Rutland Pride August 2021

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RUTLAND

READ

PRIDE

PRIDE RUTLAND

RUTLAND’S FINEST MAGAZINE

FREE ONLINE

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WELCOME

P

ersonally, I’m still not used to the fact that the present Mrs Davis and I can walk into a restaurant one again, order a meal, and enjoy an entire evening of talking, eating, drinking and generally relaxing in one another’s company.

I’d almost forgotten what a pleasure dining out is, so it was with sheer unadulterated delight that I’ve enjoyed dining out twice for this edition... catching up on all those months of missed meals!

The first in our duo of dining out delights is the Engine Yard at Belvoir Castle. Yes, it’s out of the area, technically, but what a delight! There’s an array of wonderful shops – delis, garden centres and interiors retailers – to enjoy on the site... and now, a very nice brasserie too.

And for something deliciously different, Stamford’s Hoppi Dorri is under new management with Omar Palazzolo now in the kitchen. Stunning pan-Asian dining is now right on your doorstep. Both Hoppi Dorri and The Engine Yard’s new brasserie are each highly recommended.

Elsewhere this month? We’re recalling the sixth Marquess of Exeter and his achievements in both competing in and organising the Olympics.

Also, we’re meeting Rutland broadcaster Rob Persani as his new local radio station reaches its six month anniversary.

And finally, we’re discovering that whilst ‘to err is human,’ to discover the area’s most impressive buildings with religious provenance is nothing short of divine.

Our best wishes for a wonderful month!

Executive Editor robin@pridemagazines.co.uk 3

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18 CONTENTS NEWS & EVENTS 08

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NEWS The best ‘good news’ stories from across Stamford & Rutland; congratulations to Katie Cardew who opens her new shop in Stamford.

WHAT’S ON Live events for August.

HIGHLIGHTS 18

DIVINE INSPIRATION Our pick of the ten most inspiring or historically interesting religious buildings to be found in the area.

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MAKING WAVES IN LOCAL RADIO Rutland broadcaster Rob Persani on the six month anniversary of the area’s newest radio station.

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HIDDEN GEMS Local author Michael Smith considers some of Leicestershire & Rutland’s highlights in his brand new book.

GREAT ESCAPES Inspired getaways with luxury motorhome hire – where will your staycation take you?

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OLYMPIC BURGHLEY How the sixth Marquess of Exeter took gold and inspired the firm Chariots of Fire.

FOOD & DRINK 52

ENGINE YARD Dining out at the brand new brasserie of Belvoir Castle’s Engine Yard near Grantham.

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HOPPI DORRI Impressive pan-Asian dining at the reopened Hoppi Dorri.

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FOOD & WINE Recipes and drink.

HOMES & GARDENS 70

WELCOME HOME A Country estate in Ketton on the market for £4m.

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GARDENING Stunning sweet peas to enjoy at Easton Walled Gardens.

FASHION & LIFESTYLE 98

WEDDINGS Stunning local weddings at Deene Park and Normanton.

106 FASHION High summer style.

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MOTORING Lexus’s electric UX.

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106 THE WEALTHIEST PEOPLE IN THE AREA READ PRIDE MAGAZINE

READ

FREE ONLINE

Pride Magazine is delivered free of charge, via Royal Mail, to high value homes in the county. Our circulation is to homes in the top three council tax bands, which are predominantly worth over £300,000. This guarantees the magazine has an affluent readership commensurate with our content.

The magazine is also sold in supermarkets and newsagents and our in-house distribution team also works hard to hand-deliver the magazine to selected hotels and restaurants, doctors, dentists, executive motor dealerships and golf clubs.

This helps to ensure we have a continued presence, right across our catchment area.

Our titles also have more social media fans than any other local magazine. In addition we have over 30,000 online readers each month who view the magazine free of charge, online, on their tablet, computer, laptop or mobile phone via our website, our app, and via the Readly and Issuu platforms.

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

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

Read Pride Magazine free online at www.pridemagazines.co.uk or by downloading our free iOS and Android App. LEGAL DISCLAIMER By supplying editorial or advertising copy to Pride you accept in full the terms and conditions which can be found online at www.pridemagazines.co.uk.

In the event of an advert or editorial being published incorrectly, where Pride Magazines Ltd admits fault, we will include an advert of equivalent size, or equivalent sized editorial, free of charge to be used in a future edition, at our discretion.

This gesture is accepted as full compensation for the error(s) with no refunds available.

Selected images in our content may be sourced from www.shutterstock.com.

THE PRIDE TEAM Managing Director: Julian Wilkinson.

Sales Director: Zoie Wilkinson.

General Manager: Ian Bagley.

Sales Manager: Charlotte Daubney.

Sales Supervisor: Cydney Dyson.

Executive Editor: Rob Davis.

Illustrator: Jocelyn Lawman.

Customer Care Manager: Mandy Bray.

Web Developer: Joe Proctor.

Administration and Office Managers: Debbie Wellington, Sami Millard, Paul Robinson-Marsh.

Pride Magazines, Boston Enterprise Centre, Enterprise Way, Boston, Lincs PE21 7TW

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

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OUNDLE MILL KITCHEN & BATHROOM DESIGN

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NEWS & EVENTS

Katie Cardew opens Stamford shop ILLUSTRATOR KATIE NOW EMPLOYS FIVE PEOPLE IN HER SOUTH LUFFENHAM STUDIO STAMFORD Local home and giftware business Katie Cardew Illustrations is opening a brand new shop in St Mary’s Street, Stamford.

This will be Katie’s first ever shop and the team are really excited to bring their flagship store to the town!

The Katie Cardew shop will be located on St Mary’s Street, and will have three rooms, which will feature the full Stamford collection, as well as a fabulous range of gifting & homeware products and a gallery of prints, plus a fabulous events space to the rear of the property.

Katie plans to bring back her hugely popular workshops, which will be hosted at the shop, and the team plans to hold corporate and social events at the store too.

An army of carpenters, painters and sign writers are currently hard at work transforming the property and

the Katie Cardew shop will open its doors in early July.

To celebrate the opening of the new store the team will be welcoming customers to two exclusive shopping evenings to visit the shop, enjoy a glass of fizz and explore Katie’s new collections in person!

Katie Cardew Illustrations began in 2013 when Katie launched her first range of fine art prints and cards.

Since then she has produced commissioned illustrations of homes and businesses, and worked with companies such as Estée Lauder, Henley Royal Regatta, Historic Royal Palaces and Waitrose. The business is also well known locally, particularly for its stand at The Burghley Horse Trials. Katie now employs a team of five people and there are currently over 40 stockists of Katie Cardew products across the UK and internationally. n

Cinema comes to Rutland ANNOUNCEMENT MEANS RUTLAND’S FIRST STANDALONE CINEMA SINCE THE 1980S...

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OAKHAM Pass the popcorn!

Rutland will gain a new two screen cinema following news that Andrew Robinson and Genevieve Margrett have agreed a long-term lease of Victoria Hall on Oakham’s High Street. One screen will have 89 seats, a second screen have around 30 seats.

Rutland Kino will be Rutland’s first ‘full time’ cinema since the 1980s and will have comfy seats, fantastic surround sound and the latest digital projection technology.

“In addition to this we’ll have a café serving delicious meals and drinks that can be

enjoyed before, after or even during a film,” say Andrew and Genevieve. “We very much hope that Rutland Kino will become a hub for anyone who enjoys great films, great food and great company.”

“As we’ll have two screens, we’ll be able to show a wide variety of films and documentaries as well as theatre productions, ballets and operas.”

“Whether it’s the latest releases, old classics or a livestreamed National Theatre production, we will have something for everyone.”

It’s hoped Kino will open in spring/summer 2022. n

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RUTLAND & STAMFORD Award winning artificial grass specialist, James Cottam is busting the myth that artificial grass is ‘too hot to handle’ in the summer months. With temperatures reaching into the high twenties and predictions of low thirties this summer, the question is often asked ‘will my artificial grass become too hot?’

“A myth that has been around since artificial grass first appeared in the UK in was, in fact not all myth. It’s true that some cheaper prod-

ucts can absorb heat and that’s why we always recommend a higher quality grass.”

“We do not sell cheaper products, and everything we sell has been tested over the last five years and we’ve had no complaints yet!”

“Artificial grass can feel warm to the touch when in direct sunlight, but it doesn’t absorb anywhere near as much heat as patios, or decking.” n Call 01778 424288, see www.jamescottamflooring.co.uk or find James Cottam on Facebook.

All aboard for railway fun ENTHUSIASTS GO OFF THE RAILS FOR THE CREATION OF RAILWAYS IN THE GARDEN IN THE EAST OF ENGLAND

UPPINGHAM It’s a delicious prospect for Uppingham residents hungry for good food. Uppingham Fine Foods, owned by Damon and Ellie Le Geyt, has moved to new larger premises on High Street East. The business was founded in June last year on Orange Street, but the new larger premises will allow the business to offer more choice. n

PETERBOROUGH Everyone was on board when it came to celebrating the creation of garden railways at the National Garden Railway Show held last month at the East of England Showground.

The one-day show featured at least a dozen scale railway modelling layouts on display, with live steam engines running along the tracks, as well as a great choice of traders and merchants who can help you get started on your garden railway project. The event was organised by the 16mm Narrow Gauge Modellers group, held at the Peterborough Showground. n nationalgardenrailwayshow.org.uk.

LOCAL

£59,000 Boost

ARTIFICIAL GRASS IS COOL IN EVERY SENSE

Uppingham deli opens up new larger premises...

OAKHAM Rutland County Council’s Cabinet has approved a grant of just over £59,000 from the National Leisure Recovery Fund to support the running of Catmose Sports Centre in Oakham following the severe impact that COVID-19 restrictions have had on the leisure industry, and specifically leisure centres. n

A Touch of Grass

NEWS In Brief STAMFORD x

Photo competition aims to show off what life will be like after lockdown...

SKDC has launched a photographic competition and is seeking heart-warming images of what locals can welcome back into their lives thanks to the easing of lockdown.

Whether it’s an image of grandma, the hairdresser or even a local dance class... the possibilities are endless.

A successful Lockdown Photo Competition last year illustrated how life changed due to the pandemic and this year’s competition winners will be shown on the Stamford and Grantham Arts Centre’s websites.

Winners will receive a goody bag and £50 voucher. n 9

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DEEPING GATE Guide Price £1,750,000

Sitting on the edge of the Cambridgeshire Fens is a stunning, unique, contemporary property providing six bedrooms, four with en suites, two further bathrooms, an open plan kitchen/diner/sunroom with separate reception room linked to a more intimate dining space, a study, a purpose-built cinema, a gym and an extraordinary garage integral to the house. The private plot is approx. 3.5 acres and includes a paddock behind, and a well-appointed one bedroom annex in the mature gardens. The main house is an exemplary, state-of-the-art residence with attention to detail and finish paramount.

The overall aesthetic is contemporary with this minimalism consistent from room to room. The size of the rooms and the feeling of light, space and airiness is immense.

Outside, a granite terrace extends across most of the back of the building. The gardens are predominantly lawn interspersed with a great variety of mature trees and shrubs, with a large paddock beyond.

Tel: +44(0)1780 750200 Email: stamford@fineandcounty.com

Tel: +44( 0)1572 335145 Email: rutland@fineandcounty.com

fineandcountry.com

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PIPEWELL Offers in Excess of £3,500,000

225 offices across Great Britain Plus 75 offices globally

Pipewell Hall is a beguiling country residence occupying around circa forty acres (stms) of parkland sitting within a triangle of Market Harborough to the west, Kettering to the south and Uppingham, Rutland to the north. The Hall was built in 1675 from ancient limestone belonging to a Cistercian Abbey that once stood nearby.

The property set over three floors and now presents as, not only a family home, but the perfect venue for hosting a wide variety of events with its numerous reception rooms off a spectacular entrance hall, many ancillary rooms, and upstairs, nine bedrooms.

In addition to the main house, a gate lodge, two cottages, and several outbuildings are included in the sale, whilst the glorious grounds contain a heated outdoor swimming pool, a tennis court, an old orchard, grazing, woodland and a lake.

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NEW

UPPINGHAM

£850,000

Superb stone-built detached period property with mature south-facing gardens offering elegant, extensive character accommodation on town outskirts. Drawing Room, Dining Room, Dining Kitchen, ample Ancillary Accommodation (including Cellars), Study, 5 Double Bedrooms, 2 En-suite Shower Rooms, Family Bathroom, Garage. Energy Rating: TBC. Viewing is highly recommended.

UPPINGHAM

NEW

NEW PRICE

LANGHAM

£435,000

An individual detached property offering well maintained and spacious accommodation, set on an established plot in a desirable village close to Oakham and enjoying rural views to the rear.

Lounge, Dining Room, Snug, Kitchen, 3 Double Bedrooms, Bathroom. Tandem Garage, Parking, mature Front Garden, low-maintenance Rear Garden making the most of the countryside views.

Energy Rating: D.

COTTESMORE, RUTLAND

£300,000

Attractively appointed stone-built period cottage situated next to the church in one of Rutland’s sought-after villages and providing character accommodation which features exposed beams and roof trusses, latch door handles and cast-iron stove. Sitting Room, Snug/Dining Room, Dining Kitchen, Conservatory, Utility Room, Clkrm/WC, 2 Double Bedrooms, 2 Bath/Shower Rooms.

Energy Rating: E.

£395,000

Stunning detached two-bedroom Cottage with one-bedroom Guest Annex providing beautifully presented accommodation with a wealth of character and charming private gardens situated in a popular Rutland village. The property features log-burning stove, exposed timbers and button doors with latch furniture. The kitchen and 3 bath-/shower rooms have been all refitted to a high contemporary standard. Energy Rating: TBC.

NEW

MORCOTT

£585,000

A substantial, beautifully appointed modern detached family home occupying a good sized plot with dbl Garage, ample Parking and enclosed Garden situated on the edge of town. The spacious accommodation briefly comprises Entrance Hall, Lounge, Dining Room, Study, large Living Kitchen, Utility, downstairs Clrkm/WC, 5 Dbl Bedrooms, two of them with en-suite Shower Rooms, and Family Bathroom. Energy Rating: C.

NEW PRICE NEW

OAKHAM

£425,000

An executive detached property offering spacious, immaculately presented family accommodation.

The elegant interior features good quality fixtures and fittings including marble tiled floors and oak internal doors to the ground floor, oak staircase, superb high gloss units in the kitchen and contemporary sanitary ware. Sitting Room, large Games Room, Conservatory, open-plan Kitchen/Diner, WC, Utility, 4 Bedrooms, 2 Bath/Shower Rooms. Parking, enclosed Garden. Energy Rating: C.

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Guide Price £280,000

Offers In Excess of £425,000

Haydock Avenue, Barleythorpe

The Laurels, Lyddington

A well-presented three-bedroom detached property with a south-west facing garden, private driveway & garage.

A three-bedroom, Grade II listed, iron-stone cottage with a wealth of period features, sitting on a generous plot in the sought-after village of Lyddington.

Offers In Excess of £500,000

Offers in Excess of £675,000

Spion Kop, Tilton on the Hill

Leesthorpe House, Leesthorpe

A beautiful & characterful iron-stone village home, sitting in a private position within one of Leicestershire’s most popular villages.

This beautiful four-bedroom cottage sits in a peaceful location in the hamlet of Leesthorpe with a mature garden and lovely countryside views.

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Looking for your forever home? Look no further!

VALLEY VIEW, CASTLE BYTHAM, NEAR GRANTHAM A DEVELOPMENT OF 4 & 5 BEDROOM EXECUTIVE FAMILY HOMES

£POA - CALL FOR AVAILABILITY PLOTS 3 & 6 ALREADY SOLD STC

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

HIGH SPECIFICATION TO INCLUDE: Oak stairs with oak newel, handrail & spindles or glass balustrades. Quartz, granite or Corian worktops and upstands.

Air source heat pump system... Plus: the reassurance of an NHBC backed 10 year warranty.

Call 01733 558505 or visit www.oakwoodhomesltd.co.uk REGISTERED DEVELOPER OTHER DEVELOPMENT LOCATIONS: ROYSTON, FOLKSWORTH, HOLBEACH...

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Lifestyle & Interiors now have a new home in Stamford.

Come and visit us soon!

Visit us in our new studio and retail space at

33 St Mary’s Street, Stamford, PE9 2DS 01780 754605 • www.hworksdesign.co.uk

IN TE RI OR DE SI G N • C URTAIN S , BLINDS , S OF T F URNI SHIN G S • UPH OL STE RY • LIFE ST YLE

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DIVINE ARCHITECTURE

STAMFORD & RUTLAND’S

DIVINE PLACES To err is human but to visit a local church is divine... and thankfully, Rutland and Stamford has a wealth of historically, culturally or architecturally significant buildings. Here, we’ve picked our 10 favourite buildings, a mix of churches and buildings of religious provenance...

Words: Rob Davis.

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DIVINE ARCHITECTURE

1. Normanton Church, Rutland Water More correctly, ‘Normanton Church’ is St Matthew’s Church, although it is now deconsecrated

Where else could we begin when considering local churches but on the shores of Rutland Water, with St Matthew’s Church – known colloquially as Normanton Church.

