Stamford Pride August 2020 by Pride Magazines Ltd

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PRIDE STAMFORD

STAMFORD’S FINEST MAGAZINE

Which Way Now for Stamford?

Exclusive Interview with Kelham Cooke on The Town’s Future

An Apple a Day in Stamford’s OK!

Heritage Varieties with our Community Orchard Group

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WELCOME

y sincere apologies if this strikes a little bit of a gloomy note, but I feel compelled to point out that it isn’t over yet. Quite the opposite, in fact. This is when the hard work begins. Local businesses are due to reopen as I write this, and now, more than ever, they need our support. The hospitality industry, for example, employs 3.2m people across the country, and contributes £130bn to the economy each year. The sector mostly comprises SMEs with fewer than 30 employees. Add to that independent retailers, small independent financial advisors, interior designers or kitchen design firms and you’ll find it’s a similar story: many of Pride’s advertisers are just these type of local, customer-service focused businesses who need (and deserve) our loyalty and custom in the coming year or two when, inevitably, we’ll all be focused on recovery. We’ll be featuring many local businesses in the coming months, doing our very best to promote to our readership the merits of thinking local; buying local and supporting the independent businesses that are so important to our economy. So, in this edition, we enjoy an exclusive interview with South Kesteven District Council’s Kelham Cooke, on why he’s got every faith in Stamford & Rutland’s ability to make a strong recovery after months of uncertainty for local firms. Elsewhere this month, we’ve local gin, Rutland’s slate mining heritage and we’re featuring some of the area’s best local restaurants... your first port of call post-lockdown, perhaps? Best wishes for a wonderful month!

Executive Editor rob@pridemagazines.co.uk 3

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62 CONTENTS NEWS & EVENTS 06

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

HIGHLIGHTS 22

79 4

WELCOME HOME A successfully renovated modern family home.

400 YEARS OF HISTORY Elton Hall’s exceptional walled garden and its 400 years of history.

LOCAL TO THE CORE The native

OPEN FOR BUSINESS An exclusive interview with Kelham Cooke, Leader of South Kesteven District Council on why Stamford is open for business.

HOMES & GARDENS

fruit trees you can grow in your own garden with Stamford’s Community Orchard Group.

JUST THE TONIC! Fancy a tipple? We’ve a trio who promise ‘Multum in Parvo’ from their new Rutland-made gin.

PUT IT ON THE SLATE The story of slate mining in Rutland as told at the UK’s smallest National Trust property.

LADIES & GENTLEMEN

HOME FROM HOME Exceptional interiors and a welcome break with Barefoot Retreats.

FOOD & DRINK

108 WEDDINGS Naomi and Tom

113

DINING OUT As restaurants open their doors we’re under starters orders, anticipating phenomenal first courses.

RECIPE Zesty lemon and bacon cod, and a chocolate mess dessert.

plan their Rutland wedding.

FASHION Walk on the wild side with style from Joseph Ribkoff.

AND FINALLY... 130 MOTORS Morgan’s new (old) car.

22 72

113 THE WEALTHIEST PEOPLE IN THE AREA READ PRIDE MAGAZINE

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Pride Magazine is delivered free of charge, via Royal Mail, to high value homes in the county. Our circulation is to homes in the top three council tax bands, which are predominantly worth over ÂŁ300,000. This guarantees the magazine has an affluent readership commensurate with our content. The magazine is also sold in supermarkets and newsagents and our in-house distribution team also works hard to hand-deliver the magazine to selected hotels and restaurants, doctors, dentists, executive motor dealerships and golf clubs. This helps to ensure we have a continued presence, right across our catchment area. Our titles also have more social media fans than any other local magazine. In addition we have over 24,000 online readers each month who view the magazine free of charge, online, on their 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. Amazing new app out now: You can read our magazines on any device anywhere.

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

THE PRIDE TEAM Managing Director: Julian Wilkinson. Production Director: Ian Bagley. Sales Director: Zoie Wilkinson. Sales Manager: Charlotte Daubney. Sales Supervisor: Cydney Dyson. Executive Editor: Rob Davis. Illustrator: Jocelyn Lawman. Customer Care Manager: Mandy Bray. Web Developer: Joe Proctor. Office Managers: Sue Bannister. Sales Executives: Cassy Ayton, Emily Brown, Grace Mumford and Sami Millard.

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

NEWS & EVENTS

We’re all ‘ready to reopen!’

TOURISM SECTOR RARING TO GO AS LOCKDOWN EASED IN STAMFORD & RUTLAND

STAMFORD & RUTLAND As Pride goes to press, local golf courses, garden centres and shops are already opening their doors, other local tourism businesses are making preparations to start welcoming visitors back. Tourism is one of the largest contributors to Rutland’s economy. 2018 figures show that tourism generated more than £135 million for Rutland businesses, while visitor numbers rose to just under 1.9 million. Additionally, Rutland’s tourism sector employs over 1,750 people, making it a vital source of jobs for our area, highlighting the importance of welcoming visitors back as soon as it is safe to do so. The county expected to welcome up to two million visitors in 2020, with many local businesses relying on the visitor spend. However, Discover Rutland expects an

increased demand for domestic travel when restrictions ease, and Rutland is well placed to offer the ‘Perfect Rural Escape,’ be it in

For the Love of Scrubs! LOCAL LADIES SWAPPING SHAKESPEARIAN COSTUMES FOR SCRUBS AND OTHER PPE!

summer, autumn or winter. The strapline of ‘Plan Now, Travel Later’ has been used by Discover Rutland in a marketing campaign during lock

down to encourage potential visitors to consider Rutland for post-lockdown breaks and staycations. n See www.discover-rutland.co.uk.

STAMFORD & RUTLAND A group of over 1,000 sewers from across Stamford and Rutland have come together to support NHS and healthcare workers by making scrubs, hats, wash bags and paramedic bags for medics during the pandemic. The initiative, is part of the national ‘For the Love of Scrubs – Our NHS Needs You’ campaign, is locally led by Miriam Spring Davies alongside Jo Winterbourne, Bex Key, Lucy Thornton-Reid and Beck Rogers. Miriam, Head of Wardrobe at the Stamford Shakespeare Company at Tolethorpe.

Swapping Shakespearian costumes for scrubs and other PPE, Miriam says: “Scrubs are being used more than ever in hospitals, care homes and hospices in order to stop the spread of COVID-19.” “It’s absolutely incredible to be able to find a way of supporting our hard-working healthcare staff.” “Our volunteers have sewn and provided 1,462 NHS and healthcare workers with a set of scrubs, a hat, headband, and wash bag each, and since starting nine weeks ago they have received orders for 11,424 garments. n

STAMFORD Local cyclists are being asked to join in a cycling event this August Bank Holiday weekend raising money for a major cashstrapped charity based just off Trafalgar Square in London. Doing their bit to burn up some of the miles will be Keith Wright and Keith Busfield from Braceborough who will be doing the relay section from the site of the Queen Eleanor Cross in Grantham to Geddington, Northants, the location of one of the three

remaining crosses. Sylvia Bland from Greetham and Chris Hulbert from Stamford will also be burning the calories in return for donations. The Connection at St Martin’s helps thousands of people every year to move away from, and stay off, the streets of London. This is by tackling the causes of rough sleeping, offering practical help. The 200-mile route follows quiet roads from Lincoln, to London via Stamford. n See queeneleanorcycleride.org.

Queensgate’s Opens Doors CENTRE REPORTS ‘POSITIVE’ REOPENING SALES IN A STATEMENT BY DIRECTOR MARK BROADHEAD

RUTLAND Resilient Rutland has sent over 200 arts and crafts packs to Rutland families to ensure young people like Emily Tyler, 10, pictured here, have access to creative materials during the lockdown. “We would like to thank Hobbycraft who have been extremely supportive with our initiative,” the charity said. n

PETERBOROUGH Queensgate in Peterborough has reported a really positive response from customers and retailers since reopening. “It has been wonderful to start to welcome back our shoppers, as we support nonessential retailers reopening at Queensgate. Spirits have been very high, and I’m delighted to see people being patient and respectful towards each other whilst observing social distancing guidelines. I’m also pleased to see excellent safety measures in place within our retailers, making it safe and comfortable for people to enjoy their shopping experience,” said Mark Broadhead, Centre Director. n

£35,600

200 MILE RIDE TO SUPPORT HOMELESS

Resilient Rutland’s crafty gifts for locals like Emily...

Rutland has received funding of £35,600 to support its High Street re-opening programme to focus on the safety of residents and tourists, as well as workers. “Lockdown has been tough for everyone and we’re extremely grateful to our local businesses for helping to support the community during this time. It’s testament to everyone pulling together that it’s now safe enough to reopen our High Streets,” says Council Leader Oliver Hemsley. n

Cycling for Charity

LOCAL

NEWS In Brief EXTON

VILLAGE TRIBUTE ENJOYS A WASH AND BRUSH UP

Villagers in Exton embraced the chance to see their war memorial returned to its former glory recently, engaging a specialist contractor to come in an give the monument a good freshen up. The memorial was cleaned using a special non-destructive method, ensuring that the names of the village’s 19 servicemen could once again be read. The memorial was created in 1922 by the Earl of Gainsborough, whose son and two nephews died in the Great War. The memorial is Grade II listed and is one of over 2,500 across the UK. n 7

NEWS & EVENTS

Tricky Ricky is Magic Online... LOCAL MAGICIAN’S SHOW IS SIMPLY MAGIC... EVEN OVER THE INTERNET!

BOURNE First you see him... then you don’t... because, like the rest of us, magician Ricky Locke has been forced to temporarily hang up his magic wand during lockdown. Happily though, the resourceful sorcerer has discovered the magical power of the internet to host online magic shows to entertain the public during lockdown. “The whole thing started off with me just doing a couple of tricks on YouTube back in April,” says Ricky. “Then I thought about trying to connect more people. That mission started and I began doing some online shows.” Ricky began performing over 15 years ago at which time he was working as a store manager for retailer Argos. He’s since been performing full time at corporate events and weddings, but unfortunately the advent of lockdown

LOCAL NEWS In Brief

A METHOD OF PEST CONTROL THAT’S JUST NOT CRICKET...

Nassington Cricket Club has been plagued by badgers digging up their pitch. Having tried conventional cures, the club’s Bill Taylor sought the advice of Hamerton Zoo who suggested, of all things... spreading tiger dung across the pitch. Now badger free, the club is facing a new challenge... getting rid of the smell! n

has made the number of gigs he can perform at magically disappear. “It’s quite ironic really that I’m a close up magician who

can’t perform within two metres. It’s a really different way to get a bit of engagement and try to cheer people up. People have told

Stamford in Bloom...

MORE THAN 40 STEP FORWARD TO BRIGHTEN STAMFORD TOWN CENTRE TOWN WITH BEAUTIFUL BLOOMS

me it's cheered them up and that it was better than watching the TV!” n See Ricky’s tricks at www.rickylocke.co.uk.

STAMFORD Coronavirus had delayed the Stamford in Bloom group from carrying out their amazing work, but founder Ann Ellis is now busy buying plants again, planting up flower beds and pots around the town with some of her 40 strong team of volunteers. A Facebook appeal has brought a fresh wave of volunteers and with the prospect of the town centre re-opening, Ann is keen to see a re-start of the scheme she started three years ago. “I have always loved flowers, and don't have a garden of my own, so helping to plant up the town is a real joy!” n stamford18bloom@gmail.com.

CAWTHORPE, NR. BOURNE

A traditional, yellow stone Grade II listed farmhouse dating back to the mideighteenth century with outbuildings in old red brick, all under terracotta pantiled rooves. Featuring overhead beams, fireplaces, stone and timber floors, sash windows and original internal shutters, it is full of character and has been sympathetically modernised to provide a charming, comfortable family home. Outside, the property sits within mature and delightful grounds. There is a landscaped front garden and a west facing lawn garden bordered by mature trees. A spacious gravel drive provides a large parking area both in front of the stable block, and to the back on the extensive crew yard.

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

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

fineandcountry.com

OWSTON, NR. OAKHAM

225 offices across Great Britain Plus 75 offices globally

Almost at the top of the hill in the centre of the village of Owston set amidst glorious rolling Rutland countryside, is an immaculate, three bedroom property dating back to the 1700s. Beautifully restored, modernised and maintained, this peaceful place affords wonderful views over farmland with a charmingly landscaped, sheltered garden capturing the sun. Inside, the house is light and airy enhanced by the neutral dĂŠcor with old overhead beams painted white, and with considerably large windows. Outside, the gorgeous garden is a true asset to the property. The house and terrace stand above, creating the perfect view to enjoy it and the countryside beyond.

SOMERBY

£875,000

Beautifully presented, individual detached stone property providing flexible character accommodation with Annex situated in a picturesque village and enjoying countryside views. 2 Rec. Rooms, Study/Snug, Kitchen/Diner, Utility, Clrkm, Wine Cellar, 5 Bedrooms, 4 Bathrooms; Dbl Garage, Dbl Car Port, Parking, South-facing Garden. Energy Rating: D.

