Stamford Pride October 2019 by Pride Magazines Ltd

PRIDE

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STAMFORD

STAMFORD’S FINEST MAGAZINE

£4.50

The Good Food Awards 2019

Vote for your favourite local food and drink

READ

FREE ONLINE

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Design led... BEAUTIFUL

We create unique buildings for discerning clients using traditional French oak alongside modern designs that can include glass, stone and steel. Our design and build service can cover every aspect of your project from initial concept to completion. Our passionate staff specialise in design led architecture, planning applications through to full working drawings, allowing our projects to seamlessly develop from concepts to full build construction.

www.natural-structures.co.uk 01858 545 518

BUILDINGS

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WELCOME

here’s only one thing better than old friends. New ones. This month we welcome a new member of the Pride team, Dean Fisher, our new photographer. Having dazzled us with his images, we thought his talents would suit the area’s finest magazine and so he has joined us, tasked with the responsibility of illustrating Rutland and Stamford at their finest throughout the year with some stunning images, beginning with a look at some of the county’s best known bridges.

Also this month we’re meeting world-class event riders Victoria and Richard Jones and profiling one of the area’s most successful and versatile businessmen, Karl Hick, responsible for creating future communities as the head of property firm Larkfleet.

It’s a great month for food this month, with Gates Garden Centre marking British Food Fortnight by opening a new 12,000 sq ft farm shop in Cold Overton… and speaking of good food, we hope you’ll cast your vote as we lunch our 2019 Restaurant of the Year competition. Do remember that by casting your vote, you could win free restaurant dining throughout 2020 with our partner restaurants. Best wishes for a great month!

Executive Editor rob@pridemagazines.co.uk 3

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50 98

CONTENTS NEWS & EVENTS 06 46

and around the county for October.

WHAT’S ON The best events and

HIGHLIGHTS 20 32 42

entertainment in Rutland & Stamford.

THE INTERVIEW Karl Hick, one of the area’s most prolific property developer’s new charity. BUILDING BRIDGES Stamford &

Rutland’s most prominent bridges.

EVENTING Rutland’s Victoria and Richard, eventing as ‘Team Jones.

FOOD & DRINK 50 56

NEWS Our roundup of news in

DINING OUT Plans for a new restaurant menu and farm shop at Gates Garden Centre. GOOD FOOD AWARDS 2019

The launch of our 2019 competition.

RECIPE Celebrate the arrival of

WELCOME HOME A Victorian town house with a secret garden in the centre of stamford.

HOMES & GARDENS

Autumn with an almond and plum tart.

GARDENING A beautiful cottage garden with literary connections.

WEDDING Rain couldn’t spoil Sarah and Ashley’s Stamford wedding.

113

jackets for the cooler months.

COSMETICS Cherry scents, skincare and perfume for autumn.

115

HIGH LIFE Ashwell Village Fête.

LADIES & GENTLEMEN 106 FASHION Colourful coats and

THE HIGH LIFE 118

MOTORS Bentley’s Flying Spur.

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THe weALTHIeST PeOPLe IN THe AReA ReAD PRIDe mAGAzINe

READ

FREE ONLINE

Pride Magazine is delivered free of charge, via Royal Mail, to high value homes in the county. Our circulation is to properties in the top three council tax bands - homes which are predominantly worth over ÂŁ300,000. This guarantees the magazine has an affluent readership commensurate with our content. In addition the magazine is also sold in supermarkets and newsagents including Waitrose, Marks & Spencer, WHSmith Tesco, Asda, Co-Op and Morrisons. Our in-house distribution team also works hard to hand-deliver the magazine to selected hotels and restaurants, doctors, dentists, executive motor dealerships and golf clubs. This helps to ensure we have a continued presence, right across our catchment area. Our magazines also have more social media fans than any other local magazine, and we are available to read free of charge, online on your tablet, computer, laptop or mobile phone via our website and via the Readly and Issuu platforms. If your business would benefit from being showcased to the wealthiest people in the area, please call our friendly sales team on 01529 469977.

THe LIFeSTYLe mAGAzINe FOR HIGH quALITY HOmeS

In print, and to view on your computer, tablet or mobile device from www.pridemagazines.co.uk

LeGAL DISCLAImeR

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

THe PRIDe TeAm

Managing Director: Julian Wilkinson. Production Director: Ian Bagley. Sales Director: Zoie Wilkinson. Sales Manager: Charlotte Aiken. Executive Editor: Rob Davis. Chief Photographer: Dean Fisher. Features: Laurin Dempsey, Carissa Smith. Customer Care Manager: Mandy Bray. Distribution: Joe Proctor. Office Managers: Sue Bannister and Melissa Trestrail. Sales Supervisor: Cydney Dyson. Sales Executives: Cassy Ayton, Emily Brown, Jade Cox.

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

Tel: 01529 469977 Fax: 01529 469978

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

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NEWS & EVENTS

Lord Burghley’s 2020 Celebrations ESTATE PREPARES TO CELEBRATE 500 YEARS SINCE THE BIRTH OF WILLIAM CECIL

STAMFORD Stamford’s Burghley House will celebrate 500 years since the birth of William Cecil in 2020, and has confirmed a programme of events which will run in collaboration with The Lord Burghley 500 Foundation – a charitable organisation founded in January 2019 to organise and promote this national and international commemoration. A special series of lectures will focus on the life, times and legacy of William Cecil. Guest speakers include Professor Stephen Alford, Dr Anna Keay, David Starkey, Dr Simon Thurley, Professor Jennifer Alexander, Lesley Smith, and Dr Suzannah Lipscomb. The series will begin in March 2020. A series of exhibitions will provide a fascinating insight into the man and his legacy, whilst an education programme will include Tudor

tours, with costumed guides, workshop, lectures, drama and crafts. Burghley, one of the largest and grandest houses of the first Elizabethan Age, was

Adopt a new friend at Wood Green shelter...

WOOD GREEN CHARITY’S AIM IS TO HELP EVERY PET THAT COMES TO THEM ACHIEVE A BETTER LIFE

built and mostly designed by William Cecil, Lord High Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth I, between 1555 and 1587. His life as the most powerful man in the court of ElizaRUTLAND & STAMFORD

In a year, Wood Green found loving homes for more than 4,000 pets and reunited 164 pets with their owners. It is always a joy for their pet rehoming team to successfully match pets with people and hear back that dogs like Perry are settling well in a happy home rather than encouraging the purchase of dogs from breeders. Six-year-old Perry had a turbulent start in life and got a second chance home with Joy who fell in love when she found out that he had been there longer than most dogs... and it broke her heart!

beth I was both eventful and effective, and helped to shape the history of the British Isles. n For more information on the Lord Burghley 500th Anniversary Celebrations, see burghley.co.uk. Wood Green checks 100% of the pets that come to them, with more than 10,000 veterinary consultations and around 3,200 operations carried out per year. Last year, the team also gave one-to-one care and support to 2,343 pets and their owners. Pets at Wood Green stay for an average of 30-35 days, meaning you will play a vital role in giving a number of adorable pets the happy ending they deserve. n To find out more about adoption and the charity itself, see www.woodgreen.org.uk or call 0300 303 9333.

GATES GARDEN CENTRE’S INVESTMENT

COLD OVERTON Rutlanders will enjoy the very best food and drink this season thanks to Cold Overton’s Gates Garden Centre, which is opening a new butchery and farm shop totalling 12,000sq ft of space adjacent to its garden centre. The shop will feature a large butchery by Hambleton Farms, with a team of highly trained and experienced butchers using traditional methods to ensure that customers get the tastiest cuts of meat, every time.

All meat will come from only a small select group of farmers, with beef and lamb also being supplied from stock bred and raised on the Gates own farm in Cold Overton. Other departments will include an extensive delicatessen selling handmade pies, cooked meats and charcuterie. A cheese counter stocked with local and nationally sourced cheeses from only the finest producers. n See our feature later in this edition.

Help yourself to milk!

TRIO OF LOCAL LADIES LAUNCH SELF-SERVICE MILK DISPENSER FOR LOCALS TO FILL UP AT THE FARM...

Pride’s new photographer is a picture of creative talent!

PRIDE MAGAZINES welcome to the Pride team Dean Fisher, our new photographer and a real superstar. we’re looking forward to taking the area’s finest magazine to the next level with the help of Dean, who will also be available to businesses who want to hire a photographer to take amazing photos of their business for advertising, websites and so on. n To find out more call 01529 469977.

STAMFORD As entrepreneurs go, an all-female family team near Stamford certainly have the white stuff, providing fresh milk from a vending machine on their farm and enabling customers to buy direct and reuse bottles. Anne Harrison, Julie Smith and Rachel Smith produce their daily pint from their 400-strong herd. Customers can help themselves via the machine at £1 per litre from a dairy shed built on to the end of a barn. The vending machine steam-cleans itself after every use. Specially-designed re-usable glass bottles are £2 each. n Bassingthorpe Milk is available from 7am to 7pm from Manor Farm, Boothby Pagnell, NG33 4DH.

£320,000 Raised

New Farm Shop

bIRDFAIR 2019 takes place as Pride goes to press, anticipated to raise over £320,000 for conservation causes. The event is regarded as the ‘birdwatcher’s Glastonbury’ and was founded in 1989. The event has raised £4,679,152 since its inception. n

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LOCAL

NEWS In Brief RUTLAND

RUTLAND URGED TO NOMINATE WOMEN FOR AWARDS Nominations are now open for the 2019 east midlands women’s Awards, an annual award ceremony that highlights and celebrates the impact women make in the east midlands. The prestigious east midlands women’s Awards (emwA), is now in its third year, recognising and celebrates women who have made an outstanding contribution to society. Candidates are all peernominated and represent a wide-range of award categories, including ‘Female entrepreneur of the Year,’ ‘Outstanding woman in education,’ and ‘Outstanding woman with Community Impact’. All nominees are evaluated against a set of criteria by a panel of judges that examines the difference and impact each woman has made. n

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NEWS & EVENTS

moving experience for Jan’s Team

FINE AND COUNTRY RUTLAND & STAMFORD TEAM MOVES TO NEW OFFICE... RUTLAND & STAMFORD

They’re used to helping others move house, but it was time for the Rutland & Stamford team at Fine & Country to unpack the kettle recently when Jan Von Draczek and his team moved to new offices. Previously located in the centre of Stamford, the team determined that High Street presence was less relevant for a modern practice and have relocated to Seaton Grange Barn Offices near uppingham. “we’ve a combined 50 years experience in property sales and marketing,” say Principal Director Jan Von Draczek, who works as part of a close team. “we concentrate on the upper quartile of the market and are wholly dedicated to residential property services, not lettings or commercial property. Typically we have between 40 and 60 properties

LOCAL NEWS In Brief

RUTLANDER’S pOWER STATION jOkE pROvOkES A NUcLEAR ‘REAcTION...’

‘It’s not true! Fake news!’ is the reaction to reports that Rutland is to gain a nuclear power station, ‘EDF Energy Hambleton A.’ Leaflets and posters have been spread around the county suggesting Rutland is about to gain an atomic power facility. Someone’s idea of a joke, but it sure provoked a ‘reaction!’ n

to look after, and as one of 275 uK offices of Fine & Country the fact that we specialise in one element of property and a particular market is the reason that whilst most of the larger

chains of estate agents are contracting, we’re bucking the trend and actually expanding.” “The office covers the whole of Rutland and Stamford as well as South

Vote for Sandra’s Garden! BURLEY ON THE HILL GARDENER SANDRA BLAZA IS SEEKING YOUR VOTE IN NGS GARDEN COMPETITION

Lincolnshire, whilst our Park Lane office in the city gives us better reach to market property not just locally but in London, too.” n www.fineandcountry.com. BURLEY Rutland gardeners Sandra and Jonathan Blaza of Burley on the Hill need your help! The couple’s beautiful garden in the village’s Old Rectory is just one of five gardens in the midlands shortlisted for the NGS’s Nation’s Favourite Garden Award, voted for by visitors to the NGS site. The gardens that the two are up against, Sandra says, are all much bigger than their plot, which is a fifth of an acre. However, we reckon there’s more interest in their garden… multum in parvo as it were, so log on to the NGS site and cast your vote! n Vote for the garden at ngs.org.uk.

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Belton in Rutland Guide Price £500,000

Beech House is a charming contemporary barn style property situated in the popular village of Belton in Rutland. Built in 2018 to a high standard by the current owner, the property has been sympathetically designed to ﬁt the surrounding architecture. Inside the property beneﬁts from modern facilities including a bespoke kitchen with Everhot range cooker, bi-folding doors and modern bathrooms. Outside there is a surprisingly large, and easily maintained, sheltered garden which has been stylishly landscaped into areas on split levels. There is also a gravelled parking area with a hardstanding area for a Car Barn (with full planning permission) or Annex (subject to planning).

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

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

ﬁneandcountry.com

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ClipSham, Rutland Guide Price £900,000

225 oﬃces across Great Britain plus 75 oﬃces globally

With lovely rural views over the surrounding countryside, Home Farm is an attractive period home dating from 1870 and built of attractive local stone. The house retains its historic character, from the lovely stone façade to the charming details that feature throughout the interior such as exposed original beams, stone mullion windows and open ﬁreplaces. The property has extensive and ﬂexible accommodation and is set in grounds of approximately 1.5 acres with a south facing garden and a large fenced paddock beyond. With its quiet rural location, proximity to Stamford and excellent accommodation, Home Farm is a handsome, practical and welcoming family home.

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Guide Price: £925,000

Guide Price: £875,000

East Wing, Ashwell Hall

Copperfield, Braunston in Rutland

A substantial, Grade II listed wing of this historic hall, sitting on the edge of the popular village of Ashwell.

An imposing, high quality village home built with traditional materials and providing modern, open plan living. The property sits in a commanding position within one of Rutland's most desirable villages.

Guide Price £635,000

Offers Over £500,000

Manor Court Farm, Knossington

Green Views, Preston

A characterful, stone property set in a quiet location with mature gardens within the very sought-after village of Knossington.

A charming, stone character property, beautifully renovated and presented by the current owners, sitting in an idyllic position close to the village church and overlooking an open field.

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facebook.com/struttandparker twitter.com/struttandparker

struttandparker.com

North Barn, Allexton, Oakham

A stunning converted barn designed for contemporary open-plan living with extensive accommodation, in a beautiful rural location, providing unrivalled views over the Rutland and Leicestershire countryside.

UPPINGHAM 3.5 MILES, OAKHAM 9 MILES,

Edward Brassey 01858 438 723

5 BEDROOMS | 3 BATHROOMS

Edward.brassey@struttandparker.com

GARDENS | EPC: D

MARKET HARBOROUGH 12 MILES, LEICESTER 15 MILES, PETERBOROUGH 26 MILES LIVING KITCHEN | SITTING ROOM | DINING ROOM FAMILY ROOM / HOME OFFICE | UTILITY

Guide Price Â£750,000

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3.6 ACRES

Normanton, Rutland

NEW PRICE

£1.20 Million

A substantial Country House with Guest Accommodation, Garaging and Equestrian Facilities set within approximately 3.2 acres of gardens and grounds, including a paddock, close to south shores of Rutland Water. The property has been renovated to a demanding speciﬁcation throughout and viewing is highly recommended. Energy Rating: E.

Ashwell, Rutland

£745,000

*No Chain* A beautiful Grade II listed detached Country House oﬀering extensive family accommodation with a wealth of character throughout and set within very private, glorious gardens and grounds of approx. 1.0 acre in the centre of this desirable village. 3 Rec. Rooms, Farmhouse Kitchen, 5 Bedrooms, 2 Bath/Shower Rooms; Dbl Garage, parking. EPC Exempt.

NEW

Harringworth

£595,000

A charming detached character Cottage with double Garage, ample parking and superbly landscaped gardens set in a sought after and well established village of Harringworth close to the historic market town of Uppingham. 2 Reception Rooms, Conservatory, Kitchen/Diner, Utility, Clkrm, 3 Bedrooms, 2 Bath/Shower Rooms. Energy Rating: E.

Wardley, Rutland

£495,000

A very well maintained picture-postcard Grade II listed thatched cottage set on a large plot enjoying delightful views of the village church and adjoining paddock land. 2 Reception Rooms, open-plan Kitchen/Diner, Utility, Cloakroom, 3 large double Bedrooms, Bathroom; gorgeous Gardens, Garage, ample Parking. EPC Exempt.

NEW

Ayston

£495,000

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

Wymondham

£550,000

A spacious detached period property oﬀering substantial family accommodation appointed to a high standard throughout and set in the heart of a highly regarded and picturesque village. 3 Reception Rooms, bespoke Kitchen, Utility, Clkrm, 4 Bedrooms, luxury En-suite Bathroom, Family Bathroom; parking, private Garden. Energy Rating: D.