St Matthew’s is on the site of a medieval building created for the Earl of Ancaster’s Normanton Hall residence, which in the 18th century was cleared and the residents resettled to Empingham. A 14th century church was replaced by the Heathcote Baronets at the time and the church was built in a classical style for use as the family’s private chapel until 1920 when the

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Heathcotes left the area. The church was abandoned until the Gwash Valley became the site of Rutland Water. The medieval tower though has been replaced in 1826 and the nave and chancel restyled 1964.

The church was deconsecrated in 1970 and plans to demolish it during the construction of the water were abandoned when there was public outcry. Instead, the top half of the chuch was retained, a new floor was created on which the church could stand, and an embankment was created leaving the present building; an iconic symbol of Rutland. n

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2. All Saints Stamford A divine nesting spot for Stamford’s peregrines!

Stamford’s All Saints’ Church is one of the oldest surviving churches in the town and was actually the daughter church of Stamford’s St Peters, on St Peter’s Hill.

It was the only church in the town to be named in the Domesday Book and is believed to have been adjacent to or incorporated within the walls of Stamford’s castle. However, in 1296 St Peters was reported to be in a state of disrepair and the castle too had fallen into disuse in 1340.

With the castle’s remains and St Peters crumbling, it was amalgamated with All Saints’ Church and the former was closed in the 1500s. Much of All Saints dates back to the 13th century, but the Browne family made many changes in the 15th century perhaps recognising it as being more worthy of investment than St Peters.

Most recently, a pair of peregrines have been helping the church to deal with a pigeon infestation who were wrecking the fabric of the building. Divine intervention, perhaps? n

3. Peterborough Cathedral The ‘mother church’ of Rutland...

Peterborough Cathedral’s nave is a breathtaking space, in scale and beauty, so it’s little surprise that the building is often home to exhibitions like Luke Jerram’s Museum of the Moon and – also on a lunar theme – this month’s One Small Step, which is a 36m x 7m art installation on the ground of the nave which allows visitors to walk around Tranquility Base, the site of the Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969.

More down to earth reasons to visit the Cathedral this summer include the option to climb the cathedral tower – nine dates are available in July.

In the Cloisters on Friday 20th August you can enjoy a performance of Jane Eyre brought to life by DOT Productions, whilst on 29th August – Bank Holiday Weekend – you can also enjoy a performance from 21st century Abba performing some of the 1970s supergroup’s greatest hits. n 21

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DIVINE ARCHITECTURE

4. Ketton St Mary Robert of Ketton was the first to translate the Qur’an into a European language for scholars to study...

The Parish Church of St Mary in Ketton was created in the 12th century, completed in the 13th century and it was updated extensively with a restored nave in the 1860s by George Gilbert Scott, gothic revivalist and architect to Westminster Abbey.

The church’s real claim to fame though is that the parish’s priest, Robert of Ketton, first translated the Qur’an into Latin from their native Arabic around 1150. He was a true polymath and also worked as an astronomer, translator, diplomat and scholar.

It’s likely that Robert of Ketton worshipped in an early building on the site of the current Grade I listed church, made of Barnack stone. n

5. All Saints Church in Oakham...

Look out for the Green Man, who made his home in All Saints Church back in the 14th century

It’s at the centre of the community in Oakham, both geographically and spiritually, and Oakham All Saints is the mother church of the Oakham Team Ministry which helps to support nine parish churches in the villages of Whissendine, Teigh, Ashwell & Market Overton in the north, and Langham, Braunston, Brooke, Hambleton & Egleton.

Together with Oakhams School and Oakham Castle, All Saints Church is one of the oldest buildings in the town and the site itself dates to about the 12th century.

The current building was created on the site of an older one, and dates back to the 13th and 14th centuries, in a mix of perpendicular (with an emphasis on vertical lines and medieval Gothic architecture) and decorated styles (with pointed arches, rib vaults, buttresses and lots of stained glass).

A particular feature of the church is the 14th century carved capitals which depict animals, birds, grotesques and The Green Man, who is seen emerging from various bits of carved foliage. n

Stamford’s Many Churches

6. St Leonard’s Priory in Stamford We’re cheating a bit with this one, since it’s actually a monastery, not a church!

Stamford’s St Leonard’s Priory once stood in about 14 acres of land and was founded by St Wilfred in 658 before being destroyed by the Danish invasion. It was refounded by William the Conqueror and the Bishop of Durham until its dissolution in 1538.

The current building is Grade I listed and is a Scheduled Monument, it’s believed that on the site there was also a millhouse and additional accommodation, although these have long since been demolished.

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Stamford has so many churches because it was one of five Danelaw boroughs. Being a Royal borough, residents tended to be wealthy and so benefactors could afford to commission churches.

From the Priory, the Bishop of Durham’s interests south of the Humber were looked after, and additional changes to the building were made in the 14th century.

In 1552 St Leonard’s Priory was granted to Sir William Cecil, later Earl of Exeter.

By 1595 it was leased to John Browne, the holding including a house, two barns, a stable, kilnhouse, malthouse and corn chamber.

The present Priory House was built in 1771, with additions made in 1780 and the C19th. n

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7. St Nicholas Community Church Project, Stretton £200,000 has been raised to upgrade Stretton’s church to become a community hub, says Greg Harker...

“St Nicholas Church in Stretton is reputed to be the oldest church in Rutland and is undergoing a major restoration project,” says project leader Greg Harker.

“This has only been possible due to the generosity of several grant giving bodies from which over £200,000 has been raised.”

“Our vision is to transform St Nicholas Church into a combined church and community centre.”

“Like many churches, with dwindling congregations, leaking roofs and other issues, St Nicholas was under threat of being closed.”

“The village of Stretton (including Stocken and Stretton Woods) has no village hall, shop, regular bus service or any other community facilities. Our vision will be delivered by a new committee which will be set up to run the community centre aspects of the

church which will work hand in hand with the Parochial Parish Church Council. We hope to encourage are coffee mornings, present films and host concerts, and be able to host family parties or clubs.”

“The project is now well underway with repairs to the Collyweston roof complete. We hope that work will be completed to coincide with the end of Covid restrictions.” n

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8. St Mary’s, Ayston Rutland’s last church to be made redundant

St Mary the Virgin in the village of Ayston dates back to the 12th century but much of its building is from the 13th century.

Rutland has four defunct churches; Holy Cross, Burley; St Matthew’s Normanton (AKA Normanton Church); St Botolph’s Wardley and St Mary The Virgin, Ayston.

Whilst St Matthew’s is now under the custodianship of Anglian Water, the three other churches are cared for by the Churches Conservation Trust. St Mary’s was the last to come under the charity’s care in 2014, two years after the last service was held in the building.

The charity preserves its 350 churches and has the third largest estate of buildings under charitable ownership in the UK after the National Trust and English Heritage.

The charity opens its buildings to 2,000,000 visitors each year and even provides ‘Champing,’ in its buildings... glamping in churches! n

9. St Peter & St Paul

Uppingham’s ironstone Grade II* listed church

Uppingham’s St Peter & St Paul’s church was constructed on the site of an old Saxon building, but much of the current structure is 14th century in origin. In 1861 though, the building underwent a serious renovation courtesy of Henry Parsons, and a couple of years later the font was installed, having been crafted by George Edmund Street, an ecclesiastical mason. Grade II* listed, its highlights include an elevated location on the top of the hill, and historic graffiti by a couple of errant pupils of the nearby school.

The school originally included a hospital, almshouses and the schoolroom. The building hospital is now incorporated into the school’s library.

The church’s organ was requisitioned from All Saints’ Church in Eppleton in County Durham and was installed in 2006. Look out, too, for two saxon sculptures on the east wall of the Lady Chapel and two more on the north door of the church. n 24

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DIVINE ARCHITECTURE

10. The Church of Lyddington St Andrew Adjacent to the village’s Bede House, Lyddington St Andrew is now a venue for classical music...

Lyddington’s St Andrew’s Church stands adjacent to the Bede House, and was once owned by the Bishops of Lincoln, used by the retinue travelling around their territories prior to the creation of dioceses from the 16th century Reformation to 1927, when the final diocese borders were determined and the two provinces of Canterbury and York were created.

The current ironstone building was created in the 14th and 15th centuries, and 15th century details remain in the form of the rood screen, wall paintings and 15th century brasses.

Acoustic ‘jars’ were also created in the walls of the chancel to improve acoustics, and they’re still proving useful today during the programme of classical music concerts held regularly in the church.

Founded by Brian Stokes, the musical programme resumes this month with performances on 31st July, when Ashley Solomon performs Purcell and Handel, then in August when Rosanna Rolton, the Echea Quarter and London Tango Orchestra perform Saint-Saëns & Debussy, Harden, Mozart & Beethoven and Piazzolla and Piazzolla. n

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RUTLAND & STAMFORD SOUND

MAKING WAVES in

LOCAL RADIO It’s the six month anniversary of the area’s newest local radio station’s creation. This month we’re speaking with Rob Persani – synonymous with radio in the area – and fellow presenter Laura Ray to reflect on what happens next to broadcasting in Rutland & Stamford...

Words: Rob Davis.

PLAY Rutland & Stamford Sound. That’s not an instruction to you, the reader, or rather it is – vicariously at least – but it’s more a request directed at my smart speaker.

Sitting there innocently in the corner it’s revolutionising the way we listen to radio, now responsible for facilitating 40% of our new local radio station’s audience.

And it’s not the only change to the airwaves of Rutland and Stamford right now.

September will be somewhat of a watershed moment for the team behind Rutland’s newest sound. We met Rob Persani and fellow presenter Laura Ray in Stamford’s Cosy Club. Rob and I, especially, are kindred spirits in that we’re both married to our media, as well as our respective wives and families.

Pride Magazines established Lincolnshire Pride in 2002 and Rutland Pride about 10 years ago, so I’ve been a magazine editor longer than I’ve been a husband or father.

And so it was with a huge amount of empathy, for Rob and his team, that I followed the news that the Rutland Radio brand established in December 1998 by Rob and others was lost following the takeover of the station by Bauer Media’s Audio subsidiary and rebranded Greatest Hits Radio.

“I was born in Staffordshire, rather than here in Rutland or Stamford,” he says. “I knew I wanted to be on the radio since the

age of about 14, and so I jumped at the chance to work for Radio Cracker. I was volunteering at the temporary station, which broadcast for three weeks prior to Christmas as a fundraising station to address third world poverty. Right from that experience I was hooked on the profession.”

“I worked on Cracker in 1991 and 1992, and with that work experience I went off to pursue a Media Production degree in Farnborough. Then, after completing my studies, I spent a couple of years freelancing before I saw a job advertisement in June 1998 for positions in one of three new stations that the Lincs FM Group were due to launch in Worksop, Hinckley and Rutland.”

“The job asked you to specify where you’d prefer to work. My father enjoyed sailing and model aircraft, so I was familiar with Rutland already. I moved to Rutland and began working for the station when it was granted its permanent license from December 1998.”

Rob became synonymous with radio in Rutland and Stamford, right up until May 2020 when Bauer made a decision about the station’s future.

The sale had been proposed in February 2019, but was subject to an investigation by the Competition & Markets Authority, keen to determine that the company’s acquisitions wouldn’t create a monopoly.

Alongside Rutland Radio, around 60 regional stations were subject to Bauer’s acquisitions, predominantly across the Wireless Group, UKRD Radioworks, Celador and the Lincs FM Group.

“We were under embargo and we were all working remotely, so in addition to being apart from existing colleagues we were also just discovering what the changes would be, and I was working to offer support to those who were facing redundancy.”

“It’s important to say that at this point that Bauer isn’t a bad company, it’s a big company. It made a business decision, and without emotion, there was a commercial justification. There was nothing wrong with the decision, it just wasn’t what I wanted.”

“A number of staff from the stations were offered employment elsewhere in the company, at regional hubs, so I could have gone to work in London or Manchester for example. But it would have meant leaving Rutland, and I really didn’t want to do that.”

“At the same time we were all desperate to be honest with the listeners and admit that we were grieving for what amounted to be the impending changes to the radio station that we knew and loved in its present form, but we were also required to promote the changes in the manner that Bauer as the station’s new owner wanted.”

As Rob pauses, I recount a similar story

Main: Rob Persani and Laura Ray (local teacher and now radio presenter) of Rutland & Stamford Sound.

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RUTLAND & STAMFORD SOUND

“I think there were five or six different suggested names – Osprey Radio, Welland Radio, Horseshoe Radio – but Rutland & Stamford Sound reflected that both places were equally important to us...” about David Green. David was my old university flatmate, a radio boffin from York, who worked for Minster FM prior to its sale to Bauer. In the same way that I have a passion for print, so too did he have a passion for radio, and in the same way that I worked for Pride Magazines for the thick end of 20 years, David worked for his station for the same period. I tuned into his last broadcast, and listened as his voice cracked when he was saying goodbye to his listeners.

The grief was not just for the loss of the station but for the changing trend of radio to economise, rationalise and to broadcast not local content but national content with regional insertions.

Midday presenter Laura then delivers what was an off the cuff remark but actually proved to be the killer quote; a really profound statement about why the changes were bad not just for the individual stations but the culture of UK radio.

“You’ve got to live the life of the listeners,” she remarks. “You can’t report on an area or reflect its character or culture without really knowing it.”

Local radio had always employed local journalists on the ground, with weather and traffic reports originating from each station’s offices. The new model of output from the stations aggregated into Greatest Hits radio would see big name DJs like Simon Mayo and Pat Sharpe delivering either national or multi-regional output, interspersed with locally-centric feeds like news, travel news and local adverts, each played out to their respective stations. That means ostensibly local radio that’s actually more akin to a national broadcast, but with the odd local insertion into its output.

“Rutland County Council recognised that there would be a loss of community connections,” says Rob. “The new model of radio would provide soundbites from the 30

council but it wouldn’t reflect local issues like a truly local station. This was also problematic as Covid was becoming a part of our lives.

It was a time when the Council would need to reach out and communicate with locals even more than usual. Rutland County Council, our MP – people like Oliver Hemsley and Alicia Kearns – were all supportive of a feasibility project to assess whether an alternative was viable. The council invested £50,000 into the project, believing it to be important for Rutland’s communities.”

“So we don’t necessarily need to adhere to Ofcom practices, but we’ve chosen to do so in order that we could apply for a broadcasting license in the future, even though it’s not currently a requirement for internet radio.

That means we adhere to broadcasting codes, obey guidance on election coverage and so on, maintaining our professional standards as we always had to do at Rutland Radio. That would be useful if, in the future, we apply for a DAB license.”

“The first stage was an exploration of feasibility, which saw us working out technical feasibility, engaging volunteers and forming a board. In October we sent out a survey and had 1,100 responses which gave us really good feedback about what locals wanted from their station, as well as what name the new station could adopt.”

Rutland & Stamford Sound currently has an audience of about 10% of the population of Rutland and Stamford, and that’s assuming just a single person is listening to each device. That’s a huge audience for a smaller, not-for-profit and relatively new station, considering that BBC Radio 2, the nation’s largest and most-well funded station only has about a quarter of all listeners in the county.

“I think there were five or six different suggested names – Osprey Radio, Welland Radio, Horseshoe Radio – but Rutland & Stamford Sound reflected that both places were equally important to us.”

But though Rutland & Stamford Sound is currently broadcasting, it still remains in the second stage of its feasibility assessment.

September sees the date when a decision must be made on its permanent future.

“We established a not-for-profit community interest company and appointed six board members. Today there are four directors and two advisory committee members.

I’m the only employee, and we sought volunteer presenters who felt they could engage with our listeners and the community, as a whole. We began broadcasting six months ago on Friday 5th March and we were delighted with the feedback and the support we received right from the beginning.”

“Technology has changed the industry, making broadcasting more democratic.

In the past, you’d need to apply for an FM licence and you’d send your broadcast signal from the station to the transmitter. Today, our output is to an external streaming company which hosts our broadcast.”

“No decisions have been made yet,” says Rob. “We either stop broadcasting – hopefully, that’s not what will happen – or the decision is that the station can’t support employment in which case it will be a station of volunteers. Alternatively, we continue as we are, with perhaps one or more full or part time employees, and we operate commercially either as a not-for-profit organisation or a conventional company.”

“One thing that Covid has proven is that people can contribute to the station from home. The people hosting our shows now are broadcasting from home with laptops, a decent microphone and an internet connection. Their shows can be broadcast live or pre-recorded. Technology has dramatically reduced the amount of equipment needed, and from your computer you can play out jingles, adverts, news and weather content and so on.”

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“When I present the breakfast show it’s live, but from the back bedroom in my house in Stamford. The fact that we don’t need dedicated studios is a significant financial advantage to the station.”

“The changes extend to how people listen to the station as well as how we broadcast it too.

Because we output to the internet, we can gain very precise information about how people are listening and actually, 40% of our listeners now are accessing the station through smart speakers – an Alexa, for example.”

“We’ve had absolutely tremendous support from communities in Rutland and Stamford, and from advertisers too. People can advertise, donate, contribute as volunteers… it’s never been easier or more rewarding to become involved in a station that is, after all, supposed to be by – and for – the people of Rutland and Stamford.”

