Nene Valley Living February 2013

HELPING

YOU

TO

GET

THE

MOST

OUT

OF

LIVING

NENE VALLEY LIVING FOOD/FASHION/HEALTH

&

BEAUTY/HOME

&

LOCALLY

GARDEN/LIFESTYLE

’62 Love Me Do Oundle’s new diner

£1.50 FEBRUARY 2013

@LocalLivingUK

WWW.BESTLOCALLIVING.CO.UK

02

9 771740 052017

CRIME ON YOUR DOORSTEP CRACK DOWN ON CONMEN WINTER TREATS HEARTS, FLOWERS AND COMFORT FOOD

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N ENE VA L L EY LIVING

Cover image:: 62 Love Me Do by Lesley Anne Churchill. Model: Freya Walton. Jumper: Jacks for Women.

This Issue FEBRUA RY 2013

W

e have an Oundle theme running through this issue, with a spotlight on the town, and coverage of a fun new restaurant in the centre. It’s a challenging year for any small town, but especially for Oundle as a new Waitrose is now under construction. We all know that the high street is tough at the moment, and competition has never been more fierce.

As we all choose where we buy our groceries, drink our coffee and purchase gifts, you could say that Oundle centre’s future is up to us. What do you think? Let me know at the email address below.

One unique event that brings much business to Oundle is the Literature Festival. This is now running through the year, although there is a flurry of events taking place in March. I am delighted to be interviewing bestselling novelist Rachel Joyce, author of a wonderfully quirky novel called The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, in St Peter’s Church on March 1st at 7.30pm. Rachel is the author of 20 afternoon plays for Radio 4, and a former actress, so I’m sure she’ll be very entertaining. Ticket details are on page 11.

Another Oundle event that I must mention is the annual production from the Gilbert and Sullivan Players. This year, they’re putting on The Mikado, which is full of wonderful songs and is just the tonic you need for a bleak midwinter. Dates are February 25th to Saturday March 2nd. Tickets are available from Oundle in Stitches, in the Market Square, by telephone on 01832 273830 or email pweetman@ btopenworld.com Enjoy your month.

Fion a Cu mberpatch Editor SUBSCRIBE TO Nene Valley Living

5 Editor’s selection

2 9 Contesting a Will

7 Upfront

31 Historic Higham Ferrers

8 Upfront

34 Motoring news

1 1 Upfront

37 Diary dates

Hearts and flowers for your Valentine

New vintage shop for Wansford

Travel to Italy

Beautiful wedding cakes by Emily Harmston

Handling a difficult situation

A grand day out

By Ashley Martin

Must-see events this month

1 2 Burgers, beer and burning ambition The story of Oundle’s new diner

1 6 Food news

A romantic meal for two

1 9 Explore Oundle

Where to go in the market town

2 3 A family affair

New tea room for Wadenhoe

2 4 Health and beauty notes Be a better you

2 7 Crime on the doorstep Beat the conmen

Editor Fiona Cumberpatch fiona@bestlocalliving.co.uk Write to Nene Valley Living, PO Box 208, Stamford, PE9 9FY www.nenevalleyliving.co.uk Advertisement Manager Bridget Steele 01733 707538 bridget.neneliving@ntlworld.com Advertisement Director Helen Walton 01780 754801 helen.stamford@btopenworld.com Head of Design Steven Handley steve@locallivingdesign.co.uk Senior Designer Nik Ellis nik@locallivingdesign.co.uk Advertising Copy Rachel Beecroft 01780 765320 rachel@locallivingdesign.co.uk Publisher Nicholas Rudd-Jones 01780 765571 Email: localliving@btopenworld.com Published by Local Living Ltd, PO Box 208, Stamford, Lincs. PE9 9FY www.locallivingltd.co.uk Printed by Warners of Bourne

W W W. B E S T L O C A L L I V I N G . C O . U K

@LocalLivingUK

For £20 (UK only) you can subscribe to Nene Valley Living for 12 issues. Please send your name, address and a cheque made out to Local Living Ltd to: NVL Subscriptions, PO Box 208, Stamford, PE9 9FY Or you can subscribe online – go to www.bestlocalliving.co.uk

NENE VALLEY LIVING FEBRUARY 2013

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I T ’S H EA RTS A N D F L O WER S A L L THE WAY T HIS FE BR UARY

Editor’s selection

1

A beautiful bouquet, from £15 for a small posy, at Foxtail Lilly, 41 South Rd, Oundle Tel: 01832 274593 to order.

5

Typography print, designed by Stuart O’Neill, £34 unframed, from Hirst & Hirst Living, 18 Church Street, Oakham LE15 6AA Tel: 01572 723800 www.hirstandhirst.co.uk Photo: Hobbycraft

3 2

Cuvée Rosé champagne, £31, Marks and Spencer, Queensgate Centre, Peterborough

Pretty Pastel Style by Selina Lake, published by Ryland, Peters and Small. To order from The Oundle Bookshop Tel: 01832 273523

4

Prada Candy eau de parfum, from £40, John Lewis, Queensgate Centre, Peterborough

6

Crochet hearts bunting, and ‘love’ letters, from a selection at Hobbycraft at Peterborough Garden Park.

7

Romantic painting, £425, by local artist Jeni Cairns. To buy from Art in the Heart, 47 Bridge Street, Peterborough PE1 1HA

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24/1/13 12:02:51

Daisy Chain

Eclectic and affordable modern , retro, vintage and antique gifts for everyone regardless of age or gender

Art for less ?

framed prints and water colours to liven up your home.

Original pastel drawings of cats. Jugs galore. Enamels.

Jewellery. Clothing. Quirky cast iron objects.

33 Elton Road, Wansford, Peterborough, PE8 6JD.

Tel 07584716365 Opening Saturday, 9th February Open Thursday to Sunday from 11.00 to 16.30.

Other times by appointment.

Wansford has some lovely shops - Boheme, The Barn, The Wansford Cakery, Village Store, Hairdresser, Bridal shop, pubs, restaurants and hotel – why not pay us a visit.

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W H AT’ S NEW T HIS MONT H

UpFront Vintage in Wansford A shop selling collectables, vintage and retro items for the home will be opening in Wansford on February 9th.

Resident Ann Bradshaw is fulfilling a long held ambition to have her own shop, which she has called Daisy Chain.

“I’ll be selling everything from small pieces of furniture to Victorian washing dollies, jugs, enamelware, clothing from the 60s and 70s, cast iron pieces, and prints and paintings,” says Ann. “There’ll be something for every member of the family, with prices starting from £1.”

Ann’s fascination with antiques and vintage items began around six years ago, when she moved from a modern property into an old cottage. “I realised that none of my furniture looked right, so I went to a sale to pick up some old things and I just loved what I saw,” she says. “I have such fun buying for the shop, it’s my new passion.” Ann will continue with her career as a motor racing public relations executive while running the shop, which will open on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

You can find Daisy Chain at 33 Elton Road, Wansford, PE8 6JD Tel: 07584 716365, next door to The Wansford Cakery.

In your time In a busy household where both parents work, it can be difficult to keep the home running smoothly. A new lifestyle management and concierge service based in Peterborough offers families and businesses a convenient way to manage their domestic appointments. Whether it’s letting in the plumber, taking delivery of a sofa, or carrying out business errands, the team of reliable, CRB checked and fully insured staff in uniform are available for full day or half day bookings across Peterborough and the surrounding areas. Prices start at £12.50 an hour, with no monthly subscriptions or membership fees.

Call 07722 055829 or visit www.inyourtime.co.uk

The fascinating world of the honey bee Learn all about the honeybee and how to attract more to your garden through naturalistic planting. George Shepherd, Rutland bee keeper, and Nigel Colborn, gardening guru, author and former Gardener’s Question Time panellist, will be giving a talk at Stamford Arts Centre on March 1st, 2pm – 5pm. Tickets cost £15 and include tea. All proceeds will go to Marie Curie Cancer Care.

To book, call Stamford Arts Centre Box Office on 01780 763203. Stalls and a raffle will also be available.

ASK THE

expert

The do’s and don’ts of buying and selling shares ■ If you buy shares for more than £1,000 you will normally pay stamp duty at a rate of 0.5%. The duty is either deducted at the time of purchase or sent to HMRC together with the required paperwork.

■ When you sell shares, you may have to pay Capital Gains Tax. Each individual has an annual tax exemption (£10,600 for 2012-13) and the rate of tax for gains above this amount is 18% for basic rate and 28% for higher rate taxpayers.

■ To work out whether you have made any taxable gains, you must consider a number of factors including the costs incurred when purchasing and disposing of the shares. If you give away or choose to sell your shares for less than their worth, the taxable gain is calculated as though you received the market value for the shares.

■ There are special rules for calculating the cost of shares because shares are not uniquely identifiable. If you acquire shares in the same company at differing dates and values, then you must follow these rules to work out the cost.

■ Other reliefs are available to reduce the taxable gain, particularly if the disposal relates to shares held as business assets. If there are losses on other disposals, these can be offset against your gains and if you sell or give the shares to your spouse or civil partner then you will not have to pay any capital gains tax on the disposal.

■ If you already complete a tax return then the Capital Gains may need to be reported on your return. Otherwise, you will need to contact HMRC to find out if you need to complete a return.

• For more information and help contact Stephenson Smart & Co Tel: 01733 343275 or visit www.stephensonsmart.com

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W H AT’ S NEW T HIS MONT H

UpFront PHOTOGRAPHY MILESTONE

Paula Cockcroft at Oundle Travel recommends a country of stunning landscapes, beautiful beaches and fabulous food

As it reaches its 125th year, Peterborough Photographic Society is celebrating the birthday which makes it one of the oldest such societies in the country with an exhibition at Peterborough Museum from February 5th to March 10th. Now with 65 members, the Society is a far cry from the small group which met in a coffee shop back in 1887. Apart from the war years, the group has met continuously and has maintained archives of all the meetings that have taken place. Members of the public are welcome to visit the exhibition. Local people may well know the photographers or recognise faces from the past.

