Stamford Pride April 2021 by Pride Magazines Ltd

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STAMFORD

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PRIDE STAMFORD

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STAMFORD’S FINEST MAGAZINE

STAMFORD’S FINEST MAGAZINE £4.50

Quality food now available in Stamford

New food delivery service brings fresh local food right to your door...

Full of praise for Stamford’s cathedral church

APRIL

Peterborough Cathedral prepares to welcome visitors once again...

2021

Stamford’s most famous residents

The famous faces born and raised right here in Stamford...

FREE ONLINE

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WELCOME

his month, we’re celebrating the history of our area in all its forms. Firstly we’re recognising the presence, and the importance, of the area’s mother church, Peterborough Cathedral, and looking at how custodians have managed to bring both faith and music to the area even during the tricky circumstances of a year’s worth of lockdown. Happily, with rules due to be relaxed, the Cathedral will be gearing up to welcome the public back and we’ll be highlighting a few of the joys of the building for us to rediscover as and when that happens. We’re also looking at the Welland Viaduct, its history and the magnificence of its engineering, and we’ll meet some of Stamford’s most famous residents to find out how the town was the making of some quirky figures in history, and in literature and drama. Also on a history theme, we meet Her Grace the Duchess of Rutland, Emma Manners, who has created a new documentary series meeting fellow chatelaines across the UK to find out what it’s suddenly like to become custodian of a stately home and a sprawling county estate. Speaking of documentaries, we also need to make you aware of Barbara Keane’s new documentary on philanthropist and educator Dr Laurence Howard OBE. We’ll meet Laurence this month and find out a little more about the documentary he stars in; Portrait of a Gentleman. Our best wishes for a wonderful month, enjoying our new-found freedom!

Executive Editor robin@pridemagazines.co.uk 3

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CONTENTS NEWS & EVENTS 06

NEWS The best ‘good news’ stories from across Stamford & Rutland. Find out why the area is due to enjoy a post-Covid tourism boost.

FOOD & DRINK

THE SMOKEHOUSE A brand new food delivery service bringing quality local food right to your door.

RECIPES & WINE Spring asparagus,

HIGHLIGHTS 14

900 YEARS OF HISTORY The Cathedral church of Rutland and Stamford celebrated 900 years recently, recently, and post-Covid the building needs your support more than never.

36 4

115

artichokes and quality wines & spirits.

HOMES & GARDENS 68

WELCOME HOME A fantastic home in the Deepings with art and soul.

HOMES & PROPERTY Metallic fabrics and property advice.

GARDENS The local NGS gardens planning to open this season.

AT HOME WITH THE DUCHESS Her Grace Emma Rutland grants us unprecedented access to the women behind our impressive stately homes.

UNDERNEATH THE ARCHES

PORTRAIT OF A GENTLEMAN Rutland’s Sir Laurence Howard OBE stars in a new documentary.

Celebrating the history and ingenuity of the Welland Viaduct.

WEDDINGS & FASHION

MADE IN STAMFORD

102 WEDDINGS Celebrating Jacqueline

A roundup of the town’s famous folk, quirky figures and most noteworthy residents.

108 FASHION Neutral outfits and fresh

and Eric’s Stapleford Park wedding. cosmetics for the spring and summer.

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THE WEALTHIEST PEOPLE IN THE AREA READ PRIDE MAGAZINE

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FREE ONLINE

Pride Magazine is delivered free of charge, via Royal Mail, to high value homes in the county. Our circulation is to homes in the top three council tax bands, which are predominantly worth over £300,000. This guarantees the magazine has an affluent readership commensurate with our content. The magazine is also sold in supermarkets and newsagents and our in-house distribution team also works hard to hand-deliver the magazine to selected hotels and restaurants, doctors, dentists, executive motor dealerships and golf clubs. This helps to ensure we have a continued presence, right across our catchment area. Our titles also have more social media fans than any other local magazine. In addition we have over 30,000 online readers each month who view the magazine free of charge, online, on their tablet, computer, laptop or mobile phone via our website, our app, and via the Readly and Issuu platforms. If your business would benefit from being showcased to the wealthiest people in the area, please call our friendly sales team on 01529 469977. Amazing new app out now: You can read our magazines on any device anywhere.

Read Pride Magazine free online at www.pridemagazines.co.uk or by downloading our free iOS and Android App. LEGAL DISCLAIMER By supplying editorial or advertising copy to Pride you accept in full the terms and conditions which can be found online at www.pridemagazines.co.uk. In the event of an advert or editorial being published incorrectly, where Pride Magazines Ltd admits fault, we will include an advert of equivalent size, or equivalent sized editorial, free of charge to be used in a future edition, at our discretion. This gesture is accepted as full compensation for the error(s) with no refunds available. Selected images in our content may be sourced from www.shutterstock.com.

THE PRIDE TEAM Managing Director: Julian Wilkinson. Sales Director: Zoie Wilkinson. General Manager: Ian Bagley. Sales Manager: Charlotte Daubney. Sales Supervisor: Cydney Dyson. Executive Editor: Rob Davis. Illustrator: Jocelyn Lawman. Customer Care Manager: Mandy Bray. Web Developer: Joe Proctor. Administration and Office Managers: Carissa Clay and Sami Millard. Sales Executives: Grace Mumford.

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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NEWS & EVENTS

Tourism’s £142m benefit post-Covid STAYCATIONS WILL BOOST RUTLAND AND STAMFORD’S ECONOMY POST-COVID... RUTLAND & STAMFORD The area’s tourism service, Discover Rutland, says that with tourism providing a £142m income and employing 1,800 people – together with the likelihood that ‘staycations’ will be popular in 2021 – will help to benefit Stamford and Rutland’s economy, post-Covid. Chairman of the group, Jason Allen, who owns The Fox pub in North Luffenham and The Paddock campsite overlooking Rutland Water said: “There have been quite a few mixed messages from the Government over the last couple of weeks as to whether or not tourism businesses will be allowed to reopen in the spring and summer.” “In 2019, the county attracted just shy of 2,000,000 tourists, which many of the shops, pubs and attractions rely on throughout the year. As a rural county, Rutland is the ideal spot for a socially

distanced staycation. We’ve got some exciting plans for the season ahead, including wider promotion of a new Rutland Food & Drink Map.” “The lower cases in Rutland are testament to the

Transforming behaviour... SUPPORT SERVICES OFFERED BY WOOD GREEN HAVE HELPED 1,000s OF PET OWNERS

hard work and measures businesses in the county have put in place to protect residents in the last year.” Tourism businesses are likely to benefit from public reluctance to venture abroad

this summer, and as a result, it’s likely that many will instead want to visit the UK’s tourist hotspots like Devon & Cornwall, The Lakes, Cotswolds and of course, Rutland & Stamford. n

CAMBRIDGESHIRE Going beyond the rehabilitation and rehoming of dogs, cats and small animals, Wood Green, The Animals Charity, is also able to help people resolve any pet-related queries or concerns. These come in many different shapes and sizes, like one distressed dog owner who called Wood Green’s Pet Support team after her puppy, a Border Collie called Mabel, had bitten her vet through fear. As a first step to address the situation, Mabel joined one of Wood Green’s puppy training courses and the owner was given tailored

advice to continue the training at home. Sue Ketland, an experienced Dog Behaviour & Training Specialist at Wood Green, arranged a series of free one-to-one sessions with Mabel and her owner at a local nature reserve. Over this 10-week period, Mabel slowly learned to meet people and other dogs – including Sue’s dog, Reef (pictured). If you are struggling with any pet-related issue, contact Wood Green, for advice, behavioural support or even financial support. n Call 0300 303 9333 or visit www.woodgreen.org.uk.

New gym in Ketton will look after body and mind... If lockdown has left you lacking in energy or you’re keen to look after your mind, body and feel healthier this summer, good news... Equilibrium Gym & Fitness Club will open in Ketton this season, offering world-class cardio and strength equipment, three multi-purpose group fitness studios for classes like yoga, plus personal training, treatment rooms and premium amenities including rainfall showers and saunas. n www.equilibrium.fit KETTON

BARNSDALE Rutland’s Barnsdale Hall Hotel is due to reopen again after its new owners have completed a successful refurbishment of the building and its estate. Dineshbhai and Savitaben Patel purchased the hotel, which was on the market for £10m, and set about investing in its refurbishment, including new beds, carpets, bathrooms and decor, only for lockdown to give trade a false start and only to find their first Christmas fell flat with parties

banned by restrictions on hosting gatherings. But now, with restrictions due to be lifted, and with the UK’s staycation and tourism trade expected to enjoy a successful year, it’s expected that Barnsdale Hall – which will be managed by John Higham – will welcome new visitors to marvel at the new-look hotel. Employing 100 people, and with a spa and hair salon open to all, locals and visitors alike are sure to enjoy new look hotel. n

Musicians are in fine voice TWO YOUNG MUSICIANS FROM THE AREA RELEASE SONGS TALKING ABOUT THE IMPACT OF LOCKDOWN

Roger That filmed December 2020 at Cats Hill, Rutland.

RUTLAND Jay Naylor, a 22-year old medical student from the University of Nottingham has released the song Roger That, written and recorded during Covid and expressing his frustration at having to put his studies on hold during lockdown. Jay lives in Ketton and was educated at Stamford School. He was just about to begin his first work placement prior to lockdown. Meanwhile, 15-year old Casterton College pupil Chloe Lorentzen has released her own collection of songs, Love, Life & Lies, and has enlisted dad Lee to film them. Her track Sorry has been viewed 1,200 times. n

£880,000 for Police

Barnsdale Hall’s Back

LEICESTERSHIRE MP Alicia Kearns has welcomed an additional £880,000 of funding for Leicestershire and Rutland’s Police service to boost Violence Reduction Units aimed at preventing young people engaging in organised crime by tackling its root causes. n

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LOCAL

NEWS In Brief STAMFORD x

WELL DONE TO HEROES OF THE BIG CLEAN IN STAMFORD When locals can venture out and about in Stamford, and in the Deepings once more this spring, the district will be spick and span thanks to South Kesteven District Council’s Big Clean work. Two teams of five people toured the district’s 365 square miles with pressure washers, a weed ripper, leaf blower, strimmers and a large sweeper vehicle shared between two teams, tacking weeds, litter and graffiti. We’d like to say a very well done and thank you to you all for your hard work ensuring our towns and villages look good! n 7

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STAMFORD, LINCOLNSHIRE OIEO £600,000

A superb, five bedroomed, family home sits on the outskirts of the glorious town of Stamford. The modern property has been completely refurbished over the last few years and now presents as an immaculate, light, airy and spacious home with huge open plan kitchen diner, and a sitting room which links to a new garden room with bi-fold doors onto the private, south facing garden. The current owners have lived here for just over five years and have carried out a considerable amount of work so that it is almost like a brand new home. The garage is a new addition as the original was incorporated into the impressive kitchen diner. Outside, the mainly lawn garden is completely enclosed with timber fencing and evergreen trees that form attractive screening above, creating a completely private and intimate space. The Indian sandstone slabs which lead directly from the back of the house adjoining the composite decking, provide an ideal area for alfresco dining.

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

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

fineandcountry.com

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CARLBY, LINCOLNSHIRE Guide Price £850,000

225 offices across Great Britain Plus 75 offices globally

In the heart of the village of Carlby, only 6 miles from Stamford is a charming yellow stone property dating back to before the 1700s. Its footprint has been enlarged over time and recently, stables have been converted into offices and a barn is now an adjoining annex, along with two more outbuildings providing further scope for development. Original features such as overhead beams, inglenook fireplaces reflect the age of the property. The main house has three rooms, two sets of stairs, a single storey section running along the back and the first floor accommodates three bedrooms and a family bathroom. The annex is a conversion with a kitchen, living area, linked by a light and spacious entrance hall, featuring a unique modern staircase in local oak and steel, and a bedroom. Outside has an expansive garden and yard area. The old barn opposite the house already has planning permission to be made into a two bedroom cottage. The garage building also has an outline planning for a house.

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SSTC

MARKET OVERTON

£620,000

Delightful stone-built period cottage offering well-proportioned and beautifully presented accommodation with an array of character features in a sought-after village location with views over the cricket field to the rear. Reception Hall, Cloakroom/WC, Sitting Room , Conservatory, Dining Room, Kitchen/Breakfast Room, Utility, 4 Bedrooms, Bathroom, Large Gardens, Double Garage, Off-road Parking. Energy Rating: E.

BELTON IN RUTLAND

NEW

NEW PRICE

OAKHAM

£595,000

An individually designed, substantial detached property which is appointed to a high standard throughout, with good sized mature gardens located in a much sought after, non- estate location, close to the town centre with its associated amenities and also close to Oakham School. The property offers spacious, beautifully presented family accommodation with 3 Reception Rooms, luxury Kitchen/Diner, 4 well-proportioned Bedrooms and 3 Bath/Shower Rooms. NO UPWARD CHAIN. Energy Rating: C.

UPPINGHAM

£440,000

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

£730,000

Elegant period five-bedroom townhouse with double bay frontage, garage and private garden set in a sought-after area of Uppingham. The property offers spacious character accommodation and has been comprehensively refurbished by the present owners to an exacting specification throughout. Lounge, new Dining Kitchen, Utility, WC, Playroom, new Conservatory, 5 Dbl Bedrooms, refitted En-suite & Family Bathroom. Energy Rating: E Viewing highly recommended.

NEW

OAKHAM

£520,000

A beautifully extended and sympathetically refurbished character property providing spacious, contemporary family accommodation situated in a desirable Rutland village. Family Room, Dining Room, Snug, Kitchen, Utility, Cloakroom, 4 Bedrooms, En-suite Shower Room, Family Bathroom; dbl Garage, ample Parking, low-maintenance private Garden. Energy Rating: TBC.

NEW

STAMFORD

From £280,000

A brand new exclusive development of luxury living apartments for over 55’s located in close proximity to the Stamford town centre and its amenities. The three-storey complex features a mixture of one- and two-bedroom contemporary apartments offering well laid-out accommodation finished to a high specification throughout and serviced by a lift to provide ease of access. Each apartment has an allocated parking space. Available to view now.

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Guide Price £800,000

Guide Price £600,000

Pinfold Lane, South Luffenham

Sycamore Cottage, Knossington

An immaculately presented village home offering wonderful living spaces, an open plan kitchen and a fully functioning, independent two-bedroom annex.

A charming and deceptively spacious four bed-room character cottage, sitting in the heart of the sought-after village of Knossington.

Offers In Excess of £600,000

Offers in Excess of £400,000

Meadow Lane, Thornaugh

Dovecote Cottage, Wakerley

A beautifully ﬁnished and spacious brand new stone village home offering ﬂexible living accommodation and open views over the neighbouring countryside.

A charming two-bedroom character cottage renovated to a high standard throughout, sitting on a generous plot with glorious countryside views.

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Looking for your forever home? Look no further! VALLEY VIEW, CASTLE BYTHAM, NEAR GRANTHAM A DEVELOPMENT OF 4 & 5 BEDROOM EXECUTIVE FAMILY HOMES

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

Drawing upon the expert knowledge of our in-house designers and architects, Valley View offers six 4 and 5 bedroom executive family homes on an exclusive gated development, finished to the highest of standards and specification: an exceptional build quality that has been designed to stand the test of time. A large luxurious kitchen to accommodate the whole family designed to make the most of the exceptional valley views; plenty of spacious bedrooms and bathrooms big enough to survive the chaos on those busy weekday mornings. Not forgetting the large gardens for those gorgeous summer days. HIGH SPECIFICATION TO INCLUDE: Oak stairs with oak newel, handrail & spindles or glass balustrades. Quartz, granite or Corian worktops and upstands. Air source heat pump system... Plus: the reassurance of an NHBC backed 10 year warranty.

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

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PROPERTY FINDERS

NOTHING FOR SALE Professional property ﬁnder Kate Vincent explains that despite an apparent lack of property for sale, there is a vibrant ‘hidden market’ active in and around Stamford and Rutland After the frenzied rush amongst homebuyers to secure a new home before the anticipated end of the Stamp Duty holiday, most estate agents’ windows and property portals look depressingly short of exciting properties for sale. Whilst the first quarter of the year is typically a time for homeowners to contemplate and plan the sale of their property with many waiting for spring to leap into life to enhance their gardens, the pandemic is clearly playing its part. Anecdotally, we hear that some homeowners are reluctant to invite buyers into their homes and others are holding off launching their property whilst the uncertainty remains. However, there is a significant few who are willing to discreetly offer their home to buyers on an ‘off-market’ basis. Whilst some buyers are vaguely aware of this method of sale, many hold the false assumption that only high value homes are sold this way. This ‘hidden’ element of the local property market has a wide range of opportunities for all budgets. Why do sellers choose off-market? There are no hard and fast rules as to why homes are sold off-market as this is usually influenced by market conditions and a seller’s personal circumstances. However, over recent years delicate and private sales as a result of death, divorce, debt or being well known locally, are frequently cited as motives for keeping a property sale off-market. Equally, with so little prime property openly available for sale at the moment, some sellers have become wary about selling too quickly and then not having anything to move to.