“And of course, we’ve not yet been able to exploit the technology we have available to us.

We haven’t been able to go out and about in the community yet, but as events return to the calendar and things begin to open up again, all we need is an internet connection and we can go out into the community to broadcast and be closer to our listeners than ever.”

“In other words there’s so much potential for the station and so many ways that we can build on the success and the good feedback we’ve had so far. We’re optimistic about the future and about providing a radio station that keeps us connected to our listeners and our listeners connected to their communities.”

“We’ll have to see what happens with the station moving forward but the response we’ve had in our first six months has been really great, and we’re feeling really optimistic about being able to provide good quality local radio content for the people of Rutland and Stamford.” n For more information and to listen online see www.rutlandandstamfordsound.co.uk.

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Carefully selected artists from the Royal Academy, Royal Institutes, Federations and Societies

Rosa Sepple PRI | Sunday School | 56 cm x 76 cm | Mixed Media

New Fine Art Gallery Now Open in Stamford 5-8 The Mews • The George Hotel • Stamford • PE9 2LB Tuesday - Sunday from 11am to 5pm | 01780 480800

Also at Lees Yard • Holt • Norfolk | Monday - Saturday 10am - 4pm | 01263 713883 Please visit the website to view and purchase our artworks

w w w. a d r i a n h i l l f i n e a r t . c o m 33

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HIDDEN GEMS IN LEICESTERSHIRE & RUTLAND

Hidden GEMS Words: Michael Smith.

This month local author Michael Smith considers the hidden gems to be enjoyed in the area as we provide a small extract from his new book, 50 Gems of Leicestershire and Rutland...

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There’s ‘multum in parvo’ as far as England’s smallest county is concerned. For a time Rutland was incorporated into its much larger neighbour of Leicestershire, but the plucky county has been described as ‘a scenic slice of Middle England bursting with things to see and do.’ That’s reflected in a new book, The 50 Gems of Leicestershire & Rutland in which local author Michael Smith highlights some of his favourite places from both counties. Michael has selected those locations and sites which give the visitor a real flavour of the area, pick up his book for more of the same! n Hallidays Folly

Halliday’s Folly in Greetham is the former home of a stonemason that was given its nickname by local people over a century and a half ago. It was built in 1850 by Thomas Charity Halliday whose stonemason’s business was involved in the repair and restoration of churches throughout the area.

He was a man who might be accused of bringing his work home with him, for he was in the habit of returning to Greetham with fragments of medieval masonry which he used to decorate his workshop and thus advertise his business. Today this might be regarded as architectural salvage!

The building has now been converted into a pair of interconnected holiday cottages which can be rented out by visitors to the area.

Greetham also boasts other interesting and historic buildings including the church, an eighteenth-century inn (the Wheatsheaf) and a rather unusual well.

n Uppingham School

Uppingham School was founded in 1584 by Robert Johnson, the Archdeacon of Leicester who also established Oakham School in the same year. The original schoolroom in Uppingham churchyard is still owned by the school and is a Grade I listed building. It was originally a typical small-town Tudor grammar school where the teaching focussed on Latin grammar, religious education, arithmetic and occasionally history and Greek.

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It changed little over the years but was transformed by Edward Thring, the great Victorian educator who became headmaster in 1853. The school that he inherited had only two masters and around thirty boys. In the space of just thirty years, he rebuilt the school, creating not only improved boarding accommodation for the boys but also a chapel, laboratory, workshops, a museum and a gymnasium.

In academic matters he ensured that the boys studied not only the classics but also mathematics, modern languages, music and practical subjects. He also believed that the development of character was as important as the development of intellect.

He had a huge influence on the development of public-school education and went on to found the Headmasters Conference.

The buildings he created still form the physical core of the school.

The school itself is private property but many of the Victorian school buildings are clearly visible around the town. Perhaps the most impressive is the tower and porter’s lodge on High Street. n Lyddington Bede House

Hidden away in the tiny village of Lyddington, the Bede House dates from the fourteenth century and was originally one wing of a rural palace belonging to the rich and powerful Bishops of Lincoln. They came here to enjoy the hunting, but as it was located close to the centre of the diocese it also became an important centre of ecclesiastical administration. The original structure was built on the orders of Bishop Burghersh.

It was a substantial and stately building comprising a number of rooms including a hall, great chamber and presence chamber where the bishop held court and greeted important visitors.

A private chapel was provided where the bishop and his attendants were able to attend Mass. There was a magnificent formal garden and the bishops also created deer parks, pastures, orchards and fish ponds to provide food for themselves and their retinue. All this changed with the Reformation. The house was seized by the king’s commissioners in 1547 and it became a private dwelling.

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HIDDEN GEMS IN LEICESTERSHIRE & RUTLAND

It later passed into the hands of William Cecil, Lord Burley. It was his son, Thomas, who founded an almshouse there called the Jesus Hospital. It seems likely that some major restructuring work took place at this time with much of the original palace being demolished.

In a document dated 1601 provision was made for twelve poor men, two poor women and a warden. They were provided with blue gowns and black caps and received a stipend of two shillings and four pence as well as an allowance of pit coal and wood for fuel. In return they were expected to undertake some useful handicraft work and attend religious services on a regular basis.

The organisation and administration of the house changed considerably over the years but the building remained an almshouse until the 1930s. Lyddington Bede House is in the care of English Heritage and is open on a regular basis. One of the rooms has been reconstructed as it might have been in the nineteenth century. In addition to the Bede House the adjacent Church of St Andrew is also of interest. This too dates from the fourteenth century and contains a medieval wall painting which was uncovered in 1937. This is believed to depict King Edward the Confessor dressed in an ermine cloak and holding an orb.

On some occasions these trains are hauled by diesel locomotives with names such as Betty and Jean.

Probably the most interesting and popular exhibit is the steam s addle tank locomotive named Singapore. This was constructed in the Tyneside works of Hawthorn Leslie & Co. in 1936 and was delivered new to the Royal Navy dockyard in Singapore. It was captured by the Japanese when the base fell in 1942 and the shrapnel damage it sustained is still evident. After the end of the Second World War it returned to Britain where it was put to work at the Chatham dockyards in Kent. After being retired from service it was eventually acquired by the museum and became the first working locomotive in the collection. It is supported by the Far East Prisoners of War Association and is a registered war memorial.

There is much to see and do at Rocks by Rail. As well as enjoying a train ride, visitors can explore the Simon Layfield Exhibition Centre where many of the locos and rolling stock are stored.

On ‘Driver for a Fiver’ days, held on certain Sundays during the summer, visitors get the chance (under supervision) to take a diesel locomotive for a trip down the line and back to the platform. n

n Rocks by Rail

Rocks by Rail Living Ironstone Museum was previously known as Rutland Railway Museum. It has been described as a gem for railway and history enthusiasts and aims to preserve and operate industrial locomotives and mineral wagons as well as a wide range of related artefacts. The museum site covers an area of around 19 acres and depicts a typical quarry system when both steam and diesel were widely used.

The museum is home to over twenty steam and diesel locomotives in varying stages of restoration. These include two locomotives built by the Andrew Barclay company which are used to provide rides for passengers on open days. On these occasions, visitors travel on one of three authentic brake vans.

In this new book, local author and historian Michael Smith highlights some of his favourite places from both counties. He has selected those locations and sites which give the visitor a real flavour of these shires at the heart of England. Michael Smith was for many years Vice Principal of Castle Donington College and now lives in Ashby de la Zouch where he is Secretary of the History Society. He’s also a successful author, with ten previous books to his credit.

Paperback, 96 pages, 100 illustrations, £15.99. See www.amberley-books.com.

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NEWS & EVENTS

What’s On...

KILWORTH

OAKHAM

TUESDAY 3rd AUGUST - SUNDAY 29th AUGUST

28th - 30th AUGUST

OAKHAM FOOD DRINK & CRAFT FAIR AND MUSIC FESTIVAL

MEMORIES OF THE MUSICALS AT KILWORTH HOUSE

It’s all going on in Oakham this month as the town hosts its Food, Drink & Craft Fair and music festival.

Memories of the Musicals is a full-length show featuring the very best songs from every one of the nineteen musicals produced at Kilworth House Theatre since the theatre opened in 2007. Six stars of the West End stage will sing and dance their way through more than fifty songs from Kilworth’s back-catalogue supported by a live orchestra on stage. There will be songs from all-time musical theatre classics such as My Fair Lady, West Side Story and The Sound of Music as well as more recent work such as Little Shop of Horrors, Joseph and Cats.

The former takes place at the Rutland Showground and provides family fun with food, drink and crafts both on the showground and inside in the Pavilion.

Meanwhile, the town will also host its music festival at Cutt’s Close Park, and at Grainstore Brewery to coincide with the Rutland Beer Festival.

The events are organised in conjunction with the Rutland Showground and Oakham Town Council n See www.discover-rutland.co.uk.

Humble Boy & Oscar Wilde TWO SUPER PERFORMANCES THIS MONTH AS STAMFORD SHAKESPEARE COMPANY PRESENTS ITS TWO AUGUST SHOWS Image: Nick at Red & Round.

STAMFORD

THROUGHOUT AUGUST

HUMBLE BOY AND THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST AT TOLETHORPE HALL Nothing says ‘it’s summer’ like a trip to Tolethorpe Hall and this month the theatre’s in-house group, The Stamford Shakespeare Company, presents Humble Boy, an affectionate pastiche of Hamlet, and Oscar Wilde’s Importance of Being Earnest.

Wonderful production values and great acting... open air theatre at its very best! n See www.stamfordshakespeare.co.uk.

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n For more information call 01858 881939 or see www.kilworthhousetheatre.co.uk.

STAMFORD

SATURDAY 14th AUGUST

LINCOLNSHIRE YOUTH BALLET’S CINDERELLA

Showcasing the incredible talent from across the region, Lincolnshire Youth Ballet presents Cinderella. All original choreography from Maggie Purr and Henri Tatton, starring professional ballet dancers Emily Boswall and Orlando Bond. n Tickets £13.50/adults, 1pm, 6pm, Stamford Corn Exchange, call 01780 766455 or see www.stamfordcornexchange.co.uk.

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

STAMFORD

UPPINGHAM

SATURDAY 28th MONDAY 30th AUGUST

THURSDAY 19th AUGUST

BURGHLEY SUMMER FINE FOOD MARKET

GRANTHAM

SATURDAY 7th AUGUST

THE FIREWORK CHAMPIONSHIPS AT BELVOIR CASTLE Now in its 14th year, Belvoir Castle presents four great firework displays as the UK’s best firework companies compete against each other with a 10 minute firework display choreographed to music followed by a finale

display from organisers MLE Pyrotechnics. The types of fireworks being used by the companies are quite different to those available to the general public. Each company uses ‘category four’ fireworks, those reserved for professional use only – and which are the biggest available in the UK. n Belvoir Castle, NG32 1PE. call 01476 871001 or see www.belvoircastle.com.

The Festival for Horse Lovers JOIN 10,000 VISITORS AND COMPETITORS AS EQUIFEST RETURNS TO THE EAST OF ENGLAND SHOWGROUND IN PETERBOROUGH FOR 2021

Head to the courtyard of Burghley House this month as the country estate’s Fine Food Market returns to present the best local cheese, rare breed meat, artisan coffee and other local produce.

The event will take place across the Bank Holiday weekend with Covid-safety measures such as a one-way layout and the estate’s Track & Trace system.

COMEDY NIGHT AT UPPINGHAM THEATRE

Laugh it up at Uppingham Theatre with a comedy night at Uppingham Theatre. Features TV comedian Zoe Lyons, Jack Gleadow, Daliso Chaponda and Craig Murray. n Doors 7pm, tickets £18.50, see www.interlude.co.uk or call 01572 820820. Uppingham Theatre, LE15 9UD.

The house and gardens including the Gardens of Surprise will also be open for visitors. n For more information call 01780 752 451 or see www.burghley.co.uk.

PETERBOROUGH

19th - 21st AUGUST

EQUIFEST AT THE EAST OF ENGLAND SHOWGROUND Based at the East of England Showground and back for 2021, Equifest has established itself as one of the largest competition events in the Equestrian calendar.

With various attractions, shops and entertainment, alongside the vast competitors’ schedule, it attracts over 10,000 riders and visitors each year.

With over 1,500 horses stabled on-site, 2,550 horses catalogued, producing over

12,500 entries into a variety of disciplines – including Showing, Show Jumping, Dressage and Carriage Driving – it’s a busy time for all competitors.

Equifest has an avid and loyal following each year and its organisers are passionate about ensuring all of its competitors and visitors have fun and enjoy the spirit of the annual festival. n Based at the East of England Showground, Peterborough PE2 6XE. For competition entry details and other information call 01733 363500 or see www.equifest.org.uk 39

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William Shakespeare’s

Love’s Labour’s Lost Charlotte Jones’

Humble Boy Oscar Wilde’s

The Importance of Being Earnest Dennis Kelly’s

DNA

TOLETHORPE HALL 8 June – 28 August 2021

We are thrilled to be opening our doors once more and look forward to welcoming you back. As the sun slowly sets, enjoy a picnic in the beautiful grounds, then take your seat, protected from summer showers, and see a stage like no other.

The Sunday Times For 10% off ticket price use code TOLESTPRIDEA

Box Office: 01780 756133

www.stamfordshakespeare.co.uk 41

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GREAT ESCAPES IN A LUXURY MOTORHOME

WHERE’S YOUR

SPIRIT OF FREEDOM? Words: Rob Davis.

Ever wish you could just... get away from it all?

Of course you do, especially after the last couple of years.

And if the spirit of adventure, freedom and fun is still alive and kicking within you, now’s the time to hire a luxury motorhome and hit the open road in leisurely luxury!

THE SPIRIT OF FREEDOM... that’s all you need to get away from it all in a luxury motorhome. Beware though, once you’ve enjoyed your first motorhome break, you’ll find it can be quite addictive... just ask Adam Brookes, who has fallen head over heels with life on the open road over the past couple of years and now hires out his five luxury motorhomes for others to enjoy.

What’s the appeal of a motorhome holiday?

It’s the perfect way to get away! You can drive for as long as you want, and pull over to enjoy a rest, a coffee or a comfort break whenever you choose.

That makes long journeys easy and much more relaxing. You don’t have to unpack when you arrive at your destination and you can change your travel itinerary on a whim!

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How did your motorhome adventures begin?

My ‘day job’ is working in the hospitality industry supplying pubs and bars with gas to dispense their beer.

During Covid and amid furlough, I helped out a friend on livestock farm down in Wiltshire, I converted my own Mercedes van to create a bespoke motorhome to live in during the summer.

Every morning was awesome! I awoke to views of rolling fields, the sunrise and a whistling kettle for my first morning cuppa.

It was heaven, really fantastic, and I thought ‘everyone should be able to enjoy this!’

I then had the idea of purchasing luxury motorhomes for people to hire so they could enjoy luxury on the road for themselves!

Adam Brookes makes his fleet of Volkswagen and coachbuilt Ducato-based luxury motorhomes available for hire from his business, Spirit of Freedom, located between Peterborough and Stamford.

What vans do you have?

I purchased my first van, Molly, back in November 2020 – annoyingly, just before lockdown. Her sister Meg followed and then we added two Volkswagen campers, to our fleet.

As you’re reading this article, we’ll take delivery of our latest motorhome Rosie which is another Fiat Ducato-based coachbuilt motorhome just like Molly and Meg. They sleep up to six people – four with a little more space to live – and they have everything you need on board to live well either on a campsite, or ‘off-grid.’

Aren’t they hard to drive?

No! They all have automatic gearboxes, power steering, reverse cameras and air

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conditioning. At around seven metres in length they’re taller but only marginally longer than a large 4x4, and no wider.

Some feel a little nervous at first but all of our clients so far have reported that the vehicles ‘shrink around them’ within half an hour on the road and soon feel very car-like to drive and park, even in tight towns and cities. They manage about 46 miles to the gallon and happily cruise at motorway speeds on main roads.

What facilities do they have?

The rear banquettes of Molly, Meg and Rosie create a large double bed. There’s also an electrically deployable second bed for smaller adults or children and a bed near the cab area for children too. Each has a full bathroom with toilet and shower.

The kitchen has a fridge, freezer, oven and sink, there’s plenty of storage. There’s hot water with good water pressure, heating and air con... there’s even a rack for your bikes!

Some clients bring their own bedding and towels, but we can provide them too, and we always supply a ‘welcome pack’ with the essentials – tea, coffee, biscuits and the obligatory bottle of wine to toast your first night enjoying life on the open road.

grid’ for a few days when you’re away from camping and caravan parks.

How long can you hire them for?

Long weekend breaks are available, but three nights, one week or two week stays are most common as they allow you to go a bit further afield. Some customers have hired them for an entire month though!

Where can you go?

We ensure there’s a bottle of gas ready to go for heating and hot water, and fill up the 100 litre fresh water tank – it’s easy to top it up if necessary, using a hosepipe, just like filling up with petrol.

Where do you fancy? The Yorkshire Dales, The Lake District, The Peak District, Cornwall, Devon, Scotland? You can travel any distance in comfort and pull over for a break from driving whenever you want!