T

IN MEMORY OF JAMIE

The Amalfi Coast

VISIT ITALY

OUR SPONSORS

uscany and Umbria offer classical Italian beauty, patchwork orange groves and Chianti vineyards together with flower filled hillsides and medievalY Otowns, U A R Ewith the hidden D I A L L YVesuvius and the C O R Mount gems of Siena & San Gimignano. Nestled below the magnificent Twenty one year old Jamie Marcus had INVITED Bay of Naples, is Sorrento and The Amalfi Coast, home to some ofT TItaly’s everything to live for, but his life was cut short E N D finest scenery.

TO A Just off this coastline lie the stunning islands of Amalfi & Capri. The area of Puglia will by cancer on April surprise and delight. Here you will find miles of unspoilt coastline, a rich and diverse 30th, 2012. To countryside with flourishing wine and olive oil industries, the region is also famous for its celebrate Jamie’s traditional Trulli houses. life, his family have The Italian Lakes provide beautiful scenery and a romantic atmosphere. With three organised a charity dramatic lakes to choose from Como, Maggiore and the largest Garda, this region is ideal ball. Jamie’s… for families and couples of all ages. Finally the Italian cities, from the romance of Venice Match Ball will take to the history and culture of Rome to the glamour of Milan, each one is the perfect place at Leicester destination for a short city break, or as an addition to your main holiday. If you would like Tigers Stadium on to reduce your carbon footprint, why not travel by rail ? The Italian rail system is modern March 16th. There Codestinations and reliable and offers travellers the perfect way to enjoy two or more will be a celebrity me and help in one us raise mon eydrinks Teenag for e Ca trip. Oundle Travel can assist you with booking your rail journey within Italy making two reception, ncer Traus t and Macm with a th ree illan course dinner centre tailor made holiday surprisingly easy. with members , fa nt as tic live music and entertain ment, and a ch ofctKasabian and arity au ion full of great pr izes. footballer Muzzy Other great breaks include: £5 5 per ticke t or £5 00night Venice Stay at the pretty Centauro Hotel. Centrally located with one complimentary for a table of Izzett, and others, and a wonderful night with 10 an auction and live music has been planned to included. From £299 per person. help raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust Lake Iseo Wonderful cuisine, a spa retreat in a charming location, L’Alberta is set deep in and Macmillan, two charities which helped the Lombardian countryside and has been beautifully transformed into a charming hotel.

Jamie and his family.

Seven nights, from £1556 per person.

Tickets areor £55 For more Umbria The Borgo Dei Conti Resort lies amidst olive groves set amongstemail beautiful For and further information jamiesmatchball@gmail.com find each. us on Facebook at details, www.facebook.com/jamiesmatchball email jamiesmatchball@gmail.com or visit gardens and has a heritage dating back to the 13th century. Meticulous restoration has www.facebook.com/jamiesmatchball resulted in this exclusive resort featuring stunning accommodation and facilities. Seven nights from £878 per person.

Sicily The Villa Carlotta, Taormina. The 19th Century Villa Carlotta is an aristocratic residence built in the style typical of the late 1400s. The 27 rooms are furnished in a classical Sicilian style. Seven nights from £1649 per person.

• Oundle Travel, Market Place, Oundle PE8 4EA Tel: 01832 273600 www.oundletravel.co.uk For more confidence when choosing a bra and lingerie after treatment for breast cancer, join other women who have had a similar experience at an evening with Breast Cancer Care, hosted by John Lewis, Peterborough, on Thursday February 28th. There will be an If you know anyone who is over 65 or over, is disabled or has children under five living in opportunity to be fitted for a bra, and a chance privately owned or rented accommodation, and has an income under £26,000 a year, they to see how lingerie looks on models who have may qualify for a free boiler check and repairs, under a scheme run by the Winter Warmth all had breast cancer themselves.

Partnership and Peterborough City Council.

Admission is free but you must register A hotline has been set up on 01733 863860, Monday to Friday 9am-5pm, where beforehand. Call the regional sales team on advisors can arrange for a service to be carried out by one of the City Council’s 0845 0771895 to put your name down. contractors.

’

numb Registered charity

LIFE AFTER BREAST CANCER

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NENE VALLEY LIVING FEBRUARY 2013

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er 2400969

Open Mon-Thu 4pm-10pm Fri-Sat Noon-10pm Sun Noon-9pm

12 West Street Oundle PE8 4EF 01832-274383

Beans Coffee Stop is proud to announce the birth of its new baby – a retro family diner restaurant in the centre of Oundle! Come to ’62 love me do for the very best quality burgers, hot dogs and salads, and some wonderful desserts and drinks, all enjoyed within amazing décor and eclectic effects!

Open 7 days a week, booking advisable at peak times: lovemedo62.book@yahoo.co.uk or 01832-274383

Our experience makes yours Caribbean

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Market Place, Oundle, Peterborough, PE8 4EA 01832 273600 Email: sales@oundletravel.co.uk Website: www.oundletravel.co.uk

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Opening times: Mon - Fri 9.30 - 5; Sat 10-4. Free parking Telephone: 01733 558864 - (Behind Dobbies Garden world)

Beautiful cakes to complement your own style. handcrafted sugarflowers hand painted cakes delicious flavour menu for a free consultation and tasting call 01832 272573 www.emilyharmstoncakes.co.uk www.facebook.com/EmilyHarmstonCakes

The King’s Head Apethorpe

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Free glass of bubbly on arrival Sarah Thompson BSc. DC. GCC registered

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Same quality, better price Set menu: 2 courses £7.95 3 courses £9.95 Check out our new website www.kingsheadapethorpe.co.uk

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W H AT’ S NEW T HIS MONT H

UpFront A beautiful, bespoke cake can help to personalise a wedding day.

Contemporary designs have come a long way from the traditional white three tiered fruit cake, as Oundlebased P-J Parker’s designs illustrate. P-J set up her business, Emily Harmston Cakes, named after her grandmother, in 2012 after friends and family inundated her with orders for celebration cakes.

“I’ve been baking since I was big enough to stand at a stool,” she says. Although she trained as a vet, P-J has always had an artistic side, and she spent a year studying at the prestigious Central St Martin’s College in London. She makes amazing hand painted cakes, as well as more traditional ones with sugar decorations. “There are endless possibilities with a cake,” she says.

“Most brides come to me with a very clear idea of what they want and it’s so rewarding to see their eyes light up when you bring those ideas to life.” P-J offers a free consultation, where bride and groom choose from a flavour menu.

She produces sketched designs on the spot, and offers a cake tasting at the same time. “Popular flavours now are a salted caramel chocolate cake, and men always seem to love lemon sponge! Many people request a different flavour in every tier of their cake.”

The taste of the cake is just as important as the look, P-J Parker explains P-J. She is happy to translate any design into a cake. “I am so passionate about what I do and I always want my cakes to look beautiful, interesting and quirky,” she states. “I have made one black wedding cake, and I’d love to do a graffiti cake with tattoos. That would be fun!”

• P-J’s cakes cost £350 for a three tiered cake which serves 70 people. To find out more, or to book a free consultation and tasting, call 01832 272573. Visit P-J’s Facebook page www. facebook.com/emilyharmstoncakes and click ‘like’ and you’ll be entered into a draw to win a celebration cake. www.emilyharmstoncakes.co.uk

Love Literature

PHOTO BY Fatima Namdar

A wonderful wedding OR CELEBRATION cake

Oundle Festival of Literature is holding three don’t-miss events in March: ■ March 1st 7.30pm. St Peter’s Church, Oundle. Rachel Joyce, author of the bestselling novel and book group favourite The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry will be talking to Fiona Cumberpatch, editor of Nene Valley Living, about this word of mouth hit, which tells the story of a recently retired man who sets out one morning to post a letter to a dying friend. In a moment of impulse, Harold Fry finds himself at the start of a journey which will lead him hundreds of miles from home, making chance encounters and reflecting on tragic events from his past which transform his life and in turn alter the lives of the people he meets. Moving, uplifting and unexpected, the book was long-listed for last year’s Man Booker prize.

Tickets: £7 (£5) from the box office on 01832 274734 or online at www.oundlefestival.org.uk ■ March 16th 7.30pm St Peter’s Church, Oundle. William Nicholson, author of many books for older children, including The Wind on Fire trilogy, the Noble Warriors Trilogy, and more recently Rich and Mad, will be discussing his new novel Motherland, which is released in February.

It’s about a love triangle set in England, France, India and Jamaica, set against the backdrop of World War II. Kitty is loved by two best friends, Ed, a handsome hero and Larry, not so handsome and heroic, but a good, kind man. Larry adores Kitty but it’s Ed she chooses. Both men go to war, and Ed wins the highest military honour, but sometimes heroes don’t make the best husbands. William will also talk about his career as a successful screenwriter, which includes films such as Les Miserables, which has just been released to great acclaim.

Tickets, £8 (£5). Purchase details above.

■ March 17th 2pm St Peter’s Church, Oundle. A.F. Harrold, English poet and performance poet, and winner of numerous poetry slams, will be promoting three titles, Fizzlebert Stump: The Boy Who Ran Away from the Circus (And Joined the Library), Fizzlebert Stump & The Bearded Boy and a poetry collection, I Eat Squirrels. Guaranteed fun.

Tickets are £4, details as before.

• For further information, email oundlelitfestival@hotmail.co.uk or call Helen Shair on 01832 274134

Comedy festival at The Key Theatre If you love comedy, get down to the Key Theatre, which is hosting Peterborough’s first comedy festival on February 21st -26th in association with Bottle Rocket Comedy. Enjoy comedy circuit regulars Josh Widdicombe, Zoe Lyons and the Horne Section. Kicking off the festival will be Terry Alderton, known for his loose limbs, extraordinary caricatures and accurate impressions. During the festival, there will be stand up from surrealist Boothby Graffoe and Justin Moorhouse, amongst others.

• To find out who else is appearing, visit facebook.com/KeyComedy.

For tickets, call 01733 207239. Book online at www.vivacity-peterborough.com NENE VALLEY LIVING FEBRUARY 2013

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FOOD & DR INK

Burgers, beer and burning a The Gilberts have made a roaring success of their Beans chain of coffee shops across the region.

