Rutland Living January 18

Rutland Covering Rutland, Market Harborough and the surrounding area

LIVING January 2018 ÂŁ1.50

Be inspired by where you live

New Beginnings H E A LT H , H O P E S , H A P P I N E S S

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IN THIS ISSUE

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Contents January 2018

25

FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY

13 January Blues?

40 Health & Beauty: New Year’s Inspirations 43 Try a New Approach to Fitness this January 44 Bluebird Care

HOME & GARDEN, SHOPPING 30 Through the Keyhole – Real Transformation, Oakham 34 Outdoor Living

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FOOD & DRINK Cover photography this month: RL: Andrew James (www.andrewjamesmedia.co.uk) MHL: Bigstock

www.rutlandliving.co.uk www.marketharboroughliving.co.uk

22 Great Food Club: A Food Lover’s Guide to January 25 The Olive Branch Recipe 26 Food & Drink News: Lunch for Even Less 2018/Review of Paten & Co, Stamford

ACTIVITIES, CULTURE, LEARNING & BUSINESS

36 Little Living 53 Out & About: What’s On 54 History – The Plague of the Spanish Lady Editor Clare Peel clare@bestlocalliving.co.uk Advertisement Manager, Rutland Tracy Watkinson 01572 813187 rutlandliving@btinternet.com Advertisement Manager, Market Harborough Kirstie Mitchell 07864 065778 kirstie@bestlocalliving.co.uk Advertising Copy & Subscriptions Rachel Beecroft 01780 765320 rachel@locallivingdesign.co.uk Head of Design Steven Handley steve@locallivingdesign.co.uk Designers Sarah Patterson inkdesign@virginmedia.com, Calum Handley Publisher Nicholas Rudd-Jones 01780 765571 nicholas@bestlocalliving.co.uk Printed by Warners of Bourne Subscriptions: annual rate £25 (UK only).

Please write to the Publisher at Local Living Ltd, PO Box 208, Stamford PE9 9FY, with a cheque payable to Local Living, or go online to www.bestlocalliving.co.uk

PEOPLE & PLACES

Picture of the Month: Peterborough Cathedral’s 900th Anniversary 8 Rutland Heroes: Poverty Action Week with Charity Link 17 The Regal Cinema 18 Artist Profile: Daisy Fawcett 32 Spotlight on The Langtons 6

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NEWS & NOTES

4 Editor’s Page 46 5 Day Blinds Ltd, UPP Property, Oakham Veterinary Hospital 48 Oundle Travel, Creme Hair and Beauty Treatments, Cottesmore Village Players 50 Market Harborough: Welland Place, Earl & Pearls RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING JANUARY 2018

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THIS MONTH

Welcome As I write this, it’s snowy outside and it’s exactly three weeks until the start of the New Year – a time that always brings a sense of optimism, motivation… and a well-intentioned list of resolutions, some of which (in my case, certainly) are destined to last longer than others.

If, as I am, you’re in the mood for making 2018 a year for health, happiness, positivity and fulfilment, we’ve got some brilliantly inspiring articles for you. The Great Food Club

shares tips on how to maintain your dedication to dinner throughout January (pages 22–23), we have health and beauty stories from industry insiders who want to inspire you with their own positive journeys (pages 40–41), and we cover how to make your New Year fitness resolve something other than just a fleeting fad (page 43).

Additionally, of course, we’ll continue to help you to get the most out of life in our beautiful area over the next

12 months – a resolution that never loses its attraction for me and one I’m not worried at all I’m going to break!

So it just remains for me to wish you a Happy New Year and all the very best for 2018.

C e

@rutlandliving @rutlandlivingmag

Editor’s selection Some of my highlights this month are…

Local stationery I’m a big stationery fan, so one of the things I look forward to in January is the opportunity to start a brand new diary. This year, I’m proud to be going local with a journal from The Stamford Notebook Co. (www. stamfordnotebooks.co.uk). I’m keeping it local on the pen front, too, with this jazzy number by Lamy, available at Colemans (www.colemans-online.co.uk).

Lunch for EVEN less

David Hockney popup gallery, Oakham

It’s always a treat when this fabulous lunch offer comes round – just what’s needed to brighten up wintery days. Enjoy a two- or three-course lunch at an even more advantageous price than normal at eight fabulous local eateries, from Hambleton Hall to The Wicked Witch. It’s so good it could be worth busting the New Year diet for! For more information and the specifics on each restaurant, see page 26.