SOUTH LUFFENHAM

£750,000

Stunning detached family residence providing extensive, flexible accommodation set on a large plot with Dbl Garage, ample Parking and delightful private Gardens in a sought-after Rutland village. Dining Room, Sitting Room, Study, Family Room & Breakfast Room, Kitchen, Utility, Clkrm, 5 Bedrooms, 3 Bath/Shower Rooms. Energy Rating: C.

NO CHAIN

BELTON-IN-RUTLAND

£745,000

ASHWELL

£745,000

A delightful period Barn Conversion offering versatile family accommodation which is presented to a high standard throughout, offering a combination of modern living with traditional character, situated on the edge of a highly regarded Rutland village. 2 Reception Rooms, Study, open-plan Living Kitchen/Diner, 5 Bedrooms, 3 Bath/Shower Rooms; off-road Parking, private landscaped Gardens. Energy Rating: E.

A beautiful Grade II listed detached period cottage situated on an enviable, very private plot of approx. 0.5 acre and offering extensive family accommodation, full of quintessential country charm and inherent character, set within glorious gardens and grounds in the heart of a desirable village. 3 Rec. Rooms, Farmhouse Kitchen, 5 Bedrooms, 2 Bath/Shower Rooms; Dbl Garage, parking. EPC Exempt.

EMPINGHAM

STAMFORD

Guide Price £500,000

**A PRIME SITE FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT (STPP)** A great opportunity has arisen to purchase a site extending to approx.. 0.4 A in the centre of this premium Rutland Water village. At present, the accommodation comprises a 3-bedroom detached dormer bungalow located in good-sized gardens and grounds with a stone barn located within the grounds. The site has great potential to be redeveloped, subject to obtaining the necessary planning consents. Energy Rating: TBC.

£420,000

Attractive detached property offering well-presented accommodation with Dbl Garage, off-street Parking and good-sized Garden set in a popular residential area of the historic market town of Stamford. Lounge, Dining Room, Study, Breakfast Kitchen, Utility, Clkrm, 4 Bedrooms, En-suite Shower Room, Family Bathroom. Energy Rating: C.

Guide Price £585,000

Guide Price £550,000

Main Street, Sutton Bassett

St Mary’s Road, Manton

A substantially extended character cottage with a fantastic garden, overlooking open countryside in a popular Market Harborough Village.

A characterful, stone village property with generous proportions and open plan living spaces with an excellent sized rear garden.

Guide Price £550,000

Offers Over £450,000

Glebe Road, North Luffenham

Main Street, Wardley

A fully renovated, character cottage with modern, open plan living spaces, stunning views to the South and mature gardens.

A charming, grade II listed, quintessential thatched cottage, bursting with character with a beautifully mature garden and lovely views over the countryside.

KELHAM COOKE

We’re Open for

BUSINESS As Stamford and Rutland emerge from lockdown, businesses and residents alike are pondering what this brave new world will look like. One person who remains faithfully convinced of the area’s ability to make a rapid recovery is Kelham Cooke, Leader of South Kesteven District Council... Words: Rob Davis.

AS ANYONE who has had a birthday during lockdown will appreciate, these are strange and sometimes lonely times. Kelham Cooke is Leader of South Kesteven District Council and last month he blew out 30 candles in a celebration that was perhaps more subdued than he would have anticipated for such a milestone birthday. But celebrations can wait - there’s a job to do first. As we write, central Government had just announced that, along with shops and non-essential businesses, the hospitality industry, theatres and other businesses on our High Street can reopen on 4th July, just as Pride goes to press. Cause for optimism that may be, but it’s now that the hard work really begins. The UK will need to rebuild its town centres and support local businesses who may not even be sure they will have businesses to return to, post-lockdown. It’s during such unprecedented times as these that people – residents and business owners alike – look not just to central, but to local government for leadership and direction. That means Kelham, leading the Council, needs to have a convincing strategy for returning the area to some semblance of normality. With that in mind, we spoke with Kelham to pose the question: What happens next? “We try to get back to a more normal way of living and working,” says Kelham. “With optimism but a sense of caution, too.”

As the Council’s Leader, Kelham is distinctive in a couple of respects. For a start he’s younger than your average Council Leader - not the youngest in the country, but certainly more youthful than most senior staff in local government. Secondly, unlike many in local government positions who segue into local politics from other professions or sectors, Kelham’s career has always been firmly focussed on the twin worlds of community leadership and politics. Educated at Stamford School and Nottingham University, where he read Business and Economics, Kelham’s first job was working for Waitrose, taking charge of the retailer’s Community Matters green token scheme both from head office, and closer to home in Stamford. Kelham said: “I met so many people in the community, so many volunteers, who worked incredibly hard to make where they live a better, kinder and more compassionate place. I developed a real respect for them, and they made me realise how essential that sense of community is. I also found it rewarding to be out and about rather than always being stuck behind a desk. This all coincided with a friend asking if I would help to distribute leaflets for the 2010 General Election. I agreed, and before I knew it, I was standing for election myself later that year in the local elections. It wasn’t part of any great plan, more a case of serendipity.” >>

Main Image: Kelham Cooke is the leader of South Kesteven District Council and has steered the area through a tricky time. It’s now, though, the hard work begins as communities should support their local businesses over the next year and beyond.

KELHAM COOKE

“I was 20 years old when I was first elected and in my final year at university too, so it was interesting switching between canvassing and studying. Like most people, I had a good basic understanding of local government, but I didn’t fully realise how pivotal the role of councils such as South Kesteven is to creating the right environment for happy, healthy communities.” “But I had fantastic support, with training from South Kesteven District Council in public speaking, effective communication, and problem solving. The job is hard work but incredibly rewarding. I can’t imagine getting this range of experience, knowledge, and skills in any other role.” “I often get comments about my age, about being a young councillor, but I’m far from alone in that respect. If being a youngish Leader of a council encourages other people from the younger generations to get involved in local government, that’s great, because they are the future. But there is a need for people from all generations and all walks of life to get involved because democracy works best when those who serve, collectively, reflect the communities they represent, there is strength in diversity.” In 2015, five years after being elected, Kelham was invited to join the Council’s Cabinet, and in 2017 he was elected as Deputy Leader. When former SKDC Leader Matthew Lee resigned in September 2019, Kelham was elected Leader and was immediately faced with the task of steadying a council that had been rocked by a tumultuous few months. The Council has a staff of over 500. It has 56 councillors, a population of over 150,000, about 60,000 households, and four market towns - Stamford and Grantham, Bourne and Market Deeping - as well as 80 villages.

“Grantham meanwhile has tremendous military and architectural heritage, but much of it is hidden, or not obvious to those who don’t know the area. It has great transport links and lots of good employment opportunities. When I think of Grantham, I think of unfulfilled potential, something I’d like to address as Council Leader. In fact, when it comes to all four of our market towns, and our 80 villages, fulfilling potential so that our communities really do thrive in different ways that work with their histories and needs of those who live there, is central to what I want to achieve.” Kelham says he tries to keep in touch with the people on the ground who drive community spirit and support their local communities. People like Sarah Sewell of Energy Clothing who also coordinates the Shop Stamford group, Louise Marsh of Evergreen Care Trust, and Michael Thurlby of Knead Pubs. There is a real sense of locals and Stamford’s business owners wanting to see businesses open once more. The hospitality sector, as an example, employs 3.2m people nationally - the third largest employment sector in the UK after the healthcare sector - which employs 1.9m people including 1.45m in the NHS - and the MOD which employs 250,000 civilians and military personnel. The sector has a turnover of £130bn but 99% of hospitality businesses are SMEs, and for that reason it’s the most vulnerable sector of the economy.

“Stamford is a sociable town, and I think everyone would acknowledge that they’ve missed the opportunity to just go out; to have lunch with friends and family to just enjoy a walk around the town centre...”

“South Kesteven as a district is resilient, and though both are successful, Stamford and Grantham are different towns with different needs. Stamford benefits from being a great town for visitors, and its town centre has a mix of local and national businesses, meaning that it’s a very good town centre in terms of its diversity of retailers and its night-time economy, all of which helps to generate footfall. Recently I visited the town on market day and spoke with some of the traders, who all felt that same sense of cautious optimism and desire to get the town trading normally once more.” “Stamford is also lucky to have at its heart the Burghley House, and together with its architecture, it remains a beautiful visitor town. Equally relevant is the character of the population, who are keen to see the town thrive and to protect its character and livelihood.”

Stamford’s large number of independent retailers and its independently owned pubs and restaurants are an example of the kind of businesses that need the support of locals, in that period after lockdown more than ever. But Kelham believes the population will naturally support their local business community alongside its strong hospitality sector.

“Stamford is a sociable town, and I think everyone would acknowledge that we’ve all missed the opportunity to just go out; to have lunch with friends and family, to just enjoy a walk around the town centre, and to grab a coffee at one of the many wonderful tea and coffee shops.” In spring, central government was faced with a Hobsons-esque choice of either protecting lives or prioritising the economy. Inaction would have meant the protracted occurrence of Covid in our communities. But politicians and their advisors were also all too aware of the consequences of the bad medicine of lockdown. A recession now seems inevitable, some businesses won’t survive, growth will stagnate, and jobs are likely to be lost across the UK.

Right: Kelham met Tim Peake in the area when the astronaut returned Flower of Kent returned to Woolsthorpe from the International Space Station. Kelham joined other cabinet team members last year to swim 128 lengths and raise £1,000 for charity.

KELHAM COOKE

There’s no panacea; each town or city in the UK will face its own recovery challenges, hence every local government must formulate its own devolved strategy for post-Covid recovery. South Kesteven was recently awarded £126,000 funding for supporting the recovery of the district. This poses the question of what practical measures Kelham and his team can take to stimulate a return to normal trading. “Everyone knows it is not going to be easy to recover from the impact of Covid-19. As a Council, we have acted swiftly to support our local businesses, getting grants and rent and rates relief where it was needed in record time. The team at SKDC rightly earned national recognition for its swift response.” “We also established the SK Community Hub and our Befriending Service in the first few days of lockdown to ensure that support for the most vulnerable was co-ordinated and delivered through an army of volunteers as well as council staff. And we maintained our waste collection service throughout. It may not sound like much, but we’d have a whole different public health issue without this vital service.”

“Their role is not to police the town centre, but to highlight any problems or pinch points, so that we can take action or flag issues to our colleagues at Lincolnshire County Council, or Lincolnshire Police. The whole aim is to encourage people to feel safe and to get people back into our town centres.”

“But throughout the last few weeks, we have also had our eyes firmly on the future. We have kept the momentum going with developments across the district, including St Martin’s Park in Stamford, and the sensitive restoration of the former Ambulance Station in Elm Street, both of which will bring employment opportunities to the town which is essential for a strong economic recovery.”

“I’ve found it so good to be able to go out once again and to interact with people - albeit maintaining the recommended safe distance. Ensuring that people have the confidence to do just that, but also ensuring that it’s as safe as possible, is both a priority and a way of ensuring that the recovery of the district will be as swift and as safe as possible.”

“When we went into lockdown, I’d been Council Leader for just eight months and our Chief Executive, Karen Bradford, started on 2nd March... just 21 days before lockdown!”

“I have to commend every one of my colleagues for how they’ve worked,” says Kelham. “Whether they’ve been maintaining the provision of local services or working from home, everyone has worked really hard to ensure the district can continue to offer its residents and businesses the quality of services and the sense of community that we’ve come to expect from the area.”

“As well as fighting Covid-19, we have been working on a new Corporate Plan which along with an amended budget, will clearly set out our vision for South Kesteven, which will form the basis for how we move beyond Coronavirus.” “Councils have to take a holistic approach. We have to look at housing, the environment, our performance, and the economy. By doing so, we create the right conditions for success.” “That is why when we talk about the phased reopening of our town centres, we talk about balancing the need to protect public health with the need to restart the local economy. These are not mutually exclusive; they are mutually dependent – you can’t really have one without the other. So we have been working with businesses to provide guidance and support, have extended free car parking in council-run car parks, reopened the public toilets with strict Covid19 safety measures in place, and provided signs and posters around our towns to remind people of the need to stay safe.”

“My life during lockdown has been one of conference calls with central government ministers, weekly ‘crisis’ meetings, formal committee meetings every week or two, and the usual full council meetings which take places every month or two – although through the use of technology we’ve had to get used to almost overnight.” “We seem to have adapted well to working remotely but we’re also keen to return to a sense of normality in our working lives. In-between all this, I’ve rediscovered cycling.”

“Hopefully, this will help to minimise the risk of a second wave which will, in turn, feed into the next important role of a District Council; to encourage a sense of confidence in the area.”

“I’ve had some great rides out in the countryside. I’ve no interest in cycling competitively but I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to get some fresh air and, of course, enjoy the surrounding countryside... it’s been a nice reminder of what a beautiful place the district is in the summer months. I just hope that we’ve a few more weeks postlockdown when the weather will be kind so that we can all getting out and about, enjoy the fresh air and sunshine, and enjoy the safe return of our town centres, and all they have to offer.”

“To support this, we’ve also created social distancing champions; volunteers who can be out in the community to offer advice and to see that guidance and best practice is being followed.”

n Kelham is leader of South Kesteven District Council. Follow the council on their Twitter and Facebook feeds for the latest news and guidance post-Covid. 23

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

Creating a Legacy by Minimising Tax Why do we want to build wealth? Is it so we can buy plush homes, drive fast, sleek cars or sun ourselves in exotic climes? Or is actually for a far more personal reason?