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Bespoke Property. Bespoke Advice.

A delightful 17th century stone and thatch village house, significantly extended, sitting in mature landscaped gardens with wonderful views over adjoining rolling countryside. • Reception Hall, Morning Room • 3 further Bedrooms, Family Bathroom • Drawing Room, Dining Room, Snug • Large Oﬃce, Store Room • Breakfast Room, Kitchen • Garaging, Open Bay Garaging • Utility Room, Boot Room, 2 Cloakrooms • Mature Landscaped Gardens • Principal Bedroom Suite • In all about 1 acre

THATCH HOUSE, BLASTON - £1,095,000

An attractive 5 Bedroom family home situated at the heart of this desirable village and within striking distance of both Stamford and Peterborough. • Large Kitchen with dining area and • 3 further double bedrooms bi-fold doors to garden • Nursery / Dressing-room • Separate Utility room • Family shower room • Lounge with separate Study • Enclosed west facing rear garden • Principal bedroom with en-suite • Driveway / garaging / Listed Grade II

WISTERIA HOUSE, HELPSTON - £630,000

An exceptional, barn-styled house, with spacious and versatile accommodation, set within a former farmyard, and enjoying unspoilt, far-reaching views over the Nene valley. • Built by the renowned Elton Homes • Three reception rooms & breakfast kitchen • Small Bespoke development • Four double bedrooms • Stone built link-detached home • Two ensuites, and a Jack & Jill bathroom • Expansive countryside vistas • Fifth bedroom/Study • Flexible open-plan living • Double garage and landscaped gardens

77 MAIN STREET, YARWELL - £850,000

An attractive newly constructed stone property with three double bedrooms, west facing garden and garaging. Situated in a bespoke village development by a renowned local builder. • Detached home built of Stamford stone • Flexible open plan living • Small bespoke development • Principal bedroom / ensuite shower room • Garaging and off-street parking • Two further double bedrooms • Jack & Jill bathroom with separate shower • West facing gardens with dining terrace • Useful fourth bedroom, nursery / study • High standard of fixtures and fittings

PLOT 2 GWASH MEADOWS, RYHALL - £515,000

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“Time is running out!” ...don’t miss it by a whisker! Don’t miss the 31st October 2019 Paper-Filing deadline for your Self-Assessment. We can help you to prepare your return or switch to electronic filing & gain a 3-month extension!

Payroll, bookkeeping, accountancy, tax services and business advice for individuals, sole traders or companies We’re human (well, apart from Barnstone here), so we promise to talk to you like a human, you know, in a jargon-free, no waﬄe way! We’re available during evenings and weekends too, and promise to respond to a client’s queries within 24 hours. We’re the approachable accountants that make your life easier... so give us a call!

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

inking of Moving Home? Purchasing a new home, remortaging, or buying a commercial property, can incur many unforeseen costs. For this reason, many people opt to cut out the middleman, in a bid to save some money. But, in most cases, this approach is not as cost or time eﬃcient as you may think, and we disagree with this approach. So, why should you consider using a mortgage expert over securing your mortgage yourself? HE TRUTH IS that using an expert can be invaluable. Mortgages can be far more complicated than you may first think and there are many layers to mortgage planning, which can be overlooked if you go it alone.

a duty of care to you. If the recommendations are not suitable for your needs, you will be covered by the FSCS, so you can complain and be compensated. By arranging the mortgage, yourself, this legal recourse is reduced.

Efficient Portfolio are holistic, truly independent, Financial Planners, which means that we look at all areas of your finances to create a complimentary strategy across the board. It is our belief that mortgage advice, whilst being dealt with by a specialist, should closely tie in with your financial planning. is is how we differ from traditional Mortgage Brokers.

An independent mortgage adviser will look for the best mortgage for you from the whole of the market. ey aren’t on the lender’s side, they’re on yours, and are able to oﬀer a far wider range of opportunities and choice than if you went direct. A good mortgage adviser will also review what mortgage you have in place, ensuring that your mortgage needs evolve with you over time. ey will also ensure that you don’t get stung by the banks’ traditionally high fees, which are especially painful for ﬁrst-time buyers.

Like all aspects of financial planning, it is important to look at the bigger picture, and ensure that all of your ‘cogs’ are working together to help you achieve your goals, which is exactly what our independent experts will provide. Typically, a Mortgage Broker will just advise you about your mortgage; in contrast, our mortgage solution integrates all elements of your plan. For example, we’ve seen people come to us having arranged a 30-year mortgage to keep the costs low, but not realising that they will need to restructure their protection for longer, which significantly increases their costs. We can factor this into their planning, to ensure they are receiving the best solution for their specific needs. ey will also look at any related life insurance, payment protection and even buildings and contents insurance you have to make sure that you have the most suitable protection in place. Having a safety net should be the cornerstone of your financial planning, so why risk your most valuable asset?

designed to ensure that aﬀordability is scrutinised, background checks are far more in-depth and rate increases are reviewed. Understanding these changes, and how they work in practice, means that a mortgage adviser can ensure that you are getting the best possible deal for your circumstances, in the quickest and most-cost eﬀective way.

Over the last few years, the rules governing mortgages have also signiﬁcantly tightened. e Mortgage Market Review, in particular, has been

Very much like using us as your Financial Planner, employing the services of a registered mortgage specialist means that you will be protected, as they have

“

n To speak to one of our specialists, book your free call by contacting us on 01572 898060 or email hello@eﬃcientportfolio.co.uk

It is our belief that mortgage advice, whilst being dealt with by a specialist, should closely tie in with your financial planning.

”

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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Karl Hick T H E

I N T E RV I E W

HOUSEBUILDER AND CHARITY FOUNDER

Words: Rob Davis. Images: Dean Fisher.

Athlete; inventor of technology to help in the developing world; socially responsible housebuilder and of course, husband and father. It’d be enough for most people. Not karl Hick, though, who also launches a new charitable foundation this month... kARL HIck ISN’T SATISFIED. He’s not satisfied with being one of the area’s most prolific and socially responsible housing developers. He’s not satisfied just being an advisor to the All Party Parliamentary Group on housing policy, regularly meeting various Government ministers including the Chancellor. He’s not satisfied to be an athlete, competing in this year’s Polish World Masters Athletics Championships in Torun. He’s not satisfied being a chartered accountant, and a qualified chemist… oh, and an engineer working on solutions to bring infrastructure to the developing world. He’s not even satisfied enjoying a regular trip to the Emirates to enjoy a pint with his sons and watch his beloved Arsenal. No. He’s not content with all of the above, or to simply maintain their charitable activities - supporting, for example, Peterborough’s NSPCC and also the local UTC and various other local causes. He’s about to just launch a whole new charitable foundation, alongside wife Helen, raising awareness of the risk of strokes following their experiences earlier this year. Karl isn’t satisfied and won’t be until the responsibility of housebuilders to balance business with the creation of sustainable communities is reconciled across the industry. >> 20

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T H E I N T E RV I E W K A R L H I C K

xxx: xxx.

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>> It’s a responsibility predicated upon Karl’s experience as a son, as a father and as a husband as we found out recently, when we met him in the very comfortable showhome of his Farriers Reach development. You’re starting a new charitable foundation, borne out of a recent family illness?

Yes. my wife and I have been married for over 20 years and both work in the business together. Both of us are healthy, both of us are busy. we don’t do ‘being ill.’ In fact I don’t think either of us have ever taken a day off sick in our working lives. Two and a half months ago though, and from absolutely nowhere Helen suffered a stroke. It was a big bleed, serious and the prognosis wasn’t good. You wouldn’t know as she’s now doing brilliantly. She’s so strong and wouldn’t accept defeat, she has such mental toughness and such a positive attitude. She’s recovering well but it served as a quite horrid warning that a stroke can come from anywhere. So it was a wake-up call?

Yes. She was no more stressed than you’d expect with a career as a managing Director in charge of 100-strong team, and her blood pressure was slightly higher than a typical base rate, but she had a bad respiratory virus at the time, which we think was a contributary factor. what came out of our experiences is a realisation that nobody wants to talk about the subject and that knowledge about pre-stroke care and post-stroke care is really important.

we both realised that establishing a foundation would help to raise that awareness. One of the ideas we’re working on is the creation of a website which will allow people to find answers to the kind of questions that we needed answers to. It was a scary experience for Helen most of all, but for myself too. I’ve married my best friend and seeing her unwell, the idea that she might not survive… just not having her in the house with me whilst she was recovering in hospital was awful. Home suddenly felt different?

Yes. Home and family are inextricably linked. Both young people and older people alike are facing unique challenges and the housing market ties into all sorts of things from family life, to the economy, to the creation of communities, to our mental health. How and why?

we need new houses. Specifically we need about 300,000 new houses a year. As a country, we’re building about 230,000 a year, up from about 160,000 six or seven years ago. Property prices are predicated on supply and demand so the more houses we build the lower house prices will be and the easier it’ll be for younger people to get on the property ladder – something that’s less achievable at present. How has Help to Buy changed the market?

The scheme has come in for a good deal of criticism, but right now about 55% of our market is Help to Buy. Housebuilding keeps the uK’s economy going with associated trades, furnishing retailers and so on. Help to Buy is probably the best use of government cash I’ve ever known, they’re putting money into something that’s actually

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“

T H E I N T E RV I E W K A R L H I C K

Right from being a child growing up, our house was the base that kept our family together. We were brought up poor but there was lots of love in the house. More broadly we were part of a community, and we looked out for one another. Housebuilders shouldn’t make buildings to sell, they should create just those sort of communities to live in...

”

>> making money – I can’t think of another occasion that’s happened. It’s supposed to come to an end in 2023, but the government will have to extend or replace it as the scheme is vital for ensuring properties are affordable to younger people, for ensuring there’s sufficient demand to continue building houses and for the economy in general. What about Brexit – how’s that affecting the market?

It hasn’t helped. Finding skilled workers in the construction sector in the uK is difficult. A lot of supplementary labour comes from the eu and many workers have gone back to their countries of origin.

The prevailing wisdom is that we have to carry out the result of the referendum, and that we can’t change our minds, but I can’t think of anything more democratic or sensible than at least having the option to reassess a situation and change our direction if we deem it necessary. we didn’t know the full implication of the referendum and as a businessman I’ve not always made the right decisions at the time. An ability – and the willingness - to reassess a decision you’ve made is essential in business, and it’s the same with Brexit.

Certainly the effect on the construction labour market makes the country’s housebuilding targets less unachievable. more broadly, it’s disappointing that we don’t embrace the diverse sort of society that immigration begins. It contributes to making us a more wellrounded society and creates broader communities and my mother being Irish illustrates the importance of controlled immigration, otherwise the standard of living for all has to fall, be it cleaners, fruit pickers, care workers or construction workers. Communities being something you’re keen to create?

Absolutely. Right from being a child growing up, our house was the base that kept our family together. we were brought up where cash was tight but there was lots of love in the house. my parents’ mortgage was the anchor for responsibility and a good work ethic. more broadly we were part of a community, and we looked out for one 24

another. Housebuilders shouldn’t make buildings to sell, they should create just those sort of communities to live in because the home underpins everything in family and community - home is where the start is. How do you achieve that and how many houses have you built?

I’ve created somewhere between 250 and 300 developments over 30 years, typically about 30 houses each, so around 7,500 homes in my career. Some schemes work better than others and there’s an element of luck as to who moves in, but one of my pleasures is to revisit an existing development from five or ten years ago which sometimes drives my wife and children crazy, but I like to see how the development has evolved into being a community, and I feel proud I have added something to society when I am generally delighted with the outcome. If you drive through on a Saturday morning you can see kids on bikes playing, people washing cars, neighbours stopping to talk to each other. That’s the measure of a successful development.

A development we created many years ago prevented the closure of a village school and though some people can be NImBYS – ‘not in my back yard-ers’ when it comes to new housing developments, villages have to grow if they’re to support nearby schools, shops, post offices and pubs. If not, we won’t have villages, we’ll just have large out of town businesses.

Also, without creating new properties, villages will just be outpriced for younger people and they’ll become dormitory places for older residents and I am determined to provide homes for all, and I am especially happy to support young and old who want to make something of themselves and be completely respectful to those people with disabilities, or poor health, that prevent them all doing the same. As a society we have a responsibility to help people less fortunate than ourselves, but young teachers, nurses, care home workers, >>

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T H E I N T E RV I E W K A R L H I C K

No. Community is about people, and one of the ironies of living in a time of greater means of communication is the increasing prevalence of isolation. It’s especially true that older people are more isolated.

They can therefore live independently and live in a community with similarly-aged people, and with younger people in communities which can look out for one another and we deliver lifestyle living to help make some people’s lives miles better, but I understand it is easy for myself as I have experienced it from both ends, but very rarely do people like my mum and Dad move to such a community and not say they should have done it years ago, but change is difficult and I wish every day I could have moved my parents to such a community as their lives would have been much better in the latter years.

As a result, fewer older people have their children nearby. Social care is lacking generally in the country, but in particular there’s a gulf between independent living and social care – I guess you’d term that assisted or supported living - where an older person can remain in their home and still have a community around them or at least neighbours looking out for them.

Creating developments that appeal broadly to housebuyers of all ages is central to that, as is ensuring developments look good, so people value the environment they live in and look after their surroundings and their community.

>> construction apprentices, fruit pickers, all need help and the various schemes we work with alongside local authorities, councils, and Government, give many a chance if they have a work ethic, as it is clear they will more than likely repay the mortgage and support themselves and their families, as my mum and Dad did. Do challenges in housing just effect younger people?

Previously, different generations of the same family would remain in the same village and the younger generation would look after the older generation. Today – and with no sense of blame implied – we’re a more itinerant society. I’m approaching retirement age and my kids have gone off to London to pursue their own careers.

That’s based on your own experiences?

Yes. my parents lived independently but needed additional support. They were back in Newbury Park, essex where my two brothers and I grew up, but we’d all left the area to pursue careers; I moved to the Peterborough area in the late 1980s, my brother moved to Switzerland, for example and only my younger brother stayed local.

with more people living for longer we can’t rely on existing infrastructure to look after older people, and what we have generally right now is just private provision for domiciliary care or residential homes or care homes which necessitates someone leaving their home, perhaps leaving their spouse.

my own parents were in just that position. when I saw them I’d be looking after them, and at the weekends it was tough as so much to do and their house was too much of a burden.

There’s a broader problem too. The statistics – especially research conducted by the Rowntree Foundation - show that people who are able to live in their own homes delay the onset of Alzheimer’s or Dementia and live around four years longer but only if they are around like minded people who have the time to talk and help each other, and not having the stress of a larger older house which is too big, and a garden that needs a lot of work. What’s the solution?

we create developments, where it’s possible to do so, with provision for assisted living and with care homes close by. Initially older people whose children have left home can downsize to an easier-tomaintain property, freeing up some equity in the process.

when it’s needed, external providers can facilitate assisted independent living and if a residential or care home is needed, it’ll be sufficiently close to ensure a spouse can visit. This is the perfect combination ie: independent, assisted, and a care home incorporated within a lifestyle village community, but now always easy to deliver because of the financial institutions reticence to fund schemes like this as the infrastructure up front is expensive.

A home is a very personal thing…?

It’s something you should embrace, you should love it and treat it well. It should be a place you love to be. I was really fond of my first house. It taught me to be sensible with money, and it taught me the importance of family and the responsibility of a work ethic, as like most of us, I only had myself to blame if the mortgage was not paid. What do people want from a house nowadays?

we produce about 30 different house styles. Stereotypes are made to be broken though and it’s funny that you can design a house for a particular person at a particular time of their lives only to find that the people that gravitate towards that style are very different to the target market you expect which is why life and work are so interesting. In our part of the world, decent sized gardens are important. They also need to be technically sound with good wi-fi. Cable TV is another must-have, and latterly people expect to have somewhere to charge an electric car and that will be more and more prevalent as we all encompass climate change. And sustainability?

Sustainability is a big thing, too. People are reluctant to have too many plastics in the building of their home, and they’re keen to have good energy efficiency.

