Stamford Pride July 2022

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PRIDE STAMFORD

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WELCOME

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The Getaway Guide

Accommodation and Entertainment

Art in Uppingham

Rebecca Ivatt’s Queen Street Gallery

Fort Henry

Fishing Folly Heritage

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ou don’t need to go very far this summer to find lots of entertainment right across Rutland and Stamford.

We’ve already had a wonderful Jubilee weekend, but summer is only just getting started!

In this edition, you’ll find plenty to keep you busy with our Getaway Guide, our What’s On pages and an idea for a super break, in pretty North Norfolk, courtesy of Barefoot Retreats.

In this month’s magazine, we’re enjoying fine art in Rutland with a visit to Rebecca Ivatts’ Uppingham studio, and we enjoy art in Stamford with a visit to Adrian Hill’s gallery located in The Mews adjacent to The George of Stamford where we’ll enjoy a preview of brand new work from local artist Nick Grove. Also this month we’re visiting The Deepings, our featured village – or rather collection of villages – near Stamford, and we’re visiting an NGS garden curated by two very keen plantspeople.

Elsewhere we’ve local news, plus food & drink from people like Gates Garden Centre, and plenty of ideas for your home, courtesy of the best local independent businesses.

Our best wishes, for a great month!

Executive Editor robin@pridemagazines.co.uk

This month’s covers show fun on the reservoir at sunset, and a scene from Stamford’s recent Garden & Food Fair on The Meadows.

We’re always looking for scenes of Rutland and Stamford to feature on our covers and in the magazine.

If you’re a budding photographer, email your pictures to the address above!

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68 CONTENTS NEWS & EVENTS

FOOD & DRINK

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NEWS The best ‘good news’ stories from across the county. This month, find out where and when you can see HM The Queen’s Jubilee Baton as it passes through Rutland!

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DAILY BREAD Celebrating ‘proper’ bread at Hambleton Bakery.

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RECIPES AND WINE Some tasty

WHAT’S ON Live events, music and theatre productions this July.

HOMES & GARDENS

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HIGHLIGHTS 33

THE DEEPINGS This month we’re spending time in the leafy Deepings, a collection of thriving communities near Stamford.

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REBECCA IVATTS We’re enjoying fine art in Uppingham this month as Rebecca Ivatts debuts her Uppingham gallery and classes.

102 FORT HENRY The history of Exton’s quirky fishing folly, created by the delightfully eccentric Earl of Gainsborough.

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vegan recipes and wine to enjoy while sitting out in the garden this summer.

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HOMES Enjoying a break in a delightful converted watermill, courtesy of Barefoot Retreats.

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IN THE GARDEN This month’s ‘plant lover’s garden’ is a peaceful retreat for a couple near Stamford.

LIFESTYLE 106 WALK To the woods this month as we enjoy a ramble around Bourne Woods.

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HIGH LIFE Nick Grove’s new work, exhibited at a VIP preview evening at Stamford’s Adrian Hill Fine Art.

124 WEDDINGS Lisa & Jack marry at Barnsdale Lodge.

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THE WEALTHIEST PEOPLE IN THE AREA READ PRIDE MAGAZINE

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

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

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

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

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

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

Read Pride Magazine free online at www.pridemagazines.co.uk or by downloading our free iOS and Android App. LEGAL DISCLAIMER

THE PRIDE TEAM

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.

Managing Director: Julian Wilkinson.

Sales Director: Zoie Wilkinson.

Sales Manager: Cydney Buck.

Sales Executives: Abby Moon, Catherine Healy.

Executive Editor: Rob Davis.

Customer Care Manager: Mandy Bray.

IT Manager: Ian Bagley.

Web Developer: Joe Proctor.

Senior Accounts Manager: Paul Robinson-Marsh.

Office Manager: Chloe Watson.

Administration: Kate Dunham.

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

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

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

How to boost your retirement income Five things you should be doing for a brighter future...

Will you have enough money to retire comfortably? How much is enough? What can you do to make a difference?

Most will at least match your contributions.

Not paying into a workplace pension is like turning down money from your employer.

Whether retirement seems too far away to think about, or is already looming large on the horizon, the best time to review your plans is now. Furthermore, there are some compelling reasons for not putting it off.

If you’re self-employed, with unpredictable earnings, the ‘carry forward’ rule can make a big difference. This allows you to use any unused allowances from the previous three tax years to maximise your pension contributions in the current tax year.

Final salary pension schemes (also known as defined benefit pension schemes), with their guaranteed payouts, are becoming a thing of the past.

These days, most of us are in defined contribution pension schemes, in which the outcome depends on investment performance and how much we pay in. Saving for retirement is not something you can afford to ignore.

Take a moment to think about the things you might save for: a car, a holiday, a wedding, a rainy day. These are all worth saving for, but can anything be more important than your future? That time when the salary stops coming in? Now that really is something worth saving for.

So here are five small things you can do right now that could make a big difference to your future.

1. Make it a habit

Don’t be put off by the level of savings you might need for a comfortable retirement.

Rome wasn’t built in a day. At first, it’s the act of regular saving that counts, rather than the amount.

The key is to regularly invest - even small amounts - into a pension or ISA (individual savings account) and let the magic of compound interest go to work.

It also means that if you don’t use all your allowance this year, you can carry it forward and still benefit from it in future.

5. Take advice

2. Have a plan

Think about what you are saving for and focus on that goal. Rainy day, new car or setting yourself up for when you finish working; whatever you want to achieve, stay focused on it.

3. Diversify

The golden rule here is don’t put all your eggs in one basket, especially if your pensions and investments are linked to stock markets.

Your investments should reflect your own situation, your own objectives and your own attitudes to risk. Consider investing in both a pension and cash ISA, because this gives you instant diversification.

4. Make it personal

Think about your own unique situation and circumstances, For instance, are you employed or self-employed? This is so important. If you are employed, find out what your employer will contribute to your pension.

It’s vital that you take professional financial advice. Not just initially, but on a regular basis. Everyone has different priorities, circumstances and objectives, but professional advice can map out a plan with you and help you keep it on course.

Take the first step

A good place to start is with the pension review service offered by the specialist team at BCM Wealth Management in Stamford.

We offer straightforward, professional advice tailored to your needs and circumstances, along with a warm welcome and a friendly, human approach.

The value of an investment with St. James’s Place will be directly linked to the performance of the funds you select and the value can therefore go down as well as up.

You may get back less than you invested.

Cash ISAs are not available through St James’s Place.

The favourable tax treatment of ISAs may not be maintained in the future and is subject to changes in legislation. n

Chat to our pensions specialist team at BCM Wealth Management Ltd, 5 Ironmonger Street, Stamford PE9 1PL, www.bcmwealth.co.uk 01780 437500.

BCM Wealth Management Ltd is an appointed representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the Group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the Group’s website www.sjp.co.uk/products. The ‘St. James’s Place Partnership’ and the titles ‘Partner’ and ‘Partner Practice’ are marketing terms used to describe St. James’s Place representatives.

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NEWS & EVENTS

The Queen’s baton reaches Rutland BATON IS MADE FROM COPPER, ALUMINIUM AND STEEL WITH 360° CAMERA & LED LIGHTS! RUTLAND The Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay is confirmed to visit Rutland during its final journey through England this summer, as the full route is revealed.

Birmingham, in 2022, is hosting the Commonwealth Games and its baton will set off on a journey which brings together and celebrates communities across the commonwealth in the build up to the Games.

In England, the Queen’s Baton Relay will provide the opportunity for communities to experience the excitement for Birmingham 2022, as the 11 days of showstopping sport nears ever closer.

The Queen’s Baton Relay is set to travel the length and breadth of England for a total of 29 days, before culminating at the Opening Ceremony for Birmingham 2022 on 28th July 2022. The Baton will return to England on Monday

4th July to commence a 25-day tour of the regions.

A busy schedule of activities and events are planned for the Queen’s Baton Relay, with opportunities to highlight untold

In fine voice for Sue Ryder SING FOR LIFE 2022 LAUNCHES IN AUTUMN, SUPPORTING SUE RYDER THORPE HALL...

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stories from Batonbearers who are striving for change in their community.

On Sunday 10th July, Rutland will officially welcome the Baton. The Queen’s Baton

BOURNE Fancy a sing-song?

Launching in September, Sing for Life will sign up 40plus local women to take part in a ten-week pop-up singing project, working towards a fantastic live performance event at The Cresset in November to support charity partner Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice.

“You’ll learn to sing, meet new people, challenge yourself, perform live on stage and raise money for this much-loved local charity – what’s not to like?” says Claire Hailey. “Absolutely no previous singing experience is

Relay will visit Rutland Water on the morning and will make a special trip across the reservoir. n For more information see www.birmingham2022.com.

needed, just a willingness to step outside your comfort zone, get stuck in and give it a go; it’s all about the journey!”

“Sing for Life is not about finding the next Adele; it’s about helping ordinary women find their voice” says William Prideaux, the project’s director. “So many people lack confidence or genuinely believe they can't sing, but deep down just about everyone secretly has a favourite karaoke number… we promise we’ll have you singing – and loving it – in no time!” n www.peterboroughsings.org.uk.

EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE FROM 15th-17th JULY AT THE RUTLAND COUNTY SHOWGROUND

SKDC Leader Kelham Cooke re-elected...

Kelham Cooke, leader of South Kesteven District Councillor and representative of the Casewick Ward, has been re-elected as leader of SKDC for the next 12 months. “Over the last three years we have achieved so much and I’m looking forward to the next 12 months in the build up to the elections,” he said. n STAMFORD

OAKHAM Businesses across Rutland are in for a boost this month as Global Birdfair, the new worldwide conservation festival will be held at the Rutland Showground.

Tim Appleton, who founded the original British Birdwatching Fair back in 1989 has reinvented the event, which sees visitors contribute around £1.2 million for the local economy and is described as ‘the birdwatcher’s Glastonbury.’

Exhibitors at the new event will include conservation organisations, tourist boards and eco-tourism companies alongside exhibitors selling books, art, optical equipment, bird food and local produce.

“There will be a variety of activities including lectures by guest speakers sharing their experiences and discussing topics relating to wildlife around the world,” says Tim. n See www.globalbirdfair.org.

Henry’s gift to The Queen STAMFORD-EDUCATED UPPINGHAM RESIDENT, HENRY DAWE, PRESENTS QUEENS REPRESENTATIVE WITH GIFT

OAKHAM Rutland’s Henry Dawe presented HM The Queen’s representative in the county with a special gift from Rutland for her Platinum Jubilee, in the form of a poem celebrating her reign. It’s Henry’s second contribution to Rutland in his unofficial but convincing role as the county’s poet laureate; his first poem, Two Paces Back was a posthumous tribute to HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.

His second poem was presented to Her Majesty’s representative in Rutland, Lord Lieutenant Dr Sarah Furness. n To hear Henry read his piece in full, visit Sarah’s website at www.rutlandlordlieutenant.org.

90+ Families

Birdfair set to fly...

RUTLAND Rutlanders have already taken in 40 Ukrainian nationals fleeing the war in their home country, with another 50 expected in the coming weeks. Families with children as young as two are being housed with local sponsors throughout the county and are getting help from Rutland County Council to access education, employment and healthcare. n

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LOCAL

NEWS In Brief STAMFORD

New Poet Laureate and Youth Laureate for town...

To mark the 10th anniversary of Stamford having its very own poet laureate, this year the town has appointed not just one, but two, popular poets.

Officials decided on local poet Scott Coe as the new Stamford Laureate and appointed Daniel Paice as the inaugural Stamford Youth Laureate too. The two will work alongside each other, Scott writing poems for the traditional civic role with Daniel working in an outreach role with schools and youth groups. The new Poet Laureate will work with Stamford Arts Centre and in the community too. n 9

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NEWS & EVENTS

Rolls enthusiasts gather at Burghley...

UP TO 1,000 ROLLS ROYCE & BENTLEY CARS WILL GATHER IN THE PARKLAND STAMFORD When Henry Royce and Charles Rolls set out to make ‘the finest car in the world’ back in 1904, little could they imagine that over a century later over 1,000 examples of the ancestor to their six-cylinder Silver Ghost would gather at Stamford’s Burghley House for the Rolls Royce & Bentley Enthusiasts’ Club’s annual Concours d’Elegance event.

“The Annual Rally & Concours d’Elegance, widely considered as the largest gathering of Rolls-Royce and Bentley motor cars in the world, and as well as 1,000 cars, it features over 70 specialist traders and autojumble stands, local arts & crafts stalls and a fine selection of food & drink, the event attracts both members and non-members alike from both the UK and abroad. Some have been known to ship their cars over

LOCAL NEWS In Brief

SALLY-ANNE WADSWORTH IS OAKHAM’S NEW MAYOR...

Cllr Sally-Anne Wadsworth has been elected as the new mayor of Oakham and the town council’s new leader.

Sally has worked with Oakham Town Council since 2016 on the Recreation and Planning Committee, and Events Working Group as well as running her business, Kids & More, on Crown Walk. n

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to the UK in order to attend,” say organisers.

“The Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts’ Club (RREC) is the International Club for Rolls-Royce and Bentley

Enthusiasts. With the emphasis being on enthusiast rather than owner, we embrace anyone with a genuine interest in the life and works of Henry Royce and Charles Rolls, who

Red Lion Square delay DISCOVERY OF SHALLOW GAS MAIN MEANS WORK COULD CONTINUE UNTIL HORSE TRIALS

created the ‘Best Car in the World.”

The event is open to the public in the parkland of Burghley House and takes place from 1st-3rd July. n

STAMFORD As many know to their peril, older homes can throw up any number of problems as owners refurbish them, but when a decision was made to refurbish Red Lion Square in Stamford, nobody could anticipate the unexpected discovery of a 40-year old gas main last month.

“There are always unknowns when carrying out major road works like these, this particular one is unfortunate since it will very likely delay of the scheme,” says Karen Cassar. The project is seeing the relaying of 620 square metres of paving with 22,500 new stone setts. n

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ORTON LONGUEVILLE Guide Price £1,500,000

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

A beautiful, Grade II listed, Georgian former rectory dating back to the early 18th century sits in a secluded, quiet spot in the village of Orton Longueville just west of the centre of the city of Peterborough where fast trains to London King’s Cross take only 45 minutes. Despite the tranquility, it is within a 10 minute drive of the station and even less to the A1. This charming, beautifully presented, elegant family home offers very generous accommodation set over three floors including 8 bedrooms, and is full of original features including Georgian sash windows, panelling and fireplaces. The property has an excellent connection with the delightful, wraparound secluded garden with a backdrop of mature trees which is another superb feature. A sweeping driveway leads to a substantial, gravel parking area and a brick garage which offers potential - subject to planning - for conversion into an annex.

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

Tel: +44(1)832 808 008 Email: oundle@fineandcountry.com

fineandcountry.com

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MARKET DEEPING OIEO £825,000

225 offices across Great Britain Plus 75 offices globally

A magnificent, Grade II listed, stone barn conversion, finished to a very high modern standard, offering four bedrooms is part of a luxury, gated development. The huge, two storey barn was built in the mid to late 1700s and has been cleverly converted into a dwelling within the walls of the original barn. Downstairs, an almost 40 foot long reception room is a spectacular space with an area for dining at one end and sitting at the other. A doorway leads into the kitchen, fitted with contemporary units with a central island. Upstairs, there are three double bedrooms, one en suite, and the family bathroom are on one side of the landing and the master with its en suite and dressing room on the other. The garden has been beautifully landscaped by the owners, now mature and full of colour, texture and year-round structure. Situated on the edge of the attractive town of Market with easy access to the glorious town of Stamford, this is also in a superb location for those wishing for a country lifestyle but needing to commute.

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NEW

COTTESMORE

OFFERS AROUND £635,000

NEW PRICE

MARKET OVERTON

£675,000

Picture postcard detached thatched cottage with a wealth of inherent character occupying an established plot with a delightful cottage garden and ample parking next to the village church. The property has been beautifully maintained with sympathetically presented accommodation featuring an inglenook fireplace, exposed ceiling beams and latch doors. Sitting Room, Office, Family Room, 2 WCs, Kitchen/Diner, Utility, 4 Bedrooms, En-suite Shower Room, Bathroom. Energy Rating: TBC.

Charming mid-19th century detached cottage with sympathetic modern extension combining character with contemporary style, occupying a large plot with stunning views over the village cricket ground. The property provides spacious and flexible accommodation, immaculately presented throughout whilst retaining an array of period features. 3 Reception Rooms, Conservatory, Living Dining Kitchen, Utility, 5 Bedrooms, 3 Bath-/Shower Rooms; Dbl Garage. Energy Rating: F.

