Stamford Pride February 2020

PRIDE

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STAMFORD

STAMFORD’S FINEST MAGAZINE

£4.50

Burghley House - The Inside Story

The beautiful interiors of the area’s Elizabethan stately home...

Dining Out in Stamford

Enjoying fine food & local restaurants...

COVER IMAGE: PRIDE MAGAZINES’ ILLUSTRATOR JOCELYN LAWMAN

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FREE ONLINE

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WELCOME

S

ome sights around our area are beyond ubiquity. Normanton Church, for example, Oakham Castle, The George of Stamford or Burghley House. The latter was once a symbol of prestige and a reward for just one man with his mighty connections to Elizabethan England’s monarchy.

Today though, Burghley couldn’t be more welcoming to all; families, historians and those who want to enjoy the most beautifully preserved Capability Brown landscape. But if you’ve only ventured as far as the parkland itself, why not revisit the inside of the house? This month we’re retelling the inside story of Burghley, looking at a few of the favourite pictures as recommended by the estate’s Honourary Keeper of Pictures.

We’re also taking the estate’s Head Gardener Joe Whitehead up on his offer to enjoy a guided winter walk around the garden... which would be a nice way to work off a few calories from Irnham’s Griffin Inn, this month’s absolutely splendid Dining Out recommendation!

Also in this month we’re enjoying the sweet smell of success with fragrance queen Jo Malone, we’ve great ideas for refreshing the look of your home this spring, and we’ll see how Uppingham’s High Street East has evolved over the past century.

Our best wishes for a wonderful month!

Executive Editor rob@pridemagazines.co.uk

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115 122 CONTENTS NEWS & EVENTS

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NEWS The best ‘good news’ stories from across Rutland & Stamford.

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WHAT’S ON The best February events from live music to theatre.

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BURGHLEY HOUSE The inside

HIGHLIGHTS 34

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story and garden tours of the estate.

WORKS OF ART Keeper of the Pictures John Somerville’s favourite frames.

HISTORY A 1955 view of Uppingham’s High Street East.

THE BOWTHORPE OAK The story of England’s oldest oak tree.

FOOD & DRINK 46 59

DINING OUT The Griffin Inn, Irnham.

WINE English roses, for Valentine’s Day.

HOMES & GARDENS 60

WELCOME HOME A beautifully restored cottage in Duddington.

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HOMES Designer lighting, and kitchens for your spring makeover.

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WEDDINGS Samantha & Lewis’s big day at Normanton Church.

LADIES & GENTLEMEN 101 FASHION Luxury skiwear.

106 THE LUXURY BRAND Jo Malone.

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COSMETICS Makeup and perfume.

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HIGH LIFE Fundraising with Efficient Portfolio and the NSPCC’s concert.

THE HIGH LIFE

120 MOTORS Aston Martin’s DBX.

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THE WEAlTHIEST PEOPlE IN THE ArEA rEAD PrIDE MAGAzINE

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FREE ONLINE

Pride Magazine is delivered free of charge, via Royal Mail, to high value homes in the county.

Our circulation is to properties in the top three council tax bands - homes which are predominantly worth over ÂŁ300,000. This guarantees the magazine has an affluent readership commensurate with our content. In addition the magazine is also sold in supermarkets and newsagents including Waitrose, Marks & Spencer, WHSmith, Tesco, Asda, Co-Op and Morrisons.

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 magazines also have more social media fans than any other local magazine, and we are available to read free of charge, online on your tablet, computer, laptop or mobile phone via our website 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.

To read the latest edition and all of our back editions online, free of charge, visit www.pridemagazines.co.uk. 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.

Pride Magazines Ltd., Elm Grange Studios, East Heckington, Boston, Lincs PE20 3QF

THE PrIDE TEAM

Managing Director: Julian Wilkinson.

Production Director: Ian Bagley.

Sales Director: Zoie Wilkinson.

Sales Manager: Charlotte Daubney.

Sales Supervisor: Cydney Dyson.

Executive Editor: Rob Davis.

Chief Photographer: Dean Fisher.

Illustrator: Jocelyn Lawman.

Features: Laurin Dempsey, Carissa Smith.

Customer Care Manager: Mandy Bray.

Web Developer: Joe Proctor.

Office Managers: Sue Bannister and Melissa Trestrail.

Sales Executives: Cassy Ayton, Emily Brown, Jade Cox.

Tel: 01529 469977 Fax: 01529 469978

www.pridemagazines.co.uk | enquiries@pridemagazines.co.uk

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NEWS & EVENTS

Discover rutland... with just a click!

NEW WEBSITE CHAMPIONS THE COUNTY FOR TOURISTS AND LOCALS ALIKE...

RUTLAND Discover rutland is has launched a new website, which is modern, sleek and makes it easier for anyone using the site to discover all the wonderful events, attractions and tourism businesses in the area; appealing to both local residence and potential visitors.

Ed Burrows chair of Discover rutland said: “It’s important that rutland keeps up to date with the ongoing advances in technology, and this new website not only looks more attractive but is also easier to navigate on all devices.” “rutland has a fantastic tourism offering and the sector continues to perform well year on year, with its economic impact increasing by a massive 9.5% in 2018 to £135.6 million.”

“Our recent Annual forum provided a great opportunity to speak to the tourism

The Discover Rutland committee Ed Burrows chair was absent from this shot - at the group’s recent ball held at Rutland Water Golf Club.

committee, network with other local tourism businesses and find out what’s been happening and what is planned for the future. If you’ve an interest in helping

local company creates a winter wonderland...

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promote this beautiful county, we’re looking for new members. Our current committee consists of representatives from the local area, not just those in the

tourism industry, and works to showcase rutland as a great destination for visitors and residents alike.” n For more information see www.discover-rutland.co.uk.

STAMFORD Is it looking chilly outside? It could well be, if Stamford based special effects company Snowboy are around.

That’s because the company, established by Phillip Stokes in 1984, is renowned across the film and Tv industry as being leading providers of special effects, from falling snow, ground snow and wind to smoke and pyrotechnics.

You’ll have seen their work over the festive season in the 2019 Christmas adverts for Tesco and Marks & Spencer and in productions like the BBC’s new War of the Worlds

production, as well as music videos for acts like Miley Cyrus and JlS. If you tuned into festive favourite Bridget Jones’ Diary over the season, in which Bridget and Mark Darcy finally get together, you’ll also have the local firm to thank for the wintery special effects in those climactic - or rather climatic - scenes!

As well as providing snow and fire for productions, the firm also makes and sells its own snow machines, so if winter is a little too devoid of snow for your tastes, you’ll s-know who to call! n

CHARITY’S 13TH ANNIVERSARY MILESTONE

STAMFORD Stamford charity, Anna’s Hope is celebrating its 13th Anniversary.

Inspired by their daughter Anna, who lost her life to a brain tumour in 2016, rob and Carole Hughes, with the support of dedicated volunteers and trustees, have worked tirelessly to help children with a brain tumour reach their full potential. Over the 13 years the charity has raised £1.85m.

Coinciding with its 13th Anniversary, Anna’s Hope held a charity in ‘World flight 2019,’ a simulated flight challenge around the world.

The event not only raised funds but global awareness of the charity. 13 years have flown by and Carole and rob would like to thank all those who have supported the charity helped to make a difference. n

Preparing for the Olympics

Image: Deanne Ward Photography.

LOCAL EVENT RIDERS RICHARD AND VICTORIA JONES, ARE BUSY PREPARING FOR THE 2020 OLYMPICS WITH NEW FACILITIES...

Oakhamians win Young Musician of the Year accolades...

OAKHAM Two of Oakham’s talented musicians have won accolades at the Nottingham Young Musician of the Year competition. Jessica and William talents were chosen as winners in their competition sections, winning the titles of Young Woodwind Player of the Year, and Nottingham Young Singer of the Year.

“This is a real testimony to the quality of music here at Oakham,”says Director of Music, Peter Davis. n

RUTLAND local event riders richard and victoria Jones, AKA Team Jones, are busy preparing for the 2020 Olympics with new facilities.

The two are preparing to compete at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo in July, and at the World Equestrian Games, in las vegas.

The British Equestrian federation has selected richard Jones as one of five event riders for the UK Sport World Class Podium Potential squad for 2019-2021 whilst victoria Jones is busy training her bunch of classy young horses at home ready to make their 2020 debut. n See www.teamjonesequestrian.com.

£7,500 Donation

Anna’s Hope is 13

uppingham has, in a shock development, received £7,500 to spend on new defibrillators for the town, thanks to a campaign by the rotary Club. The aim is to ensure every resident of Uppingham lives within 500 metres of a potentially life-saving device, installed on Seaton road, leicester road and limetree and firs Avenue area. n

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LOCAL

NEWS In Brief OAKHAM

James sellicks, the estate agent on the move

It is going to be an exciting year ahead for James Sellicks in Oakham.

After six busy years located on the corner of Catmos Street and Mill Street the office is on the move.

In January 2020 they will be opening their doors at the old Santander Bank, 6-8 Market Place, right in the heart of Oakham.

Henry Burgess, Associate & valuer for the Oakham office comments: “We have had a fantastic last few years and we are looking forward to putting down some established roots in this great county.

When the opportunity arose to move into an office that placed us in the centre of the town and that gave us the extra space we were needing, it was an easy decision to make, as 2019 was our busiest and best year to date!” n

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NEWS & EVENTS

Nevill Holt - Tickets on Sale for 2020

NEVILL HOLT OPERA STUNS WITH EPIC PERFORMANCE OF HANDEL’S MESSIAH...

NEVILL HOLT Nevill Holt Opera wowed its guests recently with their stunning candlelit performance of Handel’s Messiah.

The evening took place at the historic Nevill Holt estate’s rIBA Stirling Prize nominated theatre, featuring 16 young artists from Nevill Holt Opera performing solo roles, and the Malcolm Arnold Academy Chapel Choir, lit by atmospheric candlelight for a second year.

Artistic Director and Conductor, Nicholas Chalmers led the popular performance featuring Cambridge-based Britten Sinfonia, who previously performed at Nevill Holt’s sell out run of Adès Powder her face in 2018 and Benjamin Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream in 2019.

The 400-seat theatre was a sell-out thanks to the wonderful young artists who performed on the evening.

“Through our unique and

LOCAL NEWS In Brief

great fooD club names farnDon fielDs best farm shop

Farndon Fields Farm Shop of Market Harborough is The Great Food Club’s Farm Shop Of The Year.

36 years after opening it has become a genuine destination shopping experience that remains close to its founding principles of local and seasonal, say organisers. n See www.farndonfields.co.uk

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exciting development programme, we nurture promising young opera singers, immersing them in the life of a professional opera company.

“We take great pride in casting young talent in our critically acclaimed opera productions, giving them the opportunity to take the stage during our summer festival.”

Barefoot living lifestyle

NEW AND BEAUTIFULLY CURATED INTERIORS AND LIFESTYLE STORE OPENS AT RUTLAND GARDEN VILLAGE

Nevill Holt Opera has just announced their largest summer festival yet, with productions of verdi’s la Traviata and Mozart’s Don Giovanni. n See www.nevillholtopera.com.

OAKHAM A new and beautifully curated interiors and lifestyle store has opened at rutland Garden village in Ashwell, near Oakham.

Stocked with a stylish range of items from soft furnishings, accessories, carefully selected furniture and rattan basketware.

Barefoot Sunday has a gorgeous selection of lifestyle products to pamper yourself, or to give the gift of wellbeing to your loved ones. Products include naturally brilliant skin and body care from Elemental Herbology, blissfully effective foot care from Margaret Dabbs and Nailberry nail polishes. n Follow @barefootsundayliving.

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Whissendine, Rutland Guide Price £640,000

Ash Trees is a delightful detached family home set in a quiet position bordering open countryside and is just a short walk from the heart of this popular Rutland village.

The present owners, who have lived in the property for the last 25 years, have sympathetically extended the property to offer a versatile family home. The three main reception rooms – the living, dining and garden rooms – and the open plan kitchen/breakfast room all interconnect via either glazed double doors or sliding glass doors which makes for almost seamless, free flowing space with natural light pouring in. There are five double bedrooms, three benefitting from en-suites. Outside, the south facing garden is a lovely asset to the property. It is mainly laid to lawn with an extensive paved terrace and mature trees and shrubs. Internal viewing is highly recommended to fully appreciate this deceptive, versatile family home.

tel: +44(0)1780 750200 email: stamford@fineandcounty.com

tel: +44( 0)1572 335145 email: rutland@fineandcounty.com

fineandcountry.com

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MaRshalls YaRd, staMFoRd OIEO £1,500,000

225 offices across Great Britain Plus 75 offices globally

Ancaster House is situated in the heart of Stamford in a highly desirable gated development. Beyond the Georgian style facade you will discover an exquisitely finished interior that offers the best of both worlds. The accommodation is set out over three floors and comprises two reception rooms, a large kitchen breakfast room that has bi-folding doors that open on to the terrace. The bedrooms are set over the next two floors with the master bedroom suite occupying the entire second floor and benefits from a large en suite shower room and an extensive range of fitted wardrobes, with the bedroom area featuring a stunning contemporary bath. On the first floor there is a guest suite with a luxury en suite bathroom, two further double bedrooms and a family bathroom. Outside there is a separate double garage which provides further living space above. The Annex comprises of an open plan living area with fully fitted bespoke kitchen and an en suite shower room. The rear garden offers a tiered patio terrace and small lawn area all enclosed by stone walling and fencing.

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facebook.com/struttandparker twitter.com/struttandparker

struttandparker.com

The Old Granary, Clipsham

An exquisitely renovated barn conversion, cleverly extended, with stunning views and opportunity to purchase more land.

Edward Brassey 01858 438 723 Edward.brassey@struttandparker.com

Guide Price £1,750,000

ENTRANCE HALL | DRAWING ROOM | DINING ROOM BREAKFAST KITCHEN | LAUNDRY ROOM | STUDY CLOAKROOM | GARDEN ROOM | PRINCIPAL BEDROOM WITH EN SUITE BATHROOM | 4 FURTHER BEDROOMS, 2 WITH EN SUITES | FAMILY BATHROOM | OAK FRAMED DOUBLE CARPORT WITH GARAGE, HOME OFFICE, WOOD STORE, WC | GARDENS AND GROUNDS | PADDOCK IN ALL, ABOUT 2 ACRES WITH MORE LAND AVAILABLE BY SEPARATE NEGOTIATION.

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UNDER OFFER

PLOT 1

Langham

£850,000

An executive contemporary 4 bedroom home set on a brand new, exclusive, gated development of only 3 dwellings set in a highly regarded village close to Oakham and enjoying open countryside views to the rear. The property is finished to a demanding specification and offers spacious, energy efficient family accommodation of approx. 2,800 sq ft, which benefits from air sourced heat pumps, underfloor heating to the ground floor and bathrooms and LED lighting throughout. Energy Rating: TBC.

Uppingham

£725,000

Individually designed and recently constructed split-level house beautifully appointed to a very high standard and occupying a large plot in an exclusive location on the southern fringe of town. Open-plan Lounge, Dining Room, Kitchen, Study, Utility/Clkrm, 4 Dbl Bedrooms, 4 En-suites, Dbl Garage, ample Parking, landscaped Garden. Energy Rating: C.

NEW PRICE

Laxton

£575,000

Stunning stone-built detached character cottage occupying exceptionally large grounds and enjoying views over the adjacent Laxton parkland. The property has a valid Planning Permission for an extension to provide an additional bedroom and garage. 2 Rec. Rooms, Kitchen/Diner, Utility, 3 Dbl Bedrooms, Shower Room, Bathroom; delightful Gardens. Energy Rating: F.

Edith Weston

£575,000

A substantial, detached stone-built house occupying a large, private plot on a small select development of only four houses in this highly regarded Rutland Water village. Lounge, open-plan Kitchen/Diner, Study, Utility, Clkrm, 4 Dbl Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms; Dbl Garage, Car/Caravan Port, Home Office, large Gardens. Energy Rating: E.