Waste water can be disposed of easily and hygienically and because the motorhomes all have solar panels it’s easy to survive ‘off

Absolutely. We’re dog friendly and they love being included in the fun! >>

Can the dog come too?

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GREAT ESCAPES IN LUXURY MOTORHOMES

>> Are you Covid safe?

Yes. Every van is thoroughly cleaned inside and out upon its return. Most customers are using their own linen at the moment but every touchpoint of the vehicle is sanitised thoroughly before its next outing.

Where was your last adventure?

Not too far away actually. We enjoyed a walking holiday in Brancaster’s Burnham Deepdale. We like being able to travel to different campsites and move on whenever we like. Unlike a conventional holiday, you’re not stuck in one place and you can add different destinations to your itinerary ad hoc.

Where are you based?

We’ve a good location on the A1 and A47 interchange which is convenient for a quick getaway, but actually many clients request that we deliver their motorhome the night before then collect it after their holiday. It means you’re able to get packed up the night before, ‘ready for the off,’ nice and early the following morning... quite useful if you’re venturing a bit further afield.

How much does motorhome hire cost?

Meg, Molly or Rosie can be hired for £120/night, regardless of how far you’re going. n Adam Brookes hires luxury motorhomes trading as Spirit of Freedom, based near Peterborough. Call 01780 769576 or see www.spiritoffreedom.co.uk.

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SIX OF THE BEST PLACES TO TRAVEL...

If you’re planning a motorhome getaway, these are our suggestions for a great escape! n New Forest: Hampshire’s New Forest is a haven for those seeking water activities, forests, and quaint villages.

Recommendations for a pitch up include Red Shoot Camping Park (01425 473789) and Hollands Wood Campsite (01590 622967). n St Ives/Porthcurno: Pretty much anywhere in Cornwall will offer stunning scenery but St Ives provides beautiful beaches and the chance to visit Lands End or Porthcurno with St Michael’s Mount or the Minack open air theatre.

Stay at Ayr Holiday Park (01736 795855) or Trevedra Farm (01736 871818). n Isle of Skye: For those seeking dramatic landscapes the Isle of Skye won’t disappoint, with its rugged mountains and cliffs, unspoilt nature and wild beauty.

Enjoy its castles, museum and rural mythology from Dunvegan Castle’s Kinloch Campsite (01470 508009). n Sandringham: Norfolk is a little closer to home, ideal for your first motorhome sortie.

Enjoy the unspoilt beaches, quaint towns, and the Sandringham estate, or Norfolk’s lavender fields into late August from the Sandringham Camping and Caravanning Club Site (01485 542555). n Pembrokeshire: Enjoy exploring the Brecon Beacons, the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park and beautiful beaches from Pencarnan Farm Camping and Caravanning Park (01437 720580). n Derwent: The Derwent region of the Lake District offers phenomenal scenery, plus the proximity of Keswick, Windermere – around half an hour away – plus the delights of attractions like the Cumberland Pencil Museum – which is much more entertaining than it sounds! Stay at Keswick Camping and Caravanning Club, 017687 72392.

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THE 1920s OLYMPIAN LORD BURGHLEY

Burghley House’s

Olympic History It’s the Olympic performance which inspired a nation and the film Chariots of Fire, released 40 years ago, too. This month we find out more about the 6th Marquess of Exeter and how he competed in the Olympics then sought to unite Europe by bringing the first post-war games to Britain...

He was aged just 19 and was eliminated in the first round of the event. David, however, was as mentally determined as he was physically fit. In the 1928 Olympics, held in the Netherlands, he competed again and reached the semi-finals of the 110-metre hurdles. He subsequently took part in the 400-metre event and won the race, beating second and third placed Americans Frank Cuhel and Morgan Taylor.

SHOULD YOU LET the truth get in the way of a good story? I must confess there have been moments when I’ve embellished in print for the purpose of spinning a good yarn, and the film director David, Lord Puttnam, appeared similarly minded when he directed the film Chariots of Fire, which was released 40 years ago.

The film ostensibly featured the 6th Marquess of Exeter David George Brownlow Cecil, portrayed on screen as Lord Andrew Lindsay, played by Nigel Havers. In fact, there was more than a few liberties taken with the actual events. The lack of accuracy led the Marquess to politely decline involvement in the film’s production and he expressed a preference for his character’s name to be changed because of the lack of accuracy.

David was styled Lord Burghley prior to 1956 and the 6th Marquess of Exeter thereafter, preferring to be known as David Burghley. He was born in 1905 as heir to William Thomas Brownlow Cecil the 5th Marquess of Exeter and Myra Orde-Powlet.

He had two sisters – one older, one younger – plus a younger brother. David was schooled at Institut le Rosey in Switzerland, colloquially known as ‘Rosey’ and then a school renowned for developing ‘multiple intelligences,’ what we’d perhaps know today as simply a rounded education. The school was also renowned for its provision of sports, not least among which was its winter

The Commonwealth Games was subsequently devised with the first event held in 1930 in Ontario, Canada. David won both of the hurdling events and was also a member of the team which took gold in the 4 x 400 yards relay event.

sports, perhaps in part because of its second campus in Gstaad, Bern, where it owned a ski resort about an hour and a half from its main campus.

David completed his education at Eton College and Magdalene College in Cambridge where, already showing athletic promise, he became president of the Cambridge University Athletic Club before graduating in 1927. Three years prior to his graduation, David had competed in the 110-metre hurdles in the 1924 Paris Olympics, among 31 other competitors from 17 nations.

At the height of his Olympic career, David was the British record holder in all three hurdle events and the 4 x 400 metre relay.

In the high hurdles he was the first Britain to break the 15-second barrier, and won three Amateur Athletic Association of England titles, competing in no fewer than three Olympic Games, setting one world and seven British records in total, as well as winning five AAA titles.

His finest performance in the 4 x 400 relay event came in the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles when he contributed a 46.7 second stage on the British team, helping them to take silver with a new European record of 3:11 seconds. Earlier in the LA games, Burghley had also finished fifth in the 110

Right: The 6th Marquess of Exeter David George Brownlow Cecil. Above: Nigel Havers appeared in 1981’s Chariots of Fire, directed by Lord David Puttnam.

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THE OLYMPIAN LORD BURGHLEY

The Burghley House Collections still include David’s Olympic medals, one of the few remaining torches which carried the Olympic flame into London in 1948 and his now very unfashionable brown leather training shoes...

metre hurdles and fourth in the 400 metre hurdles with his fastest ever time of 52.2 seconds.

David’s ‘day job’ in politics saw him serving as a member of the Conservative & Unionist Party (the latter part of the name was adopted in 1909, and subsequently dropped, although David Cameron attempted to resurrect its full name). Elected as MP for Peterborough in 1931, he remained in post until 1943 whereupon he resigned his Commons seat to serve as Governor of Bermuda until 1945 whereupon he handed the title to Admiral Sir Ralph Leatham.

At that point, David took up the post of Chairman of the Organising and Executive Committees for the 1948 Olympics, due to take place in London and originally scheduled for 1944. It was the first Olympic event to be held since the 1936 games in Berlin… following which most of Europe became embroiled in another particularly fierce competition.

It was to be the second time that London hosted the games, having hosted them only once before in 1908. The city wouldn’t hold them here again until 2012. Naturally it was significant, too, because of a cross-continent desire to heal wounds after the war and to demonstrate a sense of post-war cooperation between nations. It was not only a sensitive time, but one of austerity too, and indeed the games were nicknamed the Austerity Games owing to the fact that building activities, food and petrol were all rationed.

The 1948 games nonetheless saw 136 medal events, covering 23 disciplines in 17 sports and included art (painting, sculpture, literature

and architecture). Art competitions had featured since the 1912 games but the London event was the last time that they served as an element of the Olympics.

The games were deemed a success not least because of David’s input and he continued to serve from 1952 and 1966 as VP of the International Olympic Committee, presenting medals at the 1968 games in Mexico, at which Tommie Smith and John Carlos gave the Black Power salute as David handed them their medals.

The Burghley House Collections still include David’s Olympic medals, one of the few remaining torches which carried the Olympic flame into London in 1948 and his now very unfashionable brown leather training shoes.

David was also married twice; firstly to Lady Mary Theresa Montagu Douglas Scott in 1929 and following the couple’s divorce in 1946, he subsequently married Diana Henderson. The couple had a daughter, Lady Victoria Leatham, née Cecil, whose daughter Miranda Rock née Leatham is the current custodian of Burghley House and serves as Director of the Burghley House Preservation Trust, also established in 1969

by David ‘for the advancement of historic and aesthetic education and the preservation of buildings of national importance, and in particular the preservation and showing of Burghley House near Stamford.’

1981 saw David Puttnam create Chariots of Fire based on the story of two 1924 Olympians, Eric Liddell and Harold Abrahams. The latter competes to overcome his experiences of anti-Semitism, taken on by trainer Sam Mussabini, beaten in the 1924 event’s 200-metres but victorious in the

Right: The 6th Marquess of Exeter David George Brownlow Cecil, competed in no fewer than three Olympic Games, setting one world and seven British records in total, as well as founding The Burghley Horse Trials.

He was very loosely portrayed in the film Chariots of Fire, released 40 years ago, by Nigel Havers.

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100-metre event. In the film Liddell is a missionary who refuses to run on a Sunday.

He is subsequently unable to compete in his favoured 100-metre event held on that day, and instead is given a place in the 400-metre event by Lord Andrew Lindsay – the character based loosely on David. Liddell’s chances of victory are deemed unlikely in the longer event, but defying expectations he wins the race.

The film shows Abrahams running around the Great Court of Trinity College Cambridge, attempting a lap in the time it takes for the clock to strike 12. In fact, it was David who completed the feat, running 367 metres in 43.6 seconds, and The Great Court Run is still a ritual that students attempt to complete today on the evening of the College’s Matriculation Dinner.

Lord Lindsay – the David Cecil character, doesn’t take part in the Court Run in the film, and neither did Abrahams in real life.

Also in the film, the David Cecil character is seen practising hurdling over Champagne bottles. According to Miranda Rock, he actually used empty matchboxes. Miranda says she loves the film and whilst her mother is in general consensus, Lady Victoria advises that the story is ‘cobblers!’

What’s not cobblers, however, is the achievements of David and his role in bringing Olympic events to fruition, especially remarkable considering the difficulty in organising the post-war event.

In 2012, the Olympic torch for the most recent London games arrived at Burghley House and was celebrated with The Great Olympic Garden Party in the south gardens, where locals gathered to witness the torch’s arrival live and also on a huge projector screen to ensure the gathering crowds could get a good look.

Also worthy of note is Lord David Cecil, the sixth Marquess of Exeter’s other legacy, bringing The Burghley Horse Trials to the estate from Harewood House. The event was first held in 1961 and though this year’s event has been cancelled due to Covid, it will be back next summer for its 60th anniversary event, with organisers promising big celebrations which will undoubtedly also acknowledge David’s role in the founding of the event in Stamford. n 51

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DINING OUT AT THE ENGINE YARD BELVOIR

The Engine Yard at

BELVOIR CASTLE If you’ve yet to discover The Engine Yard at Belvoir Castle, or you’ve not popped in since lockdown has been eased, it’s time to revisit this exceptional dining and shopping destination.

It’s rich in opportunities for a great day out, with Emma Manners, the 11th Duchess of Rutland, creating a unique place on the site adjacent to Belvoir Castle, redeveloping it since 2018.

The latest addition is a brand new brasserie dining experience at its restaurant, The Fuel Tank...

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

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The Duchess of Rutland remains entirely indomitable in her desire to improve the visitor offering at Belvoir Castle. We’d go so far as to say that she’s the best thing that’s happened to the place since 1840.

Why 1840? Because that’s when visiting aristo Anna, Duchess of Bedford, felt a bit peckish between lunch and dinner, and called down to the lackeys to bring forth a pot of tea (darjeeling, they reckon it was), some finger sandwiches and perhaps a cake or two (or three). And some scones. Afternoon tea was born... at Belvoir Castle!

Fast forward 181 years and the present Mrs Davis, Anna, Duchess of Sleaford – equally indomitable, as it happens – declared one on Saturday morning recently that she fancied going ‘somewhere’ and doing ‘something.’

Despite the vague remit, I knew immediately that Belvoir Castle’s Engine Yard would fit the brief perfectly.

For the uninitiated, the site once held the 20-tonne beam engine pump which sent water up to the castle. In 2018, Her Grace Emma Manners, 11th Duchess of Rutland, set to, investing £2.5m in the site to create a posh new retail village which now comprises about 20 businesses.

OPEN FOR FOOD Monday to Wednesday: 10am – 6pm Thursday to Saturday: 10am – 9pm Sunday: 10am – 5pm

At the heart of The Engine Yard, though, is The Fuel Tank, a really great three-storey café bar with a gin joint – The Balloon Bar – on the ground floor.

Already visitors could spend a day out enjoying the interiors and homeware retailers, the small but very good garden centre and the little delis, chocolate shops and so on.

But this month, the new Brasserie now open at The Fuel Tank means there’s yet another reason to enjoy a visit to the site.

Gabriella Gregory & Stuart Hancock have partnered with the Duchess to create the new Brasserie on the first floor of The Fuel Tank. The couple have also opened up their new farm shop, Wild Jacks, in one of the site’s outlets and they own Lincolnshire butcher Odling’s and bakery Welbourne’s. >> 53

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DINING OUT AT THE ENGINE YARD

>> Gabriella and Stuart will be supplying The Brasserie with its meat, fruit and veg and baked goods, ensuring exceptional quality local ingredients... so the new dining out experience is already off to a good start!

The present Mrs Davis and I therefore made a return visit to The Engine Yard (this time an evening visit) to enjoy a sneak preview of The Brasserie for press and influences just prior to its public opening.

A redesign of the uppermost floor of the Fuel Tank yields about 50 covers, with high-back chairs upholstered in a funky fuchsia and lime. As well as looking quite fun these also divide up the room a bit and help to create a bit more privacy and deaden the sound in a space that otherwise could have been large and less intimate. Clever.

There was lots of natural light as the sun set during our visit, crisp white table linens and smart glassware. It’s a very pretty place to dine, much improved and now more fit for purpose as a smart restaurant as opposed to its previous life as a café.

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The Brasserie’s menu carries a choice of three appetisers, seven starters, seven main courses and four Belvoir Grill options – from rib-eye to Chateaubriand – with four sauces for the latter and six side dishes. After, there’s a choice of six starters.

It’s a very well-considered menu too, with very good interpretations of familiar dishes.

Starters include cured salmon, ham hock and paté as well as a Camembert sharer, but each is unique and brilliant in terms of its flavours and its presentation... portions are very generous, too.

The present Mrs Davis went full Velociraptor on a 10oz Lincoln Red rib-eye, and it was a great cut of meat. Triple cooked chips were lovely and crisp on the outside and as fluffy as clouds inside. Meanwhile, my 12-hour blade of beef was rich beyond words and presented with sautéed forest mushrooms; absolutely first class.

Despite being luxuriously satiated I couldn’t resist dessert, spotting the excellent white chocolate and raspberry cheesecake. >>

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on the MENU Brasserie Appetiser Engine Yard warm bread, Long Clawson Stilton paté and butter £5.95.

Brasserie Starters Ham hock terrine with piccalilli and picked veg £8.

Fuel Tank chicken liver paté with Duke’s relish £8.

Cured salmon with roasted beet tartare and citrus mayonnaise £12.

Brasserie Main Courses 12 hour blade of beef with oxtail croquette, dauphinoise potatoes and forest mushrooms £22.

Baked pork loin with roasted shallots and peppers, Lincolnshire Poacher and bacon crumb £18.

Moules mariniere with cream, garlic and seasoned fries £17.

Brasserie Desserts White chocolate and raspberry cheesecake, shortbread crumb base and raspberries £6.

Stonebaked Pizzas Pizza Margherita £10.

Tanked Up: Ham, pepperoni, red peppers, red onions, chorizo & cheddar cheese, £12.50.

The Butler: Chicken tikka, mango chutney, red onions & coriander £12.50.

Balloon Bar Cocktails Duchess’ Garden: Sloe gin, blackberries, rose cordial, top with sparkling water, £7.90.

Duke’s Old Fashioned: Blueberries, bourbon and cherry £8.90.

NB: All menu items are subject to change.

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“The new Brasserie takes The Fuel Tank’s dining out offering to the next level. It’s a superb, highly recommended place to eat...” >> The latter was also excellent and all three courses were superb in appearance and taste, aided and abetted by a really lovely team at front of house.

Let’s not forget, either, that there’s also plenty to do around the site, in addition to excellent dining at the new Brasserie. There are outdoor space in which to enjoy a drink in the sunshine, and 20 different retailers to work your way around... not to mention a Grade I Regency-era castle with beautiful gardens to explore.

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For casual dining there are stone-baked pizzas available on the terrace, and you can also take the taste of Belvoir Castle home too, thanks to quality retailers with sustainable chocolate from Cocoa Amoré, single origin coffee and tea from Cherizena, or deli produce from The Country Victualler, Jorge Artisan Foods and Wild Jacks.