OR SOME PEOPLE, ﬁlling our lives with luxury is a key motivation to make money; however, most of us also want to help those who we love by leaving behind a legacy that will give them the best start in life, or enable them to continue to live out their lives with conﬁdence and certainty.

it is important that any plans you make are lawful, accurate and fair. Achieving the balance between what you want to do and what you have to do is a little bit of a mineﬁeld, so we have created a lunchtime talk to demonstrate what your obligations are, and what options are available to you. Our event will explain key areas and show you how you could: l Avoid hefty Inheritance Tax Charges. l Ensure that your house and capital are protected against third-party risks. l Take measures to prevent your assets disappearing if a divorce in the family were to happen.

But is just making money enough to guarantee this? Inheritance Tax is currently set at 40%, meaning that, if your estate exceeds the threshold (currently £325,000 for a single person and £650,000 for a married couple) you could end up giving away nearly half of your wealth to the Government. I’m sure that you don’t want them to become the single largest beneficiary of your hard-earned money! That’s why protecting your wealth in later life is becoming more and more poignant. Historically, Inheritance Tax has been the preserve of the super-wealthy, but this is changing. The ever-evolving world of tax, especially Inheritance Tax, is not just targeting the very rich; in fact, it is beginning to hit the average family too. Last year alone, we saw HMRC collect £5.1 billion in Inheritance Tax - a rise of 9% from 2016 . And with the conventional Nil-Rate Band is fixed at £325,000 until April 2021, this trend looks set to continue. But what can you do? Careful planning around your finances is one of the key steps to take now in order to protect your wealth for the benefit of your loved ones. A former Chancellor once said, that “Inheritance Tax is paid only by those who distrust their family more than they dislike the Inland Revenue.” But was he right? To use a palatable analogy, this planning is very much like

Understanding these areas could be the diﬀerence between you leaving your family ‘a life changing sum’ and a ‘life changing lesson’.

Tax, is not “ Inheritance just targeting the very rich; in fact, it is beginning to hit the average family too...

”

n The event will take place on Wednesday 16th September at 1200 at Portfolian House, 30 Melton Road, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6AY. To book your complimentary place, please contact us on hello@eﬃcientportfolio.co.uk or 01572 898060.

baking a cake. First, you need to identify what could ‘spoil the mix’- in this case Inheritance Tax. Next, you need to choose the best ‘ingredients’ to minimise the amount of tax you pay and ensure that your loved ones will receive the most they can. Only then can you ensure that you are in the best position to ﬁnancially feed your own future as well as that of your loved ones; so, you can have your cake and eat it! Any planning around tax can be confusing, time-consuming and controversial! In the UK, we all have to pay tax in some form, so 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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Just the Tonic: Chaz Ellis and Hayley Cook, along with Hayleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s husband Tim. Their new trio of gins promise local provenance and quality.

LOCAL GIN

The Rutland Gin that’s

JUST THE TONIC Rutland has a new producer of artisan gins with some imaginative and delicious flavours to enjoy in Summer 2020. This month we’re celebrating the spirit of Rutland... Images: Lyndsay Ford, ShutterBox Photography.

A REFRESHING DRINK that’s just the tonic for those seeking to quench their thirst in the garden. And best of all, it’s made right here in Rutland! Gin has enjoyed a tremendous renaissance in the last couple of years.

Depending on the manner of which it is distilled and processed, it can take on many different strengths, tones and tastes. Gin’s flavour can also be easily transformed by adding various botanical infusions.

The spirit sold a record 73m bottles last year, a £2bn market that doubled sales compared to its performance over the previous two years. Hundreds of new gin distilleries popped up, with the UK enjoying the opening of 54 in one year alone, taking the total number of UK producers to over 360.

“We attended a course where we were given the chance to make your own bottle of gin – you choose the mix of botanicals and distil the Gin using mini stills designed to make one bottle,” says Chaz.

Traditionally HMRC had a problem with gin distilleries producing in small quantities, making it near impossible for new gin companies to prosper. This however all changed in 2009 when trendy West London gin distillery Sipsmith won a historic, two-year legal battle with the HMRC which gave distilleries the legal right to produce and sell gin in small amounts. This opened the floodgates for independent gin-makers nationwide to crop up and put their own stamp on the gin market. The latest is Multum in Parvo, founded by Rutland siblings Chaz Ellis and Hayley Cook, along with Hayley’s husband Tim. Their new trio of gins promise local provenance and quality. One of the great things about gin is that it is highly versatile and really quite exciting.

“Once you have made your gin, of course you have to give it a name... and as a very proud Rutlander I asked if there was a Rutland gin. I decided it would be Multum Gin Parvo (a play on our motto ‘Multum in Parvo’ or ‘much in little’). At that time (having already sampled a fair amount of gin) I was just pleased with my attempt at humour!” “The name stuck in our heads and we started to get excited about the prospect of a new venture, creating our own gin to sell. Hayley and I are involved in the running of Rutland Water Garden nursery which is part of our family business and we thought, how amazing it would be to utilise some of our produce to make an authentic Rutland Gin. So... we went for it!” Multum Gin Parvo began in August 2019 and took three months of working with a local master distiller, Simon. 29

Three flavours were then agreed, and the first batch of each was completed at the end of October. “During this period, we also started working on the branding and bottle design, we were obviously keen that it screamed Rutland and in particular featured the Rutland horseshoe and Normanton Church. Hayley came up with the idea of enlisting the help of the brilliant Katie Cardew, who agreed, and did a truly amazing job for which we are so grateful.” As Chaz, Hayley and Tim were all Gin fans they thought that this would be a great opportunity to show off some Rutland ingredients. “Our gin is produced in the traditional distillation method using copper pot stills. This involves taking the best quality botanicals, with the key ones sourced from the nursery and from Rutland as a whole.” “Then, we macerate (soak) them with top quality alcohol until the botanicals release their flavour, this is distilled to draw out all the essential oils into the alcohol and leave 30

behind all the impurities. This is then cut (diluted) with the purest water to create the dry gin and then infused with our Rutland flavours.” “We currently have three flavours; a classic dry Rutland gin which has a Rutland twist with a hint of acorn. This a very smooth but complex dry gin. We also have our Rutland Strawberry and Lavender which benefits from fresh lavender grown at our nursery and strawberries from Manton fruit farm. This makes a beautiful summer drink.” “Finally, we have our Earl Grey and Rutland honey which is our most unusual offering and has a rounded subtle flavouring. We use honey from the well-known local beekeeper Richard Stapling who keeps his hives just inside the Rutland border at Ryhall.” “I think we are most proud of the Earl Grey and Rutland Honey; this is an unusual flavour combination and are not aware of any other gins brands that currently blend these two flavours.”

“Our Earl Grey and Rutland honey is our most unusual offering and has a rounded subtle flavouring...”

“We wanted a gin that would best compliment the afternoon teas at Wellies Tea room and once we tasted this combination we felt it was perfect. This is a particularly difficult gin to make as the honey needs to be specially heated to the correct temperature to allow it to infuse with the gin and the earl grey is surprisingly volatile and requires great technique from Simon to successfully infuse. It is a craft gin in its truest sense.” “There are the traditional gin enthusiasts who like the smoothness of the classic dry; those with a sweet tooth opt for the Strawberry and Lavender whilst those looking for something a bit different try the Honey and Earl Grey.” “In terms of sales at our initial events the marginal winner was the Strawberry and Lavender. The most pleasing part of these tastings were the amount of people who said they would not normally drink gin but really liked it, so hopefully we have created flavours with wide appeal.”

“The team of Multum in Parvo’s next project is inspired by some famous Rutland residents - the osprey. “We are fascinated that a bird can be equally at home on the shores of Rutland Water and also the coast of East Africa and wondered if we could reflect their diverse habitats in a gin and we believe we have done it!” “We have combined two Rutland ingredients the acorn and elderflower with two ingredients that can be found in the osprey’s other home Guinea-Bissau – Grains of Paradise and Hibiscus. Grains of Paradise are also actually known as Guinea pepper due to its origin - its peppery taste makes it a really interesting botanical in the same way the acorn is, and then blended with the Hibiscus & Elderflower gives an unbelievably balanced smooth gin. It is like the Osprey were trying to give us a message! We plan to donate a percentage of the proceeds of this special gin to Rutland charities, including the Rutland and Leicestershire Wildlife Trust who helped bring the Osprey to Rutland.”

Recently Multum Gin Parvo has been spreading positivity on social media with the daffodil horseshoe they planted behind their nursery. “We planted it originally to bring some spring cheer and show our pride in the county, but as it has bloomed just as the current crisis hit us, then we have put it out there as a symbol of good luck and hope for Rutland at this most difficult of times.” Multum Gin Parvo is available at a variety of local shops including Oakham Wines, Welland Vale Garden Centre, Stamford Garden Centre and of course Rutland Water Garden nursery. When all social distancing restrictions are lifted by the Government you will also be able to enjoy Multum in Parvo at several local pubs. The Fox at North Luffenham was the pub to trial this out and the team have received great feedback from their customers so far. n See www.multumginparvo.com. 31

Main: Winching up stone circa 1913. Young Jim Stapleton with back to shed. Bob Steele with back to camera.

SLATE MINING IN RUTLAND

PUT IT ON THE

SLATE One of Britain’s smallest National Trust properties is celebrates the heritage of Rutland’s slate mining industry. This month, Paul Way of Priest’s House in Easton remindsus of how tough life used to be for those who laboured 30ftunderground to mine and processone of Rutland’s most coveted heritage building materials... Words: Rob Davis. Images: Paul Way, Priest’s House/National Trust.

“One of the UK’s smallest National Trust properties, Priest’s House at Easton on the Hill is now a museum dedicated to the area’s Collyweston slate mining industry...”

Like diminutive Rutland itself, the National Trust property is one of the smallest in the conservation organisation’s group, cared for by volunteer custodian Paul Way and just three keyholders, who each unlock the building to show visitors around. “The property itself is fascinating enough, with a 2010 survey and dendrochronological techniques being used to date it to around 1474,” says Paul. “But we’ve ensured that it can also serve as a museum and reflect one of the area’s other important historical features; Easton’s Collyweston slate mining industries.” Many of Rutland’s heritage properties and historic buildings are constructed from the band of oolitic limestone that runs diagonally through Rutland right down to Dorset.

It’s still mined today in quarries in Clipsham and Greetham. By contrast, though, Collyweston slate is much rarer, and below Easton was a stratum of slate, just 2ft high and 30ft below the ground. Slate was found underneath its eponymous home of Collyweston, at Easton and also under Duddington, where it occasionally appears in a working limestone quarry. Collyweston slate was used in the construction of Rockingham Castle’s roof, around 1375. But around the 1500s, a new way to process the material was more widely used. The process of ‘frosting’ began to be more widely used and by the late 1800s in the open pits and mines around Collyweston. The process used the expansion of freezing water to split the stone once it was hauled

Top: The Priest’s House was dated by dendrochronological analysis to between 1474 and 1499. It features stone mullion windows dating back to the C15th and also served as the village school before use as an agricultural building. Main: Collyweston slaters with their tools, C 1910.

“Splitting of the smaller chunks of slate was completed with a cliving hammer, before teams of men would sit with the piece between their legs and the workers would then use a trimming hammer to cut individual pieces to size...” from the 30ft pits underneath the mines. Chunks of fissile slate known as logs were brought to the service and then laid out in a field. During sharp frosts the material was watered, with the resulting expansion of ice beginning the process of splitting the logs into workable sized pieces. Given the necessity of freezing conditions, the winter activity was physically laborious but also bitterly cold for its hardy workers too. Splitting of the smaller chunks of slate was completed with a cliving hammer, before teams of men would sit with the piece between their legs and the workers would then use a trimming hammer to cut the individual pieces to size. The final step in the production of slates would see a hole made for the retaining peg using a bill and helve a bill being a sort of punch or scribe, and a helve being a fairly hefty handle. All of the tools used in the production of the slate are on display in Priest’s House, alongside a social history including local bygones and memorabilia. Alongside the permanent slate mining exhibits is space for peripatetic exhibitions (see below). Mining in Collyweston continued until the 1800s until improved transport made the availability of slate from areas like Wales cheaper, whilst steady declines in rural areas made sourcing the necessary labour for the role impossible. Further losses from the First and Second World War exacerbated the labour shortage, and by the 1950s, mining in the area had ceased. “The original Rector of the house was Thomas Stokes, a relative of William Browne, but when he died in 1495, he left money for a chantry priest to say prayers for his soul,” says Paul. “Following Henry VIII’s dissolution of monasteries and chantry 38

houses, village priests occupied the house until an adjacent rectory within the house’s curtilage replaced it in 1698.” “Priest’s House was latterly used as a village schoolroom and as a outbuildings for a nearby farm housing livestock. It was taken into custodianship of the National Trust in 1968 and is now one of the organisation’s smallest properties.” “It’s quite right to call it a hidden gem many are unaware that the area has its own National Trust property. But visitors are always thrilled not only by the preservation of the 15th century building with its fascinating architecture - its circular stone staircase, for example - but also by the role the house has in remembering the area’s slate mining heritage, too.” n Priest’s House is based at Easton on the Hill, and is open to visitors by permission of its three keyholders. 38 West Street, Easton on the Hill, Stamford PE9 3LS, call 01832 205158 or see www.nationaltrust.org.uk.