NO CHAIN

Barrow

£495,000

Substantial detached period property set on a good sized plot in a rarely available location, surrounded by established gardens and enjoying panoramic rural views. 3 Reception Rooms, Breakfast Kitchen, Utility, Clkrm, 4 Bedrooms, Bathroom, large loft space; Dbl Garage, ample Parking, lovely Gardens. Energy Rating: E.

Ayston

£495,000

An elegant stone-built semi-detached character property dating back to 1891 set on a large plot within Conservation Area of a picturesque hamlet just outside of the historic market town of Uppingham. 2 Reception Rooms, Kitchen/Diner, Clkrm, 4 Bedrooms, Bathroom; established Gardens, Outbuildings, Dbl Garage. Energy Rating: E.

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Bespoke Property. Bespoke Advice.

ER R D E UN FF

D L SO

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An individually designed and impressive modern family home with flexible living space and ample parking options within walking distance of Stamford town centre.

A large, modern family house with excellent equestrian facilities, set within gardens and paddocks of about 6.70 acres.

• Reception Hall • Drawing Room • Family Room with further separate Study and Hobby Room • Kitchen / Breakfast Room with bi-folding doors to garden • Games Room / Gym

• Spacious modern family home with open plan living • Gated access, set at the end of a village lane • Gravelled driveway, dining terraces and gardens • Almost 7 acres with views over paddocks and farmland • Menage, barn, stable block and three post & rail fenced paddocks

• Principal Bedroom with Ensuite and dressing area • 3 further Double Bedrooms and family bathroom • Private west facing rear garden • Private Driveway with Large Double Garage • No onward chain

WOTHORPE – GUIDE PRICE £1,250,000

• Large Breakfast Kitchen with three additional reception rooms • Study, utility room and two WC’s to the ground floor • Principal bedroom suite, accessed via its own staircase • Three additional double bedrooms all with ensuite

NORTHBOROUGH – GUIDE PRICE £1,250,000

D L SO

A wonderful stone built modern property with three bedrooms, parking and a west facing garden. Situated in a bespoke development by a renowned local builder.

An attractive stone built house, with self contained annexe in a sought after conservation village.

• Built by Simon Boon Homes in 2015 • Detached stone modern home • Small bespoke development • Off-street parking for two cars • Impeccable accommodation throughout

• Entrance Hall • Kitchen/Breakfast Room • Sitting Room & Dining Room • Study/Bedroom 5 • Separate Utility Room

• High standard fixtures and fittings • Flexible open plan living • Principal Bedroom with en suite • Two further bedrooms and family bathroom • Low maintenance garden with terrace

STAMFORD – GUIDE PRICE £600,000

• Principal Bedroom with En-Suite • Guest Bedroom with En-Suite • 2 Further Bedrooms & Family Bathroom • Mature Landscaped Gardens • Double Garage & Self Contained Annexe

IRNHAM – GUIDE PRICE £650,000

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GARDEN WALKS AT BURGHLEY

BUrGHlEY GArDEN WAlKS at

If the festive season and New Year excesses have left you bloated or mired in a centrally-heated, purgatory of cabin fever, don’t wait for spring to arrive to escape. Enjoy a winter walk in the expansive parkland of Burghley House with Joe Whitehead...

Images: John Lawrence.

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- BURGHLEY HOUSE: THE GARDENS -

“Offering seasonal displays, the new tours give an injection of formality into ‘Capability’ Brown’s sweeping vistas...”

>> fANCY DISCOvErING more about what the Gardeners get up to during the winter months? Then Stamford’s Burghley House is the place to be in January and february 2020. for the first time, the historic estate is staging winter walks with head gardener Joe Whitehead featuring a stroll around the normally closed family South Gardens - with its seasonal flower displays - as well as the dramatic Sculpture Garden and the whimsical Tudor Garden of Surprises.

The new winter guided walks will take place on Thursday 30th and friday 31st January 2020 and Thursday 6th and friday 7th february with online tickets priced at £12 each, but booking is essential as each tour will be limited to a maximum of 20 people.

Separate dates for group bookings are also available, subject to availability. leading the special walking tours will be Burghley’s head gardener Joe Whitehead, who really has country house gardening in his blood.

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Joe’s grandfather and great grandfather were both head gardeners on large country estates, and after being under gardener at Burghley early in his career Joe went on to train and study at rHS Wisley and Salle Park in Norfolk before returning to Burghley as head gardener in 2017.

He is also a regular panelist on BBC Norfolk’s Saturday gardening show and BBC Cambridge’s Sunday Gardener's Question Time. While Burghley’s parkland, designed by ’Capability’ Brown in the 18th century, is open all year and free (except on event days), providing walks and open-air fun all year round, the Gardens of Surprises and South Gardens are closed from the end of October until March.

“FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE HISTORIC ESTATE IS STAGING WINTER WALKS WITH HEAD GARDENER JOE WHITEHEAD...”

The new winter walks offer a chance to see the gardens out of season, as well as a rare opportunity to stroll the private South Gardens, which normally only open for a limited time in the spring as part of the National Gardens Scheme.

Offering seasonal displays, they give an injection of formality into ‘Capability’ Brown’s sweeping vistas. Offering a different experience, discover contemporary sculpture

in an historic setting in the Sculpture Garden, a mix of open space and trees with shrubs creating natural archways and ‘rooms’ containing discreetly hidden sculptures.

Or turn the clock back to Tudor times in a whimsical garden with a difference at Burghley’s aptly named Garden of Surprises.

Boasting 32 water features, this modern version of a Tudor-inspired ‘trick’ garden is based on an original design created by the 1st lord Burghley back in the 16th century. n Find Out More: Winter garden tours at Burghley House can be booked online. Tickets £12 each, but booking is essential as each tour will be limited to a maximum of 20 people. Visit www.burghley.co.uk or telephone 01780 752451.

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Truly Independent Financial Planning • Efficient Portfolio’s Charlie Reading • Author of The Dream Retirement

Look Where You’re Going!

I don’t know about you, but it is rare for me to embark on a long journey without some sort of planning ahead. Whether it’s programming the Sat Nav, or pre-booking airport parking, a little bit of planning generally saves me a lot of unnecessary stress and helps me to reach my destination on time.

M

OST OF US are good at this type of planning: whether it’s buying the Christmas turkey or booking an excursion on holiday, we all understand the importance of thinking ahead. So why is that we shirk away from planning our futures? Filling our diaries with exciting adventures or even plotting out a mundane car journey are all important, but have you overlooked the most important planning you should be doing?

At Efficient Portfolio we meet a great deal of people who have pensions; some even have existing advisers. Even with that, time and time again, these same people ask us the same question: ‘Will I have enough money?’ at’s because knowing whether you are on track to have enough money to last the rest of your life needs a different type of approach.

Over the last two decades, we have seen a steady rise in life expectancy, and nowadays 1 in 3 of us can expect to live until we are 100 years old. is coupled with the increasing concerns over the decline in State Pension Benefit do not paint a pretty picture.

At this rate, if you have to rely solely on the State, you could end up with too much life at the end of your money.

Retirement planning can help you in many ways: from providing you with sufficient income for life, to helping you reduce the amount of tax you pay. Sound estate planning can also mean that you are able to provide your loved ones with a legacy, whilst still being able to make the most out of your retirement and fill it with all of the things you love. But, for me, the most powerful element of retirement planning is gaining clarity, confidence and certainty over your future, so you can look toward it with excitement and hope, not fear and regret.

enjoy your future, we’ve created ‘e 4 Minute Retirement Plan’. is free, quick and easy online tool will help to give you clarity and confidence, and highlights where you may need support or guidance e 4 Minute Retirement Plan is not designed to give tailored recommendations, as that isn’t possible without us knowing significantly more about the individual; however, we feel that the very least people should understand is whether or not they are on track to have enough money for their future, or whether they are likely to run out. at’s exactly what the 4-Minute Retirement Plan will provide you with.

estate planning “ Sound can also mean that

you are able to provide your loved ones with a legacy...

n To complete your own plan, visit www.efficientportfolio.co.uk/4mrp or email hello@efficientportfolio.co.uk.

”

It's important to remember that retirement can be an incredibly exciting time of your life, filled with exotic adventures abroad, creating fond memories with your loved ones, and, most importantly, doing exactly what you want when you want. But if you don’t plan ahead, it is unlikely that you are going to be able to realise these wonderful ideals, and instead end up working well into your later life, just to make ends meet.

To help give you a good indication as to whether you’re on track to fund and Charlie Reading created Efficient Portfolio to offer entirely independent financial advice and helping people clarify and realise their dreams and goals through financial planning.

Call 01572 898060, see www.efficientportfolio.co.uk or visit Portfolian House, 30 Melton Road, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6AY

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ExpErt carE for you and your baby antenatal preparation classes for groups and couples.

Hypnobirthing tuition. postnatal support in the home.

Maternity nursing. baby Massage. breast-feeding support.

‘Surrogate Granny’ Service.

Wishing everyone a happy new year and we look forward to seeing you soon

Online & Instore

www.elizabethstanhope.co.uk showroom@elizabethstanhope.co.uk 17a & 27 Mill St Oakham Rutland LE15 6EA 01572 722 345

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BURGHLEY HOUSE

INSIDE STOrY BUrGHlEY HOUSE’S

is month we’re taking a tour behind the grand façade of burghley into one of the largest and grandest houses of the first elizabethan era built between 1555 and 1587. burghley house was built to impress with its dramatic skyline and towering obelisk clock tower and the awe-inspiring state rooms…

Words: Carissa Smith. Images: Chief Photographer Dean Fisher.

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- BURGHLEY HOUSE: THE INSIDE STORY -

A Heavenly House...

DESCrIBED AS ANTONIO vErrIO’S greatest masterpiece, this room is decorated with scenes from ancient mythology.

A guidebook written in the 19th Century, describing this room refers to ‘Gods and Goddesses disporting themselves, as Gods and Goddesses are wont to do…!’

The sheer scale of the work is overwhelming and the perspective is so deceiving that one can almost believe in the sculptural details.

The figure of verrio himself, can be seen at the far end of the room at the forge of the one-eyed Cyclops, sitting close to the pillar, his customary wig removed, no doubt due to the heat of his surroundings.

The astonishing solid silver wine cistern is a remarkable piece of Huguenot craftsmanship and is the largest of its kind in England weighing more than 230 pounds.

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A Heavenly House...

THE CEIlING of this dark and lofty staircase was painted by verrio as his last commission at Burghley. This ceiling took 11 months to complete with verrio working alone.

It shows the mouth of Hell as the enormous gaping mouth of a cat, with countless souls in torment within.

Death, the Grim reaper plies his sickle among the unfortunate. The walls were painted by Thomas Stothard a century later. The whole impression is intended to be one of darkness and despair, in complete contrast to the preceding room.

The staircase, was installed in 1786 and is built from Ketton stone using the cantilever principle and seemingly unsupported. >> Previous Page/Right: In 1687, the fifth Earl of Exeter commissioned Verrio to decorate the Heaven Room and the Hell Staircase. Top: The Chapel.

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life for the wealthy, well-connected and privileged Cecil family in the vast Elizabethan mansion was comfortable, but below stairs and army of cooks and servants laboured away...

THE OlD KITCHEN is Burghley’s most evocative Tudor interior and one of the few to survive from this period.

There is an enormous painting of a butchered ox by frans Snyders which has hung in situ since the late 17th century.

The kitchen gleams with a 260 piece copper ‘batterie de cuisine’ from the late 18th and early 19th Centuries which gives some idea of the lavish and extravagant scale of country house entertaining at that time.

The skulls which feature on the wall are those of turtles, brought into the house in the 19th century for the making of turtle soup. The painted notice beneath reminds us that the kitchen must once have been the centre of industry, warmth and gossip. >>

The rib-vaulted roof is at least thirty-foot high, with a central lantern, originally designed to release fumes and smoke.

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Snyders is regarded as the most important animal and still life painter in flemish art.

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<< e Black & Yellow Bedroom

THE BEAUTIfUl STATE BED in this room was made for the 9th Earl by Mayhew and Ince in the 1770’s. The bed was used by King George vI and HM Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.

Ir was also used by the then Duke and Duchess of York, when they stayed at Burghley. Its curtains, headboard and counterpane have undergone extensive conservation in recent years in order to restore the bed to its original glory.

The detailed limewood carvings above the fireplace were the work of the Gibbons school of carvers of the late 17th Century. n

>> e Second George Room

THE SPECTACUlAr STATE BED and curtain hangings were supplied to the house, at huge expense, by the london firm of fell and Newton in 1795. This room was used as a bedroom by Queen victoria and Prince Albert in 1844.

The bed was reduced in size and decorated with the royal Arms in honour of Queen victoria’s visit to Burghley.

Many souvenirs of their royal visit remain in the room, including a child’s wooden spade used to plant one of the trees in the formal garden. n

<< Queen Elizabeth’s Bedroom

AlTHOUGH THE QUEEN did not stay at Burghley, this room has been so-named for more than 300 years.

When Queen Elizabeth visited Burghley in 1566, she was prevented from staying by an outbreak of smallpox within the household. The state bed dates from the mid-17th Century; the curtains and counterpane are 20th Century, the remarkable embroidery, brocades and braidwork are original.

The tapestries, from the Matamorphoses series, were ordered from Jean Jans at the Paris Gobelins factory by the 5th Earl and his Countess whilst touring Europe in 1680. n

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Bedlam & Billiards at Burghley...

THE BIllIArDS rOOM is characterised by ornate rich Norwegian oak panelling, which gives a dramatic backdrop to the many family portraits.

The row of paintings in oval frames depicts members of the gentlemen’s drinking club, known at the ‘little Bedlam Club,’ which was based at Burghley in the 17th century.

The club was set up by the 5th Earl in 1684 and reconvened by the 6th Earl in May 1705 and among the club’s members were Sir Godfrey Kneller and the artist Antonio verrio. All members were 30

required to have their portraits painted and adopt an animal avatar.

The Billiard table was made in 1850s, the frame being of oak taken from the wreck of the battleship royal George which sank at Spithead in 1782 and was raised in 1841.

On the table are two ‘mace’ cues, fore-runners of the modern cue which date from the late 18th century. One of the finest pictures in the room is the 10th Earl and his family by Sir Thomas lawrence. The intricate plaster ceiling was designed by lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown best known as a landscaper! >>

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LORD BURGHLEY’S 5 0 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY Y E A R 2020 represents the anniversary of two spymasters... with the release of No Time To Die, James Bond reaches his 25th movie.

A little closer to home, meanwhile, the original Spymaster, William Cecil, is remembered on the 500th anniversary of his birth.

Main Image: In the Billiard Room is a ornate Norwegian oak panelling plus a portrait of the 10th Earl and his family one of 400 portraits in the house.

Far Left: Burghley House gained mains electricity in 1956.

The bell system to summon servants is located in Hogs Hall.

Spires and Splendor...

BUrGHlEY HOUSE has 35 major rooms on the ground floor and first floor with a further 80 rooms throughout the mansion.

The building is created in ashlar limestone from Northamptonshire’s Kingscliffe Quarry, and cost a modest £21,000 to build... although that was in 1555, about £5,768,672 today.

The house is Grade I listed, and the estate itself extends to around 8,500 acres of farmland plus 700 acres of woodland with 150 residential properties and 60 commercial properties also part of the estate. n

will this year host a series of lectures, exhibitions and a self-guided trail to celebrate the milestone.

He may have none of the glamour of Raleigh or Drake, but for Queen Elizabeth I, one man was by her side, unfailingly loyal, for 40 years.

Meanwhile in June there will be a service in Westminster Abbey, where his funeral was held in 1598 before Cecil was buried in St Martin’s Church, Stamford, which will host a service in September. A full itinerary of events for Lord Burghley 500 is available online at www.burghley.co.uk.