Selling quietly to a patient buyer offers both certainty of sale and confidence to look in earnest for a new home without the usual pressures. Good news for buyers? On the face of it being able to purchase a property off-market sounds appealing for a buyer as the property will usually be fresh to the market and there is normally less or no competition from other buyers. However, buying off-market usually means that the sellers will expect more flexibility with timescales, as they most likely will not have found a property themselves yet. 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 both happy and neither feel outdone by the price agreed. What types of homes are being sold? There is a surprisingly wide spectrum of ‘offmarket’ properties both changing hands and being made available in the area. Recent examples range from a Stamford townhouse available at £850,000 to a period manor house with 5 acres that sold for £2.2m last year. At the time of writing, there are several large country properties being offered on an off-market basis to a limited group of buyers. None of these can be found via the internet or property portals.

Kate Vincent Garrington

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 offmarket options provided to property finders. Discrete 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 for example. Having been offered off-market opportunities, clients of a property finding firm can enjoy ‘preferred buyer’ status. This is due to a seller or their agent taking comfort from the fact that the buyer has chosen to be 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 Stamford and Rutland is likely to remain challenging, it is by no means an insurmountable challenge, with the right experience, contacts and access to all options in the market. If you would like further information regarding off-market properties and how Garrington can save you time and money finding the right home, contact Kate Vincent at Garrington’s Stamford office on: Tel: 01780 408377 Email: info@garrington.co.uk www.garringtoneastmidlands.co.uk

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HIGHLIGHTS

900 YEARS of HISTORY Peterborough’s magniﬁcent Cathedral Church of St Peter, St Paul and St Andrew is over 900 years old and is looking forward to welcoming back visitors as restrictions are gradually lifted... Words: Rob Davis.

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PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL

IT’S THE MOTHER CHURCH OF RUTLAND as well as Northamptonshire and Peterborough: the Cathedral Church of St Peter, St Paul and St Andrew. For nearly a millennium, this place has been at the very heart of Peterborough. It has become an icon for the city, a landmark for the many businesses and organisations located here. Geographically it is right in the city centre, conveniently close to the shops, coffee shops and restaurants and only a short distance away from the rail and road links that connect it to London and A1 corridor to the north. And as one would expect from nearly 1,000 years of progress, the site has seen some changes, from devastating Viking raids to a Reformation reprieve, followed by extensive Civil War damage and a period of 19th century renewal.

Peterborough Abbey, which became a Cathedral in 1541, has been at the centre of national and international events for over 900 years... Top: The high altar the east end of the Cathedral. Above: Scanning the Cathedral, image Terry Harris, reproduced with kind permission.

Yet this ancient building very much has a foot in the 21st century. During lockdown, whilst the Cathedral was uncharacteristically quiet and opening hours were cut to a minimum or cancelled, there has been activity behind the scenes. Experienced stonemasons and scanning experts AH Scanning Ltd were hard at work with hi-tech equipment to create what they believe to be one of the most in-depth digital captures of an historic building ever carried out. Their work has covered the interior and exterior of the building, even abseiling down the West Front with a laser scanner when required.

“We think that Peterborough Cathedral may well be the most digitally recorded historic building ever at this point, with 16 billion data points and over 30,000 images,” says Graham Sykes, Technical Director of Architectural & Heritage Scanning Ltd. “Similar work has been carried out at Notre Dame Cathedral and at Westminster Abbey but this is not quite so in-depth as we have used a wider range of scanners and methods to capture different levels of detail. We see the project as a unique case study or test piece to assess what can be achieved.” The resulting images will provide safer and more cost-effective access to information for maintenance and repair purposes.

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900 YEARS OF HISTORY Over the next couple of pages we’ll take a tour through 900 years of history at Peterborough Cathedral... Roman Period: Evidence shows that there may have been a substantial building here, possibly a temple or monumental arch. 655AD: A monastery is founded on the current cathedral site. 870AD: It’s believed that the monastery was attacked and destroyed by Viking invaders. 966-970AD: The monastery is refounded by King Edgar and Bishop Aethelwold of Winchester as a Benedictine house. 1066: King Harold’s army stops at Peterborough en route from York to Hastings.

It will also become a rich and inspiring educational resource for schools and others learning about the Cathedral. Work is just beginning on the creation of digital tours of the building and the possibilities for generating 3D printed replica objects are being explored. Who knows, one day soon you may be able to buy a 3D printed Peterborough Cathedral chess set! Reducing the carbon footprint of the Cathedral also took a step forward in 2020 when, thanks to sponsorship from the Peterborough-based international coffee company Masteroast, nearly 300 low energy LEDs were installed to replace the existing 275 watt halogen bulbs.

Once activity returns to the Cathedral visitors should notice significantly improved lighting levels and there is a keen expectation of reduced electricity bills. Worship, which has happened daily on site for centuries, has not been stopped by the pandemic but has certainly had to become more inventive. Congregations have been joining in with a variety of services online via Zoom, Facebook and YouTube. The Sunday Eucharist has been live streamed from the Cathedral during lockdown three and is led by a just handful of clergy and musicians to keep numbers to a minimum. A special prayer trail of lament and hope ‘Covid-19: All We Have Lost’ has been

1070: The monastery is raided by an army of Danish mercenaries led by Hereward the Wake to stop its treasures falling into Norman hands. 1071: William I imposes the living of sixty knights onto Peterborough Abbey and its monastic estates. 1102: Flemish mercenaries attack the monastery and take most of the gold and silver. 1116: The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle reported that an unattended fire in a bakery spread into the monastery and the town causing a lot of damage. >> 17

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PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL

adapted for online viewing, having originally been devised as a series of contemplative stops on a walk through the Cathedral. Holy Week and Easter, that great celebration of the Christian faith, was entirely online during 2020 but 2021 offers the possibility – it’s not yet confirmed as Pride goes to press – of being open for public worship in some form once again. For all the inventiveness and creativity of these times, the reality is that for a whole year almost all income generating events have been cancelled and visitor footfall, and therefore donations, have been drastically reduced. Whilst Covid-related grants and subsidies have been sought and gratefully received, it continues to be a constant challenge to meet the daily running costs of £4,200. So, with visiting restrictions due to be eased in April as Pride goes to press (and we caveat anything mentioned here as remaining subject to the rules), we think that one of the first places to enjoy a local, socially distanced day out ought to be Peterborough Cathedral. Even if you believe you’re familiar with the building and its history, you can always discover something new in a building with nearly a millennium of history. Take a Highlights Tour

When you visit the Cathedral – check the website for opening times – you can of course explore independently, but a tour with one of the knowledgeable and dedicated volunteers guides is recommended. They have an incredible passion for the building and a real enthusiasm for revealing some of its many secrets to visitors. The Highlights Tour is designed to ensure you don’t miss any of the Cathedral’s key features. It is offered on selected dates and

takes around and hour to complete. The charge is just £5, which can be paid by card on arrival. If you want a tour on a specific date, it’s advisable to contact the Cathedral in advance so that spaces can be reserved. View from the Tower

If, on the other hand, you’d like to see the building from a whole new perspective, then take a Tower Tour. These see visitors being taken up to the triforium level, above the Apse Chapel and transepts, then continuing up inside the central tower and outside onto the top of the tower for views of the city and beyond. The route comes down the stairs of the North West Tower where you can see into the Ringing Chamber and view the medieval windlass and fantastic roof gables.

Cathedral Keys project will secure future... Peterborough Cathedral has launched its new fundraising project, Cathedral Keys, an opportunity for those who love and care for the building to play their part in its future. Cathedral Keys invites supporters – whether they be individuals, groups or businesses – to pledge a regular monthly amount over three years.

Not only will donors be helping to maintain the magnificent building and Precincts as an asset for the city, they will also enable the Cathedral to unlock plans to develop its work as a place of worship, learning, hospitality and service in future years. All those who sign up to Cathedral Keys, whether as a Key Keeper (for less than £2 a

week), a Guardian or a Custodian, will receive a bespoke pin badge and, once Covid restrictions are lifted, invitations to special events and briefings at the Cathedral so that they can keep informed about current and future plans. n To find out about Cathedral Keys visit www.peterboroughcathedral.org.uk/keys or call Dawn Caplin on 07849 946937.

It really is a fascinating tour and lasts about two hours, costing £15 per person. Check the website for dates and times. Zoom Talks

If you don’t manage to make it to the Cathedral this month, you can still enjoy its history thanks to divine – or rather online – intervention. On Thursday 22nd April at 7.30pm and Saturday 24th April at 4pm, tour guide Mark Short will tell the story of the Cathedral’s iconic 13th century wooden nave ceiling. Completed around the year 1250, it is the only surviving wooden ceiling of its age in the whole of the UK. Meanwhile on Thursday 6th May, Revd Dr Sam Wells, Vicar of St Martin’s in the Fields London, will give the Peter Peckard Lecture. His subject will be ‘Act Justly: Church, Kingdom and Civil Society.’ The Lecture is a tribute to the contemporary social concerns of Peter Peckard, the 18th century Abolitionist and former Dean of Peterborough. Each Zoom event will require a ticket, with each household able to join the talk for £5 or £7. Music in Lockdown

Music has always been at the centre of worship, and an expression of joy in the building, so during lockdown, it was essential that the Cathedral’s Director of Music Tansy Castledine ensured that the life of a Cathedral Chorister could continue. >>

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>> 1118: Building started on the replacement monastic church - the building we see today. 1143: King Stephen visits the monastery c.1150: Abbot Martin de Bec creates a new market area to raise funds for the building of the monastic church. The monks create new commercial streets which is effectively the same street plan that exists in the city centre today. 1154: King Henry II visits along with Chancellor Thomas Becket. 1174-77: This is when the Becket Chapel was constructed 1216: King John stays at the monastery. 1238: The new monastic church is consecrated. The building today is of the original style & pattern. 1268: Upon King Henry III’s visit, he grants the rights for a town fair. 1272 – 1286: The Lady Chapel is added to the monastery. This was pulled down during the Civil War. 1302: King Edward I visits. 1349: The Black Death hits Peterborough resulting in 32 of the 64 monks at the monastery perishing. 1536: Katharine of Aragon, first wife and queen of Henry VIII, is buried in the monastic church. See later in this edition for more on her legacy in Peterborough. >> 19 19

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PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL

>> “We are immensely fortunate to have 50 highly committed and dedicated choristers here at Peterborough Cathedral,” says Tansy. “I feel truly humbled at the amount of energy, courage, conviction, enthusiasm, independence, and aspiration invested by each chorister into continuing with choir and their singing, in the absence of being able to meet and rehearse in person.” “Throughout lockdown, the children have undertaken a mixture of different styles of sessions, meeting ‘virtually’ over video conference, to enable them to continue developing their vocal and technical skills, as well as maintaining their enthusiasm. They have all undertaken audio or video recordings it’s been wonderful to see the resilience that they all have shown!” Recently the Cathedral announced that their Organ Scholar, Imogen Morgan, has been awarded the Fellowship Diploma from the Royal College of Organists. “This is a really superb achievement,” said Tansy. “Everyone here at the Cathedral is delighted for Imogen and so proud! She’s a talented musician and her future looks very bright indeed.” You can hear Imogen perform a programme of joyful organ music for Easter Sunday via Zoom from 6pm on Sunday 4th April, free of charge, although donations to the Cathedral are welcome. Cathedral Keys

As seen on our previous spread, the Cathedral is inviting people who love the place to become ‘Cathedral Key Keepers.’ By seeking regular donations, with options starting from as little as £2 a week, the scheme aims to raise £160,000 a year to help with costs and demonstrate the self-help needed to attract awards from grant funders. Those who join Cathedral Keys are helping to unlock the long-term financial stability of the Cathedral. It’s an essential programme of fundraising to ensure that this place of worship, learning, hospitality and service can continue to be here for generations to come. n Visit Peterborough Cathedral’s website for up-to-date information on opening times and events. Visit www.peterborough-cathedral.org.uk or see 01733 355315, Peterborough PE1 1XS. 20

The Cathedral’s live streaming desk - a case of online intervention, rather than divine intervention!

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>> 1541: To increase his control over the church in the area Henry VIII created a new bishop (the former abbot John Chambers) and Peterborough Abbey church became a Cathedral by letters patent. 1587: Mary Queen of Scots is buried at Peterborough Cathedral in August, five months after her execution at Fotheringhay Castle. 1643: Civil War results in a lot of damage to the Cathedral. 1822-20: It’s only now that the Civil War damage is gradually repaired. 1870: A Girl’s School is established in Laurel Court, later attended by Edith Cavell as a teenage pupil teacher. 1941-1944: The vigilance of ARP Wardens protects the Cathedral from major damage during air raids on the city. 1975: Queen Elizabeth II gives Maundy Money at the Cathedral. 2001: A fire breaks out in the South Transept which requires a major restoration. 2018: The Cathedral’s 900th anniversary celebrations culminated in Tim Peake’s Soyuz capsule being exhibited at the Cathedral. The capsule was accompanied by the Space Descent virtual reality experience. The Cathedral follows its traditional pattern of worship as well as providing a great service to the local community including many events, education and performances. n 21 21

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HER GRACE THE DUCHESS OF RUTLAND

THE QUEENS of their

CASTLES

A new series of podcasts created by Her Grace the Duchess of Rutland reveals the story behind some of the UK’s finest stately homes. From heritage to housework, stonework to statues, forestry to finances, running a country pile is a vast undertaking, but one that’s tremendously rewarding too… Words: Rob Davis.

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“It’s a buzz and a burden; delight and drudgery… with a lot of window cleaning thrown in for good measure!” says the Duchess... WITH GREAT ROMANCE comes even greater responsibility. Not to mention a vast amount of windows to clean. For those of us living in properties possessed of more conventional scale, the idea of moving into a castle seems too surreal to countenance. But upon her marriage to the 11th Duke of Rutland at the age of 36, Her Grace the Duchess of Rutland, Emma Manners, found herself moving into a property surrounded by 15,000 acres, with 2,500 windows that needed cleaning and no fewer than 356 rooms that necessitate a regular whip round with the hoover and the periodic attention of Mr Sheen. The Duchess’s excitement must have been tempered by more than a little trepidation as she suddenly became custodian of the Grade I castle in the Vale of Belvoir and its 15,000 associated acres. Management of the estate’s 300 rental properties alone creates a business of significant size. Meanwhile, the associated responsibilities of heading up the Castle’s weddings and events; overseeing its shooting parties and forestry operations, not to mention developing new revenue streams (such as those from The Engine Yard, the retail village which opened in 2018) all mean that running a country estate is a vast and diverse responsibility. In the first episode, the Duchess reveals that one of her new butlers was overheard saying to another member of staff early in her tenure as her new responsibility was dawning: “I wonder if we’ve broken her yet!” Nope. Not a chance. In fact, she remains the queen of the castle, never mind the Duchess, as smart and good-humoured as she is resilient and canny. We assume that butler in question hasn’t enjoyed such longevity in his role and was hoofed out before he could say ‘Will that be all?’

In other words, those expecting living in a castle to constitute a fairy-tale happy ending may in fact be a little dismayed by the ensuing financial responsibility… not to mention the amount of dusting that needs to be done. That’s not to say, however, that it isn’t a pleasure. It’s just a pleasure tempered with the need to practice considered custodianship in order to preserve the property and its estate for future generations. “It’s a buzz and a burden; delight and drudgery… with a lot of window cleaning thrown in for good measure!” says Emma. Ultimately, it’s fascinating, too, and that’s the premise of a new series of podcasts presented by the Duchess which offers an intimate fireside chat with the ladies who run some of the UK’s finest country houses. The Duchess moved into the property in 2000. She became and remains the UK’s most canny aristocrats and has transformed the estate enormously by sensitively making the most of Belvoir’s opportunities without over-commercialising it or turning it into some kind of fairground. “The ladies I’ve spoken to report the same feeling of responsibility, the same pleasure and the same determination to preserve their precious properties for our future generations. The recordings offer a real insight into what life is like as the custodian of a stately home. “The idea came from my eldest daughter Violet. She’s currently studying towards a degree in Business Studies at the University of California in Los Angeles. She was feeling really nostalgic for England and her American friends were all amused and in awe that she lived in a castle back home. Violet insisted that our experiences as a family and the experiences of others in a similar position would make a fascinating series.” >>

Opposite: Her Grace Emma Manners, the Duchess of Rutland, has created a series of podcasts in which she interviews aristocratic women about their custodianship of some of the country’s finest stately homes.