Later this summer, the Engine Yard will also gain a Champagne and sushi experience in Vale House, adjacent to the Fuel Tank. So, whether you’re seeking a light lunch, or more substantial dining in The Brasserie,

or just a glass of wine or gin ‘n’ tonic at the Balloon Bar, The Engine Yard is a true destination for dining and shopping.

Rightly so, it’s thriving, with lockdown lifted and the whole country keen to get out and about in the sunshine once more.

The team at Belvoir Castle, under the leadership of the Duchess of Rutland, has done a great job of creating a modern, vibrant and enjoyable place to spend time.

The Engine Yard is a destination we can really, really, really recommend and that’s goes double for dining at the Fuel Tank’s new Brasserie experience, which offers flawless dining in a very well presented setting. n Booking is recommended. The Engine Yard is located adjacent to Belvoir Castle, NG32 1PA. Call 01476 247059 or see engineyardbelvoir.com.

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DINING OUT AT HOPPI DORRI IN STAMFORD Butternut squash steak with chickpeas, alfalfa, pomegranate and marcha dressing.

E yōkoso to Stamford’s

HOPPI DORRI One of the area’s most unique and satisfying dining experiences is now under new management with a new Head Chef in the kitchen. Welcome back – or perhaps we should say E yōkoso – to Hoppi Dorri, Stamford’s Japanese-fusion restaurant...

Words & Images: Rob Davis.

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Roasted sweet potato side with yoghurt and kale pesto.

AROUND 18 MONTHS AGO, Stamford found itself turning Japanese with the addition to its dining scene of Hoppi Dorri, an Asian fusion dining experience that, sadly, never quite managed to permeate the consciousness of local diners prior to the arrival of Covid.

A shame, indeed, because the idea was sound and the place looked smart. It was rather large, too, especially for what some might consider a speciality restaurant, hence the decision by its previous management to retain the ground floor of the restaurant for dining and establish a Japanese-themed bar on the first floor.

A month ago, though, Hoppi Dorri changed ownership and Jonathan Spencer cast an expert eye over the place to see what improvements he could make.

Jonathan already owns Orbis on Oakham’s Church Street, providing food with panglobal influences. It’s a restaurant concept that’s popular and has been well-executed by the team. And so now, that same formula has been applied to Orbis Stamford, with 48 dining covers on the first floor of the building instead of the saki and cocktail bar.

The ground floor will remain Hoppi Dorri.

Its 58 covers will continue to offer Japanese-

OPEN FOR FOOD Wednesday to Saturday: 12 noon - 2pm and 6pm - 9pm.

Closed Sunday to Tuesday.

fusion food but with a more streamlined menu and a new executive chef, Omar Palazzolo. The well-travelled among our readers may recognise that doesn’t sound much like a Japanese name… indeed, Omar was born and raised in Milan, and early in his career, landed a place in the kitchen of the Roux’s Gavroche; classically French fine dining.

Having worked in kitchens since the age of 14 and in places engilded by Michelin stars from the age of 18, it was about 10 years later that a Japanese spark was lit by two friends of Omar, who introduced the chef to their national cuisine.

“It was incredible,” says Omar. “So many flavours, so many layers of complexity, such an emphasis on freshness of ingredients and so much scope.” >> 59

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DINING OUT AT HOPPI DORRI

>> “Immediately, I really wanted to explore every single facet of Japanese food, and set about learning as much as I could about the culture.”

Omar’s reputation in the capital let him to work at Japanese-Peruvian restaurant Nobu on Park Lane and Knightsbridge’s private members gaff, The Art Club, with its Japanese restaurant, Kyubi. Omar then left to pursue a stint working with SushiSamba in Covent Garden and at London’s Heron Tower, before moving down to Stamford with his partner and daughter prior to the opening of Hoppi Dorri 18 months ago.

Under its new ownership, Omar now heads up the kitchen and leads a team of three chefs.

“Stamford is a super place to work,” says Omar. “It offers a better way of life for residents and for those working in kitchens, compared to central London. Restaurants in Knightsbridge can charge mad amounts of money and their chefs are run into the ground.”

“I was seeking a better way of life for me but for my team too. An exhausted team run off their feet aren’t efficient or creative, and nobody enjoys a hostile working environment, so my philosophy at Hoppi Dorri is to encourage everyone in the team to achieve excellence in a place where the customer comes first, not the bottom line.”

“We charge as little as we can without compromising on quality. Japanese fusion dishes can only be created well with the freshest ingredients and with lots of time and effort invested in their creation. Some of our sauces take a day to make, and to marinate a piece of meat or fish properly often necessitates 24 hours.”

“We open from Wednesday to Saturday, for both lunchtime and evening service.

Tuesday is our prep day, when we create sauces for example. That means our team is sufficiently well-rested to ensure they’re at the top of their game and they’re all prepared, ready to deliver top quality dishes from mid-week.” >>

Confit duck leg with cucumber, pak choi, cashew nuts, and orange dressing.

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Tuna and salmon nigiri.

MEET THE CHEF OMAR PALAZZOLO

Hoppi Dorri’s new Head Chef Omar Palazzolo took over a little over a month ago, and has unique experience in Japanese cuisine, with over 12 years of preparing Nikkei dishes.

Omar is Italian/Egyptian in heritage and was raised in Milan. He has worked at La Gavroche for Roux on Mayfair, at Nobu on Park Lane and at the Arts Club, also in Mayfair, and for the SushiSamba group too. n

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Barbary Duck Breast with sweet soy and ginger sauce and espelette pepper.

30-day dry aged steak with sticky rice.

“The creative possibilities of Nikkei cuisine allows us to create a Japanese fusion experience that’s unique. Some of the menu’s offerings are authentic Japanese, some are our own inventions...” >> “Both Orbis and Hoppi Dorri share a kitchen but the teams are separate. Hoppi Dorri dishes are cooked authentically on charcoal, which adds an additional layer of authenticity and flavour. Again that’s more time-consuming and complicated, but it’s an investment in the diner’s experience.”

Omar says that as well as the depth and complexity of flavours, the appeal of Japanese fusion food is its deserved reputation as being the antithesis of processed food. Whilst sauces and marinades might be the result of 62

hours of work and myriad ingredients, the fish, meat and vegetables themselves are fresh and uncomplicated, allowing each key ingredient in a dish to come to the fore.

Hoppi Dorri’s remit as a Japanese fusion restaurant allows it to deviate from purely Japanese dishes and bring in any number of other influences. At the end of the 19th century, Peru was the first South American county to enter into diplomatic relations with Japan, the latter sending 790 pioneers to the country to share cultures, including food.

“Ostensibly then, the menu is Nikkei (Japanese and Peruvian) in character – cuisine born as a result of the Japanese introducing Peru to miso, ginger, soy and wasabi, in return for South American influences on Japanese food such as aji and yellow pepper.

“The creative possibilities of Nikkei cuisine allows us to create a Japanese fusion experience that’s unique. Some of the menu’s offerings are more authentic Japanese, some are our own inventions.”

“It’s a case of innovating but keeping quality high, ensuring the customer is happy and that we offer something unique,” says Omar. “Stamfordians usually have lots of experience dining in high-end London restaurants or they are well-travelled.”

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DINING OUT AT HOPPI DORRI

on the MENU Appetiser Lime & Maldon edamame £5.

Thai prawn crackers £4.

Sushi Tuna nigiri £12.

Salmon nigiri £12.

Aromatic duck roll £12.

Hoppi Dorri Plates Crispy chilli Cornish squid with yuzo mayonnaise £11.

Barbary duck breast with sweet soy and ginger £14.50.

Spatchcock chicken with tamarind marinade and creamy truffle sauce £19/whole; £10.50/half.

Hoppi Dorri Signatures

White chocolate and coconut panna cotta with mango and passionfruit salsa.

“Because of that, the compliments that we receive really do mean a lot to us.”

Some of Hoppi Dorri’s dishes are smaller in nature, others are full-sized plates as Europeans would know them. There’s a choice of three appetisers, seven choices from the sushi bar, seven main course dishes, seven signature dishes and four grill options plus nine side dishes and three puddings.

Digestifs include sake and Japanese whiskies.

A common flavour profile for Hoppi Dorri’s dishes is umami; savoury, translating as ‘deliciousness’ and a term coined in 1908 by Tokyo chef and chemist Kikunae Ikeda.

Our photoshoot saw us sampling about 15 of the restaurant’s dishes along with the kitchen familiarising themselves with each dish to better advise customers.

Unlike Indian cuisine, there’s no hot spiciness, just satisfying depths of flavour and rich mature flavours.

Our recommendations include the very delicious confit duck leg, with grilled asparagus, but do save room for a Japanese whisky cappuccino or warm banana and caramel harumaki dessert.

Confit duck leg with pak choi, cucumber and cashew nut & orange dressing £17.50.

Blackened Atlantic cod with monks beard, pak choi and pickled daikon £17.50.

30 day dry aged beef fillet £32.

Lamb cutlets with Korean pepper BBQ marinade £25.

A Sweet Ending White chocolate and coconut panna cotta with mango and passionfruit salsa £9.

It’s safe to say that Hoppi Dorri’s offering is as unique and special as you’ll find anywhere short of central London’s dining scene, and it’s absolutely worth a visit.

Banana and caramel harumaki £8.50.

Its food is unique, delicious and intriguing, whilst the setting and service are commensurate. And so, above all, we can highly recommend saying konnichiwa to what will soon almost certainly be considered one of Stamford’s best restaurants. n

Hoppi Dorri, All Saints’ Place, Stamford PE9 2AR. Call 01780 766772 or see www.hoppidorri.co.uk.

NB: All menu items are subject to change.

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In the KITCHEN This is a delicious sweet treat or a superb brunch option... cherry and almond is a flavour combination par excellence!

CHERRY & ALMOND BRIOCHE FRENCH TOAST Preparation Time: 15. Cooking Time 30 Minutes. Serves Four.

425g can black cherries in light syrup • 3 tsp icing sugar, plus extra for dusting 1 medium free range egg • 250ml whole milk • 1⁄2 tsp almond extract • 8 slices sliced brioche loaf 2 tbsp unsalted butter • 150g pot vanilla yogurt • 1 tbsp toasted flaked almonds Put a sieve over a small saucepan and drain the cherries.

Set the cherries aside and simmer the juices for five minutes until reduced. Add 1 tsp icing sugar and the drained cherries to the saucepan and simmer for another five minutes, until the cherries are coated in a glossy syrup.

Meanwhile, set your largest frying pan over a medium-highheat. In a large, shallow dish, whisk the egg, milk, almond extract and remaining 2 tsp icing sugar.

Add 4 brioche slices to the mixture, soaking on each side for about 45 seconds until they’ve absorbed plenty of the mixture

but aren’t too soggy. Add 1 tbsp butter to the frying pan and, when foaming, fry the brioche for four minutes on each side until golden and puffed up.

Arrange on plates while you prepare the remaining slices in the same way, frying in the remaining 1 tbsp butter.

Serve 2 slices of brioche per person. Top with a spoonful of vanilla yogurt and the warm cherries and syrup (reheat briefly if necessary).

Scatter with the toasted almonds and dust with a little icing sugar to serve. n

Thousands of recipes can be found at www.waitrose.com/recipes.

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In the KITCHEN We’ve a sublime midsummer treat in the form of this vanilla and passion fruit cheesecake – easy to make and terrifically rewarding!

VANILLA & PASSION FRUIT CHEESECAKE Preparation Time: 25 minutes + chilling. Cooking Time: 1hr 35 mins. Serves 12.

200g Digestive biscuits • 75g unsalted butter, melted • 2 x 340g tubs Philadelphia Original 300ml soured cream • 200g golden caster sugar • 2 tsp vanilla extract 1⁄ lemon, juice • 3 large free range eggs, lightly beaten • 4 large passion fruits 2 Preheat the oven to 150°c, gas mark 2, and line the base of a 20cm loose-bottomed cake tin with baking parchment. Put the biscuits in a large bowl and use the end of a rolling pin to crush them. Add the butter and mix, then tip into the base of the tin. Press down evenly and firmly using the back of a spoon.

Bake for 25 minutes, then set aside to cool.

Use a balloon whisk to beat together the soft cheese, 150ml soured cream, the sugar, vanilla and lemon juice until smooth.

Beat in the eggs a little at a time until combined, then tip into the cake tin.

Put an ovenproof dish half-filled with water on the bottom shelf of the oven (the steam will help to prevent the cheesecake from cracking), then put the cheesecake on the middle shelf and bake for 1 hour 10 minutes until still wobbly but set.

Turn off the oven and leave the door ajar, allowing the cheesecake to cool inside the oven for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and spread the remaining 150ml soured cream over the top. Once completely cool, chill for at least four hours or ideally overnight. To serve, scoop the passion fruit pulp on top of the cheesecake. n

Thousands of recipes can be found at www.waitrose.com/recipes.

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Wine of the Month

The local gin that’s fit for a king... or at least, a Duke!

Château Mouton Rothschild 2015 Pauillac 1er Grand Cru Classé

Belvoir Castle’s own gin uses eight hand-picked botanicals and has been developed by Emma Manners, the 11th Duchess of Rutland...

Premium craft gin maker Brentingby has partnered with Belvoir Castle, working with Her Grace the Duchess of Rutland to create Belvoir Gin. Its eight botanicals include juniper, coriander, angelica, orange peel, fig, vanilla, chamomile and liquorice root. Classically London Dry in nature with rounded woodiness, it’s presented in a bottle whose chinoiserie feel is designed to mimic the castle’s state rooms, designed by James Wyatt for the 5th Duke. n £39.95 / 70cl / 43% ABV, See www.belvoircastle.com or www.brentingbygin.co.uk.

£550 x 1, (£6,600 x 12) 75cl / 13.5% ABV

The Wine Cellar ‘NATIONAL PROSECCO DAY’ MIGHT SOUND LIKE A CYNICAL MARKETING PLOY, BUT STILL, WHAT’S THE HARM IN POPPING A CORK FOR THIS FASHIONABLE FIZZ IN AUGUST...?

NATIONAL PROSECCO DAY: Pop a cork for this fashionable fizz on 13th August 2021...

1. With no sense of modesty, Pale Fox claims its single estate Prosecco is the finest in the world. Floral to the nose with apple and acacia, and a peach minerality at the end, £25.95 / 75cl / 11% ABV.

2. A beautiful blush Prosecco from Veneto with silky raspberry notes and a dry finish, thanks to its Glera and Pinot Noir grapes. Its name translates as ‘joyous and high spirited!’ which, we’re confident, is just how you’ll feel too! £11.99 / 75cl / 11% ABV. 3. A quirky bottle but the charm of Alessandro Gallici’s 2019 Anniversary Prosecco goes much deeper. With lemon and peach, it’s a super vintage cuvée, direct from Veneto, £16.99 / 75cl / 11% ABV.

If you’re looking for something to lay down in your cellar for a rainy day – or an extravagant night – Waitrose has secured a small number of this Château Mouton Rothschild from the producer’s 2015 vintage. Adding to the likelihood of its appreciation in value is the Gerhard Richter artwork on the label.

Cassis and cherry from Bordeaux’s finest Cab Sav/Merlot blend.

Available from Waitrose Cellar, www.waitrose cellar.com.

A pink gin with Hope & Glory!

The newest premium gin from Lincoln-based Bandsman, sitting alongside Bandsman Gin and Bandmaster London Dry. This special edition has a few subtle changes from pink peppercorns to rose and hibiscus petals which are suspended in a botanical basket above the liquid in the distillery’s copper pot still. The result is a clear London Dry gin which is smooth and floral.

Next, British raspberries and rose petals add a beautifully fruity taste without being too sweet, as well as a natural pink blush. £30 / 50cl / 40% ABV, www.bandsmangin.co.uk.

n Our featured wines are available from

the best local independent wine merchants, supermarkets and online, prices are RRP and may vary from those stated.

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HOMES & INTERIORS

A COUNTRY ESTATE in

KETTON Kilthorpe Grange has just come to the property market as a really unique prospect for its next owners. It’s a Georgian manor house style property set in 30-acres of medieval grounds, with four cottages or converted barns within its curtilage, equestrian accommodation and fishing lakes...

Words: Rob Davis. Images: Dean Fisher.

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IT’S A COMPLETE COUNTRY ESTATE with bags of potential and a truly unique prospect for the right buyer.

Safe to say that this month’s featured property is truly unique. For a start, it’s not so much a single country home but rather a country estate with three additional stone barns and an additional two bedroom stone cottage.

And secondly, there’s around 30 acres of land in and around the main Georgian property itself, with potential for creating a new home, running a business, keeping horses, or founding a business such as a livery yard or an artisan food or farming operation.

Main/Right: Kilthorpe Estate dates back to medieval period, still retaining ancient stone barns and monastic carp ponds.

The Manor House is Georgian in provenance, Grade II listed.

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It’s also located in an incredibly pretty place, equidistant between Ketton in the north and Collyweston in the south, moreorless in the middle of Oakham, Uppingham, Stamford and Peterborough, with all of the above easily accessible and the A1, A47 and A43 each within a stone’s throw.

The property’s date stone suggests the property was completed in 1754 and the initials FW are thought to relate to the Francis Wootton, who sold the estate to Sir Gilbert Heathcote (Lord Aveland) who owned the estate until the early C20th.