2020 marks the 500th anniversary of the birth of William Cecil, Elizabeth’s most trusted minister - the actual date is 13th September 1520.

Cecil established a huge espionage network, in effect England’s first secret service... a fact that should leave you shaken, and stirred! n

As the court’s most powerful man he helped shape British history. Lincolnshire-born Cecil was her chief intelligence gatherer, but became involved in everything from diplomacy and exploration to education and gardening.

Cecil’s Lincolnshire home was, of course, Burghley House, and the Elizabethan stately home

Find Out More: Burghley House reopens for the 2020 season from 14th March. For more information call 01780 752451 or see www.burghley.co.uk.

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BURGHLEY HOUSE

THE ArT of BUrGHlEY With a vast collection of pictures and a rehanging policy intended to make an unprecedented display for the public to enjoy, we asked Keeper of the Pictures John Somerville to keep us in the frame by identifying some of Burghley House’s best paintings...

Words: Rob Davis. Images: Burghley House.

the Burghley Estate and is shown here in Sir Nathanial Dance-Holland’s portrait.

The artist also painted explorer James Cook and King George III. He then turned his back on portraiture in favour of a career in politics and stood as MP for East Grinstead in Sussex, until his death in 1811.

BUrGHlEY HOUSE is home to an almost unrivalled collection of pictures, with the traditional portraiture of the Cecil family joined by many other acquisitions by John, 5th Earl of Exeter (1648-1700).

Today, the Honorary Keeper of the Pictures is John Somerville, who says that the way pictures are displayed across the Elizabethan mansion has evolved in much the same way as the collection itself, with a view to ensuring visitors can see them to best effect.

“In the past pairs and set have been divided not just between rooms but between the private apartments and staterooms. Paintings of very high importance had sometimes been hung so visitors could not see them to their best advantage. The current rehanging policy is to change this arrangement where feasible, as the Trustees wish that a number of masterpieces than ever before are available to visitors.”

In particular John has chosen some of his favourite pictures from the Burghley collection, some of which have an inextricable link to the estate, such as Sir Nathanial Dance-Holland’s image of Capability Brown.

1. Judith with The Head of Holofernes...

Shown left, Elisabetta Sirani’s Judith with the Head of Holofernes. The Old Testament relates that Holofernes was a General

3. The Rape of Europa, Luca Giordano (over)...

2 commanding the forces of Nebuchadnezzar, as he besieges a Hebrew town. Judith, a Jewish widow, seduced him and when he fell asleep, beheaded him. Sirani was just 17 when the painted the piece and lived in Bologna from 1638 to 1732, supporting her family with her work.

2. Dance-Holland’s Capability Brown...

retained as a landscape designer for the house and an architect to the 9th Earl of Exeter from 1755 to 1778, lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown has inextricable links to

A number of artists have reproduced the Greek mythological story of the abduction of Europa by zeus, as the god assumed the form of a bull. Artist luca Giordano lived in Naples from 1634-1705 and 11 of his works are in the Burghley House Collection. A skilled and prolific artist, his nickname was ‘luca fa-preso’ - Luca work-fast - a reference to the pace at which he completed his work!

4. The Virgin & Child, Gentileschi (over)...

A gift from Pope Clement XIv to the 9th Earl. Orazio Gentileschi lived in Pisa from 1563 and died in london in 1639.

5. The Death of Seneca, Giordano (over)...

Another piece by Giordano, The Death of Seneca portrays the roman philosopher and statesman (c.4 BC - AD65) who was a tutor and advisor to Nero, who became Emperor of rome at just 13 years of age. After being implicated in a plot to assassinate him, Nero ordered Seneca to kill himself by cutting himself whilst sitting in a bath of hot water. >> 35

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THE ART

of

BURGHLEY

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The Art of Burghley The Stamford Elizabethan property has over 400 works of art on display for the public to view. For more information on the property and its collection, see burghley.co.uk.

5 Left: The Rape of Europa, Luca Giordano - Europa became the first Queen of Crete, and had three children with Zeus. The painting depicts Europa on the back of the bull, just off the shore of her homeland.

Top: The Virgin & Child, Gentileschi. Above: The Death of Seneca also

by Giordano.

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Uppingham’s HIGH STrEET THEN & NOW

Described by the historian Bryan Waites as ‘Stamford in Miniature,’ we’re encouraged to see that the look and feel of Uppingham’s High Street East has changed very little over the last 75 years...

Images: Francis Frith Collection and Pride’s Dean Fisher.

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Stamford in miniature is how local historian Bryan Waites describes Uppingham, and comparing these two shots from 1955 and 2020 respectively, it’s easy to see why.

Happily, Uppingham has escaped the blight of homogenisation, retaining its wealth of independent retailers but also its look. These images were uncharacteristically easy to match up, with many features still in place despite 75 years of progress.

One change, however, is the fact that the street today has a one way restriction on traffic.

Around 30 years ago the street was two way until modern cars became bloated and car ownership reached almost epidemic levels.

The street’s architecture owes much to the Georgian era, as evidenced in the appearance of Culpins the Butchers on the corner of High Street and Crown Street, and Murray Estate Agent on the south side of the street and Lake Isle on the north side of the street.

Evidence of some earlier buildings on the street exist, such as Hopes Yard just behind what is now the Age UK charity shop.

It’s thought that High Street was once much wider, with Georgian façades ‘grafted on’ to the front of earlier buildings.

Only just in sight in our new image and obscured in our old image by a rogue motor car is the Town Hall. The building was actually a church built in 1932, costing a princely £3,000, funded by a donation from William Southwell, a prominent butcher in

the town. Also near the Town Hall is number 45, also known as Sundial House.

Created in the early 17th century, with render over local stone the sundial is of ovolo moulded stone - convex moulding. It’s one of three sundials on the street, though nobody is quite sure why the town has such a strong concern with clockwatching!

It’s not just up high, that interesting features of High Street are found either. Below number 24 High Street East used to reside a cheese maker producing what was reputed to be a rather good Stilton cheese. The building was referred to colloquially as Stilton House, but is now a carpet shop, so should be perhaps be restyled Axminster Hall... or something.

The High Street East building now occupied by the restaurant Lake Isle was first recorded in 1656, and was owned by James Smith. Back then, the house was of a considerable size and took up what is now 16, 18, 20 and 22 High Street East as well as 1 and 2 Reeves Yard and South View.

Reeves Yard was also the original centre of Uppingham, dating back even further to the 12th and 13th centuries. John Munton filled in the buildings of Reeves Yard in 1735 - our thanks to Lake Isle for filling in the gaps in our knowledge!

And finally, a mention of Fatstock, the traditional penned display of farm animals which is one of the only shows of its type to still be held, each November in Market Place and High Street. n

Above: High Street East is the thoroughfare of Uppingham, happily good at preserving its architecture over the years.

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EVENTS

What’s On...

STAMFORD

OAKHAM

weDnesDay 12th feb

a pint of history: oliver cromwell, goD’s englishman...

sunDay 23rd february

rutlanD showgrounD weDDing fair

Against the background of the dispute between King and Parliament and the ensuing civil war, Cromwell rose from the ranks of the lesser gentry to become, as Lord Protector, virtually a King. Puritan, farmer, soldier and regicide; feared and vilified by many, who was the real Oliver Cromwell?

Join Don in the Cellar Bar for a history talk with an edge! Enjoy real ale, glass of wine or coffee as you listen.

The proposal was romantic but 2021 sounded so distant... and now, it’s ‘next year!’

If you’re a bride fretting about the impending nature of your wedding, fear not. Rutland Showground is hosting a wedding fair at which you can meet suppliers of wedding dresses, suits, photography, cakes, entertainment, flowers, venue dressing, cars and much more. Take the stress out of planning your wedding and kick start your planning.

The first 50 brides will enjoy a wedding planning goody bag, too!

n Stamford Arts Centre, from 7.30pm, tickets £5; 01780 763203 or see stamfordartscentre.com.

OAKHAM

n Rutland Showground, Burley Park Way, LE15 6US. Call 01572 757110 or see www.rutlandshowground.com.

A rock & roll Spectacular!

THE GREATEST PERFORMERS OF THE 1950s AND 1960s VISIT STAMFORD CORN EXCHANGE FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY!

friDay 28th february

terry’s friDay birDwatching walks STAMFORD

saturDay 29th february

corn exchange’s 1950s spectacular

A night of non-stop hits awaits you, with the Tornados, the Dreamers and the Everly Brothers all celebrated. The Dreamers will be featuring many of freddie’s greatest hits along with featuring Nicky Walker as Buddy Holly.

The Temple Brothers are also featured on the show with their performance of The Everly Brothers and The Tornados are back by popular demand. n Stamford Corn Exchange.

Doors 7pm, 7.30pm start. Tickets £22pp. Call 01780 766455 or visit www.stamfordcornexchange.co.uk.

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These three-hour walks are led by Terry Mitcham, the bird recorder of Rutland Natural History Society, and a very experienced birdwatcher. Terry regularly runs bird identification courses and has written several books.

n Anglian Water Birdwatching Centre from 9.30am-12.30pm. £5-£10pp. Call 01572 770651 or see www.rutlandwater.org.uk.

UPPINGHAM

march 2020

coming soon: oliver in uppingham “Please sir, can we have some more great entertainment?”

Of course! Uppingham School presents Lionel Bart’s Oliver from 11th-14th March.

n For more information call www.uppinghamtheatre.co.uk.

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

KILWORTH

friDay 14th february

noboDy but bublÉ

LEICESTER

friDay 28th - february saturDay 29th february

the storm James Wilton Dance, one of Europe’s most in demand dance companies, present The Storm, a whirlwind of lightning fast, contemporary dance and athleticism, where acrobatics, break-dancing, martial arts and contact work fuse to form dance that will blow audiences away.

Seven dancers, a soundtrack composed by Amarok and thousands of pieces of paper combine to create a work that will astound you with its athleticism and touch you emotionally in a way that words simply can’t. In this storm can you find peace?

Can you find the calm eye of the storm? Will it all blow over? n Curve Theatre, from 7.45pm.

Tickets £18-10. Call 0116 242 3595 or visit www.curveonline.co.uk.

An Evening with Nevill Holt Opera at Hambleton Hall...

SUBLIME DINING AND MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT COURTESY OF NEVILL HOLT AND HAMBLETON HALL

Arguably one of the greatest singers of his generation, Michael Bublé has wowed audiences the world over with his showmanship and his mastery of the Swing/Big Band genre. His fans love him for his ability to not only do justice to the music of such singers as frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Dean Martin to name a few, but also for his ability to truly make swing music his own, in his warm inimitable style. Star of ‘Nobody But Bublé’, Michael risely, faithfully recreates Bublé’s warmth and powerful vocals in a wonderful evening of singalong classics including ‘Cry Me A river’, ‘feeling Good’, ‘Just Haven’t Met You Yet’ and many many more. n From 6.30pm, £74/person including welcome drink, three course dining and petit fours.

Hosted by Kilworth House, call 01858 881939 or see www.kilworthhousetheatre.co.uk.

OAKHAM

weDnesDay 5th february

an evening with nevill holt opera at hambleton hall

Nevill Holt is one of the UK’s most well-renowned opera companies, providing world-class opera combined with award-winning gardens, outstanding modern sculpture, panoramic views and gourmet dining. fresh from the rIBA awards ceremony where their new opera house was shortlisted for the 2019 Stirling Prize, Nevill Holt also returns to Hambleton Hall to offer a taster evening, providing the hotel’s diners with pre-dinner

BARROWDEN

saturDay 22nd february

she’koyokh in concert

Hailed as ‘Britain’s best klezmer and Balkan music group’ (Evening Standard), She’Koyokh is an impressively multinational multilingual band performing jaunty klezmer, jazz and more. n Barrowden Village Hall, from

7.30pm, see www.a4r.org.uk.

BARNSDALE

tuesDay 11th - friDay 28th february 2020

sumptuous snowDrops at barnsDale garDens

Indulge yourself in this excellent display of snowdrops There are lots of our common snowdrop as well as many rare and unusual varieties to see. n 10am - 4pm, Barnsdale Gardens,

see www.barnsdalegardens.co.uk.

entertainment from a handful of Nevill Holt Opera’s artists who are going to perform during pre-dinner drinks by way of a preview of their 2020 season. Afterwards, diners will enjoy smoked eel, salad of salt-baked celeriac and loin of fallow venison, then golden chocolate with passion fruit sorbet.

This year, Nevill Holt’s Summer Opera festival will comprise productions of la Traviata and Don Giovanni.

n Hambleton Hall, drinks from 7.15pm, dining 8.15pm. £120pp.

Visit www.hambletonhall.com or call 01572 756991.

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EVENTS

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

freya Goldmark in Stamford

PERFORMANCE FROM LOCAL VIOLINIST AT INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL 2020 LAUNCH CONCERT AT STAMFORD’S ARTS CENTRE STAMFORD

saturDay 29th february

stamforD international music festival 2020 launch concert

Join aficionados of classical music for the launch of the third Stamford International Music festival directed by Stamford’s very own violinist freya Goldmark who will be joined by four of the festival musicians for an evening of some of the best chamber music in the Ballroom of the town’s Arts Centre.

As the festival’s founder, freya says: “Alongside firm favourites of chamber music, this year I have

challenged myself, the musicians and perhaps the audience also by programming a few more unusual composers and underperformed works.

One of the best aspects of the festival for me is being able to make music with such fantastic musicians and great friends, I cannot wait for you to be introduced to them.”

“It is such a privilege to explore these incredible pieces of music and perform them in a place that I love, the same town where my musical education begun over 20 years ago.”

“I have been inspired by the reaction from the people of Stamford, who have given such

support and encouragement, more than I could have hoped for.” freya’s launch concert includes Three Pieces for String Quartet composed by Stravinsky, String Trio composed by Schubert and Clarinet Quintet composed by Brahms. look out, too, for the feinstein Ensemble who specialise in the historically accurate performance of music from the 18th century, appearing on Saturday 15th february.

n For more information on the SIM Launch Concert or the Feinstein Ensemble, call 01780 763 203 or visit the Box Office of Stamford Arts Centre at www.stamfordartscentre.com.

STAMFORD

saturDay 1st february

lisa stanley in concert Lisa Stanley is undoubtedly one of Ireland’s top female vocalists, born into the business as her parents were Irish Showbiz legends Maisie McDaniel and Fintan Stanley. A very familiar face on Keep It Country TV, where Lisa hosts her own weekly TV show The Lisa Stanley Show.

Over the past few years Lisa has performed extensively across the UK and Ireland while touring with Nathan Carter and more recently Dominic Kirwan.

With four studio albums to her credit, she now takes her own show on the road with her five piece band and a show not to be missed.

Expect to have your feet tapping all night with a great mix of music from Country to Irish with a bit of Pop and Rock ’n’ Roll thrown in, with tracks from Lisa’s latest album, Heart & Soul. n Stamford Corn Exchange. Doors 7pm, start 7.30pm. £22. Call 01780 766455 or visit www.stamford cornexchange.co.uk.

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What makes us different?

Experienced team of vets and nurses providing quality healthcare at a sensible price.

The practice is fully equipped with excellent facilities enabling us to offer in house blood results, microscopy, digital X-ray and ultrasound. We have a large modern operating theatre.

Our spacious separate dog and cat waiting areas and kennels also ensure your pets feel more relaxed whilst visiting us.

A team of animal lovers, we treat and care for your pets as though they were our own and make the time to get to know you too.

Guaranteed same day appointment for any pet if the owner thinks it is needed.

Owners can stay with their pets while sedated before routine operations. We offer and encourage open visiting for hospitalised patients during opening hours.

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Glazed pork belly, champ mash, apple chutney, crackling and sage.

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FOOD & DRINK

The Griffin Inn at IrNHAM

What could be better than an unexpected opportunity to escape for the evening with the present Mrs Davis? How about a great escape to a splendid new dining out recommendation? Visit The Griffin Inn at Irnham before word gets out!