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THE DUCHESS OF RUTLAND

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“That was about 18 months ago, and during the first lockdown I began approaching people I knew to invite them to contribute to the series, initially with mixed results. But once more contributors had heard their peers’ contributions prior to the podcasts’ release – and perhaps identified with their thoughts – more and more women came on board to talk about their role running and preserving stately homes.” The Duchess now has a series of 10 episodes of her podcast for release from February, each having a duration of 40 minutes with a new episode published once a week. Then, in summer, an additional 10 new episodes – the second series – will also be released, too. “40 minutes is the length of a TV drama, but cutting into that time is visuals without speech, shots of scenery and so on. By contrast the format of a 40 minute podcast is quite speech-intensive, so there’s a lot of content in each episode. But because the format is a fireside chat in one of the drawing rooms of each property, there’s also a relaxed fireside feel to each episode.” “That’s nice for the listener but it also allows the ladies who feature in each episode to impart quite a lot of their thoughts and quite a lot of information about the property so compared to the snippets of social media content or the headlines on your phone, they’re quite rich and informative but also quite intimate and friendly.” “The other element of the series that I’m quite proud of is that they’re honest. I’d say that three quarters of the ladies we’ve interviewed have married into aristocracy. When that happens the fairy-tale – living in a castle – becomes a rather more nuanced outcome.” “I grew up on our family farm in rural Wales and I’m the daughter of a Quaker farmer. I met my future husband, David Manners, the 11th Duke of Rutland, at a dinner party. Having trained as an opera singer at the Guildhall School of Music and having worked as an interior designer, I was then thrust into the role of custodian of one of the nation’s great treasures, a Grade I listed castle with over 350 rooms. Suddenly I was responsible for the day-to-day running of a country estate, quite in addition to the raising of five young children.” “It sounds exciting – and it is – but there’s no training for the role, nothing to prepare you for the experience. And the to-do list in such a role is as diverse as it is exhaustive. Country estates are expensive to maintain

and to turn into sustainable operations. Monetising them is necessary to cover the cost of their upkeep but repairs or renovation of a heritage building can be very complicated.” “At the same time, you can’t turn a stately home into a funfair. Part of the responsibility is preserving the property or the estate’s character. Equally you want to open the place to visitors to experience and enjoy, but you have to mitigate the effect that hundreds or thousands of people’s footfall could have on the property or its grounds.”

this summer and we hope to open a new Duchess’s Parlour serving afternoon tea, truffles and patisserie.” “We’re also hoping to be able to offer our yurts and tipis for those seeking a staycation in a really nice setting. And more immediately, in early April subject to lockdown, we’ve been working with our designer Charlotte Lloyd Webber – who works with other properties like Castle Howard – to create a beautiful looking easter egg hunt with a twist; hunting for rubies, not eggs!”

“Against the backdrop of the castle and its “More fundamentally too is the mundane, estate has been the fact that Belvoir Castle day-to-day work. We’ve mentioned that has always been our family home. The small matter of 2,500 windows boys are 16 and 20, and our three to be cleaned, but minor jobs girls are now aged between 22 like keeping on top of the and 26. No matter where dusting and vacuuming they’re studying or working become an enormous unthey always return to a dertaking even with good place that’s a family home At the heart of the 15,000 acre staff such as we have.” as well as a stately home, Belvoir estate, the castle has 350 rooms, and its current iteration and I love it when we’re “All of that responsibility, dates back to 1832. It is Grade I all together, laughing and listed and open to visitors plus a broader need to talking and enjoying a meal subject to relaxation respect the architecture, to of lockdown. around the table. I’ve always promote the history of the proptried to ensure that same sense of erty and celebrate its heritage sudwarmth and family togetherness extends denly all fall to its custodian. I’ve really to our visitors’ families too, across the castle, enjoyed hearing first-hand what has inspired the Engine Yard and the estate more broadly.” our ladies to follow in the footsteps of all their

Belvoir Castle

forebears and take care of their properties.”

“We hear tales of architecture, art and treasures, stories of the upkeep of each of our properties’ grounds and gardens… there have even been a few ghost stories which have come to light during our recording.” “It’s a very personal series too, which reflects the hard work and dedication that the role necessitates. Not everything I’ve tried to do on the estate and in the castle has been a success. We refurbished The Manners Arms and tried to establish it as a pub, restaurant and 10-bedroom country B&B, but the challenge was enormous and it didn’t go well. But for every difficulty there’s a success.” “The project I’m most proud of is the establishment of the Engine Yard in 2018. It’s now home to 20 businesses, all of which are thriving. It’s also a place that the whole community can enjoy visiting. It’s a real pleasure to spend time there in the summer and I enjoy seeing families and locals enjoying good food, shopping and just spending time in the sunshine, shopping for shrubs and plants to take home and grow.” “Lockdown has meant the development hasn’t seen as much footfall in 2020, but we’re anticipating that it’ll be really popular

“In the future our children will have the same responsibility as my generation to look after the property and make sure it’s a place for everyone to enjoy. I’ll try to impart all of the knowledge and experience I’ve gained, but they’ll inevitably have their own energy and their own ideas to contribute too.”

“And that’s the wonderful thing about caring for a stately home. It’s also the theme that runs through the podcasts: preserving the past and adapting it for the future, leaving behind something wonderful for future generations.” “I’m eager to share just what remarkable women are at the helm of the stately homes around the UK and the work they get up to behind those doors as custodians of British heritage. I know all too well the hard work it takes and the work we do day-to-day to achieve and maintain the delicate balance between preservation and transformation.”

n The Duchess of Rutland’s podcast, Duchess, produced in conjunction with One Fine Play, is available from the usual sources, including on streaming service Spotify. For more information on Belvoir Castle see www.belvoircastle.com or www.engineyardbelvoir.com.

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THE WELLAND VIADUCT

Underneath the

ARCHES Words: Rob Davis.

It’s diﬃcult to imagine the landscape of Harringworth and Seaton without seeing the epic Welland Viaduct stretching across the area’s pastureland. Completed by rough old navvies from 1878, it was an epic structure, but also one that would prove essential to the economic success of the railway to the area...

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What a ruckus HS2 has caused. Imagine, then, what locals would have thought about the prospect of their uninterrupted views being skewered by the presence of a proposed new viaduct stretching 1.166km (1,275 yards) across the county, back in 1870. The statistics of the viaduct are impressive to day the least. It has 82 arches, each of which spans 12 metres (40ft) and reaches up 21 metres (70ft) in the air. The structure comprises 30 million Blue Staffordshire bricks, as well as 20,000 cubic yards of concrete and 19,000 cubic yards of stone.

The first brick was laid 145 years ago in March 1876 and the first arch was completed a year later. Construction took just two years – impressive for the time – but that timescale was achieved only because of the vast amount of manual labour invested in the epic task. From the mid to late-1700s navvies made a career for themselves as an itinerant labour force predominantly creating canals. With many of these being complete by the late 18th century, work was short. So when news came of the planned construction of a large

viaduct in the area, there were plenty of men keen to undertake the strenuous and exhausting work. Around 3,000 men arrived in the area seeking work and were set on, with just gunpowder, picks, shovels and bricklaying skills to create the viaduct. Their work ethic and mannerisms were documented by Reverend D W Barrett, vicar of Nassington who published his book, Life and Work Among the Navvies The viaduct cost £12,000 to build – around £14m in today’s money – and was Grade II listed in 1987. >>

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>> Needless to say the navvies were to benefit financially rather less, with labourers earning £1.10s.0d, semi-skilled bricklayers and miners earning £2.10s.0d and foremen earning £3.0s.0d. Overtime was available to those who worked through the night, and in order to accommodate the labourers, more than 40 huts were created at the Seaton end of the viaduct with 12 further huts at Gretton Hill to create a makeshift settlement. A mission hut was also created to try to temper the behaviour of the raucous group of navvies, whose consumption of ale has been estimated at about 30 gallons per hut per week. Tiddly behaviour, fighting, poaching and other naughty actions was wide-spread, as was dog fighting usually with breeds like lurchers. Appeals for temperance from the Curate of the site were somewhat less than successful.

“Tiddly behaviour, and fighting was wide-spread. Appeals for temperance were less than successful...” Above: 1923 map of the area showing the viaduct in one inch to one mile scale.

Five years later a new slip coach service had been created which left Oakham in the morning and connected via the line to London, and to provincial centres like Northampton, Cambridge and Kettering.

Still, the last arch was finished and a ceremony brought together contractors, foremen and workers on the Seaton side of the viaduct with Colonel Tryon, who owned the land, leading celebrations. Tryon is the great-grandfather of the land’s later owner, Mr Tim Conant, and Squire Monkton of Seaton.

By 1903 the line was carrying over a dozen express and stopping trains each way, daily. The strategic importance of the viaduct in moving troops to the channel ports during the First World War may explain a Zeppelin attack which occurred in 1916.

When the viaduct opened on 1st March 1880, it would carry eight passenger trains a day, to provide a more direct to London. It would service the 17-mile line created by The Midland Railway just a decade earlier.

The viaduct was attacked by a German balloon possibly because of its strategic importance in connecting the county to the war effort. In 1939, bombing threats were also issued by the Irish Republican Army and

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ROCKS BY RAIL IN RUTLAND...

Rocks by Rail – formerly know as Rutland Railway Museum, is situated four miles from Oakham and tells the local story of how private railways were used in the local ironstone extraction industry to move the extracted stone on the first part of its journey to the distant steelworks. The museum takes visitors back to the days before mass road transport when most minerals were was carried by rail and quarries had their own rail system. Now, owners of the standardgauge locomotive ‘Stamford’ which is owned by The Bluebell Railway in Uckfield (and has been on loan to the Rutland museum), have agreed to sell the museum the engine so that it can remain at the museum permanently, not far from the ironstone quarry in which it was once in daily use.

these resulted in the area around the viaduct being placed under guard by police. Fortunately, nothing further occurred. Unfortunately, with fewer than 15 people using Harringworth Station from 1947, the station was closed a year later, saving between £1,000 and £1,500 a year.

Naturally given its age, the viaduct has suffered from the effects of the weather and from structural stress. Repairs have been made using blue engineering bricks and red bricks, which tend to be more resilient although this has resulted in a bit of a patchwork appearance in places.

Today, the line is on the route between Oakham and Kettering and comprises a two-track non-electrified line joining the Peterborough to Leicester line. It’s generally used for freight and for the odd steam train sortie, but a single daily passenger service was introduced in 2009 by East Midlands Trains operating between Melton and St Pancras via Corby, the first such service since the 1960s.

2001 saw a more comprehensive restoration with the equivalent of £2.32m being spent on structural maintenance. A weight limit was also introduced in 2017 limiting trains with a weight of 25-tonnes per axle (freight trains, mostly) to just 20mph, with future work due to restore a 60mph limit. n For further information on the Welland Viaduct, see www.harringworth.org.

The Museum is now raising funds to buy the locomotive and start the long road ahead for its repair, re-assembly and conservation as a historic museum exhibit. David Atkinson Chair of the museum said: “We are grateful to the Bluebell Railway for firstly securing the locomotive for preservation when Pilton ironstone quarry closed in 1969, secondly for allowing it to come on loan to the museum and thirdly for now offering the loco for sale to the museum so that it can remain on public display in its home county.” n For more information see www.rocks-by-rail.org.

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FAMOUS LOCALS

WE’RE MADE in

STAMFORD For a relatively small town, Stamford has enjoyed contributing a few quirky footnotes to the history books. This month we’re looking at a some of the locals whose connections with the town are truly memorable... Words: Rob Davis.

HISTORY IS LITTERED with quirky figures, questionable acts and dodgy decisions, proving that often there’s nothing quite so unbelievable as the truth. This month we’re examining a few of the local figures that will be forever remembered as Stamford’s most memorable residents. n Larger than Life: Daniel Lambert...

Among the more well-known residents of Stamford is Daniel Lambert. Larger than life is a clichéd way to describe a gentleman who would never shy away from his ability to command an audience keen to witness the spectacle of a man who, upon his death in 1809, weighed over 50 stone. Happily, today, it’s considered unacceptable to ridicule someone on the basis of their appearance, but when Daniel Lambert was born in Leicester in March 1770, society was rather different to say the least. Lambert was born on the city’s Blue Boar Lane. His family were middle class; his father had an upstanding career as gaoler of Bridewell Prison, a debtor’s prison. Evidently Daniel was not an obese child and in fact was a keen and accomplished swimmer. The young Daniel was apprenticed to a die sinker and engineer in Birmingham, creating the dies which would be used to press coins. 36

Daniel completed four years of a seven year apprentice and then left the company to which he was apprenticed in favour of following in his father’s footsteps instead. At the age of 23 Daniel’s weight had ballooned to 32 stone, and even after his weight gain, he used to walk the seven miles from Woolwich to London, where he took a residence. He also taught juniors to swim competitively and was a keen spectator of sports.

Daniel’s diet wasn’t overly extravagant and he was also thought to be teetotal. And yet, his eventual weight was 52 stone and 11lbs, the public were often curious about the subject but on one occasion somebody asked how much his bespoke suits cost to make. An indignant Daniel replied that the member of the audience ought to purchase one for him in order to find out.

In 1805 when Lambert would have been 35, he was pensioned off from the gaol in which he worked and given a sum of £50/year which would have been quite a comfortable income to live on.

Daniel Lambert enjoyed Stamford and would visit the town regularly to dine there, usually at The George of Stamford or The Waggon & Horses. Daniel would place advertisements publicising his forthcoming appearances in the town and would attend cock fights in the town too. His last visit to Stamford was in June 1809 and though ‘fatigued from his journey’ he was otherwise in good health. Its believed that Daniel Lambert died at around 8.30am on Wednesday 21st June 1809 just prior to the arrival of his barber at his Waggon & Horses lodgings on St Martins.

He supplemented his income with public exhibitions of his weight, drawing crowds of up to 400. Curiously Daniel seemed quite brave enough to appear, and yet also sensitive concerning his weight, especially when a member of the audience would ask a tactless question.

His coffin was drawn by eight men and he was buried on Friday 23rd June to the rear of St Martin’s Church. Affectionate obituaries reported the death of a man larger than life. On his gravestone are the words ‘Altus in Animo in Corpore Maximus;’ noble in soul, greatest in body. >>

Again, unacceptable in modern society, but Daniel Lambert was a keen follower of bear fighting and cock fighting. At one such event Daniel even took on a bear to rescue his dog, apparently punching the bear in its head to ensure it released the stricken animal from his jaws.

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Larger than Life: Daniel Lambert.

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FAMOUS LOCALS

n The Short Story of ‘Lord Minimus...’

As already established, political correctness is a recent invention, and following on from our story of Daniel Lambert’s life, characterised by ridicule or intrigue over his physical appearance, is the tale of Sir Jeffrey Hudson, the ‘pet dwarf ’ of Queen Henrietta Maria, wife of King Charles I. Such a position would be unconscionable nowadays, but from in the Stewart era, the monarchy were rather less susceptible to having their conduct questioned. It’s believed that Jeffrey Hudson was actually born in Oakham, and that his stature – he was just 18 inches tall – was due to a hormone deficiency (perhaps a misfiring pituitary gland) given that his three brothers and his half-sister were all of conventional stature. Jeffrey’s father was a butcher by trade but also a bullward and took him to Burghley House in Stamford one day, when he was just seven years old. There he caught the attention of George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, for whom John Hudson was providing bulls for baiting. Upon hearing about Jeffrey from the Duke, the Duchess of Buckingham requested a visit and subsequently took Jeffrey into her household. In one of high society’s more bizarre moments, the Duchess decided that the best way to ingratiate herself with the visiting monarchy, Charles I and his young French wife, Queen Henrietta Maria, was to hide Jeffrey under a baked pie crust so that he could burst out of said pie, dressed in a little suit of armour and shout ‘surprise.’ Nothing if not an original gesture...

n Digging up the Past: Harry Burton...

Imagine the moment when the most famous archeological dig in the history of humanity reaches its climax. After more than 10 years the moment came to open the tomb of King Tutankhamun... and right there, with a camera in his hand, was Stamford’s Harry Burton. If ever there was a time to check you’ve taken the lens cap off... The dig was backed by financier George Herbert, 5th Earl of Carnavon, and who employed Egyptologist Howard Carter in 1915. Harry’s role was to document the dig and its findings, and some of the most wellrecognised photographs of the first glimpse into the tomb were taken by Harry. Born in Stamford in 1879, Burton was actually a cabinet maker by trade but developed an interest in history and specifically Egyptology after beginning work with Robert Henry Hobard Cust in 1896. His skills as an art historian and photographer soon flourished and he and Cust worked in Florence where Burton met Theodore Davis where the two worked alongside on several tomb excavations. Davis relinquished his excavation permit and instead Harry began working with Carter and Herbert. Harry Burton remained in Egypt until his death in 1940, and his legacy is over 1,400 photographs of Tutankhamun’s tomb.

n Lady Forbes - the original ‘It Girl...’

Long before Instagram influencers, 1990s ‘It Girls’ like Tara Palmer Tomkinson or even 1960s supermodels like Twiggy, there was Lady Angela Selina Bianca Forbes. Born in 1876, in London’s terribly posh Mayfair, Forbes grew up in Fife but also spent much of her time in Stamford at Lady Anne’s House – latterly Lady Anne’s Hotel – which was named after Lady Anne Cecil Countess of Stamford, daughter of William Cecil (2nd Earl of Exeter) and Elizabeth Manners in the 1600s. Lady Forbes embraced the country live and enjoyed fox hunting, shooting and fishing in the area, riding side-saddle with the Quorn whilst being immortalised in chromolithograph in Vanity Fair magazine, with Elinor Glyn basing the character of Elizabeth on Forbes in her 1900 novel Visits of Elizabeth. A novelist herself, and the wife of Imperial Yeoman James Stewart Forbes, during the First World War Lady Forbes became a proto-Forces Sweetheart and worked in soldiers’ canteens in France during the conflict. A tomboy before the description was coined, Lady Forbes was considered confident to the point of being abrasive and found herself in conflict with senior military men like Field Marshall Sir Douglas Haig. Forbes returned to Stamford often and died in 1950. >>

The queen was impressed and adopted Jeffrey as her ‘court dwarf,’ providing him with a gilded life, albeit one of subjugation and often jealous behaviour from his fellow courtiers. Things became so bad that Jeffrey finally snapped and a duel ensued between him and fellow courtier William Crofts. Despite his size Jeffrey was a formidable shot and successfully fired a bullet into Crofts’ head, killing him instantly. Duelling was at that time illegal and so Jeffrey was sentenced to death, only to have his sentence commuted to exile in France. There he was captured by Barbary pirates and taken to North Africa where he spent 25 years as a slave, his family being too poor to pay the ransom. He returned to Rutland and lived here until his death in 1681. 38

Above: Open sesame? The exact moment Howard Carter opens King Tutankhamen’s tomb. It’s a good job that Stamford photographer Harry Burton had taken his lens cap off...!