LANGHAM

SEATON

OFFERS OVER £800,000

Superb detached family home offering extensive contemporary accommodation appointed to a high standard throughout and set on a large south-facing plot within the prestigious Rutland village of Langham. 2 Reception Rooms, Office, Study, open-plan Kitchen/Diner, Utility, 2 Cloakrooms/WCs, 5 Bedrooms, 3 Bath-/Shower Rooms, Double Garage, Ample Parking, Private Gardens. Energy Rating: D.

Immaculately presented barn-style character property with established gardens enjoying countryside views situated in a picturesque Rutland village. The property was built in 2008 and offers wellproportioned accommodation tastefully appointed and equipped to a high standard throughout. Sitting Room, shaker-style Kitchen/Diner, Clkrm/WC, 3 Bedrooms, en-suite Shower Room, Family Bathroom; off-road Parking, elevated rear Garden with views. Energy Rating: C.

SSTC

UPPINGHAM

£510,000

Immaculately presented detached house, equipped to a high standard and occupying enviable position within a desirable area with views over allotments to the rear. Lounge, superb open-plan Living Dining Kitchen, useful Utility Area, Cloakroom/WC, Master Bedroom with refitted en-suite Shower Room, three further Bedrooms, refurbished Family Bathroom with claw-foot roll-top bath and shower cubicle. Garage, landscaped Gardens. Energy Rating: C.

£595,000

SSTC

BRAUNSTON IN RUTLAND

Guide Price £645,000

A delightful character property set on a select development of seven Mews Style houses set in the heart of a fine conservation village. The well-proportioned and tastefully appointed accommodation sympathetically combines period features and charm with modern high-quality fixtures and fittings. Sitting Room, Conservatory, open-plan Kitchen/Diner, Clkrm/WC, Master Bedroom with en-suite Shower Room, 2 further dbl Bedrooms, Bathroom. Single Garage, Parking, Mature, Private Garden. Energy Rating: E.

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Guide Price £1,300,000

Guide Price £1,150,000

The Croft, Tilton On The Hill

Harvard House, Whitwell

The Croft is a superb country five-bedroom home sitting on a generous plot of approximately three acres with far-reaching views over the countryside to the South.

Offered to the market for the first time since it was built 25 years ago, Harvard House is a substantial five-bedroom, three-bathroom detached home, in the heart of the water-side village of Whitwell with stunning views to the rear over open countryside.

Guide Price £900,000

Guide Price £400,000

Parklands, Somerby

Pied Calf Cottage, Lyddington

A substantial and high-quality, double-fronted, four-bedroom detached village home tucked away in a private position with open countryside views to the rear.

A characterful, iron-stone, Grade II listed three-bedroom cottage sitting in an elevated position with a pretty South-West facing garden, located in the heart of this sought-after Rutland village.

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Castor Lodge Care Home Castor Lodge Care Home provides the highest standards of familyled residential and dementia care. Our home is luxurious and beautifully furnished, whilst retaining a warm family atmosphere that makes Castor Lodge feel extra special.

• 68 Spacious en-suite bedrooms • 6 Premium self-contained suites • Bistro Café and themed Pub • Sociable lounge and dining areas

• Roof terrace and landscaped gardens • Hair and pamper salon • Daily fine dining • Tailored meaningful activities

To find out more about life at Castor Lodge Care Home contact Laura Mills on 07725 799 217 or laura.mills@countrycourtcare.com

01733 821 034

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Splash Lane, Castor, Peterborough, PE5 7BD

www.countrycourtcare.com

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PROPERTY FINDERS

Nothing For Sale Professional property finder Kate Vincent explains that despite an apparent lack of property for sale on the open market, there are hidden opportunities in Stamford and Rutland if you know where to look.

Whilst there has been a slight increase in properties becoming available for sale, there remains a significant imbalance between the number of buyers in the market and sellers.

Those looking for a house are increasingly frustrated, given there’s a strong possibility they will have been searching for several months to no avail.

Buyers may not realise that property portals aren’t the only place to find a house to buy; and an increasing number of properties are reported to have been sold ‘off-market’ over the past 12 months. This trend is not limited to high-value homes, and this ‘hidden’ element of the local property market has a wide range of opportunities for all budgets.

Why do sellers choose off-market?

There is no single reason why properties are sold off-market, but discretion is usually a motivation. Equally, in such a fast-paced market, some sellers have become wary of selling too quickly and then not having anything to move to. Selling quietly to a patient buyer offers both certainty of sale and the confidence to look in earnest for a new home without the usual pressures.

Good news for buyers?

Whilst buying off-market will usually eliminate any competition by securing the property without it being openly advertised to other buyers, it can mean that the sellers expect more flexibility with timescales, as they most

likely will not have found a property yet themselves.

The sellers are also likely to be expecting to achieve a full price, to prevent the property from being formally marketed and made available to other buyers. The art is to negotiate a deal where both buyers and sellers are happy and neither feel outdone by the price agreed.

How do property finders find off market homes?

The key to a property finder’s success, and more importantly the value they offer to a client, is their contacts and involvement in their local community and surrounding areas. Contrary to popular belief it is not just the local estate agents that contribute to the supply of off-market options provided to property finders.

Information regarding properties available to purchase away from the open market can come from all manner of sources including solicitors, tax advisors, gardeners, interior designers, and architects. Garrington is also able to identify potential off-market opportunities using proprietary software which can filter all properties which may be available for sale currently not on the open market.

Having identified off-market opportunities, clients of a property-finding firm may enjoy ‘preferred buyer’ status because a seller or their agent will take comfort from the fact

that the buyer has chosen to be professionally represented in their search, which further underlines their commitment to a transaction.

In situations where a seller only wants to reveal their intention to sell to a select number of people, property finders are usually towards the top of the list to be notified.

Whilst finding the right property to purchase in prime areas is likely to remain challenging, it is by no means insurmountable, with the right experience, contacts and access to all options in the market.

Garrington’s consultants help buyers to find and purchase properties that meet their lifestyle requirements. Their local expertise and in-depth knowledge of the property market helps homebuyers to consider a wider choice of properties and purchase more effectively.

If you are considering moving this Spring and would like more information about how to better navigate your local property market, contact Kate Vincent to arrange a no-obligation discussion.

Kate Vincent Garrington

Tel. 01780 408377.

Email info@garrington.co.uk www.garringtoneastmidlands.co.uk

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THE GETAWAY GUIDE

ACCOMMODATION & ENTERTAINMENT:

The Getaway Guide This month we’ve county shows, live music and entertainment, plus places to enjoy a short break not too far from home!

Welcome to summer, and to our Getaway Guide...

Image: A Little Bit of Rough, located near Uppingham.

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THE GETAWAY GUIDE QUIRKY, QUALITY ACCOMMODATION

Eco-friendly glamping in Greetham

A Little Bit of Rough... A Little Bit of Rutland!

Four beautiful canvas retreats located near Uppingham...

Reconnect with nature at ‘In The Stix’ in Greetham, in one of six geodesic domes...

Enjoy a lakeside retreat in a secret location near Uppingham! A Little Bit of Rough was created by Sarah Jackson and family, and attracts lots of visitors from the town itself (and from Oakham and Stamford) to enjoy lakeside views, wood-fired hot tubs, ‘proper’ bathrooms and fairy lights. Great for a night away with friends! n Guide price, £645/four nights, call 07591 736739 or see www.alittlebitofrough.co.uk.

Even participants in Channel Four’s Four In A Bed programme found it tricky to find fault when staying near Greetham in one of Alex Cowie and Darren Blackwell’s six geodesic domes.

Little wonder really as the couple have spend five years bringing to fruition the dream of putting an end to camping horror and replacing midnight dashes to the shower block with wood-fired hot tubs, mezzanine bedrooms, comfy old Chesterfield sofas and panoramic views of Rutland countryside. Each dome features en suite bathrooms, and access to a proper field kitchen for preparing food.

“Each dome is individually designed and provides our guests with very versatile accommodation for between four and six adults,” say the couple. “Guests come from all over but actually we have a number of visitors who live in Oakham or Stamford. They like the idea of getting away and spending time with family and friends but without travelling too far!

Bookings are filling up for late summer and for 2023... so if you’re planning to book, be quick!”

Guide Price: From £550/low season, three night minimum stay, midweek discounts.

Call 07958 378971 or see inthestix.co.uk.

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Glamping at Exton Park...

Lanterns & Larks provides luxury under the stars!

Lantern & Larks is a glamping campsite within the 500 hectares of Exton Park. This beautiful 18th-Century park, which is Grade II listed, contains a sheltered five-acre walled garden which gradually slopes down to an ornamental lake at the southern end, where ospreys have been known to catch their dinner!

Gas-powered showers and WC in each tent, fully equipped kitchen and log burners. n Prices starting from £352, see lanternandlarks.co.uk or call 01638 779226.

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VALE HOUSE at BELVOIR CASTLE

Duchess of Rutland launches her brand new boutique guest house at the foot of Belvoir Castle...

It’s newly refurbished and it couldn’t be in a better location. If you’re planning an overnight stay in the Vale of Belvoir, you’re bound to love The Duchess of Rutland’s new boutique guest house, with its nine bespoke rooms, all designed by the Duchess herself.

Most rooms are doubles/kings but there’s a family room on the second floor too, and a quadruple room, both of which ideal for families.

Image: www.instinctivecollection.co.uk.

Enjoy a continental breakfast delivered to your room or take advantage of the adjacent Engine Yard retail/leisure development with its Balloon Bar and Fuel Tank restaurant.

Find Out More: Vale House is now open adjacent to the Engine Yard, Belvoir Castle, NG32 1PA. Call 07917 910131, www.belvoirestateholidays.com.

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ENJOY A SHORT BREAK IN A TREE HOUSE...

Fancy going a little further afield? Then we recommend a stay in a quirky, luxurious treehouse in Lincolnshire Rutland and Stamford are certainly pretty, but if you fancy a rural getaway not too far away, we love these luxurious tree houses in leafy Woodhall Spa in Lincolnshire.

There’s plenty to see in the region, especially on 9th and 10th July when the village hosts its 1940s festival. Meanwhile you can enjoy a peaceful lakeside break as each treehouse has its own balcony with an al fresco bathtub and its own rowing boat. Each of the six treehouses feature king-sized beds with en suite bathrooms, kitchenettes and log burners, and the whole site is set in 16 beautiful acres of mature woodland. n

Find Out More: For enquiries, contact Treetop Hideaways at Woodhall Spa, 07771 867907 or see www.treetophideaways.co.uk.

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THE GETAWAY GUIDE

QUIRKY, QUALITY ACCOMMODATION

The Carriage

ALL ABOARD FOR A STAY IN THIS QUIRKY CONVERTED CARRIAGE Barefoot Retreats specialises in providing quirky and luxurious self-catering accommodation in North Norfolk. Take this railway carriage, for example... it’s located in Burnham Market and was refurbished to 2021, adjacent to the Old Station Master’s House. Ending its working life in 1952, it now houses a king-sized bed with adjacent walk-in rainfall shower. The company has over 100 properties, all individual and all located on the North Norfolk coast. n See www.barefootretreats.co.uk.

A Canal Adventure ENJOY TRICKLING ALONG THE RIVER BY HIRING A NARROWBOAT Nene Valley Boats invites you to enjoy a trip on Sammy, a beautifully restored narrowboat moored at Oundle. Dan and Carol MacIntyre Jones will ensure you get acclimatised to life on the water, and they’ll give you crash course – not literally – in how to take the tiller of the 57ft long, 6’10 beam vessel which can accommodate six people (at a squeeze). Moored on the Nene, you can sail up to Peterborough and disembark to enjoy a dining in the city and an overnight stay. Prices are £660 for three days hire, call 01832 2725. n

Campervan Fun TAKE TO THE ROAD IN A CAMPER VAN FROM SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE Located near Peterborough, Adam Brookes runs his motorhome hire company, Spirit of Adventure, which has three larger coachbuilt motorhomes and three Volkswagen campers for hire to those seeking to take to the road in comfort. With automatic gearboxes, reverse cameras and air conditioning, driving them is a cinch, and when you park up, you’ll enjoy king-sized beds, a WC and shower, hot water, heating and a fully-equipped kitchen.

Prices from £120/night, for further details call 01780 769576 or see www.spiritoffreedom.co.uk. n

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PROPERTY AT TALLINGTON LAKES

LUXURY LODGES at

TALLINGTON LAKES Life by the lake is more popular than ever before, as individuals from Stamford and Rutland make a home for themselves at Tallington. It’s the luxurious, convenient and absolutely tranquil way to enjoy this spectacular countryside location...

WHAT COULD BE BETTER than lakeside living? Located just near Stamford, Tallington Lakes is a distinctly versatile place for anyone seeking an additionl home in the area, extra space for friends and family when they visit the area, for those seeking to keep one foot in the area when relocating, or as a second home for investment purposes.

Most of all though, it’s a community. Home to around 700 people and with 305 acres and countryside and 205 acres of spring-fed freshwater lakes, it provides a spectacularly peaceful location, just a stone’s throw from Stamford, for those who want to enjoy life in the area.

It’s little wonder that already there have been 400 luxury lodges created on the site, and with the recent creation of The Keys, a new area of the lakes, there are 40 more properties about to be made available to those seeking to join the community.

“The properties benefit from a stunning location around the lake,” says Mark Shrosbree, Sales Director of the Goodlife Lodge Company, which is marketing the lodges on the site.

“But also, the location of Tallington Lakes itself, just a few minutes from Stamford, means that you benefit from the peace and

tranquility of the location whilst being very close to Stamford with its restaurants and bars, and shops.”

“Already, then, the idea of investing in a lodge is compelling, and as for the properties themselves, we’ve a greater choice than ever before, with lodges from the best names in the industry, plus a new partnership with a company which will allow potential owners to design their own, totally bespoke, one-off design of property to meet their exact requirements and specifications.” >>

Words: Rob Davis.

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TALLINGTON LAKES

>> “Prices range from as little as £110,000 and rise to £320,000 for our largest and most well-specified lodges. Our newest designs are an unprecedented 56ft in size and feature three bedrooms and two bathrooms.”

“Our lodges are not only an enjoyable investment, but a really versatile one, too!”

“The lodges come fully furnished and decorated with kitchens and bathrooms already installed, so you can literally turn up with a suitcase and unpack.”

pletion of a foot bridge has ensured that the whole three mile perimeter of the lake can be circumnavigated.

“Many lodges also have laundry appliances and dishwashers, as well as underfloor heating and bi-fold doors to ensure they’re comfortable all year round. Most feature en suite bathrooms as well, and we can create wheelchair accessible lodges too, making them suitable for everyone.”

Meanwhile, Tallington Lakes is a great place to spend time and most recently, the com-

“Tallington Lakes itself is also a great place to spend time. Along the walkable route around the lake, everywhere you go people smile and wave and generally acknowledge you. It’s a happy place to be and a real community.”

“Unlike a holiday park, here, you’re allowed to live on site throughout the year and there are activities for residents like summer

barbecues and pub quizzes. On site there’s a swimming pool and tennis court, with Tallington Lakes leisure park providing jet skiing, windsurfing, dry slope skiing and other activities.”

“The lodges are proving really popular, and I think in recent years we’ve all come to value spending time close to home, with family and friends. An investment in a lodge is not just an investment in the financial sense, but an investment in a great lifestyle, too.”

“They’re popular with people who want to let their property out to earn an income, to those who want to downsize from larger properties and free up equity, or by those who are seeking to move elsewhere in the country or abroad, but want to keep a foothold in the area. So they’re not only an enjoyable investment, but a really versatile one, too!” n

Find Out More: The Good Life Lodge Company provides spacious, modern, solid and light lakeside properties at Tallington Lakes (Stamford PE9 4RJ) with prices from £110,000. For a free no obligation tour and more information call Mark Shrosbree, 01778 381144 or see www.goodlifelodge.com.

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THE GETAWAY GUIDE

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT, MUSIC & DRAMA

THE KID at NEVILL HOLT OPERA

Saturday 9th July, with Manchester Camerata...

Better known for their engaging opera productions – June saw performances of Puccini’s La Boheme – Nevill Holt Opera this month hosts its summer festival of award-winning theatre including Charlie Chaplin’s The Kid with live orchestra Manchester Camerata. Widely considered one of the greatest films of the silent era, The Kid is a 1921 silent comedy-drama film written, produced, directed, and starring Charlie Chaplin.