Words: Rob Davis. Images: Pride’s Chief Photographer Dean Fisher.

It’s The Great Escape! “We’re unexpectedly child-free!” said the present Mrs Davis. flee, quick, before our extemporary babysitter changes their mind. But where to?

It’s mid-week, it’s already dark and I need to pull out of the hat a stellar dining out tip-off quick smart, to make the most of this impromptu date night.

This was the perfect opportunity to try the newest pub on the local dining scene... and boy oh boy we weren’t disappointed!

The Griffin Inn is a pretty stone pub equidistant between Oakham, Stamford, Bourne, Grantham and Sleaford. It’s located in the beautiful stone village of Irnham, a 2,000 acre farming estate which has been in Sir James Benton-Jones’ family for five generations.

Sir James - Jamie - was warned not to try and take on a pub, but happily, he threw caution to the wind. He reasoned that if he’s to preserve the Griffin’s status of ‘pub as a hub’ he needed to step in and install a really good chef.

This he found in Michael Prescott, previously of the Cholmeley Arms and Belvoir Castle where he served as private chef to the Duke

“THE PRETTY STONE PUB ON THE IRNHAM ESTATE WHICH HAS BEEN IN SIR JAMES BENTON-JONES’ FAMILY FOR FIVE GENERATIONS...”

meet the CHEF

MICHAEL PRESCOTT HEAD CHEF, THE GRIFFIN INN and Duchess of rutland. leila, Jamie’s wife, was the inspiration behind taking back the pub, and has to be credited with tastefully decorating it while retaining its original charm.

Incidentally she is also doing a brisk trade in weddings at the family’s home, Irnham Hall.

Meanwhile, a builder by trade, Jamie enlisted local tradespeople who gave the pub a lick of paint, installed a new commercial kitchen and replaced all of the pub’s furnishings, with something new and a little more contemporary creating a really nice rustic dining environment that feels smart and comfortable but relaxed. Two further bedrooms were created making six large ensuite rooms at their disposal.

Together, the Griffin Inn team have done a great job of making the locals feel valued and at home here, while simultaneously offering a warm welcome to all Irnham Hall’s wedding guests. This creates a nice ‘cozy village pub’ feel to the place even if you don’t live in the village. >>

Food History: Born and raised in Cottesmore, and having trained in Stamford, Michael worked at The Cholmeley Arms and Belvoir Castle prior to the opening of The Griffin Inn in August 2019.

Food Wisdom: “Care about what you cook and give it the attention it deserves!”

Food Heaven: “I’ve sweet teeth, rather than just a sweet tooth.

So anything sweet and delicious!”

Food Hell: “I like cooking fish, but I’m not so keen on eating it.” n

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Duo of Irnham Estate pheasant breasts with fondant potato.

Chocolate ganache with pistachio, honeycomb and blood orange sorbet.

But at the same time, Michael has created a great menu which is well-considered, comprising food that tastes great, looks lovely and basically just works well in every respect.

Happily, The Griffin Inn addresses two personal bugbears of mine. I don’t like extensive menus. I’m of the opinion that a chef ’s flair can be measured by their willingness to put as few dishes on a menu as possible, confident that one will still appeal.

The evening menu has five starters, six main courses and three desserts - five if you count the extensive homemade ice-cream or sorbet options and cheese board. lunchtime dining

OPEN FOR FOOD Tuesday to Friday:

12 noon – 2pm & 5.30 - 9pm.

Saturday: 12 noon – 9pm.

Sunday: 12 noon – 3pm.

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on the MENU FROM THE GRIFFIN INN AT IRNHAM’S EVENING MENU Starters

Confit duck leg, roasted vegetables, sweet potato, port £7.25.

lemon and ginger tea cured salmon with cucumber and horseradish £6.95.

Main Courses

Glazed pork belly, champ mash, apple chutney, crackling and sage £15.95.

Duo of Irnham Estate pheasant breasts, fondant potato, cauliflower textures and blackberries £15.95.

sees just two starters, two main course options and two desserts, for £13.75 or £17.95 for two or three courses respectively. A dedicated lunch menu takes care of Sunday roast for £14.95.

Another aspect of The Griffin Inn I love is the fact that dishes are served on these odd little discs of white porcelain. Not a bread board, slate or a plant pot stuffed with chips in sight. Clever... as though plates were somehow the natural object on which to place food.

Chef Michael comes from a farming family and prior to working for a professional chef, fell in love with food watching his mum cook a Sunday roast. To that end he’s as passionate about quality ingredients, as the estate is about high-welfare farming. The estate is already yielding beef, venison and pheasant, whilst Michael and Jamie have established a garden with herb beds, which they plan to rely on heavily in the future to grow their own produce.

Other suppliers include 30-year old Grimsbybased fish supplier Moorcroft, Bassingthorpe who produce milk from their 200-strong herd in the next village and sustainable veg producer Kale & Damson.

The restaurant’s bread, sauces, ice creams, sorbets and the truffles served with coffee are all made by Michael in house... with skill and with passion. front of house is slick and friendly too, thanks to a team headed up by Michael’s wife Natalie. Even Jamie gets behind the bar to pull the odd pint, so your real ale could be served by a bona fide Knight of the realm! for a curmudgeonly Editor the wrong side of 40, child-free and with a latent wild side, the chance of a night out with the missus is a rare treat, and it deserved a decent restaurant.

But to describe The Griffin Inn as merely decent would be a severe understatement on my part. It’s a great looking place, with great service and great food, a dining experience executed brilliantly and smartly presented.

Miraculously, for a restaurant and a team so well-reconciled, at the time of writing the place has been open a mere 11 weeks, so it’s still relatively unknown. Our advice would be to book in early because, alas, once word gets out, we can see the job of securing a table soon becoming very tricky indeed! n

10oz Sirloin steak, (cooked to your liking) roast vine tomatoes, field mushroom, black garlic butter£19.95 Wild Mushroom and truffle risotto, crumbled feta and herbs £14.95.

Dessert

Cherry and almond tart, berry compote, Amaretto ice cream £2.25.

Chocolate ganache with pistachio, honeycomb and blood orange sorbet £6.25.

Orange and Cointreau Creme Brûlée, Butter Shortbread £5.95.

NB: featured dishes are subject to change.

n The Griffin Inn, Bulby Road, Irnham, Grantham NG33 4JG. Call 01476 550201 or see www.thegriffinirnham.co.uk.

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CARAVAN PARK TO BE OPENED MARCH 2020

THE THATCHED COTTAGE RESTAURANT & BAR • Beautiful unique thatched cottage

• Stunning 40 seater A La Carte restaurant • Function room catering for birthdays, wakes, christenings, conference, small wedding receptions • OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

Tel: 01205 461006

POOLS LANE, SUTTERTON, BOSTON, LINCS PE20 2EZ enquiries@thethatchedcottagerestaurant.co.uk www.thethatchedcottagerestaurant.co.uk

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‘WINTER WARMERS’ MENU

STARTERS

Our chefs soup of the day with Griffin Bread £6.00 Smoked Mackerel Pate, Cucumber Horseradish and toast £6.50 Confit Duck Leg, Beetroot Sweet Potato and Port £7.00 Ham Hock Press, Peas and Mustard £6.50 Mushroom and Truffle Arancini, Tomato and Basil £6.50 Smoked Haddock ands Chive Fishcake, Citrus Mayonnaise and Rocket £6.50

MAINS

Chefs pie (please ask for variations and availability) £14.00 Beer battered Fish and Chips, Mushy peas and Tartare sauce £12.50 Scampi, Chips and Peas £12.00 Bangers, Champ mash and Onion Gravy £13.00 Chicken Breast, wild mushroom Risotto, Tarragon sauce £14.50

Cider braised Pork Belly, Mash and Cider Gravy £16.00 8oz Sirloin Steak, Grill garnish hand cut Chips £19.50 Beetroot Falafel salad (Leila's salad) Pea-shoots and mustard (vg) £14.00 Leek and Cheddar Linguine, Parmesan shavings £15.00

DESSERTS

Lemon Posset, Shortbread and Raspberries £6.00 Chocolate Ganache, Pistachio, Honeycomb and Blood orange £6.50 Bread and Butter Pudding, Creme Anglaise £6.00 Treacle Tart, Butterscotch Sauce, Ice Cream £6.50 Chefs Homemade Ice creams and sorbets £6.50 Griffin Cheeseboard, Fruits Chutney and Crackers £8.00 Please ask for other dietary requirements.

15 BULBY ROAD, IRNHAM, NR GRANTHAM NG33 4JG

01476 550201 | griffininn@irnhamhall.co.uk | www.thegriffinirnham.co.uk

Look forward to seeing you at The Griffin Inn Irnham

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In the KITCHEN

Everyone knows the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach... and if someone in your life has a sweet tooth, they’ll certainly appreciate these fruity shortbread biscuits, for Valentine’s Day, because raspberry and lemon is a match made in heaven!

rASPBErrY CrEAM SHOrTBrEADS

Preparation time: 30 minutes. Chilling time: 30 minutes. Makes eight to 10.

Ingredients: 110g unsalted butter, at room temperature • 50g caster sugar, plus an extra 1 tbsp for sprinkling 1 lemon, zest • 170g plain flour • ¼ tsp fine salt • 75g Tiptree Sweet Tip Raspberry Conserve • 1 tbsp double cream Using electric beaters, cream the butter and sugar in a bowl for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. Beat in the lemon zest, then sift in the flour and salt. Combine to a smooth paste.

Bring the dough together in your hands (it will be crumbly and soft) and place on a large sheet of parchment. Cover with more parchment and roll out the dough, between the sheets, to about 1.5cm thick. Chill for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 170°C, gas mark 3; line a large baking tray with parchment. remove the dough from the fridge and, still between the parchment, roll out further to about 0.3cm thick. remove the top layer of parchment and, using a 7cm heart-shaped cookie cutter, stamp out as many biscuits as possible; transfer to the baking tray. Next, stamp a 3cm circle (use the base of a piping nozzle or cut freehand with a sharp knife) from the centre of ½ the hearts.

Carefully remove the centres and re-roll with any scraps of dough to make more biscuits.

Scatter the biscuits with the extra 1 tbsp sugar and bake for 15 minutes or until light golden.

Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Mix together the jam and cream.

Spread 1 tsp over the unsugared side of the whole heart biscuits and top with the stamped-out biscuits. These are best eaten on the day of making (or store the biscuits and jam separately in airtight containers and assemble just before serving). n

Recipe: Waitrose, www.waitrose.com/recipes.

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GATES FARM SHOP

frOM fArM GATE TO

YOUr PlATE Some food for thought this month, as we talk to Rutland farmer Jack Gates who puts forward his case for eating better food, sourced locally...

Words: Rob Davis. Images: Chief Photographer Dean Fisher.

We live in a world where we can reach out and grab any food, irrespective of nationality and seasonality. Which sounds ideal... and yet, our diets are worse than ever, whilst our enjoyment of food has been dulled.

Can anyone explain this paradox? We know someone who can!

Jack Gates is the fourth generation of his family to join their garden centre business near Oakham. He’s also a keen farmer, and together with the rest of the Gates team, the family is reasserting the link between the countryside and our food, having opened a new farm shop last autumn.

“As a garden centre, we’ve always been conscious of how growing our plants and food impacts our environment,” says Jack.

“We’ve all become used to the luxury of being able to walk into enormous supermarkets and fill our baskets with anything we desire.

The reality, though, is that small, local farmers are being left behind, as our food becomes more mass-produced and processes are increasingly industrialised. We’re sourcing

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food from around the world instead of from our own communities, and harming the planet in the process. Happily, in recent years people have come to miss the seasonal variations in food that we used to enjoy; and following the recent increased awareness of the human impact on our planet, customers are ever wary of industrial production.”

“As a business we want to provide better quality food; food with provenance and ethical production, and at a price that everyone can afford. As a family that enjoys sitting down to a Sunday roast, we know that food isn’t just fuel, it’s life, and that’s why we wanted to make the experience of shopping, cooking and eating better for our customers, better for the area and better for the planet.”

Gates farm Shop offers fine produce from local names in quality food, including Hambleton farms and Hambleton Bakery, as well as a link between the family’s own farm and consumers.

The shop’s large butchery is run by Hambleton farm and has a team of highly trained >>

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G AT E S

FA R M

S H O P

Above: Fill up the re-usable glass bottles with fresh milk for just £1/litre, and you’ll enjoy local organic milk in your morning coffee without adding to a mountain of plastic in landfill

>> and experienced butchers. All its meat comes from only a small select group of farmers, with some beef and lamb also being supplied from stock bred and raised on the Gates own farm in Cold Overton. Gates farming has developed a large beef herd of the UK’s finest native breeds, including Aberdeen Angus, Beef Shorthorn and South Devon. A flock of native Kerry Hill and lleyn sheep provides quality lamb.

Other departments include an extensive delicatessen selling a large range of handmade pies, cooked meats, scotch eggs, olives and charcuterie.

There’s a counter stocked with local and nationally sourced cheeses plus a vending machine for local organic milk; an artisan bakery; homemade cakes and patisserie; and a wide range of seasonal fresh fruit and vegetables.

Customers can also choose craft beers, wines and spirits; locally prepared and frozen, high quality ready meals; and a self-service dispensary featuring a wide range of loose dry goods.

“We’ve tried to ensure that you can complete your weekly grocery shop, enjoy better food, and use the minimum of packing, for a better, more traditional shopping experience.” n 56

Find Out More: Gates Farm Shop & Butchery sells a wide range of quality produce including beef & lamb from the family farm. The farm shop also stocks fruit and vegetables, dry goods, organic milk, delicatessen and an artisan bakery and patisserie.

Gates Farm Shop is based at Gates Garden Centre, Somerby Rd, Cold Overton, Oakham LE15 7QB. Call 01664 454309 or see www.gatesgardencentre.co.uk.

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Wine of the Month

A winter warmer for Valentine’s Day An espresso Martini that’s pre-mixed and delicious

Amarone Della Valpolicella Montresor, Veneto, Italy, £29.95 / 75cl / 15%

Something smooth and velvety for valentine’s Day... not our Editor, but this winter warmer. It’s an Espresso Martini that can induce a dream state at any time of day. The espresso sits at the front of the drink and combines with spirit to alert every sense.

Garnish with three coffee beans – the con la mosca, which is the traditional Italian way to serve sambuca – the three beans ‘with the fly’ present health, wealth and happiness. n £25 / 500ml / 20%

At 15% ABV, this’ll lay waste to a cold winter evening. Montresor Amarone della Valpolicella ‘Satinato’ 2015 is an accessible and delicious example of a modern style of Amarone in distinctive black frosted bottle.

With 70% Corvina grapes, 20% Rondinella and 10% Molinara, it has hints of coffee and chocolate on the nose bitter cherry and sweet plummy fruit on the palate it is the perfect partner to team up with red meat or hard cheese.

The Wine Cellar WARM UP YOUR FEBRUARY WITH AN ESPRESSO MARTINI, AND ENJOY A GLASS OF ROSÉ TO CELEBRATE VALENTINE’S DAY WITH THE ONE YOU LOVE... CHEERS!

ENGLISH ROSES: Think pink with rosé wines for February 14th from our own shores!

1. Made from traditional Champagne grapes, with fine raspberry and strawberry flavours linger on the refreshing palate – try it with delicately smoked salmon. £38.99 / 75cl / 11.5% ABV. 2. A blend of Madeleine Angevine and Rondo grapes. Delicate yet concentrated, it has a wild strawberry aroma, with hints of white flowers and peaches.

The palate is fresh, with distinct red berry flavours and pink grapefruit. £31 / 75cl / 11% ABV. 3. This fun, off dry rosé with its Dornfelder is full of ripe berries and delicate floral notes.

The palate shows strawberry characteristics balanced by a soft and fresh acidity. £17.50 / 75cl / 11.5% ABV.

n Available from www.wriggly tinwine.co.uk.

