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NEWS The best ‘good news’ stories from across Rutland & Stamford. This month, a Roman find in Rutland causes excitement.
Landowner’s Roman find in Rutland
ACHILLES MOSAIC IS THE MOST EXCITING FIND IN A CENTURY, SAY ARCHAEOLOGISTS
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RUTLAND Anyone who’s laboured hard in the garden this year will be able to relate to uncovering bits and bobs in the soil as you’re working in the garden. But for one Rutland landowner, a family ramble and a bit of digging led to the most significant archaeological find in over a century. During the 2020 lockdown, Jim Irvine and his family were out for a ramble in the fields of their farm (the media has been asked not to say where, exactly), and discovered a pattern in the ground, followed by some stonework. “Finding some unusual pottery among the wheat piqued my interest and prompted some further investigative work,” says Jim. “Later, looking at the satellite imagery I spotted a very clear crop mark, as if someone had drawn on my computer screen with a piece of chalk. This really was the ‘oh wow’ moment, and the beginning of the story.” Jim had uncovered the first example of a Roman mosaic featuring Achilles to be found in the UK, measuring 11m x 7m, likely to date back to the 3rd or 4th century AD. The mosaic was created in what it’s thought was the dining or entertaining area in a large villa. Unusually, it depicts Achilles’ battle with Hector at the conclusion of the Trojan war, which is seldom seen in other works. The mosaic and surrounding villa complex have now been protected as a Scheduled Monument by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) on the advice of Historic England. The University of Leicester’s archaeology department is working alongside Historic England to research the site further. n
Closure of Birdfair...
DR ANTHONY BIDDLE OF THE LRWT CONFIRMS THE END OF BIRDWATCHERS’ GLASTONBURY
RUTLAND Last month saw the announcement that Rutland’s Birdfair would not be returning to the county post-Covid. “For over 30 years, LRWT, supported by its staff, volunteers and members, has been proud to run this internationally-renowned event,” says Dr Anthony Biddle of the LRWT. “Working with the RSPB, we have brought thousands of visitors to Rutland Water for three days each August, and overall have raised more than £5 million for overseas projects run via the Birdlife International group of charities.” The impact of Covid, the carbon footprint generated by the event and concern about the impact the event might be having on the reserve itself are all factors in the event’s closure. “Although we are bringing Birdfair to a close, we’re pleased to be able to announce a donation of £15,005 to Birdlife International. This amount is made up of direct donations and auction proceeds in aid of their Helmeted Hornbill conservation project supported by our Virtual Birdfair in 2020,” says Anthony. n
Fame for Fatstock
EVENT WILL FEATURE ON COUNTRYFILE
UPPINGHAM Fame at last for the little town of Uppingham, as BBC’s Countryfile prepares to broadcast 2021’s Fatstock event on TV as Pride goes to press. The show was filming at the event, with presenter Adam Henson saying he was impressed by the sight of the traditional livestock market held in the town. “It’s a lovely event to come and see and I’m impressed by the turnout, said Adam. “It showcases history and reminds us to not forget the past.” The show is a traditional livestock market and used to be a way for farmers to show off their beef, lamb and pork, which would be awarded prizes and could then command higher prices as local butchers bid for the best beasts. If an animal won first prize, their rosette would be displayed in the butcher’s shop, proving to customers that they were buying the best possible meat. This year around 20 cattle, 200 sheep and 25 pigs were displayed. n
A fundraising run for Steve
MUM WHOSE FIANCÉ DIED ONE DAY AFTER PROPOSAL RAISES £11,024 FOR BRITISH HEART FOUNDATION...
Pride team have their cake for BBC Children in Need 2021...
PRIDE Another slice? Why not... it’s for charity after all. Last month the Pride team enjoyed a pyjama and dressing gown day and made cakes to sell in the office for the BBC’s Children In Need. The surprise best seller turned out to be Abbi Moon’s delicious vegan chocolate cake, and the team managed to raise £60, contributing to the charity’s £39,389,048. n
LEICESTERSHIRE A Leicestershire mum whose fiancé tragically died just one day after he proposed to her is fundraising for the British Heart Foundation (BHF) in his memory. Danielle Watts, was left devastated when fiancé Steve Booth, who played for Leicester Tigers, suddenly died in August 2019 aged just 42. Steve had been living with coronary heart disease and leaves behind daughter Maisie, now 11 and son Jack, aged eight. His widow, Danielle, and four friends last month took on the Winter Wolf Run and raised over £11,000 in Steve’s memory. n See www.justgiving.com/d-watts11. South Kesteven District Council has been allocated £250,000 from the Government’s Reopening High Streets Safely
STAMFORD ‘welcome back’ fund to deliver initiatives and activities designed to help the recovery of town centres. The cash will be used for a marketing and promotions campaign involving a range of community and visitor events in Stamford. n
£250,000
LOCAL NEWS
In Brief
STAMFORD x
Luxury country clothing retailer Fairfax & Favor celebrates opening in Stamford...
If you’re hoping to put your best foot forward in 2022, then Fairfax & Favor’s new shop at 55 High Street in Stamford is the place to be. The new shop will open in early December and Marcus Fairfax Fountaine and Felix Favor Parker, co-founders of luxury British footwear and accessories brand will be there to help VIPs discover why they have chosen to open their second ever brick and mortar shop in Stamford. For more information see www.fairfax andfavor.com.
A substantial, Victorian house with six bedrooms occupies a private, tranquil plot of almost exactly an acre amongst the small rural community of Burton Coggles in the rolling landscape of Southwest Lincolnshire. With the A1 about four miles to the west and Grantham and its train station, where fast services to London Kings Cross are approx. one hour, just a ten-minute drive away, this offers a country lifestyle with lots of space as well as an easy commute. Presented in good order, the current owners have lived here almost seven years having carried out refurbishments to the property using quality materials and fittings. Rooms are generous in size with high ceilings, and the sash windows allow in a great deal of light. The large, well established, private garden has big sunny lawns and mature trees giving a pleasing backdrop around the hedged boundaries. An expansive gravel drive offers parking for several vehicles, whilst behind the house is a spacious terrace.
BARROWDEN, RUTLAND Guide Price £695,500
This charming, yellow stone property nestles in the pretty Rutland village of
Barrowden, circa 6 miles east of Uppingham and approximately 8 miles from Stamford. Recently restored by the present owners, the living space includes a sitting room, dining room, study and an added glass and oak extension accommodating a farmhouse style kitchen / breakfast room with access onto the paved patio terrace. Upstairs, the principal bedroom benefits from an en suite bathroom whilst the further two bedrooms share a family bathroom. Outside, a large, paved, off-road parking area is situated to the front of the house, whilst to the rear is a sunny patio terrace as well as a small, secluded lawn garden.
Guide Price £1,300,000 Guide Price £800,000
The Croft, Halstead
The Croft is a superb five bedroom country home sitting on a generous plot of approximately three acres with far-reaching views over the countryside to the South.
A handsome and charming country home in need of modernisation sitting in an elevated position within approx. 2.5 acres of its own grounds, with far reaching views over the Leicestershire countryside.
Offers In Excess of £450,000
Tudor Cottage, Thorpe by Water
A well-presented, three-bedroom detached property with ample off-road parking, double garaging and a private South-facing rear garden. 72 High Street, Gretton
A characterful and authentic property with a wealth of period features and beautiful gardens sitting at the heart of this historic North Northamptonshire village.
