Nene Valley living November 2011

HELPING YOU TO GET THE MOST OUT OF LIVING LOCALLY

NENE VALLEY LIVING FOOD/FASHION/HEALTH & BEAUTY/HOME & GARDEN/LIFESTYLE

Win! £250 of AGA Cookshop vouchers

GIFT AID 4 pages of perfect presents GUNPOWDER, TREASON AND PLOT Foiled by a local link?

£1.50 NOVEMBER 2011 @LocalLivingUK WWW.BESTLOCALLIVING.CO.UK

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NENE VALLEY LIVING

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

@LocalLivingUK

r e b m e v o N e u s s i s i Th 5

N

ovember is always a very busy time on the magazine, as we prepare our annual gift guide. Everyone is shopping wisely again this year amid financial uncertainties, and we hope that our guide will help you to plan your purchases more effectively. We’ve included products from many local, small and independent shops and what an amazing array of items they proved to be when we took them on location to be photographed.

We’re full to the brim with events this month, too. Here are some late dates for your diaries: • Friday November 4th 3pm-7pm and Saturday November 5th 10am -1pm.

Joules Catalogue Returns Sale at The King’s School, Park Rd, Peterborough. £2 entrance. All proceeds to King’s School Charities and Peterborough Cathedral Choir. Bag a bargain!

• Saturday 12th November. Rutland Wind Ensemble Concert in aid of the Batten Disease Family Association.

St Peter’s Church, Oundle. 7.30pm.

Including music by Gershwin, Peter Warlock, Albeniz, Ravel and Beethoven. Tickets, £9, £7 concessions, £2 students under 18, from Greetings card shop, West St, Oundle, or on the door. Batten Disease is an incurable, progressive disease affecting children and young people.

• Please notify us of your events at least eight weeks before they take place.

Have a good month.

Fion a Cu mberpatch Editor SUBSCRIBE TO Nene Valley Living

7 8 20 REVEREND RICHARD COLES

Cover shot:

Aga kitchen by Lesley Anne Churchill Accessories (except teapot and tea towels) The Aga Shop, Warmington Mill Cakes: The Wansford Cakery, Wansford Styling: Fiona Cumberpatch

Editor’s selection

Seasonal treats and buys

Upfront

Win! £250 worth of Aga vouchers

Upfront

Travel tips and adoption news

11 Upfront

Nene Valley People and financial advice

13 Gift aid

Presents for the family

20 Coming home 27 SEASONAL RECIPES

Meet R4’s Reverend Richard Coles

22 Food news

Beetroot Catering and home-smoked bacon

24 A cracking Christmas party Where to hold your celebrations

32 GUNPOWDER PLOT: LOCAL LINK 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 Warner’s of Bourne

27 Stirring stuff Seasonal recipes

28 Health and beauty notes News from local businesses

30 Gone to the dogs A night at the races

32 The man who messed up the gunpowder plot A local link

37 Civilised pursuits

Can private members’ clubs survive?

38 A thoroughly modern marriage Pre-nups gain ground

41 Local walk

Stride out on your doorstep

42 Motoring

Weather-proof tyres

44 Diary dates

Great events for November

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

NENE VALLEY LIVING NOVEMBER 2011

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Coles for Fires

PAGE

RENEWABLE ENERGY • Generate your own green electricity and get paid for every unit you produce • Works all year round – Only daylight

required, not direct sunlight • Wireless display shows how much

electricity you are generating

• LaRgE SELEctioN of Wood, MULtifUEL, gaS, ELEctRic StovES & fiREpLacES oN diSpLay

• Our products require no maintenance

• fULL fittiNg aNd chiMNEy LiNiNg SERvicE avaiLabLE With hEtaS cERtificatE

• Available for domestic & SME customers

• Fully installed or ready to install supply only kits

• chiMNEy SWEEp SERvicE • fULL cENtRaL hEatiNg iNStaLLatioN aNd SERvicE • LaNdLoRd cERtificatES

16a Montagu Street, Kettering, NN16 8RU

Tel: 01536 510522 Email: colesforfires@hotmail.co.uk www.colesforfires.co.uk

Tel: 01733 568358 Fax: 01733 568673 Email: sales@pagegrouppeterborough.co.uk www.pagegrouppeterborough.co.uk

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Editor’s selection Seasonal ideas for November

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Cosy Melyn Tregwynt throws, £95 each. John Lewis, Queensgate Centre, Peterborough

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Terracotta stew pot, £29.50, and terracotta pans, £9.50 each. Marks and Spencer, Queensgate Centre, Peterborough

3

Craft your own Christmas gifts with The Liberty Book of Home Sewing, £20, Oundle Bookshop Tel: 01832 273523

4

Fine breakfast marmalade, £3.60, from Hambleton Bakery, 44, Jericho, Oundle PE8 4AU

5

Rent unique antique china and accessories for weddings, funerals and corporate events. Contact Michelle Chapman at Vintage English on 07717 706213 or visit www.vintageenglish.co.uk

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Bracelet, £70, Reba, Cathedral Square, Peterborough PE1 1XH Tel: 01733 319606 or www. reba.co.uk

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Girls’ silver party shoes by Rachel Riley, from £49, John Lewis, Queensgate Centre, Peterborough

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Brooklyn grey knit skirt, £49.95, White Stuff, High Street, Stamford Tel: 01780 753611

NENE VALLEY LIVING NOVEMBER 2011

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at 1d mancetter Square, lincOln rOad, peterbOrOugh, pe4 6bx (OppOSite apex tYreS)

01733 326091 SpecialiSt fOOt SOlutiOnS fOOt analYSiS, cuStOm OrthOticS, biO-mechanical aSSeSSmentS fOr Skiing, trekking, gOlf, running, all SpOrtS and everYdaY fOOtWear.

SpecialiStS in Ski and OutdOOr equipment 30 YearS experience Offering a prOfeSSiOnal and friendlY Service WinterSteiger Ski WOrkShOp With full range Of ServiceS Open mOn, tue, Wed, fri, Sat 9.30am - 5.30 pm, thurSdaY 10.00am - 7pm SundaY 11am - 4pm (december and JanuarY)

WWW.WrightSSkiandfOOtSOlutiOnS.cO.uk

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LOCAL NEWS

Upfront What’s new this month

Fall in love with AN AGA Since the first AGA cooker was installed some 90 years ago, the quintessentially British appliance has been a symbol of hearth and home. Now, with the popularity of home baking soaring, and an exciting new, electric programmable model on sale, AGA is still riding high.

At The Aga Shop, Warmington, near Peterborough, new showroom manager Ian McBain explains: “the AGA Total Control was launched in May, and it already accounts for around one third of our sales. It is a real shift forward. It doesn’t have to be kept on all the time, as is the case with the traditional AGA, yet it has all the benefits.” As well as cookers, the local showroom offers a huge variety of quality cookware.

During November and December, join the AGA team for some special Ian McBain events. Prepping for Christmas with Penny Webb runs on Thursday 24th November, 11am -1pm, price £15, while internationally renowned James McIntosh presents An AGA Christmas on Wednesday 7th December, (£25, two sessions available). Booking is essential. Or if you just prefer to pop in for a browse, the kettle (and the AGA) is always on.

The Aga Shop, Warmington Mill, Eaglethorpe, Warmington PE8 6TJ Tel: 01832 280855

WIN!

£250 worth of vouchers to spend at The Aga Shop, Warmington Mill First prize £175, second prize £75 Each piece in the AGA Cookshop collection is designed to offer the best performance, whether you use an AGA or not.

It’s built to last, year after year, meal after meal. As well as the superb range of cast iron pans and dishes, you can find lighter, stainless steel cookware and cast aluminium, roasting tins, kettles, scratch-resistant baking accessories, electrical goods, timeless ceramics and colourful, durable textiles.

To win, answer this question at www.bestlocalliving.co.uk The AGA Total Control programmable cooker runs on: a) Oil

b) Electricity

Female friendly garage

c) Gas

Some women still feel daunted when taking their car to the garage, but not at Owen Brown Auto Repairs. They’re given a warm welcome by a female receptionist, with a cup of tea or coffee. There’s a clean and tidy waiting area and a boxful of toys to keep children occupied. When you get to meet a mechanic, he won’t talk down to you or sell you something you don’t need. The female-friendly policy has been such a success that owner Owen Brown reckons female customers outnumber males two to one at his premises in Enterprise Way, Bretton. And in recognition of his efforts, the business has been approved by the Foxy Choice website, which recommends only female-friendly garages. “Some of the motor trade is still sexist” says Owen. “But I was determined to make my garage different and it has paid off. We keep the place clean and tidy and our staff are respectful.

We also supply a courtesy car and employ a full time driver to fetch and deliver.” The garage deals services and repairs on all makes of car.

Unit 2, Peartree Business Centre, Enterprise Way, Bretton PE3 8YQ Tel: 01733 333623 owen@owenbrownautos.co.uk

Wreath by Foxtail Lilly

Stress-free Christmas shopping

Get organised at these local events…

Foxtail Lilly Christmas preview 11th November, 4pm-9pm, 41 South Rd, Oundle. Tel: 01832 274593 The rustic barn shop in Oundle has a fabulous seasonal display of country-style gifts, fresh flowers and foliage, vintage finds and beautiful Christmas decorations.

Complimentary mince pies.

Christmas Market at the Haycock Hotel 13th November 10am-4pm The Haycock Hotel, London Rd, Wansford PE8 6JA Stamford Artisan Guild members will be visiting the Haycock Hotel in Wansford with a Hand Made Christmas Crafts Fair. Artists, designers and makers from Stamford, Rutland and Peterborough will be exhibiting and selling beautiful creations. A great opportunity to support local artists and buy unique handmade gifts for Christmas.

Ladies’ shopping evening, Yaxley 24th November, 7pm-10pm, Fourfields Primary School, Yaxley. £2.50 on the night, including drink, cupcake and goody bag for the first 70 guests Local sellers offer beauty products, jewellery, children’s clothes and toys John Lewis Christmas shopping event 1st December, 6pm-9pm Entertainment by the Salvation Army Band and carols by the Ravensthorpe Primary School Choir. Free drinks, nibbles and competitions. Catwalk shows, cookery demonstrations, samples and tips on decorating your home.

Register to win with Carbery Interiors Carbery Interiors specialises in supplying elegant furniture and accessories for country homes. Co-founder and owner Claire Glencross says that the company’s ethos is to provide fabulous pieces for the home at affordable prices. “The business started as a result of me wishing to furnish my own home beautifully, but I just wasn’t willing to accept inflated high street prices. We began by supplying to family and friends, and it has grown ever since. Feedback has been fantastic, and as well

our expanding domestic business, we now include a number of local businesses as valued clients.”

During November, register online at www.carberyinteriors.co.uk for a chance to win a fabulous Bronte throw worth £75. In addition, exclusively for Nene Valley Living readers, please quote ‘Nene’ to receive 10 per cent off your first order.

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LOCAL NEWS

Upfront

Could you adopt?

Could you offer a child a permanent loving home? Peterborough City Council is appealing for people to find out more about adopting a child or young person in National Adoption Week, which takes place from Monday October 31st to Sunday November 6th. Families are needed for children of all ages in the Peterborough City Council area and further afield. Typically, the city council needs to find 20 to 30 homes for adoptive children each year. Homes are needed for youngsters of all ages, including sibling groups and children with special needs. The process of identifying, assessing and approving new adopters happens throughout the year, so expressions of interest are welcome from adopters at any time. Councillor Sheila Scott, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services says: “there are many myths about who can adopt, but the fact is that people from all walks of life can.” The city council’s adoption team can provide helpful advice, guidance and support throughout the whole process, resulting in a fulfilling, satisfying and successful new family life for both the adoptive parents and the adopted child.

