STAMFORD & THE WHOLE OF RUTLAND

RutlandPride

THE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE FOR HIGH QUALITY HOMES

£3.70

Cottesmore Hunt Ball THE EVENT

Celebratimg 20 years of Ospreys in Rutland...

EATING OUT Smart Dining at Hambleton Hall Page 40

NATIONAL GARDENS SCHEME

Enjoy some great days out this summer!

Page 96

Oakham Castle COVER STORY

MAY 2016

Exciting times for historic building, reopening in May This Month: The Rutland Show - Preview of our 2016 county show...

EXCLUSIVE

DAVID ROSS

AT THE OPERA Local businessman’s 2016 festival at the Nevill Holt Estate Page 20

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JULIAN WILKINSON MANAGING DIRECTOR & PUBLISHER

ROB DAVIS, EDITOR 01529 469977, editor@pridemagazines.co.uk

RutlandPride

MAY 2016

EXCLUSIVE ‘NATIONAL WEDDING SHOW’ IMAGES

ROCKINGHAM HORSE TRIALS

COVERING STAMFORD & THE WHOLE OF RUTLAND

THE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE FOR HIGH QUALITY HOMES

£3.70

Cottesmore Hunt Ball THE EVENT

EATING OUT Smart Dining at Hambleton Hall Page 40

NATIONAL GARDENS SCHEME

Enjoy some great days out this summer!

Page 96

Oakham Castle COVER STORY

Exciting times for historic building, reopening in May This Month: The Rutland Show - Preview of our 2016 county show...

It’s once again the time of year we get to enjoy lazy days in the garden.

Our own, or, perhaps, other people’s gardens. Rutland offers multum in parvo when it comes to NGS open garden events, with a wealth of different gardens opening for summer. Sit in your own garden and you’ll be looking at all of those jobs still to be completed. If you’re visiting an NGS garden, though, you’ll enjoy the fruits of someone else’s labour... not to mention that quintessentially English pleasure of afternoon tea. Speaking of which, we’ve a roundup of the best venues in the area to enjoy afternoon tea this summer, with tiers of finger sandwiches, scones and cakes. Delicious!

Another garden worth visiting this summer are the ones surrounding Nevill Holt. The country estate of Carphone Warehouse founder David Ross hosts an annual festival of opera and the businessman this month speaks exclusively to us to tell us what this year’s performances will be.

Also in this edition, we’ve a preview of the Rockingham Horse Trials, and a preview of the Rutland Show.

We’re also celebrating the reopening of Oakham Castle following its refurbishment, and we’ve a feature looking back on the 20th anniversary of Rutland’s ospreys.

Best wishes for a wonderful month!

Rob Davis, Editor.

EXCLUSIVE

DAVID ROSS

AT THE OPERA Local businessman’s 2016 festival at the Nevill Holt Estate

Page 20

COVER PHOTO

Meet Toby! He’s a chocolate brown labrador retriever, and he’s looking forward to lots of walks around Rutland Water once he’s had his vaccinations.

We’re always looking for adorable photos for our covers animals, landscapes, and county scenes.

Send your images to editor@pridemagazines.co.uk.

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RutlandPride

MAY 2016

EXCLUSIVE ‘NATIONAL WEDDING SHOW’ IMAGES

ROCKINGHAM HORSE TRIALS

COVERING STAMFORD & THE WHOLE OF RUTLAND

THE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE FOR HIGH QUALITY HOMES

£3.70

Cottesmore Hunt Ball THE EVENT

EATING OUT Smart Dining at Hambleton Hall Page 40

NATIONAL GARDENS SCHEME Enjoy some great days out this summer!

Page 96

Oakham Castle COVER STORY

Exciting times for historic building, reopening in May

EXCLUSIVE

DAVID ROSS

AT THE OPERA Local businessman’s 2016 festival at the Nevill Holt Estate

Page 20

This Month: The Rutland Show - Preview of our 2016 county show...

With best wishes from the Rutland Pride team Managing Director and Publisher: Julian Wilkinson.

General Manager: Ian Bagley.

Executive Editor: Rob Davis. Features Editor: Tilly Wilkinson.

Customer Care Manager: Mandy Bray. Distribution: Joe Proctor.

Office Manager: Sue Bannister.

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Sales Manager: Roberta Hall.

Sales Executives: Sian Jarratt, Emily Brown, Carissa Clay, Hayley Scott, Jessica Cobbold, Sarah Allen, Yvette Curry, Aileen Perolio-Jones and Cassy Ayton.

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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!

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Page 88: 84: Sarah Furness, the new High Sheriff of Rutland’s Whissendine garden.

Contents

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May 2016

Founder of Carphone Warehouse David Ross is once more welcoming opera lovers to his country estate, NEVILL HOLT for 2016’s festival.

Also this month we’re catching up on the restoration work approaching completion at OAKHAM CASTLE - we’ve exclusive images.

We’re approaching that time of year again June’s RUTLAND SHOW is gearing up for its 184th event. We preview 2016’s show.

We’ve a mouthwatering FOOD AND DRINK section this month including a visit to Hambleton Hall and afternoon tea.

Our HOMES AND GARDENS section this month include luxurious home furnishings and a beautiful Whissendine garden.

It’s 20 years since the RUTLAND OSPREYS were reintroduced to the county. We meet the Rutland Wildlife Trust’s Kayleigh Brookes.

The ROCKINGHAM HORSE TRIALS is under starter’s order this month bringing world class horsemanship to the area.

The COTTESMORE HUNT’S end of season ball took place recently - photographer Nico Morgan was there to capture the glamour.

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County News Relaxing retreats in Rutland this month...

Discover mindfulness at a retreat hosted by Buddhist nun Gen Nyingpo, as seen in February’s Rutland Pride

Rutland is home to a meditation retreat this month, aimed at calming busy minds.

When distracting thoughts subside and our mind becomes still, a deep happiness and contentment naturally arises from within.

This feeling of contentment and well-being helps us to cope with the busyness and difficulties of daily life.

This month, a retreat hosted

by Buddhist nun Gen Nyingpo will explain and guide meditation practices that enable us to experience a calm, spacious feeling in the mind; a deep inner relaxation.

With a calm and peaceful mind, difficult situations become easier to deal with, we

Rutland ‘best place to live...’ yet again!

Rutland’s reputation as one of the best places in the UK has been validated yet again with a survey carried out by the Halifax Building Society.

The county was named the third most desirable place to live in the UK in a survey which takes into account health, happiness and life expectancy. It praised the area’s low crime rate, good health and the fact that Rutland enjoys more sunshine than other areas in the UK.

The two positions deemed more desirable than Rutland were South Oxfordshire and Chiltern in Buckinghamshire.

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Discover Rutland with the county’s new tourism guide Rutland Water publishes its calender of events with many opportunities to enjoy the reservoir...

will feel naturally warm and well disposed towards other people, and our relationships with other people will gradually improve.

Gen Nyingpo said - I'm really looking forward to leading this mini-retreat at Rutland Water, the view from the venue is stunning and the room is very quiet - ideal conditions for developing a peaceful mind. n Half day meditation retreat takes place on Sunday 15th May in the Education Room, Birdwatching Centre, Egleton, Oakham LE15 8BT. The retreat runs 10am to 12.15pm - two sessions with a break for refreshments. Retreat cost is £15 (includes parking pass), pre booking is required. Book online at: www.meditateinpeterborough.org.uk Anglian Water has a packed programme of family-friendly activities this summer, and they’re all laid out in a new 2016 calender of events, available now.

The guide can be picked up in leaflet form or downloaded from www.discover-rutland.co.uk, and includes information aimed at ensuring visitors can discover the area’s nature, its fishing and walks.

There’s also a guide to organised events taking place, from May’s Dawn Chorus Walk (1st May), Peter Murray’s Spring Landscape and Panoramic Photography course (19th May; 28th May) and Watersports Activity Week (30th May).

Sykes Lane’s artificially created beach will open for the public again from 11th June. n Call 01572 770651 to obtain your copy of the guide.

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Send your press releases and county news to: Features Editor via tilly@pridemagazines.co.uk.

‘What do EU think?’ Young people of Rutland asked...

Birdfair boost of £320,000 for Rutland’s migratory birds

Politics students in Rutland enjoy the opportunity to debate the future of the EU with Minister for Europe during special visit to Oakham School

Record amount was raised during 2015’s Birdfair.

Money raised will go towards saving migratory birds on their journey between Europe and Africa...

Rutland’s migratory birds have been handed a welcome boost by fundraising efforts from Birdfair 2015 after a cheque for £320,000 was handed over to BirdLife International to help vulnerable migratory birds in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The Eastern Mediterranean is used by hundreds of millions of migratory birds twice yearly on their migration between Europe and Africa, each spring and autumn. These birds face many

Oakham School’s politics students recently enjoyed a visit from the Rt Hon David Lidington MP, The Minister for Europe, who took time out of his busy schedule to discuss global politics.

It was a packed evening of insights and debate, with the MP presenting his case for Europe, followed by students asking probing and insightful questions about both sides of the argument.

The timing of his talk to Oakham’s Politics students, in the very same week he worked with the Prime Minister to secure a new agreement with the EU and the subsequent announcement of the referendum date, certainly made for a very interesting evening. The news ‘came to life’ as the students learnt, first hand, about the process of brokering a new EU deal, as well as listening to the MP rebutting some of the

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headlines which suggested it had all been ‘stage managed.’

“He was an energetic and impactful speaker, drawing on his vast knowledge of political history to put his points across,” says Head of Politics, Laurence Ward. “The students were able to learn an incredible amount of information during his session, putting some of the pertinent questions of the day into a much wider political context.”

When asked whether this was possibly the most exciting time for students to study Politics, the Rt Hon David Lidington agreed, saying, “There is an awful lot of good material to choose as your subject matter.”

It’s also a great time for Oakham’s Politics students, as they are looking forward to the new Social Sciences Faculty building opening in September.

threats on their epic journey including illegal killing, with a recent BirdLife International report revealing 25 million migratory birds are illegally killed each year.

The money raised will go towards a project aimed at reducing the scale and impact of the illegal killing of migratory birds, and to improve protection and laws throughout the region. n For more information see www.birdfair.org.uk.

Peterborough Cathedral’s mosaic floor restored to former glory...

Peterborough Cathedral has been a hive of activity recently with the restoration of the building’s beautiful 19th century mosaic.

Over the last ten months workers from Cliveden Conservation have been busy restoring a floor near to the building’s high altar in Peterborough Cathedral.

The floor has been in desperate need of repair for some time and it was only when grant £200,000 was awarded from the First World War Centenary Cathedral Repairs Fund last year that the work could finally go ahead.

In all some 30,000 tiles have been chipped out and replaced.

The grey-green tiles in particular had delaminated over time.

The Very Revd Charles Taylor, Dean of Peterborough said:

“We are enormously grateful for this grant. This beautiful floor has been in a state of disrepair for some time which means that we have not been able to make full use of this part of the Cathedral and it has been inaccessible to visitors. The grant has been a great boost in helping us to ensure that the building is in good condition as we approach our 900th anniversary in 2018.” n See www.peterborough-cathedral. org.uk for more information.

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DEEPING ST JAMES, LINCOLNSHIRE

A DECEPTIVELY LARGE CHARACTER FAMILY HOME WITH A CREATIVE MIX OF MODERN AND PERIOD CHARM THROUGHOUT 3

4

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KETTON, RUTLAND

A CHARMING PERIOD PROPERTY WHICH DATES BACK THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY; THE PROPERTY TUCKED AWAY OFF THE VILLAGE HIGH STREET IS ENCLOSED BY LOVELY GARDENS 5

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EPC Rating: Exempt

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WILSONS ARM FARM, ALLEXTON

A simply stunning contemporary and minimalist single storey house beautifully finished by the current owners and sitting in a plot of approximately 3.5 acres with stunning open views over some of south Rutland’s prettiest countryside.

GUIDE PRICE £750,000

• Entrance Hall • Stunning Kitchen/Breakfast Room • Utility/ Boot Room • Wet Room • WC • Family Room • Sitting Room • Detached Home Office • Master Bedroom with En-suite

• Three Further Double Bedrooms • Family Bathroom • 3.5 Acres Total Plot Size • 3 Acres Of Nature Reserve • Ample Off Road Parking • Gravelled Driveway • Gated Entrance • Stunning Views • EPC D

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34-38 The Square Market Harborough LE16 7PA

01858 433123

marketharborough@struttandparker.com

www.struttandparker.com

Logielea, Uffington, Lincolnshire

Guide Pride

£1,595,000

Guide Pride

£1,600,000

An exceptional village house with generous accommodation and grounds with annexe potential.

Sauvey Castle Farm, Withcote, Leicestershire A striking Grade II Listed farmhouse with two cottages, gardens, stabling and paddocks.

Strutt & Parker estate agents and property consultants work in partnership with clients to deliver their goals – whether their interests are in residential, commercial, rural or development property.

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CAREBY Guide Price £1.49 Million A beautifully presented and substantial family residence, set within gardens and grounds of over 2.0 acres located in a delightful secluded riverside setting. Accommodation comprises: Reception Hall, Drawing Room, Dining Room, Family Room, large Living Kitchen, Study, Master Bedroom Suite, 4 further Bedrooms (3 ensuite). The property offers equestrian facilities to include grass paddock, detached building with 2 purpose built stables, further outbuildings and a 3 bay barn. Energy Rating: TBC.

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EDITH WESTON Guide Price £1.40 Million A Grade II listed Jacobean Rectory dating back to the early 17th century, situated in the heart of one of the county’s most sought after Rutland Water villages. Accommodation boasts a wealth of charm and character and comprises Large Living Room, Dining Room, Breakfast Kitchen, Utility, Master Bedroom Suite, 4 further Bedrooms, Family Bathroom, separate Shower Room, 2 Attic Rooms. The property stands in mature gardens and grounds and includes a detached Guest Cottage and detached double Garage. EPC Exempt.

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LYDDINGTON Offers in Excess of £500,000 Stunning Grade II listed detached cottage refurbished to an exceptional standard. Notable features are too numerous to mention but include stone flooring with under-floor heating, exposed stonework, period fireplaces with antique Georgian cast iron grates, beamed ceilings, Bakelite-style light switches and fitted plantation window blinds. 2 Reception Rooms, 3 Bedrooms, En suite, Bathroom. EPC Exempt.

CALDECOTT Guide Pride £475,000 A fine detached Grade II listed stone property overlooking the green with its origins believed to be dating back to early 1600's. The property provides well laid out and bright family accommodation alongside a wealth of original features. 2 Reception Rooms, Farmhouse Kitchen/Diner, 4 Bedrooms, En suite, Family Bathroom. 2 Garages, large Gardens. EPC Exempt.

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To view and purchase photographs from The Event visit www.pridemagazines.co.uk

TOFS Charity Ball Held at Barnsdale Lodge, Exton...

TOFS stands for trachea oesophageal fistula support, and helps some 3,500 babies born each year with the rare congenital condition. TOF is a deformation of the oesophagus whereby the oesophagus does not connect to the stomach, preventing the baby from swallowing.

Based in Nottingham, the charity provides parents with information about the condition and its treatment and outcomes, but is reliant entirely on fundraising, receiving no government support and relying on events like the London Marathon. The charity recently held a charity ball at Barnsdale Lodge which included a three course supper, ‘heads and tails’ game, raffle and silent auction.

n To find out more about the charity, call www.tofs.org.uk.

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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To view and purchase photographs from The Event visit www.pridemagazines.co.uk

Feature your event in our magazine.

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

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IN FINE

VOICE

THE BOX OFFICE THIS MONTH OPENS AT ONE OF THE COUNTRY’S MOST WELL-REGARDED AL FRESCO OPERA VENUES. AS LEICESTERSHIRE’S NEVILL HOLT, ON THE BORDER OF RUTLAND, PREPARES TO HOST ITS 2016 FESTIVAL BEGINNING NEXT MONTH, WE SPEAK TO PATRON AND FOUNDER OF THE CARPHONE WAREHOUSE, DAVID ROSS...

Words: Rob Davis. Images: Rosenna East.

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- OPERA AT NEVILL HOLT -

David Ross is the founder of Carphone Warehouse, a businessman with experience in technology and property. He’s also the patron of Leicestershire’s Nevill Holt Opera, seeking to bring quality operatic productions to the area with a season of performances taking place in June and July.

We caught up with the businessman, who was educated at Uppingham School, to ask him what audiences can expect from the company’s 2016 festival...

Q. What memories do have of your school days, and do you remain fond of Rutland?

It was fantastic. My school days were very happy. My memories of Uppingham and Rutland are that they are beautiful places it’s a beautiful town, and a wonderful community.

Q. What was it like to create and grow a business to such a huge degree?

Carphone was a great experience - I loved it all, and we had a great time. I met Charles [Dunstone, co-founder] at School - so of course there is a strong connection between Uppingham and my Carphone experiences.

Without our school background, none of that would have happened - so of course the connection has had an amazing impact on our lives ever since.

Q. Did your first experience of opera influence what you wanted to create at Nevill Holt?

My first experience of Opera was at my Prep school - it was Mozart’s Magic Flute.

I’m happy to say that was the first opera that Nevill Holt Opera staged when we established the independent festival in 2013.

My prep school regularly sent us to the Crucible in Sheffield, and if we weren’t at the Crucible, we were being taken to see the Hallé Orchestra. So we had a very rich classical music diet from great Northern cultural institutions - I hope that we offer opera of exactly the same quality, too.

Q. What affection do you have for Nevill Holt and what are its merits as a venue for the festival

I have a lot of affection for Nevill Holt of course... and as for the festival - we’ve got great opera, great local food, and great gardens - created by a fantastic team of

gardeners working under Chelsea Gold Medal winner Rupert Golby.

We’re always working to improve the estate, and guests at the opera this year will notice a brand new walled garden and summer house - the new Font House, which will be a very special place for entertaining.

Because the Theatre is housed within our 17th century stable block, the auditorium space is smaller than a lot of other opera houses or theatres you might normally visit - Nevill Holt Theatre seats only 340 people.

So, rather than squinting into the distance at some tiny figure on a faraway stage, our patrons get to experience a very direct connection with our young stars, which can be very exciting. It provides audiences with an electric atmosphere.

“DAVID ROSS’S NEVILL HOLT OPERA ATTRACTS SELL-OUT AUDIENCES FROM ACROSS THE UK TO ITS ANNUAL SUMMER OPERA FESTIVAL...”

Q. The festival was taken in-house in 2013.

Why and how did this help Nevill Holt Opera?

It’s much better this way, forming and running our own festival. At the time, I just thought we could do better than bringing a festival in from Hampshire.

I thought we could have our own festival run by a local team, we’re deeply committed to the local community. We’ve got local food, local stage crew and we fill local B&Bs.

It’s a local festival for local people. If we hadn’t gone independent back in 2013, who knows what would be happening now Grange Park Opera are moving away from Hampshire to somewhere in Sussex.

I thought ‘Leicestershire could do it themselves!’ This is a local festival and we hope the whole community will feel invested in its progress and activities as we grow.

Q. The festival also works with children in the area through its Education Programme. Does that tie in with the David Ross Foundation?

I strongly believe that every child deserves to have a happy and stimulating school experience. The fact of the matter is that in some of the schools that DRET took over, that wasn’t the case. Education is at the core of the Foundation and the Trust, and I’m happy to see that it is central to the activities of the NHO Festival too. Great music should reach everyone. >>

NEVILL HOLT’S 2016 FESTIVAL Giuseppe Verdi’s Rigoletto, 16th, 18th, 21st, 23rd June, 5.30pm: Considered to be one of Verdi’s masterpieces, Rigoletto contains some of Verdis most famous arias, including ‘la donna e mobile.’ A tragic tale of love, revenge and sacrifice, this opera follows the tale of court jester Rigoletto, his beautiful young daughter, Gilda, and his playboy master the Duke of Mantua.

Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love, 30th June, 2nd July, 3rd July (mat.,), 5.30pm, 3.30pm: The most popular and frequently performed of all of Donizetti’s operas. Declared a triumph at its premier in Milan in 1832, its touching love story and beautiful music secured Donizetti’s place as one of the leading Italian opera composers of his day. The opera includes the much-loved aria ‘Una furtiva lagrima.’

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- OPERA AT NEVILL HOLT -

NEVILL HOLT IS A BEAUTIFUL SETTING FOR OUR PROGRAMME - I HOPE IT’S THE ENGLISH COUNTRYSIDE AT ITS BEST – AND WITH SOME OF THE WORLD’S BEST CLASSICAL MUSIC TOO ...

Q. What are you looking forward to at 2016’s festival?

I am looking forward to the performance of Donizetti Elixir of Love. It’s a particular favourite of mine. I think that’s because it’s a very light-hearted fun opera, full of catchy tunes! It’s the sort of opera that the NHO audience will love.

Q. What can first time visitors expect?

First time visitors can expect a great evening or day out. If they’ve never been to Nevill Holt before, people are usually pretty wowed by the view especially; on a clear day you can see three counties from here.

Q. Anything else worthy of note?

There’s the sculpture collection in the gardens to enjoy, and the gardens are at their best at that time in the year. The team work all year round to make sure of that.

The food will be great, and the opera itself will be fabulous. I hope it’s the English countryside at its best – and with some of the world’s best classical music too – what more could you possibly want?

n Nevill Holt’s 2016 Opera Festival takes place from 16th June to 3rd July. The box office opens this month, tickets £55-£110. Early booking is recommended for the event, which tends to book to capacity rapidly. Call 0115 846 7777 or visit www.nevillholtopera.co.uk.