Can they do the same with their new retro diner in Oundle? Lucy Banwell finds out PHOTOGRAPHY: LESLEY-ANNE CHURCHILL

P

hil and Karen Gilbert are no strangers to hard work. During our interview in the new Sixties-styled interior of their latest venture, 62 Love Me Do, Karen is on her hands and knees scrubbing the restored black-and-white tiled floor and Phil intersperses his thoughts on business with yelled reminders to staff and cheery greetings to visiting suppliers. It’s a hive of activity as the pair get their latest venture off the ground.

After successfully running their chain of ‘Beans’ coffee shops for almost 10 years, Phil decided the time was right to branch out into family dining.

“Everyone thinks Oundle is full of older people but there are loads of young families who live in this town and the surrounding villages,” says Phil. “There was nowhere here to take kids out for something to eat. You’d have to drive to Kettering or Corby to go to Frankie & Benny’s or Pizza Hut, so we thought we’d save people their petrol money and set something up in Oundle. I came up with an early Sixties British diner concept. It’s an era which I think both young and old people can relate to because of the music and the fashion.”

The result is a bright and colourful restaurant offering burgers, hot dogs and salads in one of Oundle’s most attractive shops - 12 West Street - which had been vacant for more than a year following the closure of interiors shop Artisana.

The focus is on a simple menu of fresh food with locally sourced ingredients. The meat

12

is from Seven Wells Butchers, the wine from Amps Fine Wines (both in Oundle) and beer from Castor Ales. A new 18-strong team of staff has been put together by the diner’s bubbly manager Hayley Barnes who has been drafted in from Beans’ Higham Ferrers branch.

“We’re offering burgers and hot dogs which will appeal to kids but because we’re offering real top quality food lots of older people are loving it, too,” says Phil, whose background is in IT management. “Our primary market is young families but it’s a bit like Beans in that the appeal actually crosses all generations.

We’ve got great service, a lovely welcoming atmosphere, an interesting menu, interesting people and a really enjoyable experience.”

At the heart of Beans’ success is Phil and exwife Karen’s indomitable partnership. Despite the fact that they are no longer husband and wife – they split up just over six years ago – they remain firm friends and, more importantly, resolutely committed business partners.

“Things at work were rocky for a few months after we separated,” admits Phil, “but early on both Karen and I knew there was no alternative.

People are surprised we’ve made a go of the

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g ambition

Nene Valley Living

recommends 62 Love Me Do, Oundle

A

business after splitting up, but if we’d imploded all our hard work and effectively our future would have gone up in smoke.”

While Phil looks after the operational side of the business, Karen deals with suppliers and is the brains behind the design of all six Beans coffee shops and now the distinctive look of the new diner. Alongside her partner, talented builder John Kerr, Karen worked flat out for nearly three months bringing the 62 Love Me Do idea to life.

“Karen’s never happier than when she’s covered in brick dust and paint,” laughs Phil.

“And John’s been with us right from the start.

The great thing about John is that not only can he do anything building wise but he’s also really artistic. So Karen can have an idea and John understands exactly the sort of look she wants to achieve.”

Phil’s hope is that their themed diner will be such a success that other branches could be opened in the future. So after devoting all their time and energy to the business for so long, is the Beans empire finally making the Gilberts wealthy?

“Well, it’s giving us a reasonable income,’ says Phil. “But neither of us owns our own home. We’ve pumped everything into the business. But I’m hoping that with the business plan for 62 Love Me Do we should be pretty comfortable. And so we should be because we’ve worked our socks off all these years!”

retro feast for all the senses greets you the moment you step foot into 62 Love Me Do. The bold red, black and white décor is combined with a host of early Sixties memorabilia including vintage movie posters, shabby chic suitcases and even a full-size Beatles drum kit!

With the Sixties music twinkling away in the background, my friends and I soon settled into our comfy red leather banquette and started checking out the colourful menus – styled to look like vinyl 45 records. Keen to avoid a menu that would “take an hour to read,” co-owner Phil Gilbert has kept things simple with nine burger options, a hot dog, plus simple salads and side dishes. My spicy Moroccan ‘Telstar’ lamb burger was moist and perfectly pink in the middle and came on a bun with lettuce, tomato, red onion and gherkin. My friend’s ‘Ford Cortina’ beef burger was declared tasty but a bit on the small side. The homemade coleslaw was delicious and the puddings were top notch. The American-style apple pie had a yummy, sugary cinnamon crust and my ‘Waffle Belgique’ was both crunchy and buttery alongside its accompanying ice cream and maple sauce.

Prices are reasonable with all burgers costing £7 or less and all side dishes, including French Fries, coming in at £2 a pop. A pleasant house white wine costs £13 a bottle and there’s a wide range of soft drinks including Milkshakes, Coke Floats and Cream Soda. The kids’ menu offers burgers for £4.50 or a ‘Meal Deal’ of burger and dessert for only £6.

The staff were warm and welcoming and although the service was a little shaky at times I’m sure that will improve with time. I couldn’t help but be charmed by the little touches such as the bill coming with Black Jack chews instead of mints.

All in all a fun, bright and shiny experience, but one aimed squarely at the family market.

So I will be back – but this time with my kids in tow!

Lucy Banwell * 62 Love Me Do, 12 West Street, Oundle, PE8 4EF Opening hours: 4pm-10pm Mon-Thur, 12pm-10pm Fri & Sat, 12pm-9pm Sun Tel: 01832 274383 or email lovemedo62.book@yahoo.co.uk NENE VALLEY LIVING FEBRUARY 2013

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Advertisement Feature

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FOOD & DR INK

Food News All the latest on local food and drink

MAKE IT!

Valentine’s Day Dinner Cook up a storm for your sweetheart with this recipe for pan fried scallops and black pudding with crispy bacon mash, devised

by Marcus Lamb, owner and chef at The Crown Inn, Elton “This dish is a doddle to make, takes no time at all, and the result is frankly gorgeous. Just take some time getting good ingredients and you’ll sweep your partner off their feet! Good luck and happy cooking.”

Serves two • Four rashers of good smoked streaky bacon • Four or five potatoes, peeled and boiled ready for mashing • Dash of cream • Four knobs of butter • Good handful of curly kale or savoy cabbage • Black pudding, sufficient for 12 medium slices. Go for a thin roll of pudding as you want the slices to be about the same size as the scallops • 12 scallops, cleaned and ready to cook • 50ml sherry • Generous splash of chicken stock • Salt and pepper

a couple of knobs of butter, then season with salt and pepper. Chop and add your cooked curly kale. Your mash is done, so pop it to one side and keep it warm in the pan. Next, pan fry your black pudding. A minute on each side over a medium heat should do, as you want to leave the middle nice and soft. Set aside and in a different pan, heat a couple of knobs of clarified butter, just enough to cook the scallops.

Season the scallops, then when the clarified butter is good and hot, add and cook for about 40 seconds each side. Just enough to make them turn golden. You’re nearly there, just the sauce to go! Take your cooked scallops from the pan, get rid of any excess oil and put back on the heat. Add the sherry. Once it reduces, add a generous splash of chicken stock. Wait until the sauce has reduced some more, whisk in two or three knobs of butter and you’re done.

To serve, place the mash in the centre of each plate, garnish with the crispy bacon, then arrange the black pudding slices around it.

Place a scallop on top of each slice of black pudding, then pour on the sauce. Enjoy with your Valentine and a glass of something fruity.

Put the bacon in a hot oven for a short time, just long enough for it to crisp up. Put to one side. Mash the potatoes, adding the cream and

• Try Marcus’s cooking for yourselves at The Crown Inn, 8 Duck Street, Elton PE8 6RQ Tel: 01832 280232 www.thecrowninn.org

Nene Valley Living

recommends THE PAPER MILLS, WANSFORD

The Paper Mills sits in the charming main street of Wansford. The interior is bright and airy and has been renovated to retain a village pub atmosphere. We chose from the selection of well kept real ales in the bar, before moving to our table in the conservatory end of the restaurant, which was warm, despite the freezing temperature outside.

Making a choice from the menu proved a challenge as we found so many things to like. Two of us chose the Heritage tomatoes, several colours and types of tomato served with slivers of Parma ham, leaves and pesto. It was a perfect starter, which was not too filling.

Our partners chose the goats cheese tart, a round of cheese served on a roasted onion and rocket covered pastry circle, drizzled with balsamic dressing. They were very pleased with this. For our mains,

16

Mel chose the fillet of Cornish lamb with liver, bacon and sweetbreads, served with spinach and mash. A hearty dish on a winter’s night.

David picked the sausages and mash from the Pub Grub menu, and these came with spinach and onion gravy. Bridget selected the fillet of Cornish cod served on a white bean and chorizo stew, a generous portion served with spinach. I opted for the confit belly of pork, cooked perfectly with a layer of crackling, served with sage and onion mash, braised red cabbage, battered black pudding and apple sauce.

Everyone enjoyed their choices, which were very well presented.

After a well earned break, we faced the dessert menu. Apple tarte tatin, pistachio crème brûlée and blueberry sorbet were chosen, and finished with enthusiasm. The tarte was especially highly praised.

We all enjoyed our visit to The Paper Mills. The service was good and cheerful, the atmosphere upbeat and the food, from head chef Luke Marsh, was excellent. At around £35 per head for three courses, with drinks, the pricing is right.

Tim Steele • The Paper Mills, London Road, Wansford PE8 6JB Tel: 01780 782328. Closed Mondays.

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valentine’s

with your

favourite

dish ‘SLIM

WITH TIM’ During Jan & Feb we are running an extra menu alongside our usual fare to help shed those extra Christmas pounds!

LUNCHTIME SPECIALS £8.95 - Tue – Sat

THE RED LION Warmington

• Freehouse • Quality Real Ales • Real Home Produced Food • Homemade Desserts • Warm friendly welcome • The Famous Red Lion Sunday Lunch - Serving 12 noon and 2.30 (booking essential)

Relax with a complimentary glass of pink bubbly before enjoying the crisp, fresh flavors of the fine-dining a la carte menu in the picturesque and romantic setting of Peterborough's finest floating restaurant.

Limited tables are available on this popular evening so please book early.