For more information, and a booklet, call 01733 317448 or visit www.familieswanted.co.uk

Blitz that car

Winter light show

2012 is going to be the year to view the ‘Northern Lights’ in Tromso, Norway’s Paris of the North, writes Paula Cockcroft of Oundle Travel By night, enjoy the effervescent atmosphere of the world’s most northerly university town and sample fresh fish dishes in local restaurants. By day enjoy a thrilling husky safari, go ice kicksledding or take a polar walk. The Northern Lights of Aurora Borealis, to give them their proper name, are a natural phenomenon, totally unpredictable but a magnificent spectacle when the atmospheric conditions are just right. The Norwegian scientist Kristian Birkeland first gave the world an explanation for the Aurora by observing how electron rays from the sun collided with the earth’s magnetic field, followed it down to the magnetic poles and created an explosion of light.

Visible from November to April, Tromso is one of the world’s best spots from which to see the lights, visible from November to April. Whilst no one can guarantee you will see the Northern Lights, we do promise that you’ll have a brilliant winter break.

The Husky Safari includes a traditional lunch or dinner by open fire in a Lavvo (tent) and a thrilling morning or afternoon trip. Or why not cruise offshore into the dark evening on the fishing boat ‘havcri’ spotting for the Aurora to burst out over the Sound? The Polar Night Sleigh Ride to the ancient Holmsetta Farm also gives an excellent opportunity to see the lights.

Oundle Travel are offering a 3 night break to Tromso including return scheduled flights from Heathrow from £760.00 pp. Or treat the family to Iso Syote in the heart of Kuusamo Lapland. Far removed from the commercialised Lapland trips that flood the market, this destination offers a perfectly balanced combination of activities, superb accommodation and pristine wilderness. From £1395.00 per person.

For details, speak to one of Oundle Travel’s travel consultants on 01832 273600 www.oundletravel.co.uk

Art in Aldwincle During November, local artist Jean Linford will be showing examples of her oil and watercolour paintings at the Pear Tree Farm Tea Room, Aldwincle. Jean is currently concentrating on seascapes and landscapes, and tries to capture the atmosphere of the subject by the use of dramatic skies and colour. Having been brought up near the North Norfolk coast, her pictures reflect her love of the area, especially the big skies and endless beaches. Jean will be donating 15 per cent of any proceeds resulting from sales to Cancer Research UK. The tea room offers delicious cakes, tea, coffee and home cooking in a rural country setting.

Opening times: Monday 11am-3pm and Tuesday to Sunday 10.30am-4pm. Pear Tree Farm Tea Room, Aldwincle NN14 3EL Tel: 01832 720614

Our tester set local car valet Tommy Liddar, aka Mister Car-Shine, a real challenge when she asked him to spruce up her hard-working family car for a special occasion: “the service took about two and a half hours and included a hand-wash, wax and polish. All the carpets were vacuumed, as well as the seats, mats and boot. Door shunts were cleaned and polished, as were the windows and trims. Finally, he deodorised the interior, leaving the whole car spotless, inside and out.” A full valet costs £29.95 for any size of car, or a mini valet is £19.95.

Tommy will visit your home or work place.

Call him on 07538 402555.

Stop press: Textile Lincs presents an exhibition of mixed media textiles called ‘Memory’ at the Yarrow Gallery, Oundle.

November 5th-26th. Free admission.

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Veronica’s Fine Indian Foods Planning a Christmas Party, or any special occasion?

Then call on my chef for the evening service, where I prepare freshly cooked Indian food at your premises, together with a live cookery demonstration and an evening filled with entertainment.

Lessons given on how to make Christmas dinners exciting for the festive season as well!

Gift vouchers available for Indian cookery lessons for Christmas presents.

For more information please ring Veronica on 07805667804

Retirement properties available for rent now; in a secluded part of Orton Malborne, for the over 55’s. Spacious 1 bedroom, 2 people flats with newly landscaped gardens, close to local amenities with 24 hr lifeline response.

On signing up for a first floor property we can offer a financial sum towards your moving expenses or towards your carpets.

For lots more information and to arrange a viewing please contact Trish, the Estate Manager on 07714973072.

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Carbery Interiors Elegant Furniture & Accessories

Whether it’s painted French style furniture or vintage leather chairs we hope to offer something to suit every taste. In addition to our furniture and accessories range we also provide beautiful bespoke handmade curtains, blinds and upholstery as well as a home design service.

www.carberyinteriors.co.uk Tel. 01780 450943

Exceptional Eyecare

• Thorough 40 minute eye examination • Digital retinal photography • All glaucoma checks • Lifestyle, tailored eye examination • Contact lenses and aftercare • Top quality lenses & coatings

Specialist Eyewear

• Handmade from top-quality materials • Intelligently engineered • Bespoke • Frames from 1.9 grams • Designer • Wraparound prescription sunglasses

Service

• Honest advice • Personal service • Digital photography to compare frames • Fabulous coffee!

INDEPENDENT OPTICIAN 24 WESTGATE ARCADE, QUEENSGATE CENTRE,PETERBOROUGH PE1 1PY

T- 01733555621 W www.theoculist.com 10

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LOCAL NEWS

Upfront

WIN! WIN! WIN!

Josef Seibel has a fantastic selection of everyday boots and shoes to keep you warm, stylish and dry this winter, including timeless classics and new contenders, all of which retain the brand’s style-with-comfort reputation and outstanding quality based on 100 years of experience. You’ll find them in independent retailers Marcia May, in Stamford, and Cottons of Oundle.

We have 25 Josef Seibel goody bags, worth £10 each, to give away. Each one contains nourishing cracked heel cream, shoe polish, a shoe horn and a pen. Just visit the website, www.bestlocalliving.co.uk and answer this simple question: How long has Josef Seibel been manufacturing shoes? a) 100 years b) 50 years c) One year

Ask the expert Inheritance tax Nene Valley People

Should you gift your assets during your lifetime, or leave them in your will?

Kerry Hilliard of Stephenson Smart & Co explains: Inheritance tax (IHT) is payable on the value of assets that you own at the time of your death.

If your estate is worth more than the nil rate band (£325,000 for the 2011/12 tax year) then IHT will be charged at 40 per cent. Any nil rate band not fully used by your spouse or civil partner can be transferred to you on their death.

There are exemptions from IHT for some gifts made during life time, such as small sums of up to £250 per recipient per tax year, gifts by an individual of up to £3,000 per tax year and certain gifts in consideration of marriage or civil partnership. Gifts out of income are also exempt if they form a pattern of regular expenditure and do not reduce your standard of living. If you make a gift to your spouse or civil partner or to a charity then the gift will not give rise to IHT whatever the amount. Most gifts over and above these exemptions are known as ‘potentially exempt transfers’ (PETs).

A PET becomes exempt if you survive for seven years from the date of the gift.

If you make a gift but continue to benefit from the use of the asset, it will continue to form part of your chargeable estate, e.g if you transfer your home to your children but continue to live there, the value of the property (subject to certain exceptions) will remain in your estate on death.

Some gifts create a charge to IHT when made during lifetime, such as a gift into a trust.

For gifts other than cash, there can be other tax consequences so it’s important that you seek professional advice.

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

Five minutes with Dave and Maggie Wright, who have just opened Wrights Ski and Foot Solutions in Peterborough

How did the opening go?

We opened on October 1st, the hottest October day in history!

We had a lot of interest and it was encouraging to make some early sales. We have always had a tremendous amount of support from customers in the surrounding area.

Tell us about your background We come from a sports retail background which was a business Dave’s father started some 50 years ago. Being enthusiastic skiers, we introduced ski retailing into the Peterborough area 30 years ago, turning our hobby into our business. Outdoor pursuits then followed. During our time we have always had an interest in making orthotics, which is why we have decided to include a foot clinic in our new location to offer solutions for feet.

Describe your business We are technical independent retailers specialising in skiing, trekking, and active outdoor pursuits. We provide foot analysis and fit solutions for all sports and everyday footwear. We also have a professional ski workshop to undertake repairs and servicing to skis.

What do you do that’s different?

We take time to make sure that we match equipment to our customers’ needs; we ensure that clothing is fitted correctly and is suitable for the activity. By offering a complete foot measuring and analysis service, we ensure that footwear and ski boots are custom fitted to the customers’ foot type and can modify them if required (even the customers’ own footwear). Our service is relaxed and friendly.

How do you sell skis in the flattest city in the UK? We’re confident our customers will be using them on real mountains and not in the Fens!

What’s the best thing about Peterborough?

The Cathedral and other historic buildings, plus the amazing road systems that provide accessibility to all parts of the city.

• Wrights Ski and Foot Solutions, 1D Mancetter Square, Lincoln Rd, Peterborough PE4 6BX Tel: 01733 326091 www.wrightsskiandfootsolutions.co.uk NENE VALLEY LIVING NOVEMBER 2011

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THE OUNDLE BOOKSHOP Based at Market Place, housed in one of Oundle’s historic Georgian buildings, we stock thousands of titles with a further 180,000 available for next-day ordering - order today & read tomorrow!

We keep an in-depth selection in the following categories:• Biographies • Food & Drink • Gardening • Sport • Travel Guides • Fiction • Humour • History • Poetry • General Knowledge • Childrens’ Avid Reader? Ask for one of our Regular Reader Discount Cards. Spend £10.00 & get a stamp collect 10 stamps & we give you a £5.00 voucher.

Need a Christmas Gift? Then come & see us - in addition to books we stock language, audio & classical music CD’s, bookmarks, magnifiers, giftwrap and some fabulous, original gift items!

Special Offer We are offering a large range of popular paperbacks (including the current top 10 best sellers) with a voucher which entitles you to 20% off any hardback (in stock or to order).