Interestingly though, the current standard of Code Six [an environmental assessment method for rating and certifying the performance of new homes, first introduced in 2006] is too efficient in terms of heat retention. A lot of people find houses too ‘airtight’ and end up opening windows, which rather defeats the point of the effort! >> 27

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T H E I N T E RV I E W K A R L H I C K

>> The current building regulations are just about right and the politicians need to concentrate on the Pre 80’s properties as if climate change is to be taken seriously, tackling this area and ensuring minimum standards will have massive benefits to the carbon emissions, and concentrating on planting trees and bushes at a much greater level than they are taken down will balance the CO₂ issue, so our children and their children can enjoy the future and help keep polar bears, and precious wildlife alive, and still allow economic progress. How does the business work?

we’ve around 100 people in the office, and it takes around five or six months to create one a home, but some projects take five to 10 years to get to that point given the massive regulatory requirements, and over the 30 years running Allisons and Larkfleet I have seen just about everything from rehousing badgers that held up a project for three years, to great crested newts that have stopped a project forever, and these areas are important but in life a balance is always required to balance everyone’s interests, and to be fair that is the general outcome if you have the time to do so.

many smaller builders unfortunately go under within this process as time is something they don’t have in abundance. we build and sell around three or four on a typical site a month, including affordable, so typically we’re on site for two years. I worked in London for Allison homes and was based near Chigwell and Romford before they relocated me to Spalding where I became part of Allison Homes as Financial Director.

I completed a management buyout in 1990 and then I sold Allison homes in 2001, but it was like selling a son and I missed it greatly. I had started Larkfleet Homes in 1998 and eventually brought the Allison name back and now run the two brands concurrently, Larkfleet operating around the A15 corridor and south, and Allison working predominantly north of the A15. At the moment we’ve around 10 developments, and we try to look about five years into the future for potential new developments as that is a realistic timescale. You’re working with the government to advise on housing policy?

Housing mainly, too. I represent medium sized housebuilders on the All Party Parliamentary Group on housing and meet various Government mPs and ministers regularly trying to help the smaller players to deliver more choice in the market.

Recently I’ve completed a big piece of research for the Treasury Committee on migration of Labour into the uK Post-Brexit as the country will need this to deliver as we can’t without this.

Above: Like father, like son! George Hick was joining dad for some summer work during our photographer’s visit to the award-winning housebuilder.

And somehow find time to pursue other projects?

well I have a chemistry degree in my first real academic interest, so I’ve also founded a project called Solar Steam, which is a containerised unit and a static unit which can provide remote communities with electricity via solar power and desalinisation and filtration to provide clean water and energy to help communities survive.

I’ve travelled to Kenya’s masai mara to try see how we can help to begin delivering the units. They may be manufactured closer to home in Peterborough, with both fixed and containerised units, so there’s potential applications in areas where grid unlikely.

I’ve also created a property design for flood risk areas which rises electronically in the event of flooding to protect it occupants. That will make it easier to obtain planning permission for developments in areas where there’s significant flood risk and houses can be used. Just to make the rest of us feel truly inadequate you’re also an athlete?

Ha! Yes, I’ve always been into athletics and I competed in Poland’s world Athletics Championship in the 3,000 metre indoor and cross-country events recently and will be competing in the european masters Championships in Venice in September in the 5,000m. I go running with our new dog, Hugo who has become the company’s mascot, and race most weeks but I also ski and play golf. I love watching sport too and follow F1, cricket, and most sports. And football?

especially Arsenal. my father, sadly no longer with us, used to take me to the football and we’d always have a drink in the Arsenal Tavern. I do the same with my sons now, sort of a family tradition. I’m hoping that one day they’ll be drinking in the place with their own sons! The world’s a big place, but families and a desire for families to stay together, well that’s even bigger. n Karl & Helen Hick own Larkfleet Homes; see www.larkfleet.com.

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Interior Design

Curtain Making Reupholstery Bespoke Furniture

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

Colefax and Fowler Crucial Trading Charlotte Gaisford Christopher Farr Designers Guild Fermoie G P and J Baker Jacaranda Jane Churchill Kate Foreman Larsen

Nina Campbell Osborne and Little Pierre Frey Porta Romana Ralph Lauren Roger Oates Romo Sahco Thibaut Vanessa Arbuthnott Villa Nova Voyage William Yeoward Zoffany

Alternative Flooring Andrew Martin Anna French Arte

Linwood Manuel Canovas Mark Alexander Mulberry

Building

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STAMFORD

& RUTLAND BRIDGES

BRIDGES

is month we’re building bridges between history and architecture with a look at a few of the area’s most notable bridges, beginning of course with the Welland Viaduct. It’s a chance for our new photographer Dean Fisher, pictured opposite, to show oﬀ his talents! We think his images are amazing... but we’d love to know what you think! Words: Rob Davis. Images: Dean Fisher.

The Welland ViaducT is 1,275 yards (1,166 km) long and has 82 arches, each with a 40 feet (12 m) span. it is the longest masonry viaduct across a valley in the united Kingdom. constructing it today would prompt admiration but the structure, created by the lucas and aird contract agency for the Midland Railway, was built from 1876 when the ﬁrst of 30,000,000 bricks were laid, alongside the use of 20,000 cubic yards of concrete and 19,000 cubic feet of stone. Back then the structure cost £12,000, and though that’s a modest ﬁgure today, the structure cost the equivalent of £14m in today’s money. in 1990 the viaduct gained a Grade ii listing. Over 3,000 navvies possessed little more than gunpowder, shovels and picks to create the 32

viaduct. Given that the village’s population at the time was only 300 or so, the area’s population swelled dramatically, with around 50 wooden huts popping up at the northern end of the structure to accommodate the navvies. each of the huts accommodated seven men, two women and three children, with about 30 gallons of beer being consumed per hut each week - the equivalent of about ﬁve pints a day, per man. evidently then, creating the viaduct was thirsty work. Most of the bricks were manufactured and ﬁred on site, men would shovel around 20 tonnes of earth a day and work 12 hour shifts to do so. e viaduct was originally opened as a passenger route in 1880, and accommodated eight trains a day - four in each direction providing a more direct connection to london.

in 1885 a new high speed service entered operation, known as the Slip coach, with fast trains to london, northampton, cambridge and the eastern counties via Kettering. By the turn of the century, over a dozen trains were crossing the viaduct daily. e First World War saw the viaduct narrowly escape destruction by a German Zeppelin. e north embankment of the viaduct was damaged and subsequently collapsed. e iRa in 1939 also threatened to destroy the viaduct, result in the area being placed under guard. e Beeching cuts in 1967 saw the bridge losing all passenger service traﬃc, with the line remaining open for freight only. a restoration in 2001 cost £1.5m and sought to secure the structure from 25-tonne axle trains travelling up to 60mph. >>

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Dean Fisher, Prideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new photographer.

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WAKERLY BRIDGE, BARROWDEN, RUTLAND A 14th century ﬁve arch bridge over the Welland, Wakerly was widened by 2 ft in 1793. It is 81 ft (25 m) long. ere is a carved head above the keystone of the second arch from the north and the bridge was restored by Rutland County Council in October 2018. Specialist stonemason, Jason Henfrey, was commissioned to undertake the repair work. Aptly known as ‘Jason the Mason,’ he has decades of experience with a specialism in historic structures. His most notable project to date was the conversion of Helliﬁeld Peel Castle near Skipton, North Yorkshire in 2007 into a domestic dwelling, which was featured on the TV programme Grand Designs. n

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STAMFORD

& RUTLAND BRIDGES

LEFT/BELOW

STAMFORD’S TWO TOWN BRIDGES THere Has Been a town bridge crossing the Welland near e George Hotel since medieval times. a town hall adjacent to the bridge was demolished in 1778 and about this time a turnpike was removed and a new, improved road was created. e present bridge structure was completed by edward Browning in 1849, designed in a norman style using Bramley Hall stone. albert Bridge, meanwhile, was built in 1881 by stamford Town council to replace one destroyed by ﬂood in July 1880. its inscription reads “is bridge was erected in the second year of the Mayoralty of John Paradise esq., 1881 in place of one totally destroyed by ﬂood in July, 1880.” n BOTTOM

THE LION BRIDGE AT BURGHLEY HOUSE Back in 1755, capability Brown was reinventing the parkland surrounding Burghley House. e landscaper retained some of the 16th century planting but had to complete extensive works to create the vistas over the parkland with which we’re familiar today. as part of his reimagining of the grounds, capability Brown utilised a seam of blue clay to enlarge a nine acre (36,000m2) to 26 acres (105,000m2), to give the impression that it’s a naturally occurring feature. Brown designed the estate’s Lion bridge at a cost of 1,000 guineas in 1778. it was restored, cleaned and decalciﬁed in 2005 after its quinquennial inspection revealed worn stone. n

All Welland Good The Welland is 65 miles long and runs from Hothorpe Hills, Sibbertoft to Fosdyke Wash. It’s tributaries include the Chater, Gwash & Glen, and it’s base is clay and limestone.

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KETTON BRIDGE, KETTON, RUTLAND GAINING a Grade II listing in 1961, Ketton Bridge over the River Chater was created in the C17th in ashlar stone, finely cut and dressed, with three shallow pointed arches, recessed with hood moulds, pointed cutwaters and cappings. n

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RyHALL ST., bRIDGE, RyHALL RUTLAND RYHAll STREET BRIDGE gained its Grade II listing in 1961, and was created sometime in the 17th century from squared stone and ashlar. It has three ornate semi-circular arches and pointed cutwaters to the western side. n

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EVENTING WITH TEAM JONES

KeePING uP wITH

TeAm JONeS To keep up with these Joneses, you’ll need to be a very competent rider indeed, because husband and wife team Richard & Victoria are kept very busy, travelling internationally to compete in the world’s top equestrian competitions... Words: Carissa Smith. Images: Deanne Ward Photography.

Keeping up with the Joneses takes on a whole new meaning if you’re in Rutland. That’s because husband and wife dream team, Richard & Victoria Jones, travel the world and derive the best from their their top flight horses as the owners of Team Jones equestrian, based in South Luffenham. we caught up with the family pre-Burghley to find out what drives them to compete in some of the toughest eventing fixtures the world has to offer, like the five-star FeI Burghley Horse Trials.

In recent years, Richard has become known as a top international eventer, being placed in the top ten at Burghley and at Blenheim in 2018. Victoria, meanwhile, is also going from strength to strength, building her international dressage career. Together they make up somewhat of a dream team!

Both Richard and Victoria have grown up around horses and have always had a profound fondness for riding. unsurprisingly, when we had a chat with Richard he was training a horse as we spoke.

“my mother always carted me around pony clubs when I was younger, and I was a member of the Cottesmore Pony Club, he says. “I have always had a love for horses and for riding first, with the competitive side always

coming second. Although I am now becoming a very competitive person given the type of events we’re competing in - the stakes are now rather high!”

After leaving school Richard left the county and trained with Dane Rawlins in east Sussex to get a better foundation in dressage - and that’s where he met Victoria. The two then moved back to Rutland to set up their own eventing yard at the age of just 20. Richard currently events successfully up to 5* level and is an accredited uKCC level two coach. Competing prolifically at all levels, Richard’s most successful horse of recent years was his super-talented Highland Ford. >>

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EVENTING WITH TEAM JONES

“In addition to training on the cross-country field, Richard & Victoria also host regular clinics with some of the uK’s leading riders and coaches, including Piggy French, emilie Chandler, mark Kyle, and many more...” >> Together, Richard and Highland Ford were also selected as reserves for the world equestrian Games in Normandy, 2014. Richard currently trains no fewer than 12 horses for eventing with his two current top rides being Alfie’s Clover and Kilballyboy Bob.

Both horses are exceptional athletes by the thoroughbred sire Tajraasi, that Richard has produced carefully and successfully through the ranks. In 2018, Alfies Clover was placed 7th both at Bramham CCI3* and Burghley CCI4*, whilst Kilballyboy Bob was 4th at Blenheim in his CIC3* debut. The British equestrian Federation selected Richard as one of five event riders for the uK Sport world Class Podium Potential squad for 2019-2021.

“The past 18 months have been hugely rewarding for myself and Alfies Clover, so to be recognised with a place on the GB long-list is a thrilling outcome as we work towards even greater results,” said Richard. “This represents an exciting next chapter and yet another opportunity to represent Great Britain on the international stage, following our selection in January for the world Class Programme Podium Potential eventing squad for 2019-2021.” Victoria also competes very successfully in dressage at Small Tour level both Nationally and Internationally. Additionally, Victoria is a highly skilled dressage coach at all levels, training an array of dressage and event riders.

Victoria has competed for Great Britain as a Junior and Young Rider, including competing at the european championships. After taking a break from dressage to raise two children, Victoria had a fantastic return to competition three years ago with two horses, Tijis H and wiepke II. Victoria won several events and was selected to compete for Great Britain internationally at Small Tour Level both home and abroad. In 2018, after a change of horsepower Victoria won the Advanced medium at Bury Farm High Profile on 74.7%.

Victoria now looks after five horses and we have been told that she has some up and coming young superstars waiting in the wings which we will see very soon. Owning and running Lowland Farms is a demanding job and includes a lot of hard work and multitasking, Richard tells us; “I am currently training 12 horses for events and riding all day every day...!”

“Now is one of our busiest times but it will quieten in the winter. I currently ride and train up until 2pm most days and then I teach in the afternoons. Teaching is something I enjoy doing and I like to do more of it, in between competing.”

A new cross-country training field has been recently added to the facilities at Lowlands to enable training youngsters and established eventers alike. In addition to training on the cross-country field, Lowlands Farm also host regular clinics with some of the uK’s leading riders and coaches, including Piggy French, emilie Chandler, mark Kyle, and many more.

Sponsored by leading feeds manufacturers Dodson & Horrell, sports photographers Julie Priestly, artist and photographer Deanne ward, and IBA International media relations consultancy, the Joneses have some great backing, and are reaching stratospheric degrees of success in eventing, making them a great duo to keep up with... if you can! n

n For more information on Victoria and Richard Jones as they pursue their career in eventing, see www.teamjonesequestrian.co.uk. 44

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WHAT’S ON

what’s On... ROCKINGHAM

OAKHAM

TUESDAy 29th OcTObERFRIDAy 1st NOvEMbER

SUNDAy 27th OcTObER

HALLOWEEN FUN AT ROckINGHAM

OAkHAM FOOD & DRINk FESTIvAL

Enjoy some halloween fun with pumpkin rolling, biscuit decorating, quizzes and trails. Look out for the witches of Rockingham this month too... when shall we three meet again? This month at Rockingham Castle!

Everyone loves local food and drink so why not celebrate the county of Good Taste and enjoy multum in parvo at the Rutland Food & Drink Festival in Oakham this month. Taking place in the Castle and its grounds, in the Market Place and along Mill Street, there will be hot and cold food stalls celebrating local producers and a great atmosphere throughout the town. The event is a biannual event organised by Oakham Town Partnership, and takes place in April as well as October. Expect suppliers like Hambleton Bakery, Rutland Charcuterie and Grainstore Brewery to be in attendance.

n Rockingham Castle, Market Harborough, LE16 8TH. Call 01536 770240 or see www.rockinghamcastle.com. LEICESTER

MONDAy 7th WEDNESDAy 9th OcTObER

AN EvENING OF ERIc & ERNIE

n Free entry, 11am-3pm. www.discover-rutland.co.uk.

Celebrate 20 Years of Ballet ENGLISH YOUTH BALLET PRESENTS SLEEPING BEAUTY AT STAMFORD CORN EXCHANGE, LIVE IN OCTOBER...

STAMFORD

WEDNESDAy 23rd FRIDAy 25th OcTObER

Eyb pRESENTS SLEEpING bEAUTy

english Youth Ballets pliés into Stamford to celebrate its twentieth anniversary year, with a production of Sleeping Beauty. The company has gained in popularity and has an established formidable reputation for classic and dramatic productions of the famous classical ballets. with professional dancers, dancing the leading roles, eYB gives its young dancers a wonderful opportunity to dance alongside principals in solo and corps de ballet roles. n Stamford Corn Exchange Theatre, PE9 1PX. Tickets £22/adults. Call 01780 766455 or see www.stamfordcornexchange.co.uk.

A show for all the family! Evoking memories of times when the family would huddle around the telly to watch those fantastic Christmas specials. This is a show full of the duo’s most loved routines, songs and sketches and of course a musical guest or two!

n Curve Theatre, Leicester. 7.45pm. Tickets £10-22. Call 0116 242 3595 or see www.curveonline.co.uk. PETERBOROUGH

SUNDAy 13th OcTObER

pERkINS GREAT EASTERN RUN Re-established in 2006 after a ten year break the Perkins Great Eastern Run comprises a half marathon (13m), a fun run of 4km and a wheelchair race all to raise money for Anna’s Hope and the Jane Tomlinson Appeal.

n Embankment, Peterborough. Half marathon starts at 10.30am, Fun Run from 10am. To participate call 01733 452469 or see perkinsgreateasternrun.co.uk.