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Queen Henrietta Maria with Sir Jeffrey Hudson (1633) by Anthony van Dyck.

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FAMOUS LOCALS

>> n Rae Earl: Award-Winning Writer...

Witty, smart, empowering... and born in Stamford. Author Rae Earl was born in 1971 and is best known for the 2007 book My Fat, Mad Diary which was the basis for 2013-2015 Channel Four series My Mad Fat Diary. The book takes on themes like body image, sexuality and mental illness with humour and injects the kind of realism that any parent of teenage girls will consider a good influence.

n A Criminal Mind: Colin Dexter...

Most people consider the personification of Inspector Morse to be the irascible John Thaw, but it was Colin Dexter who first introduced us to the character in 1975 in Last Bus to Woodstock. Born in Stamford in 1930, educated in Cambridge and latterly a resident of Oxford where the Morse novels were based, Dexter wrote 13 Morse novels, 14 novellas and numerous short stories and crossword books as a keen head-scratcher when it comes to cryptic clues. He died in March 2017.

n Princess of Pop: Nicola Roberts...

Born in Stamford in 1985, Nicola Roberts found fame as a singer, songwriter and founder member of the ITV Popstars reality show pop group Girls Aloud. She later moved to Cheshire and the pop group split in 2013, which freed Nicola Roberts to participate in The Masked Singer last year. n

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New novel inspired by the life of Jeffrey Hudson...

Nat Davy is the eponymous hero in new novel by Frances Quinn...

Inspired by a true story, Nat Davy is the 18 inch ‘court dwarf’ of Queen Henrietta Maria. This new story spans two decades that changed England for ever seen through the eyes of one of the monarchy’s closest courtiers. The Smallest Man is a heartwarming tale about being different, but not letting it hold you back. About being brave enough to take a chance, even if the odds aren’t good. And about how, when everything else is falling apart, true friendship holds people together. ‘I want you to remember something, Nat. You’re small on the outside. But inside you’re as big as everyone else. You show people that and you won’t go far wrong in life.’ n The Smallest Mann has been written by Frances Quinn and is published by Simon & Schuster, £14.99, hardback, available from good local bookshops.

Left: Authors Rae Earl, and Colin Dexter, and Nicola Roberts as The Masked Singer’s Queen Bee.

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Chartered Certified Accountants and Chartered Tax Advisers

A complete wealth, tax and accounting advice service under one roof We pride ourselves on a personal service that works in support of you and your business.

Contact the Stamford team on b www.bulleydavey.co.uk

Baldock Oundle

Boston

Corby

Peterborough Stamford

Holbeach Spalding

Wisbech 43

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SIR LAURENCE HOWARD OBE

PORTRAIT of a

GENTLEMAN Sir Laurence Howard KCVO OBE is the subject of a new documentary created by Rutland ﬁlmmaker Barbara Keene. The ﬁlm celebrates one of the area’s most dedicated and committed advocates of education and justice... Words: Rob Davis.

He can only be described as a true English gentleman. Those are the opening lines to a new documentary created by filmmaker Barbara Keene. The documentary’s subject is Sir Laurence Howard, KCVO OBE, a former university lecturer, magistrate, Lord Lieutenant and namesake for a scholarship at his alma mater – The University of Leicester – which this year celebrates its 100th anniversary. Contrary to the opening line of the film though, there is another way to describe Laurence; a bit bashful. “I was a bit apprehensive about being the subject of a film. Like most people, an awful lot of my life is very ordinary but other parts are a little less ordinary. It’s those which have been picked out and put in the film.” “I was approached by Barbara whose previous work included The Forbidden Royal Romance, which records previously untold stories about the greatest 20th century romance between Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson that led to the abdication of a king.” “She’s a wonderful filmmaker and works with photojournalist Peter Butler, so her production values are really great, very professional.” “I was still a little reluctant but when Barbara suggested that any proceeds from the film could go towards the Rutland Scholarship named after me, which was established in 2018, my arm was twisted enough for me to go ahead”. Central to Laurence’s life are two themes. The first is a belief in justice, as one would expect given that he served as a magistrate from 1979-2003, plus being chairman of the Central Council of Magistrates’ Courts Committees and later served as Lord Lieutenant of Rutland – a role historically responsible for the militia and for delivering local justice through the magistrates’ courts. “As a magistrate, I was enormously fortunate to be mentored by Sir David DavenportHandley who was chairman of the Rutland Bench for 26 years. He was an absolute gentleman and I’ve always tried to be as generous with my time and energy to try to do as much for the community as he did.” The second of Laurence’s beliefs is that all young people should be able to reach their potential, and that lack of material possessions in someone’s youth should never be a barrier to achievement and for this, himself, he has his parents to thank. “My sister and I grew up in semi-rural Surrey countryside, my father Harry Howard was an insurance agent, mum was a housewife. Though we were never a well-off family our parents always did their best for us and encouraged us to do well.” >> Main: Sir Laurence Howard with HRH The Prince of Wales at his knighting ceremony.

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Receiving an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the Chancellor, Lord Grocott, of the University of Leicester.

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>> “I’m hugely grateful for their outlook on life and the belief they instilled in us that we should seize every opportunity that education provides.” “From Surrey I moved to Nottingham to attend university and study animal physiology and from there to Leicester where I read for a PhD in neurophysiology from 1967-1970. Physiology has always held a fascination for me and I was helped by some outstanding teachers and supervisors. Most of the research in those days had a strong medical bias and it was a natural move for me to then take up a post-doctoral fellowship in multiple sclerosis at Leeds Medical School”. In 1974, Laurence was appointed lecturer in physiology at the foundation of Leicester University’s new Medical School where he stayed until 2006. At the same time that he took up a teaching role, Laurence and his wife Christine and family moved to Whissendine where they still live today. Involved with a number of charities in the county, Laurence was a member of a small group of Rutlanders helping to set up a scholarship for Rutland students at the University of Leicester to commemorate the university’s foundation 100 years ago. His successor as Lord Lieutenant, Dr Sarah Furness, persuaded him that because of his long association with the university that the scholarship should bear his name. “The University was founded in 1918 with just 11 students and two members of staff, and accepted its first students in 1921,” says Laurence. “It was founded as a memorial to the First World War, intending to be a living memorial to honour those who made sacrifices during the Great War.”

Happily the funding is there for the award of our next scholarship which we hope will be announced in November.” During his tenure as Lord-Lieutenant Laurence was a trustee of both Oakham and Uppingham schools and he remains committed to the importance of education by his continued involvement with Catmose College which he had the tremendous privilege of opening in 2011. He also served as Honorary Air Commodore of 504 Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force at RAF Cottesmore and RAF Wittering, a role which, he claims, gave him great pride in the work of the Reserve branch of the Armed Forces. He is also President of the Rutland Historic Churches Trust and the Leicestershire and Rutland Community Foundation which has been immensely busy helping small voluntary organisations during the period of lockdown. Chairmanship of the Council of Peterborough Cathedral and President of the Rutland Agricultural Society complete his current portfolio of duties. In respect of the latter he says that he hopes the Society will soon be able to announce firm plans for this year’s show.

“The scholarship is designed to help facilitate the education of students who have faced specific challenges, from financial hardship to health problems, or to help students who have made sacrifices as carers or achieved success in their communities.”

“It’s Rutland’s sense of community that remains so central to why we all enjoy living here. It has such a strong sense of identity and heritage. We’re all determined to look after one another and there’s a wonderful body of people in the county committed to that in every respect.”

“The first scholarship was awarded to Toby Williams on the same night that the charity was launched, and we’ve been offering help to students during lockdown but were prevented from offering a full scholarship.

“Education is important and if we can help young people to reach their potential, irrespective of their background, I think that’s a great achievement; something we should all be proud of working towards.” n

Portrait of a Gentleman DVD: Barbara Keene has created Portrait of a Gentleman, a documentary about the life and career of Sir Laurence Howard KCVO OBE. Each DVD or USB-stick copy is £15 with proceeds from sales to the Sir Laurence Howard Rutland Scholarship foundation. Call 01572 787459.

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EFFICIENT PORTFOLIO

Eﬃcient Portfolio

wins Firm of the Year title

Celebrations at Oakham-based wealth management specialists as Charlie Reading’s Efficient Portfolio wins New Model Adviser’s Firm of the Year award for the East Midlands area... IT’S CONGRATULATIONS to the team at Efficient Portfolio as Charlie Reading and his team of Chartered Financial Planners have had their successes validated with New Model Adviser’s Firm of the Year Award for the Midlands. Charlie established Efficient Portfolio in 2006 after a number of years in the financial services industry and is also the author of 2015’s Dream Retirement, 2018’s follow-up, Smart Money and his 2020 book, Entrepreneurial Happiness. The financial planner and his team provide services like retirement planning, from pensions to investments, as well as estate management such as inheritance efficiency, mortgages, and business and personal protection such as life insurance and ‘key person’ business continuity. A philosophy of being truly independent, remaining client-centric and offering advice and help that reflects the changing circumstances of your different life stages ensures a sense of long-termism and security. Now Efficient Portfolio’s recognition in the Awards by New Model Adviser – the trade publication for professional financial advisors – has enabled Charlie and the team to acknowledge the advantages of their approach. “We believe in providing our clients with not only the highest level of qualification and knowledge, but also a fresh, innovative and dynamic approach to financial planning.”

“We have created a culture of constant and never-ending improvement, which is reflected through the ever-evolving training and learning resources we offer our team. They’re the backbone of our business, so we are continually looking for new and innovative ways to empower them and nurture their development.” “We’ve undertaken various business development incentives, including collaborative webinars with local solicitors and accountants, various online tools via our websites; a new book and regular client education and entertainment events.” “Our client numbers have shown consistent growth of approximately 150 each year for the last three years and our employee numbers have grown by approximately 5% each year too.” “We are also Chartered, placing us in the top 14% of all financial advisory practices in the UK and all of our advisers and paraplanners are fully qualified “I am delighted and honoured to be given this award because it is testament to the culture we have built at Efficient Portfolio. Since I founded the company we’ve tried to remain truly independent and deliver the best financial planning possible with the mindset of constant and never-ending improvement, so to be recognised as the best financial planning firm in the Midlands is incredible, and shows that effort has paid off.” n

Find Out More: Charlie Reading is the owner of Efficient Portfolio, based on Melton Road, Oakham. Call 01572 342036. The firm provides a suite of services including completely independent retirement planning, investments, financial protection and planning. Charlie is partnering with Peterborough based Buckles Solicitors to host a free webinar on Wednesday 12th May at 3pm to provide free advice on Inheritance Tax and Estate Planning: see www.efficientportfolio.co.uk to book your place. 49

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Pride Magazine is available to read, for free, on your phone or tablet... Enjoy the area’s finest magazines, using our App, free to download now!

Read online now at

w w w.p r i dem agazines.co.uk

You can now enjoy Pride Magazine with our app on your smartphone or tablet... completely free of charge!

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

The Inheritance Tax and Estate Planning Webinar If there is one valuable lesson that has come to light during the turbulent months of late it is that the wellbeing and security of our family is one of the most important things in the world. Evidently health has been a key concern for us all, but for many of our clients their focus has turned to the future ﬁnancial security of their loved ones. Will their family’s inheritance be penalised by hefty taxes? Could their intended wealth be lost through divorce or care fees? Is their existing strategy enough to guarantee their intentions?

UK, we all have to pay tax in some form, so it is important that any plans you make are lawful, accurate and fair. Achieving the balance between what you want to do and what you have to do is a little bit of a mineﬁeld, so we will be talking about the dangers of ignoring Inheritance Tax and will demonstrate what your obligations are, and what options are available to you.

COVID-19 has meant that many of us now feel uncertain about the future, and many of us are concerned about the financial impact it could have on our family’s future security. Whilst life may feel rather precarious at the moment, it is in fact the perfect time to reflect upon what you have in place and look to implement a suitable strategy to ensure that your wishes are brought to life. When we talk about inheritance and legacies, we often hear a huge number of concerns about the levels of complexity involved in creating a suitable and sustainable estate plan. To help bring some clarity, clear-cut answers and confidence to this topic, we have teamed up with local solicitors, Buckles, to bring you an insightful and informative webinar. Taking place via Zoom on Wednesday 12th May at 3.00pm, our webinar will cover the following:  How to avoid hefty Inheritance Tax Charges.  What measures to take to prevent your assets disappearing if a divorce or remarriage in the family were to happen.

We will also be joined by Sarah Westwood, a Partner in Buckles Solicitors who specialises in Wealth Preservation through Wills, Trusts, Lasting Powers of Attorney as well as Estate Administration. She will be bringing the topic of Wills to life by explaining why it’s not just having a Will that’s important – it’s all about having the right kind of Will! She will explain how best to protect your assets against the impact of future care fees, remarriage and family divorces. She will also be talking about the vital importance of making Powers of Attorney

Achieving the balance “between what you want to do and what you have to do is a little bit of a minefield, so we will be talking about the dangers of ignoring Inheritance Tax

n To book your free place, please email victoria@ eﬃcientportfolio.co.uk or call 01572 898060.

”

 Why a Will may not be enough to safeguard your wishes.

super-wealthy, but this is changing. The everevolving world of tax, especially Inheritance Tax, is not just targeting the very rich; in fact, it is beginning to hit the average family too. Last year alone, we saw HMRC collect £5.1 billion in Inheritance Tax - a rise of 9% from 2016 . And with the conventional Nil-Rate Band ﬁxed at £325,000 until April 2021, this trend looks set to continue.

Historically, Inheritance Tax has been the preserve of the

Any planning around tax can be confusing, time-consuming and controversial! In the

 How to ensure that your house and capital are protected against third-party risks.  The importance of Powers of Attorney.

Charlie Reading created Efficient Portfolio to offer entirely independent financial advice and helping people clarify and realise their dreams and goals through financial planning.

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

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BARBECUE FOOD TO YOUR DOOR

WHOLLY

SMOKE

This month we revisited Highway 61, or at least the A606, to visit a local restauranteur providing phenomenal authentic barbecue products. Thanks to Yummy – which now provides fresh local food, delivered right to the door in Stamford – the scent of hickory-smoked deliciousness is blowin’ in the wind… Words: Rob Davis.

FREEWHEELIN’ DAVID BEEVER is cooking up a treat, in his HQ in the beating heart of the local countryside. You’ll know when you’re there… if the scent of slow-cooked, hickory-infused meat, drifting across the misty fields doesn’t give it away, the sound of Bob Dylan playing at full volume will. So loud is the sound of folk rock that David doesn’t hear me knock, knock, knocking on heaven’s door – or at least the door of his development kitchen – so I decide to take a liberty and just walk in. The poor guy nearly jumped out of his skin in surprise. “Sorry, it’s his new album…” David replied. “I didn’t know he had one out. What’s it like?” I ask. “It’s pretty good. Here, try this,” he says and hands me a slice of the slow-cooked brisket that, along with Bob Dylan, was commanding his attention prior to my arrival. “What’s it like? “It’s pretty good too,” I reply. Actually, that was a thoroughly indecent understatement. It was one of the best things I’ve ever tasted, which is great news for the good folk of Stamford (Rutland too, soon) who are now able to avail themselves of David’s authentic, 52

slow-cooked, barbecue-smoked brisket, ribs, pulled pork and chicken for themselves… all from the comfort of our homes. Alas, the term barbecue has, in the UK, been disgraced to express undercooked sausages with burned exteriors, or fatty mass-market burgers dripping with grease and tainted by the whiff of white spirit or some other nefarious accelerant. The good old US-of-A, meanwhile, has a more devout adherence to barbecue conventions, as David himself knows, having embarked, in his youth, on a coast-to-coast road trip where he fell in love with barbecue food all the way from Texas to Tennessee, Memphis to Mississippi and from Oklahoma to Arcansas... ‘yee-haw!’ “Barbecue meat is much maligned,” he says. “Forget cloying sauces or overly sweet flavours. Our products adhere to proper barbecue practices. Namely the cooking of good-quality meat, slowly, over a long, low, consistent heat to break down the collagen and fats whilst infusing a sweet hickory smokiness.” A different ‘rub’ is applied to each product post-butchery; a process which happens on site, prior to smoking. >>

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THE SMOKEHOUSE

>> Most products David prepares utilise salt, sugar, spices and paprika in their rub but the exact composition is, naturally, a trade secret.

“Our ribs meanwhile are known as St Louis Ribs, and they come from the belly side of the rib cage, below the section of back ribs and above the breast bone.”

David’s delicious smoked barbecue meats are slow-cooked, for up to 24-hours, in his 200-litre Oklahoma-made hot smoking vessel, which allows warm smoke-infused air to drift lazily through the cavity.

Sometimes restaurants can take a St Louiscut of ribs and cut them down in length to obtain a couple of servings out of one rack.