Join as a King’s member to get this bottle for just £23.96.

An Old Favourite

Twelve years in the making, redolent of the Highlands...

Each year, all around the world, people celebrate the memory of Scotland’s bard, robert Burns, by holding Burns Suppers on and around his birthday, 25th January.

An evening of poetry, food, drink and fun. If you’re throwing a Burns Supper then you’ll need some fine Scottish whisky.

Old Pulteney is matured in air-dried, hand-selected ex-bourbon casks, an ‘unashamedly excellent’ single malt. Dry, medium bodied and smooth, redolent of honey and cream, faintly salty with a slight spicy note and a sweet long-lasting finish. n £32 / 70cl / 40% ABV

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

GrOOM

WITH A vIEW

A Room with a View was Forster’s critique of Edwardian England’s uptight nature. Happily, we’re a good deal more relaxed these days, especially when we’ve a beautiful relaxing home like Groom’s Barn to live in...

Words: Carissa Smith.

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Here’s a groom with a view... Groom’s Barn is the beautifully crafted home of Mr and Mrs Moore and has been their home for 36 years. This charming village home sits in the lovely village of Duddington, surrounded by glorious, rolling countryside and just a few miles south of rutland Water.

When the couple first looked at the property 36 years ago it was a world away from what is it the day. The couple’s first look at their future home was a cracked, broken barn and the home to livestock.

It took an imaginative and creative eye to restore this derelict barn into a beautifully constructed home however, this is what the talented couple have accomplished, and the Above: The owner’s agreeable taste for plaid in muted hues is an understated, recurring theme throughout the home.

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property is now an idyllic two storey property with character and style.

Groom’s Barn is presented in excellence order, with a wealth of the original structural beams inside, and yet with so many windows facing so many aspects combined with a pale neutral décor and an open plan design the house has a wonderful feeling of light and space.

The restoration of the barn took 18 months with a 90° extension being added in 2002.

The ground floor benefits from an open plan kitchen, living and dining area as well as a separate sitting room for cosier evenings.

The upstairs has four bedrooms, with two having en suites as well as the main family bathroom. The couple’s agreeable taste for plaid in muted hues in an understated, recurring theme throughout the home, especially evident in the wallpaper in the bathroom and downstairs cloakroom.

“The garden is very tranquil, sheltered and not overlooked.

It’s completely enclosed so it’s also very secure...”

The couple’s favourite room in the house is the summer garden room which was part of the new extension. Grooms Barn has a sense of quality and use of natural materials, perfect for this picturesque property.

“The bespoke painted timber kitchen was brand new just three years ago,” says Mrs Moore. “The floor is laid with fired Earth Desert flagstones, the sitting room has a solid oak floor and the utility area has quarry tiles.”

“The rest of the house is fitted with Berber wool carpet and I have a rule ‘shoes off at the doorstep’ to keep the carpet clean!”

“The kitchen worktops are solid granite, and the Kohle under-mounted, one-and-a-half bowl, ceramic sink has one of those very practical stretchy taps.”

“There are integrated Bosch ovens, an AEG induction hob, an integrated Siemens dishwasher, and a built-in two-drawer fridge which is fabulous – I will always have a fridge with drawers for ever more!”

Continuing these modern fittings is a gas fire embedded in the chimney breast in the adjoining family room, and a Jetmaster stove in the sitting room.

The property is made from local Collyweston slate and attractive yellow stone to ensure the property is in keeping with the other properties in the village as well as the original barn. This enchanting barn comes with a third of an acre garden and 63

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the garden is a wrap around garden going around the outside of the barn creating an idyllic, fairytale like picture.

The landscaped garden is a delightful verdant haven with an appealing mix of stone slabs and gravel forming terracing at the back of the house. The gardenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s split-level nature is enhanced by low, retaining, curving brick walls.

Areas of lawn and raised beds are bordered with evergreen, column-like cypress trees providing structure in winter.

An abundance of both evergreen and deciduous climbers wrap around the walls of the house making it feel part of the landscape itself, whilst a great variety of mature trees form a pleasant backdrop both within the garden and along its boundaries.

Top/Right: The owners landscaped the garden into the delightful verdant haven that it is today.

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“The garden is very tranquil, sheltered and not overlooked. It’s completely surrounded by a brick wall so it is also very secure.”

This characteristic property has a contrast of modern living whilst maintaining character from the original barn.

Even though the couple brought the property 36 years ago the barn itself is over 350 years old and the barn originally was a brewing house for the local pub, before being a home for livestock and finally converted into a charming village home with lovely gardens in a peaceful and picturesque location. n

GROOM’S BARN, DUDDINGTON STAMFORD location: Stamford six miles; Peterborough 10 miles. style: Pretty cottage extended and sympathetically modernised in 2002.

Bedrooms: four, two with en suite bathrooms. receptions: Three, currently arranged as kitchen/family room; sitting room; and dining room. other features: Utility room, over approximately 2100 sq ft of accommodation. Attractive mature gardens surrounding the property. guide price: £795,000. find out more: fine & Country, Seaton Grange Barn Offices, Grange lane, Seaton lE15 9HT. Call 01780 750200 or see www.fineandcountry.com. n

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Bespoke Joinery

Kitchens

Fitted Wardrobes

Sliding Wardrobes

01733 844292

www.martinthompsonjoinery.com enquiries@martinthompsonjoinery.co.uk Unit 1, Mereside Drove, Ramsey Mereside, Huntingdon, PE26 2UE. SHOWROOM OPEN: Mon to Fri 8am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 5pm. Evening & weekends by appointment.

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lIGHT LUMISON LIGHTING

YEArS AHEAD James & Pippa Morrison of Oakham based Lumison Lighting are lighting designers... theirs is an entire profession dedicated to manipulating light for aesthetic and practical purposes in your home, and once they’ve explained the complexity and advantages of their work, the chances are we’ll all feel like we’ve seen the light!

Words: Rob Davis.

Many times before we’ve championed the role of an interior designer whether you’re creating a new room in your home or completing the refurbishment of an entire property. Hopefully the ability to create bespoke products for your home and take advantage of a professional designer’s skill is clear to see, but there’s one field of interior design that’s a speciality in its own right; lighting design.

In broad terms, an interior designer will tend to prioritise the look of a product; an architect its function. A lighting designer will have both considerations foremost in their mind. Such is the complexity and value of getting light ‘right’ for every room in your home, Oakham-based lumison lighting on the town’s Mill Street is a dedicated practice for those seeking professional lighting design.

James and Pippa’s clients have seen the light in every respect. lighting, after all, is an art which brings out the best in an interior design scheme, illuminates architectural features, creates atmosphere and makes practical household tasks easier. In the hands of an expert it can be truly transformative.

“It’s never too early to think about your lighting plans,” says James. “In our experience lighting is so often overlooked or tends to be left to the last minute; sometimes even as late as when the electrician is on site wanting to know where fittings should go. This really

limits your options and can lead to costly mistakes or missed opportunities.”

“In our line of work there is often a misconception that lighting designers are either too expensive or exclusively for ‘large scale projects.’

In fact, our mindset is quite different as we aim to make the use of a lighting designer affordable for everyone. In the long run our clients can make substantial savings by avoiding unnecessary purchases along with fewer more thoughtfully chosen light fittings.

These savings can often offset our professional design fees.”

“Around 90% of our projects are domestic ones, mostly from homeowners, but referrals from architects and interior designers too.

It’s typical for us to work on entire properties, but we also work on single rooms and renovations. lighting design can run from a simple plan for you to hand to your electrician to a full-on design, installation and project management service.” >>

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“When you’ve got a specialist on board, your project will run smoother, keep within budget and turn out how you want; thereby saving you from the unforeseen headaches and pitfalls of lighting design...”

“Architectural lighting should certainly be discussed at the outset of a project and it needs to be part of the dialogue with your architect or design team. There are cost implications to this type of lighting, which should be present in your tender documents.”

“One of the mistakes that is often made with new-build projects is that only a simple lighting scheme, often consisting of basic downlights, is included.”

“Anything beyond this becomes an extra.

When you’ve got a specialist on board, your project will run smoother, keep within budget and turn out how you want; thereby saving you from the unforeseen headaches and pitfalls of lighting design.”

“Client satisfaction is the most important measure of success,” says James. “Judging from the positive feedback we have earned a reputation for providing a personal and comprehensive service together with honest, practical and friendly advice.”

“With such a varied choice of lighting on the market, it’s more important than ever to gain an insight into how to use lighting to make the most of your home.”

“With advances in lED technology an increasing number of people are now looking to integrate lighting into the very fabric of a house alongside smart home solutions such as Control4.”

Based in Oakham, the company’s lighting design studio and retail showroom can only display a fraction of the lighting available.

They have put together an inspired collection of over 100 examples with at least

eight British brands and products from leading lighting designers across the globe.

When you visit, James and Pippa will happily share their invaluable knowledge and expertise whether shopping for a pendant or looking to engage their design services.

The difference to a room that good lighting can make is immeasurable, which is why a consultation with a professional lighting designer like lumison lighting will yield the best possible lighting schemes for your home, ensuring that no matter what the task and what the time of day or time of year, you’ll always see the light! n

n James and Pippa Morrison are lighting designers whose practice is based on Mill Street, Oakham. For more information on the value of a lighting designer or for a free, no obligation lighting design consultation call 01572 724600 or see www.lumisonlighting.co.uk.

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Making the most of your garden by creating new â&#x20AC;&#x153;living roomsâ&#x20AC;? for your relaxation & pleasure.

We offer a full design across your entire garden, through to upgrading a bed or part of your outdoor space.

You get the garden you want, an investment in your property and improved well-being through the pleasure of your enhanced outdoor living areas and plants.

Call Soo on 07545 007323 for an initial chat.

Email soo@soospectorgardens.co.uk See our portfolio of work and client testimonials at www.soospectorgardens.co.uk

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FURNITURE LOFT

SUSTAINABlE &

STYlISH

If you’re seeking to refresh your reception rooms or add some style to your study this spring, whether you’re beautifying your boudoir or doing up your dining room, furniture can be sustainable and stylish when you visit furniture loft...

Can furnishing really be sustainable and stylish? Yes! According to long-established Market Harborough business furniture loft. The company is combining heritage and recycling in its new vintage Painted furniture range.

In purpose-built workshops and showrooms, artisan painters are sourcing beautiful antique items to restore and hand-paint, at surprisingly low prices.

The growing selection is right on trend, for style and sustainability, offering upcycled pieces to discerning customers, who are invited to bring in items and ideas of their own.

With high quality chalk paint and wax, skilled craftsmen give reclaimed pieces careful consideration before applying an exquisite, sympathetic finish. restoration work done, antiqued items are hand-

crafted and customised by the vintage team, which ensures the colour choice and technique complement each individual piece.

A wide palette of colours (by Annie Sloan Chalk Paints, Oxford) and waxes enable the team to create one-off statement pieces; subtle and understated, carefully restored and all beautifully finished. vintage Painted furniture is lovingly created yet highly sustainable in its recycling of old classics. It brings pieces full of character into a retro-flavoured market.

Customers love vintage and heritage while respecting the future of their environment and resources.

The firm’s beautiful hand painted furniture ranges can be viewed at furniture loft on riverside, in showrooms beautifully decorated with farrow & Ball shades. n

1. Pollard Oak 19th Century Sideboard £495; 2. Jacobean Style Oak Sideboard with Back £275; 3. Maples Bow Front Sideboard £225, Blue Rocking Chair £115, 19th Century Blue Oak Sideboard £475; 4. Yellow Dry Gin Display Cabinet £335, Linen Cupboard with Decorated Panels £495; 5. Pink Dressing Table £225; 6. Black and Gold Washstand £155, Black and Gold Chest of Drawers £295. n

Items are subject to availability/New items arrive every week.

Furniture Loft is based on Riverside, Market Harborough LE16 7PT. Call 01858 435500 or see www.furnitureloft.co.uk.

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INTONE DESIGNS

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is month we find out how Ketton’s Jonny Eatch and family created their stylish and practical new living kitchen with Bourne’s Intone Design...

With the decorations down and normal service resuming, it’s time to reflect on how your kitchen performed during the festive season.

Was everything close to hand, with plenty of storage and places for the family to spend time amid preparations... or, were you cooking up a storm in a chaotic kitchen too small or too badly planned to cope with festive furore?

“There are two elements to a kitchen’s design,” says Intone Design’s laura Deaton.

“There’s the way it looks, but also the way it functions, and that’s what makes kitchen design an (enjoyable) challenge!”

“It’s all well and good creating a kitchen that looks good, but if it fails to deliver the toughness and longevity, the storage and practicality, the preparation space and ability to work efficiently, it’ll fail in its remit.” “fortunately, it’s a challenge I relish and as a mum myself, with a busy family, I know first hand how important the kitchen is as a room to come together not just for cooking but for dining, to meet people when they drop in for coffee, and even as space for the children to do their homework or watch Tv.”

ON TrEND & INTONE

If your kitchen proved to be less than practical over the festive season, or you’re seeking a spring revival for your home, look no further than Intone Design to create a new space for family life...

Words: Rob Davis.

“No single room in our home has so many demands placed upon it, which is why the design of your kitchen is more crucial than ever before. The demands on your kitchen are as far removed from its original purpose as a functional utilitarian space decades or hundreds of years ago.”

That’s a fact not lost on Jonny and Emma Eatch, who commissioned laura and Intone family to create the new kitchen in their victorian farmhouse accommodating the needs of an extended family comprising three older children, three dogs, a cat and the occasional chicken making a house call. >> Left: The Eatch family worked with Laura from Intone Design to create a dream kitchen which looked good but worked well as a family space too.

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KITCHENS

“Laura was really easy to work with,” say Jonny and Emma. “We had a pretty good idea of what we wanted but she contributed to that and helped us to develop our own ideas. It felt like a really collaborative process.” “laura was really easy to work with,” say Jonny and Emma. “We had a pretty good idea of what we wanted and she never compromised that vision, but she did contribute to it and helped us to develop our own ideas. It felt like a really collaborative process.”

The kitchen itself comprises handmade hardwood cabinetry finished in two farrow & Ball shades, light grey and shaded white with white Corian surfaces.

At 12 metres long and five metres wide with two independent islands it was a large project but the couple were encouraged by just how easy and smooth the installation process was.

“laura was recommended to us and when we were concerned how large the islands would be, she even arranged a full-size mockup in offcuts of wood so we could see the scale for ourselves... we couldn’t believe the effort she went to!”

“She also sourced our appliances and got some really good prices, which was great as we wanted Sub-zero and Wolf refrigeration and cooking appliances, as well as the zip tap for boiling water, plus two Siemens

dishwashers, an integrated coffee machine and the pop up extractor, which was a lastminute decision but of course, no trouble whatsoever for laura to integrate.”

“On a given day we’ll have one child doing homework in the kitchen, another on a scooter, dogs and cats vying for space on the rug and the two of us in the centre of it all cooking for the family. Needless so say it’s happily chaotic, but that’s exactly what we envisioned - a kitchen that could serve as a place where family life could play out.

And that’s exactly what we’ve ended up with.

It’s a great room, a real heart of the home.”

“Installation was smooth and hassle-free and the follow-up we’ve had from laura and Intone Design has been brilliant. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her to other people!”

Needless to say laura is delighted with her clients’ feedback. “It’s great to create a room you know will be at the heart of family life for years - probably even decades - to come.

I genuinely believe the kitchen is the most important room in your home and that’s why they’re such a pleasure to create!” n

Find Out More: Intone Design is based at Cherry Holt Road, Bourne PE10 9LA, with an additional showroom on Station Road, Oundle PE8 4DE. Call 01832 275743 or see www.intonedesign.co.uk.

kitchen Design tips from laura Deaton Quality: “A kitchen is probably the biggest investment you’ll make in your home and nobody ever regretted buying quality.

Don’t assess cost in isolation when you consider the price of a kitchen project - assess it in relation to value and quality.”