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

RUTLAND

THURSDAy 31st OcTObER

RUTLAND MISTLETOE FAIR

HALLOWEEN AFTERNOON TEA

The fabulous mistletoe Fair is a Christmas shopping extravaganza not to be missed. Begin your Christmas shopping in style at the mistletoe Fair with stalls selling a wonderful selection of gifts, treats, toys, decorations and handicrafts. n Rutland Showground, £3/adult; 10am-5pm. LE15 6US. www.rutlandshowground.com. UPPINGHAM

SATURDAy 12th OcTObER

MENDELSSOHN: THE yOUNG MASTER Having heard him perform in 1821, Beethoven declared the young Felix Mendelssohn ‘promising;’ high praise indeed, but very much deserved; by the time Felix was 12, he had already produced four operas, 12 string symphonies and a large quantity of chamber and

piano music, with the overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream just two years away. This performance will include some of the composer’s most cherished pieces, including Te Deum and his cello sonata. Our image shows Mendelssohn performing to Goethe circa 1830, in a portrait painted in oils by Moritz Oppenheim in 1864.

n Uppingham Parish Church, LE15 9QH. Tickets £16/adults.

Burghley by Twilight

GREAT HOUSES LIKE BURGHLEY WERE BUILT FOR ENTERTAINING AS THIS ANNUAL EVENT WILL SHOW

KILWORTH

FRIDAy 25th - SUNDAy 27th OcTObER

KILWORTH

MONDAy 4th OcTObER

MURDER MySTERy NIGHTATkILWORTH

You are all invited to celebrate the birthday of dear Aunt Petunia. A beautiful day in the gardens of ‘Downtown Abbey…’ until there’s a blood curdling scream… whodunnit? n Tickets £55, including three course meal. Kilworth House, LE17 6JE. Call 01858 880058 or see www.kilworthhouse.co.uk.

STAMFORD

WEDNESDAy 2nd SATURDAy 5th OcTObER

bURGHLEy AT TWILIGHT

enjoy Burghley House with a twist. Great houses like Burghley were built for entertaining and are often at their best just after the main visitors have left and the twilight seeps in through the windows which combined with the soft lighting of the artworks evokes the feeling of travelling back in time to when the house would have seen endless evenings of entertaining

Trick or Treat! You decide... Kilworth House Hotel has a selection of Halloween themed cakes to choose from.

n Kilworth House Hotel, LE17 6JE. £25/Adult; £9.50/Child. Call to book on 01858 880058 or see www.kilworthhouse.co.uk OAKHAM

FRIDAy 11th OcTObER

pHILIp GRAy ExTREME ARTIST

Philip’s powerful and eloquent oil paintings and pastels have captivated a generation of art lovers and won him an impressive range of awards. The inspirational nature of Philip’s work transcends all boundaries and can be seen on the walls of the white House.

n Trent Galleries, Mill Street, Oakham, 01572 722790, 7-9pm.

from supper parties to balls. During this special event you can enjoy a glass of Prosecco in the Old Kitchen, and walk through the State Rooms to the accompaniment of period music from classical organ and violin pieces. Dante Ferrara, elizabethan minstrel, will serenade you with his faithful copies of original instruments like the hurdy gurdy, whilst you experience what life was like for the lucky few who found themselves above stairs in the era of william Cecil. n Burghley House, 6pm-8pm. Price TBC. Call 01780 75245. 47

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FOOD & DRINK

Food For Thought A New FARm SHOP & ReSTAuRANT PROVIDeS

There’s food for thought this month at the area’s biggest and best garden centre. Just in time for British Food Fortnight, Gates Garden Centre at Cold Overton reveals its exceptional new farm shop, opens its Christmas department, and reveals brand new menus for its restaurant and coffee shop... Supervision. It’s very important. This month we’ve a new photographer, Dean Fisher. And what better initiation for our super talented new team member could there be than a trip to Gates Garden Centre to see their new farm shop and to photograph their brand new menus.

I’m happy to report that his photographs are nothing short of exceptional, but happier still to report that whilst he’s snapping away, working hard, yours truly is free to just sit back and sample the dishes to my heart’s content. Supervision, I think it’s called... Around this time of year, the Christmas elves at Gates Garden Centre set to work transforming its 14,000sq ft Outdoor Living space into its Christmas department. Out go the centre’s garden furniture ranges and parasols. In come about 15 different Christmas tree themes, with their respective elements all arranged around them, to ensure customers can jingle their bells to a particular tune, from neon to Nordic, winter white to Victorian. It takes the 12-strong team 1,620 hours to make the transformation, but the public can’t get enough and Gates tends to be packed out right up to Christmas with those looking to create a dazzling display of decorations in their own homes.

GATES GARDEN CENTRE’S NEW FARM SHOP OPENS AS PRIDE GOES TO PRESS AND WILL SELL OVER 15,000 DIFFERENT LINES!

Words: Rob Davis. Images: Dean Fisher.

meet the TEAM If, however, you think that’s as industrious as the centre could possibly become in October, the team at Gates are also working hard to prepare the garden centre’s brand new 12,000sq ft farm shop.

The farm shop has been built in a dedicated building adjacent to the centre and will comprise a massive butchery with meat from Hambleton Farms as well as beef and lamb from Gates own farm, including native Aberdeen Angus, Shorthorn & South Devon cows and Kerry Hill and Lleyn lambs. There’s a huge delicatessen, artisan bakery with bread baked in house and supplied by Hambleton Bakery, a Fromagerie and a ‘veggie butchers’ which will offer customers loose plastic-packaging free vegetables.

It’ll also stock craft beers, wines and spirits, artisan oils and vinegars... ideal as you stock up the larder for Christmas. In total, it’ll sell 15,000 lines. That’s 15,000 different products! Local suppliers include meat from Gates own farm, Hambleton Farms, Oakham Honey, Leicestershire Handmade Cheese Co, Long Clawson Dairy and Belvoir Fruit Farms. >>

MARK BARBOUR CATERING MANAGER

Food History: Originally from Scotland, Mark and family moved to Rutland in 1996. Mark has form working at Hambleton Hall, Harts in Nottingham, and at Stathern’s Red Lion, the former sister pub of Clipsham’s Olive Branch. He began working at Gates in March 2019. Food Philosophy: “Working closely with the kitchen team and using local ingredients to create simple, enjoyable dishes!” Food Heaven: “I do like meat, but any dish is a pleasure if it’s created with fresh ingredients!” Food Hell: “Shellfish. I don’t like mussels!” n

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>> You can even take along your own bottle and fill up with your daily pint of PrOganic organic milk, plastic free, guilt free and creamy. There are plenty of local gins too, from Brentingby and Two Birds, plus local ales from the Grainstore. Around five years ago, in response to increasing customer demand, Gates opened a 350-seater restaurant to replace its much smaller tea shop.

We thought at the time that it was big... if anything, a bit too big. But in fact, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s become so popular that the team at Gates decided it was time to re-open the original tea shop again, but with a brand new look.

OPENING HOURS

Garden Centre: 8.00am - 5.30pm, Monday â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Saturday 9.00am - 5.00pm, Sundays & Bank Hols. The Garden Restaurant: 9.00am - 4.30pm, Monday - Sunday. The Courtyard Coffee Shop: 11.00am - 4.00pm, Monday - Sunday. Late Night Shopping: Wednesdays in December, until 8pm.

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on the MENU FROM GATES GARDEN CENTRE’S GARDEN RESTAURANT MENU Afternoon Tea for Two

Tea, finger sandwiches, cakes, two fruit and two plain scones, clotted cream and Brambles preserves £24.99. Lunch Menu

Gates ‘Big Burger,’ home-made, glazed with mature cheddar cheese, in a bun with salad, onion rings and chunky chips £9.99. Trio of traditional local butcher’s sausages with creamy mash, onion gravy and vegetables £8.99.

The cosy space was treated to a stylish refurbishment and the Courtyard Coffee Shop was created, offering barista coffee, loose leaf teas, delicious cakes and a brand new deli-style menu.

The Garden Restaurant seats 350 diners and offers a full restaurant lunch menu, as well as breakfast, afternoon tea, snacks, drinks and, of course, delicious home-made cakes. A brand new seasonal menu will be launched this autumn and will change regularly throughout the year.

The Courtyard Coffee Shop, meanwhile, provides lighter bites and Afternoon Tea, plus the odd exclusive menu item such as a brand new Savoury Afternoon Tea comprising chef ’s speciality pork, black pudding and apricot sausage roll, croque monsieur and local pork pie. where practical, the farm shop will supply the restaurant and coffee shop, whilst products made in the kitchens will be on sale in the farm shop too. In the interest of ensuring my readership remains well-fed and satisfied all season long, myself and the new

boy, Dean Fisher, our super duper new photographer thought we ought to sample the delights on offer.

Dean captured each of our dishes whilst I sampled skin-on fries, Gates homemade pork, black pudding and apricot sausage roll plus gastropub-inspired dishes like fishcakes, a fish finger sandwich and the various elements of their Afternoon Tea. mark and the team were faced with a tough undertaking creating a restaurant menu for a 350 seater that has to plate up quality as well as quantity of covers. Happily they’ve managed it with aplomb. Dishes are prompt, well-presented, generous in portion and use lots of local ingredients.

Gates Garden Centre has always been part of our Rutland family Christmas, but now, more than ever, it’ll be part of our Christmas table too, championing local produce and local suppliers whilst cutting down food miles and reducing wasteful plastic. Pay a visit this month and you won’t be disappointed! n

Crispy Beer Battered fish and chips £9.50.

Ploughmans; home-cooked ham, Stilton, Cheddar, local pork pie, salad, coleslaw and crusty bread £9.50.

Festive panini with turkey, cranberry sauce and stuffing, with crisps and salad £6.95. Sunday Roast

A trio of meats available every Sunday and Roast Turkey every day throughout December £10.99. NB: Featured dishes are subject to change.

n Gates Garden Centre is based on Somerby Road, Cold Overton, Oakham, LE15 7QB. Call 01664 454309 or see www.gatesgardencentre.co.uk

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GOOD FOOD AWARDS 2019

Dine Out for Free in 2020

Just by naming your favourite pubs and restaurants across Rutland & Stamford Above: Last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s winners of our Best Fish Dish award was Brian Baker, owner of The Marquess of Exeter, Lyddington.

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it’s once again time to celebrate the ﬁnest food and drink across Rutland & stamford with our 2019 Good Food awards. We’re asking our readers to vote their favourite restaurants and we’ll enter everyone who does so into a free draw to win complimentary dining out at our partner restaurants throughout 2020... Words: Rob Davis.

Rutland and Stamford are synonymous with good food, and that’s why, each year, we like to celebrate those who value local ingredients, using them with care and attention for the unabashed pleasure of local diners. However we need your help. Rather than naming the places we think represent the best restaurants and pubs across the area, we’re asking for your votes to ensure that our awards are the most unbiased and comprehensive in the county.

what’s in it for you? well, we’ve partnered with some great Rutland & Stamford restaurants, each of whom will provide a free meal for two in 2020, so you’ll enjoy quality dining and get to try some great dining rooms all through the year.

Last year we changed our categories to better reflect the diversity of dining in the area, so we’re asking for your six nominations in the following food award categories: Best Steak

mouthwatering, juicy, aged for 28 days and served with thick cut, triple cooked chips...

there’s no doubting the pleasure of a beautifully-cooked steak but where do you recommend for a silky sirloin or robust rib-eye? we’d love to know! Best Fish Dish

whether your preferred dish is delicately pan-fried scallops served with samphire or traditional fish and chips, tell us about your Friday night favourite. Best Sunday Lunch

A great British institution, we want you to nominate your favourite restaurant for a really good Sunday Lunch. Best Dessert

Naturally everyone loves a pudding. Laden with fruit or rich in chocolate, the county’s chefs use dessert courses to show off their presentation skills and tempt us when we falsely protest about not being able to manage another bite. Best Afternoon Tea

In recent years there has been somewhat of a resurgence in the popularity of afternoon tea. Tiers of joy, heaving with freshly cut sandwiches and homemade cakes, but tell us where to go for an afternoon treat. >>

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Clipsham’s Olive Branch won last year’s Restaurant of the Year title.

>> Restaurant of the Year And last but certainly not least is our 2020 Restaurant of the Year title. This is available to the pub, pub restaurant or fine dining establishment which you think is worthy of receiving the coveted title of Rutland and Stamford’s best restaurant. By casting your vote in each of our six categories, you’ll be entered into our prize draw to win dining out at our partner restaurants in 2020.

You can vote for whoever you wish, regardless of whether they’re an advertiser in Pride Magazine, which means our awards are the most objective and unbiased, with opinions sought from all over Rutland.

We’ll announce the winners in our January edition and could be giving you a call to thank you for our votes and invite you to enjoy to free restaurant dining in 2020. n To vote, simply fill in the form opposite and post it to us, or vote online at www.pridemagazines.co.uk.

Free Dining at Our Partner Restaurants...

Vote for your favourite restaurants, pubs and hotels using our form opposite - or vote online - and we’ll choose one lucky reader to enjoy free dining out throughout 2020 at the following restaurants...

1. The Olive Branch, Clipsham Last year’s Restaurant of the year winner Clipsham’s pretty pub restaurant is the epitome of relaxed, high quality dining. Sublime! 2. Stapleford Park, Melton Mowbray The Grinling Gibbons dining room of Stapleford Park is one of its most impressive features. With 500 acres of parkland and stunning dining, a meal here will be a treat!

3. The Falcon Hotel, Uppingham Wonderful dining in the heart of Uppingham, at this 16th century coaching inn with excellent grill and fish options! 4. Dog in a Doublet, Thorney John McGinn left the rat race and instead pursued a career as chef patron of this

relaxed, family run gastropub on the outskirts of Peterborough.

5. The Petwood Hotel, Woodhall Spa Enjoy quality dining in the former home of The Dambusters. Take in the elegance of this Edwardian hotel in the summer months and a walk around pretty Woodhall Spa. 6. The Fuel Tank, Engine Yard, Belvoir Castle Enjoy exceptional dining in this quirky restaurant on Belvoir Castle’s new luxury shopping and lifestyle development.

7. Rushton Hall, Kettering Enjoy the peerless luxury of fine dining in this beautiful Grade I country mansion with its adjacent spa and hotel. n

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ENTRY FORM

(Cut out and send to us at the address below)

Best Steak

Restaurant of the Year

Best Fish Dish

Where is the best place in the area you have visited for a classic steak dish?

Vote for your absolute favourite place to dine in and visit in Rutland & Stamford

This can be shellfish, fish dishes or even your favourite fish and chips.

Best Sunday Lunch

Best Dessert

Best Afternoon Tea

A Great British favourite, but where do you enjoy Sunday Lunch the most?

Whether your tastes are chocolate or fruit-inclined, where’s best for pudding?

Please provide your name, address, and number (we will need to contact you if you’re our lucky winner!): Name:.................................................................................. Address: ............................................................................... ............................................................................................ Postcode: ............................................................................. Telephone: ...........................................................................

There are many places to enjoy tea and cake, but which one is the best?

Alternatively, you can vote in the Restaurant of the Year Competition on our website by visiting www.pridemagazines.co.uk. Closing Date: Friday 1st November 2019 Send your entry to Pride magazines Restaurant of the Year Awards 2019, Pride magazines, elm Grange Studios, east Heckington, Boston Pe20 3qF.

Terms & Conditions: One entry per household. Photocopies/multiple entries will not be counted. Competition is available to anyone in the county or surrounding area. You must not be personally or professionally allied with nominations. Votes received for each venue will be counted up to determine the eventual three winners for each category and seven runners-up. The editor’s decision as to our competition winners is final and further terms and conditions may apply.

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Voted Peterboroughs Restaurant of the year 2019 Drop in for a meal or a relaxing drink

Single species Wood and Charcoal fire pit cooking with very local produce. Pigs 20m, cows 200m, goats 2km.

North Side, Thorney PE6 0RW

01733 202256 • www.doginad.co.uk

PUB • RESTAURANT • OUTSIDE CATERING • ACCOMMODATION

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In the KITCHeN

Make the most of the last plums in the garden and enjoy this delicious autumn teatime treat with lashings of custard and a hot pot of tea...