The opening title ‘A comedy with a smile, and perhaps a tear,’ sums up its perfect blend of laughs and pathos. It’s a semiautobiographical piece, with a score performed by a 16-piece orchestra on Saturday 9th July, from 2pm. Tickets £35-£6, call 01858 437 451 or see nevillholtopera.co.uk. n

BURGHLEY IS BACK

Horse Trials takes place in September It’s the biggest event in the Stamford calendar, and one of the UK’s major sporting fixtures. And it’s back for 2022 after being cancelled last year.

Stamford’s Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials is a world-class five-star FEI-affiliated trio of dressage, jumping and cross-country challenges

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which typically attracts audiences of 170,000 and spans 530 acres of the Burghley House estate, with 80 riders and 300 horses all competing for a share of the £320,000 prize fund, and a top prize of £100,000. n

LAST NIGHT OF THE PROMS

Burghley Horse Trials, 1st-4th September, see burghley-horse.co.uk.

Kilworth House invites guests to enjoy the special surroundings of Kilworth Theatre for a fantastic evening of fabulous music. The ever popular 33 piece British Philharmonic Concert Orchestra returns with the usual favourite proms section of ‘Land of Hope and Glory,’ ‘Rule Britannia,’ ‘Jerusalem’ and ‘Sailor’s Hornpipe’ plus some special music relating to Her Majesty The Queen to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee. Sunday 4th September from 7.30pm, tickets £42. Call 01858 881939 or see www.kilworthhousetheatre.co.uk. n

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>> Remember that our monthly What’s On pages are brimming with live music, drama and comedy every single month. If you’re planning an event, inclusion in our What’s On guides is free, so don’t forget to let us know, by emailing editor@pridemagazines.co.uk.

CELEBRATE 25 YEARS OF THE BATTLE PROMS...

Taking place on 9th July, at Stamford’s Burghley House, this year is the 25th anniversary of The Battle Proms at the Elizabethan stately home.

Let your hair down at

Rutland Water

STAMFORD SHAKESPEARE COMPANY...

Immersion Theatre Group presents Rapunzel on Sunday 3rd July from 2pm at Rutland Water, Barnsdale Car Park. For ages 4+.

Take along a picnic and rug!

Tickets £11/adults, £10/juniors.

If you’ve yet to enjoy the spectacle, the event comprises a classical music programme with live cannon fire finale, plus the most impressive fireworks you’ll ever see, and support acts including The Battle Proms Belles and parachute group The Red Devils. There will also be a Spitfire flyover piloted by Carolyn Grace and the chance to enjoy a picnic in the grounds.

Tickets £47/adults, call 01432 355 416, or see www.battleproms.com. n

Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, Spider’s Web by Agatha Christie Hay Fever by Noël Coward Based at Tolethorpe Hall near Stamford, this year’s trio of performances by Stamford Shakespeare Company include a classic whodunnit by Agatha Christie, as well as a Noël Coward comedy and a classic tragedy from the Bard himself.

Various dates through July and August, take along a picnic!

Tickets £16/adults, see stamfordshakespeare.co.uk.

Image: Nick Farka, Red & Round.

Above: Tolethorpe Hall is the former stately home from which semi-professional theatre group Stamford Shakespeare Company now operates. Performances take place in a 600-seat open-air auditorium.

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Luxury lodges, great fun and a superb return on investment!

.! .. e f li d o o g e th in t s e v n I

Live on site all year round, achieve great rental returns or retain your lodge for family & friends to enjoy.

Four fantastic sites including Tallington Lakes, Tanner Farm Park, Thorney and Great Hadham On-site watersports and leisure facilities, beautiful surroundings

www.goodlifelodge.com • info@goodlifelodge.com • 0800 564 2266 • Barholm Road, Tallington, PE9 4RJ

R E T R E AT AT S

D i s c o v e r y o u r N o r t h N o r ffoo l k h o l i d aayy w i t h B a r e ffoo ot R e t r e at s

LU X U RY P R O PE R TIES

We have one of t he fi f i nest selec t ion of lu xu r y houses a nd cot t ages on t he Nor t h Nor ffool k coast. Ou r por t ffool io of u n ique ret reat s a re loc ated i n some of t he most beaut i ffuu l v i l lages i n t he a rea, spa n n i ng ffrrom Hu nst a nton to We Wel ls-nextt he S ea. S o, whet her you’re look i ng ffoor a cosy cot t age or a big a nd beaut i ffuu l ba r n conversion, ou r loc a l, ded ic ated tea m a re here to help you f i nd t he per fec t hol iday get away.

T O R E Q U E ST O UR 2 0 2 2 B R O CH U RE AN D D I S CO VE R Y O U R E X C L USI V E C O A STA L RE TRE AT S CA N H E RE …

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AMAZI N G PLA CES

U N I Q U E E XPE RI ENCES

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Enjoy our comfortable, friendly village pub restaurant, open every day...

Our Summer Menu

Six beautiful berooms...

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Homemade Soup of the Day with Griffin Bread £6.

Chicken Liver Parfait with Chutney and Brioche £6.95.

Classic Breaded Whitebait with Tartare Sauce £9.95.

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Italian Platter (with or without meats) £6.95/£9.50.

Starters – seven options including:

Experience al fresco dining adjacent to our lovely lake, courtesy of The Griffin Inn. Marquee open for summer...

Main Courses – 10 options including:

Enjoy a walk around the Irnham Hall Estate, with wildlife and nesting birds...

Desserts – six options including:

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Classic Irnham Estate Beef & Ale Pie £14.95.

Belly of Pork with Creamed Potato £16.95.

Breast of Chicken with Wild Mushroom Risotto £16.95.

12oz Sirloin Steak with Black Garlic Butter £22.95.

Pan Fried Sea Ball with Onion, Ginger & Prawns £18.95.

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Lentil Balti, Steamed Rice, Naan & Poppadom £14.95.

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Orange & Passionfruit Cheesecake £6.50.

Chocolate Ganache, Pistachio & Honeycomb £6.50.

Brioche Bread & Butter Pudding £6.50.

Homemade Ice Creams & Sorbets £6.50.

Griffin Cheeseboard, Chutney & Crackers £9.

See www.thegriffinirnham.co.uk/al-fresco-dining-at-irnham-hall Look out for our Beer Festival, 28th and 29th August

Winners of Channel Four

Four in a ’s Bed Ask abou t our six luxury en suite roo ms

15 Bulby Road, Irnham, Grantham NG33 4JG

01476 550201 www.thegriffinirnham.co.uk

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Grimsthorpe Castle Lincolnshire’s best kept secret

Discover

Bransby

Come and visit our rescued horses, ponies, donkeys and mules!

Stunning family home surrounded by 3000 acres of parkland, gardens, woodland and lake walks, an adventure playground and more.

Enjoy a great day out for all the family at our award winning Visitor

and Play Park.

Visit between 22 May and 29 August to view our Jubilee Exhibition, where exceptional items of coronation costume and furnishings from Grimsthorpe’s historic collection will be on display including the dress worn by Lady Jane Willoughby as Maid of Honour to Elizabeth II in 1953.

For more information on opening times, call, online or follow us on social media.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON OPENING TIMES, TICKETS AND PRICES, PLEASE VISIT THE WEBSITE

FRE

Find us at LN1 2PH 01427 788 464 BransbyHorses.co.uk

entryE DO

welcoGmSe Charity No: 1075601

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www.grimsthorpe.co.uk | 01778 591205 visit@grimsthorpe.co.uk

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DIVING INTO THE DEEPINGS

DIVING INTO the

DEEPINGS With a total population of over 15,000 residents, The Deepings is a collection of rural communities in one of the leafiest and most pleasant areas around Stamford...

Lead Image: Deeping Lakes Nature Reserve, originally quarried in the 1870s, by Baz Richardson.

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DIVING INTO THE DEEPINGS

“Last month was quite a busy time in The Deepings, with its literary festival, which saw authors and guest speakers dropping by for a chat...”

Collectively referred to as The Deepings, the town of Market Deeping and its tributaries – the villages of Deeping St James, West Deeping, Deeping St Nicholas and Deeping Gate – have a combined population of about 15,000.

The community has more than its fair share going on at the best of times, but last month was particularly busy, because the Deepings hosted its annual literary festival, which will see authors and guest speakers dropping by for a chat, not least among which is this year’s star guest...

Jackie Weaver, she of viral fame, tried to whip the errant Hanforth Parish Council into shape only to be told that she had ‘no authority here.’

In fact she did have authority, and rather successfully exercised it, achieving widespread admiration for her no-nonsense attitude to chairing a meeting. In late April Jackie appeared at The Granary (Molecey Mill), in West Deeping to talk about her life as a councillor, clerk and Chief Officer.

Francis Pryor also appeared at this year’s Festival. An archaeologist since 1971, Francis was one of the historians who excavated nearby Flag Fen, and has specialised in The Fens, writing his 2019 book The Fens: Discovering England’s Ancient Depths and appearing on the BBC’s Time Team.

Other guests included Pam Rhodes and local crime writer Christina James.

Speaking about writing, for all things Deepings, Judy Stevens has the scoop.

That’s because, since 2015, she’s produced I’d Rather Be in Deeping magazine. Following a career in London writing for publications like the Radio Times and Evening Standard,

Above: Market Deeping’s Town Hall, and the old village lockup, at Deeping St James.

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Saint Nicholas' Parish Church at Deeping St Nicholas.

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DIVING INTO THE DEEPINGS

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“I love the fact that the community is so rural,” says Judy. “It’s leafy and verdant, with beautiful waterways and the nature reserve!”

>> Judy moved to the area in 1983 and became a Parish Councillor in 1988, then a District Councillor in 2011.

“I love the fact that the community is so rural,” says Judy. “It’s leafy and verdant, with beautiful waterways and the nature reserve. And yet, in just a few minutes you’ve Spalding, Stamford and Peterborough all close by, so plenty of facilities within easy reach.”

Interestingly, the Domesday Book mentions West Deeping and Deeping St James, plus a now extinct village, East Deeping… but not Market Deeping. East Deeping probably became Market Deeping after gaining its market charter back in 1220.

Additionally, its Parish Church, St Guthlac’s, dates back to 1240, suggesting that the town grew quite a bit around this time. Much of the town’s architecture, though, is from the 17th century, when a number of shops, pubs and coaching inns were created. A new town hall followed in 1835, designed by Thomas

Pilkington. He was a so-called ‘rogue’ architect responsible for a number of ecclesiastical or gothic buildings, mostly in Scotland.

One of the other highlights of the town today is fish ‘n’ chips from Linford’s which is regarded as one of the top ten chippies in the country.

With a population of about 6,500 people and about 2,500 households, Market Deeping is the largest of the Deepings, with Deeping St James not far behind Market Deeping in terms of population.

The latter was located around a 12thcentury Benedictine priory which was destroyed by Henry VIII’s henchmen, though its ecclesiastical provenance perhaps explains why it’s an older settlement than Market Deeping and also why its Anglican Church of St James – consecrated in 1139 and Grade I listed – is the largest church in the Deepings, indeed, quite large for a parish church too, at 55 metres long. >>

Right: Deeping Gate Bridge over the River Welland, Grade II* listed and dating back to 1651.

Above: Molecey House and Mill, Grade II* listed and built in 1773.

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DIVING INTO THE DEEPINGS

Deeping Lakes and the River Welland, by Simon Armitt.

>> South East of Deeping St James is the 160-acre nature reserve Deeping Lakes, a former gravel pit now under the custodianship of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust.

The site was quarried back in the 1870s to provide ballast for the Great Northern Railway and before that, in 1848, it was a brickworks which saw over 100 men producing 2,000,000 bricks which were also used to create railway infrastructure like bridges and stations. The Lake was first converted into a green space from late 1800, and two additional areas with smaller lakes and pools were also formed in the 1990s.

Deeping St James’s stone bridge was built in 1651 when the Welland was a busy trading route. It was ideal for horses and carts but at a slender 13 feet wide, these days larger vehicles do struggle somewhat.

Straddling the A1175, Deeping St Nicholas comprises about 30,000 acres of farmland 38

“Deeping St James’s stone bridge was built in 1651 when the Welland was a busy trading route. It was ideal for horses and carts but at a slender 13ft wide, these days larger vehicles do struggle somewhat...”

The farmer was made an MBE in 2006 for his work creating bird seed mixes and for services to conservation… oh, and if you’re feeling peckish too, Nicholas’s new farm shop and café opened in 2021 with seating for 70.

and is home to some quite progressive farming and ecological features, the most prominent of which is the eight large wind turbines with their whopping 42 metre blades. Managed by EDF Energy, they’re capable of powering about 9,000 homes and were installed in 2006.

Its most admired property is the decidedly beautiful Molecey Mill, a Grade II* property created in 1773 and now beautifully restored and offered for use as a wedding venue and wellness venue as well as a venue for events as part of the Deepings Literary Festival.

Molecey Mill also recently welcomed artist Stella Shawzin.

Nicholas Watts has been farming in the area since 1964 and has always advocated synergy between farming and nature, long before sustainability was fashionable.

And finally, with a population of just 255, West Deeping is a comparatively dinky Deeping, on the banks of what was the Stamford to Deeping canal.

Little wonder that the beautiful leafy setting is popular and inspiring both for brides and artists alike! n

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“Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful" - William Morris

H-works Interiors • INTERIOR DESIGN

• UPHOLSTERY

• CURTAINS & BLINDS

• LIFESTYLE

33 ST. MARY'S STREET | STAMFORD | LINCOLNSHIRE | PE9 2DS 01780 754605 | www.hworksdesign.co.uk | Insta @h_works_interiors OPEN: Tuesday - Saturday 10:00 - 4.30, Sunday Closed, Monday by Appointment

R&S Pride JULY 240.qxp 31/05/2022 16:24 Page 40

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

Brian Ryder | Cloudscape, Norfolk | Oil on Board | 16” x 16” | £1800

5-8 The Mews • The George Hotel • Stamford • PE9 2LB Tuesday - Sunday from 11am to 5pm | 01780 480800 Also at Lees Yard • Holt • Norfolk | Monday - Saturday 10am - 4pm | 01263 713883 Please visit the website to view and purchase our artworks

w w w. a d r i a n h i l l f i n e a r t . c o m 41

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REBECCA IVATTS’ QUEEN STREET GALLERY

Rebecca Ivatts’ Queen Street Gallery

ART in UPPINGHAM London’s loss is very much Rutland’s gain as Slade School of Art graduate and professional artist Rebecca Ivatts has relocated into the town to establish a unique gallery in which everyone can engage with fine art, with a philosophy that anyone can make a mark to be proud of...

Words & Photos: Rob Davis.

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internship at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris.”

London’s loss is very much Rutland’s gain as Slade Schooltrained artist Rebecca Ivatts has relocated to establish a vibrant new gallery which combines exhibition/sales space, working atelier and art school.

After graduating, Rebecca studied Objective Life Drawing & Painting at the Slade School of Art and took Drawing and Anatomy classes at the Royal Drawing School, even attending dissection classes at Guy’s Hospital, London.

Rebecca’s new venture joins a host of other galleries in Uppingham, recently dubbed by the Times ‘a market town with art, heart and smarts.’

She then lived and painted in Madrid for five years where she acquired a Diploma in Painting from San Fernando Arts Academy and was an art writer for the newspaper El País.

It seems that when it comes to buying art, Uppingham has established itself as Rutland’s number one destination.

To this day, Rebecca feels that the great Spanish artists – Goya, Picasso and El Greco to name but a few – have influenced her work. Back in London, Rebecca created waves in the neuroscience field with her unique art collaborations exploring the mind and brain. These culminated in shows at the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford, the Wellcome Trust and the British Neuroscience Festival.

While most galleries offer only rare glimpses of their artists, what is so special about the Queen Street Gallery is that in addition to the beautiful artworks on sale, visitors can meet Rebecca in person and see her happily daubing canvases in the adjoining studio space.

At present she is working on a commission of a dog portrait and will then embark on a large figure painting for a client’s wife’s 50th.

The curated gallery spaces also create an inspiring backdrop for art classes – indeed Rebecca has established a significant local following.

“Everyone can make a mark to be proud of,” says Rebecca who advocates a fresh, modern approach to drawing.

“Some people have never picked up a paintbrush or a piece of charcoal; some haven’t done so since school. It doesn’t matter. I strip drawing and observation down to its bare

essentials and show that the (drawing) hand can be trained to follow the (seeing) eye.”

“The magic happens when students are fully engaged with the act of looking and forget about their paper or canvas.”

Rebecca’s own artistic trajectory has brought her full circle. “I went to school in Stamford and the art teacher told me that everything I touched turned to gold! While I was studying Modern Languages at Oxford, I had the incredible privilege of an

Rebecca has recently returned to her Rutland roots to realise her long-held aim of setting up a gallery-cum-art school. Her own work ranges from drawings in graphite on paper to large oil and acrylic canvases; these often depict the human figure in all its dynamic glory and have their roots in Graeco-Roman sculpture, Michelangelo and Rodin.