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Above: The theatre is set in the estate’s former stableblock and has a capacity of less than 340, facilitating performances with a real sense of intimacy.

Right: Performances from last year’s production of Carmen.

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AN ARTISTIC DIRECTION Education, community and opera.

Those are the three pillars that Creative Director of Nevill Holt Opera Nicholas Chalmers is keen to embody in his role.

Former chorister of Gloucester’s Tewkesbury Abbey, graduate of music from Oxfords University’s Lincoln College and formerly of the Milan Conservatoire, Nicholas has been working at Nevill Holt since 2013.

Previously, Grange Park Opera hosted their own performances at Nevill Holt, but Nicholas was recruited with the remit of providing exclusive performances tailored to suit an audience, utilising the talents of as many local people as possible, and showcasing as much new talent as possible.

“Our aim is to create excellent opera for the East Midlands audience - we attract people from Birmingham, Nottingham, Cambridgeshire and Oxford,” says Nicholas.

“Our performances have an orchestra of around 35, 10 principal cast members, and a crew of around 10, plus around four creatives.”

“Crucially, during most seasons we also have a children’s choir, which links in with the David Ross Educational Trust. Around 600 children will see our dress rehearsals this year, and we’ve visited academies in our region to take opera workshops into schools, inviting children to experience and interact with opera, writing their own librettos for example.”

“Our audiences are demanding by virtue of us living in an age of rich media, so our performances are designed to be equally rich and captivating.

Youthful performances for both a new and established audience of opera-goers.”

Right: The Festival’s Artistic Director Nicholas Chalmers.

“The performances we host here are also very intimate,” says Nicholas.

“With just over 340 seats, you can feel as well as hear and see the passion and intensity of our performances, and we consistently attract and showcase new opera talent.”

“Last year’s mezzo in Carmen, Clare Presland is now performing in Scottish Opera’s Rusalka, for example.”

“We also make a concerted effort, as a company, to engage with the wider community, visiting not just schools but councils and retirement homes, hosting singalongs.”

“We’ve a youthful vibe which embodies the energetic spirit of our performances, whilst remaining faithful to the libretto of traditional opera, ensuring an exceptionally well-regarded blend of authenticity and accessibility each year.”

“It’s a beautiful space to work in, and as a company we think we’re progressive and faithful to the medium in equal measure.”

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- OAKHAM CASTLE -

The splendid Great Hall of Oakham Castle is the finest example of late 12th century domestic Norman architecture in England. Recent discoveries during its £2,000,000 makeover have revealed just what a hidden gem we have in the county.

Oakham Castle was awarded the money in 2015 from the Heritage Lottery Fund and its being used to carry out extensive restoration work, and to introduce a new and exciting events programme.

The key aims of the project are to develop Oakham Castle as a cultural centre for Rutland, consolidate the castle walls to ensure conservation, and to restore its visual impact in the town centre, conserve the Great Hall to provide a safe environment for the historic horseshoe collection, and provide improved access to the site including improved facilities.

In addition to this, plans are made to provide greater promotion of the history and heritage of Oakham Castle and Rutland, to work more closely with Discover Rutland to promote Oakham as a tourist destination to the benefit of the county, to generate increased income from the site to help ensure its long term viability and to enable more and better quality community events to take place in the grounds.

This plan was formed by the Rutland County Council, the Oakham Town Council, the Friends of Rutland County Museum and Oakham Castle.

We visited the 12th Century landmark of Rutland last month to see how the restoration work was coming along in preparation for the big reveal in May.

During our visit, it was still a bit of a building site but the progress they have already made is beginning to show.

Charlotte Widgery, Oakham Castle activity manager, took us for a tour, revealing what has been done and what’s left to do before they open on Monday 30th May; bank holiday.

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“The curtain wall was on the heritage at risk register due to the tree roots from self set saplings pushing the wall apart,” says Charlotte. “The Great Hall needed some general care, and some upgrades to keep it relevant for a 21st century visitor. We wanted to do a lot more to improve its tourism potential, keeping it as original as we can, but making it exciting and interactive where possible to attract visitors.”

will let more people know about the Castle and encourage visiting.”

“The works are nearly there. Most of the horseshoes have mostly been returned after their clean and repair, a few still to come. We also photographed, weighed and measured the horseshoes when they were taken down. It’s something that’s never been done before.”

CASTLE “The Great Hall wall repairs have been done and Number One Court has been

OAKHAM From the 12th to 21st Century

AT THE END OF MAY, OAKHAM CASTLE WILL REOPEN ITS DOORS TO THE PUBLIC AFTER BEING CLOSED FOR OVER A YEAR. WITH THE AIM OF MAKING THE NORMAN STRUCTURE THE HEART OF OAKHAM, A TEAM HAS BEEN CREATED TO FORM A COMPREHENSIVE EVENTS PROGRAMME, TO REALLY MAKE THE MOST OF THE BUILDING’S £2M RENOVATION

“The main changes you will see include repairs to the external walls of the Great Hall, the stabilising and repair of the curtain wall, the protection of habitats with new tree and shrub planting, improved visitor facilities and access, including new toilets, heating and ramps. Later in the year a new garden area will be planted.”

“The site will be interpreted through panels, tour guides, activities and events for the public and schools, and new access points and signage in the town

re-roofed. The inside has had a new coat of heritage paint and the radiators have been refurbished.”

“The new toilet block extension is going up, but is not quite finished yet.

The parquet flooring in Number One court has been revealed and is awaiting restoration. Outside, work will continue into the summer. There will be new lighting both up Castle Lane and within the grounds.”

“A 3D model of the castle as it would have looked in 1340 is being designed >>

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A Spring Clean: You can already see the dramatic change in colour now the team has cleaned and repaired some of the exterior walls.

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and we hope will be installed in the autumn. There will be a raised viewing platform on top of the original motte, giving a view over the town, and a new access path from Burley Road car park is also being contructed.”

After a very tricky uphill climb to the top of the motte, walking past the men working on the desperately needed steps, Charlotte showed me the magnificent view you can get from there.

Once the steps are finished, this will be a fantastic feature to the Castle grounds. You can see a full view of the new 12th Century Castle, the parkland just beyond it, and you can imagine what your view would’ve looked like in 1180.

A description of the Castle was recorded in 1340AD which stated ‘At Oakham there is a certain castle, well walled, and in that castle are a hall, four rooms, a chapel, a kitchen, two stables, a barn for hay, a house for prisoners - the county gaol, a room for the gatekeeper, and a drawbridge with iron chains. The castle contains within its walls an estimated two acres of ground. The same is called the manor of Oakham. Outside the castle is a garden, fish ponds and a moat.”

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ou can imagine the bustling market full of life, be it animals or people, when you look over the large area of land around the Castle. This will be full of re-enactments and other exciting period features on the day the Castle opens.

“The grand re-opening will take place on Monday 30th May which is a Bank Holiday,” says Charlotte. “We are recreating Norman England in the grounds to celebrate our earliest heritage and there will be ribbon cutting, guided tours, and many

Norman re-enactors in the grounds, talking to visitors.”

This isn’t the only time re-enactors will be paying tribute to the Castle. Charlotte, alongside a recently appointed marketing, events and education team, will be putting together a programme of events for 2016, hoping to attract many more visitors to such an important building in our county.

A BRIEF HISTORY Who? Oakham Castle was constructed for Walkelin de Ferrers who was Lord of the Manor of Oakham. When? It was built between 1180 and 1190. What? The Castle is recognised as one of the best examples of domestic Norman architecture in England. It was originally the Great Hall of a larger fortified manor house. This had traditional features of a castle such as a curtain wall, a gatehouse and a drawbridge with iron chains. There is also evidence to suggest that Oakham Castle possessed towers at strategic points along the walls as well as a moat. There are a number of 12th century sculptures decorating the Hall including six musicians that are supported by the columns.

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“We’re hoping to host many events this year,” says Charlotte. “My job, along with the rest of my team is to deliver the first three years of community engagement and education.”

“The High Sheriff ’s Investiture will be at the Castle as usual in April to pass the title from Andrew Brown to High Sheriff nominee Sarah Furness, but works will be some way off completion.

We will have to move the builders out two days before the ceremony and a cleaner so we can spruce the Great Hall up a little bit, which will be just about ready, and then the builders will be back in the following day.”

“Over 230 horseshoes hang in the Great Hall, and it’s what the Castle is most well known for. These represent the unique custom that every peer of the realm must give a horseshoe to the lord of the manor on their first visit to Oakham.”

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- OAKHAM CASTLE -

The first horseshoe in the castle collection was given by King Edward IV, in thanks after his victory at the Battle of Losecoat Field near Empingham in 1470. Edward’s horseshoe was decorated with the royal arms, and many of the horseshoes given over the subsequent centuries are gilded and highly ornamental. Most of the horseshoes are clearly far too large to actually be horseshoes; there are only a few that have been used on a horse.

The custom would’ve been a competition of wealth and superiority between peers of the realm as to why the sizes of some are astronomical.

“The activity has been adhered to for at least 500 years and probably dates back to the 12th century. The smallest horseshoe is on one of the wooden beams. There was a wedding in the Castle and a small horseshoe was left

behind. When someone came in to do some work on the beams, they must’ve stuck it onto one of them.”

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hen you visit in the summer, set younger children in the family on a mission to try and find the tiny horseshoe on one of the wooden beams.

“It looks as though we are to receive a new horseshoe donated at the launch, which is very exciting, but we can’t reveal the name of the donor yet! The most recent horseshoe was donated by the Duchess of Cornwall when she visited with Prince Charles in 2014, it now hangs close to Queen Victoria’s horseshoe.”

During the renovations, an interesting discovery has been made which reinforces Oakham Castle as one of the best examples of Norman architecture in Britain.

“We can reveal a new discovery of Norman decorative plasterwork, which looks to be unique in the country. It was discovered when the horseshoes were removed from the walls.”

“There’s a sort of lattice design on the wall that no one has really thought much about - there has been a few comments but nothing has really been done about it, so we decided to get a specialist in.”

“After many different tests, she confirmed it was decorative plasterwork from the Norman period. It’s certainly an exciting discovery that we are thrilled about, and a title we are proud to have.

We hope it increases the number of tourists to the site.”

“There will be myself, a Learning Officer and a part time Castle marketing Officer.” >> 29

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THE CASE OF THE MISSING HORSESHOE

Most of the horseshoes you see at Oakham Castle are far too big to fit a horse; peers of the realm made a point of showing their wealth and superiority through offering the largest horseshoe.

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“We’re hoping to organise many events for young and old, from music events, to family activities, to volunteering opportunities and helping with a sensory garden which is also planned as part of the works.”

“The sensory garden will be modern because we can’t find official evidence to suggest that there would’ve been one on the site hundreds of years ago.”

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he job of carrying out the extensive restoration work fell to conservation specialists Woodhead Heritage, led by Site Manager Richard Savage. Councillor Oliver Hemsley, the Lead Member for Culture at Rutland County Council, says the work Richard’s Team has done over the past six months has breathed new life into the Castle.

“The work that we’re doing for this English Heritage site will protect and preserve the Castle for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations,” said Cllr Hemsley. “It’s undoubtedly one of the most well-known buildings in the area, alongside Normanton Church and Burghley House in neighbouring Lincolnshire. The Castle has always 30

been one of the most popular heritage tourist attractions in the East Midlands and we hope the improvements that have been made will draw even more people to Rutland in future.”

“Councils across the country face cuts to their services so it is absolutely vital that the Castle is managed and looked after in a sustainable way – so that it continues to be open to the public for many years to come. Thanks to essential repairs, upgrades to basic facilities and heating, and improved access for disabled visitors, the site is now much better placed to cater for a modern audience. Combining these improvements with the new activities, interpretation and events programme we’re planning will mean the site once again becomes the vibrant heart of Oakham, with people from all walks of life enjoying the castle regularly and often. It looks to be a very busy and exciting time for not just Oakham Castle, but for the rest of the county too.” n For regular updates on the restoration project and to find regular events held at the castle throughout 2016, visit www.oakhamcastle.wordpress.com.

However, there’s one that does fit a horse and probably did do for quite some time.

Baron Willoughby D’Eresby offered his normal sized horseshoe which is situated just above the door frame that leads into Number One Court.

This isn’t the only interesting fact about this particular horseshoe. On their lunch break one day, a group of boys from Oakham School broke into the Castle grounds to have a look around.

After wandering around for a while, they decided they wanted to take home a souvenir. They tried to get the judge’s black cap with a hook but they couldn’t quite reach and soon gave up.

Having failed to steal a souvenir, the boys headed back to school fruitless. On their way, one of them pulled out the Baron’s horseshoe from his pocket he’d taken from one of the walls. The boy took it home and it stayed with his family for 16 years.

It was returned to Oakham Castle by his brother who attached a poem with it, which comically explained that the horseshoe had been on its travels and has now returned home. The Baron’s donation now hangs where it first was placed above the doorway to Number One Court.

The name of the boy is still unknown, but the only way we know about the stolen horseshoe is because of an interview the local papers had with him. He didn’t want his name or his family’s name to be published.

There will be an interactive screen in Number One Court where you can design your own horseshoe and look at all of the horseshoes hung in the Great Hall a little closer.

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SHOW RUTLAND The 184t h

2016’s Rutland Show will be the 184th, celebrating all that’s great about the county, showcasing farming, food and even farriery at its best... Words: Emma Dodds.

The 184th Rutland County Show will take place on Sunday 5th June. There’s so much to see and enjoy at this years’ show with fabulous Main Ring attractions throughout the day, including a fast and furious Scurry Driving Competition, Sheep dog trials and Birds of Prey, culminating with the magnificent Grand Parade of Livestock Champions.

With rural exhibitions and demonstrations running throughout the day, this year the Rutland Show are very pleased to welcome the Leicester Poultry Group who are exhibiting at the show for the first time, alongside the traditional cattle, sheep, goat and equestrian classes.

This year’s show also welcomes back The Larder food court, featuring artisan food and drink producers and you can enjoy even more great food from our creative chefs in the Pavilion workshops.

Back by popular demand is the Tractor Pulling event and the entertaining yet

Main: Main ring attractions include the magnificent Grand Parade of Livestock Champions.

Above/Right: One of the event’s popular pony classes.

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educational Sheep Show, which will feature an absolutely fantastic dog and duck display this year.

Shopping at this event is highly recommended with over 100 unique trade stands and craft stalls to browse. This includes Rutland Pride’s marquee; come and find us for a free copy of the magazine.

You can watch the farrier competition run

by Leicestershire’s own Stephen Hill this year, and try your hand at Petanque with a professional coach offering free advice. >>

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- THE RUTLAND SHOW SUNDAY 5TH JUNE 2016

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- THE RUTLAND SHOW SUNDAY 5TH JUNE 2016 Top: With over 100 trade and food stands, there’s plenty to see besides the show’s provision of countryside entertainment.

Below/Left: Equestrian classes include showing and jumping.

Below/Right: In addition to showing classes for livestock, you’ll find The Sheep Show entertaining, too.

See us at the Show...

Rutland Pride has a marquee at the stand every year come rain or shine handing out free magazines.

Unfortunately for the 2015 Rutland Show, the British weather was not to be trusted, but that didn’t stop crowds of people attending.

There are some wonderful vintage vehicle displays throughout the showground for you to enjoy. It’s a great family day out celebrating rural Rutland, voted one of the best rural place to live two years in a row.

The new Rutland Showground, located on the outskirts of the charming market town of Oakham is just eight miles from the A1, and has become the perfect place to host the county show and has proven to be a great asset to the county.

The Rutland Pavilion, a spacious, light filled hall, boasts a large car park, catering kitchen and disabled access throughout the building all surrounded by 150 acres of flat well drained land.

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“THIS YEAR’S SHOW OFFERS ARTISAN LOCAL FOOD AND DRINK IN THE LARDER FOOD COURT AND WATCHING CREATIVE CHEFS IN THE PAVILION WORKSHOPS...”

The club house is also equipped with a fully licensed bar. On Show Day there is lots of free parking and free shuttle buses will be available from Oakham and Uppingham.

Early Bird tickets available until 30th May are £10 for adults and £8 for concessions.

n For more information, call 01572 757110 or visit www.rutlandcountyshow.com.

The Chater Community Choir joined us for a short while to lift the mood and take cover from the cold weather.

We will be at the Rutland Show this year too with hopes of better weather.

Come and find us to have a chat with us and get your free copy of the June edition.

We would love to hear your feedback!

n Visit our website www.pridemagazines.co.uk to view free online versions of the magazine.

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What’s On...

ONE NIGHT OF QUEEN

Find out What’s On this month with events taking place in many different venues across the county. Rutland’s ospreys are back in May in addition to some stellar performances returning to theatres...

LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL

Wednesday 4th - 7th May The fabulous tale of Elle Woods comes to the Key Theatre in Peterborough this month, in a positively pink tale of love and determination, based on the movie Legally Blonde, £17/admission.

01733 207239, www.vivacity-peterborough.com

One Night of Queen...

CENTRAL SCHOOL OF BALLET

Saturday 14th May In 2000, Gary Mullen won ITV’s Stars In Their Eyes Live Grand Final, with the most votes ever received in the shows history.

Gary formed a band The Works, to pay tribute to rock legends Queen. See them live at De Montfort Hall in Leicester, £20.

01162 333111, www.demontforthall.co.uk Max Faulkner, Head Chef at Kilworth...

- FOOD -

COOKERY SCHOOL

Friday 6th May Head Chef of Kilworth House at Market Harborough, Max Faulkner will provide cooking demonstrations held in The Staging Post. This is followed by a three course dinner and discussions with Head Chef Max Faulkner, £30/person.

01858 881939, www.kilworthhouse.co.uk

PAUL MARTYN

Friday 6th May Ballet Central 2016 features a programme of ballet, neoclassical, contemporary and narrative dance. The dancers showcase their talent with a show of new works and celebrated revivals at Uppingham Theatre, £15.

Friday 13th May Kilworth House present Paul Martyn.

He will entertain diners in Kilworth’s orangery with his wide range of musical styles on the saxophone along with his soft vocals to accompany, £35/person.

A NIGHT OF DIRTY DANCING

CIDER & SAUSAGE FESTIVAL

01572 820820, www.uppthearts.co.uk

Wednesday 11th May A Night of Dirty Dancing: The Ultimate Tribute Show. No film has captured the hearts of a generation like Dirty Dancing.

Relive the passion, indulge in the romance and celebrate the greatest movie sound track of all time at Key Theatre, £20.50.

01733 207239, www.vivacity-peterborough.com

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01858 881939, www.kilworthhouse.co.uk

Friday 27th - 30th May Featuring 40 real ciders straight from the barrel and locally crafted sausages including their own Pork & Ale, this is a lively festival full of great music at the Grainstore Brewery in Oakham.

01572 770065, www.grainstorebrewery.com

SPRING VEGETABLE WEEKEND

Saturday 14th - 15th May If you love growing your own food then Barnsdale is the place to be this weekend.

They are opening up all the productive areas that are normally off-limits to visitors.

01572 813200, www.barnsdalegardens.co.uk

ROCKINGHAM HORSE TRIALS

Friday 20th - 22nd May This event has a first class reputation amongst riders and visitors. The setting provides outstanding views looking out over Rutland and the course is praised for being varied, challenging and exciting for riders, plus providing easy viewing for spectators.

01536 770240, www.rockinghamcastlehorsetrials.com

Walking and Cycling Festival...

WALKING & CYCLING FESTIVAL

Saturday 21st May - 12th June If you appreciate walks with stunning views and an interesting history, be a part of the Rutland Walking & Cycling Festival.

There’s a full programme of different led walks and cycle rides to be found online and at Rutland Water.

03305 550080, www.rutlandcycling.com

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

OF MICE AND MEN

Monday 23rd - 28th May Set in America during the Great Depression, this play tells the story of George and Lennie, two migrant farm workers, who go in search of new beginnings, in the hope of attaining their shared dream: putting enough money together to buy land and build a home, £26 at the Curve in Leicester.

01162 423560, www.curveonline.co.uk

INVINCIBLE

Thursday 26th - 28th May Emily and Oliver have decided to downsize.

They invite neighbours, Dawn and Alan into their home. Over the course of the evening, class and culture collide. Tragic and hilarious show at Key Theatre, £16.

01733 207239, www.vivacity-peterborough.com

FIRST OSPREY CRUISE OF 2016

Saturday 28th May One of the most exciting ways of seeing Ospreys at Rutland Water is to take a guided trip with members of the project team aboard the Rutland Belle. Rutland Water are hosting the first of the year this month.

01572 770651, www.rutlandwater.org.uk

RAISE THE ROOF FOR LOROS

Sunday 29th May The 300-strong Singing for Fun choir returns to De Montfort Hall after a sell-out show in 2013 to Raise the Roof for LOROS. Also featuring a group of singers from Hall Orchard School, there will be something for everyone, up to £14.

01162 333111, www.demontforthall.co.uk

The Old Vicarage at Whissendine...

- THE NATIONAL GARDENS SCHEME -

TRESILIAN HOUSE

THE OLD VICARAGE

Nr Melton Mowbray LE14 2QZ Sunday 8th May Large garden re-established by a new owner between 2009 and 2012.

Beautiful blue cedar trees, excellent specimen tulip tree. Parts of the garden are original, others are reinstated with a variety of plants and bushes. Original bog garden and natural pond reinstated in 2015. Koi pond added in 2015.