My visit coincides with the completion of a cycle, and David pauses our interview partly to remove seven racks of assorted barbecue meat from the smoker, and partly to whet my appetite. I should at this point declare an element of bias, for I am a devout carnivore. Food is meat, and anything else on the plate is a mere fashion accessory. The brisket I tried earlier was delicious enough, with muscovado sugar and – believe it or not – a decent grade of instant coffee added to the basic rub. It couldn’t get better than that… could it? To test that assertion, David rips me up a juicy chunk of pulled pork. Ostensibly it’s a favourite of mine, but frustratingly, even in decent restaurants it often disappoints. And as for what the supermarkets purport to be pulled pork… forget it. Happily, David’s pulled pork is a world away and a league above the usual flaccid syrupy offering and stringy sinews. Instead, it has a tender, effortless texture and sweet, sugary notes. And then of course, there are David’s barbecue ribs. Oregano and a hint of chilli provide an excitement of flavour. But even before that hit, you’ll notice that they’re far more substantial than those served in restaurants, huge in fact. And there’s a reason for that. “Chefs, when writing restaurant menus, almost automatically – but sometimes incorrectly – use the description ‘full rack of ribs,” says David. “UK restaurant-goers expect their ribs to look like what those au fait with authentic barbecue cuisine know more correctly as babyback ribs.”

Not here, thankfully. These are rather more substantial, and are a more carefully considered version of what you think you’ve had before.

DISCOVER YUMMY

Bringing fresh local food – including The Smokehouse’s products – right to your door...

“They’re flatter which makes them easier to brown and they have a higher amount of fat which also makes them more flavoursome.” “Because they’re larger and more substantial, they’re much more satisfying, more authentic and a real people-pleaser whenever you serve them up!” “The way we produce them also ensures that they’re given the time to absorb the rub, time to develop the perfect flavour and time to adopt a texture which makes them a pleasure to savour.” David’s other offerings are a lovely barbecue chicken – smoked, with garlic and pepper added to the rub – plus his own homemade, mac ‘n’ cheese and coleslaw. For the ardent grazer, David also offers Burnt Ends – ‘nuggets of BBQ gold,’ produced from the brisket ends – and Rib Tips; meaty jelly bones, diced and served in his house barbecue sauce. Think of these as being, to the authentic barbecue experience, what ‘scraps’ or batter bits are to takeaway fish ‘n’ chips; a sort of guilty pleasure too pleasurable to induce guilt. David comes from local farming stock going back six generations, at least, in the countryside surrounding Bourne and Stamford. After completing his marketing degree, David bypassed agriculture and spent a decade working in the fashion industry in London before coming to the conclusion that fashion is for young folk in silly hats, and returning to the area in 2004 to set up his own restaurant in Peterborough. >>

The Smokehouse is just one of a number of local suppliers you can buy from using Yummy in Stamford, with Rutland, too, coming soon. It’s a food delivery service which delivers produce from local butchers, bakers, fruit & veg suppliers, fishmongers and other local food businesses, with shopping delivered straight to your door. How does it work? Simply visit www.yummy.co.uk and browse through the different products available. Once you’ve chosen your products from each of our different Yummy partners, you complete one single secure checkout. Next, we visit each of our partners in turn, collect each of the different products in your order, then pack them safely and delivery them using our fleet of our refrigerated vehicles. We’ll deliver your Yummy box to your doorstep which means you can enjoy local food, from local suppliers, delivered to your door for maximum convenience. As well as local produce, Yummy has lots of practical groceries too such as milk, butter, honey, and sliced bread. n Discover Yummy now by visiting www.yummy.co.uk... you won’t be disappointed!

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THE SMOKEHOUSE

>> That was 16 years ago and the place still trades today under David’s management as Sundays and later traded as Barbecue Nights too; two restaurant concepts working from the same premises, inside Peterborough Cathedral’s Precinct. Throughout the year, David, his father Keith and the rest of the family also provided hog roasts for weddings and other functions. They also renovated and ran restauants prior to the millennium, and so had collective good form when it came to decent food. “Sundays began as a predominantly daytime operation,” says David. “I was keen to find a night-time concept that would work well and always remembered with fondness the flavour and almost messianic culture of barbecue food from my time in the states.” “Sundays offers really good lunchtime roasts, with good quality meat, lots of fresh vegetables... and of course, there’s that social element to the Sunday lunch ritual too. The same applies to barbecue cuisine, but it’s a less convenient type of cooking for a restaurant because you have to prepare and smoke in advance and if you’re not sure how many covers you’ll have in the restaurant the following day that’s problematic.” “My solution was to offer ad hoc barbecue nights – as a sort of pop-up restaurant – which went down a storm. Later I began to offer lockdown barbecue boxes and would sell these in quantities of up to a hundred units each week, keeping the smoker – and our fans’ tummies – full up.”

“We’re offering all of our briskets, pork shoulders and rubs individually but we’ve also packaged them up into our small and large Smokehouse selections which are intended to provide a single box dining experience that’s akin to going out for a meal in terms of quality, but with a twist; you can enjoy them at home.” “We’ve been delighted with the feedback we’ve had so far, and we’re delighted to be bringing our range to a county that respects and appreciates food with real provenance. It’s a really exciting prospect!” “We hope that many happy nights with family and friends will be had, featuring our food right at the centre of the experience!”

“We’re really well-known in Peterborough, but less so away from the city centre. So, when I heard about Yummy, it seemed like the ideal place to offer barbecue food options. Our Development Chef, Carl Blackstock, and I work brilliantly together. He’s a great talent and together we’re able to make sure that each item we’re offering for sale is as authentic and as enjoyable as possible.”

Like the development of Yummy itself, thought up because of lockdown, David’s Smokehouse range is a reflection of the fact that whereas in previous years we’d all be enjoying dining out at the weekend, we’re instead likely to be more conservative about visiting restaurants at least in the early months of 2021, which is a shame for the county’s restauranteurs, certainly, but hopefully a temporary adversity for the industry.

“Our local farmers and butchers can guarantee the provenance and quality of our meat, whilst we can ensure we’re faithful to authentic American barbecue practices.”

Like the man said; ‘the times they are a-changin,’ and David is one restaurateur who’s changing his business accordingly… happily, with some quite spectacular results. n

Find Out More: David Beever is the owner of The Smokehouse. Find out more and order for home delivery at www.yummy.co.uk or call 0800 122 39 39. David’s restaurant, Sundays & BBQ Nights, is based on Becketts Chapel, Cathedral Precincts, Peterborough; www.sundaysroast.com.

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TASTING

NOTES BARBECUE DELICIOUSNESS TO ENJOY AT HOME VIA YUMMY, FOR FRESH LOCAL FOOD DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR n The Smokehouse Small BBQ Box Mini brisket; pulled pork; rib tips; BBQ beans; pickles, £19.95. n The Smokehouse Large BBQ Box Beef brisket; full rack of ribs; whole chicken; Burnt Ends; sides and pickles, £49.95. n Beef Brisket 300g, £9.95; 700g, £19.95; 1kg, £29.95. n St Louis Cut Ribs Smoked until tender and finished with a sweet glaze, £14.95/full rack. n Pulled Pork Whole smoked shoulder of dry-rubbed pork, £6.95. n Whole Hot-Smoked Chicken Brined, dry rub seasoned and smoked with barbecue glaze >1kg, £8.95. n Rip Tips 12-hour smoked meaty ‘jelly bones’ diced and served in house BBQ sauce £5.25. n Burnt Ends ‘Nuggets of BBQ gold,’ rubbed slow-smoked brisket edges cubed and served in house BBQ sauce £7.95. n BBQ Beans £3.75; House Coleslaw £3.75; BBQ Sauce 95p; Pickles £3. Above products available to purchase at www.yummy.co.uk.

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LOCAL FOOD DELIVERED IN STAMFORD

QUALITY AND LOCAL

LOCAL FISHMONGERS

With Yummy, you can fall in love with

He’s a keen advocate of supporting

food all over again! Enjoy fresh,

local retailers and food producers, but

high-quality meat, fish, fruit, herbs,

also a fan of the convenience that

vegetables, bread, and other locally

online shopping provides. So now…

sourced food like smoked barbecue

he’s combined the two!

dishes, cakes plus speciality oils and sauces, all sourced from the local

Julian and his team have now

shops you already know and love.

partnered with trusted independent

You simply choose from local,

butchers like Simpsons Butchers,

independent businesses and select

A W Curtis for baked goods,

your food items to create one ‘basket’

smoked barbecue products from

using our website.

The Smokehouse and of course, we

Complete your order, then we’ll pick

work with local greengrocers and

up all of your products from all of the

farmers for fresh fruit & veg.

shops, pack and deliver all of your

115

LOCAL FRUIT, VEG, EGGS & MILK 58

items together, right to your doorstep.

Yummy also provides fresh seafood from Grimsby, locally made cheese

Yummy is the idea of local

and many more items from local,

businessman Julian Wilkinson

cottage industry businesses.

and owner of Pride Magazines.

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THE SMOKEHOUSE

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

LOCAL BUTCHERS

FOOD DELIVERED IN STAMFORD! We will add more shops over the

high, our prices competitive, and our

forthcoming months. If you are a food

range comprehensive!

producer or restaurant in Stamford why not get involved? Yummy provides the amazing convenience of home delivery from local shops with one single doorstep delivery.

Enquiries If you’d like to get in touch, please email us at enquiries@yummy.co.uk.

COMING SOON TO RUTLAND

We’re rolling out Yummy across the United Kingdom, starting with this area and then the rest of the UK, prioritising local independent retailers, food producers and farmers.

SHOP NOW AT

We will try to source local produce where possible, though sadly ourefforts to source a local banana grower have not borne fruit – literally or figuratively – so we’ll also look a little further where necessary, to keep the quality of our produce

Fantastic quality produce delivered quickly and hassle free to your door!!! Supporting local businesses with the convenience of large chains what more could you want...definitely be a weekly visit from the very friendly and helpful Yummy team MR SPINDLER

WWW.YUMMY.CO.UK OR CALL 0800 122 39 39 BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 9AM TO 5PM, MON-FRI AND OUR FRIENDLY TEAM CAN TAKE YOUR ORDER AND CREDIT/DEBIT CARD PAYMENT. OUR WEBSITE IS REALLY EASY TO USE, SO WHY NOT GIVE IT A GO!

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In the KITCHEN Fresh, flavoursome and light, this super spring dish is a cinch to prepare and will happily cook away whilst you entertain your dinner guests...

ROASTED COD, LEMON & ARTICHOKES Preparation Time: 10 minutes. Cooking Time: 40 minutes. Serves Four. 500g new potatoes, halved • 250g artichoke hearts • Four fresh cod fillets, weighing approx 150g-200g per person Olive oil • Lemon juice • Salt and pepper to season • Pitted olives, optional • Fresh rosemary, chopped, optional. Preheat your oven to 230°c, gas mark eight, then slice the new potatoes and artichokes, adding the olives if you’re using them. Season with salt and pepper, add a light drizzle of olive oil, then spread on a greaseproof paper lined baking tray or oven dish and bake for about 20 minutes, until the vegetables are tender.

Meanwhile, brush the fish with olive oil and season to taste. Remove the vegetables from the oven and place the fish on top of the vegetables. Bake for a further 10 minutes until the vegetables are brown then squeeze a little lemon juice over the fish and serve with lemon wedges. n

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EAT THE SEASONS

Artichoke Lasagne Serves: Eight. Preparation Time: 30 Minutes. Cooking Time: One and a half hours. Rapeseed oil 300g artichoke hearts, chopped and marinated Lasagne sheets 300g chopped spinach One onion, diced 800g tomato based sauce or Passata Two cloves garlic 420ml good vegetable stock 350g mozzarella, grated Feta cheese, crumbled to top.

Preheat the oven to 180 C / Gas 4. Spray a 20x30cm or similar sized baking dish with rapeseed oil. Drizzle a large frying pan with oil and heat over medium-high heat. Sauté onion and garlic for three minutes or until it’s tender-crisp. Stir in the vegetable stock and rosemary; bring to the boil. Stir in artichoke hearts and spinach; reduce heat, cover and simmer five minutes. Stir in the tomato sauce. Spread about a quarter of the artichoke mixture in the bottom of the prepared baking dish; top with three lasagne sheets. Sprinkle over a quarter of the mozzarella. Repeat this layering process twice more, ending with artichoke mixture and mozzarella cheese. Now, sprinkle crumbled feta on top Bake, covered, for 40 minutes. Uncover and bake for 15 further minutes or until hot and bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting. n

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THREE

WAYS WITH GLOBE ARTICHOKES

Artichoke Crostini A sophisticated starter in just ten minutes - boil or steam your artichokes or, by way of a shortcut, use tinned artichokes, and place in a blender or food processor with garlic, a bit of olive oil and grated Parmesan. Snip a few chives in too, then pulse to a chunky paste. Serve on warm Hambleton sourdough bread.

On a Pizza Make a posh pizza, with a homemade pizza base. Smothered the base in a good quality tomato sauce or passata, smooth on some pesto, and scatter on grilled artichoke hearts. Cover with mozzarella and drizzle over a little of the artichoke oil from your pan.

With Pasta Boil spaghetti in salted water. Whilst it cooks, mix lemon juice, olive oil and pesto together. Drain the pasta then return to the pan with the lemon mix, artichoke hearts and rocket.

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Made from 100% English blueberries, hand picked from Lutton Farm near Oundle... Ice Wine: Sweet, intense, fruity & velvety smooth, 10.5% ABV, £17.95. Also Available: Blue Aurora Dusk & Midnight.

SHOP FOR THE FULL RANGE ONLINE AT

www.blueaurorawine.co.uk @blueaurorawine

01832 273300

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Wine of the Month

Gin-spired by Norma Jean... This month’s recommended gin just wants to be loved by you!

Maree d’Ione Organic Fiano

The perfect pink tipple for spring and summer with a touch of 1950s and early 1960s glam. Pink in appearance, the Marilyn Monroe Gin is a floral and delicate creation distilled with Japanese cherry blossom, hibiscus, rose and pink grapefruit. The bottle design features iconic images of Marilyn Monroe including the legendary ‘white dress’ photo. Zesty, floral to the fore, this pink gin delivers well-balanced notes and a long, smooth finish, pairing well with most tonic.

£25.99 / 2.5l / 12.5% ABV

£35 / 70cl / 40% ABV www.burleighsgin.com

The Wine Cellar THIS MONTH WE CELEBRATE MALBEC DAY, A NEW LOCAL GIN INSPIRED BY MARILYN MONROE, AND A DELICIOUS SWEET RUM WITH BANANA AND PINEAPPLE... GREAT SPRING TREATS! WORLD MALBEC DAY: Celebrate on 17th April with these three magnificent Malbecs! 1. Our first option is a round, smooth Malbec from one of the oldest wineries in Mendoza. Notes of plum, ripe cherry, with the perfect hint of spice, great with a Saturday evening steak, £10.49 / 75cl / 14% ABV

2. This mid-range Malbec enjoys fragrant violets, blueberry fruit and lots of floral hints on its palate. Coffee and its toasty oak-barrel derived maturity creates a complex, mature and great expression of the Malbec grape, £10.49 / 75cl / 14% ABV.

Remember how terrible boxed wines were? Well, the box is back but the quality is much improved, hence this recommendation. From the slopes of Puglia using Fiano grapes, this organic wine is really dry, fragrant and floral, with hints of mango and pineapple. It is extremely well-balanced, with a crisp and refreshing acidity and layered deep notes of exotic fruits, ideal for summer days in the garden or barbecues! Available from Waitrose Cellar.

The Aaaar-tisan Distillery’s Bounty Ahoy there landlubbers, if ye be after pirate-strength rum this spring, local spirit producer Bottomley Distillers has created this 40% golden rum, spiced with cinnamon and ginger then sweetened with banana and pineapple. The company will be releasing an over proof version soon too, but for now, Rumcat marks the spot like an enormous ‘X’ in the sand if you’re looking for a sweet summer tipple, £35 / 70cl / 40% ABV, bottomleydistillers.co.uk

3. And by way of a finale, we present this epic Zuccardi Aluvional Altamira, silky, full-bodied with great structure and a nice long finish, £55 / 75cl / 15% 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. 67

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HOMES & INTERIORS

LOCATION, LOCATION

LOCATION

There could be no better location for a property in Stamford than this month’s featured property. Enjoying privacy, space, and with absolutely zero-maintenance needed, 27 Hereward Place is a great option for busy professionals, downsizers and those who want to live in the heart of the town... Words: Rob Davis.

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This month we present a very rare opportunity to purchase a property on Stamford’s Cecil Square. It’s a modern, maintenance-free, brilliantly located property… and best of all, you don’t need to camp out all night to secure 27 Hereward Place, as its original owner did! “We were both living in London at the time,” say owners Harry and Nicola Offer. “I’m from the area born and raised whilst Nicola is from Australia. We both met in London whilst working together in the legal profession, and moved into an apartment in West Hampstead.” “Rent was extortionate and we were five storeys up, so when we fell pregnant, it was time for a better quality of life, with a move to a countryside location a commutable Main/Right: The property is just two years old with new kitchen, bathroom, three bedrooms and a private enclosed garden. It’s located in the heart of Stamford.