AuTumN TART

with Almonds & Sticky Plums

Serves: 12. Preparation Time: 15 minutes. Cooking Time: 45 minutes. 250g shortcrust pastry • 150g butter, at room temperature • 150g golden caster sugar • 3 Free-Range Local Eggs 75g ground almonds • 75g Self-Raising Flour • 1⁄2 tsp baking powder • 1 tsp vanilla extract 400g Plums, stoned and quartered 2 tbsp flaked almonds • 2 tbsp apricot jam Preheat the oven to 180oc, gas mark four. Roll out the pastry thinly on a floured surface and use to line a 23cm diameter, loose-bottomed tart tin. Chill for five minutes. meanwhile, place the butter, sugar, eggs, ground almonds, flour, baking powder and vanilla extract in a large bowl and whisk until well blended.

Spoon the filling into the tart case then press the plums evenly into the mixture (they will sink into the centre as the tart bakes). Scatter over the flaked almonds and bake for 40 to 45 minutes until risen and golden brown. melt the apricot jam with 1 tbsp water in a small pan. Brush over the top of the tart and leave to cool. Cut into slices and serve. n

Recipes & Dishes: Thousands of recipes can be found at www.waitrose.com/recipes.

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Wine of the Month

Upping the Ante on odd drinks...

The secret ingredient of Anty Gin may prove a trick, not a treat this month!

Three Monkeys Grenache Shiraz, £12.85 / 75cl / 14%

A gin made from real ants. That’s right; insects. Specifically the essence of approximately 62 red wood ants... along with hand-foraged botanicals including juniper, wild wood avens and nettle to complement the sharp citrus notes created by distilling the ants. One regional distillery’s Anty Gin is the result of a collaboration with the visionary thinkers of the Nordic Food Lab and Cambridge Distilleries. It’s the very first gin in the world to be made from insects. If you’re planning a halloween party this could be the terrifying tipple to give your guests a trick, and a treat! £220 / 75cl / 41.8%.

The Wine Cellar THIS MONTH CARISSA CLAY IS IN TOUCH WITH THE SPIRIT WORLD (AND THE WINE WORLD, TOO) OFFERING HER TIPS FOR HALLOWEEN TIPPLES THAT ARE A TREAT, NOT A TRICK... TRICK OR TREAT? Three thrillers to make you scream (with delight)... 1. Evil is a spooky Cabernet Sauvignon blend from Australia which is guaranteed to ensure your beef and venison dishes go bump in the night. Rich, intense, dark. £15.99 / 75cl / 15% ABV 2. You’ll be haunted by the lingering citrus and murderous minerality of this South African Sauvignon Blanc. Pair it with shellfish, or poultry dishes like pheasant. It’ll also lay down for a couple of years, resting, perhaps in peace! £16.95 / 75cl / 13% ABV 3. Waxed Bat is an Argentinian Malbec par excellence, with a deep velvet red colour that’s perfect for halloween and a bold, spice & liquorice flavour. It’ll fly off the shelves this month! £10.99 / 75cl / 13.5% ABV

See no evil; hear no evil; speak no evil... and drink no evil. Instead, try this well-priced Shiraz with its aroma of fallen leaves, and spice. Three Monkeys Grenache Shiraz contains warm plum and raspberry fruit on the nose with hints of rocky earth, spice and violets. Lovely and ripe, medium to full bodied with juicy plum and raspberry on the palate also, with black cherry, spice and a lick of creamy oak. It’s a generous juicy mouthful with bags of fruit and spice, a hint of tea, good acidity too, keeping it vibrant.The grapes are grown from various vineyards in the Barossa with an emphasis on the Western Ridge region. n www.wriggly tinwine.co.uk.

Long live the Pumpkin King!

Artisan Ale with Spice Brewdog not only produce artisan ales sold by mail order, the firm also lists its recipes online allowing enthusiasts to brew their own craft ale. Pumpkin King is not your usual unctuous, cloyingly sweet Halloween pumpkin ale, but instead has the body of a respectable pale ale, with an added layer of nutmeg, cinnamon and sweetness. Peppery notes add an enjoyable herbiness without overwhelming the beer. This is a classic autumnal treat from the uK’s leading anarchic brewery. n £18 / 12 x 330ml / 5%

n Our featured wines are available from the best local independent wine merchants, supermarkets and online, prices are RRP and may vary from those stated.

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HOMES & INTERIORS

IN TuNe with

FAmILY LIFe

This month’s featured property is perfectly in tune with family life, hitting all the right notes - and in the right order, too - thanks to its Victorian architecture, local stone construction and town centre location... not to mention a lush split-level garden with magnificent views of Stamford’s All Saints’ Church! Words: Laurin Dempsey.

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Hitting the right note this month is number 11 St Peterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hill in Stamford. Perfectly in tune with family life, it has been a memorable and fabulous home to current owner, Gayle Parsons, for the last seventeen years.

moving here when her two children were beginning their secondary school life, it was the perfect place for them to grow up.

At the bottom of St Peterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hill, converging with Sheep market, the property is a handsome town house, built in 1860, which has happily evaded a Grade II listing, leaving the family free to make some tasteful modernisations to the house, ensuring its suitability as a family home as well as a period property. Above: There are two ground floor reception rooms, plus a basement with games room & study and a garden room.

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A country house right in the centre of town, the property is within walking distance of Stamford’s wealth of amenities and to the train station. “It’s in such a convenient position, right in the heart of Stamford, so close to everything,” says Gayle.

Inside, the house has a beautifully reclaimed arched window light from St Peter’s Church, demolished in the 1600s. On the ground floor is a reception room, with a basement study and games room below, which is part of the original building and has stone walls that are three feet deep! Set over four floors with a split-level garden the property definitely has versatility and space to play around with, including five bedrooms including a very large master bedroom, two bathrooms, a larger sitting room and kitchen/dining area on the street level.

“My favourite room, the one I will probably miss the most is the garden room,” says Gayle. “I love how the sitting room and living kitchen feel open plan, so family can be together and you don’t feel confined to just one area.”

Surprisingly quiet for a townhouse, the property’s next occupants will be able to relax and unwind in a colourful and really quite beautiful split-level garden.

“It’s quite a large garden for a town house,” says Gayle. “There’s a terraced area suitable for dining on the lower level and it has mature perennials, climbers, shrubs and trees, plus soft fruit on the higher level.”

Beyond the garden there’s a nicely enclosed grassy space featuring a selection of mature trees and shrubs - a remarkably lush space for a property in the centre of town. “my favourite room and one that I will probably miss the most is the garden room,” says Gayle. “It’s a separate building outside with two glass walls, so I can overlook both the garden and the views of All Saints’ Church across the rooftops.” “Currently I use it as a dining and sitting room because of the view, especially with the French doors, which provide a welcome breeze throughout the warmer months, but it would be great as an office or a gym.”

“I think lighting in reception rooms is very important so I try to incorporate as much natural light as possible. Luckily both the main sitting room and the master bedroom 69

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are both south facing meaning there is plenty of sunlight shining through.”

“As it is an old property there was a lot of updating to be done, but I really wanted to retain the character of the building. I’ve kept all of the original fireplaces and there’s an old Duncomb stove in the lower ground floor which makes a nice feature.” “There was also only one bathroom when we moved into this property and with imageconscious teenagers that didn’t make sense.”

“One of the best decisions we made was to split the large bedroom on the top level into two in order to incorporate a second bathroom, which has meant fewer queues in the morning and on Friday evenings when they’re getting ready to go out!” Above: The property has a split-level garden with a lush look and feel that belies the property’s in-town location. The garden room would make a great writing room or gym.

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“I am incredibly sad to leave the house. It’s pretty and practical, plus I’ve invested lots of time making it look as good as I can. But after 17 years, I do feel it’s time for a change.”

“with the children now grown up, there’s just me living here now and it feels rather a shame to deny another family the opportunity to enjoy living here.”

Gayle has recently completed a renovation at Rutland Terrace and we’re quite sure she will have incorporated the same warmth, comfort and sophistication to her new project just as she has done here, hitting all the right notes, and in the right order! n

NUMBER 11 ST. PETER’S HILL STAMFORD Location: Stamford town centre; Oakham 11 miles; uppingham 12 miles. Style: Victorian terraced town house built in 1860. Bedrooms: Five, with family bathroom and shower room. Receptions: Four, currently arranged as a basement games room, ground floor living room and dining room, plus separate garden room. Other Features: Split-level garden, study, period fireplaces. Guide price: £1,000,000. Find Out More: Fine & Country, Seaton Grange Barn Offices, Grange Lane, Seaton Le15 9HT. Call 01780 750200 or see www.fineandcountry.com. n

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A Return to Northern School by William Gregory MRICS...

The Northern School of Artists is loosely based around Peter Davies’ book published in 1989, detailing Lancashire artists of the 20thC it was my point of reference when cataloguing the Northern Art auctions in Manchester prior to 2009. To most the Northern Artists are headed by Laurence Stephen Lowry, born in Lancashire in 1887. Lowry’s early life and work developed his connection to an industrial neighbourhood and people. His work, is easily recognisable, showing people popularly referred to as ‘Matchstick Men’. Lowry works now make millions and even his artist signed prints command four figures. Helen Layfield Bradley was born in Leeds near Oldham in 1900. Encouraged by Lowry she produced works based on the fictional figure Miss Carter going about her business in the North West. Bradley’s works, often accompanied with a descriptive verse recalled her childhood experience of an Edwardian era. Along with Bradley’s first works a number of books were published which increased her popularity, leading to TV and personal appearances. Shortly before her death in 1979 Bradley was awarded an MBE. Bradley’s oil paintings have sold for over £100,000 at auction, and her artist signed prints regularly appear at auctions, usually selling for under £100. Geoffrey Key is a very important part of the North Artist movement. Born in Rusholme, Manchester in 1941, Key continues to live and work in the North West to the present day. Key’s works are bold in colour and form, depicting a narrative on the people and places around him. Themes of landscape, people, horses and still life have dominated certain times, but always in the same bold manner; this variety of subject matter allows the buyers to personalise collections.

Geoffrey Key

Auction results now exceed £10,000 although prices tend to be between £2,000 - £4,000. William Ralph Turner’s (1920-2013) work came to prominence late in his life with collectors starting to bid on his paintings at auction from the early 2000’s. Prices started at a few hundreds but have increased to between £2,000 - £4,000 with the top price at auction recorded at £14,800. This is just a brief outline of the Northern School with many other artists of equal importance omitted. Peter Davies has now revised and republished his book – now titled ‘A Northern School – Revisited’. n With Best Wishes William Gregory, MRICS. Auctioneer Golding Young & Mawer - Lincoln.

Find Out More: Craig Bewick is an antiques specialist with Golding, Young & Mawer: The Bourne Auction Rooms, Spalding Road, Bourne PE10 9LE, 01778 422686; The Grantham Auction Rooms, Old Wharf Road, Grantham NG31 7AA, 01476 565118; The Stamford Valuation Office, The George Mews, Station Road, Stamford PE9 2LB, 01780 751666 or The Lincoln Auction Rooms, Thos Mawer House Station Road, North Hykeham, Lincoln, LN6 3QY, 01522 524984. Alternatively, see www.goldingyoung.com.

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HUNTERS INTERIORS

INTERIORS HOW TO CREATE BEAUTIFUL

How do you create a stunning room? How do you create a home that’s comfortable, individual, and one that looks beautifully designed? Seek out the expertise and experience of experts like Candida and Georgina of Hunters Interiors... Words: Rob Davis. Lead Images: Dean Fisher.

Just as a good meal necessitates good ingredients, creating your perfect home requires the right elements too. And finding them is tricky. That’s why a great interior design partner like Hunters Interiors of Stamford is such an essential addition to your address book. Not only does the team, headed up by Candida Smith and Georgina Teesdale, have access to around 3,000 different wallcoverings, 500 fabric books, 200 flooring and carpet designs but they’ve over 40 years of combined experience to create a home that’s coherently designed and suits its owners, too.

“A client’s first experience of us should be a brief visit to explore what we have to offer and to see the studio. We’ve a few example pieces of our furniture but given that our work is predicated on creating bespoke interiors it’s impossible to demonstrate everything we can create.” “We’re a little bit like psychologists in that we invite people to sit on the sofa and tell us about themselves, but there’s many a true word spoken in jest because our homes are, after all, the ultimate expression of ourselves.”

“But generally our local clients pop in regularly to view fabrics, feel the materials, and really get a feel for how their room will look. We’ve all experienced the disappointment of purchasing something online and not seeing it personally, only to realise that it’s not quite what we were expecting.” “There’s no substitute for seeing and feeling a product and having that one-to-one contact with someone who can gradually bring your project to life. It’s also true that some people don’t have the inclination to trawl through the huge number of collections available, and as professional designer’s we’re more in touch with what’s available, what collections might suit a client’s intended look and what other collections, fabrics or wallcoverings may complement whatever else they’ve chosen.”

“It’s a myth that interior designers are overbearing or expensive. Our role is to ensure you enjoy working with us to make your home beautiful...”

“So getting to know our clients and helping to deliver something which really reflects who they are in the style of their home is the most important element of what we do.”

“TV shows from a decade or two ago showed interior makeover teams sweeping into someone’s home, arbitrarily creating a room, usually in a rush, which didn’t reflect the home owner at all. We’d be horrified to think anyone had the impression that is what our profession is like. We’d be horrified to think that anyone believes an interior designer prescribes what a person should do in their own home.”

“The truth, thankfully, is that design is very much a collaborative process which the client should be involved with as much as they want to be. We’ve some clients who live elsewhere in the UK or overseas, whose jobs are local to us, and for practicality’s sake our involvement is a bit more remote in those jobs.”

“The overbearing interior designer is one of two myths which sadly pervade as misconceptions of our role. The other is that we’re too expensive or ‘high end.’ In fact, we’ve fabrics from just £20/metre right up to £200/metre. We’re often asked to reupholster existing chairs or sofas, too, and typically a householder can’t accurately predict the eventual budget of a project if they embark on it by themselves. By contrast, we’re used to working to particular budgets and know where we can save money without affecting the overall look and feel of the project.” “Probably the third benefit of using an interior design service is the experience we have in working with tradespeople and knowing which order to complete jobs in. Juggling different trades is something we’re used to and we have builders, electricians, plumbers, carpet fitters, curtain makers, curtain and blind fitters, cabinet makers and decorators that we work with regularly.” “Taking the logistical burden of bringing a project to life for a client is something many customers find a great relief, especially if they’ve busy lives or they’re living elsewhere in the UK or overseas. In addition, we can source items like mirrors, accessories and lighting.” >>

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;One skill of an interior designer, we feel is to offset the cost with savings in materials or mistakes!â&#x20AC;?

Top: A few of the fabric brands including Colefax & Fowler. Right: Hunters studio in Uffington, near Stamford.

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Above: Candida Smith (pictured) and Georgina Teesdale, are Hunter’s owners and designers. Between the two, the firm has over 40 years’ experience and hundreds of clients locally, nationally and globally.

>> “Because we source products from so many different companies we can find something unique an individual for clients, rather than ubiquitous products that are seen everywhere and look quite samey.”

“The skill of an interior designer, we feel, is to offset the cost with savings in materials and mistakes, and to ensure the client ends up with a room or a home that they can be proud of for longer, created using quality materials that we know will stand up to family life.”

“we’re passionate about what we do and we’re always happy to discuss a project informally over a coffee. Creating bespoke interiors isn’t as daunting or as expensive as clients expect and in fact, with lower overheads than much larger multinational retailers and great relationships with our fabric and wallcovering suppliers we’re often more competitive than clients expect.” “what’s more, to be able to create sofas, curtains & blinds, bespoke rugs and so on, or to comission bespoke tables and other furniture, we have the ability to turn any client’s project into something truly unique, and produce anything from a single item to a room or a whole house into something that truly suits a client’s home and their personality.” n

Find Out More: Hunters Interior of Stamford has over 40 years of interior design experience and are happy to provide advice on any interior projects. Pop into the firm’s showroom for a free, no obligation design consultation or to simply browse the studio’s product range. The Dairy, Copthill Farm, Deeping Road, Uffington, Stamford PE9 4TD. Call 01780 757946, or see www.huntersinteriorsofstamford.co.uk.

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THe BeAuTY

of BeSPOKe Invest in quality furniture that’ll ﬁt your room and last a lifetime. Discover the beauty of bespoke with corner Farm Interiors... Words: Rob Davis.

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Larger? Smaller? A different number of drawers? waxed or painted? Pine or oak? Just the right piece of furniture to fit an awkward space in your home? If you can’t find exactly what you want from Corner Farm Interiors’ extensive ranges of ready-made furniture, one of the firm’s bespoke pieces is almost certainly the way forward... either way, the company is the only name you need to know for quality home furnishings.

husband and wife team are able to compete on price with furniture superstores selling lesser products at a price point that’s very similar indeed.