Above: This image from the mid-C20th shows one local mason using a cliving hammer to split the fissile slate ‘logs.’ Right: Using a cliving hammer.

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Read online now at

w w w.p r i d em agazines.co.uk To advertise your business to the wealthiest people in the county email sales@pridemagazines.co.uk 41

Confit pheasant with cauliflower, raisin and truffle at Stapleford Park, Melton Mowbray.

FOOD & DRINK

SMALL BUT PERFECTLY FORMED They say first impressions count... well, the perfect first course is modest in size but bold in flavour, setting out a chef ’s intentions and dazzling with their presentation... They say you only get one chance to make a first impression. And it’s true. We’ve all been to a restaurant for the first time and perused a menu, waiting in anticipation for the first dish to arrive. Typically that dish is your starter. Quantity isn’t essential, but quality and presentation certainly is. It’s the chef ’s opportunity to make that all important first impression on their customer. As a person who prefers savoury dishes to sweet ones, I’d rather enjoy a starter and forgo a dessert, and what I especially love about starters is their often intense and bold flavours.

Happily, the days of gloopy prawn cocktails or melon are long gone. Today’s starters are as much about presentation as whacking flavours. If I’m honest, I rather mourn the disappearance of soup from restaurants’ menus, but the ineffable rise of the quality pub restaurant has lead to the happy reinvention of many old favourites from Scotch Eggs to scallops - all promising starter options. With lockdown slowly retreating and restaurants due to reopen as Pride goes to press, we’re delighted be able to implore our readers to revisit independent pubs, restaurants and hotels to enjoy that long forgotten pleasure of dining out... beginning your meal with these absolutely belting starters! >>

Below: Some of the county’s most talented chefs - Fuel Tank’s Chris Ansell, Tom Hall at The Petwood Hotel; Chris Huggett of The White Hart, Ufford, Sean Hartnett of The Admiral Hornblower, Tony Fitt at Stapleford Park, Michael Prescott, Head Chef of The Griffin Inn, David Bukowicki, Chef at Barnsdale Lodge and Holly Withers of Hoppi Dorri.

“The hospitality sector employs 3.2m people and it contributes over £130bn to the economy, and yet 99% of the businesses within the sector are SMEs with fewer than 30 employees. For that reason, we’re all share a moral obligation to keep those businesses trading, by visiting them when lockdown is lifted...”

Grilled asparagus salad at The Olive Branch, Clipsham.

Small Dishes at The Admiral Hornblower, Oakham. Designed to be an ‘easy dining’ option, these can be enjoyed as grazing snacks when you’re sipping a glass of wine, or taken as a ‘mix and match’ starter option. Larger than tapas; smaller than snacks, the philosophy is large amounts of flavour and larger amounts of satisfaction.

Champagne-cured sea bass with oyster and caviar at Barnsdale Lodge, Rutland.

Charcuterie platter at The Engine Yard, Belvoir.

OUR FEATURED RESTAURANTS

The Petwood Hotel’s sweet potato and pear starter with walnuts and Stilton.

Please note, featured dishes are representative examples of our featured chefs’ skills... the menus of our featured restaurants change often, so dishes remain subject to availability. Check each restaurant’s website prior to your visit for a fresh menu to avoid disappointment.

The Admiral Hornblower: Oakham, LE15 6AS, 01572 723004, www.hornblowerhotel.co.uk. Sliced duck breast parfait with crumbled blue cheese, pear and candy walnuts, maple syrup.

Barnsdale Lodge Hotel: Exton, Rutland, LE15 8AH, 01572 724678, www.barnsdalelodge.co.uk.

The Fuel Tank: Engine Yard at Belvoir Castle NG32 1PA, 01476 247059, www.engineyardfueltank.co.uk.

The Griffin Inn: Irnham, NG33 4JG, 01476 550201, www.thegriffinirnham.co.uk.

Hoppi Dorri: Stamford, PE9 2AR, 01780 766 772, www.hoppidorri.co.uk.

The Olive Branch: Clipsham, LE15 7SH, 01780 410355, www.theolivebranchpub.com.

A summer consommĂŠ at The Griffin Inn, Irnham.

The Petwood Hotel: Woodhall Spa, LN10 6QG, 01526 352411, www.petwood.co.uk.

Stapleford Park Hotel: Stapleford, LE14 2EF, 01572 787 000, www.staplefordpark.com.

Scallops with sticky sesame seed glazed dressing at Stamfordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hoppi Dorri.

The White Hart: Ufford, PE9 3BH, 01780 740250, www.whitehartufford.co.uk.

In the KITCHEN The zesty nature of lemons ensures this delicious supper is light and fresh - perfect for warm summer evenings, using healthy cod and fresh garden peas!

BACON-WRAPPED COD with peas, leeks & potatoes Preparation time: 15 minutes. Cooking time: 20 minutes. Total time: 35 minutes 1 medium potato (about 200g), cut into 2-3cm cubes • 6 rashers smoked streaky bacon 2 rosemary sprigs • 260g pack cod loin • 1 tbsp olive oil • 2 small or 1 large leek, sliced (about 250g) 160g fresh garden peas • 100ml fresh vegetable stock • lemon wedges, to serve Preheat the oven to 200˚C, gas mark 6. Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil and add the potato. Simmer for four minutes, then drain. Meanwhile, on a large chopping board, lay out 3 overlapping bacon rashers and top with a rosemary sprig; repeat alongside with the remaining bacon and rosemary. Halve the cod loin and lay a piece on top of each bacon section. Wrap the bacon around each cod portion. Heat the oil in a large, heavy-based frying pan over a medium-

high heat. Fry the cod parcels seam-side down for one minute, then turn over and fry for two minutes. Transfer to a roasting tin, seam-side down, and roast for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, add the potato to the frying pan and fry, stirring, for a couple of minutes. Add the leek and fry for two minutes until softened. Add the peas and stock, then simmer for a further a couple of minutes. Season and serve with the cod parcels on top, with lemon wedges to squeeze over.

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

52 52

In the KITCHEN Make a mess in the kitchen this month, with this cherry twist on a traditional Eton Mess pudding...

ROAST CHERRY & CHOCOLATE MESS 400g cherries, halved and then pitted • 3 fresh bay leaves • 2 tbsp white caster sugar, plus 1 tsp for the cream 2 tbsp pomegranate juice • 250ml whipping cream • 50g dark chocolate (70% cocoa), finely chopped ¼ tsp vanilla bean paste (optional)• 4 meringue nests (or 12 mini meringue shells), very roughly broken Preheat the oven to 220˚C, gas mark 7. Put the cherries in a medium roasting tin and toss with the bay leaves, two tbsp sugar and the pomegranate juice. Roast for 5-7 minutes to get the juices going and bubbling at the edges (don’t cook the cherries through). Set aside until just warm. Meanwhile, put 4 tbsp cream and 2 tbsp water in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Put the chopped chocolate in a small bowl, pour the hot cream over it, and stir

until smooth. Spoon 1 tbsp into the bottom of 4 small tumblers. Put the remaining cream, 1 tsp sugar and the vanilla, if using, into a large bowl. Whip to very soft peaks. Add a generous dollop to each glass, then a few chunks of the meringue, some cherries and juice. Repeat, finishing each with a final small dollop of cream and a drizzle of chocolate sauce.Serve straight away, with any extra chocolate sauce on the side.

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

T H E

L U X U RY

B R A N D

“Unexpected monarch in bagging area...” when HM The Queen requires a couple of pints of semi-skimmed and something for tonight’s supper, she and her family have all hot-footed it to their Piccadilly grocer of choice since 1707... Unexpected monarch in bagging area… when the royals want the very best products for their shopping basket, there’s only one place they trust. Bursting with magic and excitement, Fortnum & Mason has the Royal seal of approval…

back to 1707, the same year that Great Britain was formed! William and Hugh met in 1705, Hugh Mason already running a small store inside St James Market and was landlord to William who had a post as a Footman in Queen Anne’s house.

A quintessentially British upmarket store we all recognise for its mint green branding, based in our world-famous capital city, providing luxury hampers, gifts, tea, coffee, chocolate… the list is fabulously endless! Incredibly Fortnum & Mason sell over 20,000 hampers per year and these are exported all around the world, in their renowned wicker box, proudly stamped with F&M, providing the perfect parcel of joy for its recipient, ranging from prices of £85 up to £1,000 – with one of the most prestigious hampers classically named ‘The Windsor Hamper.’

It was from selling the half-burnt bee’s wax candles from Queen Anne’s house that gave Fortnum the money to be able to go into business with Mason. Originally it was founded as a grocery store, with a reputation of supplying good quality food which led to its rapid growth throughout the years, which then evolved to a focus on stocking exotic and speciality items, as well as basic provisions but by going the extra mile.

Fortnum & Mason’s flagship store is where you can discover extraordinary food and joy-giving things in Piccadilly, London. A total of six floors offering dedication to Homeware, Beauty & Fragrance, Gentlemen, Tea Salon, Fresh Food, and the ground floor where you enter the store, bringing you straight into the Tea & Speciality Food area. They also have stores located in St Pancras Station, Heathrow Airport, and The Royal Exchange, but where did the story start for this luxury brand that reflects the glamour, sophistication and magic that we all love, widely known as the Queen’s Grocer.

William Fortnum saw an opportunity to capitalise in the first area of ‘food on the go’ or ‘ready made meals’ in the 1700s there were many people flocking to our capital city for work, meaning they would need to buy food that they could easily enjoy without much fuss of putting it together, especially if they didn’t have anywhere to store or prepare it. This is when Fortnum used the advantage of pickles, preserves, and pork pies to sell to the hungry workers. The store cruised through its early years paving the way for the future success that it would endure and how it would be a store recognised for providing the every-day items but with that special touch that made it completely unique to the Fortnum & Mason brand. 30 years after opening, the young enterprise set itself a task of how they could capitalise on creating food that was appropriate for long distance journeys.

It all started when William Fortnum & Hugh Mason established their first store in Piccadilly over 300 years ago, taking us right

Three Things You Didn’t Know About Fortnum & Mason IT’S A LARGE OPERATION! VERY LARGE! Fortnum & Mason has 708 employees, quite a number considering the retailer has just five locations. Founded by William Fortnum and Hugh Mason, it underwent a £24m refurb in 2007 and turns over £130m/annum.

AFTERNOON TEA IS A REAL TREAT Afternoon tea is served for £60/head with individual pâtisseries and your choice from the retailer’s Cake Carriage. The retailer also invented ruby chocolate to use in its cakes; a development which too it 13 years to perfect.

THERE’S A REAL BUZZ ABOUT THE RETAILER In 2014 the reailer created a new pied-à-terre for Fortnum’s bees. There are four hives, each six feet tall, on the roof of the retailer. The Buckfast bees produce the most sought-after honey in the world.

Fortnum, with the help of his staff, developed the intelligent idea of wrapping a hard-boiled egg in scrumptious sausage meat and coating it in beautifully fried breadcrumbs, this is where the world’s first Scotch Egg was born, in 1738. Now over 280 years later, the same recipe is still used, you can buy yourself a delicious box of six for £22.95! When you read the description, you can see why they are still a successful choice of snack for their shoppers.

“In 1902, King Edward set the biggest challenge that Fortnum & Mason had yet received: “Bring me the finest tea in all of the land...!”

Deliciously moist, each Scotch Egg contains a free-range egg with a vibrant orange yolk coated in British outdoor-reared pork and a generous coating of crisp homemade breadcrumbs. The ideal lunchtime treat.

Napoleon war time Officers often purchased their own goods to take with them, such as dried fruits and preserves. Queen Victoria then ordered for a huge quantity of tea to be sent to the soldiers in the Crimean War in the 1850s, and again for the Officers in World War I. In 2012 in celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, F&M sent 15,000 tins of tea & biscuits to her majesty’s troops around the world.

In 1902, King Edward VII set the biggest challenge that Fortnum & Mason had yet received, “Bring me the finest tea in all of the land.” It was a challenge they calmly took in their stride knowing that they would be able to provide a tea with such excellence and difference like no other, after all, they are Fortnum & Mason. After much travelling and research, The Royal Blend is made using Assam from India and Flower Pekoe from Sri Lanka. They say that ‘the splendid blend of the two comes a smooth, honeylike flavour that still sets the benchmark for tea, 100 years later.’ Now they have over 80 varieties of tea, creating the exceptional cup for the extraordinary, however Royal Blend is still the most popular choice.