The 1911 census records George Henry Whattoff as the new owner of the estate – minus its manorial rights – and the property remained in the Whattoff family up until 2001, when the death of George’s Great grand-nephew Joseph Peasgood Whattoff

“In a slightly elevated position, the very attractive, late 17th century, Stamford stone house is Grade II listed and is set in 30 acres of land...” led to its eventual sale. From that point Lady Isabel King – daughter of the 8th Viscount and widow of British Airways’ Lord King of Wartnaby – lived there until 2010. Our thanks go to the Ketton Village History website for recording the estate’s history.

More recently the estate’s new owners have completed a full renovation of the property itself and offered it as a boutique hotel and private hire venue, using Red Kite Barn Long Barn, Goose Barn and The Cottage

on the estate as additional accommodation for holidaymakers.

In a slightly elevated position, the very attractive, late 17th century, Grade II listed, Stamford stone house, with its Collyweston slate roof and wisteria clad facade, overlooks well-manicured formal gardens with far reaching views towards the lakes and hills beyond.

With particularly high ceilings, original internal Georgian features abound such as timber panelling, sash windows, archways, shutters, window seats, panelled doors and inglenook fireplaces.

The stunning, triple aspect kitchen is fitted with bespoke, classical-style units topped with granite and incorporating a four oven Aga. It has a southwest aspect with French doors leading onto an alfresco dining area.

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>> Four sizeable reception rooms are positioned along the front and include a completely panelled sitting room with a large bay window and flagstone floor, another panelled dual aspect room, and a dining room with quarry tiled floor and impressive inglenook fireplace.

Beyond a fourth reception room with an equally splendid inglenook fireplace and several utility rooms, a single-storey wing to the west has a double bedroom and very spacious triple aspect living room with French doors onto the courtyard opposite the kitchen.

A ‘buttery’ with internal exposed stone walls has a quirky contemporary feature: a partially glazed ceiling to the bay of the bathroom upstairs.

Left: The property’s most recent use has been as a holiday let and boutique hotel, let out as a venue for private functions.

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Accordingly, all the en suites are well appointed, fully tiled, generous in size and ultra-modern. The commodious, dual aspect master bedroom enjoys both an en suite and a separate dressing room, whilst the expansive attic bedroom suite exudes character and originality.

Naturally the 30 acres of grounds provides plenty of scope too, with post and rail paddocks for horses, a stable block with five loose boxes plus, woodland, four lakes – well stocked with a variety of fish – and garaging.

With much of the hard work done in renovating the buildings, Kilthorpe Grange’s next owners only need to put their own mark on the estate and will doubtless have plans for all that space and all that potential.

A medieval estate coming onto the property market is a rare proposition – not least one in such an idyllic location. But even rarer is the versatility, scope and overall excellent condition of what constitutes an entire country estate.

It’s a unique offering indeed and we’ll watch with keen interest what happens to the estate in the future! n

KILTHORPE GRANGE, KETTON, STAMFORD Location: Stamford 4 miles; Oakham/Uppingham 10 miles.

Style: Country estate with 30 acres, three rental barns, a cottage, stables, spinney, four lakes and paddocks.

Guide Price: £4,000,000 (OIEO) Find Out More: Fine & Country, aton Grange Barn Offices, Grange Lane, Seaton, LE15 9HT. Call 01780 750200 or see www.fineandcountry.com.

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BESPOKEStone STONE STRUCTURES FOR YOUR GARDEN ABespoke RCHITECTURAL STONE STRUCTURES YOUR GARDEN Structures forFOR your Garden

Professional Interior Design Service Re-Upholstery and Soft Furnishings

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MARKET PLACE · UPPINGHAM · RUTLAND · LE15 9QH

01572 823389

www.sarahhardinginteriors.co.uk • info@sarahhardinginteriors.co.uk www.facebook.com/sarahhardinginteriorsltd

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Peterborough’s Premier Kitchen Design & Installation Specialists...

Papyrus Road, Peterborough PE4 5BH JUST ALONG FROM THE BMW & AUDI MOTOR DEALERSHIPS

01733 894422 | www.pdakitchens.co.uk 78

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HOME FURNISHINGS

CONFIDENCE with

COLOUR From plum to puce, lemon to blue, confidence in colour can help you to achieve the look you’re seeking for your home...

This Page: Sanderson Elysium Geese on green, £100m/fabric, wallpaper £78/roll. Cushion in Samphrey check fig, £96/metre.

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COLOUR FOR YOUR HOME

Above: Clarke and Clarke Botanist wallpaper and fabric, Avium in raspberry, £28/metre fabric. Curtains in Monarch, Summer colourway, £41/metre. Opposite Page, Top Left: Colefax & Fowler Hector fabric in pale pink, gold/ivory, £100/metre. Opposite Page, Top Right: Colefax & Fowler, chair and curtains in Yasamin red/green, £60/metre, rug Guinevere.

Opposite Page, Bottom Left: Flannery from Sanderson Elysium fabric, £52/metre. Opposite Page, Bottom Right: GP&J Baker chair in Keswick, £110/metre, curtains Oriental Bird, £86/metre.

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COLOUR FOR YOUR HOME

Opposite Page, Top Left: Bukhara in Citrus from Clarke & Clarke, £50/metre. Opposite Page, Top Right: Clarke & Clarke Country Linen fabric, £50/metre.

Opposite Page, Bottom Left: GP & J Baker teal wallpaper, £80/roll. Opposite Page, Bottom Right: Sanderson Palm House wallpaper in citrus, £65/roll.

Main Image: William Yeoward yellow ikat/ticking fabric, visit Sarah Harding Interiors for details.

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Elysium from Sanderson, £65/roll.

Stamford & Rutland Interiors: Delcor Interiors: Stamford, 01780 762579, www.delcor.co.uk.

H Works: 01780 754605, www.hworksdesign.co.uk. Sarah Harding Interiors: Uppingham, 01572 823389, sarahhardinginteriors.co.uk.

Simply Stamford: St Mary’s Street, Stamford, 01780 481852, www.simplystamford.co.uk.

Please note prices are RRP and should be considered a guide only, availability of brands and ranges at the above design studios subject to variation.

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FULL DESIGN SERVICE, ALL MANAGED UNDER ONE ROOF

• Contemporary, modern, traditional & handmade bespoke kitchens • Affordable, quality kitchens and the latest designs on display • Over 60 appliances on show • Review our recent jobs on our website www.qksstamford.co.uk or visit our Facebook page • 25 large room settings in our extensive showroom The best quality, best value and best service from a company fitting kitchens since 1981

THE AREA’S LARGEST INDEPENDENT KITCHEN SHOWROOM The Maltings, Barnack Road, Stamford PE9 2NA T: 01780 756514 or 755855

E: sales@qksstamford.co.uk

www.qksstamford.co.uk

Open Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm. Sat, 9am-3pm, closed all day Sunday

Beautiful hand-picked quality home décor, with inspiring timeless pieces which will add a touch of luxury to every home, our shop is right in the heart of Stamford on St Mary’s Street MIRRORS, LIGHTING, HOME FRAGRANCE, BEAUTY & BODY, HOME ACCESSORIES, VASES & JUGS, KITCHENWARE, BARWARE, GIFTS AND MORE...

Visit us at 2 St Mary’s Street, Stamford, PE9 2DE Call 01780 481852 or shop online at

www.simplystamford.co.uk Follow us on Facebook & Instagram

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Open the door to low carbon living New windows and doors can contribute to reducing your annual energy bills to meet the needs of a low carbon economy…

The high demand for double glazing sales, in the late 1970s and through the 80s, was driven by poorly maintained windows and doors that were installed in the post-war building boom.

The motivation for a purchase was usually driven by the increase in home ownership and the deterioration of the existing windows, which were single-glazed wood or steel framed, drafty and kept little heat in the house. ‘Keeping up with the neighbours’ was also a significant driver, with little thought other than the added insulation from double glazing was evident.

Aluminium was the first material used for frames by double glazing firms and drove sales prior to uPVC, which by the end of the last century was the dominant material. Latterly, improvements in the development of engineered timber components have made wood a more suitable material for the frame, providing greater life expectancy; a 65-years life cycle, according to analysis.

Other key benefits of installing timber windows include greater security, thermal and sound insulation qualities, and the ability to meet conservation requirements.

Today, the world has moved on and we now must face up to the changing climate, cost and replacement of fossil fuels and the need to conserve energy. We are being told every day how to insulate our houses, reduce our energy bills and prepare for the future by recognising the changes being made in the Building Regulations and Codes of Practice documents. We are already striving to meet the challenges of a zero-carbon economy.

On the back of this awareness, global warming means reducing our carbon footprint is all important. For housing the goal had been determined by the Government under the ‘Code for Sustainable Homes’ (CSH) that by 2016

all new housing being built will be Zero Carbon, this means that any energy consumed in the process and the ongoing running must be offset by carbon gains and renewable energy resources. There was doubt that this was ever achieved given the decision by the government to drop adherence to the Code and Green Deals.

Most manufacturers of building products have been working on new product areas and development to tap into this growing demand. It’s not surprising then, that the leading quality brands in the window and door market, offered by the New Window Company, are at the forefront of this technology.

Flush cottage-style and lipped storm-proof casements, sliding sashes for contemporary and heritage houses plus a full range of performance doorsets are available, to suit all the styles our customers seek. A deposit guarantee scheme is available and a fully-trained competent team of fitters will install your new windows and doors and take away the old ones for recycling. All designs are available from the New Window Company Ltd., with large showrooms at Frieston Heath near Grantham.

Today’s windows have been tested and assessed by the BFRC (British Fenestration Energy Rating Council) and have an energy rated label, just like a fridge.

Windows and doors in all materials are offered by The New Window Company and are rated from C to A+.

The windows are also tested to the very latest security performance standards to the latest building regulations ‘Part Q’ and will gain extra credit for even better performance. One thing for certain; you can get modern windows and doors now that are built to satisfy the future energy efficiency standards. So, not only will you be helping to keep your energy costs down, but you will also add considerably to the value of your property. n

Find Out More: New Window Company is based at Elms Farm, The Old Barn, Frieston Heath Lane, Grantham NG32 3HD. For a free no obligation discussion about your property’s needs call 01400 272538 or see www.new-window.co.uk.

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GARRINGTONS PROPERTY FINDERS

When Should You

DOWNSIZE? Many couples will at some point face the dilemma of ‘should I stay, or should I go?’

When should you downsize, free up capital, and make life easier or when should you stay in a larger property? Having wrangled with the same question, Kate Vincent offers some experience...

AFTER NEARLY 10 YEARS of living in a listed tithe barn surrounded by countryside, last September my husband and I made the momentous decision to sell the family home and downside to a two bedroom cottage in the heart of Oundle.

To put this in context, my husband and I had reached our ‘middle years’, the last of our three children had just left home and whilst we loved our house, I soon discovered that weeks had gone by since I’d set foot in some of the bedrooms.

To move or not to move?

Having made this seemingly major decision, it has been fascinating to hear the reactions of our similarly aged friends. Clearly, most have discussed the possibility of downsizing but it appears that the outcome of the debates creates two distinct camps.

downsizing is even harder. Deciding what to take and what to keep (and will fit in) requires a lot of thought and co-ordination.

Then, there is the challenge of working out what to do with the excess. There are many options including storage for future generations (will they want it? What will it cost to store?

Can you get hold of a container as there is currently high demand for storage units?).

Alternatively, you could give the items away through sites such as Facebook Marketplace or sell through channels such as Ebay.

If this option is appealing, a useful tip is to persuade a trustworthy youngster to handle the communications relating to these transactions as they are often much faster on their phones and are happily welded to the source of endless chat and questions.

Personally, I would advise that you don’t leave it too late to downsize; it is a major palaver so the older you get, the harder it is going to feel.

On one side, there is the group that look on enviously at our reduced maintenance workload, bills and time committed to running a substantial family home and plan to follow suit in due course. And, on the other side there are those who are determined stay put in anticipation of family reunions and future grandchildren visits.

Aside from a few years in our twenties when we lived in London, my husband and I have always lived in the countryside, however, we decided that it would be quite fun to try living in a town.

Clearly, there is no right or wrong answer here but if you are hovering over joining the movers’ group, the following is a bit of advice from one who has not only made the jump but also know a bit about property and Stamford & Rutland.

Once again, this is a personal decision but given most downsizers are usually in the older generation, it would be prudent to find a village with a few amenities or a town with a broader selection that can be accessed on foot or via regular public transport.

When to downsize?

Popular market towns are Stamford, Oakham, Uppingham, Oundle and Market Harborough.

Moving to a new house is always hard work and stressful but take it from one who knows,

Where to move to?

Larger villages with additional amenities downsizers may wish to consider include Empingham, Barrowden, Elton, Bottesford, Kings Cliffe, Corby Glen, Long Clawson and Billesdon to name but a few.

Help is on Hand

For a seasoned property professional such as myself, finding and purchasing our next property was the easiest part of our downsizing journey but most people don’t have my professional experience to rely upon.

A typical homeowner only buys a handful of properties in their lifetime and the usual protracted timescale between each purchase inevitably means that the process and system has slightly changed since the last time.

Add to this the possibility of moving to a new area or a change in market conditions then the prospect of buying well can appear very daunting indeed.

Having a professional property finder and buyer on your side can help to reduce the stress and time involved in finding and purchasing a property.

A buying agent will help you clarify what and where you wish to buy and then source potential properties which match that criteria.

Thereafter, they will negotiate the deal on your behalf, oversee the diligence and conveyancing process through to completion and then support you during the early weeks of making a house into a home.

Meanwhile, you are freed up to sort through your belongings! n

Find Out More: If you would like more information on how Garrington can save you money making the right decisions, call Kate Vincent to arrange a no obligation meeting. Phone 01780 408377 or email info@garrington.co.uk. See www.garringtoneastmidlands.co.uk for more information.

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SUMMER GARDENS

20 YEARS of

HARD WORK Few pursuits over the past 20 years have been as noble as Ursula Cholmeley and her team’s cause to restore the gardens of the former Easton Hall. Once in a ruinous state, the team at Easton Walled Gardens has worked really hard to bring back to life the stunning 12-acre site, now admired by over 20,000 visitors a year...

Images: Fred Cholmeley.

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GARDENS

DETERMINATION & SURVIVAL. That’s what it’s taken to restore Easton Walled Gardens to its former glory. This month, you can be one of the 20,000 annual visitors to the garden, and when you visit, you can admire the sweet peas for which the gardens are justifiably famous in the area.

It’s taken two decades and enormous amounts of hard work on the part of Ursula & Fred Cholmeley, and their team of 25. The gardens are 450 years old, but when the adjacent Easton Hall was requisitioned during both world wars, firstly as a convalescent home, then as a barracks, the place fell into disrepair. The final straw was the theft of lead from the roof, which compelled Sir Hugh Cholmeley to make the decision to pull the whole place down.

The site’s adjacent garden also fell into neglect until the early 1990s when Fred Cholmeley (Sir Hugh’s grandson) moved back to Easton with his new wife, dismayed by the thought that without restoration, the venerable 12-acre gardens would have no future.

“We thought that the stables could provide a way in and out of the gardens for visitors,” says Ursula. “In 2001 we began work, and by the end of the decade there were two gardeners on the site for the first time in more than three generations.”

By 2015 the garden was already well-renowned for its snowdrop displays in winter. >>

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IN THE GARDEN IN AUGUST...

Jobs to complete and a guide to planting in the summer months

n Top up the ponds: Top up ponds and bird baths to keep them flowing, and if water levels are a little low, now might be the time to embark on a bit of cleaning and maintenance. n Dead-heading: It’s a good idea to dead-head bedding plants, perennials, and lilies to encourage them to flower in the autumn or to prevent self-seeding. Wisteria, penstemon and lavender should also be kept trimmed. n Pruning: Prune climbing roses and rambling roses, and cut back faded perennials to keep everything looking nice and neat. n The wildflower garden: Mow some paths through your wildflower lawn to create walk-throughs and to help distribute seeds to encourage more flowers to grow. n The vegetable garden: Cut back herbs and enjoy harvesting tomatoes for healthy midsummer salads. Feed tomato plants with fertiliser.

Harvest beans, maincrop potatoes, spring-sown carrots and beetroot. Water fruit and veg plants daily. n The greenhouse: Damp down the greenhouse daily to increase humidity. Clear up any litter to keep the dust down and ventilate the greenhouse on really warm days. n Other jobs: Hedges can have a final trim before autumn.

Lawns may look brown but will recover with a quick water or a summer shower. Because lawns tend not to grow at this time of year, raise the lawnmower blades to prevent scalping and neaten up any edges which have down awry. n Get the camera out: As well as providing you with photos when your garden is at its best, getting the camera out at this time of year will also help to publicise any NGS openings next year and will provide you with a record of how each area looks, helping you to plan borders for next year.

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GARDENS

“The 12-acre gardens are open again, and the team are all looking forward to a very successful summer. All they need now is a bit of summer sunshine...!”

In the summer meanwhile, its sweet peas were a big attraction. By 2018, too, the roofs and walls of the stables had been repaired, the hedges and borders had matured... generally the gardens were looking great.