Both their ready-made and bespoke ranges, though, are reassuringly solid, beautifully made pieces of freestanding furniture for your home tough enough to last decades and stand up to the day-to-day punishment wrought by children, pets and family life.

From tables to storage units, wardrobes to dressers, each piece is bespoke and can be designed to suit your home. Corner Farm Interiors can replicate existing designs like antique pieces, and are happy to discuss any project for clients who want to discover for themselves the beauty of bespoke, ensuring that whether you opt for ready made or bespoke, your perfect piece will last a lifetime. n

will and Jo Vergette established Corner Farm Interiors in 1989, on the outskirts of Bourne. The couple had a vision for offering a mix of both ready-made and bespoke ranges with one thing in common; quality. The place is huge... deceptively so. Arranged over two floors it showcases a range of quality ready-made furniture from dining tables and chairs to bedroom sets to dressers and a large range of quirky home accessories and gifts too. Jo points out that it’s tricky to demonstrate the firm’s entire range even in such a large showroom. Happily, they’ve discovered that allowing customers to browse in a no pressureselling environment soon provokes discussion about exactly what they’re looking for, enabling Jo to offer expert help and advice.

There’s an abundance of free parking, and free local delivery, meaning the firm has made finding quality furniture for your home the easiest experience possible. Creating completely bespoke furniture for clients, the

For More Information: Corner Farm Interiors are based at Kates Bridge, Bourne PE10 0EN. Call 01778 561333 or see www.cornerfarminteriors.co.uk for more information. 83

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Review our recent jobs on our website www.qksstamford.co.uk or visit our Facebook page • Contemporary, modern, traditional & handmade bespoke kitchens

• Affordable, quality kitchens and the latest designs on display • Over 60 appliances on show

• 25 large room settings in our extensive showroom

The best quality, best value and best service from a company fitting kitchens since 1981

Your local appointed Sheraton dealer and Neff Master Partner

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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OUTDOORS

A POeT’S

muSe

e two profound pleasures of poetry and gardening combine just seven miles from Stamford at Helpston’s John Clare Cottage. e place was a muse for the poet from 1793 to 1832 and also oﬀers displays by local artists and acoustic music sessions for visitors throughout the autumn... Words Rob Davis. Images: Dean Fisher & Rob Davis.

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The link between gardens and poetry is intrinsic. ‘The Glory of the Garden,’ suggested Rudyard Kipling ‘lies in more than meets the eye.’ ‘How could such sweet and wholesome hours be reckon’d,’ asked marvell, ‘but with herbs and flow’rs!’

John Clare COTTAGe

Located in Helpston, the home of John Clare (1793-1864), with half an acre of gardens. Clare lived in the village for his “we open on Fridays, first forty years from Saturdays and mondays and 1793 until 1832. And then there’s Clare. ‘whoever looks round sees

eternity there,’ said the quintessential romantic poet of an autumn garden. Despite illiterate parents, despite being born into peasantry and despite being as mad as a sack of badgers, the poet managed to write in excess of 3,500 poems and published four volumes of work during his life.

The area’s peasant poet lived from 1793 to 1864 and for a significant period of his life stayed in his eponymous thatched whitewashed cottage at Helpston with its half acre of gardens until 1832. In 2004, a trust was founded by Dr Paul Currie to purchase and maintain the cottage using HLF funding with a view to keeping the cottage and its garden open to visitors.

By 2013 that funding was paid back and now the trust-run Clare Cottage is curated by David and Janet Dykes, as well as 24 volunteers including seven (Allen; Barbara; Caroline; Linda; Linda II; Paul and Richard) responsible for maintaining the gardens. Visitors in autumn are likely to be treated to displays of michaelmas daisies, that short-live perennial scabious and the last brachts of astrantia, with perhaps a sweet willow or two punctuated by the odd Sweet willow fuchsia.

The team of volunteers who curate the garden are increasingly trying to ensure there’s all-year-round interest, not just a flurry of exciting plants in the summer months.

“we work with the Cambridge university Botanic Garden to ensure our planting schemes are commensurate with those that Clare would have seen during his life.” 88

usually the volunteers work on the gardens on Fridays, putting in about four hours and maintaining the flower borders and the herb garden, which would of course have had a very practical use as a source of food and medicine in Clare’s day,” says volunteer gardener Barbara.

Above: During our visit, Clare Cottage was rich in hollyhocks and lavender, but later autumn visits will bring their own charms too.

“The cottage gardens continue to delight visitors each year with an ever-changing display of flowers, fruits, vegetables and herbs.” “The newer areas of the garden are maturing nicely with trees, hedging and flower borders are now all very well established,” says Barbara. “The garden volunteers have further developed the garden by planting new specimens, constructing compost areas and extending dry stone walls.”

“The working beehive brings another interesting dimension for garden visitors to enjoy, with many people returning each year to purchase John Clare cottage honey.” The orchard beyond the dry stone wall of the cottage garden with its flowering herbaceous borders, fruit bed and vegetable patch also has an orchard, recreated with help from Adam Frost for 2012’s Chelsea Flower

Right: Curators David and Janet Dykes work alongwise seven gardeners and a total of 24 volunteers.

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- GARDEN -

Show on what is believed to have been the former site of a quarry.

One of the nicest aspects of the garden for us, though, is the extra dimension, the context, that it provides to Clare’s life… a sort of garden that also serves as a living autobiography.

whilst the garden is considered a pretty attraction today, in Clare’s lifetime it would have had a more mundane function as a productive space growing food and medicine.

The garden was a place Clare would return to often, feeling torn between high brow London life and rural idyll.

Following great success with his first published poems (outselling even Keats) Clare quickly became unfashionable, falling quickly into literary obscurity. Returning to the cottage gave the poet inspiration, even

when, latterly, he was committed to several mental asylums with what might be deemed bipolar behavioural tendencies today.

The cottage’s restoration and its garden allow visitors to enjoy the property in the context of botany, literature, history and medicine. It’s also been designed as a place for like-minded locals to meet and celebrate the poet’s work, with musical events, life theatre, art exhibitions and so on. “All of the volunteers care deeply about the Cottage and about keeping Clare’s literary legacy alive.”

“But there’s something about the garden in particular which is so tranquil, so lovely and so ever-changing throughout the year, that makes it a real pleasure to maintain and, hopefully a real pleasure for our visitors all through the year, too!” n

JOHN CLARE

COTTAGE CARDEN About: Half-acre garden created following 2004 restoration of Clare Cottage by charitable Trust. Planted in conjunction with Cambridge university Botanic Garden to ensure period scheme. Opening Hours: Friday, Saturday monday 11am - 3pm. Price: £4.95/adult; £4.20/conc. Find Out More: Visit Clare Cottage at 12 woodgate, Helpston Pe6 7eD. Call 01733 253330 or see www.clarecottage.org. n

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DAVID GREAVES LANDSCAPING

GREAT SPACES A CLEAR VISION FOR CREATING

Can you picture your new garden? If not, David Greaves can. e landscaping team continue to oﬀer a bespoke design service which now includes sophisticated 2D concept & 3D rendering to its suite of garden design and landscaping services to ensure you can envision a great space to enjoy next summer... David Greaves has always had a vision for his clients’ gardens. Sharing that vision with others, though, has traditionally meant relying on hand-crafted plans, typically overhead drawings with annotations and mood boards. Now though, the addition of Thomas Bates to the firm’s 16-strong team of garden design and landscaping specialists has added to the company’s repertoire of design tools the ability to create sophisticated and realistic 2D concepts and 3D renderings of the firm’s garden designs.

Clients can now gain a better idea of their project and contribute more to a collaborative design experience before creating their dream outdoor space.

“Whether you’re seeking a small cottage garden, a traditional courtyard or a large modern contemporary space, we can create your outdoor dream and give you the chance to see it in the most realistic way with their latest 3D visuals,” says David Greaves. “This great design and build package is offered to private clients, new build developments, commercial spaces and many more!”

“Tom brings a new dimension to our design services but also creative flair in landscape design and the practical knowledge of how to construct that design in order to make it look good year after year.”

Whilst some garden design companies are more biased towards hard landscaping or planting schemes, David and the team are equally versed in working with both aspects. This means the company’s designs work well technically and allow for the perfect combination of form and function to make your dream outdoor living space come true. “We’re celebrating our 10th anniversary this year, and we were seeking a way of showing a customer exactly what they can expect. Sometimes a vision for a space can get lost in translation, but with our 3D renders, anyone can see what the design will look like.” “The design team are also working on virtual reality presentations too, which means that very soon you’ll be able to pop on our visualisation goggles and ‘walk around’ or turn your head to look around your new space long before work begins!” “It’s up to the minute technology, but based on a really traditional idea. We want a client to see our vision, share our vision and contribute their own ideas to a project to have a clearer idea of what they’ll end up with and with a view to ensuring the end result surpasses their expectation!” n

Find Out More: David Greaves Landscape Design & Construction is based in Leicestershire. Call 01664 823588 email info@davidgreavesdesign.co.uk or visit www.davidgreavesdesign.co.uk. 93

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Making the most of your garden by creating new â&#x20AC;&#x153;living roomsâ&#x20AC;? for your relaxation & pleasure. We offer a full design across your entire garden, through to upgrading a bed or part of your outdoor space. You get the garden you want, an investment in your property and improved well-being through the pleasure of your enhanced outdoor living areas and plants.

Call Soo on 07545 007323 for an initial chat. Email soo@soospectorgardens.co.uk See our portfolio of work and client testimonials at www.soospectorgardens.co.uk

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RTC GROUNDCARE

“a satisﬁed customer!” RoBoT LaWnMoWeRs aRe THe FuTuRe Fully automatic, state of the art and… well, cutting edge. Robot lawnmowers are the future, but if you’re still uncertain, just ask Roger Hawkins, who made the switch from ride-on to sit-back earlier this year!

The British Summer has been somewhat unpredictable, in terms of weather. Thankfully, Roger Hawkins’ robot helper has been somewhat more reliable… and the gardener has discovered a few additional benefits besides a neat looking lawn. when his old ride-on mower became a little battered and bruised, Roger visited Peterborough’s RTC Groundcare and wondered if, instead of a conventional mower, he should take one small stripe for lawns and one giant leap for groundcare and choose a robot mower instead.

“I’d seen them operating at my local golf course, and I’d read up on them a bit but I did have a few concerns such as installation time – which was actually just a couple of hours - and how well they’d avoid borders, ponds and obstacles.”

Roger admits that having seen the technology at RTC, he didn’t need much more convincing, and besides the obvious labour-saving advantage there are a number of other advantages to using a robotic mower.

For a start, they’re fume-free and whisper quiet. Roger actually sets his to mow through the night. It completes its cutting at 10am each morning leaving the family free to enjoy the garden – or at least tend to the borders.

Because the mowers ‘nibble’ the lawn gradually and feed-back grass into the lawn, the machine also feed the lawn each time it cuts, and because the automower works seven days a week, shaving a few millimetres off through the week, the lawn never has a chance to grow too much and always remains at a consistent height.

There’s no emptying, and so no compost heaps in the corner of the garden and the mower returns to its docking station to recharge itself when it needs more charge.

Roger’s half-acre garden is a veritable obstacle course for a robotic mower. There are six large curved beds, steps and slopes plus two large ponds to contend with, as well as garden benches, a couple of resident ducks and chief mouser Cavendish the cat.

Happily the machine avoids all of the above, and it’s theft-proof – emitting a loud alarm when it’s picked up – and totally safe in operation, with blades that automatically retract and only come out from the cutting deck centrifugally when the machine is in operation.

“The reviews pretty much sold the machine to me, but I’ve been delighted with it. It’s silent, works away happily and it’s a bit of a novelty. It’s by no means a gimmick though. It works well and for less than you’d pay for a ride-on mower.”

RTC have been supplying Husqvarna Automowers – the first such machines on the market – for a number of years but compares to the rest of europe Britain has been rather a slow adopter. Happily that seems to be changing. As one neighbour takes the plunge, others follow suit and RTC usually finds that after selling a mower in one villages, two or three neighbours follow suit.

“It’s very good at both roles. Lawn mower and security guard,” says Roger. “we set it going at night because as it trundles around the garden with its headlights on, it also keeps the foxes away from the ducks… a neat lawn and our own security guard. Can’t ask for more than that!” n

Find out More: RTC groundcare is based at Arnwood Centre, Newark Rd, Peterborough PE1 5YH. Call 01733 810695 for free, no obligation advice or visit www.peterboroughlawnmowers.co.uk.

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WEDDINGS

RAIN or SHINe A LOVe THAT BLOSSOmS COme

For this month’s featured couple, a bright boho wedding didn’t leave any dull moments, despite the weather. With smiles all round, family and friends came to celebrate the love they have for one another... Photographer: Rebekah Robert Photography, 07736 931496, www.rebekahrobert.com.

Who would have thought that small talk about nail varnish would be the start of a beautiful love story for Sarah and Ashley! Ashley panicked and expressed a flustered admiration for Sarah’s red nail colour. using this as his chat up line didn’t turn out to be the entirely futile endeavour you’d expect, as it was the beginning of a romance which saw the couple marrying in Stamford recently.

WEDDING SUPPLIERS SARAH & ASHLEY

“It seemed we were on different wavelengths on the trip,” recalls Sarah. “Ashley wanted to experience the nightlife, whereas I was seeking the perfect romantic weekend.”

“we started looking for venues in winter 2017 and the william Cecil, we thought, would be our ideal location. we both love Stamford and its scenery. No other venue offered exactly what we were looking for both inside and outside like the william Cecil. most importantly for us and our guests everything was within walking distance.”

“I had such a long time to wait for my dress as I chose a couture one. I am not a dressy kind of girl but I knew that I wanted a more bohemian, festival-style wedding and therefore the dress needed to match - I felt that a simple, lace dress would look great.”

Sarah and Ashley were married on a Friday and rather typically for england, the weather decided not to capitulate. Instead, it decided to rain on the day meaning that their original plan of an outside marriage had to be very quickly reconsidered and brought inside instead.

Sarah, a children’s practitioner and Ashley, a construction manger, went to Brighton for the weekend in 2016. Sarah had a sneaking suspicion all along that Ashley would propose although for the groom-to-be it didn’t quite go as planned!

Reaching an impasse as to the weekend’s itinerary, the two opted instead for a quiet night in, and a glass of Champagne led Ashley to expedite his plans to propose 450ft in the air when the couple took a trip on the British Airways i360 ride the following day, proposing instead in the hotel. A delighted Sarah said yes immediately and the couple’s weekend plans quickly got back on track.

“we really enjoyed the process of planning a wedding. Having access to online photo boards really helped put together our ideas and make turn them into reality.”

Wedding Venue: The William Cecil, Stamford PE9 2LJ, 01780 750070 www.hillbrookehotels.co.uk.

Wedding Photographer: Rebekah Robert 07736 931496 www.rebekahrobert.com

Wedding Flowers: The Country Garden Florist, Peterborough PE1 2QW 01733 400022 www.thecountrygardenflorist.co.uk Wedding Cake: Cakes by Laurel Crowland, Peterborough www.cakesbylaurel.com. n

“It wasn’t what we originally planned, but we weren’t about to let the weather ruin our day,” says Sarah. Luckily, a bit of respite from showers afforded some time for a few photographs in brighter spells, in the nicely freshened up and lush garden adjacent to the hotel. Good luck had also ensued when Sarah discovered her wedding florist. “The flowers really were the star of the show,” she says. “Donna from Country Garden understood exactly what I wanted, I had so much faith in her and it definitely paid off; I couldn’t have been happier!”

“I was also really lucky with our photographer, Rebekah Robert, who was amazing. we adore every photo they took, and even when it was raining - which it was for the majority of the day - you really can’t tell. I think, however, my grandmother had a bit of a crush on Rob, Rebekah’s husband!” >> 99

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- WEDDINGS -

“Don’t overthink and worry about the day, all the little extras don’t matter as much as you think they will!” >> All brides have their most memorable parts of a wedding day and for Sarah, one of the best moments was when her father walked into the room and saw her in her wedding dress for the first time. “I will never forget his face!” she says. As for Ashley, he remembers the excitement of waiting for Sarah to arrive at the ceremony; “my heart was racing with excitement!”

“Looking back now, I wish that I had spent more time with Ashley,” says Sarah. “It really is a whirlwind of a day and you are constantly in demand. Apart from that, though, it really was the perfect day!”

“we went on honeymoon to Rome on the Sunday following the wedding for five nights just the two of us, and we are also going to Gran Canaria with our little boy soon, which will be lovely... we can’t wait!”

Sarah and Ashley say that their wedding planning was a great adventure, but advise other couples getting married to try not to plan too early.