Holding the reputation for a high-class grocer and leading provider of tinned goods, meant that in 1886 American entrepreneur H J Heinz went directly to F&M with his samples he had brought with him from

The hampers show another area that F&M start to make their mark in history, in 1911 when the shop suffered smashed windows from the Suffragettes campaigning for votes for women, Fortnum’s response to this was

In 1794 another opportunity of services they could provide was quickly added to the list when they became a Post Office. They provided letterboxes which were collected six times a day, this was a service they offered for nearly 50 years before the General Post Office was founded in 1839. Fortnum & Mason has proudly supplied their produce to our country’s heroes and military personnel, in the early 1800’s in 58

America of his Baked Beans. Fortnum & Mason quickly snapped up all the samples, seizing the opportunity to be the first store to introduce Baked Beans to Britain.

to send out hampers to the women once they were released from prison. By 1920 F&M had a dedicated department purely for expeditions, this was just in time to help supply goods for the 1922 British Mount Everest expedition; another way their hampers ‘pitched the flag’ in another historic event. F&M successfully shipped from Southampton items such as: plates, soup plates, butter knives, condiments, tinned products, 60 tins of quail in foie gras and four dozen bottles of champagne... basically a 1920s dinner party! Ensuring that Fortnum & Mason would always be at the top of their game with the produce it offered with the special touches it was renowned for, King George V’s Jubilee in 1935 was the perfect time to show off the capabilities of what they had to offer. With all the international visitors flocking to Great Britain of Princes and Maharaja’s – they ensured a stock of food suitable for Hindu’s & Muslim’s were readily available, even offering liveried Indian servants. They also have other equally controversial links to the royals; in June 1937 King

Edward VIII abdicated from the throne after choosing his wife, when he was faced with the ultimatum of choosing his role as king or to marry his love, the American divorcee. Edward then went on to living in exile in a French castle, however he still managed to maintain breakfast in the style of a king! With a huge love for kippers, Fortnum & Mason were flying Craster Kippers over to France each day to be enjoyed for the first meal each morning! By 1951, Britain had been battered with debt due to the war and it was fair to say Fortnum & Mason were feeling the strain. Canadian businessman Garfield Weston bought the store and added to his retail collection. As Garfield Weston understood that the important key to success with Fortnum & Mason was to remain true to its roots and to operate in the same way providing new exciting tasty options in a fabulously British way. Throughout the 50s, uniforms would be strict and smart, pinstripe trousers, tails & waistcoats. Only ever changing to red coat tails for the festive season. In 1964, a new clock was commissioned for the front of the store weighing a hefty four tonne.

It was a tribute to the founders and showing the store was proud to keep its links to the past. The clock has two 4ft figurines of Fortnum & Mason themselves, which are transported out on the hour to show them take a bow whilst looking at the clock. Some say it shows them coming out to check the high standards of the store are being upheld. Over the years, Fortnum & Mason has enjoyed strong Royal links as well as their seal of approval; the department store referred to sometimes as the ‘little palace’ of pleasure. As well as Royals, it attracts many celebrities that go for the delightful shopping experience, Ringo Star, Liberace, Michael Caine, Joan Collins are just some of the faces seen over the years. On 1st March 2012, The Queen opened the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon accompanying her was the Duchess of Cornwall & the Duchess of Cambridge. To which also led the Queen to be able to inspect and view the 60 Diamond Jubilee products that had been created in celebration of her whole reign. n For more information see www.fortnumandmason.com. 59

Wine of the Month

Pop, Fizz and Clink for Victory Churchill’s go-to Champagne is our vintage choice for those aiming to ‘keep calm and carry on...’

Ovens Farm Bacchus, Louth, England, 75cl / 13.5% / £26.99

It’s common knowledge that Churchill’s go-to Champagne was Pol Roger. The wartime leader drank about two bottles a day in his prime, about 42,000 bottles in his lifetime. If you’re keeping calm, and carrying on, treat yourself to a post-lockdown toast with chums with a vintage from 2006-2012 elegant with complex aromas of white flowers, quince and subtle brioche overtones. n £85/ 75cl / 12.5% ABV

The Wine Cellar WE’RE ON CLOUD WINE THIS MONTH WITH SOME TIPPLES FOR EASING BACK INTO NORMALITY. HERE, EMILY BROWN SUGGESTS GARDEN PARTY WINES FOR POST-LOCKDOWN... RIOJA & ROLL: A choice trio of Spaniards including a couple of Rioja stars... 1. Muga Selección Especial Reserva Rioja is a superb Rioja, perfect for dinner parties! This is an intense Rioja with powerful fruit flavours. Medium to full bodied, £57.00 / 1.5l / 14% vol.

2. Chivite Finca Villatuerta Chardonnay promises smoky lemon notes with a sweet and powerful finish. Perfectly paired with a light chicken dish. A dry wine, 2014 vintage, vegetarian & vegan. £14.99 / 75cl / 13.5% vol. 3.Muga Rioja Rosado with its tropical fruits & fresh citrus notes is a salmon-coloured, dry, lively rosé with red apple and tropical notes. A beautiful balance of sweet flavours. £9.99 / 75cl / 13.5% vol.

A very much local wine that has Europe on the run. Pale gold hue, aromatics of cut grass, complexed with lime blossom. The palate has notes of citrus fruits, hedgerow herbaceous character and a hint of green pepper to the finish. Dry, crisp, and clean palate with good structure and a long finish. Partner this wine with goats cheese or Feta; herby dishes, or with fish. £84, 6 x 75cl. www.ovens farmvine yard.com, or 07919 320290.

When life hands you lemons.. add salt & tequila! Though tequila has a reputation for being a little uncivilised when taken in quantities, in small measures it’s pleasant enough. One serving suggestion is its deployment in a traditional margarita. This is a tequila that’s full-bodied with orange and grapefruit notes, ideal for a summer afternoon in the garden. Rested for added complexity, the orange and grapefruit notes are balanced by the sweet cooked agave and woodiness, making this a full-bodied tequila. £27.50 / 70cl / 38% ABV.

n Our featured wines are available from

the best local independent wine merchants, supermarkets and online, prices are RRP and may vary from those stated. 61

HOMES & INTERIORS

LOVE at FIRST SIGHT When Frances Carradice and partner Clive set eyes on their country property near Stamford, it really was love at first sight. Though it took a while, Frances knew that, eventually, ‘her house’ would eventually become just that! Words: Rob Davis.

When you know, you know. Call it a gut feeling, call it ambition. Call it the power of manifestation, if you happen to be of a spiritual persuasion. Either way, Frances Carradice knew that one day, The Laurels would be the place she’d call home. “I used to work in Peterborough and if the A1 was too busy, I’d take a short cut through the village of Thurlby,” she says. “I used to refer to the house as ‘my house,’ never really believing that I’d own it, but I just felt a sort of connection to it. I watched it being built in 2006 and missed out on one occasion to purchase it - we weren’t in a position to move then - but the next time it came onto the market, I wasn’t going to miss out again.” Top: Frances and Clive installed a brand new kitchen with Wolf & Sub-Zero appliances three years ago.

Frances and Clive eventually saw the property come onto the market again in 2014, and on this occasion they were looking to move. Viewing the property the following day, they realised that the property was even more impressive on the inside than when Frances was driving past exchanging admiring glances.

“Living space extends to over 8,000sq ft, with five reception rooms and seven bedrooms, in the house...”

But there was a problem. Whilst Frances and Clive had sold their property, the previous owner’s own sale had fallen through. No matter; the couple would move into a temporary cottage and wait out the delay. As soon as they’d done so though, the previous owner managed to find a property and consequently Frances and Clive ended up moving not once but twice in the space of four weeks... not an experience you’d wish on anyone. But no matter; Frances’ house was finally hers, and upon moving in, it was every bit as delightful as she expected.

Created by a local property developer, not to sell but rather as his ‘forever home’ in 2006, the house looks a decent size on the outside but it’s not until you study the floorplans that you realise it is, in fact, vast beyond expectations. Living space extends to over 8,000sq ft, with five reception rooms and around seven bedrooms, depending on how you configure the available space. There are en suites to five of the bedrooms, one of which is on the ground floor, ideal for those who want to look after older relatives.

There’s also a utility room, pantry, a study and four garages, not to mention the 60ft gallery room on the first floor which would make a very good cinema room or office space. “You can tell that the original developer wanted to live here, not just build a house for profit,” says Frances. “The quality of the place and the materials used are great, and though it’s a modern home, it still feels like a property with character thanks its stone construction and its slate roof.” “When we moved in the house was in really good order. We’ve redecorated throughout, which in itself took a while because the place is vast. But beyond that all we’ve really needed to do was to impart or own style and to replace the kitchen which we felt would benefit from being updated.” >> 65

>> “We’ve opted for an open plan layout which means you can still spend time with friends and family even if you’re in the kitchen and they’re in the family room or the breakfast room.” The couple opted for Wolf and Sub-Zero cooking and cooling appliances which, as those who know the brand will appreciate, was a huge investment but one which will reap dividends in terms of their longevity, whilst a Neff dishwasher, boiling water tap, eye-level wine chiller and plenty of storage all mean a wealth of practical facilities for even the keenest of cooks. The breakfast room is located in a sort of circular turret, which affords almost 360° views of the surrounding countryside when enjoying morning coffee. Right: The three acres of gardens includes a vegetable garden, beautiful colourful borders and a pavilion.

Directly above, on the first floor the quirky round space is located in the master bedroom suite, and creates a space to admire the wealth of wildlife and the property’s gardens. The property’s vast gardens? Impressive gardens? Beautifully manicured gardens? Somehow anything else seems too plain a description. Redesigned by Frances and Clive there’s a stunning pavilion, a walled kitchen garden, orchard, paddock, wildlife pond and beautiful borders all heaving with the most impressive flower and plants of every colour. It’s... spectacular! And so with a move elsewhere beckoning, Frances and Clive have put their home on the market. Seeking new owners the couple say they’re keen that the house’s next custodians will love the place as much as they have... who knows, perhaps there’s someone out there who already regards The Laurels as their house! n

THE LAURELS, THURLBY, BOURNE Location: North east of Stamford, two miles from Bourne. Style: Modern family home built in 2006 and set in three acres. Bedrooms: Seven, five with en suites depending on configuration. Receptions: Five, currently arranged as family room, drawing room, dining room, breakfast room and play room. Other Features: Underfloor heating, utility, pantry, gym,/cinema, games room Guide Price: £1,800,000 Find Out More: Fine & Country, Seaton, Rutland LE15 9HT. Call 01780 750 200 or see www.fineandcountry.com. n

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HOME FURNISHINGS

GOING GREY

GRACEFULLY Cool, calm and collected, this month we’re championing the softer side of silver and grey as a neutral palette for your home... This Spread: Stocked by most local independent furniture retailers, Parker Knoll’s Wycombe is a Chesterfield-style sofa updated to reflect the art deco era, with scroll arms and deep upholstery.

Each of our featured fabrics are stocked by the areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading independent interior designers...

Top: W Morris Strawberry Thief wallpaper in silver and stone colourway. Above/Right: Jane Churchillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Stellar, Moonbeam, Monty and Enigma ranges. Right: Hoyland sofa from Duresta in velvet fabric.

Natura fabrics by Clarke & Clarke, 34 colours including silver, blush and charcoal.

Selection of fabrics by Jane Churchill - Zelda, Monty, Fresno and Linear.

Above: Jane Churchillâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Atmosphere fabric in grey. Right: W Morris Bachelor fabric, shown here in curtains and cloth. Above/Right: Colefax & Fowler Byram linen in silver and ivory. Havana and Nevada fabrics by Clarke & Clarke.

Local Suppliers... Delcor Interiors, Stamford 01780 762579 www.delcor.co.uk. Furleys, Rutland 01572 755539 www.furleys.co.uk. H-Works, Stamford 01780 754605 www.hworksdesign.co.uk. Hunters Interiors, Uffington, Stamford PE9 4TD, 01780 757946 huntersinteriorsofstamford.co.uk. Lumison Lighting, Oakham, 01572 724600 www.lumisonlighting.co.uk. Sarah Harding Interiors, Uppingham, 01572 823389 www.sarahhardinginteriors.co.uk. n

GARDENING

400 YEARS of HISTORY 400 years old, 3,800 acres and beautifully restored... Elton Hall is one of the most long-standing and most beautifully preserved country estates in the area, so a post-lockdown visit to the garden is highly recommended once weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re allowed to the odd trip out again... Words: Rob Davis.

UNUSUAL TIMES in which we live. This summer we’ve had plenty of opportunity to labour in our own gardens, but perhaps fewer chances to admire other people’s landscapes.

The History of Elton Hall Located two miles from Fotheringhay Castle and about 15 minutes east of Peterborough, Elton Hall is a 3,800 acre estate dating back to 1660.

As lockdown is gradually being eased, we hope there will be sufficient good weather to enjoy at least the odd trip out to see a beautiful garden, and one of our first destinations will be Elton Hall, ancestral home of the Proby family.