Also on sale are colourful works of flowers, landscapes, and abstract works inspired by neuroscience. >>

Top: Portrait of the Artist’s Brain. Above: Rebecca Ivatts teaching a still life class.

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REBECCA IVATTS’ QUEEN STREET GALLERY

>> Rebecca has works in private and corporate collections around the world; her works have been bought by eminent individuals in the world of interior design, film, politics and healthcare.

The new Uppingham gallery will also be selling a beautifully curated selection of bronze, alabaster and marble sculptures by local artist Mo Gardner (The Queen owns one of her works), and a range of ceramic, metal and wood objets d’art crafted in western Spain. For just £3.50 you can even invest in a Blackwing, ‘the best pencil in the world!’

Rebecca gives both private and group classes (up to seven people). The atmosphere is fun and informal, and her highly hands-on tuition is designed to nurture freedom of expression.

“However there are technicalities that a good teacher can impart, like colour correspondences and the relationship between the curve of the spine and the corresponding tilt of shoulders and hips.”

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A decent Nespresso coffee in the break is also a must! Beyond the life room, a series of plein-air landscape painting sessions is also in the pipeline.

The Queen Street Gallery’s doors are now fully open: all are welcome to browse, discuss a bespoke interior, landscape or portrait commission, or enquire about the classes. Whatever the case, visitors are guaranteed to love this smart new venture with art at its heart. n

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TUITION FROM REBECCA...

Drawing and painting courses for all - from the novice to the more experienced draftsman

Rebecca Ivatts offers half-day art classes on Tuesdays and Wednesday, which run from 10am-1pm. These have smart titles like Draw Like Degas, Bringing Life to Still Life, Life Drawing and The Modern Portrait.

Rebecca says that her pupils range from art school graduates to complete beginners; many haven’t picked up a paintbrush, charcoal or pencil since their schooldays, if at all.

The atmosphere is both supportive and fun and Rebecca brings a fresh, modern approach to learning to draw.

Main/Left: Phoenix; Rilke’s Fall; Meditation (in terracotta).

Above: Private pet commission, £500.

Right: Grass is Greener II, 150cm x 120cm.

In addition to more conservative materials, she incorporates less orthodox ones such as Sharpies and twigs and ink.

Pre-booking is essential, materials and refreshments provided, max seven people.

Call 07788 664779 or see www.ivatts.art/courses.

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ADRIAN HILL FINE ART

Fine Art in Stamford Located in The Mews adjacent to The George of Stamford, Adrian Hill and his team constantly curate work by established leading British artists. From household names like Lowry and Hockney to recognised local Stamford artist Nick Grove (see page 116) there’s plenty to enjoy at Adrian Hill Fine Art...

Words: Rob Davis.

ROSA SEPPLE: Self-taught artist specialising in striking mixed-media work of exciting, vibrant and highly original figurative works. Rosa was elected President of the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour in 2017, the first female member of the Institute to hold the title. n Right: Rosa Sepple PPRI, Dancing The Night Away, Mixed Media, 30” x 40” £8,400.

Below: Spring Is In The Air, 22” x 30” £2,450.

BRIAN RYDER: Elected to the Royal Institute of Oil Painters in 2011, specialising in Norfolk and Venetian landscapes in oils. n Brian Ryder ROI FIEA, Low Cloud and Cows, Oil on Board 12” x 16” £1,785

LINDA ALEXANDER: A member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters and full-time artist since 2005, Linda has exhibited at the Mall Galleries, London, and RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Former Artist & Illustrator Magazine Artist of the Year. n Linda Alexander ROI, Golden Plums, Oil on Canvas, 7” x 10” £1,795

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ROBERT WELLS: Yorkshire born and a member of the Royal Society of British Artists. Robert has exhibited at Fairfax Gallery, Chelsea, and at the RA Summer Exhibition. He seeks out unusual angles and subjects, with thoughtful use of brush strokes, colour and tone. n Robert E Wells NEAC RBA, Chiara Wrapped in a Blanket, Oil on Board, 12” x 10” £1,295

DAVID HOCKNEY NEEDING NO INTRODUCTION, the photographer turned artist now introduces technology into his work, creating his limited edition pieces on an iPad. In a 2011 poll of more than 1,000 British artists, Hockney was voted the most influential artist of all time. n David Hockney OM CH RA, Warm Start 1993, Limited Edition Signed and Numbered Lithograph and screen print, 42/68, 21.5″ x 25″ £POA.

PETER WILEMAN: Middlesex born and formerly Art Editor at Hallmark Cards and IPC Magazines, Peter is a former President and Fellow of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters, a Member of the Royal Society of Marine Artist and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. Peter’s style is bold and vigorous, both in his use of colour and handling of paint, exploring how light falls on his subject and work in various degrees of abstraction. His work can be found in many private collections worldwide. n Peter Wileman FROI RSMAFRSA, What is More Gentle Than the Wind in Summer, Oil on Canvas, 31” x 39” £6,500.

Adrian Hill Fine Art is based at The Mews, adjacent to The George of Stamford PE9 2LB. Call 01780 480800 or see www.adrianhillfineart.com.

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NEWS & EVENTS

What’s On...

ROCKINGHAM

STAMFORD

SATURDAY 23rd JULY

DATES THROUGHOUT JULY

21st CENTURY ABBA

SPIDER’S WEB BY AGATHA CHRISTIE

An evening of hit after hit with songs you know and love from Waterloo, Mamma Mia, Take a Chance on Me, Super Trouper to many, many more! 21st Century ABBA faithfully recreates all the greatest hits of one of the world’s most famous groups combining stunning vocals, live musicians, and glittering costumes.

Take along a picnic and enjoy the summer sun! n Rockingham Castle, LE16 8TH, Tickets £22/adults, £17/juniors, from 7.30pm.

A comedy whodunnit from the ‘Queen of Crime,’ performed by the Stamford Shakespeare Company at Tolethorpe Hall. Clarissa Hailsham-Brown, wife of a diplomat, is adept at spinning tales of adventure, but when a murder takes place in her drawing room she finds real life drama much harder to cope with. Desperate to dispose of the body before her husband arrives with an important politician, she enlists the help of her guests.

Hilarity ensues when they are interrupted by the arrival of wry Detective Inspector Lord. n Performances from 7.45pm, at Tolethorpe Hall, tickets £13/ad., www.stamfordshakespeare.co.uk.

Half a Sixpence at Kilworth

STAGED IN THE FANTASTIC SETTING OF KILWORTH HOUSE, HALF A SIXPENCE IS A ONE IN A MILLION THIS MONTH!

PETERBOROUGH

THURSDAY 7th JULY –

ANTON & GIOVANNI

KILWORTH

19th JULY - 21th AUGUST

HALF A SIXPENCE AT KILWORTH HOUSE A delightful British comedy based on Kipps, by H G Wells.

Arthur Kipps evolves from orphan to social butterfly, but should he choose the beautiful Helen or his first love Ann? This stage adaptation was conceived by Cameron Mackintosh who has granted Kilworth House the rights to perform the show in a woodland theatre setting. n Tickets £42-£52, 2.30pm7.30pm, call 01858 881939 www.kilworthhousetheatre.co.uk.

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Strictly Come Dancing professionals Anton Du Beke and Giovanni Pernice join forces in 2021 for their first ever tour together: ‘Him & Me!’ The Ballroom King and the two-time Guinness World Record holder will be joined by a world class cast of dancers and singers. n Tickets £39.50, from 7.30pm, call 01733 265705 www.cresset.co.uk.

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

STAMFORD

OAKHAM

FRIDAY 1st JULY SUNDAY 3rd JULY

FRIDAY 1st JULY SUNDAY 3rd JULY

ROLLS ROYCE ENTHUSIASTS CLUB ANNUAL RALLY

BOURNE

SUNDAY 10th JULY

LIVE PROMOTIONS PRESENTS THE BASTON CAR AND BIKE SHOW

For all things automotive you’ll love the Baston Car & Bike Show, at Grimsthorpe Castle this month. Organised

by Live Promotions, expect the Porsche Club of Great Britain, MG Owners’ Club, and many other organisations

to attend, as well as Hall & Hall’s historic racers, the Pole Position classics and bike ride-out, live music, entertainment for children as well as trade stands galore.

This spectacular show features a whole host of special vehicles – vintage, classics, race, sports, custom, commercial and more! n Grimsthorpe Castle, tickets £12/adults, call 01775 768661 or see www.bastoncarshow.com.

The Battle Proms are back!

ENJOY SENSATIONAL LIVE MUSIC, THE CAVALRY, FIREWORKS AND CANNON, AT BURGHLEY HOUSE

This Annual Rally & Concours d’Elegance widely considered as the largest gathering of Rolls-Royce and Bentley motor cars in the world.

Trade and other stands, an auction of cars and automobilia, as well as class judging and a parade of prize-winning cars. n Based at Burghley House, www.burghley.co.uk.

THE RUTLAND MUSIC FESTIVAL A series of local bands and tribute acts on 17-acres of the Rutland Showground.

Highlights include The Moderators – an eight-piece ska, reggae and two-tone band – and Abba Arrival on Saturday, as well as Showaddywaddy on Sunday from 5pm. n For a full timetable see www.discover-rutland.co.uk.

STAMFORD

MONDAY 18th JULY MONDAY 1st AUGUST

SMALL ABSTRACTS: JAMES ORLANDICH Oil and acrylic work with plenty of colour and flair. n Stamford Arts Centre, free.

STAMFORD

SATURDAY 9th JULY

BURGHLEY HOUSE BATTLE PROMS CONCERT A summer celebration with music, Spitfire flyover, cannons, cavalry and fireworks!

Pack up the hampers and champers and join thousands of loyal fans for some exceptional entertainment at the 17th annual Burghley House Battle Proms Concert.

In a beautiful setting overlooking the stunning Elizabethan architecture of Burghley House, this

quintessentially Great British ‘party in the park’ features magnificent musical firework displays and all of the ‘last night of the proms’ finale favourites, as well as toe-tapping vintage vocals, breathtaking Spitfire display, sensational freefall show by The Red Devils parachute team, historic cavalry display, and ground-shaking live fire from over 200 cannon! n Tickets from £44, gates 6.15pm, see 01432 355 416 or call www.battleproms.com.

We have thhree pairs of tickets to give away to the first readers to email editor@pridemagazines.co.uk.

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7 JUL – 14 AUG

DIRECTOR NIKOLAI FOSTER CHOREOGRAPHER LUCY HIND MUSICAL SUPERVISOR & MUSICAL DIRECTOR GEORGE DYER SET DESIGNER MICHAEL TA AYYLOR COSTUME DESIGNER EDD LINDLEY LIGHTING DESIGNER BEN CRACKNELL SOUND DESIGNER ADAM FISHER CASTING DIRECTOR KA AYY MAGSON CDG CHILDREN’S CASTING DIRECTOR JO HAWES

Presented by arrangement wiith Music Theatre International: www.mtishows.co.uk

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HAMBLETON BAKERY

On The Rise: Celebrating The Success of

Hambleton Bakery Words: Rob Davis.

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Last month, a group of VIPs and press, including Rutland Pride, were invited to celebrate the opening of Hambleton Bakery’s brand new, purpose built premises, aimed at keeping up with demand for Julian Carter’s ‘proper’ bread...

It’s difficult to think of a product more ubiquitously consumed than bread. In fact, 99.8% of all UK households buy bread, in quantities of about 11 million loaves every day. About 65% of The Whole the bread we consume is white, and about half of all bread purchased in the country is Most processed wholemeal used to make sandwiches. breads contain approximately Furthermore, it’s reckoned 30% wholemeal flour, according to a ‘Which?’ report in April that each of us consumes 2018. Hambleton Bakery’s 60.6 loaves every year. wholemeal breads are

Truth

made from 100%

all I’ve really done is go back to the timehonoured methods of producing bread.”

But there’s a problem. Despite wholemeal flour.

The baker began his workthe fact that there are 4,500 small ing life in the family’s bakery in craft bakeries (employing up to 25 peoLiverpool before joining the RAF ple) and 350 medium sized bakeries (employas a chef and later spending three years ing up to 100 people) in this country, over cooking for John Major in Downing Street 80% of UK bread comes from the country’s and at Chequers then moving to Rutland 150 large plant bakeries, those employing where he was responsible for, among more than 100 people; factories baking loaves other things, baking each day’s bread for on a scale that’s industrial, to say the least.

Hambleton Hall’s restaurant service and In 2008, pastry chef at Hambleton Hall Julian Carter decided that he’d leave the kitchens of the area’s best restaurant behind and instead make a living from a bread oven, as had nine generations of his family before him.

Hambleton Hall owner Tim Hart didn’t want to lose Julian, or his expertise, and so the two formed a partnership which would see the creation of Hambleton Bakery, and last month saw the official opening of a brand new, larger plant adjacent to the former Ram Jam just off the A1, aimed at meeting demand for Hambleton Bakery’s bread, demand which has increased as the public become increasingly disenchanted with the quality – or lack of same – in mass-produced loaves.

“I’ve not invented anything,” says Julian modestly. “And you can preach all you want but

its hotel guests.

Despite the fact that baking bread necessitates just four ingredients – five if you count time – a peek at the ingredients label on your average pack of supermarket bread, whether from a discount supermarket or one like Waitrose or M&S will reveal processing aids, flour enhancers and chemical raising agents.

Industrial-scale bakeries rely on what’s known at the Chorleywood Bread Process, which was created in July 1961. The process attempts to circumvent bread’s natural ripening time with high-speed mixing, oxidising agents, emulsifiers, artificial additives, higher levels of yeast or extra energy to control

The Real Bread Manifest-dough...

The Real Bread Campaign was formed in 2008, in support of ‘slow’ baking n According to the National Assocaition of Master Bakers, there are about 4,500 small craft bakeries in the UK, each employing typically between 5 and 25 people, as well as 350 medium sized bakeries - employing between 25 and 100 people and 150 large plant bakeries - employing more than 100 people. n Large bakeries, which produce wrapped and sliced bread, account for 80% of UK bread production. Back in the early 1960s, the national loaf was fundamentally redesigned. The flour and yeast were changed and a combination of intense energy and additives completely displaced time in the maturing of dough. n The campaign defines ‘real bread’ as being made without chemical raising agents, so-called processing aids or any other additives, made with a longer period of fermentation.

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Number of

Bakeries There are 4,850 small or medium sized bakeries in the UK, and just 150 large plant bakeries employing more than 100 people. And yet 80% of the UK’s bread is made in large plants.

dough temperature… in other words, a whole box of tricks to facilitate industrial production and speed up what is otherwise a slower process. A CBP loaf takes around 90 minutes to manufacture, eliminating the time dough needs to ferment naturally.

The result? Bread made from ‘unripened’ dough, and a generation of consumers who complain of gluten-intolerance and problems digesting bread.

Julian’s bread, though, isn’t produced in this way, instead relying on slow fermentation – allowing the bread to rest and prove – ensuring that the production of each loaf spans two days; with the creation of dough on one day, and the loaves from that batch baked the following day.

This slow fermentation process means it’s not necessary to artificially speed up the process of baking bread with huge amounts of yeast, 54

and therefore the bread is more easily digestible, especially for those who are otherwise intolerant of gluten.

“We use stoneground flour wherever possible to retain the vitamins and minerals contained in the germ. Many of our loaves use sourdough culture (developed from wild yeast) for a longer and slower fermentation when we do use bakers’ yeast,” says Julian.

“When long fermentations are still employed, the sourdough starter works by allowing a flour and water mix to ferment naturally. The beer barm method, popular in England, captures some yeasts from the brewing process to make the ‘starter.’”

“In both systems the yeast is relatively weak and used in small doses in conjunction with long fermentation periods up to 24 hours.

Long fermentations, and stoneground flour

underpin the flavour and nutritious quality of our breads.”

“Hambleton Bakery’s bread is completely free of additives of any kind – no preservatives, no enzymes, no enhancers. The aim was to allow our customers to rediscover the taste of good bread. Not the taste of sugar, cheese, onions, olives, sundried tomatoes, but the magical flavour that can be conjured from unadulterated flour, salt and water using the slow, traditional processes that made the bread that fed our ancestors.”

“I wanted to be a British baker and make British products, but to modernise the way we do it,” says Julian. “That was the whole ethos behind establishing the company. And now, 14 years on, the ovens are never empty, the public love our bread… and I’m happy.

Happy that we can act as ambassadors for traditional bread, a better product, made with time and with care!” n

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REAL BREAD IN RUTLAND

Hambleton Bakery:

The best products since sliced bread

Hambleton Sourdough, a mixture of wheat and rye flours, long fermented over a 48 hour period... makes great toast! £2.40, small, sliced.