Storage: “We’ve more kitchen clutter than ever. The more practical storage you can incorporate the better. Nobody ever complained about having too much storage space in their kitchen!”

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Social Spaces: “Because of the multitude of jobs we tend to undertake in the kitchen they end up as ersatz reception rooms, that’s why there’s a trend towards living kitchens. If space allows, incorporate spaces to dine and socialise in your kitchen.”

Utility: “Many families include the utility room or a pantry in their project. That gives the chance to incorporate even more storage and create a consistent look between all of these space.”

Interiors: “As well as creating the cabinetry itself, companies like Intone can build storage, shelving and dividers into the drawers and cabinets they install.

This makes the most of available space and allows for even tidier storage.”

Appliances: “Once again, nobody ever regretted buying quality. When it comes to appliances, it’s worth installing boiling water taps and top brands like Siemens or Miele.” n

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Lowry Legend

The works of the most recognisable artist of them all, Laurence Stephen Lowry (1887 – 1976) continue to fascinate art collectors, galleries and the wider public alike.

Based in a small paradox of Northern living, Lowry spent most time in Pendlebury and neighbouring Salford, producing a similar arrangement of street scenes famed for his portrayal of the grime and toil of working class life, often painting when time allowed at twilight hours, even using colours and raw materials that would deteriorate over time and emphasise the squalor of what he saw around him.

There many remarkable things about Lowry; not least he rejected several major honours including a Knighthood in 1968. He juxtaposed living in upper class Mottram and later Cheshire with his overall dislike of the people and surrounding area there and he is as well known for harrowing, oppressive self portraits as he was for street scenes, falling into depression after his father’s death which had left his family debt ridden in 1932 and having to look after his ill mother until her death in 1939.

This took a toll on his painting and after a promising early career when, in 1905 he was enlisted into the Manchester School of Art finding himself under the renowned tutorage of the Impressionist Pierre Adolphe Valette, he only changed his style to what we know today after frequent persuasion from D B Taylor of the Manchester Guardian.

Many of the portraits in the 1930s illustrated his inner turmoil and suffering, a sort of inner working class self mirroring the working class scenes in say Going to The Match.

His landscapes portrayed melancholic, everyday figures, although mere strokes on a page, his characters are all different often illustrating normal

people doing normal things like going to work or attending a football match. Seascapes and beach scenes were drawn from time spent in the North East at Sunderland and Berwick Upon Tweed, but all works show hopelessness and a degree of pity which appeals to buyers and admirers today.

His legacy marks him as one of the most famous artists in the world.

The 2013 Tate Britain exhibition and a major solo offering in Nanjing China are just two examples which highlight his global appeal.

He influenced many other artists such as the great Sheila Fell and continues to be recognized and known throughout the world.

The prints, signed and watermarked and so popular in salerooms today add emphasis to the fact how well loved and admired his works are by high end and middle ground collectors alike. With the aforementioned Going To The Match print selling for upwards of £20,000 and his regular limited edition works changing hands for well into four figures, not to mention the popularity of his original works, the difficulty in attributing originals and the large number of fake works on the market, the worldwide appeal of this northern genius only continues to flourish. n Find Out More: Craig Bewick is an antiques specialist with Golding, Young & Mawer: The Bourne Auction Rooms, Spalding Road, Bourne PE10 9LE, 01778 422686; The Grantham Auction Rooms, Old Wharf Road, Grantham NG31 7AA, 01476 565118; The Stamford Valuation Office, The George Mews, Station Road, Stamford PE9 2LB, 01780 751666 or The Lincoln Auction Rooms, Thos Mawer House Station Road, North Hykeham, Lincoln, LN6 3QY, 01522 524984. Alternatively, see www.goldingyoung.com.

Here for all your needs...

Free Auction Appraisals We offer free professional advice on items you wish to sell.

Free Home Visits Our valuers will help with house clearance advice or large collection dispersal.

Advisory Days We have regular days at our Bourne, Grantham, Lincoln, Louth & Stamford offices.

Do not hesitate & contact us now!

The hallmark of a professional auction house offering executor client advice & The Grantham Auction Rooms The Bourne Auction Rooms The Lincoln Auction Rooms & private services for valuation, auction sale &01522 property clearance 01476 565118 01778 422686 524984

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JACKSON BUILDBASE

Creating Compelling

KItCHEnS

If your kitchen’s looking tired or you’re looking to update your bathroom for spring, Stamford based Jackson Buildbase are so much more than just a builder’s merchant, providing well designed, well-built kitchens and bathrooms at a great price...

Words: Rob Davis.

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It’s widely accepted that the kitchen is the most important room in your home. It has to work practically, look good and function well for families.

designers offer a full kitchen service to create the perfect room for you with a free, collaborative design process and 3D room visualisation.”

“We also offer bathrooms from brands like Utopia furniture, laura Ashley, Matki and roman shower for every budget.”

Kitchen budgets can vary wildly with everything from inexpensive and poorly made cabinetry to eye-wateringly expensive handmade kitchens. At the sweet spot in the market is Jackson Buildbase, providing great quality kitchens and also bathrooms, both of will stand the test of time, without incurring an unnecessarily large budget.

“Jackson Buildbase has partnered with some of the UK’s best kitchen and bathroom brands to offer a specially selected range whose quality and design we stand by.”

“Brands like Sheraton and laura Ashley provide a wide range of colours and door styles that can be paired with hard-wearing engineered stone surfaces like Corian and Silestone, and with quality appliances, sinks

“We can also advise on local tradespeople who can work with you to ensure your installation is completed smoothly.”

and taps to provide a good value kitchen which also benefits from rigid-supplied cabinetry for sturdiness and quality.”

“A few years ago people thought of us as just a builder’s merchant but our in-house

“With 70 showrooms nationwide, over 3,000 employees and the backing of parent company Grafton Group, established 117 years ago, Buildbase has great buying power and the ability to pass savings onto our customers.”

“And because of our vast product range, you’ll find that we can provide a huge range of finishing touches like wall and floor tiles to provide a reliable, one-stop place to create your perfect kitchen or bathroom.” n

n Jackson Buildbase is located on 48 Scotgate, Stamford PE9 2YQ. Call 01780 764782 or see www.buildbase.co.uk.

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in the garDen

GArDENING TIPS & ADvICE frOM JOE WHITEHEAD, HEAD GArDENEr Of STAMfOrD’S BUrGHlEY HOUSE

february Jobs

Your Kitchen Garden Apply a general fertiliser like blood, fish and bone to all fruit trees and bushes.

1. aDD some sweet scent to winter Plants that flower during the winter months are few and far between, but often they can have some of the most heavenly scents around. Relying on limited numbers of insects for pollination, they need good scent to attract the few ones that are about: Lonicera x purpussii: Shrub honeysuckle can be upright and sprawling or compact and low-growing.

Sarcoccoca ( Christmas box): A nice one to hunt for Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna 'Purple Stem' bit of a mouthful; Vibernam bodnantense: A long flowering winter shrub, good cultivars are, ‘Dawn’, ‘Deben’ and’ Charles lamont.’

If your soil allows, towards the end of the month try a short row of early potatoes under horticultural fleece for an early crop. Also, direct in the ground with fleece protection sow early peas, broad beans, beetroot, radish, spinach and spring onion.

On a warm window sill or in a propagator sow peppers, aubergines, cucumbers/tomatoes.

In a glass house, summer cabbage, and lettuce.

Keep feeding the birds they’re your free caterpillar, slug and snail control!

In the Garden

Now is the time to prune your Wisteria. Prune back to two buds on all laterals/side shoots, leaving just two fat flowering buds to provide large impressive flowers in May.

Late flowering clematis, prune to 30cm and mulch.

To borders apply a generous layer of mulch after a winter tidy.

Annual mulching is one of the secrets to successful borders, improving soil structure and retaining moisture.

Grass has really not stopped growing so if we have a dry week give a light trim with cutting blades raised high. n

2. aDD some fire Shrubs that have brightly coloured stems are a great way of adding colour to a barren landscape. Well known for their coloured stems are the shrubs Cornus and Salix.

Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter fire’ can really not be beaten as its stems dance like flames. n

3. winter flowers

Snowdrops and winter aconites (above) are truly a welcome sight on a cold and frosty February day. Snowdrops (Galanthus) are obsessively collected by a unique tribe, ‘the Galanthophiles’ and with over 1,400 named cultivars there is plenty to go at. n

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England’s OlDEST TrEE NATURE

‘Mighty oaks from little acorns grow,’ as the saying goes. And that’s certainly the case with The Bowthorpe Oak near Stamford, which is thought to be the oldest tree in England, with over 1,000 years of heritage...

Words: Carissa Smith. Image Below: Dean Fisher.

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Below: The Bowthorpe Oak has a girth of 43.6 feet (13.3 meters) and is believed to be the oldest oak tree in England.

‘Mighty Oaks from little acorns grow;’ in other words, great things come from small beginnings. Set in the picturesque village of Manthorpe stands Bowthorpe Oak, one of Britain’s greatest trees, so large, it’s impossible to think it began life as no more than an acorn!

The Bowthorpe Oak is an ancient survivor that may well have witnessed more than 1,000 years of English history. It is likely to be the oldest oak tree in England and one of the oldest in Europe. The first references to the tree date back to the 1760s.

Due to the tree’s great stature and age it has been a visitor attraction for hundreds of years and there are records of past residents using the tree to entertain their guests, with tea parties being held inside the hollow trunk. The 1760’s squire of Bowthorpe is said to have smoothed out the tree’s hollow trunk and created a room inside the oak in which he could entertain as many as 20 guests at a sit-down dinner.

However the oak was around long before the sociable Squire of Bowthorpe decided to use it as a dining room. At one time the famous tree was even said to have had a ceiling built with a pigeon loft above and door fitted.

Until recently livestock would take shelter in its ancient interior and many cows, chickens, sheep and horses could be seen grazing in and around the tree.

However, the current owners have now fenced of the tree which does limit access, but it is needed to preserve the tree and ensure there is no compaction that can damage the

roots. As many individuals in their later years can confirm, with advancing age comes expanding girth. The Bowthorpe Oak is the biggest Penduncalate Oak by girth in the UK and has slowly expanded to achieve a most impressive girth of 43.6 feet (13.3 meters). Only two Sessile Oaks have a marginally larger girth, but their trunks are rather more ruined by time.

It is the measuring of trunk girth which indicates the age of the tree. As the tree is totally hollow the growth of the outer shell of wood is the means by which it’s measured.

An old source - a notation by Mr Howell at the back side of a gravure of the tree of 1804 - states that the tree was hollow and had a girth of 37ft (11.3m). It is this slow growth of girth which has made several historians think the tree could be 1,000 years old.

The old oak has three chains fitted for support. Over 100 years ago the first chain was fitted and then a second was added in 1978 along with this some pruning work carried out to remove dead branches. The third was added around 12 years ago.

In 2002 the tree council in celebration of The Golden Jubilee of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II designated The Bowthorpe Oak one of 50 Great British Trees in recognition of its place in the national heritage June 2002.

The Bowthorpe Oak sits on Bowthorpe Park farm and is an attraction for all nature lovers and tree enthusiasts to admire its girth and imagine all the history this iconic tree has seen. n

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Your local appointed Sheraton dealer and Neff Master Partner

• 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

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WEDDINGS

“When You Know...

YOU KNOW!” When you find true love, it is a feeling you can’t express in words and it is difficult to describe apart from those famous words, “when you know, you know!”

That’s certainly true for the love story of Samantha and Lewis…!

Photographer: Rebekah Robert Photography, 07736 931496, www.rebekahrobert.com.

Samantha & Lewis married at Normanton Church, rutland’s Iconic landmark in August 2019. Even though the loved up coupled have been together for five and half years their time together has flown by.

We caught up with Samantha to discuss the ins and outs of their dream day.

The couple knew each other from school.

However, like many school friendship groups, the pair were in different academic years and didn’t socialise with each other. Nevertheless, love would blossom between the two, and some years after leaving school, the couple contacted each other through social media, met for a cinema date and have been inseparable ever since. The couple knew they were meant to be together and remarkably, just three months later, they were engaged!

“lewis and I went out for a romantic meal and once we had finished, he got down on one knee and proposed. I was surprised as we had only been together for three months but when you know, you know and of course, I said ‘Yes!’”

Though the proposal was in haste, the couple took their time planning the wedding and afforded themselves 18 months to plan their day. Within that time they also purchased their first house in the area.

“The actual planning of the wedding took two years. My mum first suggested Normanton Church for the wedding ceremony and when lewis and I visited we instantly fell in love. The church is breathtaking and appears to float on the water which for lewis and I created a magical, almost fairy-tale like scene and we knew it was the place we wanted to get married.”

WEDDING SUPPLIERS SAMANTHA & LEWIS BELL Ceremony Venue: Normanton Church, 01780 686800.

Reception: Normanton Park Hotel, 01780 720315, normantonpark.co.uk Dress: Blush Bridal, 01778 218020, www.blushbridal.co.uk Photographer: Rebekah Robert Photography, 07736 931496, www.rebekahrobert.com.

Flowers: Stephanies Flowers, 01778 421171, stephaniesflorist-bourne.co.uk.

Cake: Celebrations Icing Centre, 01733 558524, celebrationspeterborough.com.

Makeup: Paula Tennant, 07813 703155, www.paulatennant.co.uk.

Hair: Gemma Gosling, 01778 424041.

Venue Dressing: Décor My Day Surita, 01733 563782, www.decormyday.co.uk.

Owl Ring Bearer: 01945 420321.

Magician: Ricky Locke, 07934 661707.

Band/DJ: Children of the Revolution, 07738 592767.

Harpist: harriet.flather@hotmail.co.uk.

Suits: Formal Affair 01733 260930.

Ice Cream Van: andy.fardel@btinternet.com.

Magic Mirror: 01604 473101. n

“It was the first thing we booked, and so we chose Normanton Park Hotel, close by, for the reception. Again, as soon as lewis and I visited Normanton Park Hotel we knew this was the place for us and it really was just a stone throw away from the church. The function room at the hotel overlooks the shores of rutland Water and we knew the setting would be perfect.”

“On the day Normanton Church decorated the church beautifully and all our requests were taken into consideration. The church was filled with lights and candles which created a romantic, fairytale atmosphere.

The staff at Normanton Park Hotel we’re exceptional and really did make our wedding day special.”

To add to the romantic theme of the wedding Samantha and lewis choose to have harpist, Harriet father, played throughout the wedding ceremony and even had an owl ring bearer in the form of Casper, the Owl, who flew down the aisle - to the surprise of the guests - to deliver the rings.

Samantha bought her dress from Blush Bridal Co in Bourne and like everything with this wedding and the couple’s relationship there is the recurring theme of ‘when you know… you know!’

“I tried on many dresses but then, when I tried on ‘the one’ I knew. I became a little emotional and I just couldn’t wait to marry the man of my dreams, in the dress of my dreams too. My dress was by Maggie Sottero, an Ivory Over Stone dress called Silver Safira. I know it is cliché but I really did feel like I was a princess for the day and I didn’t want to take the dress off at the end of the night.” >>

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- WEDDINGS -

“Samantha and Lewis are moving to a new house and six weeks ago found out they were expecting twins, so their family life has really started!” >> rebecca and lewis choose rebekah and robert for their wedding photography. “rebekah and robert are husband and wife… they were absolutely amazing, very organised and made our wedding day perfect and the photos are incredible. I would highly recommend to any other couple. Especially being a couple themselves, they almost come at the day from two different angles.”

Cake Designer, Anne robinson helped Samantha and her mum design the wedding cake and the cake was made together by all.

The bride and groom also made sure their wedding reception would be an exceptional night by booking magician ricky locke to impress their guests with outstanding magic tricks. They also hired a Magic Mirror and an Ice Cream van for their guests to enjoy too!