Early Doors Buy ONE meal & get another HALF PRICE Tue – Sat (table clear by 8pm but only if required)

Book early for Valentine’s and Mother’s Day

Closed Mondays Peterborough Road, Warmington, PE8 6TN - T: 01832 280362 Email: theredlionwarmington@gmail.com Web: www.theredlionwarmington.co.uk

01733 315 702

Upper Deck Charters Town Bridge Peterborough PE1 1FP Lunch 12-2.30pm Mon to Sat • 12-3.30pm Sunday (Buffet) Dinner 5.30 -10.30pm Sun to Thurs • 5.30 -11.00pm Fri to Sat 17

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Stu-Pots

36 Market Place Oundle 01832 275414

Valentine baking equipment available Sodastream stockist Council approved bio-degradable bags in stock

Full key cutting service: Cylinder, Mortice, Chubb, Union, Yale, Safe, Car and Padlock

Rutland Tel. Shutters

Made to measure Plantation Shutters For a free brochure or quotation contact 01664 474013 Mob. 07768 695236

mail. web. mail@rutlandshutters.co.uk www.rutlandshutters.co.uk

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ACT IVIT IE S

Explore Oundle With a new Waitrose supermarket scheduled to open at the end of the year, Oundle’s town centre is facing some stiff competition. Fiona Cumberpatch finds many businesses braced and ready for the challenge…

“Coffee break: Smiths of Oundle”

North Street

Smiths of Oundle 4 North Street, Oundle PE8 4AL Tel: 01832 270011 Relaxing café bar with sofas, armchairs, freshly prepared food and good cakes.

Market Place

“Award-winning Hambleton Bakery” Oundle Pharmacy 32 Market Place, PE8 4BE Tel: 01832 273531 Local pharmacy, plus toiletries and essentials.

Leo Saddlery and Pet Supplies 15c, Market Place, PE8 4BA Tel: 01832 275699 Two floors of pet supplies.

Hambleton Bakery 44 Market Place, Oundle PE8 4AU Tel: 01572 812995 www.hambletonbakery.co.uk The team of artisan bakers have just won the title of Britain’s Best Bakery in a TV competition.

It’s worth trying the good bread, tasty tarts and English muffins. More expensive than a supermarket, but you’ll eat every crumb.

The Barber’s Comb 15 Market Place, Oundle PE8 4DG Tel: 01832 275271 A landmark, where traditional barber Richard delivers the sharpest cuts in town.

Walk in, or appointments bookable on www. thebarberscomb.com

The Coffee Tavern 34 The Market Place. Tel: 01832 272524 Traditional home cooking, and great all day breakfasts. It’s a proper old fashioned café and tea shop with very friendly service.

The Oundle Bookshop 13 Market Place, PE8 4BA Tel: 01832 273523 An independent store with a next day delivery service on ordered books, and a strong children’s department. Loyalty card scheme.

Stu-Pots 36 Market Place, PE8 4BE Tel: 01832 275414 If it’s useful, then Stu-Pots probably stock it.

Light bulbs, mop heads, baking and jam making supplies. Key-cutting and knife-sharpening available - and superb window displays.

RC Cotton and Sons 7 Market Place, PE8 4BA Tel: 01832 272534 A family run business, established in 1871. Great children’s section with plenty of staff at back-toschool time.

“Normans greengrocer and florist stocks local foods”

Judith Day Optometrists 5 Market Place, Oundle PE8 4BA Tel: 01832 272974 www.judithday.co.uk Look after your eyes with advice, testing and excellent aftercare at this central business.

Oundle News 3 Market Place, PE8 4BA Tel: 01832 273518 Independent newsagent, with a large range of magazines, cards, sweets and toys.

Normans 14 Market Place, PE8 4BQ Tel: 01832 273545 www.flowersbynormans.co.uk Family-run business, with a veg box scheme.

New for 2013, an e-newsletter with lots of tips and ideas for seasonal produce (ring the shop to register). Fresh bread and yummy pastries supplied by The Small Bread Company at Barnwell. Asparagus, strawberries, raspberries and blueberries are locally grown. Floristry for all occasions.

Trendalls 22 Market Place, Tel: 01832 273503 Popular local butcher with organic certification.

Sandwiches and freshly made heat-and- serve meals.

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Market Place

Oundle in Stitches Crown Court, 6 Market Place PE8 4BQ Tel: 01832 274433 Wool,buttons, zips, patchwork fabrics, cottons, trimmings, needles and essential crafting supplies.

Dexters 1-3 Market Place, PE8 4BQ Tel: 01832 273366 Try the warm banana bread and fresh ground coffee for elevenses, it’s delicious. They also do bistro style food such as venison pie and chicken curry. Impressive service on our last visit, nothing was too much trouble. Catch some rays in the courtyard on spring and summer days.

Amps 6 Market Place, Oundle PE8 4BQ Tel: 01832 273502 www.ampsfinewines.co.uk A great selection of fine wines from an award winning family merchant, which was established in 1901.

Cookies Bakery 2 Market Place, PE8 4BQ Tel: Bread, cakes and snacks to go. Now stocking gluten-free, too.

West St

Danti 2 West St, Tel: 01832 275556 The former dress agency has reinvented itself and now sells vintage, antique and new homewares. Great for a rummage.

Milestones Florist 6a West St PE8 4ET Tel: 01832 274305 www. milestonesflorist.co.uk Weddings, funerals and celebration bouquets are all possible at this central florist. Pretty gifts, plants and accessories also stocked.

Seven Wells Family Butcher 8 West St, PE8 4EF Tel: 01832 273522 www.sevenwells.co.uk Outstanding butcher, with meat supplied by the farm that owns the shop and competitive prices.

Beef is a speciality and comes from the Knights’ farm, chicken from Barnwell, wild venison from Stoke Doyle and game from the farm shoot.

Excellent sausages and pies are made on site.

Gourmet Delis, 10B West St, Oundle PE8 4EF Tel: 01832 274396 Good selection of cheeses inside, plus Spanish cured meats, good pork pies, chutneys, relishes and a range of handmade frozen meals and desserts for the time-pressed cook.

The Beauty Room 14 West St, Oundle Tel: 01832 273989 The aim is to offer “the best possible service with the minimum price tag” at this relatively new beauty destination. It’s a popular place, especially busy around prom-time, and they are always up to date with the latest trends and products.

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The Ship Inn 18 West St, Oundle Tel: 01832 273918 Lively town pub, with lots going on. Daily deals and offers, with lunchtime specials from £5.50.

Hearty pub grub, with generous portions, you will not leave here hungry!

Happy Hour 6pm-9pm every Wednesday.

PHOTOGRAPHY: LESLEY-ANNE CHURCHILL

ACT IVIT IE S

The Dolby Gallery 30 West St, PE8 4EF Tel: 01832 273801 A great gallery with a good range of exhibitions.

Framing, prints and cards also offered. From 8th – 22nd March, in association with The Canon Gallery, there will be an exhibition of original period watercolour paintings, by names such as Alfred Munnings. From May 10th to June 1st, sisters Mary and Rachel Sumner will be exhibiting here. They grew up locally and now have national reputations.

Green Man Antiques and Restoration Ltd 74 West St, PE8 4EF Tel: 01832 270970 Quality antiques shop, offering fine furniture, paintings, mirrors and smaller pieces, ideal for special gifts.

Geoff Stubbs Model Shop 86 West St, PE8 4EF Tel: 01832 273???

Model shop, selling radio controlled aeroplanes, Airfix kits, and everything you need to create your own design. Owner Geoff Stubbs always has time to pass on his knowledge.

Küchen Kraft 81 West Street, Oundle PE8 4EJ Tel: 01832 270300 www.kuchenkraft.co.uk Kitchen, bathroom and bedroom showroom.

Free planning service, full installation, including flooring and tiling, with mid price range products. We have just tried this business for ourselves and have been very impressed with the prompt service and attention to detail.

Oundle Clock Shop 51a West St, PE8 4EJ Tel: 01832 272099 Stunning antique clocks.

Oxfam 39 West St, PE8 4EJ Tel: 01832 274276 Good second hand clothes and large books section.

Help the Aged 36 West St, PE8 4EJ Tel: 01832 274276 Clothing, DVDs and household items.

KikiSams 21-21a West St, Oundle, PE8 4EJ Tel: 01832 275314 Quality clothes shop for children up to age 16.

Raffaele 23 West St, Oundle PE8 4EJ Tel: 01832 273822 Busy buzzing unisex hairdresser, with a very loyal following.

Eastern Spices 23 West St, Oundle Tel: 01832 272 662 No teenager’s phone is complete without the number of this takeaway. Pizza, chips, nuggets, burgers and curries hit the spot and the home delivery service is dependable.

Martin Charles Bridal Gallery 13 West St, Oundle PE8 4EJ Tel: 01832 273448 Tasteful gowns for beautiful brides. Martin Charles stocks designers such as Augusta Jones, Paloma Blanca, and his own label inspired this season by 20’s and 30’s starlets such as Clara Bow. Full bespoke service.

Asha’s The Bazaar, West St, Oundle PE8 4EJ Tel: 01832 275605 www.ashas.net Since opening in September, proprieter Barbara Katavich has created a beautiful enclave of homewares, with furniture, cushions, linens and pretty, rustic accessories and gifts. She also offers an upholstery service. The coffee bag cubes are made in Oundle, as are the pretty cushions. “I’ve had an amazing response,” says Barbara, who has a background in interior design. “And I do like to include local makers when I can.”

Eve The Bazaar, West St, Oundle, PE8 4EJ Tel: 01832 273969 www.eve.oundlebazaar.co.uk Boutique offering lingerie by Ted Baker, Elle Macpherson, Sloggi, and Fantasy among others.

Swimwear, maternity bras, mastectomy range, bridal lingerie and sportswear, with discreet, friendly service.

Palmer’s Chocolate The Bazaar, West St. Tel: 01832 275896 www.palmerschocolate.co.uk Gorgeous chocolates, of course, and also stocking traditional sweets such as barley sugar and acid drops plus seasonal treats. Ice cream cones available through summer.

Harpur’s of Oundle 5A West St, PE8 4EJ. Tel: 01832 274050 www.harpurjewellery.com Huge range of jewellery, some of it designed in house. Precision repairs, done here and in their own workshop in London’s Hatton Garden. Now with a new men’s gifts and lifestyle department, a great place to find a special present. Prices to suit all pockets and a friendly service. Small towns need businesses like this one.