Seven Cereal Tin, made

from flour imported from a French watermill, with a distinctive flavour, £2.10, small sliced.

Date & Walnut Sourdough,

infused with walnuts and stoned dates, seeded with pumpkin and sunflower seeds, £4.10, sliced.

Hambleton Bakery has shops in Exton, Oakham, Stamford, Market Harborough, West Bridgford, and in Oundle.

You can also order for online at www.hambletonbakery.co.uk.

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LEARN TO COOK LIKE A PROFESSIONAL AN ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE FOR YOU...

OR A GREAT GIFT IDEA FOR A LOVED ONE!

Bread & Cakes Desserts & Puds Fish & Sushi Game Dishes Pork & Meat Pies & Pastry Sauces World Cuisine Junior Courses

ALSO AVAILABLE: COOKING PARTIES FOR UP TO 8 PEOPLE, FULL & HALF DAYS

Call 07989 412603 for details of our courses, dates and gift vouchers WWW.LINCOLNSHIRECOOKERYSCHOOL.COM

Enjoy seasonal and local food served up by our team of chefs.

On the doorstep are numerous walking and cycle trails and water activities on Rutland Water. You are in the perfect surroundings to do as much or as little as you like.

Your dog is welcome too!

Spend your summer holiday in our boutique farmhouse hotel or self-catered eco Retreat.

Set in the heart of Rutland’s beautiful countryside, Barnsdale Lodge and Rutland Retreats are located on the north shore of Rutland Water, close to the historical towns of Oakham and Stamford with their independent boutiques and antique shops.

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• 46 ensuite bedrooms ~ singles, twins and doubles • Cosy sitting rooms • Beautiful self-catering Retreats • Delicious, fresh and local, award winning food • Private Dining • Courtyard and garden

The Avenue, Exton, Rutland LE15 8AH tel: 01572 724678 reception@barnsdalelodge.co.uk www.barnsdalelodge.co.uk

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GATES GARDEN CENTRE AND FARM SHOP

Great Local Food

at GATES FARM SHOP Reducing waste and food miles, improving quality, and making dinner time a pleasure again, welcome to Gates Farm Shop!

WITH A FOCUS on offering the finest produce, sourced locally wherever possible, Gates Farm Shop promises customers a true foodie experience. The butchery, run by award winning Hambleton Farms, sells a wide variety of quality meat from a select group of farmers, with beef and lamb coming from Gates own farm in the village, helping to keep food miles to a minimum.

You can also buy organic milk sourced from a local dairy herd just across the fields.

Simply buy a glass bottle from the farm shop and bring it back to refill every time you buy more milk.

Gates has a reputation for quality fruit and vegetables and for good reason. The team of fresh produce buyers have a passion for what they do. Packaging is at a minimum, with as much loose produce as possible.

Paper bags rather than plastic are provided for customers. There’s a huge range of cheese to choose from the cheese and deli counter, as well as home-made pies, quiches and a range of scotch eggs. And, while the aim is to source as much as possible locally, no deli would be complete without a choice of olives and other anti-pasti.

There’s everything you might need for day to day dining as well as lots of lovely things for special occasions. An artisan bakery offers a wide selection of bread and cakes from local bakeries including Hambletons.

The loose-fill range includes granola, nuts, seeds and pulses amongst others... and the quality is just amazing!

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There’s even a ‘make your own peanut butter’ station and your orange juice won’t be any fresher than when you squeeze it yourself in-store.

If you have a fancy for something a little naughty, the confectionery counter is the place to visit. With handmade chocolates and truffles in an amazing array of flavours you’ll be spoilt for choice.

In the freezers there’s a range of loose frozen produce meaning you can choose just the right amount for your needs. High quality frozen ready meals and exquisite desserts are also available from Cook, Tiptree and Hambleton Farms.

A great selection of carefully chosen beers, wines and spirits offers something delicious for every taste. Local and small-scale suppliers are well represented, including an outstanding choice of gins from Two Bird Spirits, Grantham Gin and Brentingby Gin. And with all the usual pantry staples, Gates Farm Shop truly is a one-stop-shop. Located adjacent to Gates Garden Centre and benefitting from extensive free parking, you can enjoy a day out browsing the Garden Centre, enjoying a bite of lunch in the Garden Restaurant or Courtyard Coffee Shop and finish off with a trip to the Farm Shop for something delicious for supper. n

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Six Reasons to

Visit Gates Farm Shop

n Meat from Gates’ own farm..

Reduce your food miles to zero by buying beef and lamb produced on Gates own farm in the village. Cattle and sheep graze the fields surrounding the Farm Shop and are produced with the highest animal welfare standards. n Local Produce: Support local farmers and producers by shopping at Gates, including organic milk sourced from a local dairy herd just across the fields and supplied in re-usable glass bottles. n Seasonal Favourites: Enjoy what’s in season with the freshest British grown fruit and vegetables. n Artisan Bakery: Top quality, traditionally made bread, scones and cakes from local Hambleton Bakery. With most processed wholemeal breads containing as little as 30% wholemeal flour, it makes sense to choose Hambleton’s which are made from 100% wholemeal.

Jack Gates: Farming the Traditional Way...

Fourth-generation farmer supplies Gates Farm Shop with only the best produce Gates Farming was established in 2017 by Jack Gates, a keen farmer from a young age and fourth generation of the Gates family to join the business.

“We are very proud of the fine quality of our herd and our high animal welfare standards.”

“Gates is pleased to be able to provide a true farm to fork experience for its customers, with less than a mile between farm and shop.”

With over 600-acres of lush Leicestershire pasture to graze, the farm surrounds the family’s Garden Centre and Farm Shop in Cold

Overton near Oakham, keeping food miles to a minimum. With a focus on traditional native breeds, the farm has a 300-head herd of native beef cattle, including Beef Shorthorn, Aberdeen Angus and South Devon, as well as 600 native Kerry Hill and Lleyn sheep. n

n Less Packaging: Reduce waste by buying only what you need and by keeping packaging to a minimum.

Choose from loose fill frozen foods, granola, nuts, seeds and pulses, fresh fruit and veg, fill your own orange juice, peanut butter and organic milk. n The Freshest Orange Juice: Your orange juice won’t be any fresher than when you squeeze it yourself, in-store.

Gates Garden Centre and Farm Shop, Somerby Road, Cold Overton, Oakham, Leicestershire LE15 7QB. Call 01664 454309. www.gatesgardencentre.co.uk www.gatesfarmshop.co.uk info@gatesgardencentre.co.uk Opening Times: Monday to Saturday: 8am to 5.30pm. Sundays: 10am to 4pm (open earlier for browsing) Bank Holidays: 9am to 5pm.

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In the KITCHEN A vegan-friendly spin on our favourite Thai dish, this quick dinner takes a tangle of noodles and tumbles them with organic veg, crisp chunks of tofu and a tangy sauce to make a mouthwatering meal that’s ready in just 30 minutes...

VEGAN PAD THAI Preparation Time: 20 minutes. Cooking Time: 10 minutes. Serves: 4. Vegan.

• 50g peanuts • 2 tbsp tamari • 3 tbsp vegan fischy sauce • 2 tbsp tamarind paste • 3 tbsp raw cane sugar • 2 limes • 5 garlic cloves • A thumb of ginger • 3 shallots • 2 carrots • 100g purple sprouting or Tenderstem broccoli • 300g super firm tofu • 200g breakfast scramble • 250g pad Thai noodles • A pinch or two of dried chilli flakes • A handful of coriander Warm a dry wok or large pan over a medium heat. When the pan is hot, scatter in the peanuts.

Fry the peanuts for 3-4 mins, turning once or twice, till the nuts are toasted and golden brown.

Slide the toasted nuts into a bowl and allow to cool. Once cooled, roughly chop and set aside.

Pour 2 tbsp tamari into a small bowl and add 3 tbsp vegan fischy sauce, 2 tbsp tamarind paste, 3 tbsp cane sugar and the juice from 1 lime. Stir together to combine.

Peel and thinly slice the garlic cloves. Peel and grate the ginger. Peel and finely chop the shallots.

Peel and thinly slice the carrots into strips. Trim the dry ends off the broccoli and chop any thicker stalks into smaller pieces so that they are roughly the same size. Drain the tofu and slice it into 2cm chunks. Break up the breakfast scramble into 1-2cm-thick pieces.

Fill a medium pan with hot water and pop it on the hob. Return the water to the boil, then add the noodles. Simmer for 3 mins, then drain. Rinse the noodles really well with cold water to stop them cooking, then shake dry. Drizzle over a little oil and toss to lightly coat. Set aside.

While the noodles cook, pour 2 tbsp oil into the wok or a large pan and warm to a medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add the tofu chunks. Fry the tofu for 3-4 mins, turning once or twice, till golden and crisp. When the tofu is cooked, scoop it onto a plate, keeping the oil in the pan.

Add the shallots, garlic and ginger to the pan. Sprinkle in a good pinch of dried chilli flakes.

Stir fry for 2 mins, till slightly softened. Add the sliced carrots and broccoli and cook for a further 2-3 mins, till both are tender with a slight bite. Return the tofu to the pan and add the breakfast scramble. Stir fry for a further 1 min to warm through. n Recipe: Abel & Cole, providing organic veg box deliveries from a carbon offset operation, see www.abelandcole.co.uk.

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In the KITCHEN A new addition to the brunch bunch, this vegan version of our favourite French toast is crisp and golden but with a soft, custard-soaked middle. Topped with tangy blueberry sauce, dairy-free yogurt and a drizzle of maple syrup, it’s what the weekend is made for...

VEGAN FRENCH TOAST with BLUEBERRY SAUCE Preparation Time: 15 minutes. Cooking Time: 20-25 minutes. Serves: 2-4. Vegan.

• 125g blueberries • 2 tsp maple syrup, plus extra to serve • 150ml Rebel Kitchen Dairy Free Whole Mylk • 100g firm plain tofu • 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional) • 6 thick slices of soda bread • Dairy-free yogurt, to serve Tip the blueberries into a small pan and add 2 tsp maple syrup and 2 tbsp cold water.

Set on a medium heat and warm for 3-4 mins, stirring, till the blueberries start to burst.

Take off the heat, cover the pan with a lid and set aside while you make the French toast.

Pour the dairy free mylk into a blender. Chop 100g of the tofu and add to the blender with 1 tsp vanilla extract (if you're using it) and a pinch of sea salt. Blitz till smooth. Pour into a lipped plate. This is your vegan custard, for soaking the bread. Take 1 slice of the bread (about 1cm thick) and place it in the plate with the vegan custard. Let it soak for around 30 secs, then turn it over to dip the unsoaked side. While the bread soaks, set your oven to its lowest setting and pop a heatproof dish or plate in the oven. Put a frying pan on a medium-high heat to warm.

Swirl ½ tbsp oil in the frying pan and add the soaked bread. Fry for 3-4 mins till browned underneath, then flip and fry for another 2-3 mins till golden brown. While the bread fries, soak a second slice of the bread in the vegan custard. Lift the fried French toast out of the pan and pop it in the heatproof dish in the oven to keep warm. Swirl another ½ tbsp oil in the frying pan and fry the second slice. Repeat till you have fried all the bread, adding oil to the pan each time and making sure your soak the bread well in the custard before frying.

Halve the slices of French toast and pile them up on warm plates. Top with spoonfuls of dairy-free yogurt, the blueberry sauce and a drizzle of maple syrup. Serve straight away. n Recipe: Abel & Cole, providing organic veg box deliveries from a carbon offset operation, see www.abelandcole.co.uk.

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R E L A X & E N J OY 64

GET IN TOUCH South Rauceby, Sleaford NG34 8QG Call 01529 488250 www.thebustardinn.co.uk

OPENING TIMES Wed – Fri: 12 noon – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 10.30pm Saturday: 12 noon – 10.30pm Sunday: 12 noon – 4.00pm

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WINE, DINE & RELAX

E N J OY S O M E O F L I N C O L N S H I R E S FINEST DINING Indulge in AA Rosette Dining, o r r e l a x w i t h A f t e r n o o n Te a a n d a G & T o n t h e Te r r a c e ove r l o o k i n g o u r s t u n n i n g aw a r d - w i n n i n g Pe t o g a r d e n s . Pe t wo o d i s t h e p e r fe c t l o c a t i o n fo r c e l e b r a t i o n s , commemorations and making memories that last.

F O R F U RT H E R I N F O R M AT I O N Call us on 01526 352411 or e m a i l h e l l o @ p e t wo o d . c o. u k

PETWOOD HOTEL STIXWOULD ROAD, WOODHALL SPA, LINCOLNSHIRE LN10 6QG WWW.PETWOOD.CO.UK/BOOK-A-TABLE

AA ROSETTE AWARD

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Wine of the Month

New Botanicals from Belvoir...

Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet 2016, Napa Valley £145 / 75cl / 14% ABV

A brand-new range of three, nature-inspired sodas, Floral Fizz, Bitter Orange Spritz and Spicy Ginger Fizz. Bringing something deliciously different to adult soft drink market...

American wine for 4th July!

Chateau Montelena made its name in the legendary Judgement of Paris, in 1976, when it beat the best of Burgundy and Bordeaux in a blind tasting judged by the world’s top wine experts.

From the Vale of Belvoir, best known for its elderflower cordial, some Belvoir Fruit Farm’s new botanical sodas. Spicy Ginger Fizz, using a fresh root ginger infusion, Floral Fizz including the farm’s signature elderflowers, and a Bitter Orange Spritz, invigorating and with a citrus tang like a Mediterranean style aperitif. Truly uplifting and indulgent drinks, alcohol-free and fewer than 20 calories per 100ml, £1.75 / 500ml / 0% ABV.

The Wine Cellar ENJOY A SUMMER OF LOVE THIS MONTH AS WE PRESENT SOME FIZZY FAVOURITES TO ENJOY WITH STRAWBERRIES AND RASPBERRIES, PLUS SOME FLORAL FIZZ FROM BELVOIR...

A TRIO OF ENGLISH SPARKLING WINES TO ENJOY WITH STRAWBERRIES...

1. Hush Heath’s Balfour Brut Rosé is hailed as England’s most exclusive pink fizz.

Traditional Champagne grapes, fine raspberry and strawberry on the palate, £39.99 / 75cl / 11.50% ABV.

2. Maud Heath Vineyard Sparkling Pinot Noir Rosé, a sparkling wine made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes grown on a family run, award-winning vineyard in Wiltshire. There’s a wonderful depth of flavour, with balanced acidity, £28.99 / 75cl / 12% ABV.

This is their flagship wine, rich and opulent, with flavours of black plum, blackberry, redcurrant, cinnamon and coffee. Expensive, but very much worth the investment in luxury!

Available from majestic.co.uk.

Pret à Boir

The Perfect Gin Martini!

The perfect Gin Martini, ready to enjoy without the faff ! Straight from the Handmade Cocktail Company comes the Gin Martini, made using the very best copper pot-still gin and a very precise amount of top quality dry vermouth.

Not only does this allow you to enjoy a carefully measured Gin Martini easily whenever the mood strikes, mixing the vermouth with the gin before bottling has the lovely benefit of maintaining freshness, too! £26 / 50cl / 42.30% ABV.

3. Hattingley Valley Brut Rosé, delicate pale pink with lively bubbles, redcurrant aromas and strawberry flavours to complement the toasty notes, £37 / 75cl / 12% 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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BAREFOOT RETREATS

Luxury Staycations with

BAREFOOT RETREATS A high quality getaway without going too far?

The North Norfolk region is the perfect destination, and Barefoot Retreats’ portfolio of over 100 beautiful properties represent the perfect accommodation...

WHEN THE SUN SHINES, Great Britain is still one of the greatest places to enjoy a long weekend or a staycation. Especially over the last couple of years when international travel has been tricky, unpredictable or just less desirable, many have happily rediscovered the joy of exploring our own countryside, from the Lakes to the Cotswolds to London and the Peak District.

But as nice as all those destinations are, there’s no substitute for North Norfolk if you’re looking for somewhere close by, with spectacular scenery, and plenty to do. And completing its long list of desirable qualities, there’s no shortage of superb places to stay, whether you’re a couple seeking a quiet getaway, a large family wishing to celebrate a special occasion or a group of friends who want to have fun and spend time with one another.

Happily, Burnham Market-based Barefoot Retreats specialises its very luxurious self-catering accommodation with over 100 different properties in its portfolio, all offering spectacular character and true individuality.