Vegetable plot. Parts left uncultivated with wild cowslips and grasses.

Whissendine LE15 7HG Sunday 15th May A garden packed with variety. Terrace with topiary, a formal fountain courtyard and raised beds backed by small gothic orangery burgeoning with tender plants. Herbaceous borders surround the main lawn. Wisteria tunnel leads to new raised vegetable beds and large ornate greenhouse, four beehives, Gothic hen house plus six rare breed hens.

Nr Melton Mowbray LE14 2QZ Sunday 8th May Two large gardens, both with great views over High Leicestershire. Burrough House, in the middle of the village, has an extensive garden surrounding a former stone farmhouse.

Burley LE15 7SU Sunday 22nd May Country garden, planted for year round interest, including a walled garden producing fruit, herbs, vegetables and cut flowers, and also featuring a vine house.

BURROUGH GARDENS

THE OLD VICARAGE

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

Two unique sites and different styles of gaming.

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

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

Competitive Prices Private, corporate and open days catered for.

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

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Sharp

FOCUS How might one improve on perfection? It’s a tricky challenge, but one to which Aaron Patterson, of Rutland’s Hambleton Hall, has to rise. Having retained its Michelin accolade since 1982, the restaurant’s chef and his 15-strong brigade are now seeking a second star, and unveil brand new menus to achieve their aim...

Aaron Patterson is much admired in his profession. The Head Chef of Hambleton Hall has, since his arrival in 1992, succeeded in ensuring the restaurant retains its Michelin star, bringing not just the flair, but also the consistency this necessitates.

As it stands, the restaurant is ranked the 25th best restaurant in the UK, the third best dining room in the East Midlands (so says The Sunday Times). In addition to its Michelin award, diners are also assured of quality by way of the hotel’s four AA Rosettes and its continued presence in Rutland Pride’s annual Good Food Awards.

The hotel’s reputation in the area is also very strong and along with the rest of Rutland, I can tell you from personal experience that every single one of Hambleton Hall’s key people, from owners Tim & Stefa Hart to Aaron and his 15-strong brigade and, at front of house, Chris Hurst and Graeme Matheson, are absolutely lovely; committed to the comfort and satisfaction of their diners with no sense of sniffy elitism despite the obviously posh feel of the dining room, and only their customer’s happiness in mind.

You would be forgiven for thinking, then, that Aaron would be satisfied - not complacent, but at least quietly confident - with the experience he offers his diners. Apparently not.

Left: Poached Lincolnshire Smoked Eel with a Potato & Watercress Velouté .

The chef and his brigade are chasing a second Michelin star, and have recently revamped their menus to try to achieve what just 21 restaurants in the UK have managed - their second star.

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Left: Colwick Cheese Tortellino.

Below: The country house hotel was once home to parties attended by Nöel Coward.

“We set about creating a new menu of simpler, sharper dishes, honing in on one ingredient to create dishes with more focus, no less technically flawless, but less complex...”

“Having worked in the kitchens at Le Manoir, I was surprised by how much their style of food had changed during my absence.

It was simpler, but better for it. This sent a clear message that pared back food was in vogue once more.”

“We set about creating a new menu of simpler, sharper dishes, honing in on one ingredient to create dishes with more focus, no less technically flawless, but less complex.”

Despite new dishes, Aaron’s new menus are offered in the same formats as before.

There’s a Lunch for Less prix fixe menu from Monday to Friday comprising a brace of each course and dining for £26.50/two courses with a supplement of £6.50 for a third.

Below: The ‘sitooterie’ provides al fresco dining possibilities subject to the Great British weather proving agreeable.

“Over the winter months I toured many of the UK’s two-star Michelin restaurants, taking inspiration from their menus, looking at what they were doing, looking at how their experience compares to the experience offered at Hambleton Hall.”

With the words ‘nice work if you can get it’ on the tip of our tongue, we listened as Aaron described a whistlestop gastronomic pilgrimage. His tour took in the luminary dining rooms of The Connaught and Hibiscus on Mayfair, Buckinghamshire’s Hand & Flowers and Aaron’s alma mater, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons. It was there the chef worked under Messrs Mosimann and Blanc before returning to Rutland in 1992 and taking up a position at Hambleton Hall.

“It’s good to constantly look at what’s happening in the country’s smartest restaurant,” says Aaron. “There’s always an element of fashion to food and we wondered if perhaps we were becoming too complex.”

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À la carte dining commands £68/three courses and is available at lunchtime or in the evening, as is a tasting menu at £85/head comprising six courses. A Sunday lunch option at £55/head provides three courses and the chance to arrive early and spend time admiring Hambleton Hall’s lovely gardens, including its sitooterie, which is also available for al fresco dining should the English summer play ball.

Otherwise, there’s the choice of a smart main dining room or two private dining rooms.

New dishes necessarily meant new suppliers, so making a debut in the dining room is award winning beef from Aubrey Allen (suppliers to The Fat Duck and Manoir), as well as a Norfolk supplier of edible flowers like Mashua - a member of the nasturtium family with a horseradish/wasabi flavour employed in Aaron’s new beef fillet dish.

New dishes include Colwick Cheese Tortellini, Turbot with Eryngii Mushrooms and a glazed Granny Smith themed dessert.

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Main Course: Fillet of Wild Turbot with Smoked Bone Marrow & Eryngii Mushroom.

Main Course: Loin of Fallow Venison with Chocolate & Celeriac.

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Dessert: The Granny Smith.

“AFTER 35 YEARS, RUTLAND’S HAMBLETON HALL IS STILL EMINENTLY RECOMMENDABLE AND ALWAYS ENJOYABLE...” purpose of providing Hambleton Hall with its baked goods each day.

Whilst the restaurant is conspicuously fine dining, and prices are set accordingly, it’s impossible to argue with the value provided.

Elsewhere, it’s business as usual. Dining is very smart and priced as such - by no means outrageous, given the additional overheads that Hambleton Hall has as part of its policy of putting as much effort as possible into ensuring an experience worthy of two stars.

The brigade’s efforts extends to using a local forager who gathers ingredients like wild garlic, and to the maintenance of the restaurant’s kitchen garden which facilitates a summer signature dish of Hambleton Salad.

Then, there’s the bakery. In 2008 Hambleton Bakery was created by former pastry chef Julian Carter. Today, the bakery, just a mile or two away in Exton, has a keen retail customer base with six shops, as well as a wholesale trade. It also satisfies its original

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Hambleton Hall is also renowned for its calender of special events, with the month of May home to a New World and French wine tasting supper (Saturday 7th), whilst June sees a garden visit and luncheon (Tuesday 14th).

From amuse bouches to Zweilgelt (one of Hambleton’s lesser-known but good value wines; a light, spicy red at just £26/bottle), nothing about Hambleton Hall could possibly disappoint. With setting, cuisine and front of house all commensurate with the expectation that Michelin’s desirable accolades sets, it’s still, after 35 years, one of the county’s best dining rooms, eminently recommendable and always enjoyable.

Aaron succeeded in convincing us that with its fresh menu and sharper focus, Hambleton Hall is worthy of its second star, and though Aaron’s efforts won’t be ratified until its next inspection, we’re confident that we’ll be able to deliver the good news very soon.

Dessert: Golden Chocolate with Passion Fruit Sorbet and Honeycomb.

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Sample Menu Á la carte menu, £68/three courses STARTERS Colwick Cheese Tortellino

With Pumpkin Velouté.

Lincolnshire Eel

Smoked Lincolnshire Eel with Leek, Potato and Watercress.

Wood Pigeon

Breast of Wood Pigeon with Morel Mushroom and Almond Brioche.

MAIN COURSES Guinea Fowl

Guinea Fowl and Artichoke with Sour Cabbage and Spring Truffle.

Gloucester Old Spot

Gloucester Old Spot with Caramelised Fennel and Crackling.

‘Gourmet Corner’ Beef

£8/suppl

Fillet of Angus Beef Cooked on the Bone, Smoked Bone Marrow, Red Wine Sauce.

PUDDING Strawberries

Gariguette Strawberries with Champagne Sorbet and Hibiscus Tiramisu

Hambleton’s Tiramisu with Vanilla Ice Cream.

Cheese Option

£13.75 as fourth course

A Selection from the Cheese Board served with Bread from the Hambleton Bakery, Grapes & Celery.

Find Out More:

Hambleton Hall, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 8TH Tel: 01572 756 991 www.hambletonhall.com 45

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DINING

Above Par

Rutland Water Golf Course provides its members with excellent golfing, but even if you’re not keen on golf, you’ll still enjoy a dining experience that’s above par.

It’s especially good at this time of year with exceptional views from its balcony and a courtyard for al fresco dining or a pizza courtesy of a new stone-bake oven...

It was Churchill who described golf as ‘a good walk, ruined.’ Nothing, though, could ruin the dining experience at Rutland Water Golf Course, whether you’re a golfer, or not. Players and non-golfers alike are welcome at the club’s Courtyard Café, although we do take exception to the name, which implies the provision of café food rather than the full-blown restaurant dining that it actually delivers.

The course is located at Edith Weston and was created in 1992 before being extended in 2002, creating an 18-hole championship course. The clubhouse was added in 2008 and there were further improvements to its function room - a marquee-lined barn - last year with the addition of a dedicated entrance and facilities.

Main Course: Roast duck breast with dauphinoise potatoes, sprouting broccoli and pancetta-wrapped green beans.

This summer, too, sees a series of additional improvements including the creation of eight en suite rooms to satisfy the venue’s buoyant wedding reception trade, and improvements to the courtyard with the creation of a stone-bake al fresco pizza oven.

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Left: Sunday lunch service is from noon until 3pm.

Below: Trio of seafood sea bass, monkfish and cod in a saffron and cockle sauce.

Starter of goats cheese croquette.

Both of these changes mean that, regardless of whether golf is a particular avocation, you’re welcome to enjoy the food created by head chef Dan Ketteringham and Matthew Williamson, either in the 50-seater clubhouse, with its first floor restaurant providing a balcony with panoramic views over the reservoir, or in the courtyard itself, sheltered from the breeze.

There’s a robust provision of brunch items such as an all-day breakfast, and many options for lighter dining, with a trio of salads, five sandwiches or baguettes, and a few paninis.

From lunchtime though, there are ten options on the main menu, plus a blackboard with four additional main courses, which change daily to ensure regular diners enjoy a degree of variety and so Dan can take advantage of his ingredients’ seasonality.

Services is from Tuesday morning to Saturday evening, with an additional Sunday lunch trade from noon until 3pm.

Making its debut this summer is a menu of pizza options making good use of the new outdoor pizza oven. A dedicated pizza night with a free glass of wine is anticipated, with dates to be confirmed as Pride goes to press, and other summer dining nights - fish suppers and so on - to be held in the courtyard on various nights, as well.

A wealth of local suppliers ensures that nothing leaving The Courtyard’s kitchens has emerged from the freezer and been reheated.

Owner of the course, Steve Makey, farms the land around Edith Weston with his son Josh who has a rapeseed oil business and so a good deal of the fruit and vegetables used in the restaurant are grown in the immediate vicinity, subject to quality and availability throughout the year, whilst Nelsons Butchers

provide butchery and daily deliveries of fish, all of which ensures fresh ingredients and the best quality dishes.

During our visit, Dan was especially keen to show off his Sunday lunch, with roast beef - one of five main courses on a dedicated menu - homemade Yorkshire puddings the size of your fist, and al denté vegetables like our pancetta-clad green beans and glazed carrots.

From the main menu, we also enjoyed a starter of goats cheese croquette and main courses of chicken and chorizo with Mediterranean veg, a hoisin duck salad and trio of seafood with sea bass, monkfish and cod in a saffron and cockle sauce.

A ‘gourmet’ burger is a feature on most menus these days but Rutland Water Golf Course’s implementation is flawless with triple-cooked hand-cut chips, nicely seasoned and chunky, onion rings and coleslaw. This was accompanied by another of Rutland’s greats, a pint of Grainstore ale. >>

“Owner of the course, Steve Makey, farms the land around Edith Weston and so a good deal of the fruit and vegetables used in the restaurant are grown in the immediate vicinity..”

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Main Course: ‘Gourmet’ burger option with hand-cut chips, onion rings and coleslaw, with a pint of Grainstore ale.

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Tiers of Joy: Afternoon tea at £20/couple is a popular option during summer afternoons at the garden centre.

“It’s an exciting summer for us with new facilities for dining in the sunshine, and new accommodation...” premium wines, with front of house Matthew personally selecting wines that successfully mitigate quality and value. There’s also a choice of Grainstore cask and bottled ales.

>>

Dan also showed us around the domed pizza oven with a prosciutto, olive, rocket and pepper pizza, which had a lovely thin, crispy, floury base.

Desserts are, again, prepared in house by the chefs and included, during our visit, a French pear frangipane tart, accompanied by honeycomb crumb, a poached pear with raspberry sorbet and a chocolate tart with butterscotch sauce and salted caramel ice cream. It was the latter which held our attention most, with a texture that was just moist enough, and had a deep, rich, unctuous chocolately flavour... very sweet and very delicious indeed.

To accompany, The Courtyard offers a choice of two white, two red, a rosé and two

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“We’re conscious that because we’re a golf course, people think we’ll only welcome members or golfers,” says manager Gemma Wood. “But we’ve tried hard to create an environment that everyone will feel welcome in, one that will ensure everyone can enjoy the food our kitchen produces, as well as the setting and the views.”

“It’s an exciting summer for us with new facilities for dining in the sunshine, new accommodation and innovative menus.”

We’re in full agreement, and whether you’re seeking a game of golf in the sunshine or just the chance to sit with friends and enjoy morning coffee, a light lunch or evening dining, Rutland Water Golf Course is a dining experience that we’re definitely happy to recommend.

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Sample Menu Lunches

Club Sandwich Warm chicken breast, bacon, cheese, lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise, in toasted bread served with skinny fries.

Steak Ciabatta Wholegrain mustard mayonnaise, caramelised onions, rocket, chunky chips, beer battered onion rings.

£8.95

£10.95

Fish & Chips Chunky hand cut chips, mushy peas, tartare sauce.

£9.95

Specials Options Roast Duck Breast Roast duck breast with dauphinoise potatoes, sprouting broccoli and pancetta-wrapped green beans.

£call

Trio of Seafood Trio of sea bass, monkfish and cod in a saffron and cockle sauce.

£call

Something Sweet Frangipane French frangipane tart.

£call

Chocolate Torte Rich chocolate with butterscotch sauce and salted caramel ice cream.

£call

Rutland Water Golf Course Manton Road, Oakham, Rutland LE15 8HB

Tel: 01572 737525 Web: www.rutlandwatergolfcourse.co.uk 53

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Just Desserts...

- SAMPLE DISHES -

YOU’LL GET YOUR ‘JUST DESSERTS’ AT THE AREA’S RESTAURANTS AS WE LOOK AT SOME WONDERFUL THIRD COURSES FROM SOME OF THE COUNTY’S BEST RESTAURANTS...

wonderful

dining out

We’d love to hear of your restaurant recommendations.

If you’ve enjoyed a meal out recently, do let us know we’re always looking for restaurants to feature in Rutland Pride!

A FIRM FAVOURITE

The Coach House at South Luffenham present this fine dining version of a firm favourite, bread and butter pudding, with crème Anglaise.

01780 720166, coachhouserutland.co.uk

n Kilworth House’s Head Chef Max Faulkner presents this Valrhona chocolate dessert. It’s typical of the restaurant to serve beautiful looking and delicious food served in the Orangery Restaurant of the

n Lyddington’s Marquess of Exeter is one of the county’s best pub restaurants, headed up by well-known chef Brian Baker.

His surname is most apt here, evidenced by the rich chocolate torte and poached pear with home made stem ginger ice cream. It’s a wonderful rich dessert for chocoholics.

01572 822477 www.marquess exeter.co.uk.

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dining room at the Grade II listed Italianate country mansion, with its theatre and 44 bedrooms.

01858 880058 www.kilworthhouse.co.uk.

IT’S A PEACH

The White Horse at Baston presented this peach melba dessert with home made ice cream and berries during our visit. A typically delicious example of this friendly country pub restaurant’s home quality puddings.

01778 560923, thewhitehorsebaston.co.uk.

n Featured desserts are representative examples of our featured chefs’ skills... the menus of our featured restaurants change frequently so desserts are subject to availability. Check each restaurant’s website prior to your visit for an up-to-date menu.

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Come and join us for one of the Marquess Regulars FISH & CHIP FRIDAYS Take away fish & chips between 5-7pm

STEAK NIGHT SUNDAYS A range of delicious cuts including our popular Flat Iron Steak, with a glass of wine for just £30 for two

MARQUESS QUIZ First Sunday of each month we host a fantastic quiz with dinner for £12.50pp

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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TEA - AFTERNOON TEA -

r o f e m Ti

AN AFTERNOON TEA AT A COUNTRY HOUSE HOTEL IS SOMETHING TREASURED BY THE BRITISH, SO WE SUGGEST THE BEST PLACES TO ENJOY AFTERNOON TEA, THE BEST BREADS FOR FINGER SANDWICHES, AND THE DIFFERENT TEAS YOU CAN TRY...

Afternoon Tea. It’s a quintessentially British tradition that originated during the Victorian era, and is still something we adore today.

Nowadays, country estates and high quality restaurants offer afternoon tea. It’s considered a treat for special occasions like Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day.

But at the time, for the people who could afford to, it was more of a regular activity.

Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, is said to have complained about ‘that sinking feeling’ during the late afternoon. At the time, it was usual to have only two meals a day - breakfast and dinner - so the solution the Duchess came up with was to have a pot of tea and a light snack in her boudoir.

Later friends were invited to join her in her room at Woburn Abbey. She enjoyed it immensely, and when she moved back to London, she would even send cards inviting friends to ‘tea and a walk in the fields.’

Other social hostesses picked up on the idea and the activity became respectable enough to move it into the drawing room. Before long, all of fashionable society was sipping tea and nibbling sandwiches in the middle of the afternoon.

There’s a common confusion with afternoon tea often being referred to as being ‘high tea.’

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This was what servants of a large house ate at around 6pm, after the upstairs had been given their afternoon tea.

If you would like to enjoy this Victorian tradition, we have suggestions for the best estates and restaurants to do so. If you would like to enjoy afternoon tea in your own drawing room like the trend-setting Duchess, we have the best breads for finger sandwiches by Julian Carter, head baker at Hambleton Bakery, and the rules of afternoon tea by etiquette expert William Hanson.

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Easy & Elegant Finger Sandwiches...

If you’re planning on recreating your own afternoon tea at home, you’ll need to make the finest finger sandwiches to impress your guests.

We have filling tips, bread suggestions and easy instructions from Hambleton Bakery’s head baker Julian Carter, to help you fill the first tier.

The nation’s favourite fillings are, in the following order: smoked salmon & cream cheese, followed by egg mayonnaise & cress, chicken & mayonnaise and cucumber & cream cheese.

“There are a number of breads that I would suggest for finger sandwiches,” says Julian. “The first would be a white baton sourdough, good for bruschettas and open sandwiches.”

“A seeded date and walnut bread would be perfect for cheese and ham sandwiches. If you have a nut allergy, we also offer a 100% rye bread with coriander, another good bake for cheese and ham.”

“If you would like to try something a little different, Russian Borodinsky bread, is quite chewy like malt loaf, and delicious when thinly sliced with smoked salmon. Alternatively, try a toasted griddled muffin with smoked salmon.”

“Cucumber sandwiches - an afternoon tea must are best with our pure wholemeal nutty spelt. We also offer afternoon teacakes, something extra to add to your cake tier.”

With finger sandwiches, it isn’t just about the bread and the filling. Presentation is everything. The crusts must be cut off and the size of the sandwich should be ‘two fingers thick.’ This is a rule for making afternoon tea. Be careful not to press down too hard and squash the bread.

Make sure to butter your bread with softened butter or the bread will rip, and apply to both sides of the bread especially with wet spreads like mayonnaise or creme fraîche.

No one likes a dry tea sandwich - place moistened paper towels over any exposed bread lengths to keep it moist before serving. Slice the bread and cut the crusts off at the very last minute.

Main: Tiered afternoon tea at Stapleford Park, Melton Mowbray.

Opposite: Julian Carter, Head Baker at Hambleton Bakery, has just released an afternoon tea collection of cakes.

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Afternoon Etiquette

One does not simply eat afternoon tea.

According to William Hanson, etiquette expert, it’s a little more complicated than that. If you’ve been invited to an evening of afternoon tea round a friend’s house, you can’t go wrong by following William’s simple rules of tea...

n Tea: Add milk last. There really is no negotiation on this according to William. You don’t know how strong the tea is before pouring it into the cup.

“When you hold the teacup, do not lift your pinky or hook your finger through. The correct way is to rest the handle on your middle finger and allow your thumb and index finger to meet in the handle.”

“Never stir the tea in circular motions - back and forth motions are for the cognoscenti.”

n Finger Sandwiches: “They’re called this for a reason. Never eat them with cutlery. You can present them in triangles, rectangles or - as the royal household prefers - in small squares, but never large diagonal crosscuts. Those belong at petrol stations.”

n Scones: “Firstly, I have to address the correct pronunciation. It is always ‘skon’ and never ‘skone.’

They’re also broken with two hands and never cut by a knife. Strawberry is the traditional jam, but damson is probably the most sophisticated choice.”

“There is no questioning that you use clotted cream. It is entirely up to you as to which way round you would like to apply it, but the answer lies in whether you’re going Cornish or Devonian.