Such a quintessentially English country garden was always going to look absolutely beautiful, but sometimes, gardens illustrating a variety of styles from across the world look just as beautiful or perhaps even better. Elton Hall has been the ancestral home of the family - the Earls of Carysfort - since 1660, and the hall nestles in a 3,800 acre estate. We spoke to Lady Proby about the estate and the gardens that she adores. “We were married in 1974 and lived and worked in London,” says Lady Proby. “During the Winter of Discontent, my grandfather-in-law died in January at the age of 93.” “My parents-in-law felt that they were too infirm to move into a house which needed a great deal of work and there was the added problem of very high taxation. It was eventually decided that we would move in during the summer of 1980.” “We moved here just after the birth of our first child and immediately had to open the house to the public as we had applied for exemptions on important works of art.” “My memories of that first summer is a hive of activity. Feeding the baby; taking visitors around whilst my mother organised the teas; trying to come to terms with managing a very large garden.” 82

“I can’t in truth say that I have always had a passion for gardening. I have always enjoyed looking at gardens and one of my abiding memories of childhood is my mother, in her gardening shorts, dividing the irises after they had flowered.” “I never met my grandmother-in-law, who had died in 1967. She had been very fond of the garden, but since her death, it had not been looked after in the same way. Many borders had been lost, the pergola taken down and hedges removed.” “In addition, nearly 150 large mature elm trees in the park and gardens had died during the 1970s as a result of Dutch Elm disease.” “When we arrived in 1980, these trees had to be dealt with and the rose garden - laid out in 1913 - was in a terrible state, with thistles and weeds three inches high. It was to be a steep learning curve.” “Apart from the structure, which is good all year round, we now have a longer flowering season. We initially replaced the Edwardian rose garden in the 1980s with a new one

>> designed by Peter Beales. This looked wonderful for 20 years but we realised that the soil needed a rest.” “We removed all the planting, changed 500 tonnes of soil and planted a flower garden with the specific aim of prolonging the season with many autumn herbaceous plants such as, asters, echinaceas and salvias.” “The first book I read on gardening was Garden Design by David Hicks. This helped me to create a smaller structure on what is a very flat piece of land. The last grand design of 1913 would be unrealistic in today’s world. It required 13 gardeners to maintain it.” “We leased the Walled Garden to Blooms of Bressingham and put several acres back into the parkland. I was then left with an inner core which needed to be strengthened and this book inspired me to plant the hedges,

“The Orangery Garden and Orangery were created to celebrate the Millennium. The building was designed to reflect the Gothic façade of the South Front...” create more topiary and experiment with layered avenues, such as hornbeam hedging lined with box pyramids.” “The lily pond was part of the original design by Hallam Murray. It used to be planted with bedding out such as ageratums and salvias. It has now been surrounded by a low wall and generously planted with many herbaceous perennials and small shrubs. Half of them are recent additions

and they help to balance the setting of the house between the parterre, lawns and paths. “The Orangery Garden and Orangery were created to celebrate the Millennium. The building was designed to reflect the Gothic façade of the South Front. The small gardens are surrounded by tall yew hedges planted adjacent to Mediterranean species and oranges and lemons in terracotta pots. Nearby is the Shell Arbour, built to celebrate the Jubilee and decorated by Charlotte Kerr Wilson.” Once lockdown is eased, Elton Hall will open on Wednesdays and on Thursdays in summer plus Sunday afternoons in August and bank holidays. n Private tours are by arrangement up until September. Details can be found on their website www.eltonhall.com or by calling 01832 280468.

APPLES IN STAMFORD

LOCAL TO THE

CORE Our native apple crop is enjoying a bumper year, and the body that represents it - British Apples & Pears - reports that the British apple industry has increased its market share by 50% in the past decade. Closer to home, apples are celebrated by a group dedicated to preserving our heritage varieties: Stamfordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Community Orchard Group... Words: Rob Davis.

STAMFORD APPLES

When it comes to varieties of apples, Stamford is renowned as an epicentre of epicureanism, with over 40 local varieties historically cultivated around the town. Many of those varieties have been lost over time, but Stamford Community Orchard Group is seeking to resurrect and preserve as many varieties as possible, even using techniques like DNA testing... Perhaps you have an apple tree in your garden. If so, do you know the variety of fruit it yields? It’s worth checking because among Stamford’s many other quirky facets - from its cameos in film and on TV, its role as the home of the Burghley Horse Trials, and its reputation as one of the best places to live in the UK - it’s also renowned as the home of a great many heritage apple varieties. Autumn sees Apple Day celebrated by the Stamford Community Orchard Group SCOG for short - and having enjoyed a bumper crop in their orchard in recent years, they’re also hoping for bumper support as they invite the public along to discover more about the area’s apple growing heritage. Modern practices in the livestock sector of agriculture favour commercial breeds which yield the most meat or milk, and grow the quickest. Likewise, our supermarkets stock few of the 2,300 different varieties of apple on display at Kent’s National Fruit Collection Kent, and the 7,500 cultivars of apples overall. The UK orchard fruit market is worth £681m, with 19,000 hectares dedicated to growing apples and pears. We produce just 575 tonnes of apples, then import 1,500 88

tonnes from the EU and 2,200 tonnes from outside the EU. Braeburn, Gala and Golden Delicious are the three most common varieties grown and sold in volume for the UK market, both at home and abroad. So, shockingly, only 14% of the apples we consume in this country are grown here, and what’s worse, sales of varieties traditionally associated with English orchards - Granny Smith and Cox - are down between 30% 35%, as supermarkets favour volume and uniformity over heritage. Take a Cox apple tree, in good health. Of the apples it produces, only 65% or so of the fruit harvested will be deemed ‘class one,’ the best looking, and the ones that the supermarket will sell to the consumer. For a modern variety such as Gala, that figure rises to as high as 90%. For that reason, the humble Cox has fallen out of favour, but worse still, many varieties have become all but ‘extinct.’ Fortunately, heritage apple varieties still have a few champions left fighting their corner, especially in Stamford, where a group of volunteers formed the Stamford Community Orchard Group around 16 years ago.

“Commercial varieties of apples have muscled out some local ones, and whilst many towns had their own ‘local’ apples, Stamford was quite prolific. We believe the town has over 40 local apple varieties, of which about seven remain,” say Annie Hall and Mark Davies, chair and treasurer for SCOG. “The town’s heyday for apple production was around the 1850s. Many acres around the town were dedicated to fruit growing an activity which was popular at the time anyway.” “The town has good soil, albeit with pockets of heavier clay soil which doesn’t drain quite as well, and it had a good railway connection for moving fruit around the country.” Gradually these orchards were built on, with apple trees replaced by new houses. But their legacy remains, in the form of local varieties from Stamford and Rutland Ketton was a particularly well-regarded apple growing area. SCOG is a non-profit group, comprising about 40 ‘friends’ with a committee of 12 plus various other supporters. Its mission statement is to rediscover Stamford’s lost apple varieties, and to ensure these are preserved for future generations by planting them in local orchards. From this overriding goal came the creation of a community orchard on Stamford’s Christ Church Close in the town. The orchard covers around a quarter of an acre and comprises around 48 trees and already contains no fewer than 40 varieties of apple - many local to the area. The ‘community’ in the group’s name refers to the fact that anyone is invited into enjoy the trees and to try the odd apple. A noticeboard outside the orchard provides a guide to the different varieties on display, and where they can be found in the orchard. >>

Above/Left: Lord Burghley is one of 40 apple varieties local to Stamford. Many varieties have been lost over the years because of national supply chains and the loss of kitchen gardens and orchards to more urban gardens.

STAMFORD APPLES

Top/Above: The orchard covers around a quarter of an acre and comprises around 48 trees and already contains no fewer than 40 varieties of apple - many local to the area. The group is hoping that its October Apple can go ahead, which will help gardeners identify their own varieties.

One of the nicest aspects of Stamford and Rutland is the number of older properties in the area, and often country properties with larger gardens feature establish fruit trees. So if you’ve an apple tree in your garden but you’re unsure of the variety of fruit it yields, a trip to the orchard may solve the mystery. If not, group’s Denis Smith has an absolutely encyclopaedic knowledge of apple varieties and is SCOG’s resident apple guru. If you’re still struggling to identify your heritage apple, the group can even help with DNA testing, working with the Brogdale Research Centre in Kent, established, like SCOG, to curate England’s heritage fruit varieties and ensure they don’t become extinct. SCOG also has two further sites for growing apples; a nursery on Queens’ Walk and an allotment on Uffington Road, from which the group also offers trees for sale. One of Denis’s skills is grafting heritage varieties from scions - a piece of last year’s growth with three or four mature buds -

“SCOG holds workshops and ‘how to’ sessions detailing how to grow apple trees, conduct grafting, and covering subjects like how to prune and manage orchard trees...” onto existing rootstocks. The group regularly participates in so-called ‘Scion Swaps’ with other groups in the East Midlands. In addition, SCOG also holds workshops and ‘how to’ sessions detailing how to grow apple trees, conduct grafting, and covering subjects like how to prune and manage orchard trees. They’re not the only events in the group’s calender, either. Autumn usually sees SCOG celebrating Apple Day, another exercise in identification and in offering its varieties for sale, as well as a celebration of the fruit itself.

This is usually held in October at Stamford Arts Centre and attracts around 1,200 visitors. The group displays over 200 varieties of apple and will draft in its own apple gurus, as well as visiting experts to identify apple varieties from your garden from just an apple, a branch & a couple of leaves. Heritage variety apple trees are also offered for sale on the day, and there are various stalls covering gardening, conservation and permaculture - beekeeping for example - to enjoy. Perhaps best of all, though, local catering students will be creating fruit pies for the public to enjoy too. Other demonstrations at the vent include apple pressing and cider making. Whether the event will take place this year remains to be seen, but advice frm the group is always available via email. The group has its own apple press purchased with lottery money that members of the public can hire, along with what’s known as a scratter. >> 91

STAMFORD APPLES

“Preserving Stamford’s apple varieties means preserving a piece of the town’s heritage, too, not to mention promoting the slow food movement and enjoying home grown food...” >> This is a device that reduces apples down to about a quarter of an inch ready for pressing. A further SCOG event will take place in January, too, as the group celebrates Wassail, an Anglo Saxon tradition where groups would gather in orchards to sing songs to the trees in order to promote a good harvest for the coming year. The term ‘wæs þu hæl’ translates as be thou hale, or be in good health. Stamford’s modern interpretation involves banging wooden spoons on saucepan lids, drinking cider and eating apple flapjack - just about the level of organised religion I can cope with - whilst Stamford-based choir Wovan Chords will attend too, to sing folk songs. An ancient tradition it may be, but it’s also a lighthearted way to celebrate the group’s dedication to keeping heritage varieties of apples in the town and no matter how quirky it seems, it clearly works as the group is celebrating a bumper harvest in 2016. It’s little wonder, since conditions this year have been ideal for fruit tree production; we’ve had a warm spring with plenty of summer rain. It takes a fruit tree around five years to yield good fruit, so varieties planted by SCOG a few years ago are just beginning to proliferate an abundant harvest. Fruit trees can pretty much be planted all year round, but in the winter, they make roots, whilst in the summer, they produce leaves and fruit, so purchasing heritage trees from the group’s nursery means you can plant them in your garden or create an orchard of your own during a mild autumn. If you are trying to establish a fruit tree or two (or more), it’s difficult to overwater

them. A bucket of water a day is about right, and watering should continue as the fruit begins to swell. Sunny, sheltered spaces work best, and soil with good draining properties is preferable - some of SCOG’s orchard soil is clay based, and therefore quite heavy. Trees should be pruned each year - an entire subject in itself, and once you see a few windfall apples, you can harvest your crop to keep in a cool dark place - cellars are ideal, though good ventilation is important. The best orchards are those which are not just designed for fruit growing, but which yield other soft fruit, and have the odd beehive and areas to sit and enjoy the presence of nature. SCOG’s orchard itself is looking especially lovely, with other fruit bushes planted along the edges of the site, and areas of grass kept deliberately long to promote biodiversity, with wild flowers proliferating and windfall apples which are left for local wildlife to enjoy. There are so many reasons to enjoy SCOG’s activities - whether you’re a gardener, an historian, a keen cook or a nature lover. Preserving Stamford’s apple varieties means preserving a piece of the town’s heritage, too, not to mention promoting the slow food movement and enjoying home grown food. A community orchard which the whole town can enjoy is a great resource, so we’re happy to recommend going along to the group’s Apple Day this month. After all, when it comes to apples, and when it comes to the crunch, it’s good to preserve Stamford’s past. n

The Stamford Community Orchard Group, will resume meetings after lockdown on the third Wednesday of the month from 7.30pm at The Crown Hotel, call 01780 484180 or see www.scog.org.uk. 92

STAMFORD’S

LOCAL APPLE VARIETIES 1. Lord Burghley Brisk, aromatic quality; plenty of sugar, juicy, firm flesh. 2. Barnack Beauty Strong, brisk taste, slight richness and aromatic quality; dense flesh. 3. Allington Pippin Mellows to an intense fruity drop of pineapple taste, although still fairly sharp by Christmas. 4. Peasgood Nonsuch Brisk, juicy. Cooks to sweet, delicately flavoured puree. 5. Brown’s Seedling Quite sweet, rich, good flavour in December. Cooks to sweet bright lemon puree. Tasting Notes courtesy of Mark Davies, SCOG.

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TRAVEL

GREAT ESCAPES

Don’t go... stay! That’s the message of the UK tourism industry as it remains keen to recover as quickly and fully as possible from lockdown and a lost season of trade. We agree... we’ll happily forgo airports, departure lounges and jetlag in favour of a luxury break to nearby Norfolk... after all, if it’s good enough for royalty, it’s good enough for us! Here’s where to stay and what to do! Words: Rob Davis.