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“Barbara Katavich of Asha’s Inspired Living”

“Karen Gilbert, co owner of Bean’s Coffee Stop”

New Street

Beans 1 New Street, Oundle. Tel: 01832 270007 Always busy, always buzzing, coffee, milk shakes and appetizing light snacks. Great for peoplewatching.

Oundle Travel 2 New St PE8 4EA Tel: 01832 273600 www.oundletravel.co.uk An independent agent, offering unbiased and authoritative advice on world wide destinations and mini breaks. Honeymoon specialists.

Colemans of Oundle 10 New St, Oundle Tel: 01832 272868 Stationery shop, with office supplies, cardmaking and scrapbooking goods, pens and art stuff. Free home delivery and competitive prices on everyday items such as printer inks.

Crackers 3 New St, Oundle Tel: 01832 274467 Brilliant purse-friendly gifts, including jewellery, bags and cushions. Some cheerful canvas prints in stock now, and always new items to browse.

The Courthouse Bookshop Unit 3, The Courthouse, Mill Rd, Oundle PE8 4BW An online search on Amazon or half an hour browsing in this delightful and reasonably priced second hand bookshop? I know which I’d choose. I’ve found some beautiful old children’s books and first editions at Jason Potter’s small shop over the last two years. Jason also buys books, so it’s worth popping by if you have some to sell.

The Barn Barnwell Rd, Oundle PE8 5PB Tel: 01832 273310 Great garden centre, don’t be put off by the narrow bridge access when you are driving from Oundle.

Friendly service, wide range of plants, garden accessories, paving, fencing, potting compost, decorative gravel etc.

Beauty with Ruth 3 West St, Oundle Tel: 01832 275578 Long established salon with a good reputation. Warm, relaxing rooms and very professional therapists. Look out for their offers.

The Talbot Hotel New St, Oundle PE8 4EA Tel: 01832 273621 www.thetalbot-oundle.com A major asset to the town centre, the refurbishment of this 17th century hotel has worked a treat. You can stop by for coffee and cakes, enjoy a quiet business lunch or meet with the family in the Garden Room.

Meeting rooms and conference rooms, and it is a fully licensed wedding venue.

Just out of town

South Road

Oundle Mill Barnwell Rd, Oundle PE8 5PB Tel: 01832 272621 “The Talbot Hotel is www.oundlemill.co.uk It has been closed for a few a hub for the town” months because of flood damage, but the Mill is reopening in early March with a new spring menu.

Foxtail Lilly 41 South Rd, PE8 4BP Tel: 01832 274593 www. foxtail-lilly.co.uk Tracey Mathieson’s pretty flower shop features country style gifts and decorative vintage finds and furniture. She sells informal bouquets, wreaths and a wide range of plants, many of which you can see growing in her garden. Workshops take place in a beautiful adjoining barn (see her website for details) and there are plenty of one-off events, such as the Vintage Day (next date May 11th).

Oundle Vetinary Surgery 92 South Rd, Oundle PE8 4BP tel: 01832 273521 www.oundlevets.com Care for your pets, large and small. We’ve recently been impressed by the compassionate attitude and care given.

Oundle Wharf This development has made a huge difference to the appearance of the town as you approach from the A605. You’ll find Trek-Kits, outdoor suppliers and kayak hire with river access, Gorilla Firm Cycling, for all your cycle equipment, cycles, servicing and mobile repairs, plus the Nene Valley Brewery. Well worth exploring.

Oundle Customer Service Centre 4 New St, Oundle PE8 4ED Tel: 01832 274333 Previously known as the Tourist Information Centre, this is the place to go to find out what’s happening in town (and to collect your copy of Nene Valley Living if you don’t have one delivered!). Open 10am-1pm, Monday to Saturday.

Markets: Oundle market is on Thursday mornings, with fruit and veg, bread, cheeses, French furniture, fish, flowers, clothes and sweets.

The farmer’s market is on the second Saturday of every month.

• Please note, for space reasons we were unable to include every business.

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THE OLD BARN WADENHOE NOW OPEN Set in the beautiful village of Wadenhoe • Light Lunches & Set 2 Course Daily Special • Afternoon Tea - Home Made Cakes & Preserves • Mothers Day - Special Delux Afternoon Tea. Bookings now being taken • Inside & Outside Seating GIFTS • IRONWORK • CRAFTS • PLANTS SHRUBS • BAY TREES • OLIVE TREES Theme nights once a month. Booking essential • Italian night on the 23rd February - last few places • Medieval banquet on the 23rd March

Spring plants now in stock

All enquires welcome, please call:

01832 721129

• Breakfasts • Hot Lunches Daily • Homemade Cakes • Light Snacks/Lunches Our tearoom is in the main street of Aldwincle in a superbly renovated farm milking barn with an outside patio area.

There is off road parking in a car park.

Christmas Menuand nowQuiz available SauSage & MaSh night Friday 8th Table Feb at Top 7 – 7.30pm £15 per head Craft -Fair Call to book team on November 6th your - 10.30am - 4pm We are open daily from 10.30am till 3.30pm (for the winter)

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FOOD & DR INK

PHOTOGRAPHY: dave phillips

A family affair

A mother and daughter have transformed a derelict barn into a garden centre, gift shop and tea room in an idyllic village setting by Dave Phillips

F

or over a century the Old Barn at Wadenhoe was a source of delight for local children.

Situated next door to the village school, bored pupils would watch the great cart horses haul wagons piled high with bundles of wheat through the barn’s double doors. Then the grain would be separated from the straw with a steam traction engine, powering the great wooden threshing machine.

By the time the school closed, in 1950, farming practices had changed and combine harvesters did the job of the old threshing apparatus. By then, the barn became an adventure playground for the local children, who would swing on ropes suspended from the rafters. Among them were the Briggs children, who lived in the farm house next door. The youngest of them was Peter Briggs, who was the final pupil enrolled at Wadenhoe School.

Two decades later, as the versatile village handyman, Peter used the old barn to garage his vintage Massey Ferguson tractor and the timber and tools of his trade.

Sadly, Peter passed away a decade ago, and the barn slowly fell into dereliction. Its owners, the Wadenhoe Trust, restored the fine old building by re-pointing the crumbling stone work and replacing the sagging old wooden beams. But still it stood empty until the spring of last year when mother and daughter Sylvia and Andrea Neal moved into the adjacent farmhouse.

“It seemed such a shame to see a lovely building standing empty, so we decided to do something about it,” says Sylvia, 70. “It was the perfect setting for a garden centre.”

A truly local business Sylvia and Andrea, 45, were already running a mail-order plants business, so it was a logical step to expand by opening a retail outlet. They had, however, reckoned without the soggiest summer in living memory. The year 2012 was a disaster for the garden industry and the Old Barn could so easily have been finished before it had properly begun. But among the visitors who popped in to shelter from the rain were groups of walkers, cyclists and other visitors to this picture-postcard village.

“We’re on the Nene Way and Lyveden Way footpaths and the walkers wanted a place where they could stop and have a pot of tea and a slice of cake,” says Andrea. “So we built a kitchen and toilets for them.”

The delicious cakes are all baked by a local woman, while the sandwiches and rolls are made daily from bread baked in nearly Barnwell.

Jams, preserves and chutneys are home-made too – and available to buy in the gift shop, along with a host of other items.

“We like to encourage local arts and crafts, which range from wrought ironwork to oil paintings,” says Sylvia, who also sells a selection of gifts made by young women in Kenya, where

she lived for 12 years. The money raised goes to a charity that helps prevent those young women from being circumcised or sold as child brides. “It’s my way of putting something back into that beautiful country,” she says.

Sylvia returned from Africa in 2011 after Andrea was involved in a horrific car accident.

The mother of four had been loading shopping into the boot of her car, parked on a steep slope, when the handbrake failed and dragged her for over a hundred yards down the road. She suffered multiple injuries to her back, hips and neck and was unable to continue in her office job. “I couldn’t sit at a desk any more and that was when we started selling plants on eBay,” she recalls. “It has all gone from there, really.”

The Old Barn has certainly gone from strength to strength. Recent events range from woodturning demonstrations to theme evenings, which have proved a great success.

The first – a Spanish tapas evening – was a sell-out and now monthly special evenings are planned, including Italian cuisine and a medieval banquet.

• Forthcoming events can be found on the website: www.theoldbarnatwadenhoe.co.uk.

You can also phone Sylvia and Andrea on 01832 721129… or better still drop in for a cuppa and a slice of cake. The Old Barn, which is in the centre of the village, in Church Street, is open 9.30am to 5.30pm, seven days a week.

NENE VALLEY LIVING FEBRUARY 2013

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24/1/13 12:12:49

HEA LTH & BE AUT Y

Health & Beauty Notes All the latest on local health and beauty businesses. By Bridget Steele

AGE-PROOF YOUR FACE Finding the right skin care products can be confusing and overwhelming. I met up with Dr Beverly Brabbins who runs a dental and skin clinic in Newborough, on the outskirts of Peterborough. Beverly offers very competitively priced Botox and Restylane treatments and also works with Skin Therapy company, Sesha, to administer prescription skincare using pharmaceutical grade antioxidants, botanicals and vitamins which work below the skin’s surface.

Beverly explained: “the products are not perfumed, or in fancy packaging, they are designed for optimum results working closely with a client’s skin type.”

My consultation started with Beverly looking at my current skin care products and making recommendations such as regular exfoliating and using an SPF 30 cream, even indoors when the weather is dull. The consultation concludes with a detailed specification on products and a prescription for my skin type.

• For more information on Sesha products or to book a consultation, contact Dr Beverly Brabbins, Newborough Dental and Skin Clinic, 1 School Road, Newborough, Peterborough PE6 7RG Tel: 01733 810235 www.newboroughdentalsurgery.co.uk

DETOX YOUR BODY Detoxification is a total body process that involves each of the body’s seven channels of elimination – the colon, kidney, lungs, liver, skin, lymphatic system and the blood, each of which must be supported for complete detoxification to occur.