The former like to show off their cream by layering it on top of the jam, the latter apparently prefer their cream to seep into the warm scone below.”

“There are reports that some establishments serve scones with aerosol cream. In such an event, the etiquette is to alert the local council and have them closed down immediately.” William stresses that under no circumstance should a scone be sandwiched back together. n Cakes: These should be at the top of the cake stand, although it is popularly served the opposite way round with sandwiches at the top.

“There are no set rules for this tier, except the fact that they should be dainty and capable of being eaten in a few mouthfuls with fingers or with a small fork. Cupcakes are not part of a proper afternoon tea.”

See www.williamhanson.co.uk.

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- AFTERNOON TEA -

Have Your Cake & Eat it...

You can experiment with the cake tier. If you make a mean macaron or perfect profiteroles, then incorporate them by all means into your afternoon tea stand...

Equally, if your perfect bake is a Victoria sponge or black forest gateaux, include them but simply reduce the size perhaps baking them in a cupcake tray. We have some top suggestions on flavours to make this tier of the cake stand a massive success amongst guests.

A Cuppa Cake: Tea and coffee are becoming increasingly popular cake flavours. Our favourite has to be English lavender cake with

Earl Grey buttercream. With a little bit of purple food colouring and a sprig of lavender, they can be beautiful and delicious cakes.

You can’t go wrong with a slice of coffee cake either or espresso and white chocolate icing.

Chocoholics: If you and your friends are self-confessed chocoholics, profiteroles or mini slices of chocolate cake would be delicious. However, armagnac ganache truffled have to be our favourite chocolate petit four. They are bitter, smooth, and very adult chocolates that are not too sweet and have a delicate brandy flavour.

Creamy Cakes: They can be mini desserts if you want - you really have full freedom with this tier. The best creamy petit fours we found is bubblegum panna cotta. Bubblegum flavouring is available online and will surprise your guests. Mix it in with a classic panna cotta for a little bit of fun.

Left: Tiered afternoon tea at Gates Garden Centre.

Above: The team at Gates Garden Centre, Cold Overton.

Totally Tropical: Coconut, rum and pineapple are great flavours to add to a totally tropical petit fours. Pistachio and coconut snowballs are like tropical truffles, an Indian flavour that adds something a little different to your cake stand.

Plain and Simple: Plain biscuits like shortbread and madeleines break up the strong flavours of your other petit fours and fill the tier up easily.

If they’re a little too boring for you, madeleines dipped in chocolate or with a hint of ginger can make them a little more special.

Fruity Fancies: Tarts are pretty additions to your cake stand and generally taste delicious. Focus on one fruit like strawberries or mix a number of fruits together. Just make them mini. Maybe add a fruit flavour to a cake - lemon cake is a popular afternoon tea choice.

Macarons: This popular afternoon treat went soaring into baking fashion thanks to Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood. With a chewy centre and crispy crust, you can really experiment on the flavours of this delicious petit fours.

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- AFTERNOON TEA -

Rushton Hall’s oak-panelled Great Hall, the perfect location for afternoon tea

All The Tea in China...

You can’t have afternoon tea without the most important element - tea. Gate’s Garden Centre in Cold Overton offer a variety of different teas for you to sample with their afternoon tea. It might be nice to drink something a little different if your preference is simply a ‘proper English brew.’

There are five basic varieties of tea; white, green, oolong, black, and pu-erh. All types of tea begin with a tea leaf from the same plant, called Camellia sinensis. Here are some of the best from one of the best afternoon tea venues in the county...

Earl Grey - Earl Grey tea is a tea blend which has been flavored with the addition of oil of bergamot.

The Earl Grey blend, or Earl Grey’s Mixture, is assumed to be named after Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey, British Prime Minister in the 1830s and author of the Reform Bill of 1832. He reputedly received a gift, probably a diplomatic perquisite, of tea flavoured with bergamot oil.

Darjeeling - Darjeeling tea is a tea from the Darjeeling district in West Bengal. A thin-bodied, light coloured infusion with a floral aroma. The flavour can include a tinge of astringent tannic characteristics and a musky spiciness sometimes described as muscatel.

Chamomile - Chamomile tea is made from dried chamomile flowers. There are two main types of chamomile that are used to produce the tea, German chamomile and Roman chamomile.

Chamomile tea is also a digestive relaxant.

Green Tea - Green tea is made from Camellia sinensis leaves that have undergone minimal oxidation during processing. Green tea originated in China, but its production has spread to many countries in Asia.

Red Bush - Linearis leaves are used to make a herbal tea called rooibos or bush tea or redbush tea. The product has been popular in Southern Africa for generations and is now consumed in many countries.

You don’t have to try all of the tea in China in your afternoon - if you’re a lover of Yorkshire Tea, PG Tips, Tetley or Typhoo, that will go down just as well if you’re wanting to make your afternoon tea at home.

But if you’re seeking a new brew, these remain our recommendations from Gate’s Garden Centre. n For more information, visit call 01664 454309, or see www.gatesgardencentre.co.uk.

Top/Right: The great hall at Rushton Hall, Kettering, where afternoon tea is served.

Bottom/Right: Afternoon tea with champagne at Kilworth House Hotel.

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Kilworth House’s afternoon tea in the Orangery

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Afternoon Tea around Rutland...

Barnsdale Lodge: Their afternoon tea menu features toasted tea cakes, homemade cakes, Barnsdale cream tea £7.50 - including scones - and Barnsdale farmhouse tea - including sandwiches, scones and a selection of cakes £12.75. They serve afternoon tea with a selection of hot drinks or Brut Baron de Marck NV champagne. n Served from 3.30pm - 6pm, 01572 724678, www.barnsdalelodge.co.uk.

Barnsdale Lodge

Stapleford Park: Traditional afternoon tea £25 traditional finger sandwiches, followed by a selection of warm scones served with clotted cream and homemade strawberry preserve, accompanied with a selection of cakes and sweet pastries.

Champagne afternoon tea £36.50 - includes the traditional afternoon tea with a glass of their house champagne. n Served from 2.30pm - 5pm, 01572 787000, www.staplefordpark.com.

Stapleford Park Rushton Hall: Traditional afternoon tea £25, which includes freshly baked plain and fruit scones with clotted cream and strawberry preserve, cakes and patisseries, a selection of finger sandwiches and a pot of tea or coffee. Alternatively,

Rushton Hall you can order traditional champagne afternoon tea £35 which is served with a glass of Laurent Perrier Champagne. n Served from 1.30pm - 4pm, 01536 713001, www.rushtonhall.com.

Gates Garden Centre: Afternoon tea for two is served at Gates Garden Centre with finger sandwiches with different fillings, fruit and plain scones, Cornish clotted cream and preserve, cakes and large pot of tea £19.95. Cakes include a homemade mini-Victoria sponges, a caramel & pecan cake and raspberry brülée cakes.

Dine in their spacious café and restaurant. n Served from 2pm - 4pm, 01664 454309, www.gatesnurseries.co.uk.

Kilworth House Kilworth House: There is a generous range of sandwiches, scones, cakes and pastries, plus ten different varieties of tea in Kilworth House’s afternoon tea selection. For a more modern twist, you can also opt for coffee or hot chocolate. Best of all, you can take afternoon tea anywhere from your room to the library. Wherever you choose, they will bring it to you, arranged on a large, three-tiered stand. They only serve full afternoon tea in The Orangery. If the Orangery is not available the full afternoon tea will be served in the Wordsworth room. n Served from 2pm - 6pm, 01858 880058, www.kilworthhouse.co.uk.

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THIS MONTH WE’VE COMBINED TWO BEAUTIFULLY FRESH INGREDIENTS TO CREATE TWO DISHES PACKED FULL OF FLAVOUR. SALMON AND ASPARAGUS WORK SO WELL TOGETHER AS A SUMMER SALAD OR AS A DELICIOUS GARDEN PARTY CANAPÉ...

ASPARAGUS AND SMOKED SALMON SALAD INGREDIENTS

SERVES 2

FOR THE SALAD: 1 PACK OF BRITISH ASPARAGUS TIPS • 135G WATERCRESS AND SALAD LEAVES • 100G SMOKED SALMON • 2 PRE-COOKED BEETROOTS, CUT INTO EIGHTHS • FOR THE DRESSING: 3 TBSP HORSERADISH CREAM • 2 TBSP YOGHURT • 1 TSP WHITE WINE VINEGAR • BLACK PEPPER TO SEASON • 1 LEMON, JUICED •

This salad is a gorgeous starter for spring or summer, and the horseradish gives it a perfect kick against the soft silky asparagus.

It’s a fabulous combination.

Place the British asparagus tips into a pan of boiling water and cook for three to four minutes.

Meanwhile assemble the salad leaves and watercress onto two small plates and lay on the smoked salmon.

Add the beetroot. Then drain the British asparagus tips and lay on top of the salad.

Finally mix the dressing ingredients together and drizzle over the salad with lots of black pepper over the top. Finish with the lemon juice.

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ASPARAGUS WITH SALMON AND GINGER DRESSING INGREDIENTS

SERVES 4

• 1 TBSP FRESH GINGER GRATED • 2 CLOVES GARLIC, CRUSHED • OIL FOR FRYING • 50ML DRY SHERRY • 2 TBSP SOY SAUCE • 2 BUNDLES BRITISH ASPARAGUS • 200G SMOKED SALMON SLICES • FRESH CORIANDER TO SERVE • 1 RED CHILLI SLICED • 1 LIME CUT INTO WEDGES •

Fry the ginger and the garlic in oil for 2-3 minutes then add the sherry and soy. Once the mixture has reduced slightly leave to cool for a few minutes.

Trim the ends of the asparagus and coat with a little oil, cook on a pre-heated griddle pan for 4-5 minutes turning until cooked through but still retaining some bite.

Cut the smoked salmon into 2cm thick strips and wrap around the asparagus spears.

Drizzle over the soy dressing.

Garnish with chilli and coriander leaves.

Serve with a wedge of lime.

n We recommend buying your salmon fresh from Otters Smokehouse and Deli on Mill Street, 01572 756481, www.ottersfinefoods.co.uk.

Asparagus

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AL FRESCO

Recipes: British Asparagus, www.britishasparagus.com or call 01779 247220.

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The Wine

This month the wunderkind of wine, Harish Khanderia, presents all things bright and beautiful - a selection of lighter wines which are more suitable for spring.

From dinner parties with lighter dishes to spring barbecues these are easy drinking, not too arduous...

1. Muscadet Sèvre-Et-Maine D'or £11.30

Bright aromas of apple and lemon peel with some minerality. Crisp, dry palate with vibrant fruit flavours.

Sauvion is a well established Loire producer that, while offering a négociant range from the appellations along this great river, specialises in Muscadet, where the family’s Château de Cléray is based. The new generation is represented by Pierre-Jean Sauvion, who joined the business in 2004 and is now the oenologist.

2. Metal Label, Vermentino, Australia £11.75

This wine is pale lemon in colour and bursting with tropical fruit aromas, which follow through on to the palate. It is so refreshing with its vibrant acidity that one glass is never enough!

3. Nebbiolo D’Alba Occhetti £21.85

This single-vineyard Nebbiolo offers an elegant nose with hints of raspberries and roses. On the palate, it is full and harmonious with a long, positive finish.

4. Dopff Au Moulin, Gewurztraminer £17.49

Decanter World Wine Award winner; silver, 2015.

An expressive, classic nose of rose petal, jasmine and exotic fruits carries into an elegant, off-dry wine with notes of candied fruit and spices.

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Cellar...

Left: Harish of Oakham Wines won our Food Hero of the Year award in Rutland Pride’s 2015 food awards, carefully selected by our readers.

5. Neil Ellis Vineyard Selection, Pinotage £19.99

Few South African winemakers have done more to champion elegance and terroir than Neil Ellis. His winemaking career spans four decades, and he bottled the first wines under the Neil Ellis label in 1986. Since 2006 he has been joined by his son Warren, who looks after both winemaking and viticulture. Pristine red fruit, plum and cherry aromas with subtle hints of tobacco lead to a generous yet neatly balanced palate that sets a new standard for poise in Pinotage.

6. Château de la Perrière, Brouilly £14.95

This estate was founded by a solicitor, Antoine Brac, in 1631. Four generations of Bracs built it up from under a hectare to its present size of fifteen hectares.

This juicy Brouilly shows a fine spectrum of fruit, especially raspberries, Morello cherries and blackcurrants.

7. Pineau Des Charentes Blanc, 10 Years Old £29.99

Aperitif or after dinner wine with five grape varieties plus the fragrances of old cognacs. Superb dessert wine which will suit chocolate especially well. Reserved 10 years in oak, full, delicate and mellow.

Orange bark, fruit stone and gingerbread, with a bergamot finish.

n Each of our wines have been recommended by Rutland Food Hero, Harish Khanderia of Oakham Wines - visit Harish on High Street, Oakham LE15 6AH. Call 01572 757124 or visit www.oakhamwines.co.uk.

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- HOMES -

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No Place Like

HOLME

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOLME LODGE. THIS 120 YEAR OLD PROPERTY IS JUST ON THE BORDER OF LEICESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND. IT FEATURES BEAUTIFUL FORMAL GARDENS, BARNS, STABLES AND A PADDOCK STRETCHING ACROSS AN ACRE. CURRENT OWNERS JOANNA AND ROY JORDAN HAVE ENJOYED LIVING HERE FOR THE PAST 13 YEARS, AND ARE SAD TO BE LEAVING THEIR HOME...

Words: Tilly Wilkinson.

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There’s no place like Holme Lodge.

Nestled in the beautiful village of Goadby on the border of Leicestershire and Rutland, this late Victorian property has been the home of Roy and Joanna Jordan for the past 13 years.

The couple have lived in the Midlands for over 25 years, originally coming to the area for its location, allowing Joanna to commute to London easily via train and Roy to work in the area.

“The property was perfect for us,” says Joanna. “It acted as a countryside retreat for the both of us once we had finished work; Goadby is an oasis of calm and peacefulness, away from the congestion of our places of work.”

“It was also a substantial well-proportioned family home. It was a little out-of-date - we spent a considerable amount of time removing the anaglypta from the walls - but it was a very habitable home when we first moved in.”

Above: The dining room features a large window with a magnificent view over the gardens, original flooring and a feature fireplace.

Main: The drawing room with open fireplace and views across the formal gardens.

“The property was perfect for us,” says Joanna. “It acted as a countryside retreat for the both of us once we had finished work - our own oasis...”

“Once we were living in Holme Lodge, we made a few changes. We reconfigured the first floor to accommodate two en-suites and one family bathroom. Our main aim was to preserve the personality of this period property. We wanted to keep the character of the house intact.”

Holme Lodge was built 120 years ago for the ancestors of Baron Hazlerigg of nearby Noseley Hall and occupies a prominent position in the centre of the village.

“There’s a certain elegance about living here,” says Joanna. “And the fabric of the house has a certain 19th century charm about it, down to the old servants’ bells still in the kitchen.”

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“We tried to update its style without destroying this charm; we wanted to maintain it more than anything. We changed the modern doors the previous owners had installed with older more substantial doors that suited the period better. We updated the style of the five bedrooms and modernised the three bathrooms (two of which are en suites).

The rest we simply furnished to suit our taste and style.”

Downstairs there is a well-proportioned drawing room and dining room, perfect for entertaining. Joanna said that the house comes to life at Christmas, providing a great space for festivities.

There’s also the kitchen, the ante-room, and breakfast room, a TV room/library which is the most used room in the house, a downstairs cloakroom larder and utility.

“There are some slightly unusual features to our property. There are a number of wells that were used right up to the 80s by the

Above: One of the five bedrooms to the property.

Main: The principal bedroom with en suite with neutral tones and views across the garden and the wide open countryside.

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“It’s so great to go on long walks knowing you’ve not left the land you own - that’s quite meaningful...” previous owners and by our neighbours.

There’s also three stables, a barn and a paddock which is about an acre and is accessed through a gate from our formal gardens.”

“We planted a few apple trees around the paddock. The gardens and the paddocks are a real luxury. We love the space and we use it regularly.”

“It’s so great to get out for a stroll in the gardens and paddock. If you’ve a family with youngsters or dogs there is so much freedom for them without leaving your own property – there’s something meaningful about that for us.”

“When we first moved, we loved the fact that the house had equestrian facilities with the

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thought that we would buy a horse for our daughter. Unfortunately, we sent our daughter off to lessons, soon to discover she was terribly allergic to horses and most animals! But for the next owners, if you would like to keep horses, the facilities are all there.”

“The gardens are beautiful and we spend a lot of time in the garden. In the spring and summer, it’s just a lovely place to be. Great for unwinding after a day in the office.

There are lovely views of open countryside throughout Goadby and your’re a short walk from excellent local pubs too.”

The garden is largely laid to lawn with

Above: The beautiful gardens at Holme Lodge largely laid to lawn with herbaceous borders framing the perfectly manicured lawn. A great space for entertaining in summer months.

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herbaceous borders and more formal gardening at the front of the property.

“We are leaving the property to move to the south coast. We’ve lived in the midlands for 25 years now so it will take some adjusting but our young granddaughter lives there so we’re moving to spend more time with her.

We will miss the property tremendously but hopefully the next owners will enjoy Holme Lodge as much as we have.”

“I think the next owners will appreciate the gardens just as much as the house. They both have their benefits.”

The stable block, paddock and barn are ideal for horse lovers but equally, together with the adjacent hard standing, they could be candidates for re-configuring, with the appropriate consents.

The couple are sad to be leaving Holme Lodge after spending the past 13 years of their lives here, but Roy and Joanna feel they need to move closer to family.

Holme Lodge, Goadby

Location: 14 miles from Oakham and Leicester, 9 miles from Uppingham and Market Harborough, 1 hour via train to St Pancras International, London.

Style: A substantial late Victorian property in a peaceful village with great links to cities and towns.

Receptions: Five, arranged as breakfast room, living kitchen, dining room, sitting room and drawing room.

Beds: Five, two with en suites.

Other Features: A barn, stables and one acre paddock.

Guide Price: £850,000.

Find Out More:

Estate Agency: Strutt & Parker.

Tel: 01858 433123

Web: www.struttandparker.com.

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LUXURY

f o k o o L e Th

LOOKING AHEAD TO HIGH SUMMER WE’VE SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR STYLING YOUR HOME IN ACCORDANCE TO THE LATEST TRENDS - FROM LUXE TO BOTANICALS, FROM ON TREND INDIGO TO ALL THINGS BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL, FROM RUTLAND’S INTERIORS SPECIALISTS...

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W

e really are seeing some super trends emerging for spring and summer 2016 properties.

The county’s interior designers are now in possession of the new collections from leading fabric houses, reflecting a wealth of trends for the new season:

LOOKING FOR LUXE Luxe is best characterised by sumptuous, luxurious iridescent fabrics like velvet, macassar or gloss woods, the odd use of black and flashes of silver, copper or gold.

The scheme works well in formal reception rooms and bedrooms, where mixing materials and bringing a tactile feel to soft furnishings can give a room a plush, warm, comfortable feel.

WARM NEUTRALS The trend towards cold grey tones has fallen a little out of favour, with preference now shown towards warmer neutrals.

These are also paired with stronger, more cheerful colours - a splash of colour to break up a scheme that can otherwise appear a bit bland.

Plain, brightly coloured fabrics in purple, pink and lime green work well against more subtle coloured fabrics with busy patterns featuring flowers, birds and animals.

Some prints verge on being gaudy, but larger rooms can easily take elements from a grand, flamboyant look, and at the highest end of the market, Designer’s Guild’s ombre wallcoverings and huge floral prints look especially dramatic.

FEELING BLUE More reserved colours and neutral grey or beige schemes will always be popular with homeowners seeking a scheme which isn’t too daring.

Other colour like red and sage will always be popular in a rural county like Rutland. But if there’s one ‘on trend’ colour, it’s blue.

Little Greene Paint Company has launched a special 2016 colour palette consisting entirely of blue, with strong dramatic indigos, and China blue wallcoverings with white line drawings.

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Look to incorporate burnt orange, pink or other cheerful colours and pair alongside bright pure white for as much contrast as possible between white and a warmer beige colour. Pops of one or two colours and a mix of several fabrics from one collection will create a calm but coherent look.

NURTURING NATURE We’ve been banging on about botanicals for months now, but the trend sees no sign of subsiding especially in Stamford and Rutland where rural properties thrive on a scheme which reflects our rural location whilst also modernising it a little too.

Left: Furleys of Oakham’s Jonathan Charles Metropolitan art deco bed in faux anthracite and glossy macassar wood.

Right: Sarah Harding of Uppingham recognises neutrals, paired with cheerful pops of colour as a trend, with Romo’s Saphira Blush shown here.

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“LEAFY PRINTS AND TROPICAL MOTIFS LIKE THIS BRING STRONG ELEMENTS OF COLOUR TO LARGE RECEPTION ROOMS, JUXTAPOSING BRIGHT WHITE WITH DRAMATIC COLOUR...”

Top: Voyage, stocked by companies like Stamford’s J&L Ball.

Below/Right: Throw

by Designer’s Guild in Tulipani, graphite colourway RRP £250.

Designer’s Guild Margherita Damson Cushion RRP £99, Voyage Rapunzel cushion £56.50.

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Far Right: White linen and botanical print scatter cushions in Jane Churchill’s Calcyon (lime; pink) and Maracatu (print).