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distance from London, somewhere that would afford more space and somewhere that would be a nice place to bring up our daughter Grace.” The couple’s current property, number 27, fitted the bill perfectly. But unfortunately, many other people thought so too, when the first phase of properties were released, the couple were told that it was a strict case of ‘first come first served.’ That meant that if the couple was to secure their place on the development, they needed to camp outside the sales office. And so, when a new phase of properties was due to be released on Saturday morning, Harry drive down on Friday, and parked his car just outside the development, camping out in January 2018 in ski salopettes! He was joined by a fellow resident on the development

“The property is a short walk from The Meadows, the town centre, the train station and Burghley House... today, who brought with him a folding chair and a decent bottle of wine, and the two gentlemen waited until the sales office opened, happily securing their respective properties. Was it all worth it? “Oh yes!” says Harry. “It’s an amazing property. It was a crazy thing to do but we wouldn’t have wanted to miss out on it.” “The location is brilliant, and being the first owners, we were able to choose our flooring, kitchen style and so on. It’s all brand new and it’s one of the few properties in

Stamford within a two-minute walk of the train station, so for a commuter it’s ideal.” “12 weeks ago, we welcomed our second child, a boy called Theodore, into the world, so we need a bit more space. But otherwise, we’d have no plans to go anywhere, it really is a fantastic house!” In respect of the location, the property is just a few hundred metres from The Meadows, and walking distance of town, the train station and Burghley House where Harry enjoys 5km runs though the deer-occupied parkland. Also in respect of the location, the house is located almost next door to The George of Stamford. Is there a better place to call your ‘local?’ We think not. In terms of living space, the house has three bedrooms with a ‘Jack & Jill’ bathroom. >> 71

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There’s a large reception room with a limestone fireplace, a kitchen diner with Neff appliances; ovens – with the firm’s ‘hide ‘n’ slide’ doors – dishwasher and washer/dryer. “Because we’re in a mews, there are just four houses in the row so it’s a nice community and there’s no competition for parking spaces, we all get on really well. Its position also means that the only people who come into the enclave are residents or visitors, so it’s nice and private.” Despite having an in-town location, the house also has a good-sized garden, completely enclosed and therefore private and safe for children. There’s a decent sized patio area suitable for outdoor dining furniture with space for four people to soak up the sun this season, and again, though in town, there are two car parking spaces plus a garage. 72

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What’s more, the property’s garage also has a mezzanine level which would provide an annexe, a gym, hobby room or a home office. So if – as Harry anticipates – more people in the area will find themselves commuting less often, moving to commuter enclaves like Stamford and working from home more, you can create an office space separate from home and family life that you can lock up and leave at the end of the day. “Currently we just use it for a bit of storage but if we were staying here I think I’d use it as a home office, it’s a really versatile space. I used to commute four days a week, but I can see that being cut down for many firms in the future.” “Meanwhile, when the weekend comes along and it’s a sunny spring morning we can take the children to the Burghley estate and enjoy the parkland. There are lovely independent shops all within walking distance and lots of great places to enjoy coffee or a bite to eat.” “Stamford is a perfect place to live and for the property’s next owner, this will be a perfect place to call home. It’s really welllocated, modern and maintenance-free, with practical space and a good-sized garden. We’ve been really happy here and we think its next owners will love it too!” n

HEREWARD PLACE, STAMFORD Location: Central Stamford. Railway/Burghley two mins walk. Style: Brand new mews house built 2018 by Morris Homes. Guide Price: £450,000. Find Out More: Fine & Country, Seaton Grange Barn Offices, LE15 9HT. Tel: 01780 750 200, or see www.fineandcountry.com.

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

Deborah Walker RI RSMA | Sunrise from the Shard, London | Watercolour | 40 x 48 inches

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

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

w w w. a d r i a n h i l l f i n e a r t . c o m 74

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KITCHENS • BEDROOMS • BOOT ROOMS • STUDIES INDIVIDUALLY MADE FREE STANDING FURNITURE

Call 07534 808903 richwood-cabinetmakers@hotmail.com BRING RICHWOOD INTO THE HEART OF YOUR HOME

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HOME FURNISHINGS

All That Glitters is

GOLD Soft gold helps to balance out the coolness of grey tones, proving that when it comes to choosing fabrics and soft furnishings for your home, all that glitters is gold... This Spread: Clarke & Clarke Edgworth fabrics, bedding Belgravia ochre/charcoal; duvet Windsor ochre and chambray, pillows Breton and Windsor.

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HOMES & INTERIORS

Top Left: Harlequin Momentum including Kienze and Trattino rug. Top Right: Harlequin Demoiselle cushion and throw. Above: Sanderson Sycamore, curtains in Mustard Seed Weave, wallpaper Little Thistles in Ecru. Opposite: Jane Churchill fabrics, sofa in Foxtrot Ivory; cushions in Indra Gold, Tamara Silver/Gold and Zephy Gold.

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79 79

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HOMES & INTERIORS

Above: W Morris Strawberry Thief bedding in Pebble, £120 for double duvet cover. Opposite Top Left: Botanist Collection, Clarke & Clarke. Opposite Top Right: Clarke & Clarke Origins fabric. Opposite Bottom: Clarke & Clarke Natura linen look fabric with metallic and satin effects.

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Rutland & Stamford Suppliers: Delcor Interiors: Stamford, 01780 762579, www.delcor.co.uk. H-Works: Stamford 01780 754605, www.hworksdesign.co.uk. Hunters Interiors: Uffington, Stamford PE9 4TD, 01780 757946, huntersinteriorsofstamford.co.uk. Sarah Harding Interiors: Uppingham, 01572 823389, www.sarahhardinginteriors.co.uk. n

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FULL DESIGN SERVICE, ALL MANAGED UNDER ONE ROOF

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

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

E: sales@qksstamford.co.uk

www.qksstamford.co.uk

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

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BUYING AND SELLING PROPERTY

THE KEY TO YOUR

NEXT HOME For those seeking to buy or sell property in Rutland or Stamford, the experience and expertise of Greg and Mel at Perrins Properties makes the whole process faster and easier... Words: Rob Davis.

IF ANYONE KNOWS THE DIFFERENCE between a house and a home, and how important the latter is to a functional family life, it’s local property experts, Greg and Mel.

“We’re seeing people making a lifestyle move,” says Greg. “The past year has proven that many of us can work from home, and that’s encouraging people to re-evaluate where they live.”

On the morning of our interview their home was a hive of activity. Three children and two adults all trying to work from home? Sounds like a recipe for chaos, but it’s all working well on the morning of our call, with Greg and Mel on loudspeaker around the table in the property’s kitchen diner with its views of local countryside towards Stamford.

“Our area provides more property for your money, larger gardens, nice communities, excellent commuter links and many other physical and psychological benefits which can be derived from living in such a beautiful part of the country.”

“We’ve three children, aged, nine, four and two,” explains Mel. “Like a lot of people, we have had to adapt to working from home over the last year. I tend to work downstairs in the playroom whilst we are home schooling the children, and when he’s not out with clients, Greg works in his study upstairs.” “He has the nicer office but as he spends most of his time on the phone to client’s he needs a quiet space which wouldn’t be possible with the children nearby! ” “It’s running smoothly, so far – touch wood – which is even more impressive given how busy we are at the minute. The property market, much like the rest of the country, is operating in unusual circumstances – and in uncertain times – but property is moving incredibly quickly and there are a number of trends that we have seen which are having a direct bearing on Rutland and Stamford.” 84

“That means luxury properties in Rutland and Stamford area are highly sought-after, and using an experienced luxury property specialist can give you the advantage you need to secure a fair price when you buy or sell a home in the area. And that’s exactly the service we set up following our return to the area after 11 years working in Dubai’s prestigious property market.” “Dubai is renowned for luxurious living standards and five star service and we were determined to bring those standards to the UK with us. We are passionate about improving standards in the UK real estate market starting with improving the fundamentals of communication between all parties involved in a sale.” “We also believe in a truly bespoke service for each of our clients focusing on their requirements and individual circumstances instead of the usual off the shelf approach that is standard in this market.” >>

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PERRINS PROPERTIES

>> Buying Property “One in three buyers of high-end property in the area are from London or the home counties. As a boutique agent we work with a small number of properties which gives us the ability to proactively reach out to our constantly updated list of national and international buyers who have registered their interest in purchasing a property in the area.” “This also enables us to spend more time on each of our properties matching them to the right buyers and actively reaching out to them. We pride ourselves on our excellent communication with both buyers and sellers keeping all our clients informed at every step of the process.” “Uniquely, we don’t consider our service complete once an offer has been accepted. We actively see our sales through to exchange and completion, acting as a ‘concierge’ during the conveyancing process.” “Often that’s a tricky or drawn-out part of purchasing a property, so to have someone keeping the process going can be a real advantage and relieve a lot of the frustrations commonly experienced during the process of buying a home.” Selling Property

“Our comprehensive knowledge of luxury property and the area allows us to serve as a concierge for sellers, investing more time introducing properties to buyers, and providing services like home staging and styling. We have 15 years of experience in the luxury property market and have both the knowledge and the market insight to provide an accurate valuation for your home.”

“We also offer a consultancy basis if your property is already on the market but isn’t attracting enough viewings.” “The service is offered with a small, fixed fee, and aims to ensure you can take charge of marketing your home and reach out to potential buyers.” “Home staging is becoming increasingly popular in the UK and can really help to make your property more attractive to potential buyers.” “Our professional photographers will showcase the unique features of your home and create an amazing portfolio of images to tempt and engage potential buyers.”

On the Market in Rutland & Stamford... The East Midlands experienced the second highest growth in England in 2020 seeing a 10.6 % increase from December 2019 to December 2020. This compares to a UK average increase of 8.5% for the same period. House prices nationally took a slight downturn after the first quarter of 2020 but quickly recovered, surpassing pre-lockdown prices by June. South Kesteven fared well during this period with prices staying higher than those seen in almost all comparable months in 2019 and ending 2020 with a comfortable 5.2% increase in prices since the end of 2019. In particular, the town of Stamford has fared very well with a 7.96% increase in the last 12 months. The average price paid for a detached home in December 2020 in South Kesteven was £322,287 with a healthy increase of 6.1% over the course of 2020. This compared to a regional average detached house price of £315,652 after a regional increase of 11.2%, shows that the South Kesteven area, and in particular Stamford, still attracts a premium for its properties. n Sign up for quarterly updates on house prices in the area by calling Greg Perrins on 07495 368823.

“For extensive properties with acreage, drone photography and professionally produced videos truly bring your property to life, presenting your home’s setting in the best possible way.” “Once prepared for sale, as boutique property agents we can then invest more time and more attention in your home and in finding our clients a property that meets their needs and provides them with a better lifestyle.” “We also provide accompanied viewings and are very proactive in following up on a potential buyer’s interest.” “In many ways there’s room for improvement in the way we buy and sell property in this country, but that also means there’s scope for improvement and for someone like us to provide a much better customer experience.” “The purchase of a property is not only the largest investment you’re likely to make, it’s also really important that where you live works well for your lifestyle and contributes to your happiness.” “Our homes are where we live, relax and grow as a family. For that reason, helping people unlock the door to their dream home is a responsibility that we really thrive on and enjoy with every single satisfied customer!” n

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UNLOCK THE DOOR TO YOUR DREAM HOME... n Property Valuation: “With 15 years of experience in the luxury property market we have the expertise needed to provide an accurate valuation of your home. With an eye for detail, we are able to achieve premium prices for our properties by recognising and marketing the luxury features which other agents may miss.” n Tailor Made Marketing: “Looking to sell a property and don’t want your home move to be treated like a production line? It’s time to try something new! At Perrins Properties we don’t believe in a one size fits all approach and will tailor make a marketing package that fits your home.” n Consultation Service: “Already on the market but not getting any viewings and don’t want the hassle of changing agent? For a small fixed fee Perrins Properties can offer a consultation service which will enable you to take charge of your home’s marketing and get your current real estate agent performing for you. For extensive properties with acreage, drone photography and professionally produced videos truly bring your property to life, presenting your home’s setting in the best possible way.” n Staging & Styling: “All our agents are experienced in staging your home to achieve the interest and value it deserves and help potential buyers to see themselves living there. This service comes as standard for all our properties whereby agents will advise and assist with minor staging prior to photographs being taken. For larger jobs such as empty properties we can refer you to trusted professionals who can stage the property as a home showcasing the best your property has to offer.” n For more information on Perrins Properties services call 07495 368823 or see www.perrinsproperties.com

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Professional Interior Design Service Re-Upholstery and Soft Furnishings

MARKET PLACE · UPPINGHAM · RUTLAND · LE15 9QH

01572 823389

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

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 88

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Independent Local Estate Agent Offering a unique approach to buying & selling luxury property

With 15 years of experience in the luxury property market, Perrins Property is uniquely qualified to help you buy and sell your home... Services we offer include: l Free home valuations (virtual or in person) l Tailor made marketing to sell your home l Home staging and design consultation l Conveyancing support on all sales l Help to find your next dream home

Call us now on 07495 368 823 www.perrinsproperties.com

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JACKSON BUILDBASE

A Better Bathroom with

BUILDBASE Striking style and plenty of storage! Jackson Buildbase’s bathroom specialists can create a room that looks great, works well and will last for many years... a place to relax unwind and pamper yourself ! Words: Rob Davis.

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From sunrise to sunset, your bathroom is probably the first place you visit in the morning and the last room you use before bed. And these days, they’re not merely practical places. For many households the bathroom is a place to pamper and relax, unwind and enjoy some time alone. Designing a bathroom, though, does take real skill. Your family bathroom, en suite or cloakroom need to look great, work well, they need to be easy to clean and they need to resist moisture of steam in order to last years and still look great. Add to those challenges the fact that many rooms are confined spaces – certainly en suites and cloakrooms – which means you need to have a real flair for design to create a really great bathroom.

That’s why Jackson Buildbase has dedicated bathroom design specialists like Sue Abbott, who are used to making the most of your spaces. “We’ve a combined 50 years experience and the company has over 200 branches,” says Sue. “That means we’re of a sufficient size to be able to exercise great purchasing power and pass on those savings to our customers, but at the same time each of our branches can serve our customers like an independent bathroom supplier to offer personal service, great advice and a truly collaborative design experience.” “In addition our years of experience have ensured we’ve stuck with the best names in the industry like Utopia, which supplies traditional and contemporary bathrooms and cabinetry to ensure plenty of storage, plus shower enclosures from Roman and

Matki, and designer fittings from names like Roper Rhodes and Atlanta.” “Clever touches can include wall-hung fittings which are easy to clean around; wetrooms; heated towel rails and heated fog-free mirrors which offer a clear view when you’re applying makeup or shaving. All of these innovations are tried, tested and worthwhile; little ways to make your bathroom easy to live with on a day-to-day basis. ” “We also offer 0% finance and a ‘buy now, pay later’ option making us the ideal choice for those who need a bathroom unexpectedly. Our kitchen ranges and our bathrooms offer quality and value, creating great spaces in your home which all add value to your property, meaning your new bathroom will be a great place to wake up to every morning for years to come.” n

n Sue Abbott of Stamford-based Jackson Buildbase can provide free, no obligation consultations via telephone or video for an initial chat about your bathroom or kitchen. The company is based on Radcliffe Road, Stamford PE9 1AP. Call 01780 764782 or see www.buildbase.co.uk. 91

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HERITAGE WINDOW SPECIALISTS ENHANCE THE STYLE, VALUE AND APPEARANCE OF YOUR HOME WITH THE VERY LATEST ALUMINIUM, WOOD OR UPVC FLUSH CASEMENT BESPOKE WINDOWS & DOORS UNRIVALLED QUALITY & SPECIFICATION, MANUFACTURED IN THE UK BY CRAFTSMEN

Call our friendly team on 0115 855 6010

hello@hardwickwindows.co.uk • www.hardwickwindows.co.uk SHOWROOM AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING BY APPOINTMENT ONCE LOCKDOWN RESTRICTIONS LIFTED. CALL FOR DETAILS.

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NATIONAL GARDENS SCHEME

BRIGHT & BEAUTIFUL The NGS is opening inspirational gardens from this month to enhance everyone’s health and wellbeing. The 2021 season’s new and returning gardens signal hope following last year’s much-missed summer of garden visiting... Words: Rob Davis.

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Here comes and sun. And along with it, we hope, a relaxation of lockdown restrictions. Though it’s likely that many restrictions will remain in place for a number of month yet, one of the more likely candidates for summer entertainment is the ability to attend NGS garden openings. Held in the fresh air, usually in larger gardens and well-suited for accommodating social distancing, visiting a garden will allow you to enjoy spring time whilst raising money for charity and admiring some of the area’s brightest and most beautiful gardens. “The National Garden Scheme doesn’t just open beautiful gardens for charity – we are passionate about the physical and mental health benefits of gardens too. We fund projects which promote gardens and gardening as therapy,” say the charity’s Lucy Hirst. “We also support charities doing amazing work in gardens and health and grant bursaries to help community gardening projects. Our funding also supports the training of gardeners and offers respite to horticultural workers who have fallen on difficult times. Rutland gardener, Sarah Furness, comments that: “The pandemic has demonstrated just how important outdoor space is and any gardener will know how precious and therapeutic spending time in it is.” The National Garden Scheme gives visitors unique access to over 3,500 exceptional private gardens in England and Wales, and raises impressive amounts of money for nursing and health charities through admissions, teas and cake. Over the page, we’re highlighting a few of the area’s loveliest gardens, opening to the public over the next couple of months. Please note our information is correct at time of going to press, but subject to change... we recommend checking before you set off ! >>

Left: In May, The Old Vicarage, Burley will delight visitors with its stunning avenue of wisteria, lime walk, productive walled garden and spring planting.