LET’S TALK ABOUT TOURISM. We all like to get away, and in the past decade or two we’ve enjoyed an unprecedented availability of air travel with cheap carriers driving down the cost of flights. That’s led to more people than ever going abroad. And that’s bad for UK tourism. It’s bad for the environment - all that air traffic - and it’s lead to a false notion that to get away from it all we have to endure departure lounges, long haul travel and jetlag. Better to arrive than travel...

Nope. The UK has much to offer tourists, not least in locations like the Cotswolds and the Lakes, but closer to home. Norfolk - and specifically the North Norfolk Coast - has much to offer visitors. That’s why, back in 2014, Emma Mason created Barefoot Retreats. The co-founder, owner and director created the business in the discretely affluent area of North Norfolk, curating a portfolio of over 100 self-catering retreats for short breaks or holidays, for anywhere between two and 24 guests.

For Couples or Families...

Some of the properties in the company’s portfolio are boltholes for a romantic getaway. Some properties are large enough to accommodate entire families and large groups for special occasions. Alongside quirky, luxurious or just plain quaint properties, Zoe and the team offer a concierge service for guests, enabling them to provide not just a nice looking place to stay, but recommendations for places to dine, provision of private dinner parties, picnics or beach barbecues, spa days and beauty treatments, babysitters, dog walkers, even pleasure flights in helicopters or hot air balloons. The Joy of North Norfolk

After just an hour or so travelling, you’ll be transported to a county of expansive coastlines, wild and wonderful scenery, quiet country pubs offering proper food, history, and really good shopping. Guests enjoy a welcome hamper, logs and kindling for a

Above: Blickling Hall is North Norfolk’s National Trust-owned Jacobean mansion, just one of the attractions to enjoy in the area whilst you’re enjoying luxury accommodation courtesy of Barefoot Retreats. From romantic boltholes to family-sized properties, you’ll find self-catering accommodation that will prove it’s better to arrive than travel.

property’s open fire. Dogs are welcome in many properties and Zoe’s team are always happy to volunteer ideas for places to eat, places to walk or local places to visit. A Time to Dine...

Luxurious dining to complement your luxurious accommodation is obligatory. We’ll recommend Socius and No29 - both in Burnham Market - for modern British plates with lots of local ingredients used. There’s also Eric’s Fish ‘n’ Chip restaurant in Thornham which takes the traditional dish to a whole new level and is - without exaggeration or hyperbole - exceptional! Your Travel Itinerary...

Heacham’s Norfolk Lavender is worldfamous and the season lasts into early August, so if you’re quick, you may catch sight (and scent) of 100 acres in cultivation and find out more about the site, founded in 1932. North Norfolk is, of course, good enough for the Royals, too. The area’s Sandringham Estate is a retreat not just for Her Majesty, but for those seeking to enjoy the estate’s 60-acres of garden, flower show, usually held in July and outdoor theatre. Other stately homes include the National Trust’s Blickling Estate with its Jacobean mansion and 4,600 acres of parkland, and the Palladian Holkham Hall with its fine collection of art. Those who enjoy shopping will love the independent retailers of Holt and Burnham Market who shops and galleries are troves of art, antiques, books with fashions, too, and plenty of local produce available from independents shops for your self-catering delectation. And finally, there’s coastal birdwatching at Titchwell Marsh, beaches on which to snooze as well as the North Norfolk Railway for those who yearn for the nostalgia of steam. All this we promise, and more, plus the very finest accommodation courtesy of Barefoot Retreats, such as those we’re featuring here... Above: From the top, the North Norfolk Railway provides a halcyon journey back to the days of steam. Norfolk’s lavender fields will just about still be in bloom as Pride goes to press. The scenery around Cley Mill is typically pretty, great for photographers and artists! Sandringham estate, home of HM The Queen!

Captain’s Cottage, Wells-Next-The-Sea... Two beds; sleeps four, dogs welcome FOR A SMALL FAMILY, or for two couples, The Captain’s Cottage in Wells provides a bedroom with a superking bed and a second bedroom that can be configured as a twin or double with a second superking bed. If you’re travelling with friends there are plenty of independent shops, boutiques, pubs and restaurants to enjoy. If you’re with children, you can enjoy Wells’ clean safe beach, the little train that trickles into the town centre and crabbing from the quayside. The house has buckets ‘n’ spades, kites & fishing nets for children to enjoy too.

From £590*

The Captain’s Cottage is a modern, stylish couples and family retreat set on the outskirts of Wells-next-the-Sea. Thoughtfully designed and beautifully furnished, this luxury bolthole is the ideal base from which to explore this vibrant town. The house also welcomes dogs so you can take along your four-legged friend, and there are lots of great walks to enjoy. An enclosed garden with barbecue and a wood burner for the cooler nights both mean what you’ll always be safe and snug at any time of year. >>

Above: The open plan living area consists of a cosy lounge, sophisticated dining area and a contemporary kitchen.

* Captain’s Cottage price is quoted for seven night break from late July to August, prices vary according to season, call 01485 512245.

Cobblestones, Burnham Market... 4 beds; sleeps 8

From ÂŁ1,400*

FAMILY OCCASION PENDING? Get together in Burnham Market and enjoy the contemporary sophistication of Cobblestones. With stunning bedrooms and bathrooms, plentiful off-road parking, and enclosed garden, you can arrive and settle in for a relaxing break.

The beaches of Brancaster and Holkham are a 10 minute trip in the car, as are many other fantastic options for dining out. Cobblestones is a fantastic blend of contemporary styling, facilities and space, in a quiet location that is only a two-minute walk from the exceptional range of independent shops and restaurants for which Burnham Market is renowned. The design of the living area has created an open, airy feel that encourages you to take in the greenery of the garden and the village beyond, with bi-fold doors allowing you to open up the house on sunny, warm days. >>

* Cobblestones price is quoted for short break from late July to August, prices vary according to season, call 01485 512245.

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Redshanks, Burnham... 6 bedrooms; sleeps 12, heated pool, dogs welcome, From ÂŁ3,245*

FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS, a family of 12 can get together to enjoy Redshanks with its six bedrooms and luxury accommodation with a heated outdoor swimming pool. Blessed with stunning views of the North Norfolk coastline and its local countryside, Redshanks has been lovingly renovated to offer a refuge for relaxation with stylish design elements and tasteful furnishing. Its rural location provides great views of the surrounding farmland to the East and the sand dunes and Scolt Head Island to the North. Redshanks is a large coastal retreat designed with family get-togethers in mind and is wonderfully placed for exploring all that the Norfolk coastline has to offer. Redshanks has two living rooms both with wood-burning stoves, a stylish kitchen with Aga, coffee machine and separate wine cooler, plus north and south-facing gardens with heaving fruit trees and herbs. The adjacent beach features spectacular wildlife including seals, waders, skylarks and the odd passing hobby. Historic Holkham with its famous unspoilt beach, Burnham Market and its boutique shopping and Wells-next-the-Sea with its beach huts are all only a short drive away too. Sailing and golf are available a short drive away, too. >>

* Redshanks price is quoted for a three or four night short break from late July to August, prices vary according to season, call 01485 512245.

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West Barn 35A From £495* Sleeps two, dogs welcome,

located in North Creake

THERE’S NOWHERE MORE ROMANTIC for a couple’s getaway than West Barn in North Creake. West Barn offers everything that you could possibly need to relax and unwind. The cottage is very well-equipped throughout with modern integrated kitchen that flows into the open plan dining and lounge spaces. Furthermore, by opening the bi-fold doors you can open up the rear of the house to allow the outside in, a fantastic feature in the summer. You’re sure to be wowed, too, by the high levels of attention to detail and the unique nature of the interior design. Equally comfortable during the summer when enjoying the enclosed garden and the open plan lounge, or in the middle of the winter when a glass of wine by the wood burner is calling. The cottage boasts some unique pieces of furniture and really showcases the attention to detail of the owner and their talent for interior design. Many items have been sourced from the personal collection of the owner, adding to the unique nature of the property. A second property, West Barn 35B is located next door and also sleeps two, so two couples can book both properties and each enjoy their own accommodation. >>

* West Barn price is quoted for a three or four night short break from late July to August, prices vary according to season, call 01485 512245.

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The Bell Tower, Thornham... Three bedrooms; sleeps seven, dogs welcome IF THE PROSPECT OF A SHORT BREAK tolls for thee, The Bell Tower could fit the bill perfectly. Deceptively spacious, sleeping seven, it’s a stunning self-catering holiday home bursting with history, character and authenticity. It has recently been lovingly refurbished to an exceptional standard that perfectly blends the original features and charm of the property with contemporary living. You are well-positioned within the village where you have everything on your doorstep from fabulous restaurants and eateries to a

From £725*

beautiful beach just a short walk away. The property also boasts off-road parking and is dog-friendly too! The Bell Tower is the west wing of what was Thornham County Primary School built in 1858 by William Hogge Esquire, a wealthy banker with connections to Kings Lynn but was brought up at the family home of The Manor, Church Lane in Thornham. The Bell Tower has been thoughtfully designed and beautifully furnished throughout with original features like the bell rope, and there’s an enclosed garden too. n

* Bell Tower price is quoted for a seven night break from late July to August, prices vary according to season, call 01485 512245.

Barefoot Retreats provides Luxury holiday cottages and unique holiday homes to rent in North Norfolk. Call 01485 512245 or see www.barefootretreats.co.uk. 103

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WEDDINGS

Cocktails for Two From a cocktail bar in the Balearics to the rather less balmy climate of Rutland for their wedding, this month share the story of Naomi Alliston & Tom Hogg... Photographer: Barnaby Staniland, 07919 927105, bgsphotography.co.uk. How did you and Tom meet?

We properly met in London when meeting our mutual friend for drinks, Tom and I actually discovered we had been at the same birthday parties and celebrations over the years previously but had just never spoken! After our drink in London, we then did not see each other until we bumped into one another six months later; that’s when we started dating. It just feels like we were meant to meet, it will be six years together in October 2020.

WEDDING SUPPLIERS NAOMI ALLISTON & TOM HOGG

Tell us the story of how you got engaged?

We went to Polensa, Mallorca in August 2018 on holiday with Tom’s family, who go each year to their apartment they have there. When we are away, it’s tradition that Tom and I go out for cocktails on our own before the family evening meal. We were walking together past all the boats on our way for the evening, when I’d started to complain that my feet hurt as I was wearing some perilously high wedges. Tom had planned to take me somewhere wonderful but after my comment about my feet I think Tom thought, ‘I’ll have to do it here then!’ As I walked, still on talking to him, I realised he wasn’t walking next to me. I turned around and there he was on bended knee! What is the ring like?

I absolutely love it! Tom had asked my mum to help design the ring with him. Before our engagement, my mum and dad had both celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary. Dad bought mum a lovely new ring and I remembered telling mum how much I loved the design.

Tom picked the diamonds from a diamond specialist in Hatton Garden and then had the engagement ring made. We had our wedding bands made by a Jeweller in Uppingham, as the band needed to fit around my engagement ring. How did you decide where to get married?

We wanted to get married in Rutland where my parents live and loved the idea of holding it in a marquee. Tom’s mother suggested The Chapel at Oakham School, where I went to school. When we walked in, I just had the best feeling and it was so nostalgic. Father Tim is very fun and caring, we couldn’t think of anyone better to marry us. What about the reception?

My mum plays bridge and her friend Edwina had said she knew the perfect venue for a marquee.

Wedding Photographer: Barnaby Staniland, 07919 927105, bgsphotography.co.uk. Diamond Supplier/Ring Designer: Kate McLachlan, Gemstone Trader. Wedding Bands: Top Set, Uppingham, www.topsetjewellery.com. Wedding Accessories: Anna Couture, 01780 762614, houseofannacouture.co.uk Videographer: Ben Radley, 07906 440358 benradleyweddingfilms.co.uk. Woodfired Pizza Co: 07888 737952, woodfiredpizzacompany.co.uk. Wedding Marquee: Rutland Marquees, 07971867069, rutlandmarquees.co.uk. n

It was Gunthorpe Hall, so we went to have a look. We had planned to put the marquee in front of the house, but it was so windy the owner instead said he had a grain store round the back and we could build a marquee in the grain store with the second marquee coming out of it. We had fire pits outside and lanterns lighting up the driveway... it was beautiful. Talk us through the planning…

We had a wedding planner, Richard Ferrand, who organises other events and shows, and is also part of organising the Rutland Show. I had always wanted a classic and elegant wedding; we had struggled to find some winter wedding marquees for inspiration. We did go to the Rutland Wedding Fair at The Falcon Hotel, that’s where we found 107

WEDDINGS

“My favourite part of the day has to be the speeches. My dad went first, followed by my brother and then Tom. They were funny and so heartwarming!” our photographer. We also decided to have a wedding team, it really helped, and everyone had roles knowing that they were contributing. Tom’s mum arranged the flowers, my mum made the cake with her friend and arranged transport for our guests, Tom and his dad arranged the wine. Tell us about the dress?