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This Page: Whimsical oriental prints - an alternative or supplement to botanical schemes with the same dramatic pops of colour. Shown here is Clarke & Clarke’s Anatolia. Three striking patterns, combined with a soft, distressed semi-plain chenille in a wide variety of modern shades. Intricately woven and reminiscent of ancient kilim rugs from Turkey.

Ideal in a scheme with an oriental rug from Oakham Rugs in The Maltings just off Mill Street, or The Rug Studio, High Street, Uppingham.

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Above: Harlequin Palmetto is a luxe scheme with Lovers Knot wallpaper in russet colourway.

Ivory, pebble, truffle and seaglass also available in the same collection.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED IN RUTLAND and STAMFORD Elizabeth Stanhope 27 Mill St, Oakham, Rutland LE15 6EA, 01572 722345, www.elizabeth stanhope.co.uk.

Left: Indigo is an on trend colour for this year, with companies like Little Greene presenting a range of Blue paints and 20th Century Wallcoverings.

Shown here is Zoffany’s Akaishi collection; Atmosfera wallpaper available in midnight/copper or gold/pewter.

Top: Hannah Turcan, at Furleys on Oakham’s High Street, presents this black display cabinet with circular door pattern with sunburst mirror in gold and white & blue linen curtains.

Right: Elizabeth Stanhope Interiors presents centre cushion in Antoinette (dawn colourway) and Cavalier (Armour) and Liquid (Indigo).

Furleys 7 High St, Oakham, Rutland LE15 6AH, 01572 755539, www.furleys.co.uk.

J&L Ball 16 North St, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 1EH, 01780 481416, www.jandlball.co.uk.

Sarah Harding Interiors 6 Market St, Uppingham, LE15 9QH, 01572 823389, www.sarahharding interiors.co.uk.

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Finding Hidden Gems Professional Property Finder, Kate Vincent, discusses some of the most popular places to buy in the East Midlands and suggests other areas which sometimes get overlooked What makes one village popular and another lacking appeal? Naturally, the attractiveness of the buildings, location away from noise and proximity to commuter links or local amenities all play a key role in boosting the appeal of a location, however, these factors are not all important.

The East Midlands is fortunate enough to have very few blights and it is therefore surprising that some homebuyers can on occasions be fickle when choosing where to buy. Indeed, it appears that ‘fashion’, and what’s ‘in-trend’, plays an important role in deciding a property’s market value and saleability.

these desirable idylls are not without their shortcomings; most are over 30 minutes’ drive to a mainline station, thus making a daily commute to a major city challenging, some have busy, and at times, noisy A-roads passing nearby and residents of Hambleton need to be prepared to share their rural retreat in summer with hundreds of walkers and tourists. Properties in these locations also attract hefty price tags and aspiring buyers should be prepared to wait some time for an attractive family home, particularly if it is a period property with substantial outdoor space, to come on to the market and be ready to act decisively.

Hambleton and other popular hotspots

Balancing a budget with expectations

Other popular hotspots include Empingham, Easton on the Hill, Manton, Burley on the Hill, and parts of Edith Weston. Be aware however,

As a general rule, it seems that south Rutland, north and east of Stamford are deemed less desirable and so typically less expensive. Further afield, south Nottinghamshire often offers more for your money and the large houses with several acres of land for sale around Grantham are often at prices not seen in Rutland for over a decade. All of these areas offer beautiful countryside, peaceful surroundings, attractive

Based on the price paid per square foot alone, Hambleton is the beacon of the region. This tiny village, squeezed onto the Hambleton peninsula and offering many homeowners rare (certainly in the East Midlands land-locked area) views of the expansive water in the guise of Rutland reservoir. There is an attractive mix of period stone houses and cottages, inter-dispersed with the occasional modern addition and a few dated properties. Residents can enjoy the hospitality of The Finch’s Arms or Hambleton Hall, within a few minutes’ walk down country lanes to the water’s edge and enjoy a buzzing local community.

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For those buyers looking to optimise space for their budget, there are a number of alternative areas that are similar to the premium locations described above. Whilst a number of these are considered by some to be ‘less fashionable’, they may as a result, offer more property options for your money.

Kate Vincent Garrington

houses and more often than not, good access to mainline train stations such as Peterborough, Kettering and Grantham.

In the current market there are a number of properties growing ‘stale’ from lengthy marketing exposure and gaining an unfair reputation that there is something wrong with them. However, professional property finders have the ability to identify which areas offer hidden gems and good value; especially as vendors begin to accept more modest offers in exchange for an understanding of a property’s shortcomings.

For open minded buyers willing to consider objective advice, working with an experienced property finder can not only help find ‘best of breed’ homes in popular locations, but also remove the haze surrounding a typical home search and highlight exciting new locations offering untapped potential.

If you are considering your moving options in 2016 and would like further information on potential locations and how Garrington can save you time and money making the right decisions, contact Kate Vincent to arrange a no obligation meeting: Tel: 01780 408377 Email: info@garrington.co.uk www.garringtoneastmidlands.co.uk

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All Things Bright &

BEAUTIFUL Sarah Furness, the newly appointed High Sheriff of Rutland, shares her garden with us this month, comprising a stunning fountain garden with immaculate parterre, a handmade greenhouse and hen house, and a beautiful lawn area. This is the perfect spot for afternoon tea when Sarah opens her garden for the National Garden Scheme in May...

Words: Tilly Wilkinson.

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Colour. It’s a concept that has been dearly missed by avid Rutland gardeners over the past season, and we’re finally starting to see floods of colour re-enter borders and beds.

One garden which is simply bursting with brightness at this time of year is The Old Vicarage’s garden in Whissendine, owned by passionate gardener and new High Sheriff of Rutland, Sarah Furness.

Sarah was very recently declared the High Sheriff of Rutland on the 7th April taking over from Andrew Brown. Sarah and her husband Peter, a Professor of Renal Pathology, have worked hard at transforming their garden into the paradise you see today, trimming topiary, planting bulbs and even constructing fountains and greenhouses.

“I have to dedicate some of the major parts of the garden to my husband,” says Sarah.

“Amongst his many hobbies, he enjoys woodwork so he built the greenhouse.”

“We have some beautiful Victorian newel posts in our house which he replicated for the support beams of the greenhouse. He left the builders to do the stone and brickwork.

He also cut all the panes of glass for the roof into ‘fishscale’ shapes so that when it rains, the water runs off the glass minimising contact with the wood.”

“He also made the criss-cross gothic arched front of the little orangery. I fill this with plants and orange and lemon trees. There’s the hen house and run too, which he has also designed, replicating the roof pattern from the stonework on Burghley House. He takes great pride in the work he’s done for the garden and he has a great amount of skill.”

“In fact jokingly, many people have said that they wouldn’t mind living in the hen house!

He’s created it to such a high standard.

We try to create something new every year for the garden.”

While Peter is busy building and constructing key elements of the garden at The Old Vicarage, Sarah finds solace in

horticulture. She has a true passion for gardening and is looking forward to spending summer days in her green space.

“In May you’ll see a lot of fruit blossom in the garden hopefully,” says Sarah. “We have crab apple and quince blossom which was perfect for our daughter’s wedding held here last year. Her cake was displayed just below the blossom; a very beautiful sight.”

“There will also be an abundance of tulips; I think I’ve planted over a thousand this year. I have to visit my osteopath regularly in November as you can imagine!”

“There will also be alliums and plenty of camassias, a beautiful blue flower, also dotted throughout the garden. It’s hard to judge what else will be out as the timings vary with the weather. I’ve set the NGS Open Day to the 15th May because I know that if spring flowers come out too early, there will still be plenty of colour for people to see.”

Sarah and Peter have had to work hard to get the standard of the garden to where it is today. It was a paddock before they arrived with a vegetable patch right in the centre and weeds covering the grass.

“Our first year in the house was a very laborious one. While my 18 month old daughter was sleeping, I was outside painting enormous weeds with weedkiller! I think that’s what has made it so special for us really - it’s a labour of love and it’s taken a lot of hard work for us to get the garden to its current standard.”

“The theme we were looking for was a garden that looks great all year round even without the colour during the summer months. We wanted an exuberant country garden full of pleasant scents that suited the house; nothing too contemporary.”

“What I really love in the summer is the huge roses we get that I planted they seem to drip out of the trees. They have such a strong and beautiful scent to them and I think that’s an important characteristic.

“Many people have jokingly said that they wouldn’t mind living in the hen house! He’s created it to such a high standard...”

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Photo Credit: Andrew Billington.

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I feel like we’ve fulfilled our goal when we were first presented with the weed-filled paddock and awkward vegetable patch!”

We feel the couple have without a doubt fulfilled their mission - it’s a stunning country garden bursting with exuberance a definite turnaround from what they started with.

“The garden has quite a history and we’ve tried to delve into it as much as possible,” says Sarah. “There are records dating back to the 1700s where there was a ‘little flower garden at the front.’ We believe the patch of land our house sits on would’ve belonged to the church as a vicarage dating back to the 12th/13th century (when the church was built).”

“The paddock and the vegetable patch would’ve been started for the war for the Dig for Victory campaign.”

“We have some fantastic images of people playing croquet on the lawn, having tennis parties and enjoying picnics. This is a tradition we try to keep upThe annual Whissendine Safari supper starts in our garden with Pimms and canapes.”

Sarah will open her garden for the National Garden Scheme on 15th May between 2pm and 5pm. Admission to the garden is £4 and children can enter for free.

“I absolutely love opening my garden for the National Garden Scheme, it’s a real delight.

We usually get people queuing up outside of the house! It’s just so nice to see so many people enjoying the garden and it’s nice to talk to people all with a mutual interest in horticulture.”

“Getting ready is quite exhausting but it is worth it in the end! A local nursery to sets up a little plant stall which attracts more visitors and to raises a little more for charity.

After visitors have enjoyed a stroll around the garden, they head over to the church.”

“The ladies at the church are wonderful they make teas and coffees, delicious cakes and scones for visitors to enjoy. When it’s sunny, we usually get people drinking their afternoon tea outside on the lawn area.

Hopefully we get even more visitors this year.”

“I couldn’t say what my favourite area of the garden was, I’m very passionate about it so

“The ladies at the church are wonderful; they make teas and coffees, cakes and scones for visitors to enjoy. When it’s sunny, people enjoy afternoon tea outside on the lawn, which is always nice to see...”

I love all of it. But if I had to pick, the fountain garden is quite beautiful in the summer. I also love the drooping roses that hang through the trees. The smells they produce are magnificent.”

“What’s so great about gardening is the anticipation. The garden is constantly transforming and the excitement of seeing what’s next to arrive is what I love; the constant anticipation.”

n For more information on Sarah’s garden or to find other gardens you can visit in the county, visit www.ngs.org.uk. The Old Vicarage is in Whissendine LE15 7HG.

Above: Sarah Furness, the new High Sheriff of Rutland and owner of the Old Vicarage in Whissendine.

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OVERSIZED CLOCKS , MIRRORS, URNS , PLANTERS, FOUNTAINS, PRE LOVED FINDS, LIGHTING, DISPLAY DOMES, SHELVES, HOOKS & MORE BESIDES...

ELIZABETH & STEVENS GARDEN ORNAMENTS, FURNITURE AND ARCHITECTURAL GAZEBOS, VISIT ELIZABETH & STEVENS AND BE INSPIRED

The Showrooms, Great North Road, Markham Moor, Retford DN22 0QU Telephone: 01636 822000 www.elizabethandstevens.com Open daily Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm.

Just oямА the A1. Free parking.

Please call us if you are making a special journey

ANTIQUE BITS AND BOBS, BRONZE SCULPTURE, BENCHES, GARDEN RETRO, CANDLES, LEATHER CHAIRS, RECYCLED WOODEN TABLES & CHAIRS,

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SUPER CUSHIONS, BAR & GLASS WEAR, PICTURES, ART,

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Your Great British garden begins with a visit to Gates...

All you need to create a beautiful garden this summer - and a great day out too!

Gates Nurseries

& Garden Centre Somerby Road, Cold Overton, LE15 7QB 01664 454309 | www.gatesgardencentre.co.uk

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n e d r a G e In Th SIX JOBS FOR MAY FROM LAVISHING SOME LOVE ON YOUR LAWN TO PLANTING SUMMER FLOWERING BULBS, IT’S TIME TO GET YOUR GROWING GOING...

Chive Talking It’s a bumper month for making the most of your kitchen garden. Sow herbs like chives, coriander, dill and parsley, as well as salad leaves, spring onions, watercress and peas. Sow brassicas, cabbage, brussels and peas into the ground too.

Nurturing Nasturtiums Direct sow nasturtiums in your summer borders, or in pots and containers to brighten up a terrace.

Grow Tropaeolum minus or majus as part of a kitchen garden, to add a peppery flavour to salads.

Salvia Salvation

Growing in a Greenhouse

One of the brightest and bushiest additions to your summer bedding is Salvia.

Its aromatic foliage grows up to five feet tall. Good for well-drained soil, with new growth each spring.

Foxgloves, sweet william, wallflowers and other biennials can all be planted in seed trays.

Setting Sunflower Seeds The sight of sunflowers is a cheery one in midsummer. They can be set in their final growing position now from seed - an ideal project for the children to get involved with, perhaps as part of a competition with siblings - who can grow the tallest sunflower?

Get Trim for Summer...

If you’ve not yet completed the first cut of the season, now’s the time! Make sure your mower is professionally serviced, cut once with the blades reasonably high, then a little closer for a finer cut.

Hedging will benefit from a short back and side right now, too. ‘Multi-tool’ garden machines provide interchangeable, long-reach chainsaw pruners, brushcutters and hedge trimmers.

n Our recommended Garden Centres are Gates Nurseries, Cold Overton, 01664 454309, www.gatesnurseries.co.uk, and Downtown Garden Centre at Downtown, Gonerby Junction, Grantham 01476 590239.

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GROW?

How does your garden GARDENERS ALL OVER OUR COUNTY ARE HOSTING OPEN DAYS FOR THE NATIONAL GARDENS SCHEME TO RAISE MONEY FOR CHARITY, SHARE EXPERIENCE WITH OTHERS, AND LET THE LOCALS ENJOY THE TRANQUILITY OF THEIR GARDENS...

Words: Tilly Wilkinson.

TRESILIAN HOUSE

BURROUGH GARDENS

HAMMOND ARBORETUM

A garden that’s just under an acre with beautiful blue cedar trees and an excellent specimen tulip tree. Parts of the garden are original, others are reinstated with a variety of plants and bushes.

Two large gardens, both with magnificent views. Burrough House, in the middle of the village, has an extensive garden surrounding a former stone farmhouse with stunning views over the surrounding countryside.

This is a site of just under two and a half acres containing an unusual collection of trees and shrubs, many from Francis Hammond’s original planting dating from 1913 to 1936 whilst headmaster of the school.

Admission £2.50, children free.

Melton Mowbray LE13 0BQ

Burrough Hall, outside the village between Somerby and Burrough, was built in 1867 as a classic hunting lodge. The garden, framed by mature trees and shrubs, was extensively redesigned by garden designer George Carter.

It consists of extensive lawns, mixed borders, a vegetable garden and woodland.

1st May, 3rd July, 28th August

The original bog garden and natural pond was reinstated in 2015 and the Koi pond was added. There’s a vegetable plot, and parts of the garden are left uncultivated with wild cowslips and grasses. Owner, Alison, describes it as a quiet oasis. Ploughmans lunches, soup, stew and dumplings are available as well as cream tea and light refreshments.

8th May, 2pm-5pm

The current owners are adding to the former established garden to create a series of vistas and spaces and maximise the views in and out of the garden with the use of clipped hedges and avenues.

There will be a small collection of vintage and classic cars on display at Burrough Hall.

Tresilian House

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Admission £5, children free.

Burrough on the Hill LE14 2QZ

8th May, 2pm - 4.30pm

Hammond Arboretum

There are species from America, China and Japan with malus and philadelphus walks and a moat. The Robert Smyth Academy are proud owners of the four champion trees identified by national specialist. Guided walks and walk plans are available. On the open day, homemade teas will be offered.

Admission £4, children free.

Market Harborough LE16 7JG

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Thorpe Lubenham Hall

THE OLD VICARAGE

WESTBROOKE HOUSE

A garden that’s just under an acre and packed with variety. There’s a terrace with topiary, a formal fountain courtyard and raised beds backed by small gothic orangery burgeoning with tender plants.

Westbrooke House is a late Victorian property built in 1887. The gardens comprise six acres and are approached through a tree lined driveway of limes and wellingtonias.

Key features include a walled flower garden, kitchen garden, pond area, spring garden, woodland paths and a meadow.

15th May, 2pm-5pm

Herbaceous borders surround the main lawn. There’s a wisteria tunnel that leads to raised vegetable beds and a large greenhouse, beehives, a hen house plus six rare breed hens. This garden is owned by the current High Sheriff of Rutland, Sarah Furness.

Teas served in the Lady Chapel of the Church and outside if clement.

Admission £4, children free.

Whissendine LE15 7HG

The Old Vicarage, Whissendine

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15th May, 3rd July, 11am-5pm

Admission £5, children free.

Little Bowden LE16 8AX

THE OLD VICARAGE 22nd May, 1.30pm-5pm

Country garden, planted for year round interest, including a walled garden with a vine house, producing fruit, herbs, vegetables and cut flowers. Formal lawns and borders, lime walk, rose gardens and a rill through an avenue of standard wisteria. Wildlife garden with pond, two orchards and woodland.

Owners are Jonathan and Sandra Blaza.

Admission £4.50, children free.

Burley LE15 7SU

Stoke Albany House

STOKE ALBANY HOUSE 1st June, 8th June, 15th June...

Four acre country house garden with six open days. There are fine trees and shrubs with wide herbaceous borders and a sweeping striped lawn.

Good display of bulbs in spring, and plenty of roses in June and July. There’s a walled grey garden with a nepeta walk arched with roses, and a parterre with box and roses.

There’s a Mediterranean garden too, in addition to a heated greenhouse, a potager with topiary, a water feature garden and sculptures. This garden also makes a donation directly to Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Admission £4.50, children free.

Stoke Albany LE16 8PT

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The Old Vicarage, Burley

GOADBY MARWOOD

UPPINGHAM GARDENS

This garden was redesigned in 2000 by the owners, Mr and Mrs Westropp. It’s a chain of five lakes and overall it covers 10 acres and several ironstone walled gardens all interconnected.

From the Sports Centre enter the new School Western Quad with its dramatic paving, planting and sculptures. On exiting onto Stockerston Road, is Hillside, a one acre garden with spring fed pond, recently redesigned to provide terrace and patio, orchard, vegetable garden and woodland walk through mature trees.

28th May, 11am-4pm

There’s a beautiful lakeside woodland walk and the planting throughout the garden is for year round interest. Visitors are also welcome by arrangement from March to October. This garden is also featured in the Good Gardens of England guide and on Castles in the Country, a series that aired on BBC Two. Admission £3.50, children free.

Goadby Marwood LE14 4LN

Goadby Marwood

4th June, 2pm-5pm

“STOKE ALBANY HOUSE IS A FOUR ACRE COUNTRY HOUSE GARDEN WITH SIX OPEN DAYS. THERE ARE FINE TREES AND SHRUBS WITH WIDE HERBACEOUS BORDERS AND A SWEEPING STRIPED LAWN...”

Continue to explore the beautifully maintained gardens of Uppingham School including new planting to the fronts of the school houses on the approach to the town centre.

At the other end of town is The Orchard, another south facing garden taking advantage of the stream which runs through the lower reaches of the town. With its view out over the stream to sheep pastures beyond, the garden is full of interesting trees, shrubs, bulbs and perennials.

Admission £5, children free.

Uppingham LE15 9TT

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The Old Vicarage: Handsome bust at the Old Vicarage in Burley.

Redhill Lodge’s Swimming Pond

“SET ON A SOUTHERLY RIDGE OVERLOOKING CATMOSE VALE, THE GARDENS AT THE OLD HALL IN MARKET OVERTON ARE ON FOUR LEVELS...”

THE OLD HALL 12th June, 2pm-6pm

Set on a southerly ridge overlooking Catmose Vale, the garden is on four levels.

Stone walls and yew hedges divide the garden into enclosed areas with herbaceous borders, shrubs, and young and mature trees. In 2006 the lower part of garden was planted with new shrubs, to create a walk with mown paths. There are interesting plants flowering most of the time. Neil Hewertson has been involved in the gardens design since 1990s. Teas and coffees served with Hambleton Bakery cakes on the open day.

Admission £4.50, children free.

Market Overton LE15 7PL

To find NGS gardens near you or to open up your garden this summer, visit www.ngs.org.uk.

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The Old Hall

THE PADDOCKS

11th June, 12th June, 12-5pm

The Paddocks

This two acre garden is full of mature and specimen trees, rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolia grandiflora and wisterias. There are two lily ponds and a stream. Three lawn areas are surrounded by herbaceous and shrub borders, and there’s a beautiful woodland walk. Plenty of pergola with clematis and roses, a hosta collection and two rockeries.There’s a large well established semi permanent plant stall that will be set up on the day in aid of local charities. Light refreshments will be available in the village hall.

Admission £4, children free.

Hungarton LE7 9JY

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BRAUNSTON GARDENS

14th August, 2pm-6pm

Two large gardens belonging to gardening friends with different styles. Hill Top Farm has fabulous views of the countryside. The terrace surrounding the house is host to containers and beds. Paths invite visitors to stroll amongst borders of shrubs and perennials, over lawns and through wildflowers areas.