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The Old Vicarage, Whissendine.

The Old Hall...

The Old Vicarage...

The Old Vicarage (2!)...

Set on a southerly ridge, The Old Hall in Market Overton used to be an arable farm. It is now is the garden of Mr and Mrs Tim and Stefa Hart... or rather Mrs Hart, since Stefa and Tim enjoy a friendly(-ish) rivalry concerning which garden – this one, or the one in the curtilage of their country house hotel, Hambleton Hall – has the finer grounds. Stone walls and yew hedges divide the garden into enclosed areas with herbaceous borders, shrubs, and young and mature trees. There are interesting plants flowering most of the time. In 2020 a Japanese Tea House was added at the bottom of the garden. Bursting herbaceous borders in spring give way to a garden rich in colour and texture, arranged over four beautiful and distinct levels. An additional bonus for visitors is the availability of cakes and other sweet treats from Hambleton Bakery, the hotel’s sister company. n 98

The Old Vicarage at Burley on the Hill is a relaxed country garden, planted for year round interest and colour, owned by Jonathan & Sandra Blaza. There are lawns and borders, a lime walk, rose gardens and a sunken rill garden with an avenue of standard wisteria. The walled garden produces fruit, herbs, vegetables and cut flowers. There are two orchards, an acer garden and areas planted for wildlife including woodland, a meadow and a pond. To the east and west of the herb garden are two pairs of cutting beds, planted with spring and summer bulbs, annuals, perennials (peonies, phlox, euphorbia, wallflowers). The vine-house sits against the south facing wall and is home to permanent plantings of grapes, peaches and nectarines, with tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers added in the summer. n

Adjacent to St Andrew’s Curch in the village of Whissendine, and owned by Rutland’s Prof Peter and Dr Sarah Furness, The old Vicarage is packed with variety. Terrace with topiary, a formal fountain courtyard and raised beds backed by gothic orangery. Herbaceous borders surround main lawn. Wisteria tunnel leads to raised vegetable beds and large ornate greenhouse, four beehives, Gothic hen house plus rare breed hens. Hidden white walk, unusual plants. New Victorian style garden room. Featured on the programme BBC Gardeners’ World in 2019. In late spring and early summer, Sarah’s ‘flame border’ is a riot of colour and the large borders surrounding the couple’s lawn have been designed in conjunction with Bunny Guinness. May is an especially ideal month to visit with lots of peonies and the first flushes of climbing roses which provide a lovely light scent during late summer afternoons. n

25th April in Market Overton, LE15 7PL

16th May in Burley on the Hill, LE15 7SU

30th May in Whissendine, LE15 7HG

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Redhill Lodge.

Exton Hall.

The Old Hall, Market Overton.

Dr Sarah Furness of The Old Vicarage.

Redhill Lodge...

Exton Hall, Exton...

Barrowden’s Redhill Lodge is owned by professional garden designers Richard and Susan Moffitt. The Rutland garden measures 70m x 40m out of a five-acre garden and has rich clay with a climate that is sunny, exposed and subject to strong winds. Bold contemporary design with formal lawns, grass amphitheatre and turf viewing mound, herbaceous borders & rose garden. Prairie style planting showing vibrant colour in late summer. Also natural swimming pond surrounded by Japanese style planting, bog garden with planting like japonica and hostas plus a variety of fernery. Construction of the house adjacent to the garden began in 2007 and in addition to the rill, contemporary sculptures and amphitheatre, there’s also a range of traditional English planting that provides both a country garden look as well as breathtaking landscaping. n

Zara and Harry Campden in August 2017 began to transform the grounds of their country property, Exton Hall. The couple have drawn on historic garden design influences to enhance the extensive parklands, lawns, specimen trees and shrubs, lake, private chapel and C19 house (not open). Pinetum, woodland walks, lakes, ruins, dovecote and formal herbaceous garden. The idea was to create a spacious, uncluttered garden layout that related to the proportions of the hall and its setting, but which retained a simplicity to enhance the beauty but not compete. There are just two large rectangular borders of ornamental planting in the centre of the lawns. These were intended to be a pair of large tapestry panels rolled out in front of the hall, like exuberant carpets of floral embroidery, in effect they are inverted parterres and look absolutely magnificent against the backdrop of the property. n

4th June in Barrowden, LE15 8EN

4th July, on Cottesmore Road, Exton LE15 8AN

The Old Hall, Market Overton.

The NGS handbook 2021, which lists all the gardens opening across England will be published as Pride goes to press and is available to order online at ngs.org.uk...

Select local gardens will be opening in the Rutland area at twilight in June. These include Redhill Lodge Barrowden (Friday 4th June, 6pm-9pm) and The Old Vicarage Burley (Wednesday 23rd June, 6pm-9pm). See www.ngs.org.uk for details.

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1. Primrose: The primrose’s common name comes from the Latin ‘prima rosa,’ meaning ‘first rose.’ They can flower from as early as December in mild years, appearing all the way through the spring until May. n

4. Bluebell: In April and May, our ancient woodlands are awash with the much-loved, nodding heads of Bluebells. Many bulbs can exist in just one wood, giving rise to the ‘blue carpets’ that are a springtime joy. n

6. Cowslip: Formerly a common plant of traditional hay meadows, and woodlands it has declined in numbers. The name means ‘cow-slop’ (i.e. cowpat), in reference to its meadow habitat! n

8. Marsh Marigold: The large, golden flowers of marsh-marigold look like the cups of kings, hence its other name: ‘kingcup.’ They favour damp places and grow in ponds, marshes, damp meadows, ditches and woodland. n 100

2. Cuckooflower: Cuckooflower, also commonly known as ‘Lady’s smock,’ is a pretty, springtime perennial of damp, grassy places. Its pale pink flowers bloom from April to coincide with the arrival of the first cuckoo. n

10 LOCAL SPRING FLOWERS TO ENJOY Rutland & Stamford’s verges, hedgerows and woodland are rich in wild flowers, here are our ten favourite species to look out for this spring... Words: Rachel Shaw.

9. Wood Sorrel: A delicate, small plant of woodlands and hedgerows, Wood Sorrel has distinctive, trefoil leaves and white flowers with purple veins; both fold up at night. n

3. Dog Violet One of our most familiar wild violets common as the ‘county flower’ of Lincolnshire. Found in woodlands, grasslands and pastures, look for its pansy-like, flowers. n

5. Wood Anemone: The wood anemone is named after the Greek wind god, Anemos, who sent his namesakes, the anemones, in early spring to herald his coming. n

7. Lesser Celandine: Lesser celandine is a common spring flower in woodland and hedgerows, where its flowers can carpet an area between March and May. One of the first spring flowers to bloom, and nectar source for insects. n

10. Wild Garlic: Also known as ramsons, wild garlic has rounded clusters of star-like, white flowers borne on straight green stems. But perhaps its most distinctive feature is the strong garlicky scent. n 100

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WEDDINGS

WE MARRIED at ‘OUR SPECIAL PLACE!’ For Jacqueline Bellamy and Eric Gledhill, the opportunity to marry at their special place was too good to delay, and the couple say that whilst their wedding had fewer guests, it was more enjoyable and intimate as a result... Wedding Photographer: Rachael Connerton, 01664 822342, www.rachaelconnertonphotography.co.uk.

This month’s featured couple Jacqueline and Eric have really taken their chosen wedding reception venue to their hearts. They actually live a little way out of the county, but first visited the area to see one of Jacqueline’s four daughters, who was working and living in Leicester. “She was getting married, and we arranged a hen weekend together which included taking afternoon tea at a country house hotel,” says Jacqueline.

WEDDING SUPPLIERS JACQUELINE BELLAMY AND ERIC GLEDHILL

“I’ve known Eric for about 20 years, and we’ve been together for eight years now. Back in 2019 we were travelling down to Leicester and stopped on the way to see our friends Jim and Dee.”

“We hadn’t made any firm plans but I think we both knew in the back of our minds that we’d love to marry at our favourite place. During the course of our wedding planning, lockdown came along and we had to discuss whether we continued to plan our wedding – albeit smaller than we were anticipating – or accept that we would have to defer until 2021 or perhaps 2022.” “We didn’t see the point in waiting and on a lovely sunny day in spring, at home during lockdown, we called Stapleford Park to

“We both know quite a few people and once you begin to plan your wedding there’s a concern that if you invite someone, you necessarily have to invite someone else, we added up the number of guests we’d like to invite and it would have meant a wedding for over 200 people!” “Both of us had been married before and it made us question what sort of an occasion we wanted. And in fact we both realised that our wedding was about us, not about others, so we accepted that we could have a really small but very intimate and enjoyable wedding with just eight people. That’s what we did... and we’re really glad.”

“That place was Stapleford Park and from the moment we pulled up I thought it was one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. That was about seven years ago, and having told Eric about when I returned from that first visit, he and I have returned at least once a year ever since.”

“I couldn’t believe it but Eric proposed to me there and the four of us celebrated our engagement together. It was perfect! We carried on to Stapleford Park and ended up celebrating our engagement there.”

enquire about the availability of wedding dates. We discussed dates and within less than an hour we had our 2020 date booked!”

“Or guests were Jim & Dee Harrod, who were there to celebrate our proposal too, and our good friends John & Elaine Rounds, then my daughter Elizabeth accompanied by our son-in-law Thomas and our flower girl, my two-year old granddaughter Matilda.”

Wedding Ceremony & Reception: Stapleford Park, Melton Mowbray, 01572 787000, www.staplefordpark.com. Wedding Dress: Pronovias, www.pronovias.com. Photographer: Rachael Connerton 01664 822342, www.rachael connertonphotography.co.uk. Harpist: Xenia Horne, 07866 568872, ukharpists.com. n

“I didn’t feel completely certain that I wanted to wear a wedding dress, and was looking for a white suit instead. But I wondered if it wouldn’t feel special enough, as though I wasn’t ‘dressed up’ enough.” “I started looking around and found an ‘A’-line wedding dress by Pronovias with lace overlay and a separate skirt. I knew as soon as I tried it on that I’d made the right decision.” “We decided not to have a wedding cake as we thought that once lockdown was over we’d have a larger party for all of our friends and family instead, and perhaps commission a wedding cake then.” >> 103

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- WEDDINGS -

>> “We did use a great local florist, though. Stapleford Park gave us a list of some local wedding suppliers which was really useful as we aren’t local.” “My dress was a sort of off-white ivory with a bit of a peach blush so we chose sage as our other highlight colour, and the florist was able to work with that scheme.” “The other local supplier that we were really really happy with was our photographer, Rachael Connerton. I really can’t praise her enough, she was heaven to work with from start to finish and she made me feel so confident as I was walking down the stairs to the ceremony.” “We married in the Morning Room at the hotel, and then we had our photographs taken, before we enjoyed a evening meal in the hotel’s Harborough Room. As always it was absolutely delicious!” “Because the hotel was subject to lockdown it opened on Wednesday and then closed on Sunday evening, so we stayed there the whole time. We’re planning a honeymoon to Oxford when restrictions are eased and we’re able to travel again, because the city is somewhere that neither of us have actually visited and somewhere we’d like to tick off our bucket list!” “Our wedding was absolutely perfect, perhaps more so because it was so intimate and relaxed, not a large event with hundreds of people to see and speak to. We’re really glad we were able to marry at ‘our special place,’ and we’re so grateful to the staff who really made us feel special!” n Images: Rachael Connerton, 01664 822342, rachaelconnertonphotography.co.uk.

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PLAN YOUR WEDDING PROPERLY WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM OUR 900,000 MEMBERS

We are the Number One wedding website in the UK -

Win a £25,000 dream wedding Browse through 20,000 wedding dresses Free wedding planning tools like our table planner Claim a free engagement photoshoot Win monthly wedding related prizes Talk to like-minded brides in your area for support

Join now for free at www.ukbride.co.uk To advertise your wedding business to 43% of brides-to-be in your area, call us on 0800 112 3 112.

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European forests, which provide wood for making paper, paper packaging and many other products, have been growing by 1,500 football pitches every day!

Discover the story of paper www.lovepaper.org Source: Forest and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), 2005 - 2015 European Forests: EU27 + Norway, Switzerland and the UK

LOVE

PAPER

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NEUTRAL TERRITORY Update your wardrobe with seasonal heroes from The White Company on Stamford’s High Street, oﬀering everything from classic knits to crisp linens all with classic style... This Page: Linen sleeveless tiered dress, £110; Christys’ Panama Hat, £89.

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Ray print wrap midi-dress, £139; classic leather Superga trainers £70.

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Washed-satin dipped-hem skirt, £110; Batwing jumper with cashmere, £98.

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Relaxed linen shirt, £95; Brompton Boyfriend jeans, £89.

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Cotton rich textured stitch jumper, £129; Stretch wide leg trouser, £119.

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FASHION

Top/Left: Relaxed linen shirt, £95; Chelsea straight-leg jeans £89. Top/Right: Relaxed utility jacket with linen, £149; organic cotton scoop-neck t-shirt £35; organic cotton Shoreditch crop jeans £89. Bottom/Left: Tencel jumpsuit with linen £149; Veja Rio Branco trainers £105. Bottom/Right: Ribbed button-through cardigan, £69; Drapey culottes, £119; Teva Original Universal sandals, £55.

The White Company is based on High Street, Stamford. Call 01780 769192 or see www.thewhitecompany.com.

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SPRING COSMETICS

Spring Fresh THIS MONTH WE’VE THE FINEST FRAGRANCES AND LUXURY COSMETICS TO ENSURE YOU LOOK AND FEEL FRESH ALL SEASON LONG...

1. A pop star that’ll bring colour to your eyes... Clinique’s Lid Pop eyeshadow is a modern pop of sheer, yet vibrant, shadow for eyes. Silky eye shadow delivers an instant pop of colour for a virtually powderless look, Lid Pop builds and blends easily to a beautifully customisable level of intensity. Sensitive formula suitable for contact lens wearers and delicate eyes. £16/2g.

2. By any other name... Dior Prestige La Lotion in Essence de Rose fragrance is your morning and night beauty secret. Fresh and silky, it combines the power of an essence with the comfort of a milky lotion, moisturising the skin and providing a protective veil all day long, £72/150ml.

3. Prime your lashes... Chanel’s La Base is as its name suggests, the company’s new mascara base designed to layer underneath your preferred mascara brand, strengthening lashes and enhancing volume whilst intensifying colour, £28/6g.

5. A private ritual for relaxation in your home... Enjoy a ritual of relaxation with these gorgeous fragrance diffusers. Fill your room with tranquil vibes and the calming effects of the Oriental Vetiver luxurious reeds from Private Collection. Based on an aromatic fragrance comprising spicy accents of cardamom, galbanum plus blossoms, cedarwood and vetiver. £44.50/450ml.

6. An everlasting love affair with Clarins... Everlasting Cushion from Clarins is a life-changing foundation. Part liquid, part compact, it’s a refreshing, water-based formula offering flawless radiant results from morning to night, with a 10-hour humidity and dehydration resistant guarantee. With triple protection against pollution, free radical damage and UV rays, this refillable compact protects your skin whilst giving you a buildable coverage, £32/13ml.

4. Forever and always... Dior’s powder puffs are designed for use with Dior Forever Cushion Powder or your preferred brand of loose powder for smooth application with a subtle, velvety finish. Sold in pairs, £5/two.

n All our beauty products are available from local independent stockists unless otherwise stated, please note that prices stated are RRP and may vary. 115

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HOLISTIC HEALTH

You Are What You Eat... Kicking off her regular series on well-being, gut health and menopause, Health & Menopause Coach Ali Hutchinson shares how the foods we eat effect our overall health, our gut health, our immune system and our hormones… Words: Ali Hutchinson.

WE’VE ALL HEARD IT. ‘You are what you eat.’ But what exactly does that mean? If you’re eating a diet that’s rich in fruits and vegetables, healthy whole foods – those foods that were once living or growing – you’ll soon be boosting your health in many different ways. I often teach clients how to become food label readers, as many items marketed as ‘healthy,’ ‘free from,’ or ‘low fat/sugar,’ and so on, contain all sorts of things you’d never associate with a healthy diet. Our ancestors had it right when they ate seasonally and off the land. If we could get back to a diet that removed a lot of the commonly available processed foods, we’d all be a lot healthier. One of the big things you can do immediately to improve your health is to stack some healthy habits on top of each other. So for instance, I bet you have a habit of brushing your teeth twice a day? Simply placing a glass of water by your toothbrush to drink first thing in the morning is a start.

It’s simple to do and the benefits are measurable in terms of how you feel, how hydrated you are and your cognitive performance. When I work with a client I start with their gut because understanding someone’s gut is central to understanding their health. Our gut provides a number of functions from extracting energy from our food to producing more than 20 hormones influencing everything from mood to appetite, and accounting for most of our immune system.

I choose 30 different fruits and vegetables to add to my diet each week and try not to have the same five or six veg continually – carrot, onion, peas, cucumber, tomatoes, pepper, broccoli seem to be the average choices in most supermarket shopping baskets and ideally we need to change that! One of the things I love to work on is creating meal plans for clients that enable them to easily incorporate more fruits and vegetables even if they’re not eating an entirely plant-based diet.