David Hockney is the only artist on the walls at A Bigger Gallery, 17a Mill Street, Oakham LE15 6EA, a welcome new addition to the town’s cultural scene. With individual pieces for sale, the Hockney collection curated over the last decade by a specialist on this artist will only be available until the end of January 2018 and consists of Hockney originals, limited-edition prints, original signed posters and books including the Taschen Hockney Sumo Collector’s and Art Edition. A must for anyone who enjoys Hockney’s work.

Film nights When it’s cold outside, there’s little better than snuggling up in front of a film, and there are some super-appealing options for this in our area, from The Regal in Melton (see page 17) to Stamford Arts Centre (www.stamfordartscentre.com), to film nights run by fabulous teams of everenthusiastic volunteers. I love the monthly cinema night at Rutland County Museum (first Thursday of the month), led by Arts for Rutland (www.a4r.org.uk). Uppingham’s film night (uppinghamfilms.co.uk), held on the second Thursday of each month in the Town Hall, is another gem. Keep an eye on our Out & About section (page 53) for details of screenings elsewhere too – email us if you have events like this that you’d like us to try to include in our listings.

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RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING JANUARY 2018

Holiday planning in the New Year The New Year is a classic time to start thinking about your holidays. Make sure you check out the enticing-sounding recommendations for the coming months from Oundle Travel (page 48). There are options whatever the budget and whatever your travel requirements, from adventures of a lifetime to romantic getaways and half term with the kids.

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Fords Of Oakham

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11 Mill Street, Oakham LE15 6EA 01572 722790 oakham@trentgalleries.co.uk

www.trentgalleries.co.uk 5

Picture of the month In 2018 it is 900 years since work started on the construction of Peterborough Cathedral – hence this historic-feeling illustration for January’s Picture of the month. For the potted history below, we called in the help of Sue Dobson, long-time contributor to our sister publication Nene Living and author of The 50 Greatest Churches and Cathedrals of the World (Icon Books, £8.99).

In the beginning, a motte and bailey castle were erected on the north side of the abbey precincts as a deterrent to future aggressors.

However, this couldn’t deal with the fire of 1116 that started in the bakehouse and raged for nine days, destroying the entire town.

Rebuilding started two years later with the construction of a new church, substantively the one that would become Peterborough Cathedral (hence the 900-year anniversary). Additions and renovations aside, the structure of the building has remained essentially as it was when it was consecrated in 1238.

Peterborough Abbey was dissolved in 1539 during the Reformation, and its land and properties were confiscated. Instead of tearing down the church, however, Henry VIII created a new Bishop (the former Abbot) in 1541, and the great abbey was transformed into Peterborough Cathedral (the final resting place of his discarded queen, Catherine of Aragon).

For more information on the cathedral and events during this celebratory year, visit www.peterborough-cathedral.org.uk.

Photo: iStock/duncan1890

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RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING JANUARY 2018

RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING JANUARY 2018

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Charity Link was established in 1876 by local business people and caring individuals to assist those in Leicester experiencing poverty, hardship and crisis. In 1975 the charity expanded its work to include Leicestershire and Rutland. Though times have changed, Charity Link’s services are as vital today as they were nearly 140 years ago. Rachel Markham, the Communications and Fundraising Officer for the organisation, told Amander Meade more about Charity Link’s work.

RUTLAND

HEROES

Poverty Action Week with Charity Link

“Without Charity Link’s help, it is likely that very vulnerable individuals and families would slip through the net.”

What kind of help does Charity Link offer?

Each year the charity helps over 7,000 vulnerable people in Leicester, Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire and raises approximately £800,000 to provide basic items that the majority of us take for granted.

Charity Link accepts referrals from a wide range of health and social care agencies – they are usually very vulnerable individuals or families. Our caseworkers will then apply for resources through the appropriate trusts or funds to meet the needs of each individual. Our unique way of working means that for every £10 donation to Charity Link, we can actually raise £50, all of which goes towards providing essential items for a vulnerable person or family. Commonly provided are vouchers for food, clothing (including school uniforms), beds and bedding, cookers, fridges, grants for heating and also mobility items. These items cost very little but can make a massive difference to people’s lives. One person may just need a small amount of help; for another (such as a family who have fled domestic violence) we may provide many items to help them create a new home and get back on their feet.

What is Poverty Action Week?