13 Market Place, Oundle. T: 01832 273523 E: oundlebookshop@colemangroup.co.uk

We have now opened our latest Antique Centre at 1c West Street, Helpston, PE6 7DU Valuation Days held every Wednesday Antiques Bought and Sold • Free Valuations Restoration Work Undertaken Gold & Silver Bought – Best Prices Given Please call to speak to one of our experts

07901 513404 01778 348865

or email stuy.antiques@gmail.com

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SHOPPING

GORGEOUS GIFTS FOR CHRISTMAS Get set for the season with our four page local presents guide. Compiled by: Lesley Anne Churchill and Fiona Cumberpatch. Photography: Lesley Anne Churchill

R E H R FO

Pink bra, £35 Pink briefs £22 Floral trim bra £30 Floral trim brief £14.50 Black bra £52 Black briefs £33 all from Eve, Oundle

Antique box, £60, Green Man Antiques Silver and pearl bracelet, £45, Harpur’s of Oundle Silver ring, £32, Harpur’s of Oundle Flourite necklace, silver fitting, £85, Harpur’s of Oundle Silver pearl agate necklace, £150, Harpur’s of Oundle Vintage silver shoes, £15.95, Sue Ryder Vintage and Retro

Pink pom pom scarf £5.99, Reba Striped hat, £19, Jacks Striped scarf, £30, Jacks Hot water bottle, £9.99, Reba

Bag, £33.50, Crackers Brown boots, £169, Jacks Scarf, £19.99, Crackers

Fair isle sweater, £70, Jacks Hummingbird Recipe Cards, £9.99 Knitting book and Vintage Flowers book, Oundle Bookshop

Handbag, £169 Leather gloves, £35 Radley diary, £17, all from Peterborough Designer Leathers NENE VALLEY LIVING NOVEMBER 2011

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SHOPPING

TS R O F M O C E HOM

Lantern, £12, Foxtail Lilly Block letters, £11.99, Reba

Star card holder, £5.50, Foxtail Lilly Tealight holder, £4.50, Foxtail Lilly

AGA cast aluminium casserole dish, £140.99, The Aga Shop Green chopping board, £11.99, Stu-Pots Rudolph nutcracker, £16.50, Stu-Pots Red 10-cup teapot, £27.60, Stu-Pots The Great British Book of Baking, £20, Oundle Bookshop Mary Berry’s Christmas, £16.99, The Aga Shop Green oven gauntlet, £13.95, Stu-Pots Red star apron £18.95, Stu-Pots Red star oven gloves, £15.95, Stu-Pots

Antique plate, £110, Green Man Antiques, Oundle Chocolates

by Palmer’s

Moroccan tile, and dragonfly tile, from Fired Earth Branche d’Olive soaps, £12.50 for set, Fired Earth Branche d’Olive handwash, room spray, scented candle, Sels de Bain, and exfoliating scrub, all from a selection at Fired Earth Baubles, from £2.99, TK Maxx Gift tags, Paperchase Cloth, vintage find

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Designer Leathers Established Family Business since 1987

The only independant leather shop for Peterborough and surrounding areas.

New designs in for A/W 2011. Fantastic range of bags, stockists of Fossil, Kipling and Radley. Leather and sheepskin gloves and slippers.

We pride ourselves on our customer service.

8 Queens Street / Peterborough

01733 348917 www.designerleathers.co.uk

Green Man

Antiques & Restoration Ltd

Eve Lingerie – Swimwear Accessories

Lingerie from A-K cups Professional Fitting Service Freya, Fantasie, Elle MacPherson, Wolford, Calvin Klein, Fauve, Pleasure State, Triumph,Marlies Dekkers, Royce, Elomi, Pure Lime, I’Coloniali

01832 273969

CElEbraTing 2 yEarS

The Bazaar, West Street, Oundle, Peterborough PE8 4EJ

Period antiques that complement 21st Century technology & style, Specialising in 17th – 20th Century mahogany, walnut & oak furniture We have lots

of lovely

Georgian and collectable silver. unusual Free estimates given. Friendly helpful advice. Christmas Restorations and repairs presents

74 West Street, Oundle, Peterborough, PE8 4EJ (opposite Oundle Clock Shop) - Tel: 01832 270970 Open: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday 10am – 4pm (Or by appointment)

1 hour parking outside and easy access for loading/offloading

Circles of Yaxley Chapel Studio Chapel Street Yaxley Peterborough PE7 3LN

Ladies High Class Fashion Agency

Tel: (01733) 242539 Est. over 20 years

A wonderful range of Autumn/Winter garments now in stock at a fraction of the original cost Discover the secret of saving £££'s From Casual Wear to Special Occasions and Ball Gowns Good quality fashionable clothes always welcome and sold on your behalf.

Labels from Designers to well known High Street - all under one roof!

Come and find something different.

Open Tuesday - Saturday 10am - 4pm

The Oundle Clock Shop specialises in local clocks and we offer advice on full restorations and repairs.

Tel: 01832 272099

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M

M

I Filofax Organisers FREE PEN WORTH £10.00!

IIO M Christmas gifts for all the family

I

IIO M

From: £14.99

A4 Printer, Scanner, & Copier

From: £19.99

personal stationery

Complete Art Sets All you need to get started!

£29.99 From: £19.99

£69.99

Leather Chair

I

£69.99

IIO M SAVE £56

I I O O M I O I O I I I I I I M I M

Paper Shredders

From: To: £4.99 £249.00

Brother Multi- Letterheads Function Boxed

Christmas gifts for all the family

Christmas gifts for all the family

Prestige Pens From Parker, Cross, Waterman, Sheaffer, & Rotring

OFF RRP!

Oscar Deskware Texture Boutique

From: £2.99 To: £19.99

SAVE £7 OFF RRP!

£18.99 •Stamford -1-2 St Paul’s Street & 39 High Street •Oakham - 46 High Street •Oundle - 10 New Street Please see www.colemangroup.co.uk for full branch details

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SHOPPING

S T F I G S ’ N E R D L CHI

Floral vanity case, £23.99, Reba Rose & Co toiletries, £16.99, Reba Mini monogrammed mirrors, £3.50 each, Reba Bath melts, £2.95 each, Reba

Cat, £14.99, Crackers Soldier money box, £7.99, Crackers Sweetie bags, from a selection at Palmer’s Chocolate Usborne Activity Cards, £5.99, Oundle Bookshop Cuddly dinosaur, £17.50, Crackers Milly Molly Mandy Things to Make and Do, Oundle Bookshop Other books, charity shop finds.

Suitcases similar from St Martins Antiques Centre, Stamford

Suitcase set, £14.99, Crackers

Freddie wears sleepsuit, £11.99, Crackers Mouse, £7.99, Crackers

Pink heart plate, £9, Van Hage Decorations, from £1.99, Van Hage Pink baubles, Hobbycraft Cloth: vintage

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Crackers of Oundle Ethnic meets Country Living Gifts & Accessories Wooden Toys • JellyCat Traditional Christmas Decorations St Eval Candle East of India & many more

3 New Street, Oundle, PE8 4EA Tel: 01832 274467

Men and Women’s Country Clothing & Accessories R M Williams •Katie Mosa Ness • Le Chameau Lyn Antley • Seasalt • Barbour Really Wild Open Monday to Saturday 9:00am till 5:30pm

www.harveytweel.co.uk Unit 1 The Bazaar West Street Oundle PE8 4EJ - 01832 272444

Stu-Pots

36 Market Place Oundle 01832 275414 Look for the Cooks Companion Leaflet coming through your door

Sodastream stockist Council approved bio-degradable bags in stock

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

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SHOPPING

IM H R O F

Swiss army knife, £26 Trekker socks, £13.50 Binoculars, £29.99 Buff £14

Fossil man bag, £135, Peterborough Designer Leathers Fossil wallet, from a selection at Peterborough Designer Leathers Sheepskin gloves £39, Peterborough Designer Leathers Red buff, Trek-Kits Green buff, £14, Trek-Kits

Solar charger £17 Flask £29.99 Kettle £59.99 Rucksack £28 All from Trek-Kits Crew shirts, £60 each, Jacks of Oundle

CONTACTS: Peterborough Designer Leathers, 8 Queen St, Peterborough Tel: 01733 348917 www.designerleathers.co.uk Jacks of Oundle, 20 Market Place, Oundle Tel: 01832 270033 Crackers, 3 New St, Oundle, PE8 4EA Tel: 01832 274467 Oundle Bookshop, 13 Market Place, Oundle PE8 4BA Tel : 01832 273523 Foxtail Lilly, 41 South Rd, Oundle Tel: 01832 274593 Reba, Cathedral Square, Peterborough PE1 1XH Tel: 01733 319606 www. rebaboutique.co.uk Stu-Pots, 36 Market Place, Oundle Tel: 01832 275414 The Aga Shop Warmington Mill, Eaglethorpe, Warmington, Peterborough PE8 6TJ Tel: 01832 280855 Fired Earth, Warmington Mill, Eaglethorpe, Warmington, Peterborough PE8 6TJ Tel: 01832 280088 Green Man Antiques and Restoration Ltd, 74 West St, Oundle PE8 4EJ Tel: 01832 270970 Harpur’s of Oundle, 5A West St, Oundle PE8 4EJ Tel: 01832 274050 Van Hage, Peterborough Garden Park, Peterborough Rd, Eye, Peterborough PE1 4YZ Tel: 01733 221400 Sue Ryder Vintage and Retro, 97-99 Bridge St, Peterborough PE1 1EH Tel: 01733 345405 Trek-kits, Unit 7, Eastwood Rd, Industrial Estate, Oundle PE8 4DF Tel: 01832 272050 Palmer’s Chocolate, The Bazaar, West St, Oundle Tel: 01832 275896 Eve, The Bazaar, West St, Oundle PE8 4EJ Tel: 01832 273969 Silver spitfire cuff links, £69, Harpur’s of Oundle Silver trout cufflinks, £145, Harpur’s of Oundle

All books from Oundle Bookshop

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PEOPLE

Coming home Many remember him in the chart-topping pop group The Communards, others know him as the presenter of Saturday Live on BBC Radio 4. To his parishioners, he’s the Vicar. Sue Dobson met the Reverend Richard Coles at home in Finedon, Northamptonshire

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T

he Reverend Richard Coles, former choirboy, pop star and currently indemand broadcaster, looks very much at home at The Vicarage. The kitchen has the air of a man keen on cooking and entertaining; a book-lined study complete with piano, and modern art and ceramics displayed among big comfortable sofas, tell of an enjoyment of the arts. Two exuberant dachshunds greet visitors enthusiastically. Since his arrival at Easter, the Parish Priest of St Mary the Virgin, Finedon, Northamptonshire in the Diocese of Peterborough, has settled in to village life very happily.

“It’s perfect,” he smiles. “I grew up around here, my parents live nearby and my two brothers and their families aren’t far away. In fact we’re all within Sunday lunch distance of one another.” Being a half time, half-stipend role also seems ideal, allowing him to balance his commitments of priest, broadcaster and writer. On his day off he takes to the road in a camper van, which he describes as “the best invention since the folding bicycle.”

Now nearing 50, Richard has led what can best be described as an interesting life. A chorister at Wellingborough School, immersed in the culture and music of the church, he loved the Book of Common Prayer, hymns and Evensong but rejected the theology, “being a self-proclaimed atheist at age eight!” He was, he says, “a good, swotty child until puberty kicked in. Then I was a pain, did terribly badly in ‘O’ Levels and left school at 16 under somewhat of a cloud.”

He found a vocational ‘A’ Level drama course in Stratford-upon-Avon “and had two great years letting my hair down before moving on to London.” A competent pianist and keyboard player, he contributed to musicals, fringe and community theatre until he was the injured cyclist in a car accident.

“I bought a soprano saxophone with the compensation money, started doing sessions and drifted into pop music.”

EIGHTIES IDOLS

He met singer Jimmy Somerville while performing with Bronski Beat and in 1985 they formed The Communards, notching up a succession of electro-pop chart toppers over a period of three years.

Their number one hit Don’t Leave Me This Way was the UK’s biggest selling single of 1986. “It all seems quite preposterous now,” he laughs.

After “crashing out of pop bands and the chaotic lifestyle that goes with them,” Richard began carving out a successful career in television and radio, writing music, reviewing films for London Weekend Television, offering advice as Agony Aunt for Emma Freud’s show on GLR, at that time the BBC’s edgy local radio station for London, and presenting The Mix, a late night magazine programme on Radio Five. “I was put up for a Sony Gold Award

His number one hit Don’t Leave Me This Way was the best selling single of 1986 – Best Newcomer – and won it. The BBC Chairman sent me a letter of congratulations.

The following week the show was axed!”

Although he says he “felt like a complete idiot” when he started doing reviews for Radio Three’s Night Waves, he regularly sat in for the presenter and eventually made the programme his own.