Flooding in February 2020 and then the pandemic have given the team a ‘reality check,’ but open again, and looking forward to a very successful summer, all the team needs now is a bit of sunshine.

The garden’s two acres of meadows are full of scent and the Rose Meadows especially come alive in the summer.

The Velvet border takes continental gardens as its influence and features red tulips and purple comfrey in spring which give way to phlomis and coronaria in the summer.

In 2018 new steps were added to guide visitors down to the White Garden, inspired

by Charles Jencks, and with new borders and primrose.

The Pickery and Alpine Troughs are where you’ll find the garden’s sweet peas – no fewer than 50 varieties – and later in summer, the very same area will features dahlias, cosmos, zinnias, salvias and more.

There’s also a Cottage Garden area, designed in a smaller space to provide inspiration for gardens of a more typical scale, with lilac, buddleia, and pots of agapanthus.

There’s also a vegetable garden and the long borders adjacent to the River Witham which attracts the occasional native crayfish or trout and entices the odd kingfisher.

450 years is an incredibly long time, but it’s the last 20 years which history will record as being the most significant in the gardens’ history. Ursula and her team have done a stunning job of restoring the site, and deserve huge credit for preventing what would have been considered a huge loss by anyone with an appreciation for gardens or for history. n Easton Walled Gardens is based near Grantham, adjacent to the A1, NG33 5AP. Open Wednesday-Sunday until September.

Call 01476 530063 or see www.visiteaston.co.uk.

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SUMMER WEDDINGS

Rustic Elegance for your

WEDDING This month, local wedding photographer Sarah Vivienne and a number of other local wedding professionals have collaborated on a styled wedding shoot at Deene Park to show off how to achieve a rustic elegant look for your special day...

Photography: Sarah Vivienne Photography, 01604 372543, www.sarahvivienne.co.uk.

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Country Elegance Country Elegance was a hallmark of this month’s styled wedding shoot created by local suppliers including photographer Sarah Vivienne.

or bespoke teepee weddings by the lakeside – offering couples ultimate flexibility to create the wedding of their dreams within the exclusivity of a private estate.

The images are designed to show what happens when couples work with dedicated wedding professionals to create a stylish reception, whether you’ve an elegant setting like Deene Park in mind or a fun rustic event with teepees or marquee.

Teepees & Tents, who provided these rustic Nordic teepees, ensured the comfort of the guests with solid oak benches, seating, planters, and magical fairy lights everywhere.

Deene Park, the ancestral home of the Brudenell Family since 1514, is a 500-acre private estate with the historic manor house at its heart.

Elsewhere, stationery and styling helps to create a luxurious feel, with a large fabric table plan and white & olive table settings which coordinated with elegant table flowers and macarons.

Today the family home forms the breath-taking backdrop for garden civil ceremonies, luxury outdoor marquee weddings,

Catering for luxurious tastes within a rustic style, there’s a limoncello bar, a selection of breads & charcuterie at the Crostini Station,

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and Sael Bar created the ultimate evening bar experience in its own teepee.

Our couple Adele & Jamie were styled

by Courtyard Bridal Boutique and Leicester-based Scotneys of London Road with hair and makeup by Love Laura and Courtney Jane.

“We had a great time working with one another to show just how good a Rutland or Stamford-based wedding can look when you seek out the creativity and flair of local suppliers,” says Sarah.

“We’ve some super talented people in the area who are dedicated to making sure their couples’ day is everything they’ve ever dreamed of, and when we all work together, we can achieve great things!” n

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Teepees & Tents: Our Local Suppliers...

Venue: Tipi: Event Styling: Props: Photography: Videography: Florals: Stationery: Food: Cake: Macarons: Wedding Suit: Wedding Dress: Accessories: Bridal Hair: Makeup Artist: Lighting/SFX: Management: Our Couple:

Deene Park, 01780 450278, www.deeneparkweddings.com.

Teepees and Tent, 07732 315011, www.teepeesandtents.com.

Nerissa Eve Weddings, 07732 315011, www.nerissaeveweddings.com.

More Production, 01455 615746, www.moreproduction.co.uk.

Sarah Vivienne Photography, 01604 372543, www.sarahvivienne.co.uk.

Zade Film Co., 07545 270496, www.zadefilm.co.uk.

Julia Dilworth Flowers, 07754 007122, www.juliasflowers.co.uk.

Jenna Claire Stationery, www.jennaclairestationery.co.uk.

Portfolio Events, 01604 215606, www.portfolioevents.com.

The Greenhouse Cakerie, 07759 775537, www.thegreenhousecakerie.com.

Maison Des Macarons, 07855 417931, www.maisondesmacarons.com.

Scotneys of London Road, 0116 255 1222, www.scotneysoflondonroad.com.

Courtyard Bridal Boutique, 01858 288020, courtyardbridalboutique.com.

Vivi Embellish, 07825 037787, www.viviembellish.com.

Love Laura, 07903 604729.

Features by Courtney Jayne, 07398 859030.

Strobe Disco Roadshow, 07751 093427, strobediscoroadshow.co.uk.

Hannah Rose (professional wedding planner), hannahroseweddings.co.uk.

Adele & Jamie via Mustard Models, www.bigmustard.co.uk. n

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WEDDINGS

Fourth Time Lucky It took four wedding dates before Rebecca and Tom Herring could finally marry in Rutland, but the best things come to those who wait. Glorious weather and the late spring bluebells made it all worth while for the couple when they eventually married at Normanton Church...

Wedding Photographer: Lee Daniels Photography, 07738 255683, www.leedanielsphotography.com.

NOT SO MUCH a case of third time lucky, as fourth time lucky. Rebecca and Tom struggled to pin down a date for their nuptials and were even considering eloping to Gretna Green to tie the knot. But happily, the last date would prove the best of all.

“All of the other dates came and went, and we remarked to each other that ‘we should have been walking down the aisle today,’” recalls Rebecca. “But each of those days were pretty bleak weather wise. When our wedding finally took place, there was glorious sunshine and we had the best day, even with a cut down guest list.”

WEDDING SUPPLIERS REBECCA & TOM HERRING

A double surprise occurred in summer 2017 when the couple, along with Tom’s parents, attended a wedding in Florida. Rebecca is a Disney devotee, and had always wanted to visit Disneyworld so Tom surprised her with a trip to see Mickey and his all friends.

Tom’s parents caught on camera the moment when, whilst watching the parade, Rebecca turned around to find Tom on one knee, proposing marriage.

The couple originally planned their day for June 2020, and managed to go through three different dates, each one scuppered by Covid, before marrying in the bright Rutland sunshine in April this year.

“We visit Rutland often and we always admired Normanton Church. We’d said before how lovely it would be to have our wedding there, and we sort of fell in love with the place. We were planning a reception in a marquee at Grange Farm near Wittering, but with the guest list having to be cut down we had a rethink and instead opted for a garden party with afternoon tea at my parents’ house.”

The couple now live near Peterborough.

Rebecca works in distribution for a large retailer and Tom as a genetic toxicologist.

The two managed to move home in June 2019 just before lockdown but pinning down a date on which to marry would prove a little more frustrating.

“We got together properly in October 2014 and we really enjoy each other’s company.

We talked online but actually only met up in person at the funeral of a mutual friend.

Tom gave a really lovely speech, and when I told him so, the conversation went from there. Funerals aren’t nice, but something lovely did at least happen out of the loss of our friend.”

“It was a little busier than I’d expected but naturally there was whooping, and cheers and lots of clapping and congratulations!” says Tom.

Wedding Ceremony: Normanton Church, www.normantonchurch.wedding.

Wedding Dress: Wed2Be, Hinckley, 0145 5247416, www.wed2b.com.

Groomsmen’s Suits: Slaters, Nottingham, 0115 9502633, www.slaters.co.uk.

Flowers: Keepsakes Florist, Yaxley, 01733 242107, keepsakesofyaxley.com.

Wedding Cookies: Elegant Rose, P’Boro 07837 708521, www.theelegant rosecakestudio.co.uk.

Wedding Video: Ryan Moore, P’Boro 07565 400145, www.moore-video.co.uk.

Bridal Hair: Sophie Lou’s Hair Design, P’Boro.

Makeup Artist: Sharpe Faces, www.sharpefaces.co.uk. n

“The next decision we made was our photographer. We’d seen Lee Daniels working at our friends’ weddings and we loved his style. We had a meeting with him and looked through some albums to discuss the style of pictures we wanted. By the time we’d finished both of us felt so comfortable and relaxed around him.”

“My wedding dress was next. I only visited one place – Wed2Be – and I tried on about eight dresses, but I knew straight away when I’d found ‘the one.’”

Rebecca chose a fit and flare dress created by the designer Anna Serano with bridesmaids’ dresses in grey/blue and blue tailored suits

by Slaters of Nottingham.

“We were really lucky with our florist, finding Lisa of Keepsakes. I really didn’t know what flowers we wanted but we gave her free reign, just specifying pink, green and white.” >> 103

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WEDDINGS

“It was a lovely day, from the spring bluebells into the photos to the weather. We couldn’t have asked for a better day...!” >> “We were thrilled with the results, they looked beautiful! Likewise we also had to have a rethink with our wedding cake.”

“We didn’t feel we could justify a wedding cake for just 16 guests so instead Elegant Rose, who would have been our cake studio, created bride and groom cookies for our absent friends.”

“With fewer guests than we were anticipating, we wanted a videographer, and we’re so glad we chose Ryan Moore. He live-streamed the ceremony – apparently our workmates were watching us live in our boardroom – and the recording was a great keepsake for us too, because the day went so quickly. Being able to watch it in years to come and show it to our children really appeals to us!”

“Everyone was so understanding over the fact that the date kept changing. We weren’t sure if I’d be able to see our makeup artist Jess in person, so she sent me lots of makeup and helped me with a Zoom call session before the day. As it happens we could see each other face to face, but it was just an example of how good all of our suppliers were!”

“It was a lovely day, from the late spring bluebells into the photos to the weather.

We couldn’t have asked for a better day, or better people to share it with!” n Wedding Photographer: Lee Daniels Photography, 07738 255683, www.leedanielsphotography.com.

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FASHION

Where There’s Wool

THERE’S A WAY This month we’ve light knitwear that will see you through late summer and into autumn too...

This Page: Oui cardigan in cashmere wool, £175.

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Windsor V-neck jumper in sustainable 100% new milled wool, £429.

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Oversize knitted jumper

by Oui, £80; leather trousers in olive, £285.

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Include round neck jumper in 100% sustainable cashmere, £549.

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Daylike slipover in 100% new milled wool, £149.

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FASHION

Top/Left: Uta Raasch cotton jumper with three quarter sleeves, £95. Top/Right: Peter Hahn jumper with short kimono sleeves, £55.

Bottom/Left: Fadenmeister round neck jumper in silk blend, £185. Bottom/Right: Oui round neck jumper in 100% cotton, £149.

Stockists: Oui, www.oui.com; Windsor/Daylike/Fadenmeister, www.peterhahn.co.uk.

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GETT A FREE CONS SULTA ATION T

BY QUOTING “LP1”

A LL ON 4 OUR SAME OUR SAME DA DAY DENT DE NTA L IMPL IMPLA NTS NTS Dental Implants look, feel and function like natural teeth BEFORE

What is all on 4?

“All on 4“ is a procedure p which is useed to provide a permanent retained samee day replacemennt for the entire upper and lower jaw with w either a bridge orr denture secured d on implants” p

AFTER

“This treeatment is becoming very v popular as it allowss patients to have a full set of teeth that feel as close to the real thing g as possible, it avoids the need for dentures and our patients all rep port this treatment to be life changing with ma any commenting they wished w they had done it soonerr.”

- Paula Parkes Treatment Coordina ator

0147 76 594 94480

info@dentalhealthcentre.co.uk

3 Avenue Road, Road Grantham, Gra antham Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire NG31 6TA

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Pride Magazine is available to read, for free, on your phone or tablet...

Enjoy the area’s finest magazines, using our App, free to download now!

Read online now at

w w w.pr idemagaz ines. co. u k You can now enjoy Pride Magazine with our app on your smartphone or tablet... completely free of charge!

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SUMMER COSMETICS

A Midsummer Night’s Dream NEW COSMETICS, PERFUMES AND LUXURY ITEMS IDEAL FOR MIDSUMMER NIGHTS

1. Enjoy a voyage of discovery with Hermès...

Voyage d'Hermès is a brand new fragrance from one of the world’s most well-respected brands, available at the fragrance concessions of John Lewis. It’s composed of woody notes and a musky scent which, the brand claims, is ‘lively, reassuring and generous, between warmth and intensity.’

Hermes was established in 1837 and now has annual revenues of over €6bn. £110/100ml.

2. Sheer luxury for lips...

Mac is our go-to lip colour thanks to its creamy rich formula which provides a no-shine finish and a wide palette of colours. Shown here is Natural Born Leader, one of 20 different shades. Works best in conjunction with one of the brand’s lip brushes, £17.50/3g.

3. Enjoy restful sleep...

5. Hygiene for hands in a post pandemic world Diptyque’s rinse-free hand wash is ideal for maintaining hygiene in a post-pandemic world assuming – as is the case when we write this in early June – the world will begin to return to some kind of normality.

Requires no water, uses saponaria to cleanse, peach for fragrance and almond oil to moisturise, leaving skin feeling soft to the touch, £24, 45ml.

6. Essential summer skincare from Lancôme Lancôme has grouped together these summer skincare essentials, with Génifique serum for post-toner use, Light Pearl Eye Cream, and Day Cream. Includes Hypnôse mascara and night cream too, £83.50.

Cowshed presents its aromatherapy solution for those warm summer nights when you’re struggling to drift off to sleep. St John’s Wort, lemon myrtle and other extracts ensure a restful night sleep with just a quick spritz onto your pillow! £32/250ml.

4. So Nera, so far...

Crema Nera is the new nourishing face cream from Armani designed, the PR blurb states, to reduce the signs of ageing and refine skin texture. Utilises plant extracts and minerals, £340/50ml.

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

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HOLISTIC HEALTH

It’s OK to not be OK As you negotiate the menopause, the physical and emotional symptoms can sometimes seem overwhelming, but with help and support from Ali Hutchinson, you’ll gain practical tips and advice... not least the reassurance that sometimes, it’s OK not to be OK! Words: Ali Hutchinson. Image: Dorte Kjaerulff Photography.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS that Davina McCalls’s appearance on Channel 4, talking about menopause, has had is to open up a dialogue to enable women to talk about what’s ‘normal.’ One of the most common questions I hear when working with perimenopause and menopausal clients is ‘am I going mad?’ It’s safe to say... you’re not!

As we go through perimenopause and into menopause we may all experience profound changes and often find it hard to cope, yet putting on a brave face is what we’ve been conditioned to do. Sometimes we have to admit we’re not OK, and that’s when the healing starts.

The last 18 months have been tough. You’ve seen less of the people you love and can’t do a lot of the things that make you happy.

Throw menopausal symptoms into the mix and things can easily spiral downwards leaving you feeling overwhelmed. Low mood and mood swings are common symptoms of menopause.

Don’t mask the feelings...

So often we mask our feelings with busyness but tapping into how you feel and paying attention to this is sometimes the first step on the road to feeling better. Don’t let low mood, stress and anxiety creep up on you until it shows up as a full on crisis.

Once your bucket is full of stress the tiniest pebble thrown in will have the flood gates opening and a full-on crash ensuing. Take moments of check in with yourself every day and acknowledge what it is that you’re feeling. You may find it useful to create a chart that helps you assess where you are

and also plot how your mood ebbs and flows with your monthly cycle. I find most women still follow a monthly cycle – emotionally if not physically – and understanding this can really shed a light on low moods, headaches and other symptoms of menopause.

The Warning Signs

It’s important to recognise the ‘warning signs’ of this. Everyone reacts differently to feeling down, stressed or worried. Figure out what is normal for you. For instance, do you usually feel tired, emotional and tearful?

Do you stop doing the things you enjoy?

Does your concentration slip or do you experience brain fog? Might you feel restless or agitated? Do you find it hard to manage every-day tasks or depend on alcohol to unwind at night a little more?

Some of these will be familiar but if you are experiencing them more than usual it’s worth noting them and seeking help if you need it. I’m always here to talk or join one of my menopause drop in clinics where you will meet other women experiencing similar symptoms.

Ways to help yourself

Firstly, give your body the best chance to feel better by boosting some key aspects of menopausal health. If you show signs and symptoms of being perimenopausal or menopausal speak to a GP about getting your hormone levels checked.

Next is nutrition. As tempting as it is to comfort eat when you’re feeling down, overwhelmed or stressed, a more balanced diet will serve you better. There’s a close relationship between what’s happening in your gut and how your brain functions.

A diet rich in vegetables, that’s low in sugar, salt, fast or processed foods, but rich in calcium, vitamin D and pre- and probiotics will help your gut and general health, as well as boost your energy levels and mood.

Talk to me if you need help or advice, I work with individual clients to create meal plans that work for them and their family and have a variety of recipes on my blog.

Finally, sleep is essential, so try and get 7-8 hours a night; a consistent bedtime routine can really help you sleep and therefore feel better. If disturbed sleep or night sweats are a problem, I have some simple tools you can try.