This is our annual fundraising and awareness week taking place from Monday 22 to Sunday 28 January 2018 with our dress-up event “Wear A Funky Scarf Day” on the Friday of that week. This year we are focusing on our belief that all local people deserve a decent standard of living with a right to adequate food, shelter and the means to keep warm, clean and rested.

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RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING JANUARY 2018

We will be encouraging people to think about how it feels for those whose standard of living falls below what most would class as acceptable. To gain a glimpse into how that might feel, we will be encouraging people to try and go without a hot dinner for a day or two or eat just sandwiches; live on only a few pounds for a day/week; or sleep on the floor for a night or turn off their heating. People can seek sponsorship or give a donation themselves to show their support. Members of the Charity Link team will be taking part and writing about their experiences.

How can readers get involved with Charity Link?

As well as our small core team of mainly part-time employees, we have a great team of volunteers and are building up a group of Charity Link Ambassadors who volunteer their skills and interests – such as public speaking or event planning – to help raise awareness of our work in their local communities. We would certainly be interested to hear from anyone who may be interested in getting involved, no matter how much time they could offer. Our work aims to ensure that all local people are able fulfil their potential in life, no matter what difficulty or crisis they may experience.

For more information about Charity Link, Poverty Action Week and Wear A Funky Scarf Day, visit www.charity-link.org or call 0116 222 2200. Charity Link is also on Twitter @charitylink and www.facebook.com/charitylink.

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Year Mileage Transmission

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890 miles.............................................................................................................................................. £144,950 16/16 JAGUAR ‘PROJECT 7’ 1 OF 250 CARS British Racing Green with Jet Black Quilted Leather. Delivery Mileage ............................................................................................................... £189,950 17/67 LAMBORGHINI HURACAN PERFORMANTE Grigio Nimbus with Performante Bicolour Alcantara in Nero Ade and Rosso Alala. Delivery Miles ...................................................... £279,950

Year Mileage Transmission

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Auto £109,950

16/65 LAND ROVER ‘CLASSIC TWISTED’ DEFENDER 90 – BUILD NO.11/20 Corris Grey with Black Half Leather. Delivery Miles.................................................................................................. £71,950 17/17 MCLAREN 675LT SPIDER 1 OF 500 Napier Green with Black Alcantara and Carbon Black Embossed Leather. Delivery Mileage............................................................................. £314,950 16/16 MCLAREN 570S COUPE Ventura Orange Elite Paintwork with Jet Black Leather and Slate Grey Alcantara with Capella Orange Accents. 3,400 miles .................................... £139,950 16/66 MERCEDES-BENZ C63 AMG S CABRIOLET Designo Diamond White Bright with Two Tone Red Pepper and Black Nappa Leather. 6,800 miles ..................................................... £65,950 17/67 PORSCHE 911 (991.2) GT3 4.0 PDK Agate Grey Metallic with Black Leather. Delivery Miles ................................................................................................................................................................£POA 15/15 PORSCHE 911 (991) 3.4 TARGA 4 PDK Agate Grey Metallic with Two Tone Black and Platinum Grey Leather, 9,600 miles.............................................................................................. £89,950 16/66 PORSCHE MACAN GTS Volcano Grey Metallic with Black Leather and Alcantara with Carmine Red GTS Pack. 11,900 miles .......................................................................................... £71,950 10/60 PORSCHE 997 GEN II CARRERA GTS 3.8 CABRIOLET MANUAL Dark Blue Metallic with Black Leather and Alcantara. 20,600miles....................................................................... £74,950 11/11 PORSCHE BOXSTER SPYDER 3.4 MANUAL Carrara White with Black Leather and Alcantara Interior. 13,400 miles ..................................................................................................... £48,950 11/11 PORSCHE BOXSTER SPYDER 3.4 MANUAL Carrara White with Black Leather Interior.

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2016(16) 9,000 miles

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WINTER PROPERTY UPDATE WITH MOORES The Moores group of offices are pleased to report that 2017 has been a much more successful year than it initially looked.

Buying confidence was lost due to the spring market being stalled by another election/ Brexit being dropped on us at short notice.

However, the second half of the year saw everybody deciding to crack on and in fact, where the interest rate rise could have been seen as a problem, it actually encouraged a lot of people to decide to sell buy-tolet properties. This, coupled with first time buyers now getting a better stamp duty deal, has created greater activity at the lower end of the market and has resulted in a snowball effect. Also potential buyers who moved into rented are thinking that now is the time to buy and secure a mortgage before the rates rise further.