“It was a late night arts magazine that covered everything from opera to galleries.

I met so many interesting people. When I left to study for a degree I thought that was probably the end of broadcasting for me, but fortunately it wasn’t.”

Having acted as stand-in for presenter Fi Glover on Radio 4’s Saturday Live for a couple of years, he was asked to take over the programme when she left in April. “I’m endlessly curious about people’s lives, so it suits me admirably.”

RELIGIOUS TWINGES

Richard started to get “religious twinges” in his late 20s, fanned by a visit to St Mary’s Cathedral while reviewing the Edinburgh Festival. “They were singing choral evensong and I just wanted to be part of it.” The pull of religion proved strong.

Aged 30, he began studying theology at King’s College London.

“The clarity and rigour of the Roman Catholic system appealed greatly for a time, but I missed the Anglican liturgy and after 10 years I realised I was really Church of England. I also knew by then that I wanted to be a priest.” He was ordained in 2005, serving as curate first at St Botolph’s, Boston (the ‘Boston Stump’) then at St Paul’s, Knightsbridge, where he was also Chaplain to

the Royal Academy of Music.

“St Paul’s was marvellous. Good liturgy, wonderful music, a very fine vicar, I couldn’t have been happier. When the time came to move on and run a parish, I’d assumed I’d stay in London. Then I saw an advertisement in the Church Times for a vacancy in Finedon, a village I’d cycled around and liked. I thought a lot, prayed a lot, and finally, right on the closing date, sent in my application. Only when I got here did I discover that two of my forebears had been vicars of Finedon in the early 17th century.”

Built of local ironstone and surrounded by venerable trees, the magnificent country Church of St Mary the Virgin dates from the 14th century. The organ, ‘tis said, was played

by Handel.

“Finedon is a town of two halves, with wonderful historic buildings and the modern industrial part built on shoe manufacturing, once a major employer in the area. The church, chapel, school and cricket club draw people together and the whole community turns out for the pantomime, which I shall have a very small part in this year. It’s a good place to be.”

SATURDAY LIVE

Richard’s Saturday Live week begins on Thursday when he has meetings with the production team and writes the newsletter for the programme’s web page. On Friday he’s writing scripts and doing pre-recorded interviews. On Saturday he’s up early to be in the studio several hours before he goes on air.

Those who tune in regularly will know that the programme’s presenter is a good listener, knowing when to let his guests talk and when to pop in a relevant comment or question. The empathy he shows comes from a genuine interest in people. His sense of fun is never far from the surface, with stifled giggles suppressing what, off-air, would be gales of laughter, and the programme’s often irreverent take on subjects may seem surprising for a man of the cloth.

He may have swapped the limelight for a dog collar, but the Reverend Richard Coles is anything but a traditional God-slot broadcaster. He guests on satirical shows for both radio and television and enjoys doing off-beat feature programmes. When we met he’d just returned from Athens and Cairo for a Radio 3 history series he was working on. When he talks of his travels, the people he’s met feature as memorably as the places visited. And he has a firm grasp of social media, too. In September, 25 years to the month since Don’t Leave Me This Way was No 1 in the UK singles chart, the song was chosen for the end of a funeral service in Finedon. ‘A first: led coffin out of church this afternoon to one of my own records’ he tweeted to his 5,000 followers.

Although he describes being a Church of England vicar as his “natural habitat”, insists on being known as the Rev Richard Coles when broadcasting and wears his dog collar with pride, that pop star past is not likely to go away anytime soon.

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FOOD & DRINK

Food

news All the latest on local food and drink

A taste of the season at Opus Dai

Opus Dai prepares for its first festive season in Stamford this Christmas. Our reviewer went along to sample the fare: There are three special Christmas menus which start on November 1st and run through to Christmas Eve. My starter was pan fried quail in a spicy butter sauce, accompanied by diced potatoes and a sweet chilli dip. The quail was tender and surprisingly meaty, without being over-filling. The main course comprised curried pheasant in a secret blend of herbs and spices, accompanied by bhaturas (rather like a light naan bread and possibly the nicest Indian bread I’ve ever eaten) and jeera rice. The curry was expertly cooked, and although the sauce was spicy, it didn’t overshadow the delicate flavour of the pheasant. It was a great change from the usual chicken.

Dessert was two warm gulabjam served with vanilla ice cream. Not having a clue what to expect here, I learnt that it was an Indian delicacy made with semolina, then deep fried and soaked in a sugar syrup. Definitely rich and calorific, but utterly delicious. This menu costs £34.99 a head, and includes a glass of Champagne.

A more traditional menu is on offer for £29.99 per head, and a festive buffet at £15 per head. This sounds delicious, with a delightful fusion of foods, such as mini Yorkshire puddings with roast beef, onion bhajis, Japanese prawns and chicken samosas. The buffet can be served in a private lounge upstairs with its own bar.

Booking essential.

Food is served daily at Opus Dai, from noon to 7pm, and for the Christmas season, there will also be a Winter Warmer menu which includes traditional British dishes with the Opus Dai twist. A children’s menu is available, and on Fridays, there is a Specials Board, offering childhood favourites such as Fish Finger butties, cheese toasties, and the famous in-house fry up (and you don’t have to be under five to indulge!).

Opus Dai, Broad Street, Stamford. Tel: 01780 481880 www.opusdai.co.uk Open 7 days a week.

BRILLIANT catering BY BEETROOT Christmas at The Red Lion, Warmington A hearty, home cooked menu is on the cards at The Red Lion, Warmington this Christmas. Served from 1st to 23rd December, this exceptionally cosy pub is offering an appetising selection, ideal for sharing with friends, work colleagues or family. Starters include honey roasted parsnip soup with fresh bread or a crouton topped with toasted goats cheese, served with homemade chutney.

The traditional roast turkey and chipolatas, roast potatoes and fresh vegetables are done beautifully here (the NVL team has sampled it), but there are other options such as medallions of pan fried pork served with sage, apple and cider sauce. Christmas pud is on offer for dessert, as well as homemade bramley apple pie, treacle tart, and tea or coffee with the landlord’s famous mince pies.

The Red Lion, Peterborough Rd, Warmington, PE8 6TN. Tel: 01832 280362

Catering for an event can be a difficult business. Delivering a great and innovative menu that’s well cooked and served on time to your guests can be a challenge.

Whether it’s a wedding, corporate banquet or simply a party at home, calling in the caterers can take the stress out of the event. Keith Mickleburgh has been a chef for over 20 years. He may be familiar to some as he is the Head Chef at The White Swan, Woodnewton. Due to demand for his services outside the pub, he has also launched Beetroot Catering and Events based in Oundle. Beetroot’s philosophy is summed up as ‘professional catering, locally sourced.’ “We design the menus with our clients and then we provide one price per head which includes all required equipment, waiting staff; crockery and cutlery and pre-event tasting session - there are no hidden extras,” says Keith. He uses locally sourced produce and suppliers where possible. “The client experience is really important to us. It’s not just about supplying a meal, serving it and going home. You are an integral part of the day” says Keith. “You’re representing the hosts and being entrusted by them to deliver the same level of hospitality to their guests.” Judging by the list of impressive testimonials on his website www.beetrootcatering.co.uk clients have been impressed. And Keith’s plans for Beetroot go beyond catering. The website is becoming a web portal for local wedding and event suppliers. “Oundle and the surrounding area has a wealth of talented individuals who can supply most things from marquee hire to photography and floristry to cake making and I’m keen to support and promote local businesses,” he says.

Beetroot. Tel: 07921 672076 www.beetrootcatering.co.uk

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THE RED LION

Warmington Tel: 01832 280362 A Great Country Pub • Real Home Produced Food • Homemade Desserts • Quality Real Ales • Candles, Fresh Flowers & Linen Napkins Lunchtime Specials from £8.95 Tue – Sat

Early Doors Buy ONE meal & get another HALF PRICE

Free Marquee Hir e Conditions apply

A La Carte from 7pm Tue – Sat The Famous Red Lion Sunday Lunch Serving 12 noon and 2.30 (booking essential)

king Now ta s for g in book as Christm

Closed Mondays

T h E F i n EST E n g l i S h C u i S i n E AT

Tue – Fri (table clear by 8pm if required)

The

Cherry house Restaurant

“ The difference is in the detail...”

Reservations Essential

• For Superb Food & Excellent Service in Delightful Surroundings Christmas Party Lunch & Dinner Menus from 25th Nov. 3 course lunch or dinner Coffee & seasonal petit fours Christmas crackers, party hats & poppers Reservations now being taken

01733 571721 125 Church Street Werrington Peterborough, PE4 6QF www.cherryhouserestaurant.co.uk

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FOOD & DRINK

A cracking

Christmas party

Looking to celebrate with family, work colleagues or friends this Christmas? Here’s our indispensable local guide for a night to remember

F

or a party with a difference, try Veronica’s Catering Service. She specialises in Southern Indian food freshly cooked and brought to your premises. For ten or more there is a buffet with tandoori chicken, home made samosas, bhajis, chicken kebabs and wings, mixed fried rice. If kitchen facilities are available, Veronica can provide a more formal meal and offers Bollywood Dancing and Indian entertainment. Contact Veronica Hewins on 07805 667804 or authentic.indian.uk@ gmail.com There are Christmas festivities aplenty at the Queens Head Inn, Nassington. A special lunch menu is available every weekday for £12 and on Friday and Saturday there’ll be Christmas Party nights from £28.50 with a meal and disco - ideal for office parties or a pre-Christmas get together with friends. On Christmas Day and Boxing Day, the Queens Head will be serving lunch, and on New Year’s Eve, there’s a dinner dance. For private parties, the Garden Room is available and seats up to 70. For more information on menus and bookings contact The Queens Head, 54 Station Road, Nassington, Peterborough PE8 6QB Tel: 01780 784006 www.queensheadnassington. co.uk For a country pub, great atmosphere and food to match, try The Kings Arms at Polebrook. During the Christmas season, they have a two course menu for £16 or three courses for £19.50 and it includes choices such as potted kipper and crab with pickled samphire, rolled beef brisket with wild mushrooms and rich Guinness gravy, and desserts such as local quince in quince syrup with pannacotta, sticky stem ginger pudding with custard. The

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pub’s renowned tapas menu and traditional paella is also available for parties. The Kings Arms, Polebrook, Tel: 01832 272363 www. thekingsarms-polebrook.co.uk The Cherry House in Werrington, Peterborough is offering Christmas lunch party menus throughout December at £22.95 including coffee and mince pies with a mix of traditional and contemporary food, or a party dinner menu for £26.95. The restaurant also has a festive menu on Sundays throughout December at £23.95 and is open on Christmas Day, where diners will be treated to Champagne and canapes, a four course lunch, a selection of cheeses with home baked walnut and sultana bread, coffee and Petit Fours at £74.95 per head. Cherry House Restaurant, 125 Church Street, Werrington, Peterborough,PE4 6QF Tel: 01733 571721 www.cherryhouserestaurant.co.uk Peterborough city centre favourite, the Brewery Tap has a festive canape menu served throughout November and December (must be pre-booked) at £10 per head for guests of 20 plus, and includes traditional Thai finger food. A sit down buffet at £17.95 (for over 20) includes three courses and Thai favourites such as Tempura vegetables, Massaman Curry, and Oakham ribs (marinated in ale!). A festive three course set menu is ideal for parties of two to 20 at £15.95 per person, or a vegetarian menu is £14.95. Brewery Tap, 80 Westgate, Peterborough, PE1 2AA Tel: 01733 358500 www.oakhamales.com East offers a festive taste of the Orient, available from 1st November, and has a Festive Banquet for four people or more at £24.95 which includes a four course meal, choice

of four starters, the famous Chinese crispy duck as a second choice, then options such as include Korean Beef served with sizzling vegetables, Sea Bass in a curry sauce, Butterfly King Prawns, and dessert including Tempura ice cream with strawberry sauce. East also offers a Far East menu at £19.95 per person for three courses including turkey green curry, and crispy Teriyaki Duck. There is a vegetarian menu at £16.95 per person. East, Upper Deck, Charters, Town Bridge, Peterborough PE1 1FP Tel: 01733 315702 www.east-restaurant. co.uk Dexters celebrate its first Christmas in Oundle with a seasonal lunch and dinner menu from 28th November to 24th December. The menu can be two or three courses, £14.50 for two courses at lunch time only or £18.50 for three courses. It’s great value with choices including smoked salmon gravlax, game terrine, warm halloumi salad, venison and beef en croute and desserts including Panefruttone bread and butter pudding with spiced custard. Dexters, 2-3 Crown Court, Oundle, Peterborough Tel: 01832 273366 The White Swan in Woodnewton offers a festive menu from 28th November through to 24th December with a menu combining traditional fare and contemporary food.