“It’s about the journey, not the destination,” says Sarah. “Also you might change your mind as the wedding planning progresses so it’s important to take your time and enjoy every second. Don’t over think and worry about the day, either; all the little extras don’t matter as much as you think they might. It’s more important to look back and enjoy the whole day, and to spend some time with each other, as well as your guests. n 100

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

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BARTON HALL HOTEL

Say “I Do!” to a Winter Wedding Choosing where to say ‘I Do!’ in the cooler months just became easier thanks to Barton Hall Hotel in Barton Seagrave, with its Grade I listed Orangery and picture-perfect 16th century country mansion setting...

Finding the perfect wedding venue will be one of the biggest decisions of your wedding Day. Fortunately, you won’t be disappointed if you choose the spectacular Grade II Listed Barton Hall as the venue to say ‘I Do...’ especially for a winter wedding, says the hotel’s wedding Coordinator Becky Jackson. “There are few places more idyllic than Barton Hall with its picture perfect Grade I listed Orangery, manicured lawns, trees and foliage and idyllic chandeliers in the beautiful Charles Suite giving a unique venue for you to create your dreams and make those special memories…”

“The venue provides the perfect backdrop to co-ordinate the season you choose to get married in with your chosen colour schemes; from oranges and browns in the autumn to Ivy and Berries in the winter. Barton Hall provides the blank canvas for you to bring your ideas to life.” “The AA four-star Country House Hotel was once the home of the legendary Charles wicksteed, namesake of wicksteed Park and now boasts 29 individually styled bespoke bedrooms including a stunning four poster Bridal Suite.”

“The Vines Brasserie has been awarded with AA Two Rosettes and offers 90 covers creating dishes using locally sourced ingredients.”

“The Hotel offers a variety of function spaces from the Beautiful Charles Suite with a capacity of 180. This room boasts two magnificent Chandeliers and you can dazzle your guests under it for your first dance together as well as the Garden Room overlooking the lawns with a capacity of 50 for the smaller more intimate gathering.”

“You will enjoy the unique Orangery in the Grounds for your Civil Ceremony or your drinks reception if you are having a Church or Registry Office ceremony beforehand. You will also be the only bride at Barton Hall as we ensure a ‘one bride policy’ so that we can ensure all the focus is on our couple’s wedding all day long.” “with spacious and bespoke luxurious bedrooms that offer period features whilst being very well appointed, it gives any bridal party the ideal place to get ready before you say ‘I Do.’”

“we are proud and feel very lucky to host over 80 weddings each year. Our Brides and Grooms say how wonderful the venue is and how special giving them the most perfect memories and a wonderful start to the rest of their married lives together.” “we understand here at Barton Hall how important a wedding Day is and so have put together a wonderful wedding Package for our couples, however, if you’re looking for something a little different and the package is not to your liking, we can look at a bespoke package so we can try and meet your every need!” n

Barton Hall Hotel is in Barton Seagrave, Kettering, Northamptonshire. It is a Grade II listed hotel and wedding venue. Call 01536 515505 or see bartonhall.com. 102

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The Big Fizz is designed with solid oak, bespoke ﬁxtures and ﬁttings, a cream interior and soft amber lighting makes it a delightful place to be.

Alternatively, you can chill in the shade of our gazebo. Whatever, the weather we have it covered.

When it comes to the technology, the Big Fizz has the latest wine and Champagne chillers, a large triple drinks fridge, a freezer and an ice machine. There is also additional equipment to run a second bar area if needed.

Thanks to a wealth of experience, we know how to make your event sparkle. We can put the ﬁzz into any occasion, be it a wedding, anniversary, garden party, christening, festival, show, or corporate event.

You can sit and relax and soak up the sun on our tables and chairs whilst enjoying our very ﬁnest range of drinks sourced from a variety of mainly local sources.

SO WHY WAIT? Get in touch and make sure your event is a sparkling success with the help of the Big Fizz events team. This is reﬂected in our 5***** feedback.

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Barbour Deveron quilted jacket £99.95.

A COAT

of COLOuR Add a coat of colour to your autumn with these coats and jackets in pink, red, orange, yellow and green… after all, you can’t have a rainbow without a little rain! Words: Rob Davis.

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- FASHION -

Top/Left: Barbour Backshore breathable jacket £199, also in green, blue cream. Top/Right: Betty Barclay red coat £115. Bottom/Left: Joules Embleton hooded jacket £69.95. Bottom/Right: Burford quilted jacket by Musto £250, also in blue.

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- FASHION -

Top/Left: Boden Seacole Pea Coat in saffron £170. Top/Right: Betty Barclay outdoor jacket in mustard yellow £170. Bottom/Left: Burberry double-breasted trench coat £1,295. Bottom/Right: Barbour Abalone waterproof with hood £229. n

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A VISION OF

quALITY

A family eyecare practitioner looking to the future, coe & coe blend traditional service with cutting edge technology to help patients keep an eye on their overall health... 110

Words & Images: Rob Davis.

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Back in 1976, Graham Coe had a vision: to provide the best quality eye care to not only look after his patients’ sight and eye health, but also give them flair and style. Those values are shared by martin and Hilary Coe, the brother and sister team heading up the company today, with its two practices in Oakham and melton mowbray.

In the company’s 43-year history technology has moved on significantly and today’s diagnostic equipment offers deep insights into a patient’s overall health as well as their vision. “we use the latest instruments to examine the health of the eyes because a thorough investigation can help to identify early signs of anything from diabetes, to high blood pressure and brain tumours.”

“Once we’ve completed an eye examination we have a huge range of spectacle frames, as well as contact lenses, to choose from. Our professional and qualified staff guide our patients through the options and ensure the frames fit and are adjusted properly so they don’t slip or feel too tight. It’s really important that our patients feel fantastic and look amazing when they leave. we stock frames from boutique manufacturers to mainstream brands, offering something unique or design-led.”

“As a standard, we use Rodenstock lenses. They’re created by another family business who also constantly reinvest in research and development and, in our opinion, they’re at the forefront of lens technology. Our most

recent investment is a DNeye scanner which measures 3-D aberrations caused by irregularities in the path of light through the eyeball under different lighting conditions, and which can now be corrected with innovative custom made lens technology.”

“Anti Glare and extra Clean coatings ensure unprecedented hydrophobic and oleophobic (grease resistant) properties to ensure they stay clean and don’t impair vision.”

Great strides have been made in contact lens development over recent years. New materials are healthier and offer improved comfort, while astigmatic and multifocal lenses mean that more and more people are suitable to wear lenses. we also specialise in complicated lens fitting for damaged and diseased eyes, and myopia control lenses which can reduce or even stop the development of shortsightedness in children.

Opposite: Hilary and Martin Coe at Coe & Coe, established in 1976 by Graham Coe and Gill Langrick.

“everything we do in the practice is geared towards ensuring our patients are well cared for and achieve their best possible vision.”

“Our recent move to Church Street has allowed us to build on our vision and we now have additional services in the practice including an audiologist, podiatrist and osteopath, as well as a beautician specialising in clinical micro-blading. we want to host more healthcare practitioners here eventually - such as a private GP service - so we can continue to offer an outstanding service in vision and other aspects of healthcare, looking after our patients and their families for years to come.”n

Find Out More: Coe & Coe is based on Church Street, Oakham LE15 6AA, and at Burton Street, Melton Mowbray LE13 1AE. Call 01572 724407 or 01664 569722, or see www.langrickandcoeopticians.co.uk.

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AUTUMN BEAUTY

CHeRRY, OH BABY

‘LIFE IS JUST A BOWL OF CHERRIES,’ SO SANG DORIS DAY... ‘DON'T TAKE IT SERIOUS; IT’S TOO MYSTERIOUS!’ WELL, THESE CHEERFUL CHERRY-THEMED COSMETICS SHOULD BE PERFECTLY SUITED FOR AUTUMN STYLE...

1. A journey into the forbidden...

Tom Ford’s Lost Cherry is a contrasting scent that reveals a tempting dichotomy of playful, candy-like gleam on the outside and luscious flesh on the inside. Innocence intersects indulgence with an opening the captures the classic perfection of the exotic cherry fruit. Black cherry’s ripe flesh dripping in cherry liqueur glistens with a teasing touch of bitter almond. Griotte syrup expresses the textured maceration of voluptuous fruits while breathtaking florals of Turkish rose and jasmine sambac penetrate the senses and soul. £315/100ml

2. A Gorgeous Glow

Glamglow Bed Passionfruit Softening vNight Crème is a velvety moisturiser that exfoliates and hydrates the complexion while improving overall skin tone. with a sweet soft fragrance, it allows you to wake up baby soft with a gorgeous hydrated glow. All you have to do is sleep! £42/45ml.

5. Guerlain’s New Shower Perfume...

Guerlain’s perfumed shower gel transforms into a luscious foam on contact with water. The fresh oriental fragrance enhances exceptional raw materials: Carla Lavender from Provence, Sambac Jasmine from India, Album Sandalwood Vanilla Tahitensis from Papua New Guinea. mon Guerlain, the House’s new signature fragrance, is a strong, free and sensual feminine scent, as used here. £38.00/200ml.

6. Autumn Aromatherapy courtesy of Armani...

Colour your nails with L’Oxygéné’s Nailberry, which delivers a colour film allowing air and water vapour to pass through. Chemical free, 12 vegan, high-shine colours available in the range. £14.50/15ml.

A new scent for autumn, courtesy of one of the most iconic fashion brands. Light up the room whilst you relax or are getting ready with the crimson bouquet of white flowers, sweet and heady, combining the carnal tuberose with wild Sage, along with the surprising vibration of Amber. Giorgio Armani’s fragrance revolves around energy and sophistication. £85/ 240ml.

Achieve super intense matte colour, courtesy of urban Decay’s highest quality lip colour. A yummy butter blend comforts, hydrates and enhances, leaving lips soft and conditioned, never dry. Available in six colours. £17.50/24g

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

3. Air and Grace

4. Super Intense

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VACANCY

WWW.PRIDEMAGAZINES.CO.UK

SENIOR SALES EXECUTIVES REQUIRED Basic Salary: £50,000. OTE: £100,000. Location: A17, Between Boston and Sleaford in Lincolnshire Hours: Full Time, 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday.

2 x Senior Sales Executives

2 x Generic Sales Executives

8 x Appointment Setters

Basic £50,000, bonus and commission on top OTE = £100,000, 25 days holiday and potentially another 24 days holiday on top (so 49 days holiday), (all telephone), full time.

Basic £20,000 bonus and commission on top - OTE = £50,000, 25 days holiday and potentially another 12 days holiday on top, (all telephone), full time.

Basic £18,000, bonus and commission on top - OTE = £24,000 (all telephone), full time. Although experience would be an advantage, full training will be given.

The Company Pride Magazines was established in 2002 and is seeking new team members due to continued expansion. We work from five star air conditioned rural offices in leafy East Heckington.

The Benefits No weekend work, early starts or late finishes. Staff are looked after very well, in terms of morale, training and especially salary and commission, plus bonuses, days off and prizes.

The Next Step This is the job you’ll want for life, in a thriving, successful company. So, if you’re the ideal candidate then email your CV today to jobs@pridemagazines.co.uk with a cover letter.

(minimum 10 years sales experience)

(minimum five years sales experience)

PRIDE MAGAZINES

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(no previous experience required)

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THis MonTH: ceLeBRaTinG coMMuniTy sPiRiT aT asHWeLL ViLLaGe FÃªTe...

To feature your event call 01529 469977. Our magazines are free to read online, so you can share the magazine with your friends. visit www.pridemagazines.co.uk. 115

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ASHweLL VILLAGe FêTe THe GLITTeR BALL

In many villages across the Uk the village fête has been consigned to his history, but not in Ashwell! e village’s recent event saw 1,200 visitors enjoying the sunshine!

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To feature your event call 01529 469977 to speak to our Events Desk, or email editor@pridemagazines.co.uk.

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A Truly Great MOTORS

BRITON

Based in Crewe, Bentley Motors proves that in a post Brexit-era, this country can still put the Great in Great Britain. As native as a cup of tea, disdain for the weather or a predilection for queuing, the Flying Spur shows German rivals its heels with blend of luxury and performance... Words: Carissa Clay.

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IT’S BETTER TO TRAVEl THAN TO ARRIVE, according to the quote. at’s certainly the case if you’re travelling in a Bentley Flying Spur… and especially if you’re driving one! Designed, engineered and handcrafted at the home of Bentley in Crewe, the Flying Spur is a saloon version of the firm’s recently updated Continental GT sports car, which showcases Bentley’s unique application of technology, seamlessly integrating the latest traditional British craftsmanship with innovation features. Newly-designed for the next century, a ‘Flying B’ bonnet mascot now adorns the nose of the new Flying Spur, for the first time in modern memory rising electrically from the car’s bonnet, underneath which is the firm’s hand-built 6.0 12-cylinder engine with its 900nm of torque and 626bhp.

is combination of power and discretion sets the tone for the Flying Spur, and the smaller of Bentley’s two luxury saloons dispatches the 60mph dash in 3.7 seconds. For context, that’s the same as a Porsche 911 Carrera S, and yet the Bentley matches its performance with unsurpassed peace in the cabin and the most comfortable and pliant ride even on the UK’s battered and broken road surfaces.

Its dynamism is matched with a dual-clutch right-speed automatic gearbox, and through all-wheel drive, all-wheel steer and Bentley Dynamic Ride. Air suspension with 60% more chamber volume ensures an even smoother ride, which will be especially welcome when the car is being driven by a chauffeured owner. But in our opinion, to purchase a Flying Spur then let someone else drive it is to treat a chauffeur at the least, and an exercise in futility at worst. In the rear, an all-new Touch Screen Remote is made from beautifully-crafted materials. It integrates almost invisibly into the console but is easily removed at the touch of a button for remote use. It allows access to a wide range of applications, including control of all blinds, rear seat massage function and rear climate control, and can be used to store configurations such as mood lighting. >>

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>> Naturally it’s smothered in diamond quilted hide, and there’s a choice of either single or single and two-tone wood veneers, whilst the all-new seats feature a twin-flute design and increased functionality, including heating, ventilation, multi-mode massage, adjustable bolsters and top tilt. The bullseye air vents are knurled, and for a digital detox, the 12.3cm touch screen rotates in its enclosure to instead reveal three conventional analogue dials with the exterior temperature, a chronometer and compass, or simply an elegant swathe of veneer.

The Flying Spur redefines personalisation and bespoke luxury in its market. The range of paint colours, hides and veneers offer a limitless spectrum of colour to choose. 120

“The Flying Spur is a combination of fine craftsmanship and cutting edge technology, alongside engineering expertise....” The new Flying Spur also sounds as good as it looks, thanks to an adaptive tailpipe control valve with variable position settings and a new 22 inch wheel design.

And speaking of sound… if you’re somewhat of an audiophile, opt for the 2,200w Naim for Bentley option with 19 speakers, eight sound modes and Active Bass Transducers.

Bentley’s Flying Spur happily eschews the three-box design of German premium brands and instead injects individuality,

exclusivity and luxury into the executive saloon market. There is, of course, a premium for such cachet, but in an age when premium brands like Range Rover, mercedes, Bmw and Audi, with their more modest models, have become ubiquitous on the roads, Flying Spur elevates executive motoring to a bespoke, hand-made new standard. Boasting great technology, but eminently traditional too, the baby Bentley is one of the most beautifully designed cars on the road today; class leading, with grace and pace. n

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First Class Travel: Luxurious limos for executive comfort...

MERCEDES MAYBACH S CLASS £165, 700: Mercedes-Maybach stands for the ultimate in exclusivity and individuality. The luxury brand combines the perfection of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class with the exclusivity of Maybach. Now the top model from Mercedes-Benz is even more refined. A new radiator grille, optional two-tone paintwork and new exclusive colour combinations in the interior ensure an even more majestic look. The 0-to-60-mph sprint is achieved in only 4.7 seconds with help from an eight-speed, ZF automatic transmission, while top speed is electronically limited at 155 mph. n

ROLLS ROYCE GHOST £237,600: Extraordinary elegance in integrity; Ghost’s clarity of design delivers sculptural purity, self-assured luxury and agile strength. Ghost is a confident and poised visual performance. Sweeping lines below the front grille and design updates give a focus that enhances its charisma – this is a motor car that is always dynamic, even when perfectly still. Connect your digital world to hand-crafted excellence. Ghost’s state-of-the-art technology is discreetly hidden when not in use; effortlessly present when you need it. You’ll wince at a fuel consumption figure of just 17.4mpg, but Ghost is a real treat, not a trick, to drive. n

BENTLEY’S NEW FLYING SPUR Price: £165,000. Engine/Drivetrain: 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged w12 TSI.