The following are some of the most effective ways in which you can cleanse the body’s systems.

Dietary changes Toxins cannot be eliminated while they continue to enter the body, therefore an increase in your water intake will help with flushing out these toxins. Because the kidneys are unable to function properly without sufficient water intake, drinking plenty is a necessity.

Consuming a high fibre diet that includes plenty of fruit, vegetables, legumes, nuts and whole grains is also important. Fibre helps to absorb and eliminate toxins as it passes through the digestive tract.

The skin The body’s largest organ, it eliminates waste via perspiration. Heat causes toxins to be released from cells into the lymphatic fluid so saunas and steaming are beneficial. Make a home sauna by filling the bath with very warm water and adding two large mugs of Epsom salts. Sit in this for 15 minutes. Dry skin brushing is a great way to remove dead skin cells and get the circulation going. Ten minutes a day before a bath or shower is fine.

Exercise Just 15-20 minutes of brisk walking outside and taking in the fresh air helps with the detoxification process.

Colon Hydrotherapy The therapeutic application of water into the colon. It may help with the process of elimination, especially for people who struggle with constipation or digestive complaints (check with your GP first if you have had medical problems). Cleansing the colon is a great start to the detoxification process.

• For more information, call Lesley @ Back to Basics Health on 07759 330660.

WHAT SKIN TYPE ARE YOU?

Are you fed up with expensive mistakes and second guessing your skin type, including which products and make up are beneficial for your skin? If so, book into Pure Health & Beauty at Glapthorn on 15th February (further dates available) which is hosting an Electronic Skin Analysis Day by an RVB Skincare Specialist using SkinScope.

The SkinScope is a computer that scans the face and analyses the surface and the deeper layers of the skin to ascertain skin & capillary damage, depth of wrinkles, moisture levels in the skin, pigmentation, pore size and elasticity. Your appointment will include full consultation, SkinScope and Mini Facial.

• Please phone 01832 272310 or email pure@ farming.co.uk to book your appointment, limited places available.

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YOUR TEETH ARE VALUABLE! Do you have loose teeth and pray you do not lose them? Do you have missing teeth and wish you could replace them? Do you have a partial denture and dream of not wearing one?

Now there is a new concept of tooth conservation and aesthetics which could solve all of these problems. A minimally invasive, pain free and cost effective technique called Fibredontics is now available at the Bushfield, Herlington and Werrington dental practices and also at the 157 Dental Group, Peterborough.

This new development uses glass fibre strands to create a very strong hidden framework, bonded to existing teeth, that allows loose teeth to be securely anchored, missing teeth to be recreated using tooth coloured composite material and eliminates the need for partial dentures. These are just three of the many dental conditions that Fibredontics can resolve. Other examples are if you have a badly misaligned loose upper tooth, it can be removed, and then placed in a more cosmetically pleasing position fully bonded to the adjacent teeth. If you are allergic to metals in dental prosthetics, the glass fibre material is an effective alternative. Another aspect of Fibredontics is that it can normally be completed in a single treatment appointment, usually without the need for injections.

• For more information or to book a consultation appointment contact: Bushfield Dental Practice 01733 370331 Herlington Dental Practice 01733 234566 Werrington Dental Practice 01733 573244 157 Dental Group Broadway 01733 308157

NENE VALLEY LIVING FEBRUARY 2013

25 H&B NEWS.indd 3

24/1/13 12:13:42

Book 2 treatments for £60 or 3 treatments for £90 • Jessica Deluxe Pedicure • Jessica Deluxe GELeration Manicure • Intensive Facial • Aromatherapy Back Massage • Half Set of Lash Perfect Eyelash Extensions • Indian Head Massage Don’t forget Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day (10th March this year). This package can be bought as a Gift Voucher and payment taken over the phone Valid until 28th Feb 2013 Pure Health & Beauty, Church Farm, Glapthorn, Oundle, Peterborough, PE8 5BE, TEL: 01832 272310 OR EMAIL:pure@farming.co.uk Ample onsite parking for all our clients

Opening Times Mon 9.30-7.30 Tue 9.30-7.30 Wed 9.30-7.30, Thur 9.30-7.30 Fri 9.30-5.00 Sat 8.00-5.00

Newborough Cosmetic and Dental Surgery

confidential, out of town clinic with free Parking

Having a little trouble kissing your Valentine?

M

issing or loose teeth is a common dental problem. The conventional way of resolving it is with a porcelain bridge, denture or an implant. These treatment options often involve irreversible preparation work on adjacent teeth and usually require a number of time consuming appointments.

We are pleased to introduce a new innovative way of replacing and saving your teeth, now available after 12 years of continuous development. The treatment, Fibredontics, is normally completed in a single appointment and in most cases without the need of an injection.

Just imagine how you would look and feel if you came to your dentist looking like this.

And was able to leave looking like this

Treatments performed by qualified dentist, Dr B Brabbins • treatments to reduce facial lines and wrinkles include botox starting at £160

• £60 first consultation fee redeemable on treatment • restylane dermal fillers starting at £150 • sesha Prescription medical cosmetics available with consultation

1 school road newborough Peterborough Pe6 7rg

Make your Valentine happy by contacting us today and ask for a consultation appointment to learn more about this new minimally invasive technique that could change your smile completely.

Tel:

01733 810235 www.newboroughdentalsurgery.com

Practices in: WERRINGTON HERLINGTON BUSHFIELD 157 DENTAL GROUP

01733 573244 01733 234566 01733 370331 01733 308157 25

• NVL FEB ADS.indd 25

24/1/13 12:12:46

Professional Home Care Service A friendly & flexible home based care service tailored around each individual, to provide: • Companionship • Light Housekeeping • Local Transportation and Shopping • Meal Preparation

• Personal Care • Convalescence Support • Specialist Dementia and Alzheimer’s Care

Our CAREGivers are carefully vetted, fully trained, insured and undergo an enhanced CRB check

Contact us on 01733 333342 Providing care services in: • Peterborough • Oundle • The Deepings

www.homeinstead.co.uk/oundle

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23/1/13 11:56:51

p e t s r o o d e h t n o e Crim PE R SPE CT IVE S

Home is the place where we should feel safe, but a growing number of unscrupulous criminals are targeting vulnerable members of the public through a series of sophisticated scams.

Fiona Cumberpatch reports

T

he phone rings and a friendly voice informs you that you’re entitled to a £1,000 pension bonus.

All they need is your bank details and the cash can be transferred straight away.

Most of us like to think that we’d hang up immediately, but according to a survey by Consumer Direct, around three million adults fall victim to mass marketing scams each year, losing on average £850. It’s thought that many more don’t report the crime, because they feel ashamed that they’ve been taken in.

“We are dealing with professional criminals who sound very plausible,” says Peter Stonely, principal Trading Standards Officer for Peterborough City Council. “They work hard to do a good job, and that’s why they are successful. We think of con men as rough and ready but it’s not the case. Many will have trained for what they do and some of the schemes we come across are sophisticated.”

Recent examples of scam phone calls in the Nene valley area include one which offers consumers an electricity saving device for £80.

The device arrives, but, says Peter: “it is highly dangerous and if plugged in, it could catch fire.” Another popular trick is a caller claiming to work for Microsoft. They say that they have detected a fault on your computer and request an instantly payable fee to fix it. “Many of these calls originate overseas, so they are difficult to trace. But if you have been a victim of a scam like this, you should always report it because we do have good weapons in our armoury to bring these people to justice,” says Peter.

A phone scam is unpleasant, but being targeted on the doorstep can be extremely intimidating, especially if you are frail or elderly.

“Never do business in your home, because this is the place where we are relaxed, and less aware of risks, simply because we are in our own environment,” says Peter. “The message is simple: don’t deal with anyone at the door or

let people in. It’s sad, but that is the situation in our society.”

By law, it is not illegal to try to sell someone something at their door, but there is legislation which states that any contracts signed must have a seven day cooling off period, allowing you to change your mind. However, it is not advisable to agree to any work, such as tree cutting, drive resurfacing or roof repairs from someone who shows up out of the blue, even if they do offer a contract.

“We offer stickers for people to display on their windows or front doors, which state that you don’t wish to do business in your home,” says Peter. “If you are targeted, you can point to the sticker and say very firmly, ‘no, I do not wish to deal with you.’”

WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE BEEN CONNED • Call the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 08454 040506 immediately. They will work with you to help you deal with the situation.

Even if court action is not taken, they will work with you to resolve problems.

• Be careful of fraud recovery fraud. This is when fraudsters pretend to be a lawyer or law enforcement officer and tell you they can help recover the money you have already lost (for a fee, of course).

STAY SAFE IN YOUR HOME • In the Peterborough area, Safe Local Trades offers a database of reputable traders who have been CRB (Criminal Record Bureau) checked, who have references, proof of their

Do you know who is at your door?

qualifications and adequate insurance. It is designed to protect consumers from cowboys and rogue traders. “It is a good scheme,” says Peter Stonely of the Trading Standards Office. Phone 0800 0141832 or visit www. safelocaltrades.com • Ask friends and family for their recommendations of workmen, and never make an instant decision.

• Buy with Confidence is a new scheme, launched by Peterborough Trading Standards in November 2012. All businesses who sign up will be vetted and if successful, will be approved as offering legal, honest and fair trade. Find out more at www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk • To reduce the number of nuisance telemarketing calls you receive, sign up to the free telephone preference scheme at www. tpsonline.org.uk but be aware that some calls may still find their way through. Never give out any personal information or make any payments over the phone without checking that the call is genuine.

• Remember: if the offer sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

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24/1/13 12:14:21

Advertisement Feature

New Year Financial Healthcheck

Another year has ended with some low points, mainly the 9 wettest months on record, and some great high points. The latter relates to just about the best Olympics ever – Britain really got that right.

H

owever, moving on to the somewhat dryer subject of the tax year end, a review of the following can help long term financial plans:-

•

•

•

•

ISA Allowance – this is £11,280 per annum of which up to half can be held in cash, the remainder can be in stocks and shares.

You do not need to report capital gains or income from ISAs to HMRC and the administrative simplicity in itself is often worthwhile.