Smoked trout and beetroot salad starter, and pheasant with wild mushroom and chestnut sauce served with potatoes and savoy cabbage sound appealing. Traditional turkey, nut roast or shin of beef is also included in the mains, and vanilla cream brûlée with Griottine cherries and biscotti or apple strudel with nutmeg custard for pud. The White Swan, Woodnewton, Peterborough 01780 470944

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The Kings Arms P O L E B R O O K

01832 272 363 www.thekingsarmspolebrook.co.uk

CHRISTMAS PARTY MENU Roasted root vegetable and sweet potato soup Devilled lambs kidneys on toast

Potted kipper and crab with samphire

Grilled smoked camembert with walnut relish, apple and celery

Sliced salt beef, potato and horseradish salad ••• Rolled turkey escalope, wild boar stuffing, smoked bacon and cranberry confit

Roast breast of pheasant with sage and onion stuffing, apple and black pudding

Rolled beef brisket with wild mushrooms and rich Guinness gravy

Grilled haddock fillet with mussels, cream caper and samphire sauce

Roasted butternut squash, mushroom risotto and toasted camembert

••• Christmas pudding with egg nog custard

Rich chocolate pot with chestnut puree and caramelised hazelnuts

Local quince in syrup with Pannacotta

Sticky stem ginger pudding with custard Cheese board with pickled figs

2 courses £16

3 courses £19.50

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••

During the Christmas season we will also be serving our traditional Paella and Also

A seasonal special of Chicken & Blackforest Ham Tartiflette with Pickled salad £75 For 8 people

••••••••••••••••••••••••••• TO GET ON OUR MAILING LIST AND HEAR ABOUT SPECIAL EVENTS

PLEASE E-MAIL US A

REQUEST

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The Queens Head Riverside Inn 54 Station Rd Nassington, near Peterborough Peterborouggh Northamptonshire PE8 6QB

Bookingss are coming c in thick andd fast - have you y made yours yet? et? · Christmas Party Nights from £28.50

one Awarded e tt e AA Ros ary n for culi ce n e excell

· Christmas Day Lunch £62.50 (children £31.25) · New Years Eve Dinner Dance - £79.50

Book Now for Christmas & New Year

· Open on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and New Years Day. · View a brochure on our website.

Tel: 01780 784006 Fax: 01780 781539 Email: info@queensheadnassington.co.uk Web: www.queensheadnassington.co.uk

jade acupuncture

T

raditional acupuncture is a healthcare system based on ancient principles which go back nearly two thousand years. It has a very positive model of good health and function, and looks at pain and illness as signs that the body is out of balance. The overall aim of acupuncture treatment, then, is to restore the body’s equilibrium.

Acupuncture is widely considered to be beneficial for a range of illnesses and symptoms, from clearly defined complaints to more general feelings of ill health and low energy.

To find out how acupuncture could help you, please contact

Corinne Alexander BA(Hons) MBAcC

07737 172939 www.jadeacupuncture.co.uk

DHS Business Centre, 226 Dogsthorpe Road, Peterborough PE1 3PB Also at - The Range, Toft Country House Hotel, Toft, Bourne PE10 0JT (Mondays only)

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FOOD & DRINK

STIRRING STUFF Making Christmas cake and puds marks the countdown to the festive season and ‘stir up Sunday’ falls on November 20th this year. We’ve teamed up with www.bakingmad.com a free website which is part of the Silver Spoon group based in Peterborough, to bring you some seasonal recipes GINGERBREAD HOUSE 350g Allinson Nature Friendly Plain White Flour 1tsp bicarbonate of soda 1tsp ground ginger

125g butter 175g Billington’s Light Muscovado sugar 1 medium egg 4tbspns golden syrup

Decoration: 2 egg whites, 500g Silver Spoon Icing Sugar, plus chocolate beans, silver balls and jelly drops.

1. Preheat the oven to 180C, 160 Fan, 350F, Gas mark 4. Line two baking trays with non stick baking paper. Cut out the ginger template (from www.bakingmad.com) in thick card.

2. Sift the flour, bicarbonate of soda, and ginger into a bowl. Rub in the butter, then stir in the sugar. Lightly beat the egg and golden syrup together, then add to the flour to make a dough.

Leave to rest in the fridge for 15 minutes.

3. Lightly flour a work surface. Roll the gingerbread to 0.5cm thick. Cut out the sections using the templates, then slide the gingerbread onto the baking sheets.

4. Any leftover dough can be cut into Christmas trees or little gingerbread men. Bake for about 15 minutes or until golden brown. Leave on the tray for 15 minutes before moving on to a cooling rack.

5. Put the egg whites in a large bowl and sift in the icing sugar. Stir to make a thick, smooth icing. Spoon some of icing into a piping bag with a plain nozzle. Pipe generous lines of icing along the wall edges, and join the walls together. Use small cans or bottles to support the walls, and allow to dry.

6. Once dry, fix the roof panels. Pipe thick lines of icing along the edges of the walls and place the roof sections carefully on to the wall panels. Dry completely, ideally overnight.

7. Cover a cake board with white icing using a palette knife. Keep a section in the middle of the board smooth and stand the gingerbread house on it.

MINI BRANDY CHRISTMAS PUDDINGS 250g unsalted butter 100 g dark muscovado sugar 75g Billingtons molasses sugar 1 grated lemon zest and juice 1 grated apple 3 eggs, lightly beaten 175g breadcrumbs 50g self raising flour, sifted

1tsp mixed spice 225g currants 225g raisins 175g prunes, chopped 100ml brandy 100ml ginger wine 2tbsp Billington’s golden icing sugar for dusting

To serve: cranberries, a few coins sterilised in boiling water for a few seconds, a sprig of holly 1. Pre-heat oven to 170C/150C/Gas mark 3. Line two x 12 hole muffin tins with paper muffin cases.

2. Put the butter, dark muscovado sugar, and molasses sugar into a bowl and cream together with a wooden spoon or electric whisk until smooth and fluffy.

Add the lemon zest and juice, and grated apple.

3. Mix in the eggs. (don’t worry if the mixture’s curdling) along with the breadcrumbs, self raising flour, and mixed spice. Stir in the currants, raisins, and prunes and finally pour in the brandy and ginger wine.

4. Give everything a final stir and ask any willing volunteers if they want a turn (they can then make a wish).

5. Divide the mixture between the muffin cases and smooth over the top.

6. Put a large sheet of foil under two roasting tins and half fill with boiling water.

Rest the muffin trays on top, and cover with foil.

7. Bake for one hour, leaving the puddings wrapped in their water bath for up to one hour more to cool.

8. Wrap the puds individually in foil and store in a cool dark place for up to two weeks. Warm through in the same way for 25 minutes when serving.

9. To serve, upturn the puddings on to the serving plate, top each one with a cranberry, if liked. Push in a few sterilised coins (alert your guests!). Decorate with a sprig of holly and dust with icing sugar.

The Peterborough based website www.bakingmad.com has hundreds of inspiring recipes, from bread, biscuits and cupcakes to muffins, pies and pizzas. All the recipes are tried and tested by experts in the Baking Mad kitchen and come with top tips, how-to videos and easy to follow stepby-step instructions.

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21/10/11 12:35:03

All the latest on local health and beauty businesses. By Bridget Steele

HEALTH & BEAUTY

health & beauty notes Professional make up

Roshni Odedra is passionate about hair and make up: she has worked with Clairns, Chanel and Mac Cosmetics, and has recently completed a hair and make up course in London with the Lubna Rafiq Academy – and is now a qualified make up artist.

She specialises in special occasion and high fashion hair and make up and her services are available for weddings and bridal parties. She can do hair put up jobs, false lashes, make up lessons and her service is mobile and provides all the make up, using a variety of quality brands. A make-up session including a consultation is £30, or hair styling starts at £20.

For more information contact Roshni Odedra, Tel: 07539648530

Throw a pamper party Pamper parties are an ideal way to spend an evening in with the girls, and are perfect for birthdays, hen parties or just a chance to get together for a catch up and a chat. Lisa Claypole and her team will provide treatments such as mini-facials, manicures, pedicures, make-up sessions, or tanning for a special occasion.

The evening is relaxed and designed to be fun.

Treatments can be tailormade for a party and are suitable for all ages.

For more information contact Lisa Claypole, Elysia Health and Beauty, Tansor, Oundle PE8 5HP Tel: 01832 226328 or 07879 620196

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Beautiful brows Eyebrow threading has quickly become a technique favoured by celebrities to achieve a glamorous crisp brow line. It’s a noninvasive, Eastern hair removal technique used for brow shaping and facial hair removal with the use of cotton thread. This method of shaping your eyebrows is more precise and cleaner results are achieved than with waxing. It is also less painful than tweezing and suitable for people with sensitive skin which can’t be waxed.

Kanize, at Chic Beauty, Peterborough, specialises in the art of threading and uses a combination of other techniques to achieve shaped eye brows which make the face look more youthful and balanced. Kanize also focuses on a long term shaping, giving her clients correct aftercare advice, as over plucking is one of the most common mistakes.

Kanize is offering half price threading throughout November for just £6 (usual price £12). To make an appointment contact Kanize on 0775 1841870 at Chick Beauty and Brow Bar, DHC Business Centre, 226 Dogsthorpe Road, Peterborough, PE1 3PB. The centre also offers free parking.

Say goodbye to dentures

Struggling with normal day to day living, laughing and eating due to the inconvenience of wearing traditional dentures is no fun. They can slip during conversations and are known for causing pain.

Some foods are difficult to chew with them in, and they can even affect the way some foods taste as the roof of the mouth is covered.

At Total Dental Care, in Peterborough a technique called “All on 4” means a complete arch of permanent teeth can be replaced on four dental implants which are positioned using available bone making it possible to give teeth further back in the mouth. In a day, patients are able to leave the surgery with a set of fixed teeth, free from problems of the traditional denture. The teeth look, and can be treated like natural teeth.