Quaintree Hall is an established garden surrounding the medieval house with a formal box parterre, a woodland walk, formal walled garden with yew hedges, a small picking garden and a terraced courtyard garden with conservatory.

Admission £5, children free.

Braunston LE15 8QS

WING GARDENS 19th June, 11am-5pm

This is a big collection of gardens, including eight very different gardens in the pretty stone village of Wing with medieval church and turf maze.

GREAT DALBY 19th June, 11am-5pm

Redhill Lodge’s Meadow

This is a grouped open day featuring two very different gardens. Crossfell House has a formal garden with a terraced herbaceous border, rockery, and shrubs, together with two acres of meadows containing wild grasses and flowers. Rambler Cottage is a country garden that’s just under an acre with mixed borders, a small orchard, potager, patio garden herbaceous borders, a greenhouse, potting shed, a vegetable garden and a wildlife pond with great crested newts. Home-made teas will be served at Crossfell House.

Admission £5, children free.

Melton Mowbray LE14 2EY

REDHILL LODGE 17th July, 12-6pm

Still evolving bold contemporary design with formal lawns, grass amphitheatre and turf viewing mound, herbaceous borders and cutting garden.

You’re welcomed by a long driveway through meadows, a nuttery and and tennis court, which leads to the main gardens.

Prairie style planting showing vibrant colour in late summer. Also, there’s a natural swimming pond surrounded by Japanese style planting, bog garden and meadow area.

Admission £4, children free.

Barrowden LE15 8EN

Redhill Lodge’s Prairie

For the map and for directions, start your visit at Townsend House opposite the Village Hall. Each garden is planted in traditional cottage garden style but with the distinctive touch of the individual owners, the larger with mature trees, and all with mixed borders of shrubs, perennials, grasses, roses, fruit trees and vegetable and herb gardens.

Admission £5, children free.

Wing LE15 8SA

ORCHARD HOUSE 3rd July, 2pm-5pm

This is a beautifully situated house in Hambleton that is just partly bordering Rutland Water.

Series of garden rooms including formal, Japanese and vegetable gardens, a newly planted orchard and large informal garden with rose pergola and copses. The owners of this beautiful garden are Richard and Celia Foulkes, offering homemade teas on the open day.

Admission £3.50, children free.

Hambleton LE15 8TJ

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THE REST A Cut Above

For quality garden machinery and the reassurance of aftersales care you can rely on year after year, Peterborough Grass Machinery provides anything from a walk-behind mower to lawn tractors and larger machines for estate management and ground care professionals. With machinery for hire, servicing and repairs too, it’s a company that’s quite simply a cut above the rest...

Words: Rob Davis.

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- GARDEN CARE -

THE RIGHT TOOL FOR any JOB AT PGM Left: or a hedge trimmer?

The Stihl multi-tool is all of the above with interchangeable attachments. It brings premium quality at a sound value from £200 for a new power unit.

Below: Cordless convenience comes fume free with Atco’s 80v Li-Ion 41cm rear roller cordless mower from £499.

A lawncare partner who can provide the very best advice and aftersales service for years to come. That’s what Peterborough Grass Machinery provides from Ivatt Way in city of Peterborough.

Below: A Billy Goat vacuum - for sale or hire at PGM, will make short work of the autumn clear-up £call.

This month the firm’s 10 strong team of lawn care professionals led by Chris Brown are gearing up for a busy month as better weather brings in customers seeking servicing and accessories for existing machines, as well as those looking for new equipment.

“Our showroom holds 15 ride-on lawnmowers and around 100 walk-behind machines, plus specialist products like multi-tools, pressure cleaners and equipment like lawn vacuums and scarifiers to buy or hire.”

“Typically our customers have grounds from a quarter of an acre to up to five acres, but we also supply equipment to councils and the commercial market.”

“As such we represent only premium brands to reflect the needs of our customers, so for the domestic market we’ve walk behind mowers from Atco and Alko - our preferred

“OUR SHOWROOM HAS 15 RIDE-ON LAWNMOWERS AND ABOUT 100 WALK-BEHIND MACHINES; EXEMPLAR MODELS TO MATCH A CUSTOMER’S NEED AND DESIRED FINISH...”

roller and four-wheel products to achieve different finishes. We’ve Stihl/Viking and John Deere walk-behind Mowers & ride on machinery to mainly cater for the premium and semi-commercial markets.”

Below: John Deere’s X135R ride on lawn tractor Provides great collection, a mulching option and 36” cutting deck with great reliability for just £2,750.

“Our ride-on range includes value machines from Atco, Viking machines for fine-turn finishes and John Deere’s rugged range of machines created using the brand’s provenance in agriculture.”

“Our product knowledge is unsurpassed, and the machines we’ve chosen to display are exemplar products which we can direct customers to, reflecting a customer’s particular needs, budget and the finish they’re seeking.”

“We’ve the machinery and the expertise to guide you to a product that suits your specific purpose, always with competitive prices to other retailers - even online ones, with the added benefit of local after sales support from a family business established since 1990.”

n The above machines are available at Peterborough Grass Machinery, Ivatt Way, Peterborough PE3 7PG. Call: 01733 268168 or see www.pgm-ltd.co.uk

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- NATURE -

d r a w e m o H

BOUND You may have seen these incredible birds of prey around Rutland Water before. Ospreys have been a part of the reservoir since 1**6 and the population is growing, as they celebrate 20 years of conservation, the long-awaited return of the birds for summer 2016, and World Osprey Week too...

Words: Tilly Wilkinson.

Ospreys. They are magnificent, large, brown and white birds of prey and Rutland Water is a hotspot for them. World Osprey Week as Pride goes to press is an exciting time for the team at the nature reserve with a whole host of events and the birds returning for the warmer months after spending winter in Senegal.

Kayleigh Brookes is Information Officer for the Rutland Osprey Project, and is organising a programme of events that are taking place now the birds are back.

“They are majestic creatures that fly over the water in search for food,” says Kayleigh.

“Ospreys eat only fish, and therefore tend to be more common in areas with expanses of water, such as lakes or estuaries nearby, so Rutland Water is the perfect habitat for them.”

“They are a cosmopolitan species, and occur on every continent except Antarctica at some point in the year.”

“They are usually migratory, and travel in the

region of 3,000 miles twice a year to their wintering grounds and back. In certain countries, the population of ospreys declined substantially in the 19th century due to persecution and egg collecting, but, thanks to proactive conservation, protection schemes and enhanced awareness, they are now increasing in numbers in most places.”

“Ospreys have been part of the identity of Rutland Water since 1996, when they were first re-introduced to the area in an initiative run by the Rutland Wildlife Trust in partnership with Rutland Water’s owner, Anglian Water.”

“Over six successive years, 64 ospreys were translocated to Rutland Water from Scotland, where ospreys had naturally recolonised after having been driven to extinction in the UK in the early 20th century. By the late 90s, the Scottish population of ospreys was steadily increasing, and a licence was obtained to translocate some young birds to Rutland.”

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Left: A photograph by John Wright.

This is an image of the ospreys at the Manton Bay site.

Right: Tim Mackrill teaching a class in Senegal about Rutland’s ospreys on their visit to find the migrated birds as part of the Osprey Flyways Project.

“The osprey population around Rutland Water is now thriving. 2015 was the best year to date for breeding in Rutland, with eight pairs of ospreys raising 15 chicks...”

Below: Tim Mackrill is the senior reserve officer at Rutland Water.

The Osprey Club at St Martin’s Basic Cycle School in the Gambia.

“The first osprey to breed in Rutland was a male translocated in 1997, known as 03 due to the ID on his leg ring. He bred with an unringed female in 2001. Together, they raised the first osprey chick to hatch from a nest in central England for over 150 years - a fantastic achievement!”

“03 is now 19 years old and has bred for 14 seasons. He has raised 32 chicks and has many grandchildren and great-grandchildren who have since returned to Rutland, several of whom are now breeding.”

“The osprey population around Rutland Water is now thriving. 2015 was the best year to date for breeding in Rutland, with eight pairs of ospreys raising 15 chicks. The total number of chicks to fledge from nests in the Rutland Water area is now a staggering 102. They are a much more common sight in central England, and also northern England and Wales, as individuals have naturally spread out and found suitable nest sites and mates.”

“This year is a very special year for the Osprey Project, as it is the 20th anniversary of the Project’s beginning. This is a monumental milestone, and the progress the ospreys have made since 1996 is awe-inspiring.”

“To celebrate this occasion, we are hosting a celebratory osprey cruise on the Rutland Belle.

This event will take place on 15th July, the exact date the first group of ospreys was translocated to Rutland 20 years ago.”

Osprey cruises are fabulous events that the Osprey Team run throughout the season in conjunction with the Rutland Belle. They run from the end of May up until the end of August. These cruises are an excellent way of seeing ospreys up close, flying and fishing. The first cruise of 2016 is on Saturday 28th May. All cruises can be booked online.”

“The best place to see nesting ospreys in Rutland is at the Lyndon Visitor Centre, part of the Rutland Water Nature Reserve. Of the eight active nest sites in the area, only one is viewable by the public, and this is located in Manton Bay, on the south shore of the reservoir.”

“From the Lyndon Centre it is a short walk through the beautiful nature reserve to the osprey viewing hide, Waderscrape. From there, you get a brilliant view of the nesting ospreys, and there are volunteers in the hide at all times to help point out the osprey nest and answer any questions. The chicks usually hatch at the end of May, and grow to adult size in just seven weeks. Therefore June is the best month to see them in the nest, and July and August are the best times to see them in flight.”

“You can also see ospreys fishing at the nearby River Gwash Trout Farm. Ospreys are good at finding easy places to fish, and regularly use both the Horn Mill and Ryhall sites of the trout farm. The owner of the farm, Lawrence Ball, decided to take a proactive approach in conservation, and instead of netting off the pools and preventing ospreys from fishing there, he enlisted the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust’s help to build viewing hides, so that people can visit the site to see ospreys fishing.”

This gives people the opportunity to view fishing ospreys at very close quarters. The income this generates helps to off-set the losses of fish, and also demonstrates that taking this approach can be mutually beneficial to both fish farms and wildlife.

“The ospreys in Rutland are also important for the local economy. Around 30,000 people travel from all over the UK, indeed all over the world, to see the ospreys nesting at Rutland Water. Whilst in the area they will of course spend money in local pubs, restaurants, cafés

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- NATURE -

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“The other Rutland bird we knew of was 5F(12), who winters at Tanji marsh in The Gambia and had been spotted at the site in years before.”

“Of course, we weren’t guaranteed to see her, but, luckily, as we scanned through the stumps on the marsh, there she was, showing off her bright blue leg ring.”

“The most amazing and unexpected discovery of the whole trip, however, was that of 32(11).

From a boat on the way to the Iles de Oiseaux in the vast Sine-Saloum Delta in Senegal, an osprey was spotted in the mangroves sporting a blue leg ring on his right leg.”

Main: Kayleigh Brookes and Paul Stammers outside the visitor centre.

and B&Bs. The local pub in the village of Manton, The Horse and Jockey, even serves a special starter called The Osprey’s Nest, and the Osprey Project receives a donation from every sale!”

“The Osprey Project has an active education team, who run school visits to Lyndon to see the nesting ospreys, perform assemblies and visits to local schools, and run a number of educational initiatives throughout the osprey season. One of the main events taking place each year is World Osprey Week.”

“World Osprey Week is an exciting opportunity for schools all over the world to follow the amazing migratory journeys of satellite-tagged Ospreys and to make contact with other schools on the migratory flyways. It is part of our Osprey Flyways Project, which was set up in 2011.”

“Funded entirely though fundraising challenges and activities, the project aims to use the incredible migrations of ospreys to raise awareness of the need to protect migratory birds like ospreys while on migration and at their wintering grounds.”

“Since 2011 the osprey team has visited areas in West Africa where ospreys spend their winters. The team visit in order to find

“We weren’t guaranteed to see the Rutland osprey in The Gambia, but luckily, as we scanned through the marsh, there she was, showing off her bright blue leg ring...” colour-ringed birds, build up a picture of osprey distributions and behavioural traits during the winter months, and to visit schools involved in the Osprey Flyways Project.

This year’s Africa trip was a very special one.

We saw three Rutland Ospreys in total - two we knew of and one special discovery!”

“One of the three Rutland ospreys we saw was our satellite-tagged female, 30(05), who was perched in her favourite spot on the Senegalese beach she calls her winter home.

We have been tracking 30 since 2013 and have learned a great deal about migration from these studies, such as the fact that ospreys always return to the same site each winter, and usually travel via the same route each time they migrate.”

“This indicated that the bird was from England or Wales, and so could potentially be a Rutland bird; in Scotland the coloured rings are on the left leg. John Wright, our field officer and photographer, managed to capture a photograph of the bird, and it turned out he was an adult male who fledged from Rutland in 2011!”

“Everyone was incredibly excited, and with good reason. After years of trying to find a Rutland osprey in Africa, without the aid of a satellite transmitter, the osprey team had finally done it!”

Some of the staff and volunteers on the trip, and indeed thousands of members of the public, had witnessed the hatching, growing up and fledging of this individual osprey, as he was born at the public nest in Manton Bay in 2011.”

“32(11) is also the grandson of the legendary 03(97) - the first Osprey to breed in Rutland.

32 bred for the first time in 2015, and his mate was our satellite-tagged female, 30(05), who we had also seen on the trip. What an amazing coincidence that it should be 32(11) we found, and a fitting way to celebrate the Project’s 20th anniversary!” n For more information about Rutland’s ospreys, please visit www.ospreys.org.uk or call the Osprey Team on 01572 737378. Alternatively, visit the nature reserve at Rutland Water, Lyndon Road, Manton, Oakham, Rutland LE15 8RN.

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WORLD CLASS HORSEMANSHIP THE FOURTH YEAR OF ROCKINGHAM INTERNATIONAL HORSE TRIALS WILL BE HELD IN ROCKINGHAM CASTLE’S GREAT PARK FEATURING DRESSAGE, CROSS COUNTRY AND SHOW JUMPING AT BE100, NOVICE, INTERMEDIATE, CIC* CIC** LEVEL AS WELL AS OTHER EQUESTRIAN DISCIPLINES...

Words: Hilary Manners. Images: John Whowell, Adam Fanthorpe & Hilary Manners.

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- ROCKINGHAM HORSE TRIALS -

Now in its fourth year, the Rockingham International Horse Trials gets bigger and better every year. Not only is it a firm favourite in the calendars of many of the best event riders in the world, an ever-increasing number of spectators flock to Rockingham Castle every May to enjoy a combination of top class sport, interesting country demonstrations and fabulous shopping.

With the stunning 11th century home of the Saunders-Watson family nestled on the hillside and breathtaking views across the Welland Valley, Rockingham Castle is the perfect location to enjoy an entertaining day out with all the family.

As in previous years, the 2016 event boasts attractions for all tastes and ages.

While entries for the eventing classes have yet to open at the time of going to press, equestrian fans can be sure of the opportunity to watch riders who will later be heading out to Rio for the 2016 Olympic Games.

WORLD CLASS TALENT...

Every year the organisers are blown away as entries rocket in, running in to four figures as competitors rush to book their place.

Sir Mark Todd was last year’s recipient of a stunning hand made English watch, donated by the Official Timekeeper, Robert Loomes & Co from Stamford; the odds are that he will be back to bid for the pair.

He’s likely to have to fend off stiff competition in the form of 2015 British European Championship squad members Izzy Taylor and Kitty King, New Zealand Olympians Caroline Powell and Blyth Tait, and the cream of the cream from around the world; last year 16 nations were represented at the event.

YOUNG EVENT HORSE QUALIFIERS It's not all about eventing though. Burghley Young Event Horse qualifiers will run on the Friday, showcasing the equine stars of the future, with British Showjumping, Pony Club and Arena Eventing classes featuring at the weekend.

With a new sponsor, Met Zurich, supporting the Pony Club classes, one lucky young rider will take home a £500 training bursary so competition is sure to be hot.

The organisers are ringing the changes with this year’s attractions. The Nuneaton Dog Display team, X-Treme Falconry and

climbing wall will all return. Making Rockingham debuts are the Mullencote Gun dogs and the Empingham dog agility team; the latter will be running a ‘have-a-go’ arena so that spectators can put their canine family members to the test.

COUNTING DOWN...

Event Administrator Andrew Norman knows very well the importance of catering for the less horse-minded members of the family, and to that end there are also catering outlets to suit all tastes, along with a large, on-site bar. “There truly is something for every member of a family - if you felt so inclined you could spend a whole day barely setting eyes on a horse!” promises Andrew.

With the clock ticking, work both on the ground and in the office is picking up pace.

Volunteers are being allocated their roles, stables have been ordered, tentage confirmed, tradestand bookings finalised, and all the while that all-important ground work continues.

EQUESTRIAN FANS CAN BE SURE OF THE CHANCE TO WATCH RIDERS WHO WILL LATER BE HEADING OUT TO RIO FOR THE 2016 OLYMPIC GAMES...

Local hotels, pubs and restaurants, who benefit from event-related bookings, are also looking forward to the annual surge in business.

“Expanding the number and type of classes that we can offer at the Horse Trials is very exciting.

“The more riders and spectators who can experience our ever-more action packed

programme, and enjoy the stunning parkland at Rockingham Castle, the better.

We are counting down to the arrival of the riders, horses, owners and spectators with our usual excitement; visitors can be sure of a warm welcome at this year’s Rockingham International Horse Trials,” Andrew concludes.

SHOP TILL YOU DROP...

Don't forget to raid your piggy banks ahead of arriving at Rockingham. Visitors can buy everything from a Land Rover or hand made Robert Loomes English watch to clothing, jewellery, gifts and homeware. Fairfax & Favour’s stylish shoes and boots are always popular, while Mackensie & George’s stunning hand made leather belts are making a first appearance at the show.

ROCKINGHAM CASTLE - history and horsemanship...

The Rockingham International Horse Trials has existed in its current incarnation since 2013, when the event was moved from Brigstock to Rockingham Castle. The building was built on the instruction of William the Conqueror in 1086 and has been the Saunders Watsons’ family’s home for 450 years.

Today, visitors can enjoy a walk about the castle on a ‘freeflow’ basis, or a more structured tour beginning ‘below stairs.’ There’s a programme of events including the Flashback Festival (Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th July offering a fantastic programme of live music. See www.theflashbackfestival.com).

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ROCKINGHAM INTERNATIONAL HORSE TRIALS NEED TO KNOW When is it on?

Rockingham’s Horse Trials takes place over the weekend of the 20th - 22nd May 2016.

Where is it based?

It’s all happening in the parkland of Rockingham Castle, set your sat nav to LE16 8TH.

What can I see?

Top class sport, made up of many of the best event riders in the world, plus the stars of the future in the Young Event horse competition, and ever-competitive members of the Pony Club.

What does it cost? £10 per person on Friday and £15 per person on Saturday or Sunday.

Tickets purchased online prior to the event are reduced to £7 on Friday and £12 Saturday/Sunday.

A weekend ticket can also be bought, in advance only, for £30.

Where can I find out more: For more information on all aspects of the Event visit www.rockingham castlehorsetrials.com, and you can find them on Twitter @rockinghamLIVE! Alternatively, call 01536 770240.

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- ROCKINGHAM HORSE TRIALS -

“THERE IS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE WHETHER IT’S SHOPPING IN THE TRADE STANDS, FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT OR ENJOYING THE EQUESTRIAN COMPETITION IT’S SURE TO BE A FULL DAY OUT...”

There will be a comprehensive range of equestrian shops, including Voltaire saddles and regular horse trials supporters Tiggas Saddlery.

You can even buy a photograph of your favourite rider competing at Rockingham from the onsite official photographer, Julia Shearwood.

The numerous food outlets offer both snacks and meals on the day and delicious goodies to take home with you. The Brownie Company is a particularly hard stand to walk past, while other stall holders market delicious jams, pickles, cheeses and sweets.

Rockingham Castle is a stunning location, built in 1066 on the instructions of William the Conqueror himself. Today, as well as being a family home, it’s also the home of an international class sporting event, a country show and a great family day out, whether your passion is horses, or a day spent at one of the area’s best local attractions. n 115

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EQUINE PHOTOS THAT

MAKE A SPLASH IF YOU’RE PLANNING TO VISIT ONE OF THIS SUMMER’S HORSE TRIALS EVENTS - BURGHLEY, FOR INSTANCE, OR THE ROCKINGHAM HORSE TRIALS, PROFILED IN THIS EDITION - YOU’LL PROBABLY BE TAKING YOUR CAMERA. BUT HOW CAN YOU ENSURE YOUR PHOTOS REALLY MAKE A SPLASH? EQUESTRIAN PHOTOGRAPHERS ANDREW AND MATT HAVE SOME ADVICE...

Words & Images: Andrew James, Matt Roberts.

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- EQUESTRIAN PHOTOGRAPHY -

Horses are photogenic but they are also notoriously difficult to photograph well, especially when they are moving at speed.

This is where professional photographers Andrew James and Matt Roberts come in.

With a combined experience of nearly 50 years, they are ideally placed to explain the basics of both camera use and horse specific tips and tricks to the budding ‘horseographer.’

For most of the session at the Master Horse Photography workshop your classroom is the beautiful countryside at Wittering Grange Equestrian Centre – where students get the opportunity to photograph a variety of different riders and horses cantering, jumping fences, splashing through water or simply at rest.

“We love horses,” explains Matt. “But more than anything we love photographing them and helping others achieve the best they possibly can with their equipment.”