Mum and I went to London and I had two or three days trying on dresses before we found the one we liked. It was from Gillian Million, it’s a Savine dress. When the dress arrived though, mum said it wasn’t right, so we went to Anna Couture in Stamford. Anna was wonderful, she re-made the entire dress so it was perfectly suited to me. Favourite part of the day?

My favourite part of the day has to be the speeches. My dad went first, followed by my brother and then Tom.

What about your Honeymoon?

We had planned to go to The Seychelles, but it was cancelled due to coronavirus, so we’re waiting to see when we can get that rebooked. What would you say to other brides-to-be?

I would definitely say when it comes to choosing your wedding dress you need to try on at least 15 before you can decide! I really found having family helping worked well, so make sure you have a good wedding team that you can distribute jobs too. Just enjoy the day! n 108

Photographer: Barnaby Staniland, 07919 927105, bgsphotography.co.uk.

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WALK

ON THE WILD SIDE This month weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve bold prints, patterns inspired by nature geometics designs all from the summer collections of designer Joseph RibkoďŹ&#x20AC;... This Page: Animal printed dress with belt detailing.

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Sleeveless floral print dress. Polka dot detailed top and bright coral cropped trousers.

Stunning polka dot and floral blouse teamed with polka dot pants to create this stunning look.

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A striking combination of floral palazzo pants and black mesh detailed top.

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Rose and black pleated striped dress. Black and white graphic print jumpsuit.

- FASHION -

Beautiful dress with organza detailing teamed with a bolero for cooler evenings.

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Delicate floral top paired with plain palazzo trousers.

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- FASHION -

Opposite page, Nautical chain and striped printed blouses paired with plain trousers to complete the look. This page, Bold floral jumpsuit with zip detailing. Chain print dress with sheer navy overlay. Calf length striped dress with built in belt. Floral design dress and Midnight blue jumpsuit.

For local stockist see the Joseph Ribkoff website www.josephribkoff.com.

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SUMMER BEAUTY

Poppies Appeal WHILST POPPIES ARE MORE COMMONLY ASSOCIATED WITH NOVEMBER, WHEN THEY PAY TRIBUTE TO FALLEN HEROES, THEY’RE ALSO SEEN IN SUMMER, BRIGHTENING UP OUR HEDGEROWS... AND THANKS TO THESE POPPY RED COSMETICS, OUR APPEARANCE, TOO!

1. An Uplifting, Sensual and Addictive Perfume Giorgio Armani presents Sì Passione, a perfume that radiates confidence, seduction and strength. It has the red lip effect in a bottle and mirrors the same emotions that a swipe of red lipstick can instantly give you. At first the sweet, syrupy scent of blackcurrant is energised with the fresh notes of Pear and the surprising spicy, invigorating, kick of Pink Pepper. Enhanced with the floral spicy scent of red rose makes this an addictive and feminine scent, £55 - £100.

2. Defence Barrier Kiehl’s Vital Skin-Strengthening Super Serum boasts a fast-absorbing, lightweight formula for boosting the skin’s natural defence barrier against daily stressors. It promotes a more youthful, radiant looking complexion at the same time as reducing any visible signs of ageing such as fine lines and uneven textures. It will leave you feeling and looking refreshed, £42.

3. Kissable Lips

Rouge Coco Flash by Chanel. In a stroke, it applies easily over the lips and transforms into a shiny oil for a sensation of absolute comfort all day long. Its high concentration of pigments gives it vibrant, shiny and dazzling colours (shade 66 Pulses shown), £31.

5. Perfect Skin Overnight Rodial’s Dragon’s Blood Night Cream is an overnight skin perfecting moisturiser which targets all visible signs of ageing. As you sleep the retinol penetrates deep in to the skin to help plump fine lines, minimising their appearance whilst hyaluronic acid reduces the look of wrinkles by morning, leaving you looking brighter and more even-toned, £77.

6. Spoil Yourself with 24 Sensational Lip Shades... Huda Beauty understands the impact a bold lip colour can have, so its Power Bullet Lip Vault includes a staggering 24 shades, allowing you to reinvent yourself on a daily basis. With brilliant pigmentation and a matte finish that stays put, each shade is comfortable, long wearing and ready to own any room, £400.

4. Vanish By Magic “My secret formula can cheat the appearance of a full night’s rest!” says Charlotte Tilbury. This Magic Vanish colour corrector neutralises and smooths to cheat and conceal pigmentation and brighten the appearance of your under-eye area, for a flawless-looking complexion! £24

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. 123

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Cancellation of This Year’s

Burghley Horse Trials A YEAR WITHOUT BURGHLEY. It’s almost unthinkable, especially for the hard-working team behind the world-class five-star FEI affiliated event. Nonetheless, the team made the difficult decision in May that the 2020 event would be cancelled due to coronavirus and the public danger that large-scale public events presents. “It is the first time since the event’s inception in 1961 that we have had to cancel,” says Liz Inman, Event Director. “We must however act responsibly, and our absolute priority is the health and safety of our community, including everyone directly involved with the event, our visitors, sponsors, competitors, owners, helpers, trade exhibitors and contractors. Particular thanks to our insurers and underwriters who have guided us through this period.” The 2021 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials will take place from Wednesday 1st September to Sunday 5th September. n Photos: A look back at previous years’ events - the best we can do in terms of celebrating the joys of Burghley in 2020.

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MOTORS

VITAL MORGAN Gloriously and deﬁantly diﬀerent, a Morgan has always been the way to defy practicality and break from convention, no wonder Rob Davis is such a fan of this thoroughly British retro rebel... Words: Rob Davis.

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, would you? Really? If you could wind back the hands of the clock and return to your youth? I admit the idea of having hair, losing the paunch, waving goodbye to the fine lines and regaining my youthful optimism does appeal... but alongside the loss of those less desirable characteristics, who would want to return to a time of naivety, to youthful transgressions, failures and insecurities? That’s the problem with nostalgia, isn’t it? It comes with a tint of rose that colours the past with a decidedly unreal hue. And of course, with age usually comes that feeling of being a little more comfortable in our own skin, indeed, a little more comfortable generally. I wouldn’t return to an age when smartphones were sci-fi, and when performing one’s ablutions took place in a tin bath by the fire, or when navigation meant maps, not sat navs. In our personal lives, and our homes, and our motors, I generally follow the rule of thumb that nostalgia can take a hike and modern convenience rules OK.

But if there’s one sight guaranteed to make me wonder if, back then, we had it sussed, it’s the joyous, bulbous, swooping, halcyon profile of a Morgan sports car. Based in Malvern and now 111 years old as a brand, Morgan is perhaps one of the longest-established motoring brands still in its present form today. From the appearance of its cars you’d think time has stood still and development of the brand’s cars has been aspic-like. But as is usually the case, here, appearances deceive and the devil is typically in the detail. There are three models available in the company’s portfolio; a oddball three wheeler, then the Plus Four and Plus Six, referring to each model’s respective number of cylinders. This model is the new Plus Four, and it’s newer than you might think, despite the continuity in the car’s appearance. Just 3% of the car’s mechanicals and components are carried over from the outgoing model. A part of the car’s chassis is still crafted from timber, but much of its underpinnings now comprise steel with a bonded aluminium platform.

Hand Built Heaven: Three retro models made manually...

Caterham Seven: With prices starting at £33,495, the 135bhp, five-speed Super Seven 1600 fits perfectly into Caterham’s existing heritage line of products as a permanent addition, alongside the Sprint and Super Sprint models launched in 2016 and 2017 respectively. Inspired by the craftsmanship of the original Super Seven and the early cars created under the historic Caterham badge, the new Super Seven features a raft of retro details and styling cues. These include the classic flared front wings, retro-inspired 14” alloy wheels, a spare wheel and carrier harking back to the touring Sevens of old, and a choice of Seven heritage paint finishes. n

Lotus Elise: The purest useable sports car on sale remains one of the great driving experiences available at any price. Offering 217 hp and 250 Nm of torque, the 1.8-litre supercharged, chargecooled four-cylinder has been tuned to deliver stunning real-world performance and class-leading efficiency. 0-60 mph is now despatched in 4.2 seconds. From £44,600, it’s available in a range of wild colours and though Lotus has opted for a more modern appearance - a sort of shrunken but new GT instead of retro look like models from Morgan or Caterham - the overall look is pleasing to say the least. n

The aim was to keep the appearance, shed a little weight, stiffen the chassis for a tauter driving experience and - mercifully - to make ingress and egress a little more dignified. There’s another interesting change from the outgoing model, too. Morgan has always used donor engines from other manufacturers including Ford, and latterly BMW.

Ariel Atom: Every so often something comes along which changes the way we think. Nobody knows it at the time but it will become an icon. The Ariel Atom is such a product. No doors, no roof, no compromise. It’s unique, it's original and nothing else comes close. Nothing at all. Form following function and design with a purpose. Race car engineering and quality components outclassing every car in its field. Honda 2.0 litre i-VTEC. 16 valves. 60mph is seen off in 2.8 seconds, top speed is 162mph, but you’ll quit way before that. n

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The Plus Four uses a 2.0 TwinPower four cylinder engine which generates 350nm of torque in the Morgan, and 400nm in BMW’s 320d SE saloon. However, the Morgan weighs 1,013kg; the BMW weighs about 500kg more, so drivers can gain more thrills from the same engine when it’s underneath the long swooping bonnet of a Morgan than in the more prosaically styled executive saloon.

“The Morgan is available with an automatic gearbox for the first time. Iconoclastic? Sacrilege? No. It’s a BMW gearbox, so you’ll soon regard it as a blessing, not an aberration...” And there’s something else. The Morgan is now also available with... shock, horror... a thoroughly modern eight-speed automatic gearbox. No clutch; just cruising. And because the BMW-sourced gearbox has been honed in cars like the 3-Series and 5-Series, its changes are so silky smooth you’ll quite soon regard the self-shifter as a blessing, not an aberration. Inside the cabin there’s the same leather available in 11 colours, a choice of soft grain leathers to cover the dashboard, 16 different

colours of carpet, a choice of stitching for the seats, and eight trims including a beautiful matte or gloss tawny veneer. Central locking and power steering are now standard, air con can be specified for the first time. But of course, if you wanted modernity and comfort, you’d look elsewhere. Especially given the choice the £63,000 asking price the Plus Four commands. It takes 9,300 minutes to produce a Morgan, and it’s time well-spent. Mere nostalgia? Perhaps, but with just a hint of civilisation. n

MORGAN PLUS FOUR Price: £62,995 (available to order now). Drivetrain: 2.0 V4 manual or automatic, 255bhp, 400Nm torque. Performance: 0-62 mph: 5.5 seconds. Top Speed: 149mph. Economy: 40mpg (estimated). Equipment: Leather, power steering, 15” wire wheels, digital instrument binnacle. Optional air con, heated seats, stereo. n 133

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MOTORS

SPACE & COMFORT The humble estate car has all but ceded its dominance to the almighty SUV. But, says Rob Davis, they’re worth another look... especially Volvo’s spacious and luxurious V90... Words: Rob Davis.

A FEW DECADES AGO, posh folk in the country and rurally situated antiques dealers would have availed themselves of a big boxy Volvo estate to shift grandfather clocks and labradors. Then along came the SUVshaped cars which have proved indomitable in the sales charts ever since. Estate cars, bless them, have been all but forgotten about, overlooked in favour of higher-riding 4x4s and soft-roaders. But the humble estate car is still worth a look, expecially Volvo’s excellent V90. For a start they’re lighter, offering better fuel economy and lower company car bills. Riding lower to the ground they’re also better dynamically, with less body roll. Volvo’s V90 was facelifted last month with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain which lowers CO2 and BIK, achieving 104mpg combined yet outpacing its siblings to reach 60mpg in less than six seconds. The real selling point of the V90, though, is its massive boot space and beautiful interior. A load-lugger par excellence, with a buttonfree, minimalist interior that’s beautifully finished, you should opt for the blonde, not black, leather and a lighter coloured wood for a spacious and airy cabin feel. Every V90 is loaded with equipment heated leather, adaptive cruise, parking camera and navigation are standard - but higher-spec versions are costly. Likewise, if your motoring is predominantly urban, you’ll benefit from the plug-in powertrain but if you sprint along motorways regularly, a diesel may suit your needs better. For that reason we’d opt for a lower-spec diesel V90, even though the range-topping Inscription with the plug-in hybrid engine is still hugely impressive and refined. n

VOLVO V90 T6 INSCRIPTION Price: £56,030 (on sale now). Drivetrain: 2.0 V4 petrol with 87hp plug-in hybrid assistance. Performance: 0-60mph 5.6secs, max speed 112mph. Economy: 104.6mpg (WLTP). Equipment: Heated and ventilated massaging leather, adaptive cruise, navigation, wood trim, climate control. n

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Stamford Pride August 2020

Articles inside

FASHION Walk on the wild side

HOME FROM HOME Exceptional

LOCAL TO THE CORE The native

400 YEARS OF HISTORY Elton Hall’s

RECIPE Zesty lemon and bacon

WELCOME HOME A successfully

PUT IT ON THE SLATE The story of

JUST THE TONIC

DINING OUT As restaurants open

NEWS The best ‘good news’ stories

OPEN FOR BUSINESS An exclusive