For more information contact Total Dental Care, 3rd Floor, Market Chambers, Cathedral Square, Peterborough, PE1 1YW Tel: 01733 314131

NENE VALLEY LIVING NOVEMber 2011

28 H&B.indd 1

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ACTIVITIES

Gone to the dogs Lesley Anne Churchill samples a budget night out with a difference at Peterborough’s Greyhound Race Track. Photos: Lesley Anne Churchill

H

aving never been greyhound racing before, I decided to follow the recommendation of friends and book a table in the restaurant. Meals have to be paid for at the time of booking, and as there were only two of us we had to prebook by telephone. For groups of four or more reservations can also be made online. We opted for the two-course option on the Wednesday evening, which was a reasonable £14 per head.

Prices vary depending on which night you visit but it is worth investigating as there are plenty of deals on offer and it appears that the bigger your party, the lower the cost.

With the first race scheduled at 7.30pm, we arrived at 7pm and were promptly shown to our seats and offered a drinks, menus and programmes. This 400 seat restaurant is relaxed and comfortable, despite its size, and like the rest of the indoor seating area is arranged in a tier design so all seats have unobstructed views of the racetrack.

We didn’t have to wait long for our meal to arrive: mozzarella and tomato salad to start, followed by a very generous portion of vegetable lasagne, accompanied by enough vegetables to feed four people. If you prefer not to have a sit down meal, there is also a cafeteria and a fast-food serving area, with enough

30

seating for 500 people.

A bonus for dining in the restaurant is the tote messenger service, great if you are feeling lazy and would prefer not to queue at the tote windows, but also if like me you are a total novice where betting is concerned. We were fortunate in that our lady was very patient and was happy to explain the race programme and the betting options available. But after following her advice on choosing the dog based on their previous ’form,’ we decided to follow the simpler and less scientific system of betting on the dog with the most attractive name! Needless to say, both methods proved fruitless, but at £1 per bet we were not concerned about breaking the bank.

Round the track Before each race the six dogs are walked along the track so spectators have an opportunity to see the competitors before placing a bet. But with an average of 14 races a night, one every 15 minutes, its hard to keep up with the betting, so after a few races we gave up and instead decided to move to the trackside to have a better view of the races. Here you can feel the anticipation amongst the serious race goers and dog owners who prefer to be closer to the

action. Watching from the trackside you can witness close up the power and determination of the greyhounds as they explode from the gates in pursuit of their prey, covering the short 420-meter distance in less than a minute. It is hard to comprehend their speed.

Walking around the venue it appears greyhound racing attracts people of all ages: from couples, families to groups of friends.

Surprisingly there were quite a few parties of women, either celebrating a special event or just making the most of one of the many offers.

Even on the quieter Wednesday evening where you would expect fewer visitors, there was still plenty of excitement in the air.

If you are looking for a fun and inexpensive night of entertainment then you can’t go far wrong with a visit to Peterborough Greyhound Race Track. After all, there aren’t many places where you can go for a meal and have a full evenings entertainment all for around £20 per head.

Situated in Fengate close to the city centre, the 1000 seater stadium is open for race nights on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. For further information, contact 01733 296939 or visit www. peterboroughgreyhounds.com

NENE VALLEY LIVING NOVEMBER 2011

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LOOSE DENTURES? Lack of good bone support?

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www.bushďŹ elddentalpractice.co.uk Bushfield Dental Practice, Fitzwilliam House, 10 Bushfield, Orton Centre, Orton Goldhay, Peterborough, PE2 5RQ 31

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PERSPECTIVES

The man who messed up the Gunpowder Plot The Gunpowder Plot was hatched in the Nene valley, but a local man unwittingly saved Parliament from destruction. Dave Phillips goes on the trail of the terrorists of 1605… Photos: Dave Phillips

I

t is said (with tongue not always fully in cheek) that Guy Fawkes was the last man to enter the Houses of Parliament with honourable intentions. He certainly took the rap – and it’s his effigy that is burned with glee every Bonfire Night when Britain marks the momentous events of November 5th 1605.

But the truth is that Londoner Fawkes was only a bit-part player in the intricate plot that was woven in Northamptonshire by local Catholics who had endured religious persecution at the hands of the Protestant ruling classes. Here in the Nene valley lived the men who almost pulled off the most audacious terrorist act to take place on British soil.

If their plot had succeeded, the Protestant King James I and his Parliament would have been blown to smithereens by 36 barrels of gunpowder secreted in the cellars beneath Westminster. And the reason it didn’t succeed was because a local man let the cat out of the bag.

That man was Francis Tresham, son of a leading local landowner, Sir Thomas Tresham. It was Thomas Tresham who had started building Lyveden New Bield, near Oundle, but had died on September 11th 1605 before the remarkable garden lodge was finished. He had already built Rushton Triangular Lodge, near Kettering, in 1597 as a celebration of his Catholic faith, with the number three – symbolising the Holy Trinity – appearing everywhere.

Francis, born in 1567, was the eldest of Sir Thomas’s 11 children. He was educated at St John’s College, Cambridge, but was not allowed to graduate because of his Catholic faith.

Embittered, he soon got involved in radical politics and in 1601 was arrested for his part in a foiled rebellion to remove the previous monarch, Elizabeth I, from the throne. He was fined £2,000 – an enormous sum in those days – which was paid by his father.

A guilty conscience?

On October 14th, just a month after his father’s death, he was invited to take part in the Gunpowder Plot by his cousin, Robert Catesby, the ringleader of the conspirators, who owned the manor house at Ashby Ledgers, in west Northamptonshire. In the room above

32

the gatehouse, the 13 plotters planned their audacious strike. They were angry that the new king had failed to deliver his promises to be more lenient to Catholics and were determined to blow up both the monarch and his Government.

They rented a house in Westminster where Guy Fawkes lived as he assembled the huge arsenal of explosives that was due to be lit on November 5th when the king opened Parliament. And there’s little doubt that it would have happened but for Francis Tresham’s conscience at the 11th hour. Among the MPs would have died in the blast were two of Tresham’s close relatives.

One of them, the 4th Baron Monteagle, received an anonymous letter on the evening of November 4th, warning him of the plot.

He handed it over to the authorities and the cellars of the Houses of Parliament were searched. Guy Fawkes was caught, red-handed.

There is little doubt that Tresham had written the letter .

Meanwhile, the rest of the plotters were waiting in the Old Lion Inn at Dunchurch, just over the county border in Warwickshire. Once they’d received news of the plot’s success, they’d planned to ride to nearby Coombe Abbey and capture the King’s daughter, Elizabeth, and place her on the throne. Instead, they were themselves captured and taken to the Tower of London, where they were tortured, executed and their heads stuck on pikes for all to see.

Tresham was also arrested, on November 12th , and taken to the Tower. He died there on December 22nd. It is thought he was poisoned – perhaps by well-wishers who didn’t want to see him butchered – hung, drawn and quartered – like his fellow plotters. But he was still treated like a traitor: his head was hacked off and displayed alongside his co-conspirators, while the rest of his body was tossed into a pit.

Most of his property was forfeited and although his brother Lewis inherited what little remained of the family estates, the Tresham fortune was replaced by huge debts. There was certainly not enough cash remaining to complete Lyveden New Bield, which still remains half-finished, more than 400 years later.

Francis Tresham

Join the gunpowder plot trail Instead of burning a guy and setting off fireworks on Bonfire Night, why not go on a Gunpowder Plot Trail, where you can take in Lyveden New Bield as well as the splendor of Fermyn Woods in autumn?

Park at Lyveden New Bield (Ordnance Survey reference SP 985852), four miles SW of Oundle, and take the Lyveden Way footpath (signposted) south-west to Lady Wood. Continue straight on the track through the picnic area until it reaches another path, where you turn left. After another quarter of a mile turn left again and follow this path east to Lilford Wood. You’ll have great views of Lyveden New Bield to your left until you enter Lilford Wood. At the end of the path, turn left through the gate and back across the field to Lyveden, where you can explore the fascinating gardens, which have been restored by the National Trust to how Sir Thomas Tresham planned them, over 400 years ago. Allow an hour for the walk and look out for red kites, squirrels and fallow deer.

If you fancy visiting other places associated with the Gunpowder Plot, Rushton Triangular Lodge (SP831830) is two miles north-west of Kettering, on the side of the road between Rushton village and Desborough. Ashby St Ledgers gatehouse (SP571681) is just off the A361, two miles north of Daventry, and the old Lion Inn at Dunchurch (SP486711) is in the centre of the village, beside the main A45. Today it is known as Guy Fawkes’ Cottage.

Lyveden New Bield

NENE VALLEY LIVING NOVEMBER 2011

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Ashby St Ledgers

Guy Fawkes house

Rushton Triangular Lodge

Grisly contemporary report

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thE historic splEndour of thE sEtting The beautiful and romantic setting of Burghley House is the perfect location for engaged couples to create a lifetime of wonderful wedding memories. Your day includes the chance to visit Burghley House’s glorious state rooms, transporting you back through the centuries. Burghley is the largest and grandest house of the Elizabethan age.

This spectacular house was built between 1555-1587 by William Cecil the first Lord Burghley and Queen Elizabeth 1st’s most trusted advisor. The Grand Finale of the day will be an outstanding display of fireworks to music on the front lawn by Komodo Fireworks of Market Harborough. thE rEgion’s finEst wEdding show – according to thE pEoplE who know!

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• NVL November ADS.indd 34

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PERSPECTIVES

Civilised pursuits We’ve all heard of Working Men’s Clubs, Ex Servicemen’s Clubs and of course Gentleman’s Clubs, but can these old institutions survive in the 21st century?

Emily Bull finds out

“Anyone can become a member, so long as they stick to rules, such as not swearing…”

L

es Smith looks up at the clock as we talk. “Can’t be late starting the bingo!” he laughs. “This place will definitely be going strong in 50 years,” he tells me. “I just don’t know if I’ll be here to see it.” Les is the vice chairman of the Conservative Club, (77 Broadway. Tel: 01733 569 961) one of the largest in Peterborough.

We’ve all read the depressing headlines about binge drinking and seen documentaries showing police helping undignified young revellers off the pavement. For many people, it means the idea of going out on a Saturday night has become something that only teenagers do. But not at this Club.

“Our crowd tends to be 40 plus. People bring their children here but as soon as they turn 18 we never see them, they’re off in town.

I think they’ll come back though as they get older. Currently we’ve got all the old Rock and Rollers. They still want to get out and have a dance. We’re looking at extending in the next year as we’re at full capacity most Saturday nights,” says Les. “Some of the clubs are struggling, but we seem to be doing alright with a bit of luck… Actually, it’s not luck, we work very hard at it. We have events on all the time with our own beer festivals, barbeques and the like. It’s all done by members who support the club and give their time. That’s the one thing we will always need if we’re going to survive and I think it’s important we do. We provide a place for people to go locally.”

Safe haven The music certainly isn’t what you’d expect to hear in such a busy location on a Saturday night, with live singers performing hits from the 60’s and 70’s. But then there are none of the problems that you’d associate with a city centre pub either.

A mile or two away, a much smaller club, The Flyers, is also doing well. I perch on a bar stool as the regular members greet everyone coming though the door. Everyone knows everyone and the atmosphere is one of family.

“I think that’s why the clubs are still going. People feel safe here.

We’ve got ladies in their 70s who are in every weekend for a few

drinks and a dance. Where else could they do that?” Pete Turnbull is the Steward of the Flying Services Club, (off Priestgate. Tel: 01733 562688) He’s grown up in the clubs and now lives above the premises running the bar with his wife on behalf of an elected committee.

“There’s never any trouble here as the members are vetted before they come in.”