Modern digital cameras are amazing pieces of equipment but they can also be complicated to use. To get the best from them you need to understand the intricacies of shutter speed, aperture, focus, ISO, focal length and a myriad of other photography skills. The Master Horse Photography day endeavours to demystify a lot of these technical aspects. Of course, just concentrating on the technical may help you take a correctly exposed image but it doesn’t necessarily mean you will take an image that people want to look at and will really enjoy. It’s undoubtedly a combination of the two elements – the technical and the creative – that leads to consistently successful photography.

With horse photography there are a lot of things to consider. How you make the horse and rider look the best they possibly can, the angles you shoot from and the timing of each shot is absolutely critical. These elements simply aren’t obvious, even to relatively experienced photographers.

Most professional photographers use Digital SLRs and Andrew and Matt are no exception – with one of them using Canon and the other a Nikon. “To be honest, camera brand is totally irrelevant when it comes to taking good photos,” says Andrew. “The camera is just a tool and it’s how you use it that’s

important. Although the fact that Matt and I can cover both the major brands between us is often very useful during the day.”

A DSLR is recommended for the course but isn’t regarded as essential. The newer style of compact cameras with interchangeable lenses (mirrorless) are also very good, as are bridge cameras which have a fixed lens but usually with an excellent focal length range.

What’s really important is that your camera will allow you to control the technical aspects and tell the camera what to do rather than it make the decision for you. You will also need a focal length of at least 200mm to allow you to zoom in on the horses while maintaining a safe distance. “Our aim through the day is to gradually improve each student’s horse photography. We make them think about what, why and how they are taking each image,” reveals Andrew.

“WE LOVE PHOTOGRAPHING HORSES AND HELPING OTHERS TO ACHIEVE THE BEST IMAGES THEY POSSIBLY CAN WITH THEIR EQUIPMENT, TOO.” Thinking about so many technical and creative things at once, while a powerful horse is cantering or even galloping towards you requires coolness under pressure and this is another of the key elements from the day. If you don’t get it right first time, even after instruction from Andrew and Matt, you’ll get the chance to try again or just improve on your first attempt. Modern autofocus systems are very good but they are not infallible. Learning how and where you

should focus to give the camera the greatest chance of getting the focus exactly where you want it to be is one of the fundamentals that will take your images to the next level.

“This is a fun day, as well as instructional,” explains Matt. “It appeals to horse lovers who have a camera and want to get better shots, as well as keen amateur photographers who want a close-up experience of horse photography.

“All our riders are volunteers but they are experienced with beautifully turned out horses. It’s actually great practice for the rider and horse to be faced with a group of photographers positioned around a jump, as the horse need to be able to conquer any

EQUESTRIAN PHOTOGRAPHY - DO’S AND DON’TS...

Do: Think creatively about where you stand in relation to your subject. Amateurs only ever shoots from a standing height.

Do: Leave extra room in your shot at a jump - horse and rider will move higher in the frame, which risks cutting heads off.

Do: Keep shutter speeds as fast as you can when photographing horses that are moving fast.

Do: Consider the position of the available light and how it affects your picture.

Don’t: Spend all your time admiring your last shot on the screen... you might miss a better shot while you are doing it.

Don’t: Blast your action shots. Short bursts of carefully focused images will result in a better hit-rate of sharp photos.

Don’t: Shy away from using higher ISOs (sensitivity) on your camera if you need a faster shutter speed to freeze action.

Don’t: Compromise the safety of yourself, the horse, or rider in your attempt to get a shot.

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Top: Try to think differently when taking images only amateur photographers shoot standing up all the time!

Above: Never compromise the safety of you or the horse you’re photographing avoid using flash as it only has a short range and could scare the animal.

Above/Right: Andrew James.

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fear ahead of public events where there are spectators about.”

The JumpCross course at Wittering Grange provides the perfect backdrop for the photography as the riders traverse hills, fields, lakes and streams – jumping both coloured fences and more natural looking obstacles, providing a range of interesting scenes and challenges. Wittering Grange is a large, working equestrian centre that is conveniently situated just a few minutes’ drive from both the A47 and A1. While the weather in the UK is always unpredictable, it’s possible to get great shots come rain or shine. A pair of sturdy walking boots is recommended, though you don’t need the physique of a finely honed athlete to make your way around.

“We work in a group partly for safety reasons,” says Andrew, “but also because this allows us to continually give tips and advice in each new situation.”

The photographers’ Master Horse Photography workshop is open to anyone wanting to improve their horse photography.

“We think that Wittering Grange provides the perfect backdrop for our photography,” says Matt

The next two courses are scheduled for April 22nd and June 17th at Wittering Grange, located near Peterborough.

The day starts at 9.30am, finishes late afternoon and includes a buffet lunch and full technical briefing.

n Andrew and Matt’s workshop is priced at £149 per person and can be booked online by visiting the workshop section of Andrew’s website: www.andrewjamesmedia.co.uk.

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- EQUESTRIAN PHOTOGRAPHY -

Useful Features...

How well do you know your kit?

It’s possible that your camera and lens already have the features to enhance your equestrian photography...

Image Stabilisation: Many lenses and some camera bodies have a feature called Image Stabilisation (Canon) or Vibration Reduction (Nikon). This handy feature is designed to help counteract any unwanted movement you make when taking an image that might compromise its sharpness.

Highlight alert warning: Some cameras will allow you to switch a highlight alert warning on via the menu. With this activated, when you take a photograph that is overexposed in certain areas then image displayed on the LCD panel on the back of your camera will repeatedly blink at you.

JPEG settings: If you shoot JPEG, which is the most common file type, then the chances are you have the opportunity to set the style of that JPEG file in your camera’s menu. ‘Picture Styles’ or ‘Picture Control.’ Standard or faithful will allow you to set some JPEG parameters, like colour intensity, contrast and sharpness applied. n About Your Tutors: Andrew James is a professional photographer, journalist, tutor and former editor-in-chief of Practical Photography magazine. Matt Roberts is an equine specialist and editorial photographer, who shoots for Your Horse magazine and high profile clients in the equine industry. See www.andrewjamesmedia.co.uk or www.matthewrobertsphotographer.co.uk.

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Image: Steve Round, RSPB.

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- NATURE -

Nature Discovering birds of prey in

Richard Owens is out looking for birds of prey this month, in particular, the kestrel.

It’s one of the most common birds of prey in the country and Richard is focusing on its habits, habitats, and its prey this month...

Kestrels don’t build their own nests. They use old nests of other large birds such as crows, or a hole in a tree, a crevice in a wall, or even on ledges on buildings.

Last month, I wrote about a species that although not native to the UK, is well and truly colonised not just in our county but all over most of the UK too: the secretive muntjac deer.

Kestrel boxes can do very well, indeed one that I put up at Boston West Golf Centre a few years ago yielded 15 chicks in three years. Boxes provide the ideal opportunity to ring the chicks so that in the future we are able to monitor survival rates, age and population trends.

This month I’ve decided to write about a species that is native to the UK and one that I’ve been up close and personal with on more than a few occasions - the beautiful kestrel.

One of our smallest and most common birds of prey, I’m sure many of us have seen them either sitting on top of pylons, on the wires or simply hovering by beating their wings rapidly or using the wind to stabilise itself above the grass verge searching out its next meal. I see quite a lot of them on my daily commute to work and I never tire of their presence.

The one thing that I find frustrating though is that kestrels as well as barn owls spend so much time hunting by the roadside. This of course makes them quite vulnerable to injury or worse from road users.

The barn owl will always be most at risk though as they have poor vision and rely heavily upon their acute sense of hearing, and will therefore stay quite close to the ground.

Kestrels, on the other hand, hunt very much with their eyes and can therefore search for their prey from a higher vantage point swooping down and pinning its dinner to the ground with its strong claws. The grass verges tend to be a quite prolific habitat for small mammals including field voles, shrews, mice and kestrels have even been recorded feeding on moles.

If you’re unsure of their identity, the kestrel is easy to recognise with its barred brown plumage, reddish back, pale under-parts, black cheek flashes and bar on the tail feathers.

The male and female are almost alike, but the male has a blue-grey head, rump and tail, and the female has a brown barred head and tail.

If you have somewhere to put up a box, ensure that it is approximately 12 feet off the ground, that there is a clear flight path in and out and most importantly that it is well away from any major roads. If you already have an owl box then this too may be used by kestrels.

Please enjoy seeing this beautiful bird of prey if you manage to spot it as you travel around the countryside.

n Richard has spent his career promoting bio-diversity within the world of turf and is a former UK Golf Course Conservation Greenkeeper of the Year.

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To view and purchase photographs from The Event visit www.pridemagazines.co.uk

Cottesmore Hunt

End of Season Ball 2016...

The Cottesmore Hunt Ball recently held its end of season hunt ball, at Keythorpe Manor near Leicester. The event featured a champagne reception, followed by a three course meal created by Sarah Rivett, The Rutland Gourmet, and an auction. “The event was organised by John Greaves, Jo Rutter and Charlotte Farmer-Day, who did a superb job, it was a wonderful party!” says Cottesmore Hunt Secretary Clare Bell.

The hunt will host The Farmer’s Ball in Oakham on Friday 3rd June, for tickets, see the CHSC page on the group’s website, www.cottesmore-hunt.co.uk.

n Images by Nico Morgan - to purchase images from this event visit www.nicomorgan.com or call 07515 029261.

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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To view and purchase photographs from The Event visit www.pridemagazines.co.uk

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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f o h c u To CLASS

Stamford is already a beautiful Georgian town, but when hosting a wedding at one of its many venues, it’s especially idyllic. Sophie & Lee married in Stamford’s William Cecil, opting for a relaxed and summery wedding with plenty of pastels, pom-poms and a touch of class...

Words: Tilly Wilkinson. Photographer: Deans Street Photography, 01572 757643, www.deansstreetphotographers.co.uk

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Stamford. A town of great historical importance but beauty too. It hosts many weddings providing a beautiful limestone backdrop for wedding pictures and white marquees.

When Lee proposed to Sophie, she was keen to marry in the unique Georgian town but uncertain on where.

Sophie works for Macmillan Cancer Support and husband Lee owns a double glazing company. The couple live in Werrington and met through mutual friends.

“We’ve been together for 11 years,” says Sophie. “We were on holiday in the Costa Blanca, a place where my childhood holidays were spent and a place which holds many happy memories for me. We went out for dinner and he proposed in front of a castle.”

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“We had a two year engagement because we wanted to enjoy being engaged and the planning process. We also moved house in that time so we had other things to focus on.”

“The first decision was the venue and we both knew we wanted to get married in Stamford. I was driving through Stamford to look at a wedding dress shop with my mum when we passed the William Cecil.

She convinced me to go and have a look, and there just so happened to be a wedding on. We had a peek round at it and it was just beautiful - exactly what I wanted for the day.”

“For the dress, I was actually petrified about looking for one! I didn’t think I would be able to find one I liked. I’ve not been the kind of girl who dreams of her wedding day

“We had a peek around the William Cecil in Stamford and there just so happened to be a wedding taking place.

The setting was absolutely beautiful and exactly what I wanted...”

Photographer: Deans Street Photography, 01572 757643, www.deansstreetphotographers.co.uk

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- WEDDINGS -

Right: ‘Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue’ as the saying goes - Sophie wore beautiful navy heels on her wedding day.

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- WEDDINGS -

Left: Sophie and Lee opted for pastel colours for the flowers and the bridesmaid dresses, perfect for a relaxed summer wedding.

Photographer: Deans Street Photography, 01572 757643, www.deansstreet photographers.co.uk

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for years beforehand so I had no idea what I wanted or fell in love with like how you’re meant to. However, I had a rough idea that I wanted lace (but not fine lace) and I managed to find the perfect dress for me.”

“I was also worried about the weather; the Friday before the wedding, we were putting the pom poms in the marquee and it was tipping it down! We were lucky to have full sun on our day.”

“Taking my vows was a relaxed and welcome experience. I think because we were together for so long before, I was just happy it was happening and I wasn’t nervous. Lee on the other hand, might have been a little shaky!”

“The reception went really well. Lee’s family on his mum’s side is Polish and so to keep up a tradition and as something different for our guests, gave each guest a little Kilner

bottle of Polish vodka and took a shot after the speeches instead of making a toast with champagne.”

“This is called Sto Lat meaning ‘100 years’ and is sang to the bride and groom to wish them 100 years of health and happiness as a married couple.”

“We had our honeymoon in South Africa, spending a week in Cape Town sightseeing, going on helicopter tours, driving the coast and another week on a safari. It was a lovely break for the both of us.”

“Advice I would offer to other brides-to-be reading this would be to do what you want to do and don’t let other people influence your decisions. I also want to thank all of our friends and family for the help and for attending, and the suppliers we used. They were all absolutely fantastic.”

Sophie & Lee’s Wedding

Bride’s Dress & Veil: Maison de la Bride, Peterborough, 01733 346415, www.maisondelabride.co.uk.

Flowers: The Flower House, Stamford, 01780 753225, www.theflowerhousestamford.co.uk

Cakes: Jackie Waller Cakes & Catering, Cambridge, 01223 234140.

Venue: The William Cecil, Stamford, 01780 750070, www.hillbrookehotels.co.uk.

Band: The Honeymooners Band, Watford, 07882 115391, www.honeymoonersband.com

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The National

WEDDING SHOW Rutand Pride’s sister magazine UKbride recently took the team across the country to experience The National Wedding Show held at both the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham and London Olympia...

Words: Tilly Wilkinson.

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- WEDDINGS -

The National Wedding Show. It seems a little odd to feature an event with that title in a county magazine. However, Rutland Pride’s sister magazine UKbride, recently took the team to the national event in London and Birmingham.

The shows are the perfect solution for brides struggling to find certain suppliers or looking for ideas, or if you’re in the first stages of wedding planning.

You’ll find beautiful stands at both London Olympia and the NEC in Birmingham, full of flowers, cake, dresses, and all of the other wedding necessities.

There are thousands of wedding dresses to suit all styles and budgets, showcasing the very best in the Boutique and Designer Areas.

You can have a liquid lunch at the Champagne Bar or tea and cake in the Rock n Roll Café. If you’re wanting something a little extra, get the VIP Treatment in the VIP Lounge with a goody bag packed with freebies.

There are other freebies throughout the day including magazines, manicures, makeovers, massages and plenty of cake!

There are also Catwalk Shows throughout the day for you to find the dress you’ll walk down the aisle in. >>

Opposite/Main: A bride with her bridal party enjoying a glass of champagne in the Champagne Bar. Opposite/Top: Savoury cheese cakes are becoming increasingly popular.

This page: The wedding show brings brides to the suppliers - find toast masters, cake shops, thousands of wedding dress designers, florists, and of course models showing brides the best in the industry.

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>> The Catwalk Show at the National Wedding Show is the largest wedding catwalk in the UK.

Watch as some of the industry’s most talented designers pick their favourite pieces to showcase, and whether you’re shopping for the one or for dresses for individual members of your bridal party, there really is something for everyone.

The dresses featured on this page at the National Wedding Show Catwalk in Birmingham’s NEC and London’s Olympia are from all sorts of designers from Berketex Bride, to Debenhams Wedding Collection, to Ronald Joyce and Alfred Angelo.

The style of the catwalk covers all sorts of wedding themes and the dresses shown are all different styles.

Menswear, bridal underwear, bridesmaid dresses and mother of the bride dresses are also all featured on The National Wedding Show’s catwalk. n

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Opposite/Top Left: Nigel Rayment Luis Civit for the mother of the bride.

Opposite/Top: Berketex Bride.

Opposite/Centre: Qiana Bridal.

Opposite/Right: Debenhams.

Main: Ronald Joyce - Because I Love You collection.

Top/Right: Youngs Hire for the groom or groomsmen.

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2016 WEDDING TRENDS Dessert vs Cake: Desserts have started to become a preference over cake recently.

Can a tiramisu really go up against a three tier wedding cake? Apparently so.

Effortless Beauty: Hairstyles have become a lot more relaxed in the wedding world. There are less formal updos or tight curls, and rather simple styles.

Backs are back: Open back wedding dresses are popular, with the models at the National Wedding Show, showing off bare skin on the Catwalk.

Blushes and creams: Hairstyling isn’t the only element of weddings that has become more relaxed. General weddings have chosen the effortless beauty still with cream and blush colours.

Different Dresses: Separate style dresses for bridesmaids is a big change to hit the wedding world this year, with brides steering away from the uniform look and, with all key elements at the moment, relaxing and letting their maids have a little freedom.

>>

The wedding industry is a market that is constantly changing. Every year, the general style of weddings is different and this year, we’ve seen a great change in weddings.

Over the past five years, weddings have been quite formal with neat bouquets, tight updos, and most weddings held in stately homes or grand marquees.

This year, weddings seem to take a more relaxed approach with liberal bouquets, loose hairstyles, and receptions held in venues that like to party a little more.

Men have diverged from formal suit and tie to braces and bowties, two piece dresses have started to become a fashionable style of wedding dress showing bare skin around the waist, and bridesmaids who aren’t in uniformed dresses, with brides choosing different styles for each maid.

This relaxed wedding style turns the focus to enjoying the day and enjoying the marriage rather than the concept of a big white wedding, which is what the more traditional weddings seemed to focus on. n To discover the other bridal trends of 2016, visit www.ukbride.co.uk, Rutland Pride’s sister company. This is full of ideas and planning advice for brides-to-be. If you’re a bride-to-be, sign up for free to be in with the chance of winning a £25,000 wedding competition and receive a free UKbride magazine.

Opposite Page: Macarons are a great idea for wedding cakes - it means you don’t have to cut the masterpiece! Peony flowers are a beautiful idea for bouquets.

Above: Braces, bow ties and even shorts for summer weddings are what men are beginning to wear more.

Right: Weddings are more of a party nowadays, with the formality of a traditional wedding becoming a little more relaxed.

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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

OVER HALF A MILLION MEMBERS OVER 100,000 FACEBOOK FANS FREE ENGAGEMENT SHOOT FREE WEDDING MAGAZINE FREE WEDDING PLANNING TOOLS WIN A £25,000 WEDDING OVER HALF A MILLION MEMBERS

It’s free to FACEBOOK join, just visit OVER 100,000 FANS FREE ENGAGEMENT SHOOT www.ukbride.co.uk/join FREE WEDDING MAGAZINE FREE WEDDING PLANNING TOOLS WIN A £25,000 WEDDING

It’s free to join, just visit

www.ukbride.co.uk/join 140

OVER HALF A MILLION MEMBERS OVER 100,000 FACEBOOK FANS FREE ENGAGEMENT SHOOT FREE WEDDING MAGAZINE FREE WEDDING PLANNING TOOLS WIN A £25,000 WEDDING

It’s free to join, just visit

www.ukbride.co.uk/join

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This age: Betty Barclay Blouse, ÂŁ60 and Elasthan Trousers, ÂŁ80.

City

CHIC

Spring and summer fashions are now established and this city chic SS16 collection from Betty Barclay is classy and cool...

Words: Tilly Wilkinson.

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Main: Betty Barclay Blouse, £70 and Dress, £100. Betty Barclay handbag, £37.95.

Top: Betty Barclay dress, £100.

Above: Betty Barclay Dress, £80.

All featured fashions are from Betty Barclay. See last page for local stockists.

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Main: Betty Barclay Blouse, £70, Viscose Trousers, £90, and Elasthan Bag, £44.95.

Below: Betty Barclay Dress, £80.

Bottom: Betty Barclay Tunic, £100, Trousers, £55, Elasthan Bag, £44.95.

All featured fashions are from Betty Barclay. See last page for local stockists.

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Main: Dress, £125.

Below: Betty Barclay Blouse, £70, Trousers, £90.

Bottom: Betty Barclay dress, £100.

Local Stockists: Oldrids & Co. Ltd, call 01205 361251, or visit www.oldrids.co.uk for more information on specific garments they stock.

Beales in Peterborough, call 01733 887930, or visit www.beales.co.uk to see what Betty Barclay clothes they stock.

Bijoux Accessories in Leicester, call 01162 708807, or visit www.bijoux-accessories.co.uk to see their stocked products.

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A SPLASH

OF COLOUR

This is a beautiful palette from Yves Saint Laurent in shades of blue. These high pigment shadows can be used wet or dry to create a number of different and powerful looks. Use the lime green shade on its own as an eyeliner for a simple shock of colour, or use a darker shade for the outer corner of the eye, £42.50 John Lewis.

PALETTES

Perfect Main: Rochelle’s work...

2

AWARD-WINNING RUTLAND MAKEUP ARTIST ROCHELLE O’BRIEN SHARES HER FAVOURITE PALETTES FROM THE SPRING AND SUMMER MAKEUP COLLECTIONS. WHETHER YOU’RE LOOKING FOR EASY DAY TO DAY NEUTRALS OR POPS OF COLOUR TO WOW ON THE BEACH, THESE PALETTES HAVE IT COVERED...

CHANEL LIMITED EDITION

3

Chanel never disappoint with their limited edition collections and this Sunkiss Ribbon blush palette from the Spring 2016 collection is no exception. Use them individually for subtle washes of colour or swirl together for a bright pop of colour on the cheeks, £44 from Boots.

NATURAL PALETTE

Four lip colours, a cheek colour and two shades for eyes, the Aerin Weekend palette has everything you need. Use the cheek colour to subtly contour and the cocoa shade to define eyes for a natural bronzed look, £48 Selfridges.

LAVENDER LUST

4

It may be pricy but so worth the money. Tom Ford have stunning eye palettes in a variety of shades.