With the truly unenviable task of enjoying one of the company’s properties for a weekend, to ‘test drive’ its accommodation, we headed to The Watermill, with the Pride team in tow, and immediately the property elicited impressive gasps as we stepped into the property and saw the quality of accommodation on offer. >>

Words: Rob Davis.

Words: Tilly Wilkinson.

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>> The Watermill was originally known as Union Mill, and was constructed in 1737.

It was one of only two mills in the county to be powered by both water (via a tributary of The River Burn), and wind (via its four patent sails with copper shutters).

These drove two and three pairs of French Burr millstones respectively, and the mill remained in service right up until 1969 at which time the steam engine and gas engines which replaced the wind and water power were all destroyed following a fire.

The mill was purchased in 1999 and in 2001, it underwent extensive renovation, to create a six-bedroomed property.

Above: The property’s first floor open plan living kitchen features a chunky 10-seat dining area, and exposed millworks, and there’s an adjacent living room too.

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Carrying a Grade II listing, and arranged over four floors, the owners have made a huge effort to retain the integrity of the property and preserve its industrial past, with exposed millworkings still visible in the open plan kitchen and dining room.

For visitors like the Pride team, then, the character of the property is a considerable part of The Watermill’s charm, but the place is hugely practical, too. With three couples and a brace of teenagers in tow, there was plenty of space for everyone.

A spacious entrance hall on the ground floor includes the original mill wheel mechanism and a second kitchen, as well as access to the hardwood deck with the millpond running underneath it.

“Happily, we happen to choose the sunniest and warmest evening of the year to enjoy a barbecue on the decking...”

Up the winding stairs you’ll find a huge open plan kitchen and dining area with modern shaker kitchen and all the mod cons... not to mention some traditional ones as well, like the wheelworks, a spur wheel and mill shaft, as well as a couple of millstones.

The chunky dining table seats 10 in comfort, and adjacent to the living kitchen is a comfy

lounge with home cinema and large squashy sofas for movie night or teenagers who are permanently attached to their mobiles.

On the second and third floor are six bedrooms – a king, four doubles and a twin – each with an en suite and with period features like exposed eaves throughout.

Happily, we happen to choose the sunniest and warmest evening of the year to enjoy a barbecue on the decking, and we spent the evening relaxing with good wine and good company as the sun set along the river.

Waking up the next morning was a pleasure too, with a visit from fellow resident Derek the duck, as we enjoyed breakfast on the decking. >> 71

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>> Best of all, from The Watermill, we were right in the heart of Burnham Market and in of North Norfolk, with plenty of restaurants in walking distance, from Socius and No29 to The Hoste Arms and the village chippy.

Also in the village are no fewer than 30 independent shops to enjoy exploring, and sandy beaches less than 15 minutes away.

A mention, too, for the Barefoot Retreats welcome pack with good bread, biscuits, guides to the area and a bottle of local wine to enjoy.

As an experience, the beautiful property, fantastic location and great service from Barefoot Retreats is unsurpassed. It’s one of the best experiences we’ve enjoyed, and a great way to remind yourself of just how great, Great Britain can be. n Above: As the sun sets, you’ll enjoy stunning views over the River Burn. Left: One of the six en suite bedrooms.

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THE DETAILS

The Watermill, Burnham Market, with Barefoot Retreats...

In Brief: The Watermill offers luxury-self-catering accommodation for those seeking a large, quirky character for a short break or a seven-night staycation.

The Property: Six bedrooms, all en suite, comprising one king, four double and one twin room.

Large living kitchen and ground floor decking area overlooking the millpond.

Location: Burnham Market, based in North Norfolk. 15 mins from beaches and within easy driving distance of Hunstanton, Sandringham, Brancaster and Wells-next-the-sea.

Price: £4,950 based on a seven-night stay from 1st-14th July, short breaks by arrangement.

Other Information: Dogs welcome, complimentary Barefoot Welcome pack, towels and linens, and robes included. Parking for up to five cars. n Barefoot Retreats, provides luxurious and comfortable self-catering in North Norfolk with a choice of over 100 properties, including The Watermill at Burnham Market, featured here. For up to the minute prices, booking enquiries and more information, call 01485 512245 or see www.barefootretreats.co.uk.

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High Quality Contemporary & Traditional Kitchens by Symphony Appliances from Neff, Indesit and Smeg

BUILDER’S MERCHANTS, TIMBER AND LANDSCAPING SUPPLIER

Pillings Rd, Oakham LE15 6QF 01572 490790 • williamhercock.co.uk Also in Melton Mowbray and Birstall • Established 1899

Matching your k itchen flooring with your garden paving is the per fec t way to blend the t wo spaces , creating a seamless transition bet ween the indoors and outdoors .

SE AMLESS INDOOR R AND OUTDOO OR ST YLE Browse our collection of natural sto one flooring and external paving at www.ssathome.co.uk or call us onn 01780 740970 to book a showroom visit.

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HOME FURNISHINGS

BY MORRIS

STYLISH FABRICS FOR SUMMER from

MORRIS & CO

The féted Arts & Crafts movement founder William Morris created his Morris & Co brand back in 1875. Its designs have remained popular, and the company’s newest collection is the 2022 release of Simply Morris, with exquisite designs and restful shades of blue and white...

This Page: Willow Boughs/Simply Severn/ Pimpernel in Woad colourway from Morris & Co.

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MORRIS & CO’S SIMPLY MORRIS COLLECTION

The area’s best interior design houses can create bespoke soft furnishings tailor-made to suit your home using the fabrics and wallpapers featured here...

Top: Strawberry Thief fabric in Woad colourway, £64.26m2.

Above/Right: Simply Severn fabric in Woad colourway £63.57/m2; Willow Bough fabric in Woad colourway, £63.12m2.

Right: Simply Severn wallpaper in Woad colourway, £14.36m2.

Opposite: Chairs in Willow Boughs, curtains in curtains in Acanthus, cushion in Pimpernel.

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Screen in Pimpernel fabric £71.22m2; chair covers in Willow Bough, tablecloth in Acanthus.

Stamford & Rutland Interiors: Broughtons: Leicester, 0116 2341888,www.broughtons.com.

Delcor Interiors: Stamford, 01780 762579, www.delcor.co.uk. Elizabeth Stanhope Interiors: Oakham, 01572 722345, www.elizabethstanhope.co.uk. Hunters of Stamford: 01780 757946, www.huntersinteriorsofstamford.co.uk.

Sarah Harding Interiors: Uppingham, 01572 823389, sarahhardinginteriors.co.uk.

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

Please note availability of brands and ranges plus prices at the above design studios are subject to variation.

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Photo courtesy of Jane Churchill

Contemporary, Relaxed Style

Professional Interior Design Service Re-Upholstery and Soft Furnishings

The new collection from Jane Churchill sits well in a modern, relaxed home with an artistic twist.

We can help you to choose the perfect designs to suit you and your home so call into the Showroom for a chat and treat yourself to a delicious coffee, brunch, lunch or afternoon tea at the Hayloft Coffee Shop while you are here.

The Stables, Copthill Farm, Uffington, Stamford PE9 4TD

Call 01780 757946 6 MARKET PLACE · UPPINGHAM · RUTLAND · LE15 9QH

info@huntersinteriors.co.uk www.huntersinteriorsofstamford.co.uk

01572 823389

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

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ELIZABETH STANHOPE INTERIORS

The Art of Living

BEAUTIFULLY Unique, beautiful and designed just for you and your home.

The interior designers at Oakham’s Elizabeth Stanhope Interiors are committed to celebrating great design in Rutland...

Words: Rob Davis.

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GOOD DESIGN is art with a purpose. And that’s why Elizabeth Stanhope Interiors has worked hard for 20 years to create compelling interiors that really suit her clients’ lifestyles.

Born in Tur Langton, Elizabeth’s mother established a business on the town’s Mill Street specialising in fabrics for the home.

Having completed her education in Brighton and having established herself as an interior designer based in London, Elizabeth returned to the area to purchase her mother’s business and established Elizabeth Stanhope Interiors in Oakham, extending the remit of the business to achieve a complete design service and interiors boutique for clients.

“We’ve been consistently busy ever since, and we’ve created a really strong retail presence specialising in luxury accessories for your home and with a flourishing online presence,” says Elizabeth. “Shop Lizzie Loves – our online store – is proving really popular with existing client and those who are new

to the company and are only just discovering the brand. The retail element of the business, though, often goes hand in hand with our project work,” says Elizabeth.

“Every client and every property is different and so, to reflect that, our service is entirely bespoke. From a single curtain or blind or a piece of furniture, to whole rooms or entire homes, we can create classical, understated interiors that have warmth and good design at their heart, taking care of everything from building works and decoration to soft furnishings and finishing touches.”

“Our address books are bulging with contact details for access to the best fabric, wallcovering and paint brands to bespoke furniture makers based in places like Long Eaton in the heart of Nottinghamshire.”

“With four designers in house, we’ve the brands, the contacts and the experience to bring any project to fruition. Every job begins with a relaxed chat over good coffee to really understand what a client is looking for, long before a visit.”

“Once we’re clear about exactly what a client wants us to deliver, we invest a huge amount of time and research delivering on our brief and deliver a design presentation in person, usually based around slides on a computer screen, but with additional mood boards, presented so a client can see (and feel) first hand how colours and textures interact with one another.”

“Good design isn’t about following trends, but rather about creating a timeless style, and about delivering a look that’s unique and personal to a client,” says Elizabeth.

“We also take great pride in celebrating Britain’s own design talent and throughout 2022 we’re planning to host design events featuring some of the UK’s most successful pioneers of really good interior design.”

“Meanwhile, we love discussing our clients’ homes and becoming involved with their ideas, facilitating the creative direction they want to take and helping to realise their ambitions... it’s an incredibly rewarding way to work!” n

n Elizabeth Stanhope Interiors is based on Mill Street, Oakham LE15 6EA. For a complimentary, no obligation design consultation and to discuss your project, call 01572 722345 or see www.elizabethstanhope.co.uk. Shop online for home accessories at www.shoplizzieloves.com.

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

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

01733 894422 | www.pdakitchens.co.uk

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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

Your local appointed Sheraton dealer and Neff Master Partner

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KITCHENS BY MOIR WADE

DREAM KITCHENS by

MOIR WADE This month we’re enjoying the results of a complete refurbishment of a kitchen in a former Police House in a Rutland village.

And the results are quite... arresting!

Words: Rob Davis.

BUILT TO LAST... that’s the quality that this featured kitchen most exhibits, and it’s why its owner returned to Leicester-based Moir Wade to ask the company to make a second kitchen after first commissioning them for a previous property 15 years ago.

“The last kitchen that Moir Wade created still looked like new when I left the property and it was still a great design, so I really had no hesitation in asking them to create a new one in this house as well.”

It was a year ago – almost to the day – that our householder moved into a former police house in her Rutland village, built in the 1930s.

As beautiful as its location and layout is, the property would benefit, she reasoned, from a little updating.

The property might have been OK for the village bobby, but with two grown-up children to invite for Sunday lunch and frequent incursions by lively grandchildren, our householder had ideas to tweak the property’s ground floor to accommodate family life.

The kitchen and its adjacent dining room were separated by a wall and each had its own door. As part of a design collaboration with Moir Wade’s Jonathan Wade and designer Jim Hyde-Dryden, the three reasoned that by removing the wall, the space would be opened up, making it much larger, much lighter, and enabling it to be reconfigured as a living kitchen.

Doing so would also enable the kitchen door to be eliminated, facilitating some more cabinetry which would reach right up to the ceiling, maximising storage space.

On the other side of the kitchen wall, there’s a utility room and a boot room. The latter had a window which the kitchen sink originally faced, looking out onto the lane. Instead, Jim suggested relocating the kitchen sink and removing the window, again providing space for more cabinetry and creating a greater run of work surfaces. >> Opposite: Moir Wade created this in-frame style shaker kitchen for a householder in a Rutland Village. The property was built in a former police house constructed in the 1930s.

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“The dovetail joints are perfect and because the design is an in-frame shaker style, you’d notice if anything was slightly out, but everything lines up to the millimetre!”

Right: The team at Moir Wade worked with our householder to source brown silk marble work surfaces, from Langarbased World of Marble. Appliances are

by Miele and the kitchen’s Farrow & Ball shade is Skimming Stone.

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>> “I hadn’t thought about it, but it was a good idea. Conventional wisdom states that you should always place a kitchen sink facing a window, but that was when there was a mountain of washing-up to tackle. Nowadays, with dishwashers, we don’t spend as much time standing at the sink and so you can be a bit less constrained as regards to their placement.”

“I had in mind that I wanted a range cooker, and went to Newarkbased Cooks & Company, and actually ended up with two conventional ovens which provided more flexibility, and an induction hob with no loose parts and trivets to clean.”

“I liked the idea of a painted kitchen rather than timber, and eventually chose Skimming Stone as the shade. The attention to detail that Moir Wade put into the design and the craftsmanship that Will Moir – who heads up the workshop – and his team put into creating the cabinetry is incredible.”

“The slight curve on the housing of the extractor fan is a really nice detail, and it’s trimmed with a piece of limed oak, which is also used to create some shelves above the sink. The team matched the oak to my porcelain floor tiles!”

“The dovetail joints are perfect and because the design is an in-frame shaker style, you’d notice if anything was slightly out, but everything lines up to the millimetre. The precision with which everything was installed by Mike, Tom and the team was remarkable, and nothing was too much trouble.”

“During installation the larder unit didn’t pull out as smoothly as it should. I hadn’t noticed but the team had, and replaced it the next day. Even the cutlery inserts were designed and made only after the team had taken away a couple of pieces of cutlery to check they’d fit in the inserts. There’s a spice-rack too, which was going to be mounted on the inside of a cabinet but when I realised it would be at an inconvenient height, they mounted it on the wall instead.”

“My last kitchen was perfect and this one will be too, I’m certain.

I’ve not had a single grumble or bit of stress during the installation and the team have been a pleasure to have in the house, turning up when they say they will, cleaning up after themselves. They even rigged up a temporary sink so I wouldn’t be without water.”

Creating their cabinetry completely from scratch from solid timber, typically Walnut, Oak, Maple & Tulip – Moir Wade helped our householder to source ‘Brown Silk’ granite from Langer-based World of Marble. Pewter handles complete the look, and the appliances are from Miele.

“It’s really nice to see a company which really delights in getting things right and in good design and craftsmanship. I’m so happy not just with the finished kitchen but with the process, too. It’s been a great experience as a customer and I enjoy using the kitchen every single day!” n

Find Out More: Moir Wade is based on Nelson Street, Syston, Leicester LE7 2JQ. Call 0116 269 5915 or see www.moirwade.co.uk for a free, no obligation, pressure selling-free discussion about your project.

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THE PLANT LOVER’S GARDEN

This month we’re enjoying an NGS garden near Bourne which is open by appointment only, and which illustrates beautifully why the charity deserves ongoing support from the area’s keen gardeners...

The Plant Lover’s

GARDEN

YOUR GARDEN can fulfil many purposes, from serving as a place to enjoy growing, or a way of attracting birdlife and nature, to providing a space to grow your own food, or becoming an essential haven to escape noise and hassle, trading it in for sunshine and tranquility.

For this month’s garden owner, though, this plot near Bourne serves as a place to enjoy fresh air and find respite, especially when she’s unable to venture too far from home. The garden also serves to prove why raising money for the NGS is a win-win scenario, allowing gardeners to show off their pride and joy, allowing others to take inspiration and to exchange plants and ideas, providing a great day out for visitors, but also allowing charities to benefit in the process.

One such charity is Parkinsons UK, which has been supported by the NGS for 10 years. And 10 years ago, our homeowner received her own Parkinsons diagnosis, at first unfamiliar with the condition but now acutely aware of how important it is to support the organisation, and by extension, the NGS.

At the time the couple lived in a period town house and enjoyed curating their plot, but the steps down to the basement garden and the stairs both up to the front door and over the three storeys soon proved inconvenient. And so, the couple moved to their current garden in 2014, a new home near Bourne with a plot completely laid to lawn.

It was a chance to create a garden that was a reflection of their own style and their own ideas but also to ensure that it was suitably safe and accessible to accommodate as much time and energy as our homeowner has to devote to it, whilst being able to rest when necessary. >>

Words: Rob Davis.

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THE PLANT LOVER’S GARDEN

>> It’s also worth remembering that the condition Parkinsons can result in tiredness and impairs balance, which can limit the amount of time somebody with the condition can go out, and so a nicely curated garden can create a safe environment in which to enjoy some fresh air.

And so it was with a practical approach that the couple considered the creation of their garden. It’s a square plot, flat and southfacing, but with quite a bit of aggregate buried not too far below the top soil.