Daily things to help

Connect with people – even if it’s just over the phone; a chat with good friends or family can lift the spirits, make you laugh and help you feel a little less alone. It’s important, too, to talk about your feelings – open up with a trusted friend or family member and let the ‘I’m fine’ mask slip... you’ll often find a much brighter perspective as a result.

Set a routine too. Having a plan for your day can help you feel grounded when everything feels uncertain. Stick to set times to eat, sleep and exercise, and use these as anchors throughout your day.

Make time for things you enjoy or add meditation or mindful exercises that focus on your breathing or relaxing your muscles into your daily routine. Check out my online meditations via my blog or join one of my free classes or cacao ceremonies online or in person.

And above all else, remember that you are not alone – reach out to a friend or professional if you need help. n

Find Out More: If you’re struggling with perimenopause or menopause, experiencing gut issues, or need support with energy levels, weight loss or weight management I’m here to help. Book a free call via my blog www.ali-hutchinson.co.uk or email hello@ali-hutchinson.co.uk or call to find out how I could help you on the path to a brighter future: 07973 843020.

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MOTORS

A Lexus That’s Positively

ELECTRIC Historically Lexus has been a keen advocate of self-charging hybrid vehicles. Its new UX300e model, though, is the brand’s first dedicated electric vehicle... and it’s nothing short of brilliant!

Words: Rob Davis.

THANKS TO LOCKDOWN, many things were put on the back burner or went almost unnoticed. New car launches, for example, were a more muted affair for car dealerships.

And for that reason you might have missed the launch of Lexus’s UX300e.

It arrived with a whisper in every sense because not only did the launch of Lexus’s first all-electric model occur when dealerships were unable to welcome crowds into their showroom, but this 150kW five seater is also whisper-quiet as it glides around the countryside.

Lexus has long been an advocate of selfcharging powertrains, but this is the first model powered entirely by volts. Looking a little more closely at the UX300e, it might

look quite conventional. It’s smart, certainly, but unlike the BMW i3 or Ford Mustang Mach-E, there’s nothing too gratuitously different or aggressive about its styling.

Up close it’s a good-looking car, and there’s a much broader paint palette to choose from beyond the usual 50 shades of silver, as well as five interior colours.

Speaking of what’s happening in the cabin, the good news continues with five decent-sized seats and a boot of 367 litres.

For context, a petrol or diesel Ford Focus offers 340 litres, and we make a point of mentioning that because sometimes boot space is compromised in an electric car because that’s where the batteries and motors are usually shoved. Not in this case though! >>

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>> The good news continues, too, when you consider the UX300e’s price and the standard kit list. There are three trim levels, with prices of £43,900, £47,400 and £53,500 respectively.

Performance? That’s brisk too, as you’d expect from the instant power that comes from an electric drivetrain. 60mph is reached in 7.5 seconds for safe overtaking, and the car is limited to 99mph.

That’s cheaper than a Volvo XC40 Recharge and on a par with the Mustang Mach-E. As standard, Lexus throws in adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, electrically adjustable seats, navigation and mobile connectivity. We think it’s worth stumping up for the Premium Plus pack, to gain leather seats with heating front and rear, a heated steering wheel, keyless entry and wireless smartphone charging.

So far then, it’s all good. Stylish, spacious, well-equipped with good performance.

The real kicker, though, is the fact that Lexus consistently ranks top in every driver satisfaction and reliability survey conducted

by Auto Express, What Car? and others.

Top spec Takumi models also add a 360° camera, sunroof, and Mark Levinson stereo.

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Each UX300e shares the same 150kW motor, charging in as little as 52 minutes from a DC charger. The UX’s range is a usable 190 miles. Naturally being all-electric, no CO2 is emitted, meaning company car drivers are taxed just 1% BIK, and the car falls into the cheapest A-band for VED.

Lexus is, by reputation, one of the easiest and most rewarding car brands to live with on a day to day basis, and the UX is a perfect example of why. If you’re looking for a practical, luxurious car ideal for A-roads and cities alike, it’s easy to recommend it. n

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Three Pronged Attack: Three electric executives...

Jaguar I-Pace S £65,245: There’s a premium to be paid even for the entry-level I-Pace which isn’t as well-equipped as Lexus’s UX300e. The 90kWh battery provides a powerful 400PS and a range of 292 miles, which is formidable. 60mph is reached in four and a half seconds and the car tops out at 124mph. Standard kit includes heated leather seats, cruise and climate but you’ll need to dig into the options list of move up the range to match the adaptive cruise and other features of the Lexus. n

Tesla Model 3 RWD £43,490: For a relatively new car brand, Tesla has certainly gained traction in the industry.

The Model 3 is the smallest in the range and is comparable to a Ford Focus in size. Its 278 mile range, top speed of 140mph and 0-60mph time of 5.3 seconds are all healthy, but buyers are still likely to be wary of the lack of dealerships in the UK and by the new brand’s as yet unproven record for reliability. Lexus, meanwhile, tops customer satisfaction and reliability surveys and has a move conventional car-like interior compared to the Tesla’s ergonomically unusual ultra-minimalist interior. n

LEXUS UX300 PREMIUM PLUS Price: £47,400 (on sale now).

Powertrain: 150kW, 300Nm torque, with lithium ion batteries.

Performance: 0-62 mph: 7.5 seconds. Top Speed: 99mph.

Electric range of 196 miles.

Equipment: Heated, ventilated, leather seats, keyless entry, wireless smartphone charging. n

Nissan Leaf E+ Tekna £32,445: Nissan was one of the first to market with their all-electric Leaf and this is its second generation. In this flagship trim it provides 239 miles of range, 60mph in 6.9 seconds and 217PS. It’s well-equipped but feels like the budget choice against the Lexus with its brand appeal and polished cabin and through its cars are British made, Nissan still doesn’t counter Lexus’s position at the top of reliability and customer satisfaction surveys – the brand achieved a 98.7% reliability scope in the What Car? awards. n

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MOTORS

A GOOD

SPORT Bentley has given its large SUV a more dynamic presence and the result of the sporting makeover is the Bentayga S. The sporty V8 model sits below the firm’s Speed model and is set to go head-to-head with Range Rover’s Autobiography Dynamic...

Words: Rob Davis.

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SIX FIGURE FLAGSHIPS are now common among manufacturers of large SUVs. Range Rover has its Autobiography, Benz has its AMG-spec GLS and now Bentley has this: The Bentayga S. It sits below the Bentayga Speed in the range, and whilst the latter has a W12 engine – with 6.0 litres and twin turbos yielding a hulking 900Nm torque – the S, by contrast, has a more modest powerplant... at least, relatively speaking.

With four litres of displacement, eight cylinders and 770Nm torque, there’s still plenty of grunt to spare and it’s still good to reach 60mph in 4.4 seconds and 180mph on a closed track.

In fact, if Bentley’s Continental GT is anything to go by, the weight loss with the smaller, AMG-sourced engine may actually be the better option, making the car more nimble and improving the handling of the Bentayga S as a result.

Unlike the W12 Speed, the V8 S is also more explicitly sporty in its styling. Dark tint headlights, black brightware, and a new part-Alcantara interior with red highlights plus 22” wheels provide a more muscular look. Meanwhile, bespoke sports tuned suspension and the inclusion of Bentley’s 48v Dynamic Ride system also provides satisfying dynamic precision, too.

The Bentayga remains adept at handling rutted roads and country lanes, and there are different terrain settings. In theory it’ll wade through half a metre of water... although it’s unlikely you’ll take it far from its comfort zone, on motorways and A-roads.

Bentley’s sector-defining and marketleading luxury SUV is available in four, five or seven seat configurations, and since it entered the market in 2016, more than 25,000 customers have taken delivery of a Bentayga... the S only looks set to built upon the company’s success with its first SUV.

BENTLEY BENTAYGA S

Price: £179,900.

Engine: 4.0 litre twin turbo V8.

Performance: 60mph in 4.5 seconds, 180mph.

Equipment: Air suspension, four terrain modes, Alcantara upholstery, 48v Bentley Dynamic Ride system. n

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A Snake in the Grass Eco-friendly electric motoring is a trend that is rapidly spreading through the performance car market, and now, there’s a snake in the grass in the form of an electric AC Cobra which is attempting to infiltrate the world of muscle cars... estimated range of over 160 miles and a weight of 1,240kg. Engineering challenges for both models have included the elimination of excess weight, for a longer range.

MENTION THE NAME AC COBRA to any car fanatic and they’ll think of hulking 6.2 litre V8 engines barking beneath the bonnet of American muscle cars. Only now, there’s a (slightly) more sensible option, an AC Cobra with an all-electric powertrain.

Sacrilege, or a sign of the times?

AC has introduced a power system for a new age thanks to the input of its Derbybased technical partner Falcon Electric.

There are two versions of the AC Cobra Series 4-electric available.

Priced at £148,000, plus any on-the-road charges, the fast 230kW version delivers 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds, has an estimated range of 190 miles and weighs just 1,190kg.

In contrast the 460kW version, priced at £168,000 plus any on-the-road charges, achieves 0-60mph in 3.8 seconds, has an

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That means the car is still rather spartan inside, but it’s thankfully still muscular in appearance and has lost none of the appeal despite the absence of that soundtrack.

AC Cobra 4-Electric Price: £148,000.

Motor: 230kW, 500Nm peak 0-60mph in 4.9 seconds, Find Out More: Call 0330 113 1892 or see www.accars.eu.

The electric powertrain means lots of responsible fun, but if you’re a petrol purist, separately, AC Cars has announced that its AC Cobra Superblower is now being fitted with a 6.2 litre V8 650 bhp, 880 Nm torque engine, as against the previous version of 6.2 litre V8 580 bhp 550 Nm torque engine.

The price of the AC Cobra Superblower is £139,500, but if it’s all the same to you, we think the electric option is best! n

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MOTORS

More to the Morgan MODEL UPDATES OFFER BUYERS EVEN MORE SPEC AND GREATER COMFORT

D-Max pick-up of the year for farmers and landowners...

Isuzu’s D-Max has been named pick-up truck of the year by 4x4 magazine and, separately, it has been awarded the maximum five-stars in the Euro NCAP safety awards.

In our part of the country, farmers, property developers and estate managers all value the practicality of a pick-up truck, and the new D-Max can be equipped with heated leather seats, adaptive cruise control, navigation, mobile connectivity providing a blend of civilisation and practicality, from £21,000-£31,000. n ISUZU

MORGAN Few people choose to put a Morgan on their drive for practical reasons, but now the Great British brand’s Plus Four and Plus Six models are a little easier to live with thanks to a number of 2022 model year improvements.

The new model features a n all new hood for greater weatherproofing, all new seats for greater comfort plus the addition of USB ports for

connecting mobile devices, enabling music and navigation.

The standard-fit Comfort seat has lumbar support whilst the Comfort Plus version has chunkier side and thigh boosters for better lateral support.

A new lighting package provides better cabin illumination whilst the USB ports incorporate Bluetooth functionality to add at least something modern to the driving experience. n

New Bugatti’s £2.7m price tag JUST 300 EXAMPLES OF BUGATTI’S CHIRON SUPER SPORT WILL BE MADE, EACH WITH AN EYE-WATERING PRICE TAG

MOTORING

NEWS In Brief

MOST RELIABLE CARS

WHAT CAR? NAMES 2021’S MOST RELIABLE CAR BRANDS FROM READER SURVEY

What Car? magazine has named the UK’s most reliable car brand after surveying 13,000 car owners who have suffered faults with their vehicles over the past 12 months. The survey included information from 178 models and 31 different car brands.

The UK’s 10 Most Reliable Car Brands: 10. BMW: 95.2% reliability rating. =9. Mazda: 95.2% reliability rating.

8. Honda: 95.3% reliability rating.

7. Kia: 95.9% reliability rating.

6. Hyundai 96.3% reliability rating.

If you’re sufficiently well-heeled, if you value exclusivity and if you’re in a hurry, good news. Bugatti will make just 300 examples of its new limited edition Chiron Super Sport model, each with a price tag of £2.7m.

The cars will utilise an 8.0 litre W12 engine and two enormous turbochargers to yield 1,578bhp and 1,600Nm torque, providing enough grunt to shift the thing to 124mph in 5.8 seconds.

The car’s top speed? You’ll need a trip to the Nürburgring to get close; the Chiron will do 273mph flat out... and 60mph is reached in just two seconds. n BUGATTI

5. Skoda: 96.4% reliability rating.

4. Mini: 96.8% reliability rating.

3. Toyota: 97.7% reliability rating.

2. Mitsubishi: 97.9% reliability rating.

1. Lexus: 98.7% reliability rating.

The UK’s 10 Least Reliable Car Brands: 3. Tesla: 88.6% reliability rating.

2. Renault: 87.6% reliability rating.

1. Land Rover: 78.2% reliability rating.

Source: What Car?, 3rd June 2021.

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CAR & LIGHT COMMERCIAL SERVICING SERVICING & MOT SUSPENSION TOW BARS SUPPLIED & FITTED BRAKES & CLUTCHES PAINT & BODY REPAIRS AIR CONDITIONING ENGINE DIAGNOSTICS MOTORHOME SERVICE & REPAIRS WELDING TYRES LIGHT COMMERCIAL SERVICE & REPAIRS 4X4 SERVICE & REPAIRS

SERVICES INTERIM

FULL

MAJOR

Up to 1300cc

£89.95

£169.95† £199.95†

1300cc - 2000cc

£99.95

£179.95† £209.95†

Above 2000cc or Diesel

£109.95

£199.95† £219.95†

Commercial & Motorhome

£129.95

£229.95

£249.95

MOT only £25 with Major Service. All prices include labour, materials, consumable & VAT. 10% extra for 6 & 8 cylinder cars. † 20% extra for replacement of platinum plugs.

APPROVED DEALER LEVEL SERVICING We can service any make or model of car under manufacturers warranty, save money and keep your warrantly – ask us for a quote

LOYALTY CARD 10% Discount and FEE MOT for life of the vehicle for only £59.95 – ask for details

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ADVERTISING FEATURE NFU MUTUAL

The Right Protection for

YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES The past year has been difficult for everyone, but NFU Mutual believes that having the right insurance cover in place for your home or business provides peace of mind for unforeseen circumstances...

Slowly, we’re getting back to normal. And after a time of disruption, that’s a good place to be. But having the right insurance in place can also help you get back to normal should the worst happen. That’s why it’s important to consider the quality of your cover and the value for money you’re receiving.

When choosing insurance, it can be tempting to use comparison sites and go for the cheapest option, especially if there’s a strain on finances. However the quality of your cover is equally important. At NFU Mutual we continue to work hard to help make sure our customers have the right amount of protection for their needs.

“At NFU Mutual, 100 years of insurance experience has taught us a lot; established in 1910 to provide insurance for the National Farmers Union (NFU), we’re now the UK’s leading rural insurer with over 300 local offices and more than 850,000 customers, and underwriting premium in excess of £1.7bn,” say Ashley Oxer and Miles Baker.

“And NFU Mutual isn’t just for farmers. It’s for private households, businesses, for those in towns or cities as well as those who live and work in rural communities.”

“But despite our size, our business model still focuses on retaining customers through delivering excellent service and building long lasting relationships. We offer car, home and landlord insurance, plus policies that can cover your business, commercial vehicle,

farming and equine insurance needs. NFU Mutual were also proud to be named Which?

Insurance Brand of the Year 2020.”

“What makes us different is our local presence. With an office nearby, we’re able to visit our customers to help ensure they are properly insured for their individual circumstances.”

“Our continuity of contact means you speak to the same person who can visit you in person to understand your needs, or your own dedicated account handler, so you always deal with a familiar face; a real person.”

“As well as our insurance services, within the office we also have a dedicated NFU Mutual Financial Adviser who specialises in pensions, investments, life cover and income protection, as well as Inheritance Tax planning. So we can also provide financial advice for your business. This means our office can offer products and services that can protect you, your family and your business all in one place.”

“Those services dovetail well with our insurance products in the sense that it enables us to look after our clients holistically and provide comprehensive protection for all stages of your life.”

“The past two years have shown the benefit of planning for uncertain times, and though a global pandemic is an exceptional circumstance, the idea of protecting yourself and your business against all of life’s uncertainties is one that remains at the heart of everything we do.”

NFU Mutual Financial Advisers advise on NFU Mutual products and selected products from specialist providers. They can explain the advice services and charges. Financial advice is provided by NFU Mutual Select Investments Limited.”

“As we slowly begin to return to normal, this means we’re very much open for business.

In addition to telephone and video consultations, we’re also resuming our face-to-face meetings and site visits (restrictions permitting); a more personal way to provide our clients with the protection they deserve.” n

Find Out More: NFU Mutual is now based at 41 St Mary’s Street, Stamford, PE9 2DS. For more information call 01780 762421 or visit nfumutual.co.uk. A Oxer & M J Baker is an appointed representative of The National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society Limited (No.111982). And an introducer to NFU Mutual Select Investments Limited, a member of the NFU Mutual group of companies.

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The Directory To advertise here call our friendly team on 01529 469977

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