My favourite is Lavender Lust. It gives you four satin purple shades, perfect for green eyes, £64 Selfridges.

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BEAUTY

ESSENTIALS

5

Natural Glow Palette is a gorgeous five shade palette from Clarins which has a mix of shimmer and matte shades to create everything from neutral day looks to smokey eyes for evening.

Five essential colours every woman needs in her makeup bag, £33 Boots.

n Rochelle has been a makeup artist for ten years and works across the East Midlands.

You can see more of Rochelle’s work at www.rochelleobrien.co.uk

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- ACUPUNCTURE -

Acupuncture for

FERTILITY

Traditional Chinese medicine can work well alongside conventional medicine for those who are having trouble conceiving. Stamford practitioner Jo George has this advice for couples...

Conventional medicine can offer much to those with fertility problems, yet more and more people are turning to alternative therapies before embarking on the process of IVF, while others use such therapies to help them deal with the side-effects of drug-based treatments and to support them through IVF.

“Don’t worry if you don’t conceive even though you have tried for a baby at exactly the right time. This does not, on its own, suggest that you have any particular barrier to conception. However, for all age groups, acupuncture vastly improves the chances of conception through stimulating ovulation, regulating hormonal cycles, increasing progesterone production and flow of blood to the uterus.”

Therapists are keen to stress that they don’t offer a magic solution, however their aim, they say, is simply to get both partners into optimum condition physically and mentally, so conception can happen naturally. Even so, many have high success rates: acupuncturist Jo George, for example, who practises at The Broad Street Practice in Stamford, claims that more than 50% of those who come to her with fertility problems become pregnant.

Practitioners such as Jo aim to identify and remove any ‘blocks’ to conception.

“In Chinese medicine, the whole orchestra of the body must be tuned together to work in harmony,” she explains. “It can redress very subtle imbalances, such as a poor womb lining, that aren’t picked up by conventional medicine, and also classifies several categories of infertility, such as an energy block that prevents conception.”

“Acupuncture has become widely recognised as effective for fertility, on its own or in conjunction with orthodox reproductive medicine, such as IVF. What acupuncture does is to help prepare the ground, much like a gardener, so that seeds can be nourished, can implant and grow.”

“The majority of women have grown up with the idea that pregnancy happens easily and that one must therefore take precautions.

However, pregnancy followed by the delivery of a healthy baby does not happen as easily as one might think.”

Jo also highlights the importance of reducing stress which has a direct impact on a woman’s ability to conceive and also her ability to carry the baby to full term.

Jo points out that for women in their late teens and twenties the chances of pregnancy in a given month is less than 25% - they have to try, on average, for four months.

Reproductively healthy women in their thirties will, on average, have to try for ten months, and once women get into their early forties, despite all appearances to the contrary (athleticism, youthful appearance, vigour and energy) the chances per month of becoming pregnant is reduced to 3%, or, they will have to try for almost three years on average.

The chances at all ages are further reduced if the man has a low sperm count, poor morphology, or low motility, or if the woman does not ovulate, short luteal phase (less than ten days), polycystic ovaries PCOS, hormonal insufficiency, thin endometrium, endometriosis, or physical barriers such as fibroids or blocked fallopian tubes.

“In many cases, especially in those who have unexplained infertility, acupuncture which treats any underlying distress and is often enough to turn things around. However, in some of these cases both partners may have an imbalance in energies such as in unexplained infertility, treating both partners can make a big difference to the chances of, and speed of, successful conception. Physical, mental and emotional components are all important, and in harmony can help create the fertile conditions necessary for conception and a full-term healthy pregnancy.”

n Jo is always happy to talk and share her knowledge, please call for a FREE preliminary phone conversation with Jo on 07914 851995. She is located at The Broad Street Practice, Stamford. Or to book a consultation Tel: 01780 480889. Go to www.lifemedicineclinic.com for patient testimonials and research.

Jo George, Acupuncturist and Chinese Herbalist MSc Traditional Chinese Medicine; MBAc; BSc (Hons) Acupuncture; Dip. Clin. Acu (China); Two Post Graduate Dips Chinese Herbal Medicine. Fully registered member of the BacC, and RCHM, leading regulatory bodies of acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine in the UK.

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Changing Lives

WITH MODERN DENTISTRY

The dedicated and professional team at the Dental Health Centre in Grantham aims to change lives with modern dentistry. We make every effort to get to know our patients and allay any fears they may have so they look forward to their dental visits with us.

Our practice doesn’t look – or smell - like a traditional dental practice.

The Dental Health Centre is a modern building that has been decorated with our patients in mind. It is equipped with the latest in dental technology to provide a painless, precise and perfect outcome.

The Dental Health Centre excels in providing quality dentistry, hygiene therapy and cosmetic treatments and has built an enviable reputation across the East Midlands for our dental implant procedures.

We are one of very few dental practices to have invested in a 3D dental CT scanner. Our state-of-the-art scanner makes dental implant treatment, safer, quicker and more accurate for our patients and makes us one of the most technologically advanced dental clinics in the area.

Everyone at our practice is committed to providing the very best in dental health care.

n Call one of our friendly team on 01476 594480 or visit our website.The Dental Health Centre, 3 Avenue Road, Grantham, NG31 6TA. www.dentalhealthcentre.co.uk 150

“The team is fantastic and they know who I am. I’m not just a number here and you get a very personal service.”

Robyn B, Lincoln “The staff are so warm and friendly and they greet you by name. I’m thrilled to bits that I’ve found a dentist who listens to me, my fears and my concerns and treats me accordingly,” Sandy B, Spridlington “Right from the beginning Colin Sutton was technically excellent and I felt very confident about his competence and ability to find a solution that was best for me.

He has moved with the times and made sure he is always at the forefront of dentistry.”

Elizabeth P, Grantham

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DISCOVER THE HOTTEST TREND IN HAIRDRESSING:

ECAILLE Introducing the Ecaille Collection by Couture Colour, the most premium and personalised colour looks for SS16 – available now at P.Kai Hair Salons

P.kai Hair Salons welcome the Wella Professionals Couture Colour Ecaille Collection for SS16 - the epitome of craftsmanship; a unique expression of molten colours and moulded textures, created bespoke for every client. Ecaille – which is derived from the French for tortoiseshell – is the latest trend in hair colour. In its stunning interpretation of this emerging trend, P.Kai Hair is delighted to be able to offer a bespoke, multi-tonal colour service with beautifully placed light and shade patterns enhanced by the soft movement of molded textures.

The colour look that is being heralded as the next ombré or balayage by forward-thinking beauty experts, Ecaille is a multi-tonal, natural look with skilfully placed light and shade accents. Taking inspiration from the subtle tones and textures of the tortoise shell from which it draws its name, each Ecaille

look uses a rich assortment of hair colour shades and techniques, tailored to your tone and eye colour.

“The colour is inspired by molten metallics - imagine they have been heated to create these beautiful greys, coppers and golds which all flow together. We’re working with several different colours, but they all come together in a really authentic way.” Comments Laura Chadwick, Style Director from P.Kai Hair, Market Deeping.

Molten beauty.

Featuring a colour palette inspired by the luxe flow of precious molten metals, the Ecaille Collection includes looks such as Rose Gold Ecaille and Burnished Bronze Ecaille. Taking inspiration from the opulent palette of a master craftsman, the Ecaille Collection’s refined palette is inspired by some of the world’s most precious materials.

Rich, living metallics meet the buff earthiness

of nude suede. Black pearl and elegant ebony flow into soft steel and polished platinum.

Supple, moulded shapes and soft texture in the styling echo the fluidity of the colour and complete these luxurious looks. Precious metallics, exacting precision and artisanal craftsmanship come together in this naturally sophisticated, bespoke colour trend which will be taking Pkai Hair salons by storm for Spring Summer 2016.

n To book your Spring/Summer 16 Ecaille consultation call P.Kai Hair, 10/12 Market Place, Market Deeping, PE6 8EA, 01778 300558 or see www.pkai.co.uk.

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To view and purchase photographs from The Event visit www.pridemagazines.co.uk

For Rutland In Rutland Good & New Clothes Sale...

It’s the shopping event of the year for many Rutland ladies hoping to secure a bargain. The Good and New Clothes Sale takes place each year and is expected to once again raise over £45,000 of funding for For Rutland In Rutland the fundraising arm of the Citizen’s Advice Bureau.

Taking place at Barnsdale Lodge, a ticketed VIP night saw ladies and gentlemen enthusiastically peruse over 70 rails of new and nearly new designer clothing with labels like Chanel, Dior and YSL, whilst enjoying champagne and canapés kindly provided by Hambleton Hall. n For more information see www.forrutlandinrutland.org.uk.

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 our events online.

Visit www.pridemagazines.co.uk.

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- FREEFIRE ZONE -

FRONTS Att ack on all

“Your County Needs You!” John Dean from Free Fire Zone may not be Kitchener, but he rallies his airsoft troops with as much enthusiasm.

Free Fire Zone is an airsoft base near Bourne, a game that definitely isn’t for the faint-hearted. If you go down to the woods, you’re sure of a big surprise; around 100 ‘airsofters’ ready to shoot on command...

Words & Photos: Tilly Wilkinson.

“Just relax,” said John Dean the CEO of Free Fire Zone reassuringly as I held up an airsoft rifle to my shoulder for the first time, clearly seeing the fear in my eyes that I was about to accidentally shoot someone or fall back from the power of the gun.

I usually shoot with a camera so I had minimal experience; shooting with a gun was a bit of a novelty for me. It turns out it’s not as scary as it seems, especially when you’re using one of John’s intricately designed, light and powerful airsoft guns.

However, I feel the adrenaline would be pumping around my body a little faster if I was shooting at people rather than trees, and I also happened to be a target.

John has been running Free Fire Zone alongside a friend and airsoft enthusiast Frank, for more than 12 years. Airsoft is a sport in which two teams go head-to-head attempting to eliminate opponents by shooting each other with spherical non-metallic pellets.

Since airsoft pellets do not mark their target like paintball and hits aren’t always obvious, airsoft relies on an honor system; it’s the

Main: Player with modified M4A1 assault rifle practising by aiming at a target. The teams are divided usually into a blue team and a red team.

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duty of the person who’s been hit to call themselves out regardless of whether anyone saw it happen.

“Free Fire Zone has been running events every other Sunday for the last two and half years,” says John. “Free Fire Zone plays on a mixture of open areas, woodland and scrubland over 70 acres in total. At the site we have five complexes of bunkers.”

Free Fire Zone is able to supply hire guns for up to 20 people.

Corporate and private days are available on requests and a price will be calculated for the whole day. Game days are usually held twice a month on Sundays and they usually get around 80 people turn up with a maximum on one day of 105.

“We aim to provide a top quality service with the best possible prices,” says John. “Customer service is our main priority. In stock are all the latest Airsoft guns and pistols. Our stock includes models by manufacturers such as Tokyo Marui, Classic Army, Western Arms and KSC. We also stock upgrade parts made by Systema.”

“Games played include bunker assaults, search and destroy missions, downed pilot recoveries, medic games and many other realistic scenarios. Also a new speedball area has just been completed.”

“WE AIM TO PROVIDE A TOP QUALITY SERVICE WITH THE BEST POSSIBLE PRICES,” SAYS JOHN. “CUSTOMER SERVICE IS OUR MAIN PRIORITY. IN STOCK ARE ALL THE LATEST AIRSOFT GUNS AND PISTOLS...”

“We have invested heavily into the Free Fire Zone site to make it packed with great features that add an extra dimension to your game play,” says John. “We have a multitude of bunkers scattered around the site, a Vietnam style village, an artillery fire base as well as many other great features all set in woodands with varying terrain. You could not ask for more from a woodland Airsoft site.”

Above: The players divide into two teams to play games like search and destroy missions and medic games.

If you’re already an airsofter and have your own airsoft gun, it’s only £20 for the day.

If you’re wanting to test the game out and try something new, Free Fire Zone have a hire package which is only £40 with a deposit of £25, and includes a gun, around 1,700 BBs, a camo jacket and a wire mesh mask.

They also sell BBs on site, gas, wire mesh full face masks, BB Grenades and Smoke grenades. Additional items of equipment can be ordered from Fire Support as they have their own shop.

We fully recommend a game whether you’re 16 or 60 and wanting to try a sociable sport that offers an adrenaline rush.

n For more information on the airsoft base near Bourne and to pre-book a game, visit www.freefirezone.co.uk or call 01733 247171.

To buy any of John’s airsoft products, visit www.fire-support.co.uk

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ARCHITECTURAL

GARDEN ORNAMENTS The Directory To advertise here call our friendly team on 01529 469977

Enhance the look of your garden - from our range of Old Stone Troughs, Urns, Staddle Stones & Planters.

‘Finders’ service, delivery and collection available.

Call 07773 997437 or email jandpmackey@btinternet.com

RutlandPride RutlandPride

APR 2016

RUTLAND’S BARN CONVERSION HOMES

SPRING GARDENING

D& COVERING STAMFOR THE WHOLE OF RUTLAND

ES QUALITY HOM E FOR HIGH LE MAGAZIN THE LIFESTY

wn’s Capability Brodsca pe Burghley Lan THE EVENT

£3.70

Eating Out in April

The Cherry House, near Werrington

RO KILIMANJA CHARITY BID

MAY 2016

EXCLUSIVE ‘NATION AL WEDDING SHOW’ IMAGES

ROCKINGHAM HORSE TRIALS

THE LIFESTY LE MAGAZIN E FOR HIGH QUALITY HOM ES

THE EVENT

WE’RE SEEING STARS Celebrity Acts Visiting Rutland this Season

EATING OUT Smart Dining at Hambleton Hall

’S THE QUORN HUNT END OF SEASON BALL Images from the black tie event...

Page 22.

Page 40

NATIONAL GARDENS SCHEME Enjoy some great days out this summer!

Page 18.

QUEENSGATE FASHION TIPS Stunning fashions for any occasion this season...

ssell Watson Ru Classical Crossover Star

John Lewis’s With outfits chosen by xx.

From Page 137. professional stylists.

EXCLUSIVE

a Brings Opera to the Are Rutland This Month: Golf in

to courses...

- from clothing to coaching

£3.70

Cottesmore Hunt Ball

Page 50

Page 38

Tackling the Tanzanian .. mountain to raise money.

COVERING STAMFOR D& THE WHOLE OF RUTLAND

Oakham Castle COVER STORY

Exciting times for hist oric building, reopenin g in May This Month: The Rutland

Page 96

EXCLUSIVE

DAVID ROSS

AT THE OPERA Local businessman’s 2016 festival at the Nevill Holt Estate Page 20

Show - Preview of our 2016 county show...

Enjoy Rutland’s Number One Magazine every single month...

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ESTATE

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- MOTORS -

OF THE ART

4X4S ARE USEFUL IN OUR PART OF THE WORLD, BUT IF YOU FIND A BULKY SUV SLIGHTLY TOO UNWIELDY IN THE COUNTY’S TIGHT PARKING SPACES AND ALONG BACK LANES, THERE’S NOW A THIRD OPTION. AUDI’S A4 AVANT ALLROAD BLENDS THE ADVANTAGES OF A 4X4 WITHIN A MORE COMPACT, CAR-LIKE BODY STYLE...

Words: Rob Davis.

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In our part of the world, a 4x4 can be a useful asset. Muddy roads, the need to park on verges or pull over to allow cars to pass, as well as country lanes and estates with less than ideal road surfaces ensure that having decent ground clearance and all-wheel drive worth its weight in gold, perhaps not all the time, but certainly on occasion.

The problem is, we’re also a county of tight market towns with awkward parking spaces, and narrow country lanes. Even relatively compact SUVs can be unwieldy, and they’re certainly less economical than conventional cars.

It’s a condition of compromise which Audi’s A4 Allroad Quattro seeks to address. What we have here, essentially, is an A4 Avant (Audi’s term for an estate), but with plastic cladding to resist wheelarch damage, and 34mm of extra ground clearance. On sale this summer, it’s still not as lofty to drive as an SUV-shaped 4x4, but the trade off is a flatter, more car-like driving dynamic when you’re on A-roads and motorways... it’s a sort of occasional-use 4x4.

The previous Allroad launched in 2009, with a new model in 2012. The third generation of Allroad reflects the changes to a widely praised A4 model which has a sublime cabin of exceptional quality, even more efficient engines mated to a new eightspeed Tiptronic gearbox and beefed-up Quattro system, and weight savings of 90kg which, as well as providing fuel savings, are likely to make the car lighter and therefore even better in muddy conditions, ensuring it ‘floats’ over poor quality surfaces rather than sinking into the mire.

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The Allroad provides a choice of one petrol (TSI) and five diesels (TDi) - 2.0 four cylinder and 3.0V6 units, which will be mated to a manual transmission, seven-speed sportsoriented or eight speed economy-oriented automatic gearboxes, with the company’s Quattro all-wheel drive and spring, rather than air suspension mandatory.

Our advice is to stick with the 2.0 190ps diesel which should strike a good balance between brisk performance and decent economy.

In addition to being a competent performer, the Allroad benefits from the many virtues of its sister car - the A4. These include build quality which surpasses anything in the sector - even the interior of Mercedes’s C-Class which is already limo-like in appearance and panel fit. The cabin also features plenty of

Above: The Allroad provides the car-like driving dynamics of an estate, with the four wheel drive and body protection of a more rugged SUV.

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head and leg room for four passengers, and a comfortable driving position for the model’s intended company car drivers’ long slogs up and down motorways.

Avant (estate) versions of the A4 also boast a whopping boot, 505-litres with the seats up, and 1,501-litres of luggage space - or plenty of room for big gundogs - with the 40:20:40 seats folded. A power tailgate and electrically retracting load area cover are also standard, and both aid practicality, whilst a low-loading lip makes utilising the boot space a cinch.

Every A4 comes with three zone climate control, Bluetooth and DAB radio, cruise control and rear parking sensors. Final trim levels for the Avant are still to be confirmed for the UK market, but are likely to add sat nav and leather. Audi offers a typically extensive list of optional extras, but we’d

especially recommend the firm’s adaptive cruise control system at £1,250 and the Parking Assistance pack, also at £1,250 which includes automatic bay and parallel and bay parking, and a 360° camera to make life in tight spaces a little easier.

Audi A4 Allroad Quattro

When considering the Allroad against a dearth of SUV rivals, there’s a temptation to ask the question ‘why,’ but the question is, rather, ‘why not?’

After all, very few motorists need a large SUV all the time, and if your motoring is biased towards pounding along A-roads, rather than muddy farm tracks, the Allroad is ideal. Providing a good compromise of compact executive car comfort when you’re on tarmac, with extra ground clearance and the security of all-wheel drive when the going gets tough... the Allroad really is a car for all seasons, especially ideal for our county.

Price: £35,500 (est UK pricing).

Engine: 2.0V4 diesel, 190ps, sevenspeed automatic with Quattro 4x4.

Economy: 57.7mpg (combined), 128g/km CO2.

Top Speed: 136mph, 0-60mph 7.8 seconds.

Equipment: Leather, sat-nav, cruise, climate, Bluetooth, power tailgate.

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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. Hunk, European, to apply rubber (8) 5. Protest the wrong way round? Union not spreading (2,4) 9. Starts to work out — hard abs form? (9) 11. Skinter and regular instalments for what 1 across might do (5) 12. Something saucy about French and Saunders with old works (5-3-4) 15. Noise from pen — reason it’s run out? (4) 16. Close to this, flogging belatedly? (4-2,4) 18. Waxes lyrical: “incredible Zico”, initially turning Italy — a name supporters embrace (10) 19. Set with no level of intelligence, like this? (4) 21. Mean one to restrain singer going after copper (5-7) 24. Relating to a country, not one a bit like Iran (5) 25. Invention of “Eco- Dyson” covering patent — initially it might feed tube through bottom? (9) 26. Leaving sergeant without soldier backing section (6) 27. Push drugs up front — ring for strong stuff (8)

DOWN

ACROSS

1. Trade-off (10) 7. Area between stomach and chest (7) 8. Theme (5) 10. Very small amount (4) 11. Lobby (8) 13. Tooth decay (6) 15. Customer (6) 17. Backed (8) 18. Karate blow (4) 21. School (5) 22. Public speakers (7) 23. Very large wine bottle (10)

DOWN

1. Trainee officer (5) 2. Principal (4) 3. Cleanse from impurities (6) 4. Maternal (8) 5. Imagine (7) 6. All-knowing (10) 9. Happen (4,2,4) 12. Cut down expenses (8) 14. Bureaucracy (3,4) 16. Lures (6) 19. Illicit liquor (5) 20. Go by boat (4)

CRYPTIC ANSWERS

QUICK ANSWERS

QUICK CROSSWORD

1. Cuts kinky sex — ouch! Upside-down (4) 2. Frame crack troops on heroin (4) 3. Stoop wears golfer’s joints (6) 4. Health programme on satellite station? (5,8) 6. Unaided viewer’s kinky 11? Ring for hooker (5,3) 7. Unstoppable boxer, Ali, and George Foreman ultimately in rumble (10) 8. Needs Durex desperately in this state? Hardly! (10) 10. Exchange numbers (8,5) 13. Idiot on top with something for bottom (5,5) 14. Win following one up North — both sides admitting that is more awkward (10) 17. Legendary Rolling Stone man is unknown power in quiet America (8) 20. Picks up cockney fella in spring? (6) 22. Chief designer (4) 23. This contalns one bit of party politics? (4)

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