Performance: 0-62 mph: 3.7 seconds. Top Speed: 207mph. Economy: 25.9mpg. Equipment: Park assist, top view camera, electric massaging diamond quilted seats, sat nav, Bentley Dynamic Ride. n

RANGE ROVER SVAUTOBIOGRAPHY £179,675: The SVAutobiography is not only the most luxurious Range Rover, but it’s also the most powerful. To mark it out from lesser Range Rovers there are 22-inch bi-tone alloy wheels, quad tail pipes and pixel-laser LED headlights. Inside there’s quilted and perforated semi-aniline leather 24-way heated and cooled, ‘hot-stone’ massage seats, a sporty headliner, a powerful Meridian sound system and a carbon-fibre effect to the interior trim. An active rear locking differential fitted as standard whilst maximum speed is 155 mph with an acceleration time to 0-60mph of just 5.2 seconds. n

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Details of New Defender Emerge Well, here goes nothing. Land Rover prepares for the launch of the most important car of the decade... its replacement for the venerable Defender!

It’s not on sale until early 2020 and hasn’t had an official unveiling yet. But with several leaks,Land Rover has acquiesced to revealing a few teaser images of Defender prototypes undergoing testing, and has permitted a few motoring journalists a ridealong in a ‘nearly production ready’ model. e new Defender, a replacement for the firm’s legendary old model, will be unveiled in full later in Autumn. For now though, despite the body camouflage it’ll look similar to the old Discovery 4. What else do we know? Just like the old model it will be sold in 90, 100 and 130 versions, though those numbers no longer related to the exact dimensions of the cars’ wheelbases. Engines will range from a 2.0V4 to a 3.0V6 turbo petrol units.

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Four wheel drive and low range gears will be standard, as will an automatic gearbox, but the Defender’s gearbox and chassis, bushes and ball joints are all new to the Defender, heavier duty than on any other Land Rover or Range Rover model.

Land Rover Defender

Price: £40,000 (approx) Available: Early 2020. Engine: 2.0V4, 2.0V6. Performance (est): Top speed 20mph. 0-60mph 8.5secs. 30mpg combined. Wheelbases: 90, 110, 130. Trim Levels: S, SE, HSE, X.

Land Rover’s Andy Deeks say they had to beef up the ﬁrm’s proving ground because it wasn’t quite tough enough to give the new car a property testing to the level of destruction they wanted. Over 200 test vehicles have amassed 750,000 miles being wrecked then taken apart to see where component stresses occurred. Cars have also been shaken to death 24/7 on test rigs for eight weeks at a time. ough Deeks admits the car isn’t as basic as its forebears, he assures us that it’ll be the toughest, most capable Land Rover ever made, worthy of the name. n

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Dine and Drive...

HAMBLETON HALL PARTNERSHIP WITH PALMER SPORT OFFERS DRIVING DAY

MOTORSPORT What could possibly make the prospect of dining at Hambleton Hall more exciting? How about a motor racing track day prior to dinner? The Michelin-starred hotel owned by Tim Hart has partnered with PalmerSport to offer a full-day driving event. Guests drive an unrivalled collection of high performance sports cars and open-top racing cars on four purpose-built

circuits in an eight activity programme at Bedford Autodrome. Following the day’s track experience, drivers will make their way to Hambleton Hall for dinner, hosted by Jonathan Palmer. Prices are from £975 to £1,115 including one or two drivers. The next event takes place on Wednesday 9th October. n www.hambletonhall.com/events

10,000,000 Minis built... 10 MILLIONTH CAR IS A MINI 60 YEARS ANNIVERSARY

MOTORS

Update of an icon as VW camper is refreshed...

VOLKSWAGEN If your summer holiday is a distant memory but thoughts of a crowded departure lounge still haunt your dreams, consider a staycation in the UK next year with the latest Volkswagen California camper van. More comfortable beds, a redesigned kitchen with sink, cooker and fridge, a table that stows away in the new sliding door and all new LED lighting and heating make this the poshest camper yet. Expect to pay around £70,000. n

MINI As Mini continues to celebrate its 60th anniversary, the brand has achieved a new feat as the ten millionth Mini produced globally since 1959 rolled off the assembly line in Oxford. Launched in 1959 and designed by Alec Issigonis, the classic Mini revolutionised the automotive world and was produced at Oxford until 1968, before moving to Longbridge, near Birmingham, where it continued to be built until October 2000. Between 1959 and 2000 more than 5.3 classic Minis were built. Around 80 per cent of Minis built in Oxford are exported. n

MOTORING

NEWS In Brief

IN CAR ESSENTIALS

INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED MOTORISTS’ EIGHT ‘MUST HAVE’ ITEMS IN YOUR CAR... The IAM has released a list of eight items that all drivers should carry in their car. Richard Gladman, IAM RoadSmart’s head of driving and riding standards says the following are essential for ensuring safety and convenience: Phone and charger “Ensure you remember a charger for any emergencies when you do need to use it.” First aid kit “You never know when you might need a first aid kit. Keep one in the boot of your car just in case.” Empty fuel can “Carry an empty fuel can with you. DO NOT carry a full or partially full one as this can be a fire hazard if it’s recently had fuel in. Flammable vapour may still be present.” Warm clothes/blanket: “We recommend keeping a blanket and some warm clothes in your car and a high visibility jacket.” Food and Drink: “Don’t forget to bring some snacks and water to keep your energy levels up, always carry a bottle of water when driving.” Jump leads: “Your car battery can go flat at any time. Make sure you keep a set of jump leads in your car so you can start your engine with help from another vehicle.” Shoes: “Keep a pair of ‘sensible’ shoes in your car. You never know when you’re going to breakdown!” n

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SMITH ELIOT FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

“Help us to save Lives!” Charlotte Smith and Hannah Shipman of Oakham & Stamford based Smith eliot Financial management Ltd are putting the final touches to arrangements for a charity event in aid of the charity Solving Kids’ Cancer which takes place in November...

“We’re a family firm,” which means we’re close as a company, but also we have kids. Children who are the love of our lives!” says Charlotte Smith.“we take for granted that our family is blessed with good health, but others aren’t so lucky.”

“And because we’re in a strong position to give back to the community, we think it’s our moral obligation to do so.”

Charlotte and her colleague Hannah at Oakham based Smith eliot Financial management Ltd is putting the finishing touches to preparations for a ball at Braunston’s Ladywood estate. They’re hoping that 350 people will attend, and that everyone will have a great night. They’re also hoping that amid the fun, their guests will find themselves a little more aware of the good work that their chosen charity, Solving Kids’ Cancer, does.

Historically, the company, which offers advice and tailored products in investment planning, retirement planning, mortgages, tax and trust matters, has supported a number of other charities. Previous beneficiaries include The Harley Staples Trust, mustard Seed Project and macmillan. This year the team have chosen Solving Kids Cancer to benefit from their annual fundraising efforts.

“The charity has been in existence for over 14 years,” says its Chief executive Stephen Richards. “Last year there were 100 new diagnoses of paediatric neuroblastoma and as a former macmillan nurse working with adults, I know

how harrowing an adult cancer diagnosis can be, and how disruptive emotionally and practically to the whole family.”

“That’s why we established the charity to allow families to access medical care from places like the marsden The Royal marsden Hospital and Great Ormond Street, and from abroad.”

“we can provide funding for private treatment and access to participation in clinical trials, and we’ve a growing interest in clinical research aimed at achieving better diagnosis but alleviating the toxicity of current treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy.”

“Smith eliot’s commitment and enthusiasm have been overwhelming, and we’re really proud to be working with them.” The financial management firm is grateful to a wealth of Rutland sponsors from Top 555 Cars to Coe & Coe Opticians, Rutland Aesthetics and Pragnell Jewellers.

“Already the very generous business have given us over £40,000 worth of raffle and auction prizes. entertainment will be from the singer Astraea who performed the Lloyds Bank cover of You’re Not Alone.” “It’ll be a wonderful night and we’re all looking forward to it. Great dining, dancing and entertainment, but most of all, we’ll be doing something worthwhile for what we consider to be a really important charity.” n

Find Out More: Smith Eliot is hosting its Gala Ball on 2nd November, Tickets £95/person. For more information call 01572 759759 or visit the company’s offices on Market Place Oakham or Ironmonger Street, Stamford. 124

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Miscellany

welcome to miscellany. This feature in Pride includes snippets of information you may not have known, book reviews, county history and interesting locals. enjoy! Edited by: Laurin Dempsey.

THE POET ClARE John Clare, Poet

Helpston, Stamford 1619 – 1682:

As we’ve taken a look around John Clare’s garden in this edition, we thought we would delve into his world of poetry too. Clare was born in Helpston, six miles (10 km) to the north of the city of Peterborough. In his lifetime, the village was in the Soke of Peterborough in Northamptonshire and his memorial calls him ‘The Northamptonshire Peasant Poet.’ Helpston is now administered by the City of Peterborough unitary authority. His poem Autumn is especially wonderful at this time of year: The thistledow’s flying, though the winds are all still, On the green grass now lying, now mounting the hill, The spring from the fountain now boils like a pot; Through stones past the counting it bubbles red-hot.

Up the Apples (and Pears!)

Stamford Community Orchard Group hosts its Apple Day on Saturday, 5th October from 10am-4pm at Stamford Arts Centre...

Apple varieties often thrive best in the area where they were bred and are therefore powerful symbols of local distinctiveness. Over the centuries the area’s nurserymen developed numerous new orchard fruits for use in our region and further afield. The Stamford area boasts at least 44 local varieties of apple, most of which were introduced in the second half of the 19th century by three people: Richard Gilbert, head gardener at Burghley; and two nurserymen, Richard Brown and Thomas Laxton. Of these, only ‘Allington Pippin;’ ‘Lord Burghley;’ ‘Barnack Beauty;’ ‘Schoolmaster;’ ‘Brown’s seedling’ and ‘Peasgood’s Nonsuch’ are presently available from specialist nurseries in this country. The rest are either only found in old gardens or are lost completely. Identify your apples with SCOG this month. n

British Apples in Season for October:

Bramley: All year round. Lord Lambourne: Mid-September to Mid-October. St Edmund’s Pippin: Mid-September to Mid-October. Laxton’s Fortune: Mid-September to Mid-October. Gala/Royal Gala: Late-September to Early-May. Egremont: Late-September to Early-March. Spartan: October to November. Red Pippin: October to November. Rubens: October to January. Kanzi: October to May Cameo: Late-October to April The earliest known mention of apples in England was by King Alfred in his English translation of “Gregory’s Pastoral Care” in 885 AD. n

SCOG Apple Day at The Arts Centre, Stamford: Come along to get your apples identified, see and taste the huge range of local varieties, help press apples and visit a range of stalls about food, nature and the good things of life. Free admission.

On is Day...

1969 saw the opening of Rutland county Museum... Rutland county Museum is located in the old Riding School of the Rutland Fencible cavalry which was built in 1794–95. e museum’s temporary exhibitions are shown alongside the permanent displays. Admission to the museum is free; www.rutlandcountymuseum.org.uk. n

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MISCELLANY

Mistletoe Facts

Don’t miss the Rutland Mistletoe Fair on 25th & 27th October at the Rutland Showground… it’s a shopping extravaganza!

There are 1,300 species of mistletoe worldwide. mistletoe is toxic to humans, but the berries and leaves provide high-protein food for many animals. many bird species rely on mistletoe for food and nesting material. Butterflies lay their eggs on the plants and use the nectar as food. mistletoe is also an important pollen and nectar plant for bees. Globally, more than 20 mistletoe species are endangered.

Kissing under the mistletoe is first found associated with the Greek festival of Saturnalia and later with primitive marriage rites. The translation of the word “mistletoe” itself isn’t very romantic though. A few centuries back, some people apparently observed that mistletoe tended to take root where birds had left their droppings. mistal is an Anglo-Saxon word that means dung and tan means twig, so mistletoe actually means ‘dung on a twig.’ n

Autumn: Golden leaves & Darkening Nights... n A study in the Journal of Aging Research found that babies born during the autumn months are more likely to live to 100 than those born during the rest of the year. n Monarch butterflies make autumn a migratory season. n It may surprise you to know that seasons change on two separate dates. There is an astronomical and meteorological change to each season. The meteorological (weather) autumn begins on September 1st and lasts exactly three months. However, astronomical autumn will begin on Sunday, September 23rd and ends on Friday, December 21st.

n In Greek mythology, autumn began when Persephone was abducted by Hades to be the Queen of the Underworld. In distress Persephone's mother, Demeter (the goddess of the harvest), caused all the crops on Earth to die until her daughter was allowed to return, marking spring. n The beautiful red, orange and yellow shades of leaves are actually there all year round. Sunlight helps fuel plant cells containing chlorophyll, a green photosynthetic pigment found in plants, algae, and cyanobacteria, which gives leaves their colour while working to turn light into energy.

When sunlight diminishes in fall, chlorophyll breaks down, letting the plant’s hidden red, yellow, and orange shine. n Testosterone levels in both men and women spike higher in autumn than at any other time of year. n Researchers think that lower levels of vitamin D - which helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body - due to shorter days and less contact with sunshine is in part responsible for autumn and winter weight gain.

WHAT TO FEED GARDEN BIRDS IN OCTOBER suitable seeds and grains (like millet, oats, and sunﬂower seeds); cooked pasta or rice, boiled potatoes, cheese, uncooked and unsalted bacon rind, raisins and sultanas; apples, pears and soft fruits are popular and are a great autumn food. only feed peanuts if they’re unsalted, fresh and sold for human consumption. n

Photographing Sunrises & Sunsets Tips from Pride Magazines Photographer Dean Fisher

Plan: Think about your location, weather and your end goal. Remember to check the area you’re going to be shooting in for any hazards, natural or otherwise – it is always best you know the area beforehand.

Photography Equipment: For landscape photography in general a wide angle-lens often works best or a zoom lens that covers the lower focal lengths. Tripods are also a staple of landscape photographers helping keep your camera stable and steady which is essential when shooting at slower shutter speeds. And, let’s not forget other gear such as jackets, coats, and hats. Anything that will make you comfortable whilst shooting.

Practice: Shoot a variety of exposures. The great thing about sunsets and sunrises is that there is no one ‘right’ exposure and that you can get stunning results using a variety of them

Patience: After the sun goes down below the horizon, don't leave right away. Keep watching the light and colours in the sky and keep shooting. quite often the best colour will happen well after the sun has set. n

n Many birds spend this season traveling to mating grounds or finding food.

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AND FINALLY

e Harvest Morning by John Clare, 1793-1864 IN THIS EDITION WE’VE ALREADY ENJOYED A VISIT TO HELPSTON’S JOHN CLARE COTTAGE. DRIVING BACK THROUGH THE COUNTRYSIDE AND WATCHING THE AREA’S FARMERS GATHER IN THE HARVEST, WE WERE REMINDED OF CLARE’S 1820 POEM OF THE SAME NAME. HARVEST WAS A LITTLE DIFFERENT BACK THEN! Cocks wake the early morn with many a crow; Loud striking village clock has counted four; e labouring rustic hears his restless foe; And weary, of his pains complaining sore, Hobbles to fetch his horses from the moor: Some busy ‘gin to teem the loaded corn, Which night throng'd round the barn's becrowded door; Such plenteous scenes the farmer’s yard adorn, Such noisy, busy toils now mark the Harvest Morn. His scythe the mower o'er his shoulder leans, And whetting, jars with sharp and tinkling sound, en sweeps again 'mong corn and crackling beans, And swath by swath flops lengthening o'er the ground; While 'neath some friendly heap, snug shelter'd round From spoiling sun, lies hid the heart's delight; And hearty soaks oft hand the bottle round, eir toils pursuing with redoubled might— Great praise to him be due that brought its birth to light. Upon the waggon now, with eager bound, e lusty picker whirls the rustling sheaves; Or, resting ponderous creaking fork aground, Boastful at once whole shocks of barley heaves: e loading boy revengeful inly grieves To find his unmatch’d strength and power decay; e barley horn his garments interweaves; Smarting and sweating ‘neath the sultry day, With muttering curses stung, he mauls the heaps away. O Rural Life! what charms thy meanness hide; What sweet descriptions bards disdain to sing; What loves, what graces on thy plains abide: Oh, could I soar me on the Muse’s wing, What rifled charms should my researches bring! Pleas'd would I wander where these charms reside; Of rural sports and beauties would I sing; ose beauties, Wealth, which you in vain deride, Beauties of richest bloom, superior to your pride. n

Photo: Dean Fisher.

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