The newlyweds went to Cayo Coco in Cuba for their honeymoon, known for its white sandy beaches and coral reefs. “We’d always wanted to go to the Caribbean and it was amazing. Nine days of pure bliss. We didn’t want to come home.”

“My advice to other couples getting married would be to take five minutes out of the wedding just to watch everyone and take the day in. The day goes so fast and it is incredible to look around at everyone laughing, knowing they are here to celebrate your love.”

The couple are now moving to a new house and six weeks ago they found out they were expecting twins…! Samantha and lewis’ family life has officially started and the couple look forward to meeting their newest family members in April this year… maybe even on their first wedding anniversary! n

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Photographer: Rebekah Robert Photography, 07736 931496, www.rebekahrobert.com.

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RUSHTON HALL HOTEL

fOr CONfErENCES & EvENTS

rUSHTON HAll IS THE BUSINESS WITH A RANGE OF MEETING ROOMS TO SUIT ANY FUNCTION WITH ANY NUMBER OF DELEGATES, TRUST RUSHTON HALL TO MAKE THE RIGHT IMPRESSION FOR YOUR BUSINESS...

You only get one chance to make a first impression, and in a climate when ensuring every penny you spend in your business counts, you’ll make the right impression, first time, and see tangible benefits from choosing rushton Hall to host your conference, meeting or special event. from product launches to hospitality, sales conferences to teambuilding exercises, rushton Hall has 12 exceptional spaces for large or small business needs, plus 51 luxurious bedrooms and delegate rates for eight or 24-hour functions.

looking to treat your best clients? With its luxurious stableyard spa and three rosette dining, luxury four-poster suites, plus its 26 acres of stunning countryside, the historic home of the Tresham family is the perfect location to host events for anything from a small meeting to a large conference with 300 delegates.

from light and beautifully appointed rooms like the Drawing room and library and Music room to the exceptional Great Hall with its vaulted ceiling - the very room which inspired Dickens’ Satis House, home of Miss Havisham - there’s a space to suit your needs at rushton Hall.

Its newest building is the Grade I listed, award winning Orangery, with its grand proportions, a building that has previously been used to host international car launches with room for 12 cars plus its ballroom, reception hall and bar. This epic space provides a jaw-dropping backdrop for the finest events, matched only by the food and beverage provision to suit, courtesy of the Executive Chef.

renowned for its ability to host luxurious weddings, rushton Hall is also ideally suited to your meeting, conference or corporate event. from product launches to black tie balls, your event will be looked after by a dedicated Event Co-ordinator to ensure the smoothest running of your function.

Discover for yourself one of the area’s most impressive venue for functions and events, by booking a personal tour and a no obligation discussion of your requirements.

Call rushton Hall and discover how four star luxury can create the right impression for your business. n

n For more information on the conference, meeting and wedding facilities at Rushton Hall, visit the hotel and spa at Desborough Road, Rushton, NN14 1RR. Alternatively, call 01536 713001 or see www.rushtonhall.com.

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call 01780 740250 Main Street, Ufford Stamford PE9 3BH lisa@whitehartufford.co.u www.whitehartufford.co.uk @WhiteHartUfford The White Hart, Ufford

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Weddings at The White Hart, Ufford We would be delighted to look after you on your special day. Each wedding is unique and as such we take pride in spending time with you to ensure that all your requirements are met.

We have two areas that are licensed for civil ceremony marriages. Our Orangery can hold upto 50 guests and the Pantry can be hold up to 40 guests. Our venue is ideal for a less formal, intimate and relaxed wedding. We can cater for up to 150 guests for an evening reception.

An ample car park ensures that guests do not have to worry about parking.

Please contact us at The White Hart so that we can arrange a showround and meet to understand your requirements.

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SNOW NO BUSINESS lIKE

BUSINESS

is month our fashion recommendations are going slightly off-piste, with a range of skiwear and jackets perfect for alpine adventures or winter outings a little closer to home...

This Page: Goldbergh Glam Jumpsuit in Fuchsia with Fur Hood £589, also available jacket £129.95.

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goldbergh kaja luxury ski jacket £598.62.

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- FASHION -

Top/Left: Helly Hansen Odin Mountain 3L Shell Jacket RRP £500 and underneath Helly Hansen Lifaloft Hooded Stretch Insulator Jacket RRP £220.

Top/Right: Annok pink ski jacket from Dope £152. Bottom/Left: Roxy Glade jacket in Goretex £295.

Bottom/Right: Picture Organic Clothing Tanya Marble Snow Jacket RRP 239.99 and Exa Marble Snow Pants RRP £179.99. n

Our preferred skiwear specialist is Tallington Lakes, call 01778 381154 or see www.tallingtonlakesproshop.com.

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JO MALONE FRAGRANCES

SUCCESS THE SWEET SMEll Of

One of the UK’s most luxurious and successful brands is now looked upon by its eponymous creator with a smile.

How does Jo Malone feel about being synonymous with scent?

Entrepreneurs often speak of the sweet smell of success. Well, in the case of Joanne lesley Malone, the whiff of success, a journey that took just five years, is second in appeal only to improbably successful smell of that olfactory underdog, the pomegranate, just one of the curious fragrances which features in her ranges.

Words: Laurin Dempsey.

from these artisan beginnings Jo launched her first brand, Jo Malone london, which soon achieved cult status around the world.

Jo opened her first store at 154 Walton Street in london in 1994, and by 1999 had launched her flagship store in london's Sloane Street.

The British perfumer, is the founder of Jo Malone london and Jo loves, and is particularly known for scented candles as well as a more diverse modern range of room mists, shower gels and reed diffusers.

In 1999, Jo sold the business to Estée lauder Companies but remained Creative Director until she left in 2006.

In fact, even her autobiography ‘Jo Malone: My Story,’ has a fragrant twist, with a page near the front treated with Pomelo, a crisp, citrus-based scent from her Jo loves collection, which will waft softly upward to the reader.

Though we can’t fragrance our pages we can, at least, reveal how Jo’s products came to be one of the most recognisable brands on the High Street.

“After much soul-searching,” she said at the time, “I believe that this is a good time to make this decision as the brand is in a secure position and I have many other dreams and passions I would like to fulfil,” she said.

Indeed she went on to found Jo loves which creates fragrance ‘tapas’ and ‘shots’ as well as creating bespoke scents tailored for her clients. Meanwhile, Estée lauder continues to operate and produce new scents under the Jo Malone brand, selling them in more than 20 different countries.

As a child, Jo would make her own perfumes with flowers from the garden and grated Camay soap. The family home was in Bexleyheath, Kent and her mother Eileen was a beautician, her father an artist.

She worked as a florist and gave facials in her kitchen at night. It was when she met her husband Gary at the age of 19 that their business, featuring her handmade scents and products, took off.

She gave her Nutmeg and Ginger Bath Oil as a thank you to her clients and the orders

began to flood in. The brand’s signature cream packaging with black edging remains iconic today. As word of her exceptional products quickly spread, soon Jo was unable to keep up with demand.

Above: Jo was made a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) by the Prince of Wales at Buckingham Palace in 2018.

Jo was innovative not least for her concept of combining fragrances and for the unisex nature of her scents, which were designed to be worn alone or with other scents in the collection, allowing the wearer to create a custom scent by layering them. >>

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T H E

L U X U RY

B R A N D

“It was at this point in her life that she decided to walk away from the now Estée-owned brand. There was a disconnect and it was to do with me. I started looking at it purely as a business, and I’d never felt that way about it before.”

>> Jo’s passion for fragrance never ceased and when the time was right she began working on a secret project behind the scenes.

After much anticipation, Jo revealed that project to be Jo loves - an innovative new scent, bath, body and candle collection inspired by the memories and moments in life that she loves.

“It was a new brand that was to be all about memories - it’s where I am and the person I am now,” she says.

Jo loves bottles its creator’s undeniable desire to create beautiful and unexpected fragrances, pioneering new products and entertaining experiences.

With her signature style for quality stamped across everything which bears the Jo loves name, this next chapter promises to bring Jo’s undiluted creativity and passion to life. recognised for her industry expertise spanning over thirty years, Jo regularly shares her brand building experience with audiences around the world and consistently

“I made the right decision to sell the brand for it, and for Estée lauder. But for me, as a creator, it was the worst thing in the world that I could have done.” contributes to consumer publications, radio, and Tv, not least as a passionate advocate of women becoming self-made successes and overcoming adversities from her dyslexia to a breast cancer diagnosis aged 37.”

“I’ve always been told that I wouldn’t succeed and that my dyslexia and lack of education would hold me back.”

“fortunately but I didn’t listen to any of it,” she reveals. And when I came out of a very drawn-out, excruciating year of chemo in 2006, I suddenly felt like I could run at life again,” she says.

legally Jo was obliged to take a five year hiatus from creating fragrance, but returned to the profession in 2011. “The first year was very tough but I persisted because I had a nagging desire to get back into the industry!”

“To be come successful,” Jo says, “I think you need passion, tenacity – you need friendship, love and support. You need drive and you need hunger and that can come from lots of different directions.”

“But the real key is staying true to who you are. ‘Don’t pretend to be something you are not. Bank managers see through that.

The consumer sees through that.” n

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the sweet smell of success SIX Of THE BEST frOM JO MAlONE...

1

Shown left is Jo Malone’s lime, Basil & Mandarin Cologne. The brand’s modern classic, a signature Jo Malone fragrance, has a peppery basil heart note over and aromatic white thyme with amberwood base notes to bring an unexpected twist to the scent of limes on a Caribbean breeze.

£98, 100ml cologne; £69, 50ml cologne.

3

4

£120, 600g.

£32, 250ml; candle £23, 60g.

Shown right is Jo Malone’s Pomegranate Noir scented candle to uplift, to unwind... or simply to add an air of sophistication.

With a burn time of around 90 hours, this is a warm, inviting scent that fills your home with luxury.

zesty and fresh, Jo Malone’s Grapefruit Body & Hand Wash is the perfect start to your morning, sourced from the abundant grapefruit groves of coastal Spain, additional scent comes from rosemary, peppermint and pimento add perfect piquancy to this bright and sunny scent.

An enhanced formula leaves body and hands feeling conditioned.

2

for a fragrant home, what could be better than reed diffusers with the gentle scent of refreshing pomegranate top notes over lily and guaiacwood.

A warm patchouli-like fragrance with 10 diffuser reeds, perfect for spring. £64, 165ml.

5

6

100ml; wash £32/250ml.

£46, 100ml; £26, 100ml.

One of the fragrance house’s newer scents, launched in 2019, this poppy and barley cologne is a lively floral scent, enhanced by rose and violet and topped with juicy blackcurrants.

Borrowed from the succulent cereal fields, where grains and flowers mingle, our poppies are cocooned by bran and cotton-soft barley. Cologne £98,

And to recreate Jo Malone’s floral scents throughout your home, a range of room sprays from the perfumer are designed to mist the air with one of four scents; lime, basil and mandarin; pomegranate; pear & freesia and red roses, each

Find Out More: For local stockists of Jo Malone, visit www.jomalone.co.uk, or shop online, alternatively call 0808 281 0229.

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WINTER BEAUTY

Purple reigns

THIS FEBRUARY WE LOOK AT LUXURY PRODUCTS IN A COLOUR THAT IS THOUGHT TO HELP BRING PROSPERITY AND A CLEAR MIND TO YOUR WINTER!

1. Express yourself with perfume for the well-heeled...

Christian Louboutin Trouble in Heaven Pure Perfume is a fragrance that turns heads.

Imagined to celebrate woman and her desires, the Christian louboutin parfums have each their unique personality yet are united by Christian’s vision behind their construction.

Trouble in Heaven Pure Perfume is a second skin of perfect iris, patchouli and tonka resonating with oriental amber,

5. versatile Eyes with Clinique...

Clinique’s All About Shadow Quads in shade - Going Steady, is a long-wearing powder eye colour in a versatile palette. Wear shades alone or layered together in different combinations. fade-resistant, it is also tested and safe for contact wearers. £30.

£115 / 30ml.

2. African violet

As far as Tom ford is concerned, every detail counts. This extra-amplified, gloss and shine nail lacquer lets you express your mood and complete your look. It’s groundbreaking, highperformance formula with bendable coasting delivers high coverage and shine while staying colour true throughout wear, £32.

3. Shine With Pleasure

Set your own rules with lancôme’s latest lipstick, l’Absolu Mademoiselle Shine.

Its balmy texture enriched with Proxylane and rose Oil melts easily on your lips for an instant shine effect with comfort and care, £27.

4. Nurture Your Skin

Hourglass No.28 primer Serum is ultra-hydrating and nutrient-rich infused with 28 beneficial ingredients to nurture your skin as it prepares it for flawless makeup.

Skin is instantly transformed, appears young and more luminous, £59 / 30ml.

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6. Big Hair? Don’t Care... with Hot Air from BaByliss BaByliss Big Hair Care Hot Air 50mm Styler creates a flawless, bouncy blow-dry style whilst caring for your hair. With an iconic rotating brush to add dramatic volume and shine to styles, you can replicate a salon perfect blow-dry at home, £60.

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

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EFFICIENT PORTFOLIO

“financial Advice Is Bad for You...!”

You may have seen The Wolf of Wall Street and admired his audacity. But whilst fat-cats make great cinema, the film is an example of why... “Financial Advice Is Bad for You...!”

Words: Charlie Reading.

frOM ‘THE WOlf Of WAll STrEET’ right back to Shakespeare’s ‘Merchant of venice,’ those in finance have always been portrayed as money-grabbing fat-cats, skimming the cream off your hard-earned money and pushing you into products for their own personal gain.

But is there any truth in these commissionhungry, sales-driven stereotypes? Well, frankly, yes! financial Advisers, and the service they provide, often get a bad name - and rightly so!

The traditional model of financial advice saw products being thrust upon clients, which lined the pockets of the advisers more than meeting the needs of their clients. financial Advisers, especially those tied to just one company, rarely had your best interests at heart. How can they, when they are restricted to offering you a limited range of solutions?

Sadly, prehistoric financial advice hasn’t completely gone extinct. The high charges, limited service and lack of understanding that old-school financial advice often provides is still leaving people unprepared for the future and unsure as to whether they

could actually achieve the things that hold a personal importance to them.

Thankfully, into this landscape has come a new kid on the block, in the form of financial Planning. financial Planning has changed the face of advice and does things a little differently to others. financial Planners, especially those who are independent, take the time to understand your unique goals and learn what matters most to you. They don’t just look at what products will pay them the most - they look at what solutions and strategies from the whole of the market will best help you to achieve your goals.

At Efficient Portfolio, we pride ourselves on taking a revolutionary stance when it comes to financial Planning. We don’t focus on products or pigeon-hole people into strategies, we talk about individuals and their needs, so that we can build unique planning that evolves and changes throughout a lifetime.

More importantly, we’re normal people!

Actually, I think we’re extraordinary, but what I mean is that we communicate on your level and explain financial Planning in terms you can understand. We love what we do, and our

enthusiasm and commitment is infectious.

We want you to feel as passionately about your future as we do.

One way that we help people with this is through education. We understand that your finances can often feel like your enemy: they’re confusing, complicated and sometimes even chaotic! We all want future financial security and to lead a life full of everything we love, but where do you start? And what exactly do you need to know to get ahead?

Starting in february we will help to answer these questions and more. During our series of free Education Seminars, we will look at a range of topics and concerns, all designed to give you more confidence and clarity with your finances.

These seminars will help you to manage your money more effectively, leave a legacy, reduce your risks and structure your income so you can enjoy your ideal future.

If you are passionate about changing your tomorrow and ambitious and determined enough to start putting in place the building blocks of your future, these free seminars are the spring-board you need. n

n Author and financial planner Charlie Reading believes in helping people clarify and realise their dreams and goals through financial planning. Based on Oakham’s Melton Road, you can make an appointment for a free, no obligation financial assessment by calling 01572 898060 or by visiting www.efficientportfolio.co.uk.

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“Keeping your business purrrring along nicely...!”