“We’re really not into making life difficult,” says the couple. “We’ve tried to work with the geography of the garden and with the soil we have, and factors like an area being in full sun or shade.”

“There’s no point whatsoever fighting against conditions, so if a border is more shaded, we make sure we plant whatever will work in that area.”

“Likewise, we’ve chosen quite tight planting schemes to prevent having to spend much time weeding... there’s practically none of that, just a bit of dead-heading needed.”

“When landscaping the area we’ve tried to make paths all around to ensure that the surface is as level as possible, and we’ve installed raised beds everywhere, elevating the entire level of the garden, which is nicer aesthetically, but also makes it easier to work on for someone with limited mobility.”

“Much of our planting is in pots too, which makes it easier to move around them to reconfigure the garden and accommodate more plants. It ensures you can move them around to plant them up, clean around them and in the case of some plants which are especially fast-growing, it keeps them contained and stops them taking over a border.”

“Much of our planting is in pots which makes it easier to move them around to reconfigure the garden and accommodate more plants...”

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There are a number of places to sit and enjoy the garden too, each strategically placed to take in a particular view, but also to provide somewhere to sit and rest whilst working in the garden.

The main terrace area has a wind-down canopy providing shade from some pretty potent mid-afternoon sun during our visit, and there’s a dining terrace too, as well as a seat built into the raised beds under a rose arch, not to mention the semi-circular bench

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IN THE GARDEN IN JULY...

Jobs to complete and a guide to planting in the summer months n Keep in the water: Water borders and lawns throughout the summer. It’s best to water at dusk to prevent evaporation and scorching as water droplets will act as a magnifying glass for the sun’s rays. Good quality mulch will help to retain moisture too. n Taking cuttings: Start taking cuttings of tender perennials such as salvias, pelargoniums and penstemons. Plant the last of the half-hardy annuals in their place – cosmos, nicotianas, zinnias and cleomes – for flowers into the middle of autumn. n The flower garden: In your floral borders, deadhead roses, sweet peas and bedding plants.

Cut back perennial plants, geraniums, delphiniums etc., and prune wisteria and lupins.

Keep an eye out for pests like aphids and treat early. n Planting and sowing: Sow biennials, such as foxgloves, honesty, forget-me-nots and wallflowers, for blooms next year. Sow autumn-flowering bulbs like gladiolus, nerines, cyclamen and begonias.

Also at this time sowings of biennials such as foxglove, sweet william, canterbury bells and forget-me-nots can be made for planting out in autumn. n The kitchen garden: Water fruit trees, bushes and tomatoes, sow the last crop of peas and beans for an autumn crop. n The lawn: Look after the lawn with fertiliser, cut regularly and often. Keep grass well watered and if your lawn is looking ‘stressed’ raise the mower to avoid dragging the blades. Investing in a new set of blades or having your existing ones sharpened will help. n Other jobs: Cut lavender for drying. Damp down the greenhouse floor each morning on hot days to increase humidity.

Take large-leaved houseplants into the garden and hose them down to clean off dust. Top up bird baths, ponds and water features during hot weather.

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THE PLANT LOVER’S GARDEN

Changing Lives:

The NGS around the couple’s mature tree and extending from the house with trellis and clematis.

“We opened the garden to the NGS last year, and it was our first time doing so, not to mention it was when lockdown rules were in place, so we really weren’t sure what to expect,” the couple says. “Both of us prefer to open the garden by arrangement only so we can avoid too many people being here at once and spend more meaningful time with visitors.”

“We’ve been visited by some really nice groups, gardening clubs and U3A groups.

All of our visitors have been lovely and we’ve been pleasantly surprised by just how many people are willing to share knowledge, exchange plants and ideas... just generally be a community. When we opened though, the NGS needed a name for the garden.”

“That was a tricky one for us really, and we weren’t really sure what to say. In the end we decided to call ourselves the Plant Lover’s Garden, as we really will only plant what we enjoy looking at and what we’re sure will work well in the garden.”

The NGS raised £3m for good causes in 2021, including £525,000 for Marie Curie, £500,000 for Macmillan and £212,000 for Parkinsons UK.

“The raised bed was first, and though we expected it to take about three tonnes of soil, it actually ended up swallowing no fewer than 22 tonnes. Normally we like to plant in odd numbers and there was a slight disagreement as to whether our Silver Birch Snow Queens should number five (too few!) or seven (too many!) so in the end we deviated from our own rule and planted six.

Alongside these are Hydrangea Annabelle and Agapanthus.”

“There are a lot of Hostas too and we’re even trialling a new variety of slug-proof and snail-proof which so far has proved quite successful!”

“We’re also quite thrifty gardeners and so the obelisks and the pergola with its trellis are all home-made, using very cheap roofing batons. Growing up these are Clematis Margaret Hunt, Innocent Blush, Niobe and Beautiful Bride as well as Wisteria.

By the house are pots of Sweet Colossus strawberries which are absolutely enormous, and very sweet during the summer. I’m always diligent about naming the varieties I

plant. I use black tags which are less visible, and white marker for the writing, tied with gardener’ string. We’ve plenty of pots all around and again, I print my own labels for them so I can always identify each one. I like to have lots of flowers to pick and take into the house; Gladioli, Dahlia, Lilies.”

“We’ve tried to make life as easy as possible, and really the hardest jobs are mowing the lawns – which all have edging stones to make achieving neat edges much easier – and a twice-yearly cutting of the hedges.

“Otherwise we think we do a good job of making the garden as enjoyable and as attractive as possible, minimising cost and waste and ensuring something of interest all year round.”

The Plant Lover’s Garden is one of the nicest spaces we’ve enjoyed sitting in for a long while. In teh distance, school children can be heard enjoying the sunshine, but when the bell rings and they return to lessons, it’s a tranquil space that proves just how lifeenhancing a really good garden can be. n

Find Out More: The Plant Lover’s Garden is located near Bourne and is open by appointment, see www.ngs.org.

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OUTDOOR LIVING

Outdoor Comfort The great outdoors will be greater still, or at least a little more comfortable, thanks to this selection of lifestyle products from the area’s leading garden retailers.

So, let there be heat, light, comfortable furniture and delicious pizzas!

Words: Rob Davis.

THE SACK STORE presents a modern dining set, suitable for indoor or outdoor use for up to six people.

Astoria Dining Table 180cm x 110cm Oval with Glass Top and six Sussex dining chairs with cushions.

n From a selection at The Sack Store, Boston and Stamford, see sackstore.co.uk.

HILMA OUTDOOR LIGHT available in white, beige or grey, these pendant lights are made of a weather-resistant linen style fabric, £195, Lumison Lighting, 01572 724600, or see www.lumisonlighting.com. n

ABOVE: Belmont layered slate water feature kit, £899 – £3,569.

LEFT: Tulip rainbow sandstone fountain water feature kit, £1,500 – £3,600. Both available from Foras, Stow Bridge, Kings Lynn. Call 01366 381069 or see www.foras.co.uk. n 98

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GATES GARDEN CENTRE can give you back your summer with this automatic robot lawn mower by Stihl.

The iMOW 632 cuts large lawned areas (up to 5,000m²) and can be controlled fully from the comfort of your home. Use the free interactive app for your smartphone or tablet to change the mowing plan, read status messages, pause mowing or begin a new mowing operation. Returns to its docking station to charge automatically and mulches clippings into the lawn, so it’s completely automated, £2,555. call 01664 454309 or see gatesgardencentre.co.uk. n

ENJOY PIZZAS AL FRESCO...

OONI KARU 16 PIZZA OVEN, The perfect addition to any outdoor kitchen! Reaches 500°c in 15 minutes, for fresh stone-baked pizza in just 60 seconds. There are multiple fuel options for maximum cooking flexibility. Ideal for cooking 16” pizzas, meat joints, breads and more, £699. Available from Dobbies, see www.dobbies.com. n

n John Lewis offers for sale this Kettler 3.3m freestanding arm LED parasol with integrated lighting and wireless speaker, £769. Call 0116 242 5777 or see www.johnlewis.com.

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HOUSE A HOME

LIMESTONE The owner of this Nor th Nor folk coastal proper t y used o u r s to n e t o s t u n n i n g e f f e c t to c o m p l i m e n t b o t h t h e r e d b r i c k a n d t h e we w a t h e r e d wo o d o f h i s h o m e . T h i s b e a u t i f u l s o f t g r e y l i m e s to n e h a s p l e n t i f u l f o s s i l d e t a i l , t h e f l a g s to n e s a r e s m o o t h i n t e x t u r e w i t h a t u m b l e d e d g e w h i c h g i v e s t h e s to n e a g e n t l y w e a t h e r e d a p p e a r a n c e . E xc l u s i ve t o F o r a s , t h i s s to n e h a s e l e g a n t fawn and charcoal tones.

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Main: Fort Henry has an interesting story in regards to its construction, once used as a viewing point for ‘sea battles’ on the lake.

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HISTORY

THE HISTORY of

FORT HENRY Rutland’s slogan Multum in Parvo - meaning Much in Little - is an accurate description for the county’s little castle, Fort Henry!

With its battlements, imposing façade and spires, it’s a very impressive building if somewhat small, a little like Rutland...

FORT HENRY is a magical, gothic folly sitting beside a picturesque lake on the Exton Estate. The charming, Grade II listed building represents Victorian history but what was the purpose of this unique building and how is it used now? We have spoken to Harry, Viscount Campden, to find out more about this intriguing building.

Fort Henry was built in 1789 by local architect, William Legg of Stamford. In April 1786, William Legg first visited Exton Park and his instructions were for a gothic building by the pond. Henry Earl of Gainsborough who was described as ‘a bit of an old eccentric,’ commissioned the building of the boat house or as it was known back then, Pleasure House or Pond House. In Victorian times, the building was a place of escapism where the 6th Earl of Gainsborough would have hosted parties with his friends and family.

Thanks to well preserved receipts and notebooks, the history of Fort Henry has been well recorded. Records show that there was already a basic structure in place for Fort Henry and Legg drew up rough plans around the existing structure.

In two months, Legg had produced ‘three finished Gothic elevations and a plan of the different floors.’

By 1787, Legg had produced several different designs for Gothic pinnacles, ornaments and pedestals ‘for the end of the battlements in the front of the building.’ By the summer of 1789, it would seem that the finishing touches were being put to the building. The total cost of building was £1426, of which Legg took a commission of 5%, receiving £71.

As far as is known, most of the craftsmen were local with George Beaver being the principal mason. Beaver’s accounts show how parts of the old structure were pulled down and foundations were dug for the wings and other parts of the new building.

From other bills we know that the stone used came from the local Clipsham quarries, which later provided stone for the renovation of the Houses of Parliament in the 1930s, and bricks were obtained from Lord Winchilsea’s brickhills at Burley.

A magical building such as this was bound to have elaborate interior decoration and typical of the gothic style fashionable at the time. >> 103

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FORT HENRY

>> From the accounts of the plasterer and stucco worker John Tillson, there are descriptions of a ‘gothic groin ceiling’ and a circular ceiling ornament as well as gothic panels, enriched cornices and gothic beads.

Decorations included husks, gothic flutes, astragals, a frieze with ruffles and water leaves and moulding with bands, leaves, diamonds and gothic flowers. The lime used by the plasterer came from Greetham and the sand for the stucco from Tallington.

Rats were a common problem for waterfront buildings and Tillson had a unique method to deal with these rodents. In October 1789, Tillson’s bills record payment to a man sent to ‘get broken bottles and counter lathe to prevent rats.’

The painter of the finished rooms was Joseph Everard. A basic ‘drab’ colour - dull light brown - was used with white margins.

The oil on stucco was finished sea-green with green wood panels with white margins and silvered knots. The husks were picked out in green as were the caps to the pilasters, the enriched pilasters and the large flowers, with the water leaves veined green. Everard’s bill came to £36.

Legg wasn’t finished yet, though! In 1788 the ground round the summer house was levelled and in 1789 iron gates and railings were erected around it by Robert Hunt. The area around the summer house was planted with clover thus completing the gothic folly.

It is not known when exactly the summer house came to be called Fort Henry, though presumably it was named after the 6th Earl who commissioned it and who died in 1798.

Now Fort Henry was finished the Earl and his friends could start having some fun. In 1761 Lord Gainsborough paid for a boat to be brought from London to Stamford via Spalding.

Viscount Campden tells stories of how the 6th Earl ordered wooden galleons and the 104

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“In the 1700s, reenactments of sea battles would take place on the lake and ladies would sit in Fort Henry and watch in amusement. Our family has a deep history in sea battles with Admiral Baron - Nelson’s boss - being a part of our family’s history...” lake became an area for re-enacting sea battles and firing water cannons. The ladies would sit in Fort Henry and watch in amusement, there to patch them up at the end.

“Our family has a deep history in sea battles,” says Viscount Campden. “Admiral Baron, who I suppose you could call Nelson’s boss, was part of the family.”

Nowadays, Harry and his family choose sensibly not to recreate naval reenactments but have boated on the lake with the family.

Fort Henry is a small building, fitting 24 people for dining and a maximum of 60 people in a theatre style setting. Half a century or so after the completion of Fort Henry, another building was constructed a little way up the bank presumably to hold larger numbers of guests. In a report on the wedding of Lady Louisa Noel from the Chronicle in 1846, there is a reference to ‘the fairy temple now in the course of erection.’

This was the Bark Temple, so called because it was constructed of wood and covered with

bark and moss. The Bark Temple was listed Grade II, but was in a perilous condition by the mid 1990s. The family tried unsuccessfully to get a grant from English Heritage to restore it. Sadly the temple collapsed in the winter of 1997.

In 2014, Fort Henry was granted civil ceremony license and several weddings are held within the building every year. Various birthday parties and tea parties have also been held here and the family are delighted to be able to share such a special and peaceful place with others.

“We are very lucky to have this beautiful building in our family history. The Fort sitting on the lake is stunning and in the summer, it is really something special. The Lake is full of waterlily and home to wildlife. A rare and wonderful site is watching Osprey fishing on the lake,” says Harry. “I am a firm believer that the more something is used the better it is looked after, and this is what we aim to achieve with Fort Henry.” n

Exton Hall

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Bluebells in Bourne Woods.

!

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A WALK WITH

PRIDE

BOURNE: WALKING AROUND THE WOODS A walk close to the town of Bourne, taking in the picturesque village of Edenham and Bourne Woods...

Words: Lincolnshire Ramblers, www.ramblers.org.uk/lincolnshire.

Distance: 7.7 miles / 10 km.

Route: See map overleaf.

How to Get There: PE10 0LG (approx); OS grid reference TF079203.

More Information: www.ramblers.org.uk.

LEAVE Bourne Woods car park by the path running southeast, soon reaching a track where you turn right. Continue, heading south to leave the woodland through gates and reaching a road.

Turn right along the pavement and in a short distance, you reach a junction. Bear right for a couple of yards, then cross with care to a footpath sign and stile beyond (A).

!

Walk ahead, boundary left, crossing a stile and passing woodland on your right and continuing beneath power lines to reach a road. Cross, to a driveway and enter a farmyard, walking ahead to the barns, then onwards, through gates, over stiles and footbridges, and passing woodland on your right (B).

At the end of the wood, cross a footbridge over the East Glen River and bear half-right across the field to pass through a gate on the far side.

Continue in the same direction, up the hill and though another gate in the hedge into a further field. Cross this, to a gate in the

top corner with a hedge on the right to reach a track.

Turn right, following the track and passing Scottlethorpe Grange on the right.

Continue to reach a surfaced private road where you turn right, following the road until you reach a track on you left (C).

To your left, beyond the wooden gates, is the course of the Edenham & Little Bytham Railway.

This was a railway company formed by Lord Willoughby de Eresby, to build a line from the Great Northern Railway at

Little Bytham to Edenham, serving the villages of Edenham and Grimsthorpe and also Grimsthorpe Castle, his Lordship’s home in Lincolnshire.

The railway was originally constructed between 1851 and 1853 as a road and a traction engine was built to haul wagons.

Adhesion problems and steep gradients led to an experimental conversion of short stretches to a wooden tramway, and it was decided in March 1855 to convert the entire line to a standard gauge railway, which was completed in 1856. >> 107

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!

WALK WITH PRIDE

These ceased in October 1871, because the locomotives were worn out and the company could not afford to replace them.

A freight service of sorts lingered on using horse traction until 1884, when the line closed. Continue now on the public road to reach the hamlet of Scottlethorpe, and ahead for about a mile, to reach the main road (D).

Cross to the opposite pavement and walk left into Edenham village and Church Lane on your right, where the cedar tree growing in the churchyard and overhang-

“The railway worked the line as GNR but struggled, as passenger services became unprofitable...” ing the main road is thought to be over 150 years old. Continue, passing the church on your right, then turn right into School Lane, just before the Five Bells pub (a possible refreshment stop).