Retirement savings – these can be low cost (although some political figures have their own views on this), pretty flexible and they do have some tax advantages.

You should check suitability but the ability to obtain up front income tax relief, defer some income and capital gains tax and have a fund from which an income can be purchased or withdrawals made at some point in the future still seems rational.

There are some important changes on the way so a review of your retirement plans can be considered, especially for larger funds, those making significant payments and those lucky enough to have salary related schemes.

Capital Gains Tax - rebasing gains within your annual CGT allowance can help to reduce the long term tax implications.

Review asset allocation and risk, especially if you are likely to require access to capital or income within the medium term, for example entering into retirement.

As well as trying to make your money work harder it is also worthwhile looking at your expenditure.

Shopping around on utilities to obtain the best value may save money. It’s a shame to have to put it in writing but don’t rely on your long term relationship with a utility provider to give you the best value.

• We always recommend that you take advice before taking any actions regarding

your financial arrangements. If you are looking for such help, visit Waveney McKenna at www.waveneymckenna. co.uk or call us on 01733 425818; email info@waveneymckenna.co.uk.

Waveney McKenna Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

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PE R SPE CT IVE S

Contesting a Will The death of a loved one is extremely distressing. This difficult time can be made worse if you find out that you haven’t been left what you were expecting in the deceased’s Will. Matthew Sidebottom, a partner at Hegarty Solicitors, offers some advice

C

hallenging a Will can be a long and emotionally-charged process which can seem daunting, particularly when you are grieving. A good solicitor will let you know whether or not you have a case, and guide you through the process step by step.

The examples below are all real cases, and show just some of the many reasons why people contest a Will.

• Elderly, confused aunt disinherits her relatives We acted on behalf of clients who were the niece and nephew of an elderly aunt. They had been named as beneficiaries in her Will but when she died they discovered that she had apparently made a later Will which left the entirety of her Estate to her housekeeper/ carer. This later Will had been made without the knowledge of the aunt’s other regular visitors and had been prepared by a firm of Will writers at the instigation of the housekeeper.

The aunt was by this stage very confused and the Will writers did not obtain specific confirmation from her doctors as to her mental capacity. Following her death a claim was made by our clients to have the Will set aside on the grounds that it was prepared at a time when the aunt no longer had testamentary capacity (that’s the soundness of mind required to make a Will). Medical evidence was obtained and

when disclosed, the housekeeper decided to reach a settlement with our clients.

• A husband’s children from a previous marriage were unhappy with their inheritance Our client was the wife of the deceased. They had both been married previously and had children from those earlier marriages. When the husband died, he left a Will leaving the entirety of his Estate to his wife. His children from his previous marriage brought a claim on the basis that no reasonable financial provision had been made for them from their late father’s Estate.

The children had to accept that they were financially independent adults but maintained that their father should have provided something for them as his moral obligation to them. Our client was clear that she and her late husband have provided for all of the children from their former marriages during the deceased’s life time (for example by assisting with a deposit for a purchase of a new home, the provision of a car) and she felt that both her own and her late husband’s moral obligations had been discharged. She was successful in defeating the claims of the children.

• A wife challenged her husband’s Will so that she could leave behind painful memories Our client’s husband of over 30 years died and

by his Will left a modest sum of money to his wife. The balance of his Estate was left to his adult sons of his first marriage. The main asset of the Estate was an engineering business which was located adjacent to the property in which our client and her late husband had lived. There were too many memories for our client in that property and she wished to move elsewhere but the modest legacy left to her meant that she was unable to purchase suitable alternative accommodation.

When she approached the sons and asked them whether they were prepared to increase the provision for her, she was told that they were not prepared to alter the terms of their late father’s Will. Accordingly she consulted us and proceedings were issued. We proposed that a cost effective way of dealing with the dispute was for the parties to engage in Mediation and when this took place the sons realised that our client’s claim was not only justified but stood good prospects of succeeding. A settlement was reached at Mediation whereby our client received a greatly enhanced legacy sufficient for her to purchase a property suitable for her needs. Her costs were met from the Estate.

• For more advice on contesting a Will, contact Hegarty Solicitors at the Peterborough office on 01733 346333, or Stamford 01780 752066. www.hegarty.co.uk NENE VALLEY LIVING FEBRUARY 2013

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24/1/13 12:15:58

Advertisement Feature

Kit or Caboodle Local event company Kit or Caboodle takes the hassle out of your event leaving you to focus on getting the most out of your special occasion

H

osting a successful and enjoyable event at home or at work is never stress-free. Caterers, parking, entertainment, flowers, there are so many elements to consider to make everything run like clockwork. Local company Kit or Caboodle can take the strain out of your occasion, leaving you free to mingle with family and friends or meet your clients, knowing that every last detail is in the safest pair of hands.

A garden party for a special birthday, an anniversary celebration, a teenager’s disco, or perhaps a celebration in the workplace, company directors Pete Barford and Bans Learoyd combine years of experience and expertise which will ensure that your event will be remembered for all the right reasons.

Pete Barford, who lives near Oundle with his family, works world-wide producing events for corporate clients, and currently holds a contract with Vanity Fair magazine, where he is responsible for the prestigious post Oscar ceremony party in Los Angeles. With a background in lighting, he can transform your garden or venue with his creativity and practical solutions.

Bans Learoyd, who is also local to Northamptonshire, has worked extensively in PR and project management and brings a keen eye for detail and a natural thoroughness to the company. She can work with you to plan every step of your event, bringing your ideas to

At an initial meeting, Bans and Pete will discuss your event and find out the atmosphere you’d like to create, and what you want to get out of it. They will then come up with a proposition, with various options for you to choose from, depending on your budget. “Events can evolve and change when people find out what is possible, that’s part of the planning process,” says Bans. “Whether you want rjp-photographers.com a complete party for 100 guests in your garden, or just a bit of disco lighting and a dance floor, we are very happy to operate at life with minimum fuss, yet leaving nothing to either end of the scale.” chance. Tents, furniture, caterers, bar solutions, • For more details, or to discuss your loos, entertainment, decorations, lighting requirements, call Bans Learoyd on 01536 and security can all be taken care of with 330166 or 07702 848482. You can view thoroughness and efficiency. examples of the company’s previous events at www.kitorcaboodle.co.uk. Kit or caboodle, Your event, Your choice Woodford Lodge Farm, cranford, Kettering If you prefer, you can just hire the ‘kit’ – those nn14 4AP essential elements that you’ll need for the smooth running of your occasion, such as small tents, tables and chairs and decorative paraphenalia. Alternatively, Pete and Bans will manage the production of your event, the whole caboodle, from dressing your venue using creative styling ideas, to organising the food and flowers. Versatility is key, and each event or rental will be carefully tailored to the customer’s individual requirements and budget.

“We really want to provide a flexible service,” says Bans Learoyd. “We will do as much – or as little – as you require.”

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23/1/13 11:57:31

ACT IVIT IE S

Historic Higham Ferrers Tucked away off the busy A45 alongside its close neighbour Rushden, this ancient market town is a Northamptonshire gem. Sue Dobson recommends a visit

PHOTOGRAPHY: SUE DOBSON

The Bede House founded by Archbishop Henry Chichele is now the Parish Hall. The 14th-century carved stone cross was restored to become a war memorial

C

enturies-old houses of mellow limestone cluster around the Market Square, where the 13th century Market Cross is a reminder of the long history of this pretty little medieval town. Follow the narrow lane alongside Beans coffee shop on the square and you step into a quiet church close with a unique group of ecclesiastical buildings that could grace any cathedral city.

The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin with its towering steeple and stunning interior was built between 1250 and 1280 and extended about 100 years later. A big church with a double nave, much of the original building survives today, including the 13th-century carved font.

Look up as you enter through the west porch and admire the roundels that depict scenes from the life of Christ. Dating from 1270, they were almost certainly carved by one of the foreign masons employed on the rebuilding of Westminster Abbey. Tendrils and figures form a Tree of Jesse on the stone frames of the doorway.

The exquisitely carved rood screen and choir stalls with misericords under the seats were given by Henry Chichele in 1425. Born in Higham Ferrers in 1362, Chichele was a lawyer, diplomat, trusted advisor to King Henry V and Archbishop of Canterbury from 1414 until his death in 1443. A great benefactor, he founded All Souls College in Oxford and left lasting legacies to his home town.

It was Archbishop Chichele who founded the beautiful little Chantry Chapel next to the church. With its tall pinnacles and carved battlements, this gem of Perpendicular architecture served as the town’s grammar school for nearly three centuries after the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII. Opposite it, across the churchyard lawn, Chichele’s Bede House was built in 1423 to house 12 poor men of the Borough aged over 50 years, with one woman to look after them. The 12 Bedesmen were expected to spend their days in prayer, interspersed with manual work in the garden. Now used as a parish hall, the attractive Bede House, built in alternating layers of limestone and ironstone, still has its impressive 15th century timber roof and fine fireplace.

St Mary the Virgin Parish Church (the end of the Chantry Chapel is in the foreground)

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ACT IVIT IE S Get the most from your day

The Mapestry, an exquisitely hand-crafted view of Higham Ferrers, hangs in the public library

See the Mapestry Follow the little lane alongside the churchyard into Midland Road to visit the Public Library, where there’s a superb Mapestry wall hanging depicting the town. It was created from recycled materials by a group of talented women, ‘the Material Girls’, who spent three years on the project. Completed last autumn, it is full of exquisite detail and a must-see.

Back on the Market Square and the Georgian Town Hall, turn right into College Street, lined with Elizabethan houses, to reach the ruins of Chichele College. The gabled front with its Tudor door, gargoyles and niches that once held statues of the patron saints of the college face onto the road. Behind it there’s a recently planted medieval style cloister garden.

Founded in 1425 as a place of prayer and learning, it housed eight secular canons, four clerks, six choristers, a song master and grammar master. The college and monastical buildings were surrendered to Henry VIII in 1542.

Now in the care of English Heritage, the much altered and partly rebuilt chapel is regularly used for art exhibitions.