YOU NEED AN ACCOUNTANT YOU CAN COUNT ON, RIGHT? One who can answer your questions and provide business-critical advice fast, and without jargon.

With our guaranteed 24hr query response time that’s exactly what we provide.

Our last appointments are 7.30pm weekdays, and we’re open Saturday mornings until 1pm too.

Payroll • Bookkeeping • Tax Accountancy • Business Advice Individuals • Sole Traders • Companies

PRIDE MAGAZINES HIGH END MARKETING

For almost 18 years the Pride Team have worked solely on producing the finest magazines in their areas.

We now feel that the time is right, having a proven track record for quality, that our clients should receive the benefits of our professional marketing team too.

If you require any of the following services for your business please get in touch. We are reasonably priced and of course you already know the quality of our work by the magazine you are holding in your hands!

3D VIRTUAL REALIT Y TOURS HIGH QUALIT Y PHOTOGRAPHY

The Barnstone Promise: We’re the approachable accountants who make your life easier... so give us a call!

WEBSITE DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT BEAU TIF UL BROCHURES COOL COMMERCIAL VIDEOS LEGALLY LICENSED DRONE VIDEOS

Barnstone House Greetham Rutland LE15 7NX

01572 811497 07775 840550 julieanne.charles@barnstoneaccountancy.co.uk www.barnstoneaccountancy.co.uk

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HAND DRAWN ILLUSTRATIONS

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON MARKETING SERVICES CALL OUR FRIENDLY TEAM ON 01529 469977 OR EMAIL SALES@PRIDEMAGAZINES.CO.UK

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tHIS MOntH: AnGELS At BURGHLEY HOUSE & EffICIEnt PORtfOLIO At BARnSDALE

to feature your event call 01529 469977. our magazines are free to read online, so you can share the magazine with your friends. visit www.pridemagazines.co.uk.

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Efficient Portfolio raising Money for MDNA with

RUtLAnD’S financial planning company Efficient Portfolio recently held a charity ball to benefit the Motor neurone Disease Association, at Barnsdale Lodge, attended by over 100 guests.

Charlie Reading of the Oakham firm says: “Every day in the UK six people are diagnosed with the cruel and indiscriminate condition, and not only lose their lives but the ability to walk, communicate and to breathe unaided.” “e event was designed to raise much-needed funds for the MnDA, and it was a chance for the Efficient Portfolio team to meet up with clients informally to have some fun. We enjoyed delicious food a fantastic live band and disco, and we’re very grateful to local companies who donated prizes, including Stapleford Park, Hambleton Hall, Barnsdale Lodge, e Olive Branch, Gately, Hegarty Solicitors and two Birds.” n photos: Rob Davis.

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Burghley House

The Angel fair, raising Money at

StAMfORD’S BURGHLEY HOUSE was the venue for this year’s Angel fair, running alongside the estate’s Christmas fine food Market. e shopping event was originally conceived

by Lady Victoria Leatham and e Angel fair Committee, which now runs the event. e fair featured a VIP Champagne reception for the first wave of shoppers, and was organised by a committee raising money for the Sue Ryder orpe Hall Hospice, and for Prostate Cancer UK, with over 100 exhibitors across the Elizabethan estate. orpe Hall Hospice is the only specialist palliative care inpatient unit in Peterborough. e facility provides provide care and support for people who are living with life-limiting conditions, as well as supporting their families. n photos: Dean Fisher.

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MOTORS

SPORTING SOUL

It’s the first SUV from Aston Martin, long-awaited and promising practicality as well as unabashed luxury.

This month we reveal the manufacturer’s new DBX...

Words: Rob Davis.

THEY LAUGHED when Porsche created a 4x4, but the Cayenne’s sales success has since silenced any critics. And now, it’s Aston Martin’s turn. DBX is the firm’s first four-door, fourwheel drive SUV, set to take on a dearth of rivals from the Cayenne to the Range Rover, to Bentley’s Bentayga, Lamborghini’s Urus and Maserati’s Trofeo.

At £158,000, the DBX is currently more expensive than many Range Rover models, pitching itself as a ‘Super-SUV’ in a new sector topped out by the Rolls Royce Cullinan at £264,000. A new Range Rover due in 2021 will position that model more in the six-figure SUV league, so it’s important that Aston Martin’s DBX gains a foothold in the market before competition becomes even stiffer.

The car is powered by a 4.0 V8 engine, with twin turbochargers, such as you’d find in many AMG-Mercedes models. At full output the car is good for 550ps of powers, but a clever feature is the DBX’s cylinder deactivation technology which enables the car to shut down half of its engine under light loads, working as a four-cylinder unit, if you’re busy just dropping the children off at Waitrose and grabbing some groceries from school.

Despite the feature you’ll still struggle to get close to the already eye-watering WLTP

fuel economy figure of just 19.7mpg, never mind fuel economy when you’re driving the car in such a way as to exploit its 0-60mph time of 4.5 seconds and top speed of 181mph.

In terms of the car’s practicality, there are five full-sized seats and a boot that extends to 632 litres - for context, a Range Rover has 550 litres of space. Naturally all-wheel drive comes as standard, as does air suspension and a nine-speed automatic gearbox.

Aston Martin is as synonymous with luxury as it is with performance and in this respect the DBX doesn’t disappoint. There’s a single model available, with three-zone climate control, heated Bridge of Weir leather seats that adjust electrically, 360° camera, sat nav and adaptive cruise all as standard.

Wool can be substituted for leather if you’re a committed vegetarian, and there’s a range of veneers, plus gloss black and carbon fibre body kits and 22” wheels available for styling purposes.

Over 200 hours of hand-stitching and polishing are invested in the creation of the interior and the result is a beautiful cabin.

Taking a leaf out of the new Defender’s book, the DBX is available with a number of ‘adventure’ packs, too. >>

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Six Figure Off-Roaders: Four by four by far-fetched...

Lamborghini Urus £159,925: A troublingly medical-sounding name and overtly masculine styling on the interior renders the Lamborghini anything but subtle. Four doors, four seats, four wheel drive, four wheel steering plus a 4.0 litre V8 engine yields a 0-60mph time of 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 305km/h.

We think there are more comfortable options available, and more subtle ones too, but for aficionados of the brand, the Urus is bound to appeal. n

Rolls Royce Cullinan £264,000: Rolls snootily rejects that the car is an SUV, stating instead that it’s a ‘high-sided car from Rolls Royce.’ Enjoy a hand-built 6.75 litre V12, all wheel drive, all wheel steering and all wheel drive, but you’ll need a hand parking, considering the Cullinan is 30cm longer than a Range Rover and over 5cm wider. There’s something a bit naff about someone for whom a Range Rover is ‘not good enough,’ but if you insist, the Rolls will certainly be an imperious sight on the road thanks to its huge grille, vast dimensions and monster engine. n

>> 11 packs include the Snow Pack with its boot warmer, ski chains and ski rack, or the Event Pack with its hamper, picnic blanket, event seating and umbrella storage.

A field Sport Pack includes a gun cabinet, and shooting stick, whilst a Pet Pack features a bumper protector and portable pet washer.

Bentley Bentayga Speed 6.0 W12 £185,800: A more modest Bentayga V8 and a Bentayga diesel are available, but in the above company, £185,800 for an SUV looks like a snip. Audi mechanicals and plenty of options for customisation go some way to justifying its price tag, and on a practical note, seven seats are now available on the car for 2020. n

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Missing a trick somewhat, Aston Martin hasn’t branded the availability of its bespoke leather child and baby seat a ‘brat pack,’ but it’s a practical addition nonetheless.

The first 500 models of the car will feature special 1913 badging, celebrating the firm’s heritage. The will be personally inspected and endorsed by Aston Martin’s

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“The car is desperately crying out for a hybrid or electric drivetrain to offset its economy and make it truly desirable...”

CEO Andy Palmer, with customers invited to a launch cocktail party in the Waldorf Astoria where they will also be presented with a build-book documenting the birth of their car.

In terms of dimensions, the DBX is styled deceptively like a Tesla Model X or Jaguar iPace. In fact, it’s 30cm longer than a range rover vogue, albeit slightly slimmer. This is a larger and roomier car than it’s coupé styling suggests.

Naturally the car is packed with technology from digital instrumentation and central display to ambient lighting in 64 colours and an optional park assist system.

In all, the DBX is set to be one of the most desirable, technologically impressive and well-equipped models in the very special six-figure SUv market. But what the car is desperately crying out for is a plug-in hybrid or fully electric drivetrain to offset its economy. Then, it’ll be truly desirable. n

ASTON MARTIN DBX Price: £158,000 (available to order now, first deliveries spring).

Drivetrain: 550ps, 4.0v8 twin turbo petrol, automatic transmission, all wheel drive.

Performance: 0-62 mph: 4.3 seconds.

Top Speed: 181mph.

Economy: 19.73 (WlTP/Comb).

Equipment: Panoramic roof, sat nav, 360° camera, adaptive cruise. n 123

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MOTORS

JAGUAr’S SUPEr COUPé

Jaguar has updated its muscular f-Type coupé and the result is a pretty well-reconciled sports car...

Words: Rob Davis.

JAGUAr’S f-TYPE, the spiritual successor to the E-Type of the 1960s and 1970s, is nearly seven years old. That’s quite an age in motoring circles, especially as Porsche has already rolled out an updated Boxster which raises the bar further and further with every iteration in terms of handling.

The venerable successor not just to the E-Type but the firm’s XK risks becoming a bit of a dinosaur, a combustion engined sports car in an age of hybrids and Teslas.

That’s why the old girl has been given a nip and tuck, with the latest and most efficient Ingenium engines.

Dynamically, the f-Type is pretty good, but unfortunately it’s pitted against the Porsche Boxster. Whilst the latter is bound to suit keen drivers more, we think the Jaguar has the edge in terms of its looks, especially finished in this rather magnificent colour, Bluefire Blue.

It’ll pair especially well with the tan leather seats available as part of an extended leather upgrade. They say looks are only skin deep, but when a GT looks as good as this, who are we to argue? n

The range comprises f-Type, f-Type r-Dynamic, first Edition and the hardest working r model. 2.0 four-cylinder engines are badged P300; P450-badged models have five litre engines with eight cylinders whilst a 575ps P575 model has the same engine but with an enhanced state of tune.

If that amount of choice isn’t sufficiently bewildering you can also opt for rear or fourwheel drive and a coupé or convertible body.

Even the standard 2.0 f-Type reaches 60mph in 5.4 seconds and is good for 155mph where legal. So eschew the larger engines in favour of a higher spec f-Type.

As standard, the car comes with electrically adjustable suedecloth and leather seats, navigation, all-round parking sensors and a rear camera. Stepping up to Dynamic or higher provides mostly stylistic tweaks.

We’d suggest a base-model car, then ticking the options for more adjustment and heating on your seats, climate control and a few other creature comforts which, with a starting price of £54,000, really ought to be standard anyway... or at the very least paying the £5,000 premium for the convertible model.

JAGUAR F-TYPE Price: £54,060 (on sale now).

Drivetrain: 2.0V4 with nine speed automatic and rear-wheel drive.

Performance: 0-60mph 5.4secs, max speed 155mph.

Economy: 29.9mpg (combined).

Equipment: Part-leather seats, navigation, Touch Pro and interactive driver display, Bluetooth, DAB, cruise control. n

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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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MOTORS

ferrari’s new roma

ROMA IS WHERE THE HEART IS: FERRARI UNVEILS ITS ACHINGLY BEAUTIFUL 2+2

Achingly beautiful is the only way to describe the new ferrari roma, and the great (or not so great) news is that as the new GT is a 2+2, you can take the children along too! With a 3.9 litre v8 turbocharged engine, the roma will reach 60mpg on a track in just 3.4 seconds and will achieve 320km/h flat out.

An f1 style dual-clutch gearbox is standard, along with FERRARI

a plus new interior that features a whopping 16” screen, adaptive cruise control, Comfort Access and haptic controls. ferrari says the car is more powerful than its forebears, but better at reducing fuel consumption and achieving smoother shifts which makes the car even more responsive on the open road, but also especially comfortable in town. n

World’s fastest Tractor

IDEAL FOR PLOUGHING YOUR WAY THROUGH TRAFFIC...

New Defender leaves 007 both shaken and stirred...!

LAND ROVER NCAP Crash Testing can only prove a car’s safety so far... for a real flogging, you have to give a car to James Bond.

No Time To Die is the first movie to feature the New Defender, the latest legendary vehicle to star in a James Bond car chase sequence. The New Defender has been tested by the 007 expert stunt team in the most extreme off-road conditions, demonstrating its unstoppable nature.

If it survives 007 in the film, released in April, it’ll survive anything! n

JCB Impatiently ploughing?

Harvest in a hurry? Spraying at speed? for farmers who can’t wait, lincolnshire’s Guy Martin has a new set of wheels.

Guy recently piloted what is officially the world’s fastest tractor, in a heavily modified JCB fastrac. The vehicle hit a peak speed of 153.7 mph at Elvington Airfield in Yorkshire on its way to recording an average of 135.1mph in the hands of the motorbike racer, mechanic and Tv personality.

The tractor provided 1,016hp from its tweaked 7.2-litre, sixcylinder JCB Dieselmax engine, though fuel economy, did suffer a bit, at just five miles per gallon. n

MOTORING

NEWS In Brief

WINTER MOTORING

warning for Drivers as winter blows in road Safety organisation GEM Motoring Assist is offering simple tips for drivers to ensure troublefree journeys this winter.

Giving some attention now to batteries, tyres, antifreeze, wipers, lights and other vehicle essentials is the best way of ensuring reliability in the months to come, says GEM. l Make sure all the lights on your car, inside and out, are working properly.

Clean them regularly to ensure they are free of dirt, so that you can see, and others can see you.

l Check tyre tread depth and pressure weekly throughout the winter.

Good tyres will ensure the safety systems on your car are as effective as possible.

l Get the battery and charging system checked to ensure best performance.

Cold weather puts a lot of strain on tired batteries, so consider changing it now to avoid the inconvenience of a breakdown.

l Ensure your car’s cooling system has the correct levels of anti-freeze, which is vital to prevent the water in your engine’s cooling system from freezing. GEM recommends you consult your local dealer or a qualified mechanic to ensure this is done correctly. l Do you need new windscreen wipers at front and rear? Check for efficient working and use cold weather washer fluid. Do not use the windscreen wipers to clear ice, as this will very quickly lead to damage. n

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PRIDE MARKETING

Let the Pride Team Create Your Magazine

Appear in print with a design & editorial service for your own in-house magazine. From copywriting to photography and pre-press, you can trust your publication to Pride Magazines...

Producing the area’s finest magazines necessitates skill and knowledge... not to mention the ability to write compelling copy, to take great photographs and to design good-looking pages.

The good news is that now, if you need to make a great impression in print, we’re making our technical and creative experience available to any business looking to produce their own magazine.

Combining design knowledge with editorial skills and working to tight deadlines, no job is too challenging. Modern printing technology makes every print run less expensive, more consistent and better value, whether you need to print just a hundred, or many thousands of copies of your project.

Our skills in producing Pride Magazines and our 35 years of experience are directly transferable to the creation of your magazine.

And because you’re utilising the talents and equipment of an established team, the cost of working with us is extremely competitive compared to other marketing agencies.

As part of your overall marketing strategy, our print and design work can play a big part in reaching customers to deliver your message, presenting your business in a professional way and ensuring a great return on investment.

Speak to our friendly team today to discuss all of your options and find out how our completely bespoke marketing solutions can give you great results and help you to present a professional image in print as part of our range of marketing services. I

Find Out More: Pride Magazines is now offering commercial photography and videography, 3D Virtual Tours, bespoke websites plus design and print for businesses like yours. To discuss your requirements call 01529 469977 and don’t forget to take a Virtual Tour of our offices at www.pridemagazines.co.uk. I

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The Pride team can bring copywriting, design and photographic experience to your print project.

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