Beyond Church Lane on the right, bear right as the road swings left (E) and walk uphill to reach Scoth Farm, where you cross a cattle grid and follow a bridleway onwards, boundary right, and ignoring the

track soon going right. Cross into the following field and keep to the right boundary as you approach woodland.

You are now entering Bourne Wood, so continue ahead until you reach a wide forest track (F) where you turn right. Easy walking for a little over a mile now as you follow the track, ignoring turnings right and left to arrive back at the car park and your transport.

There has been a woodland on the site of Bourne Wood since at least 1086, when Bourne Wood was recorded on the Doomsday Book. The Forestry Commission now encourage a natural re-generation of trees and the woodland remains an area for wildlife and for the people of Bourne for recreation. n

Self-guided walks from the Ramblers can be found at www.ramblers.org.uk.

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!

>> The E&LBR worked the line as the GNR refused to operate it, opening in 1857, but struggled, with passenger services being particularly unprofitable.

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Worth a visit!

Grimsthorpe Castle in bloom!

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a place p to

Rela lax... a plaace toWork k... a place for thhe Fam Family. amily.

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R&S Pride JULY 240.qxp 31/05/2022 16:31 Page 112

MOTORS

Mercedes’ Small & Sparky

ELECTRIC FAMILY CAR Electric cars are certainly the future, but often they’re very fast, impractical and expensive.

Happily, the Mercedes EQB aims to be a family-friendly SUV that’s ideal for drivers in Rutland and Stamford, mixing seven seats and a decent boot with an efficient motor and compact size...

THE MERCEDES EQB is probably one of the most well-rounded cars on the market today.

And for many in Rutland & Stamford, it’s perhaps all the car you’ll ever need.

For a start it’s electric – not a hybrid or a plug-in hybrid, but a fully electric vehicle – with a range of between 250 and 257 miles between charges. Secondly, it’s affordable for an electric car, priced from £53,610.

It’s also an all-wheel drive SUV which provides the ability to plug your way across the area’s potholed roads, rough country lanes and over grass verges with ease.

Finally, it also has a decent-sized boot, one which isn’t compromised by the packaging of batteries as can sometimes be the case in electric cars.

112

Within the boot, two are a couple of fold-up seats, meaning the EQB is also a bona fide seven seater, making the car easily one of the most versatile, practical, good-value cars you’re likely to encounter these days.

Two power states are available, badged EQB300 and EQB350 with 228hp and 292 respectively. The former offers decent enough poke, with a 0-60mph time of 7.7 seconds and a top speed of 99mph.

There are two trim as well; AMG Line and Premium. Standard equipment is plentiful, so you’ll want for little, but we’d definitely add the Driving Assistance package which, at £1,500, adds adaptive cruise control plus blind-spot and lane-keeping assistance.

The cabin of the EQB is taken from the Mercedes A-Class, and though that makes it very ordinary compared to the cars from names like Tesla, quality and ergonomics are all spot on, whilst the graphics of the digital dash are crisp and responsive.

With all the cabin and boot space you need, all wheel drive, an electric-powertrain, plenty of equipment plus great built quality, the EQB should definitely be on your new car shortlist in 2022. It’s one of the most well-reconciled cars on the market today. n

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THE DETAILS

Mercedes Benz EQB300 Price: £53,610 (on sale now).

Powertrain: 228hp battery-electric motor; 250-257 mile range, single speed auto and all-wheel drive.

Performance: 0-60mph: 7.7 secs.

Top speed 99mph.

Equipment: Parking sensors, camera and park assist, heated man-made leather seats, ambient lighting, electric tailgate, seven seats, navigation, climate/cruise.

Premium model adds panoramic sunroof and keyless entry.

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Bone Joint Pain or Sports Injuries Our specialist team deliver high quality diagnostics and treatment for Shoulder and Elbow, Hand and Wrist, Spinal, Hip and Knee and Foot and Ankle.

For more information and appointments please call: 01733 842 304 or visit:

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R&S Pride JULY 240.qxp 31/05/2022 16:32 Page 115

THIS MONTH: STAMFORD ARTIST NICK GROVE EXHIBITS AT ADRIAN HILL FINE ART

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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Stamford Artist Nick Grove at

Adrian Hill Fine Art RECENTLY INDUCTED as an Associate Member of the Royal Society of Marine Artists, Stamford based Nick Grove last month held his first solo exhibition at Adrian Hill Fine Art, based in The Mews adjacent to The George of Stamford.

Nick presented a series of original oil paintings created en plein air with London, Cambridge and of course Stamford streetscapes as his inspiration.

“Artistically it’s a really interesting and exciting time for me and this exhibition represents the beginning of a new creative chapter, a realisation of my own style and direction.”

Adrian Hill’s gallery feature a number of established and emerging artists with work from David Hockney, L S Lowry, Rosa Sepple, Brian Ryder, Peter Wileman and David Seago. n See www.adrianhillfineart.com or www.nickgrove-artworks.co.uk.

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FASHION AT CONEYS DEPARTMENT STORE

SUMMER STYLE with

CONEYS DEPARTMENT STORE This month, we present a selection of summer fashion picks from Coneys Department Store in Spalding...

Guess Naya tote bag in latté, £125. Gant Tech Prep trench coat rain mac, £225. Gant Archive Shield t-shirt, £35.

Replay Luz power-stretch ladies jeans in dark indigo £95. Gant Yinsy sneakers/trainers, in eggshell £130.

Items featured here are available at Coneys Department Store (formerly Hills), on Broad Street, Spalding PE11 1TB. Call 01775 767155, www.coneysdesignerwear.co.uk. The retailer stocks fashions from Replay, Betty Barclay, Olsen, Gant, French Connection, Great Plains and Joules, as well as accessories from Replay, Gant, Camper, Mario Tozzi, Jana, David Jones, Katie Loxton and Kéddo.

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DENTAL HEALTH CENTRE

Why the Dental Health team is

SMILING It’s normally The Dental Health Centre’s clients who are left smiling... but on this occasion, it’s the team themselves who are grinning from ear to ear. That’s because Practice Manager Paul Parkes and her team have been nominated for two prestigious industry awards...

“Paula has grown the practice financially, managed and retained the clinicians and staff in a wonderful manner, developed innovative strategies to grow the practice, and always has patient care as her top priority.”

NOTHING CAN EXPRESS confidence like a smile, and there’s no better reason to smile than when celebrating success. This summer, Grantham’s Dental Health Centre is awaiting the results of not just one but two awards for which they’ve been nominated.

“Paula continues to provide focus and dedication in delivering an outstanding patient journey. She truly embodies all of the Dentex values we believe in.”

This accolade is not at all surprising considering the practice’s well-established history – almost 30 years in the making – not to mention consistently glowing reviews from loyal clients over the years.

Satisfied Clients

Patient Care Award

There are currently over 3,000 partner clinics – including Grantham’s Dental Health Centre – working with Chrysalis Finance, the financial partner which helps to provide competitive finance for clients of the practice (and others like it across the UK) who want to spread the cost of their treatment with bespoke payment solutions.

Each year, Chrysalis seeks to recognise those practices which prioritise and embody its core values. These include quality of care, trust, expertise and professionalism.

Just 14 out of the company’s 3,000 allied practices were recognised in this year’s Patient Care Award, of which The Dental Health Centre was one.

Practice Manager of the Year

In addition, the centre’s Practice Manager and Treatment Coordinator, Paula Parkes, had been recognised in her part in ensuring

all patients receive a full consultation prior to commencing treatment. This key safeguarding measure ensures all clients are wellinformed and importantly well looked after throughout the process.

The Practice Manager of the Year Award is held by Dentex, a dental partner for independent practices and has over 70 specialists providing support and expertise, to ensure companies like The Dental Health Centre can operate independently, caring for their patients whilst simultaneously accessing to the latest training, advice, and support.

“Paula demonstrates great ethical work principals and lives the Dentex values in her professional relationships with her team and patients,” a spokesperson for Dentex said.

“It’s really great to be recognised within the industry and to have the whole ethos of the Dental Health Centre acknowledged,” says Paula. “But we’re also really proud to receive lots of really good feedback from our lovely clients too.”

“Dentistry has changed a huge amount over the nearly 30 years since Colin Sutton established the practice, and to hear about the difference we make to our patients’ lives is really rewarding.”

“We always try to go the extra mile to ensure our patients receive first class care and the latest treatments in a relaxed environment.”

“Knowing that a smile is about confidence just as much as appearance, we’re able to provide a range of treatments like implants, single-visit crowns, veneers, tooth-whitening, and general dentistry because we believe that a happy, confident smile should be available to everyone... it’s a right, not a privilege!” n

Find Out More: For a free, no obligation introduction to the centre’s treatments, visit The Dental Health and Implant Centre on Avenue Road, Grantham, NG31 6TA, call 01476 594480 or see dentalhealthcentre.co.uk.

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Male Grooming & Haircare in the Heart of Stamford Book online at www.raffertysofstamford.com It’s easy, it’s convenient, it saves waiting around!

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WEDDINGS

Where’s Lisa...?

A night out in fancy dress certainly made Lisa stand out to Jack... and after rescheduling the day a couple of times, the two have finally made it down the aisle and are looking forward to their honeymoon!

Wedding Photographer: Rebekah & Robert Wilson, Rebekah Robert Photography, www.rebekahrobert.com.

THEY SAY FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT, and so, on a first date great effort is always invested in making sure we look perfect, from perfect hair to that stunning outfit, all designed to woo the person who has caught your eye. Dressing as a children’s literary character does seem to run contrary to that, but it’s certainly one way to stand out... which is perhaps ironic, considering the premise of the Where’s Wally? books is to find someone who’s deliberately difficult to spot.

WEDDING SUPPLIERS LISA & JACK

Whatever... it certainly worked for this month’s couple, who married just last month at Barnsdale Lodge near Oakham. Jack Nicholson, an estate agent with Smartmove, had a schoolfriend who was out celebrating their birthday one evening in Peterborough, where he and NHS Receptionist Lisa Watts both live.

The girls’ group were dressed as characters from the puzzle books in which children are encouraged to find the bespectacled fellow in the red and white jumper and bobble hat.

One particular Wally, though, stood out to Jack and its was love at first sight. Off he went Wally-hunting in the city, he introduced himself to Lisa and the rest is history.

Jack proposed during a romantic weekend away as the couple stayed at a log cabin at Woodhall Spa’s Bainland Park. Putting lots of effort in, he’d researched his chosen spot on Google maps only to be thwarted with a locked gate when he arrived at the place during a romantic walk. Plan ‘B,’ then was a hot tub and Champagne proposal, and of course, the delighted bride-to-be screamed with excitement and said yes immediately.

Thankfully the couple eschewed and red and white striped theme for the wedding and opted instead for a blush pink scheme.

The day was supposed to take place in 2020,

and was rescheduled to 2021 before finally taking place in May 2022, four years after Jack’s proposal... no matter, the best things come to those who wait, and it gave Lisa the chance to change her mind – bride’s prerogative – on the colour scheme and opt for a navy blue theme instead.

One thing Lisa wasn’t going to change her mind about, though, was her photographer.

“I’d been following Rebekah on social media for ages and I was wild about the style of her work and I knew she had to be our photographer no matter what.”

Jack says Robert, who works alongside Rebekah, was really easy to work with and relaxed, putting the groomsmen at ease on the morning. The gents found their tailoring at Peterborough’s Moss, with the couple’s seven-year old son Charlie kitted out by a nearly identical suit from Roco Clothing.

Wedding Ceremony & Reception: Barnsdale Lodge, 01572 724678, www.barnsdalelodge.co.uk.

Wedding Dress: Maison de la Bride, 01733 346415, maisondelabride.co.uk.

Wedding Cake: Oh Crumbs, Peterborough, ohcrumbs.cakesbykatrina@gmail.com.

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

Event Styling: Lola Rose, www.lolarose-venuedressing.co.uk.

Transport: Peterborough Wedding Cars, 01733 262680, www.peterboroughweddingcars.co.uk.

Children’s Suit: www.rococlothing.co.uk.

Lisa initially struggled to find a dress she liked, with a set idea that boob-tube dresses, strapless dresses and dresses with lots of embellishment were out. But when Maison de la Bride’s Shama asked Lisa to humour her and try on a dress, mum and the bridesmaids all burst into tears and gave Lisa’s dress a resounding thumbs up, and the bride-to-be fell in love with it too. Our nineyear old daughter Lily – our flower girl – also found her dress at Maison de la Bride, and our other bridesmaids were dressed in navy, courtesy of Peterborough’s Quiz, everyone was all dressed up, with somewhere to go as well, for the couple had also found the perfect venue.

“As soon as we had a look around Barnsdale Lodge we knew we’d found the place. I really loved the starlit ceiling and it felt like a really warm welcoming place to be. The staff were great, especially our wedding coordinator Connie. Nothing was too much trouble.” >> 125

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WEDDINGS

>> “Our cake was created by Katrina of Peterborough’s Oh Crumbs! and it was absolutely delicious... although we didn’t get a full slice, only a brief taste as we posed for photos. It was a three tier cake with raspberry and white chocolate, and everyone said how good it was!”

“We were really lucky with our flowers too, having found Yaxley-based Keepsakes. Lisa created some really beautiful arrangements with Roses, Gypsophila, and Eucalyptus.”

“I found some products to brand the wedding and style the tables from Kiki Creations on Etsy, but my friend also helped me to create our table plan with ivy.”

“As I was walking down the aisle my bridesmaids sang the Robbie Williams song Angels, substituting the word angels for Lisa... which is sort of a funny romantic thing that Jack does. It really relaxed me and made me smile as I finally walked down the aisle after rescheduled dates and after a last minute hiccup after our son developed chicken pox just a week before the wedding!”

“We’re heading off on a child-free honeymoon this month and we’re really looking forward to it, but we really did have a fantastic day with family and friends. We were really lucky with some great suppliers and we enjoyed having everyone around us to help us celebrate!” n Wedding Photographer: Rebekah & Robert Wilson, Rebekah Robert Photography, www.rebekahrobertphotography.com.

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BARTON HALL WEDDINGS

A Beautiful Venue for a

Wonderful Wedding For a wedding venue that’s totally unique, truly romantic and versatile enough to fit around your vision for the happiest day of your life, Barton Hall is the perfect option...

Image: Chris Teagles Wedding Photography.

reception if you are having a Church or Registry Office ceremony beforehand.

ON THE HAPPIEST DAY of your life, the last thing you want is to feel that your wedding is the same as anyone else’s. Uniqueness and individuality should be reflected throughout your wedding and that’s why Barton Hall specialises in tailoring their venue to your day.

The Grade I listed hotel dates back to the 16th Century and yet with four-AA stars, its service is very much 21st century.

The place was once the home of the legendary Charles Wicksteed – namesake of Wicksteed Park – and now boasts 29 individually-styled bespoke bedrooms including a stunning four poster Bridal Suite.

Meanwhile, The Vines Brasserie offers superb food and is open daily to the general public, as well as for exclusive Wedding Day hire.

During weddings, the hotel and restaurant can also be closed to the public and will be exclusively yours for the whole day.

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Depending on the size and style of your wedding, the hotel offers a variety of function spaces including the Beautiful Charles Suite with a capacity of 180. This room boasts magnificent chandeliers so you can dazzle your guests underneath them for your first dance together.

Meanwhile the Garden Room overlooks the lawns with a capacity of 50 for a smaller more intimate gathering.

You can enjoy the unique Orangery in the Grounds for your civil ceremony or a drinks

Lee Williams of Barton Hall says: “We are proud and feel very lucky to host over 80 weddings each year. Our brides and grooms say how wonderful the venue is and we also understand here at Barton Hall what an important role your venue plays in your Wedding Day.” “Our venue hire packages range from £1,500 to £5,000 for 60-80 guests, excluding exclusive use. It’s also easy to add guests’ room bookings and extras like our in-house DJ or canapés.”

“We think that planning a wedding should be stress-free and enjoyable from start to finish. That’s why our dedicated wedding coordinator is on hand, from your wedding planning, to the moment you leave Barton Hall as husband and wife to begin your happy ever after.” n

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THE DETAILS

Barton Hall Hotel, Kettering Provenance: Grade II listed hotel with Grade I listed Orangery in grounds. Dates back to 1550, converted into a hotel in 2012.

Accommodation: Set in 10 acres, 29 bedrooms, Vines Brasserie and orangery for up to 180 wedding guests.

Find Out More: For a personal guided tour around Barton Hall and to discuss your wedding, call 01536 515505 or see www.bartonhall.com.

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