In 1086 the Domesday Book recorded the settlement as Hecham, a Saxon name meaning Settlement on a Hill, and its commanding position above the River Nene was of value in later centuries when the river provided convenient transport for the leather industry. Riverside Park, accessed down Wharf Road, is a seven-acre meadow offering riverside walks, a butterfly garden, ponds and wetland habitats. A stroll there makes a fine ending to a day out in historic Higham Ferrers.

• The Market Square hosts a Farmer’s Market on the last Saturday of the month.

• The Griffin, a friendly 17th-century inn on the High Street, has cosy bars and a good restaurant.

• Cranberry House is a gift shop packed with presents and collectables, at 30 High Street.

• The annual Chichele Garden Fair takes place each May. Around 20 traders sell plants and garden accessories in a picturesque setting. Call 01933 314006 for details of the 2013 fair.

• If the church is closed, details of key holders are shown on the notice board at the entrance to the churchyard.

Above: Pretty houses edge the Market Square in Higham Ferrers

Above: The 15th-century Chantry Chapel served as the town’s grammar school for nearly 300 years Left: The remains of Chichele College, founded in the 15th century as a place of prayer and learning. The restored chapel is in regular use for art exhibitions

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24/1/13 12:18:04

d o o f t i rabb

Eating

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24/1/13 12:14:33

MOT OR ING

Do the motoring maths One of the key criteria for motorists when deciding which car to buy - new or used - is fuel economy. Ashley Martin considers what to watch out for

I

t is hardly surprising that fuel economy is such an important factor with pump prices close to record levels - and likely to increase further in 2013 - and the RAC’s Cost of Motoring Index highlighting that fuel accounts for almost 22% of average annual new car expenditure and almost a third of used car costs.

It is therefore extremely relevant for potential buyers, when researching which vehicle to buy, to compare manufacturers’ claimed MPG performance.

After all, not only should a car with good fuel economy deliver more wallet-friendly motoring than one with inferior MPG, but the key figure correlates to a model’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, a number that is directly relevant to how much road tax (Vehicle Excise Duty) is paid – and, if a company car driver, benefit-inkind tax.

So the key question is just how accurate are the manufacturers’ figures? The answer would appear to be in many cases ‘not very’ from research by consumer publication What Car? and website Honestjohn.

Manufacturers calculate MPG - urban, extra urban and combined - figures for their cars by running them in a laboratory at an ambient temperature of 20-30 degrees Celsius on a rolling road from a cold start. The cars tested, in accordance with European Union regulations,

34

Model Alfa Romeo Giuletta 2.0 JTDm 140 Audi A4 TDIe 136 SE 4dr BMW 320d 4dr Citroen C3 1.4 e-HDi 70 5dr Fiat 500 1.2 Ford Fiesta 1.25i 82 Jaguar XF 2.2D 190 Lexus GS 250 Mazda CX-5 2.2D Sky-D 175 Nissan Note 1.5 Peugeot 3008 1.6 THP 156 Skoda Superb 1.6 TDI CR 105 S/SE Vauxhall Astra GTC 1.6T 180 Volvo V40 2.0 D3 150 have to be run-in and must have been driven for at least 1,800 miles before testing.

The urban cycle test is carried out first and consists of a series of accelerations, steady speeds, decelerating and idling. Maximum speed is 31 mph, average speed 12 mph and the distance covered is 2.5 miles. It is followed by the extra urban test and consists of roughly half steady-speed driving and the remainder accelerations, decelerations, and some idling.

Maximum speed is 75 mph, average speed is 39 mph and the distance covered is 4.3 miles.

The combined MPG figure, which is the one most commonly quoted by dealers and in publications, is the average of the two parts of the test, weighted by the distances covered in each part.

Given the scientific nature of the testing it is therefore hardly surprising that in real world motoring it is difficult, and virtually impossible, for drivers to replicate manufacturers’ claimed MPG. What Car? says that ‘good’ fuel economy is achieved if in real world motoring a driver gets to within 15% of the published combined cycle figure, while a car achieving below that percentage would be considered ‘poor’ in the MPG stakes.

Meanwhile, HonestJohn (www. honestjohn. co.uk) has calculated that the discrepancy between official laboratory quoted fuel economy figures and real

MPG Official MPG 58.9 62.8 54.3 65.7 54.8 61.4 70.3 83.1 44.3 58.9 42.3 50.4 42.1 52.0 30.9 31.7 46.3 54.3 44.5 47.9 36.5 39.7 53.1 56.5 36.7 39.2 56.6 65.7 world motoring - taking account of individual driving styles, vehicle load, traffic conditions, wind resistance etc. - is collectively costing UK drivers £4.45 billion a year.

The figure is based on MPG data supplied by more than 30,000 drivers at the wheel of a wide cross-section of makes and models. On average, HonestJohn calculated that a car only achieved 88% of its official MPG figure, forcing drivers to spend around an extra 2p per litre every time they filled their fuel tanks.

Improving fuel economy not only makes financial sense, but it makes environmental sense. All drivers can do their bit by training themselves to drive smarter and by ensuring their vehicle is in tip-top condition (see top tips panel).

Meanwhile, examples of MPG figures obtained

by What Car? in road testing cars on a 50-mile route using specialist fuel economy measuring equipment are shown in the chart above.

Top tips to save fuel • Ensure tyres are inflated to the correct manufacturer recommended pressure • Ensure the vehicle is serviced at recommended intervals • Remove unnecessary vehicle weight (such as unused roof boxes and roof bars) • Stay at or within the speed limit. Driving at 80 mph uses 25% more fuel than at 70 mph, driving at 70 mph uses 9% more fuel than at 60 mph and up to 15% more fuel than at 50 mph • Drive smoothly - avoid harsh accelerating and braking • Change gear at 2,500 rpm in petrol cars and 2,000 rpm in diesel cars • Use ‘block gear changing’ - for example move from third to fifth as soon as possible • If likely to be at a standstill for more than three minutes switch off the engine • Many of today’s cars have stop-start - don’t sit with your foot on the clutch

NENE VALLEY LIVING february 2013

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D IA RY DAT E S

FEBRUARY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY

Wednesday 27 February – Friday 1 March Around the World in 80 Days 7.45 pm Phileas Fogg and his servant Passepartout set out to circumnavigate the world in a musical version of Jules Vernes’ novel brought to life by a talented cast of youngsters. £5. The Stahl Theatre, West Street, Oundle, PE8 4EJ. 01832 273930. oscar01. savoysystems.co.uk/ stahltheatre.dll/

What’s On

Yasmin Bradley selects interesting events for February Monday 11 and Tuesday 12 February 8pm (Monday); 5pm and 8pm (Tuesday) The Chinese State Circus presents ‘Ying Yang’ See the world’s greatest circus including the ancient Chinese discipline ‘Icarian Games’ where the human body becomes catapult and catcher!

Peterborough Cressett, Bretton Green, Bretton, PE3 8DX. www.cresset.co.uk.

01733 265705. www.chinesestatecircus.com

Saturday 1 February – Sunday 14 April Tulipmania 10am - 5pm (closed Mondays) Stunning art exhibition by Northamptonshire Fine Art Graduate, Angela Stanbridge demonstrating her obsession with the endless variety of patterns and shapes combined with the intense colours of tulips in the unique setting of The Charles Rennie Mackintosh House & Galleries.

Gallery: free. 78, Derngate, Northampton, NN1 1UH. 01604 603 407. info@78derngate. org.uk. www.78derngate.org.uk Sunday 3 February, 10am-4pm Basket Weaving Workshop at Flag Fen One of many exciting heritage workshops and lectures this spring: make a traditional basket from hedgerow willow. £60 including materials and lunch. Book on 01733 864663 or museum@vivacity-peterborough. com. The Droveway, Northey Road, Peterborough, PE6 7QJ. www.vivacity-peterborough.com/ venues/flag-fen.

Tuesday 12 February Wood Green Animal Shelter – Hands on behind the scenes tours 10am – 12pm/ 1 – 3pm Find out more about dog, cat, small animal and field animal care; make fun pet toys and feed the animals. £4 (5-year olds +). Children must be accompanied. Book on 0844 248 8181 or handson@woodgreen.org. uk. Wood Green Animal Shelter, King’s Bush Farm, London Road, Godmanchester, PE29 2NH. www.woodgreen.org.uk/events/filter/ godmanchester.

Sunday 17 & Sunday 24 February Deene Park Snowdrop Sundays 11am - 4pm Walk through swathes of different species of these, our earliest winter flowers.

Adults £4.00; Children free. Deene Park near Corby, Northants., NN17 3EW. 01780 450278. admin@ deenepark.com. www.deenepark.com.

Wednesday 20 February, 7pm A Woman’s Work... at Longthorpe Tower Discover how Lady Margaret de Thorpe ensured her household ran smoothly in the 14th century.

Adults £8 (£5) to include light refreshments. Thorpe Road, Longthorpe, Peterborough, PE3 6LU. Book on 01733 864663 or museum@vivacity-peterborough. com

Sunday 24 February Jericho - Open Garden for NGS 12 -4pm Visit this beautiful all-season walled garden inspired by Vita Sackville. £3. Children: free. 42 Market Place, Oundle, PE8 4AJ. 01832 275416 or stephenaris@btinternet.com. www.ngs.org.uk/gardens Thursday 28 February Virginia Black in performance 7.45 pm Royal Academy teacher and expert on early keyboard music, Virginia Black performs Partita no. 1 in B flat by Bach, Sonata in A minor by Mozart and more!

Tickets £12 (£10) from Oundle Box Office, 4 New Street, Oundle, PE8 4ED. 01832 274734.St Peter’s Church, Church Street, Oundle, PE8 4EE. 01832 275675.

Saturday 9 -Sunday 17 February Wildlife Week at Sacrewell Farm Native wildlife and pond -themed activities - plus a new nature trail. £5.25 (£4.35); Children: £3.70; Family: £15.90. Sacrewell Farm & Country Centre, Peterborough, PE8 6HJ. 01780 782254. www.sacrewell.org.uk.

NENE VALLEY LIVING FEBRUARY 2013

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For £20 you can subscribe to Nene Valley Living for 12 issues. Please send your name, address and a cheque made out to Local Living Ltd to: NVL Subscriptions, PO Box 208, Stamford, PE9 9FY. Or visit www.bestlocalliving.co.uk to subscribe online

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