It is made up of over 100 million neurons (as many as in the brain of a domestic cat) and extends throughout our digestive system from our throat to our rectum.

And more fruits and vegetables doesn’t mean boring; I love adding herbs and spices cooking them in different ways and using them as main dishes as well as side dishes.

I’ve found that a first step in treating many common gut related issues can be a change in diet and, as with hormone disruption in menopause, this can be a first step in helping you to feel better.

I challenge you to do a count this coming week – I’m hoping you’re surprised at how many you eat... not how few! And let me know. Please feel free to email me using the links below.

I love to check how many fruits and vegetables clients are eating in a week and where possible encourage eating more to support the gut microbiome; the window to our overall health.

Next month we’ll talk pre- and pro-biotics, supplements and fermented foods and how they support your gut and your overall health... and I’d love it if you have traditional fermented recipes you’d like to share! n

Find Out More: If you’re struggling with gut issues, weight loss or weight management, energy levels, menopause or would just like a body MOT I’d love to hear from you. Through the blog www.ali-hutchinson.co.uk you can book a free discovery call to find out how I could help you on the path to a brighter future or ring: 07973 843020 or email: hello@ali-hutchinson.co.uk to book a consultation. 117

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DENTAL HEALTH CENTRE

Going the Extra Smile

Smiles all round at Grantham’s Dental Health Centre, as staff and patients alike enjoy first class treatment and a relaxed, friendly environment. Patient-turned-Dental Associate Kelly Chambers reveals how she liked the experience so much she decided to make it her career! PROFESSIONAL. REASSURING. Those are among the reasons Grantham’s Kelly Chambers found going to her dentist a stress-free experience. And when she was deliberating over her future career in healthcare, her experiences led her to seek a career with the team she already knew and trusted. “I knew I wanted to pursue a career in healthcare and that I wanted to help people, I just wasn’t sure where,” says Kelly. “But the Dental Health Centre has just the approach to patient care I wanted to provide, and when I began working as a dental nurse I discovered it was a great role in which to make a difference to patients’ lives.” “Beyond the technical side of the work, a large part of the responsibility is giving people a professional experience and making them feel comfortable. The importance of that is never underestimated at the practice.” “Returning after a five year course in Nottingham, I joined the practice as a Dental Associate and I work alongside a great team, and for a practice that’s forward-thinking and makes the most of technology and innovation.”

your teeth, comfortably, with practically invisible aligners in as little as six months.” “One of the things I’ve come to understand in my career is that a smile isn’t just cosmetic.” “It can provide a massive confidence boost, and as a practice we’re happy to be able to promote and encourage health and hygiene first, but then to also provide a range of treatments and procedures that can make a real difference to people’s lives, encouraging them to be happy and confident with their smile.” “Because there are so many technologies and procedures available to us, and because some patients historically may not have felt comfortable being in a dentist’s chair, we also make a great effort in providing a thorough and personal consultation prior to suggesting and treatments.” “Our patient care co-ordinator can talk through your options and explain every option with absolutely no obligation. This enables patients to understand their treatment options and it inspires a sense of confidence.”

“For instance our Cerec machine can take a 3D scan of the inside of your mouth and can mill a crown for your teeth. For the patient, that means your crown can be created whilst you wait in a single appointment, with sub-millimetre accuracy.”

“Specialising in the Invisalign system, implants and cosmetic dentistry like crowns and veneers, our expertise speaks for itself but not as clearly as the satisfaction that our patients express with the results of their treatment and the service they receive.”

“More recently we’ve really found our Invisalign teeth alignment has proven popular. I think word has spread about how it’s possible to straighten

“We measure our success in the smiles of our patients, and only when they smile with confidence can we also do the same.” n

Find Out More: The Dental Health Centre is based on Avenue Road, Grantham NG31 6TA. For a free, no obligation smile consultation call 01476 594480 or see www.dentalhealthcentre.co.uk. 118

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ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A NEW DENTIST...? Here are five reasons you might be overdue a visit...

YOU HAVE BAD BREATH

YOUR TEETH ARE YELLOWING

YOUR GUMS BLEED WHEN BRUSHING

YOU HAVE TOOTH PAIN

YOU HAVE DIABETES OR ARE AT RISK

If you have any concerns about your teeth, make an appointment to see one of our dentists today.

01476 847 885 Avenue Road, Grantham, NG31 6TA www.dentalhealthcentre.co.uk

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Pride Magazine is available to read, for free, on your phone or tablet... Enjoy the area’s finest magazines, using our App, free to download now!

Read online now at

w w w.p r id em agazines.co.uk

You can now enjoy Pride Magazine with our app on your smartphone or tablet... completely free of charge!

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MOTORS

AN OPEN

INVITATION It’s an impressive-looking sports car that you can use every day. Graceful, powerful and with just enough practicality, the Mercedes E-Class is the soft top that’s hard to ignore... Words: Rob Davis.

TAKE A LOOK AT THIS. It’s the Mercedes E-Class Convertible. Also available as a coupé, if you prefer to have a roof over your head. Pull up in this and you’ll see a few admiring glances and head nods. It’s a car as pretty as roofless Aston Martins, Porsche Boxters and Bentley Continentals, yet its price of just over £50,000 means the car undercuts its rivals by often quite significant margins whilst remaining equally stylish and still carrying a premium badge. Whilst it’s unexpected to describe a car like this as practical, the car’s four-seat layout, and its 385 litre boot (for comparison a Ford Focus, has 341 litre boot) also mean you won’t struggle for passenger or luggage space.

Likewise, there are more powerful engines in the range, but the 2.0V4 diesel reaches 60mph in a hardly sluggish 7.8 seconds and 142mph where legal. With a fuel economy figure of 45mpg, it’ll prove frugal day-to-day on A-roads and not overpowered when you want to drive gently around town. What’s more, the E-Class convertible is underneath its unique body style, Mercedes Benz’s mid-size executive motor, meaning that underneath its smart looks is a car that’s designed to melt away motorway miles and present its driver with the latest technology plus all the associated creature comforts. >>

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Open for Business: Soft tops for summertime...

Porsche Boxster £45,935: The Porsche 718 – AKA Boxster – is the sister car of the coupé Cayman. Its base price makes it look like somewhat of a bargain, but you’ll swell the price significantly with the addition of parking sensors, parking camera, cruise control, climate control or keyless entry... all of the stuff you’d expect as standard from a car in the mid-£40k price band. Luxury isn’t really the point though; the Boxster is probably the sweetest handling car on the UK, and its 2.0 engine sprints to 60mph in 5.1 seconds. n

Jaguar F-Type P300, £59,990: Another two-seater, like the Boxster, the Jaguar F-Type’s 2.0 turbo engine affords a 5.7 second sprint. It’s meaner looking than the Boxster and much better equipped with parking aids, cameras, climate and navigation plus lots of other goodies all included. The entry level F-Type represents better value than its more expensive versions, but if you’re a keen driver and have access to a closed track, the flagship 5.0V8 supercharged F-Type is a monster, with 575ps on tap and an ability to race to 60mph in just 3.2 seconds. n

>> Compared to a sparsely-appointed – and two seater – Porsche Boxster, the E-Class is lavishly equipped, with a 360° parking camera, keyless entry and powered boot, heated leather seats with electric adjustment, sat nav with voice control, plus cruise control, climate control, power hood and power windows.

Morgan Plus Four £43,389: Our third suggestion is a motoring wildcard, but one that’ll bring a smile to your face every time you see it in the garage. The modern Morgan still has an ash frame but breaks from tradition by offering a 2.0V4 BMW engine, the option of an eight speed gearbox, air conditioning and Bluetooth. Power steering is standard and there’s a range of different colours, hides, veneers and wheels to style your Morgan to your taste and fulfil that sense of individuality! n

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Step up to Premium Plus and you’ll gain an upgraded stereo and memory adjustment for the seats; we’d save the £2,645 upgrade price and instead fit the £1,695 Driving Assistance package, for adaptive cruise, and other technologies to make driving safer and more relaxing. In conjunction with Mercedes’s excellent nine-speed gearbox, you’ll enjoy relaxed cruising and a great drive, albeit more on

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“The Mercedes Benz E-Class is a sweet car that’s stylish enough for summer, practical enough to use day-to-day and decent value, a car you’ll love to drive all summer long...” straight fast roads rather than twisty backroads. Unusually the E-Class’s engine – badged E220d here – is diesel, which used to be unheard of in sports cars, but its blend of torque and efficiency are a good fit. Should you crave more power, there’s a more powerful E300d with 4Matic all wheel drive, plus a 2.0 petrol engine and diesel or petrol 3.0V6 engines with 4Matic. The V6 are creamy, but the entry level engine should prove enough for most drivers even if it isn’t the quietest.

It’s possible to invest a great deal more in a summer convertible – indeed, Bentley’s Continental or a Porsche 911 convertible with a few options will incur a six-figure price tag. By contrast, the E-Class is a sweet car that’s stylish enough for summer, practical enough to use day-to-day and decent value. Pick one of the nice cheerful colours like this Patagonia Red with beige leather and you’ve a pretty, powerful and practical car you’ll love all summer long. n

MERCEDES BENZ E-CLASS E220D Price: £50,015. (On sale now). Drivetrain: 2.0V4 diesel, 194hp, 143 kW, nine speed automatic gearbox. Performance: 0-62 mph: 7.8 seconds. Top Speed: 142mph. Economy: 21mpg, 284g/km CO2. Equipment: Leather upholstery, power hood, heated seats, satellite navigation, climate, cruise. n

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MOTORS

THE FAST & THE

FURIOUS

If we asked you to name a fast executive saloon, the usual suspects would be BMW’s M5, Audi’s RS6 and Mercedes Benz’s AMG E-Class. But now, there’s a new challenger to the throne, from up and coming electric car brand Tesla, which is enjoying great success in the sales charts in particular with its Model 3; the C-Class, A4, 3-Series challenger.

brands and commands a premium which reﬂects its cutting edge technology.

Its larger sibling has had slightly longer to make its way up the sales charts, but it’s also competing with some desirable executive

One criticism the company has faced is the blandness of its vehicle interiors. With most controls consigned to an iPad style display,

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For the ﬁrst time in the company’s history, Tesla has facelifted a vehicle; the Model S. That’s especially relevant because this was the car on which Tesla’s subsequent models were based and so gives a clue as to what it got right and what the company feels it needs to correct going forward.

there’s not very much going on style-wise in the cabin, and so for this updated vehicle, the Model S has lighter leather upholstery and nice warm wood trim options. The iPad interface has been oriented horizontally and perhaps the zaniest change is the aircraft yoke style steering wheel. It all suggests that the company is trying even harder to carve out a niche for its cars and remain individual amid more plug-in and electric competitors from conventional brands like Mercedes.

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Tesla has updated its Model S super saloon to bring furious performance to the four-door masses. Can it tempt loyal purchasers of BMW’s M5 and Mercedes Benz’s AMG models? Elon Musk certainly hopes so and plans to make Tesla the ‘thinking person’s’ sports car... Words: Rob Davis.

Undoubtedly what nobody needed was a Model S with more power... and yet... the ﬂagship Plaid+ is good for 520 miles of range, plus 60mph in less than two seconds. Just take that in; a sub-two second 0-60mph time, and a top speed in excess of 200mph. The car will top out at £131,000 and breach 1,100hp, making it insanely quick, very expensive, but still relatively eco-friendly given its zero-emissions and liberation from a conventional internal combustion engine.

In terms of practicality, the Tesla has a large 840 litre boot and storage in the space that would be occupied by the car’s engine. No transmission tunnel plus that minimalist interior provides a spacious interior too. Arguably the biggest issue facing Tesla is its lack of heritage in the executive car market. But with its purchase price oﬀset by the chance to enjoy guilt-free motoring and freedom from the petrol pumps, the Model S is truly a sports saloon for a new age. n

TESLA MODEL S Price: £131,000 (S Plaid+). Drivetrain: 1,000bhp, 1,100hp electric with 520 mile range, all rear wheel drive. Performance: 60mph in 1.9 seconds, 100mph. Equipment: Adaptive cruise, heated seats, navigation n

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Get Away From It All Once Covid and Brexit are done and dusted, beat the ensuing rush to get away from it all and explore Great Britain in this stylish and luxurious motorhome. Then, once you’re au fait with life on the road here, you can enjoy it on the continent too...! THESE FOLK LOOK HAPPY. And so they should. Lockdown has been lifted and they’re ﬁnally free to take that holiday they missed out on last year. But where to go?

In each case, there’s a GD spec and QD spec, each of which sleep four adults, or the Plus, which sleeps two and has a large dining area located to the rear of the vehicle.

The chances are national travel will prove easier than international travel – at least initially – once the twin perils of Covid and Brexit are reconciled. So, why not embark on an exploration of Great Britain in a new motorhome, enjoying the best of British and familiarising yourself with the vehicle before you take it abroad? And what better vehicle could there be in which to go on the road than the Frankia Platin...

If you’re haunted by memories of Carry on Camping-style childhood experiences, you’ll be impressed with the level of comfort aﬀorded, both in terms of accommodation and on the road. Solar-powered electricity booster, 24” TV, shower and toilet, underﬂoor heating and air conditioning are all standard, and the kitchen has a refrigerator, hob and sink.

Most motorhomes sacrifice their style for their practicality, and whilst bluff in its appearance, Platin is among the better looking examples on the market. There are six different versions, based on either an 8m long 7900 chassis or a 8.6m 8400 chassis.

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Frankia Platin Price: £170,780 Engine: 3.0, 190hp. Interior: 2m headroom, bathroom with ceramic toilet, sink and shower. Kitchenette with sensor tap and coffee machine, fridge, oven and hob. 1.6m queen-size bed. n

The Platin’s Mercedes coachbuilding also provides a seven-speed automatic gearbox, cruise control, air con, sat nav and DAB radio as standard for car-like luxury. A wise person once said it’s better to travel than to arrive... but with the Platin, you can arrive with no unpacking, and begin enjoyong your UK-break straight away! n

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MOTORS

Flying Cars Land SCI-FI MEETS REALITY AS THE FIRST FLYING CAR CONCEPTS TOUCH DOWN

AIRSPEEDER Well that’s one way to beat the traffic... George Jetson’s flying car could soon become a reality with the third Airspeeder prototypes being revealed. Initially they’re intended to perform in a racing series but it’s hoped that the technology and the spectacle will lead to a new generation of eVTOL (electric, vertical take-off and landing) vehicles.

The 129bhp vehicles can achieve 124mph, with carbonfibre fuselages. Eight rotors aid stability and provider greater redundancy in the case of mechanical failure, whilst the single-seater configurator could be modified in the future to accommodate. a passenger. Experts predict that the flying car sector will be worth $1.5tr by 2035. Anyway, must fly... n

You know it makes sense...

THE WORLD’S MOST FAMOUS THREE-WHEEL VAN GOES UNDER THE HAMMER IN ONLINE AUCTION THIS MONTH

Build your own Porsche 911... with a small caveat! LEGO I’ve always fancied building my own kit car. Alas, my mechanical skills fall way short of my ambitions in that respect. However, I think even I could manage to create this Porsche 911. It’s a new special edition set by Lego, with no fewer than 1,458 pieces. On sale now for £130, it measures 35.5cm by 10.8cm by 16cm, and faithfully recreates a Turbo or Targa 911 complete with 2+2 interior with sculpted front sports seats, and tilting front seats, gearstick, handbrake and functional steering. n

AUCTIONS Fast, stylish and desirable... this 1972 Reliant Regal Supervan III is none of the above, and yet it’s expected to achieve a huge price at auction this month. The van is one of six vehicles used during the filming of the series Only Fools & Horses, and was driven by both David Jason and Nicholas Lyndhurst. Its top speed is a meagre 55mph, but you probably wouldn’t want to go faster than that. The van has, however, been used by its current owner for the last six year and has new tyres and brakes. The van goes to auction on Saturday 27th March. n See www.silverstoneauctions.com.

MOTORING

NEWS In Brief

ELECTRIC MOTORING

ELECTRIC CAR SALES SET TO OVERTAKE CONVENTIONAL ENGINES BY 2025...

According to the latest analysis from Auto Trader, the sale of new electric vehicles (EVs) could overtake petrol and diesel sales by as early as 2025, whilst alternatively fuelled vehicles (AFV) more broadly, could pass them even earlier, in 2024. The analysis indicates that by 2025, EVs will account for around 10% of the total British car population, and alternative fuel vehicles around 18%. By the time the government’s ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars comes into effect in 2030, they’re likely to represent as much as 30% and 40% respectively. After the ban on internal combustion engine (ICE) sales in 2030 and then hybrid sales in 2035, it’s likely that, if assuming typical scrappage rates and exclude the exception of classic or collector cars, ICE vehicles will almost disappear from the roads by the mid-2040s. Last month saw more electric cars sold than diesel engined ones for the first time in history. n 129

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Stamford Pride April 2021

Articles inside

FASHION Neutral outfits and fresh

WEDDINGS Celebrating Jacqueline

GARDENS The local NGS gardens

HOMES & PROPERTY Metallic

AT HOME WITH THE DUCHESS

THE SMOKEHOUSE A brand new

NEWS The best ‘good news’ stories

local food right to your door

UNDERNEATH THE ARCHES

WELCOME HOME A fantastic home

900 YEARS OF HISTORY

MADE IN STAMFORD