Anyone can become a member now, as long as they agree to stick by the rules of behaviour (not swearing for example) and pay an annual fee. There are advantages to this, with car parking and cheaper beer being the biggest.

Smoking ban They have had to change with the times of course, if a little slowly.

Women gained equal rights in the 1990s and Pete thinks that’s key to their survival. “It was ridiculous to keep them in separate rooms and stupid things like that. They tend to have better ideas anyway which makes them ideal to have on the committee. Certainly a lot of them have better management skills than men!” he laughs.

The clubs tend not to like change too much with many people staying members over a lifetime, but Pete is certain that they will survive. “The smoking ban hit us hard, but then it hit everyone hard.” According to one study by the British Institute of Innkeeping, sales across the industry fell 7.3% within 6 months of it coming in.“But people moan and then they get used to it. It’s the same with everything.”

Both clubs are very positive about the future. With an ageing population the market for city centre entertainment for those in their later years can only grow. Les tells me he’s heard rumour that the former Burghley Square Club could be re-opening after it shut down nearly four years ago. “I heard that it could be half members and half public which might work very well. But we’ll see what the future brings.”

Far from being outdated, it seems that private clubs are adapting with the times, and are proof that gentler pleasures may prove to be timeless ones.

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PERSPECTIVES

A THOROUGHLY MODERN MARRIAGE Pre-nuptial agreements are usually connected with the rich and famous. However, Sarah Dawson of Hegarty LLP advises that they are not just for the wealthy and suggests that a new change in law could mean they will become more widely used

A

pre-nuptial agreement is a contract which sets out how any property or assets would be divided upon the break-up of the marriage, or any provision for maintenance. It is quite clear that the Courts are now taking more notice of them and a change in the law is expected soon so that they will become binding.

I would suggest that entering into a pre-nuptial agreement should be considered if you are planning on getting married, particularly if you want to safeguard assets for any children from a previous relationship or if you have inherited any assets. Some family assets, such as a farm, may have been “in the family” for generations, and it is the intention that they should stay that way, rather than being sold or divided on a divorce.

Even if you have modest assets that you wish to preserve, a pre-nuptial agreement can be drawn up. Furthermore it avoids what can be seen as a “lottery” if the division of assets is to be dealt with by a Court on divorce.

It is worth bearing in mind that in most cases the starting point is often an equal division of all property and assets, which can seem rather unfair to some people, particularly if they are considerably wealthier than the other party. It is relatively inexpensive to draw up such an agreement when compared to the costs (both financial and emotional) of contested financial proceedings on a divorce.

Working it out To ensure that a pre-nuptial agreement is taken into account by the Courts, there are certain conditions that need to be met at the time of taking out the agreement. Both parties will need to get separate independent legal advice. If either of the parties is not represented, or receives negligent legal advice, the agreement will not be upheld. There will also need to be a process of full and frank “financial disclosure.” Each party would need to disclose to the other their income and assets at the time the agreement is entered into. It is essential that neither party are put under pressure to sign the agreement. Finally, it must be entered into no less than 21 days before the wedding date. Such an agreement should not be rushed into and ideally should be discussed, drawn up and signed with plenty of time before the wedding, to ensure no allegations of duress

38

can be made.

If you are considering having such an agreement drawn up, it is worth bearing in mind that the way the law presently stands is that it would be taken into account. At present, the Courts decide on a case-by case basis how much weight to be given to a pre-nuptial agreement. However, it is quite clear that the Courts are now taking more notice of them and a change in the law is expected so that they will be binding.

In the spotlight There has been an increase in cases recently, most significantly the case of the wealthy Radmacher couple in 2010, where the Court enforces a prenuptial agreement. In that case the Supreme Court ruled that the prenuptial agreement should be upheld, as it was freely entered into by each party who both fully appreciated its implications. It was stated in this case that the situation would have been different if it would not have been “fair” to hold the parties to the agreement. The element of “fairness” is therefore also an important factor when the Court considers whether to uphold such an agreement.

Following on from the Radmacher case, The Law Commission are presently considering whether there should be a change in the law so that prenuptial agreements are legally binding. The commission have proposed that such agreements will be enforceable if it is in writing, both parties have had their own legal advice and full and frank disclosure has taken place. It also proposes that the agreement should not be enforceable if it fails to provide for the needs of any of the children or leaves one party reliant on state benefits.

Even if you are not planning on getting married but plan on living with your partner, a co-habitation agreement could also be drawn up to confirm any agreement reached as to the division of assets on a separation.

• Sarah Dawson is a solicitor specialising in family law and is based at the Stamford office. She can be contacted on 01780 750958 or at sarah.dawson@hegarty.co.uk

NENE VALLEY LIVING NOVEMBER 2011

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ACTIVITIES

BOURNE TO EDENHAM LINEAR A pleasant ramble following a disused railway track, via a spooky tunnel, spectacular viaduct and dried out riverbed

Distance: Ascent: Time: Start:

Finish:

6 miles/9.5km 130ft/50metres 2.5 hours Bourne Wellhead Park GR TF 095200 Five Bells Pub, Edenham GR TF 061219

Walk directions:

1

From the Wellhead Park, head for St Peter’s Pool in the SW corner of the park. Fed by natural springs from which the town takes its name, in medieval times, this reputedly supplied the purest in the whole land. Skirt the W edge of the pool and take the newly erected wooden walkway over the marshy area known locally as the ‘jungle’. On the other side, and continue SE across the grass to a narrow gap in the hedge where the path crosses a stile into a paddock. Traverse the paddock to another stile then follow the obvious path skirting the field SW until it reaches a junction of paths at the corner of a spinney. Here you can see the remains of a platform of the old Bourne Railway, which closed in 1959. From here, the route loosely follows the trackbed of the defunct branch line to Saxby.

2

Head W along the clearly defined path towards an old brick railway bridge, but before reaching the bridge, scramble up the left hand bank and find your way south across the field. There’s a footbridge in the SW corner, but following the line of the pylons is easiest, picking up the track W towards the bypass on the other side of the field. Cross the bypass and continue W, skirting the left edge of a mound of topsoil before cutting back right and following the field boundary for 250 yards until reaching a footbridge across the ditch. Cross and head NW across the field to the far boundary. Ignore the footpath signs heading N and turn left to head uphill to the corner of a wood.

3

Enter the wood via the gap and a flight of rickety steps tempts you down into this cool, dappled glade. Descend with care and you eventually arrive at the eastern end of Toft Tunnel. Until quite recently, you could walk through the 330-yard tunnel – quite a spooky experience – but it’s since been fenced off at both ends. Climb back up to the top of the cutting and continue west to cross the A6121, bearing left to enter the second section of Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust’s Toft Tunnel Nature Reserve.

4

Follow the path through the copse, passing through a gate and then swinging sharp right to skirt the top of the cutting on the other side of the tunnel. Descend the eroded steps with care and rejoin the trackbed heading west.

5

After crossing a stile, continue W under the brick-built bridge carrying the road between Lound and Edenham, continuing W until reaching a private farm access track. Cross the track and head along the field boundary, through the large gap in the hedge and along the field boundary gently downhill towards the river. Upon reaching the river, the viaduct constructed to take the railway across the river suddenly appears to the left.

a gate, following the footpath arrow half right through a long paddock.

7

As the paddock narrows, head for the W corner of the wood and look for the stile followed by a footbridge over the Glen. Cross to the W side of the river and cross the dyke which flows in at a sharp bend. Continue NE along the river as it skirts the woodland and meanders back N. Ford the river after it leaves the woodland, following the left bank as it swings back round SE to meet the road to Edenham.

Continue along the river as it meanders through the field to cross the busy A151 .

8

Continue along the river to where it meets a track then cross on the footbridge and follow the left bank NW before recrossing on the edge of the village. Continue round the back of the church before swinging left past the school and crossing the road for a well-earned pint in the Five Bells.

6

From here swing N, deserting the railway in favour of the River East Glen.

Follow the river north to the corner of the large field then head E uphill to a gate alongside a hedge. Go through the gate, following the field boundary N before cutting back W to find a stile followed by a footbridge after which you turn left towards

THE LAMPSHADE WAREHOUSE Est.1986

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0 1 7 3 3 2 6 4 3 9 1 - w w w. t h e l a m p s h a d e w a r e h o u s e . c o . u k NENE VALLEY LIVING NOVEMBER 2011

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MOTORING

STAY ROAD SAFE THIS WINTER Ashley Martin examines options for safer tyres this winter

Y

ou wouldn’t venture outside in winter without sturdy shoes or boots, a coat and almost certainly gloves, scarf and a hat, but most UK motorists do not give the same attention to their vehicles.

Yet, the four pieces of rubber in the corner of each car and van are the only items to be in contact with the road.

In many European countries the fitting of winter tyres - also known as cold weather tyres - from October to the end of March is compulsory. But, in the UK winter tyres account for only about 1% of the market.

Following the last two years of harsh Arctic blizzards, road safety experts have been urging motorists to consider fitting winter tyres to their vehicles. Perhaps, not surprisingly, motor manufacturers, tyre manufacturers and tyre fitters have also jumped on the bandwagon, sensing a sales opportunity.

A set of winter tyres will on average cost £400-£500 but, as with standard tyres, the cost is determined by the type of tyre fitted and the make and model of vehicle.

However, experts say that winter tyres last as long as summer tyres and perform better in harsh conditions. Depending on vehicle mileage, winter tyres could last for two or even three winters. As, a result wear and tear suffered by summer tyres, which is increased in harsh road conditions, is reduced so postponing their replacement.

Winter tyres undoubtedly make sense for drivers living in the more remote areas of the UK where winter conditions are likely to be more severe for longer. Elsewhere it may be harder to justify the cost, though, road safety experts say that has to be a personal decision taking account of the risk of extreme weather

winter weather tyres provide: • Higher levels of road safety during the colder winter months • Considerably shorter stopping distances on both wet and dry roads at low temperatures • Better mileage than standard tyres in winter weather - the wear on normal tyres increases when used during winter months, reducing mileage by up to 20%.

Source: TyreSafe.

conditions, driver confidence which reduces when travelling in such conditions, mileage and the need to drive when snow and ice arrives.

Winter tyres are composed of more rubber and less silicone than standard tyres so they don’t harden so much when it is cold. They work best in temperatures under 7°C. Such tyres also have wider grooves, which have greater grip in snow and slush, and more sideways grooves to give more edges and contact with the road surface.

That translates into shorter braking distances which reduces the risk of a crash: at 20 mph a car or van equipped with winter tyres will stop 11 metres sooner on icy roads than if fitted with standard tyres; at 30 mph the braking distance on snowy roads is reduced by eight metres.

Typically, in the snow a vehicle equipped with winter tyres will stop in half the distance as one fitted with standard tyres - potentially the difference between life and death.

Meanwhile, tests conducted by the British Tyre Manufacturers’ Association found that a

car braking at 60 mph on a wet road at 5°C stopped five metres shorter, equivalent to more than one car length, when fitted with winter weather tyres.

Stuart Jackson, chairman of TyreSafe, the not-for-profit organisation focused on promoting tyre safety, said: “Steering, acceleration and braking are more difficult [in winter] as ‘normal’ tyres have less grip in these conditions. However, it is not just these extreme wintry conditions which can reduce safety on the road. Even cold, damp roads can dramatically affect the performance of tyres, leading to an increased accident risk. Winter weather tyres, which are specifically designed to operate in these conditions, delivering improved safety.”

Motorists considering fitting winter tyres and concerned about a lack of space at home to store their standard tyres - and their winter tyres during the summer months - will find that some tyre fitters offer a ‘hotel’ tyre storage facility.

Even if drivers don’t fit winter tyres, regular checks should be carried out to ensure vehicles tyres are in the best possible condition for maximum safety.

In winter tread depth should be checked to ensure it is well above the legal minimum of 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre, around its entire circumference - tyre manufacturers such as Continental recommend tyres have at least 4mm tread depth to give at least some grip in snow and slush. Drivers who fail to comply with the law face a fine of up to £2,500 and three penalty points for each illegal tyre. Additionally, tyre pressures should be checked at least once a month or before a long journey.

42 NENE VALLEY LIVING NOVEMBER 2011

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21/10/11 12:44:33

MARSHALL VOLVO OUTSTANDING SERVICE AS STANDARD. Our highly trained and skilled team looks forward to welcoming you to our state of the art dealership, where we will be on hand to look after your every need.

All our cars are handled with the utmost care and attention as we pride ourselves on offering the best deals on the latest range of New Volvo and piece of mind on quality approved used vehicles.

From the new Volvo range, to Approved used vehicles right through to service and repairs, visit Marshall Volvo and expect nothing less than a first class service as standard.

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Volvo. For life.

MARSHALL VOLVO PETERBOROUGH 7 MALLORY ROAD, BOONGATE, PETERBOROUGH PE1 5AU. TEL: 0844 411 9751 www.marshallweb.co.uk/volvo MARSHALL MOTOR GROUP LTD. REGISTERED OFFICE:- AIRPORT HOUSE, THE AIRPORT, CAMBRIDGE CB5 8RY. ALL CALLS MAY BE RECORDED FOR TRAINING AND QUALITY PURPOSES.

THIS IS MARSHALL JAGUAR

Situated in Peterborough, our dealership is equipped to deal with all your Jaguar needs.

From the exciting new Jaguar range featuring groundbreaking technology and industry firsts, to Approved used vehicles maintained to the standards set by the engineers who built them.

Enjoy all the expertise and knowledge of our Jaguar Academy trained technicians and with a range of exhilarating accessories to enhance the feeling of owning a Jaguar, make sure that you visit Marshall Jaguar Peterborough.

MARSHALL JAGUAR PETERBOROUGH 7 Mallory Road, Boongate, Peterborough PE1 5AU 0844 334 0635 www.marshall.peterborough.jaguar.co.uk

SCAN WITH YOUR QR READER APP TO VISIT OUR WEBSITE

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WHAT’S ON

Wednesday 2 November CONCERT: The Endellion String Quartet, 7.45pm One of the finest string quartets in the world performs Haydn, Mendelssohn and Beethoven. • Tickets: £10.Contact music@ oundleschool.org.uk or 01832 277132). Oundle School Chapel, Milton Road, Oundle, PE8 4BA.

MOVIE: Oundle Cinema Outreach Programme - A Good Year (15) 7.30pm, Orton Waterville, Peterborough, PE2 5EN. For details contact Ron Hammerton on 01733 233351

Diary dates Yasmin Bradley selects autumnal events for November

November



WEDNESDAY

3 THURSDAY

Sunday 6 November

4

CONCERT: City of Peterborough Symphony Orchestra Autumn Concert 6.30pm Sixty musicians perform Sibelius’ Symphony No.5; Grieg’s piano concerto and Neilson’s Helios overture.

• Tickets: £12.50 (£10.50); children free. From Destination Centre, 9 Bridge Street, Peterborough, PE1 1HJ. The Voyager School, Walton, PE4 6HX. 01733 452336.

5 SATURDAY

Tuesday 11 November Saturday 12 November MARKET: Oundle Fair Trade and Eco Market 9am – 2pm Bigger and better than ever for unique gifts and ethical Christmas shopping.

• Free. St Peter’s Church, North Street, Oundle PE8 4AL. 01832 274881.

Thursday 17 November EVENT: Warmington School PFA. Pre-Christmas Shopping Evening 7-9pm Gifts, toys, cards, books, food, books, raffle and bar.

• Free. Warmington School, School Lane, Warmington, Peterborough, PE8 6TA

Saturday 26 November Hedge laying demonstration 10:00am – 3:30pm Environmental fun learning to rejuvenate hedges. Free. Ferry Meadows Country Park.

Meeting place TBC. 01733 234193 for details.

Friday 2 December CONCERT: Rotary and Inner Wheel Clubs of Oundle Traditional Christmas Concert, 8-10pm Ease into the Christmas spirit with a classic concert Tickets: £9.50, including mince pies and glass of wine. St Peter’s Church, North St, Oundle PE8 4AL, from Goldsmiths Estate Agents, Oundle Book Shop, Oundle Post Office or call Sheila on 01832 275776

44



FRIDAY

6 SUNDAY 7

MONDAY

WEDNESDAY

10 THURSDAY

11 FRIDAY

12 SATURDAY 13 SUNDAY

15 TUESDAY 16 WEDNESDAY

17 THURSDAY 19 SATURDAY

PARTY: Absolute 80s Cabaret 1pm/ 7pm/7.30pm Dress up (optional) and get into the groove for some classic 80’s numbers.

• Tickets (show only) - £14.00; £32.50 (2 -course meal & show).The Cresset, Bretton, Peterborough, PE3 8DX. Contact Emcee Productions on 01733 704303. www.emceeproductions.co.uk.

 Saturday 12 November

14 MONDAY

18 FRIDAY

WORKSHOP: Beginners’ Photography Workshop 1:45pm – 3:45pm Learn top photography tips at this indoor event … you don’t even need a camera.

• Free. Booking essential. Meet at Ferry Meadows Visitor Centre. Nene Park Trust, Ham Farm House, Ham Lane, Peterborough PE2 5UU. 01733 234193; visitor.services@neneparktrust.org.uk.

Thursday 3 – Saturday 5 November

8 TUESDAY 9

EXHIBITION: Pattern and Structure . Monday Saturday 9.30am - 8pm New College students Rosemary and Josette exhibit paintings featuring Stamford architecture and sculpture from recycled cardboard. • Free. Stamford Arts Centre, 27 St Mary’s Street, Stamford, PE9 2DL. 01780 763203 www.stamfordartscentre.com

Thursday 3 November

1 TUESDAY 2

Until Sunday 13 November



20 SUNDAY 21 MONDAY 22 TUESDAY 23 WEDNESDAY 24 THURSDAY 25 FRIDAY 26 SATURDAY 27 SUNDAY 28 MONDAY 29 TUESDAY 30 WEDNESDAY

CONCERT: Peterborough Choral Society: Haydn’s Nelson Mass and Willcocks’ A Great and Glorious Victory A choral celebration of Britain’s greatest naval commander.

• Tickets: £10 (£8.50) St. John’s Church, Cathedral Square, Peterborough, PE1 1XB from Destination Centre, 9 Bridge Street, Peterborough, PE1 1HJ. www.peterboroughchoral.orgo.uk, e-mail: MBu2921952@aol.com

Saturday 19 November EXHIBITION: U3A Art Exhibition 10am - 4pm Art, homemade cakes and beautiful harp music.

St Andrews Church & Hall, Ledbury Road, Netherton, Peterborough, PE3 9RF. Contact Valerie McNeill on 01733 321221 or valeriemcneill@waitrose.com

CONCERT: Brenda Boykin - When Jazz & Blues Collide Veteran of the San Francisco swing scene, the fabulous Brenda Boykin performs live with Dave Thomas & The Ma Grinder.

Tickets: from £15.00.

Village Hall, Castor, Peterborough PE5 7AX. www.shakedownblues. co.uk. 01733 380249.

NENE VALLEY LIVING NOVEMBER 2011

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Call 01733 882800

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www.qksstamford.co.uk 45

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20/10/11 16:43:40

WIN YOUR DREAM CHRISTMAS WITH QUEENSGATE – WORTH HUNDREDS OF POUNDS With Christmas just around the corner, it is time to start feeling festive and start the seasonal shop as Queensgate has once again got Christmas all wrapped up.

F

rom Monday 28 November through to 23 December, shoppers will be able to shop until 9pm weekdays and enjoy free parking after 5.30pm, to find that perfect present or party outfit. Plus, to kick-start the seasonal spirit, the centre will be revealing its brand new Christmas decorations at the annual Christmas lights switch-on event on 3 November, followed by a bumper programme of funfilled festive activity in the run up to the big day.

A truly incredible prize to be won Better still, in keeping with the season of goodwill, Queensgate is offering the chance for one lucky reader to win their very own dream Christmas.

For a fantastically foodie Christmas, the jam-packed prize includes everything you could need for the festive feast from Waitrose. From a tasty turkey to all the trimmings, crackers to champagne, mince pies to marzipan, Waitrose’s wonderful selection of gourmet goodies will bring that little bit of luxury to your table this year.

To ensure your decor dazzles, John Lewis has provided a Christmas tree and a selection of decorations, including beautiful baubles, luminous lights and stylish stockings. Plus, to add that all-important traditional touch, the prize includes a beautiful wreath from popular florist, Fleur.

Plus, for the ultimate self-indulgence, LUSH has added to the wish-list with its ‘Northern Lights’ gift set of gorgeous goodies, guaranteed to make sure you sparkle all season long. While for a treat for the feet, the winner will receive a £50 voucher from Schuh to spend on new shoes to get in the seasonal swing.

But that’s still not quite a Christmas wrap! The jam-packed prize package also includes a selection of Christmas cards and wrapping paper from Paperchase.

Making for the festive finale, the winner will receive a Queensgate gift card worth £100 to spend in more than 90 shops throughout the shopping centre including John Lewis, M&S, Waitrose, Pandora, Republic and more.

So, if you would like Santa to come early this year and have a chance to win this fantastic prize, simply answer the following question – you’d be crackers not to!

On what date will Queensgate be holding its popular Christmas switch-on event this year? a) 2 November b) 3 November c) 7 November Entry by email only via Stamford Living’s website at www.bestlocalliving.co.uk. Closing date for entries is Friday November 25th, 2011. The winner will be the first correct entry picked out of a hat.

The Firewood Factory Quality dry seasoned firewood and softwood logs FREE fast local delivery to your place of storage on 2 or more sack barrow bags! Competitive delivery rates on all other small quantity bags!

FREE on local orders over £85 Guaranteed low moisture content on all seasoned logs READY TO GO SACK BARROW BAGS • Contains Kiln dried hardwood logs • Re-usable sack barrow bags for clean, convenient handling & storage.

• Comes complete with all in one Chunky Chip Firelighter.

• No Kindling Required!

• Sack Barrow Bags hold equivalent to 8-9 log nets!

Olive Grove Nurseries, Oundle Road, Polebrook, Northants, PE8 5LQ Tel: 01832 275660 Email: info@thefirewoodfactory.co.uk www.thefirewoodfactory.co.uk

46

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DIRECTORY

ACCOUNTANTS

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OUNDLE HOUSE SITTERS Retired couple will stay whilst you go away for a day to a month.

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• NVL November Directory.indd 47

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We pride ourselves on great customer service

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20/10/11 17:18:50

THE NEW AGA TOTAL CONTROL COOKER With a programmable state-of-the-art touch-screen control panel and independently controllable hotplates and ovens, the new AGA Total Control cooker offers complete flexibility for 21st century living. Available now at your local AGA shop.

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