Many buyers from the South that couldn’t sell have now sold and are keen to view properties

The Peterborough station office will be open in January with a temporary show office, with the permanent building planned for March. If you would like your property displayed to commuters please call us on 01733 788888! in the New Year. We are having a great deal of success introducing these buyers offmarket without using press marketing and the internet, which keeps our fees down. Over 40% of our sales are achieved in this way, so please register with us so as not to miss some of the best properties or buyers!

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January blues?

Lift your spirits and start planning your spring wardrobe now!

FASHION: NIKKI BEATTY PHOTOGRAPHY: ELLI DEAN

Munthe floral top, £179, Munthe trousers, £165, both Cavells

➧ RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING JANUARY 2018

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January blues?

Munthe trousers as before, Penelope Chilvers Camber metallic shoes, £229, Cavells

Sonora black gold cacti bag

by Tea & Tequila Trading, £149, Cavells

Tassel necklace, £65, pendant necklace, £49, circle chain necklace, £37, all by Sence at Vanilla

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RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING JANUARY 2018

Laurie jeans, from £94, Vanilla

Paul Green leather trainers, £140, CoCo

Blouse by Cream, £69.99, Duo

STOCKISTS Cavells, 16 Mill Street, Oakham, 01572 770372, www.cavells.co.uk CoCo, 29 High Street, Oakham, 01572 757646, www.cocooakham.co.uk Duo Boutique, 29a High Street, Oakham, 01572 722116, duoboutique.co.uk Vanilla, 23b Mill Street, Oakham, 01572 757577, vanillaboutique.co.uk A big thank you to Cavells for letting us spread out in their changing rooms all morning.

And thank you to our lovely photographer Elli Dean, 07932 055548, www.ellideanphotography.co.uk For more fashion inspo go to fashion editor Nikki Beatty’s Instagram @styleinthestix RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING JANUARY 2018

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Bryony and Jacob Mundin have modern audiences flocking to The Regal Cinema at Melton Mowbray after their loving restoration of the place five years ago.

Words and photographs by Rebecca Chatterton.

The Regal Cinema Bryony and Jacob Mundin

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S I stand outside The Regal Cinema in Melton taking a photo on a sunny wintery day, a passer by smiles at me and says, “It’s such a wonderfully iconic local landmark, isn’t it?” The current owners, Jacob and Bryony Mundin, are acutely aware of this too. Breathing life back into this special resource at the heart of the community has underpinned all the hard work they’ve put in over the last five years. They’ve ensured that The Regal continues to be so much more than just a pretty face.

This grand old dame of Melton town centre was built in 1934 and bought by the couple in November 2012. The Mundins knew they had the big boots of the previous owner to fill and a loyal local fan base to please. Luckily, they weren’t daunted by the project itself, having grown up in the world of independent cinema management – Jacob’s family runs The Ritz in Belper, and both he and Bryony worked there in their teens. Bryony says, “We had a very clear vision of what we wanted to do here, and how we wanted the place to look, and we made sure we stuck to it.” They set about remodelling the auditorium, reducing the number of seats from 214 to 110, so that they could introduce sofas and big chairs at the back. The latest surround sound and a digital screen were added and the sightlines were re-aligned for the best viewing experience.

Bryony describes the whole design as “1930s’ plush”, with people going to The Regal to experience cinema as in its heyday. Tickets still print out from the original brass machine, and food, drinks and the foyer itself encourage everyone to arrive early and linger afterwards.

This is an enlightened film-going experience away from the conveyor-belt viewing of the multiplexes. All slurping of drinks is discreet, and no one rustles their snacks. If accidents do happen, they may be of the spilled-wine variety (apologies to the gentleman sitting in front of me at a Tuesday night viewing of “Blade Runner”).

Justifiably, The Regal has been gaining honours, their most treasured being the 2017 winners of the Melton Mowbray “After Dark” Award voted for by locals. It seems that Bryony and Jacob have hit on the right formula, as they talk about the two things most important to them and which they believe have helped the business thrive. Not the films – but their loyal and growing customer base and their loyal and enthusiastic staff. Understanding their customers and then getting the programming right was their first challenge.

Luckily their patrons love sharing their views – either Bryony or Jacob is always on hand for a chat, and they value the feedback. They tend to show most films a couple of weeks after their general release date, as with only one screen available this enables them to provide variety. However big “event” films such as “Star Wars” are shown on their opening nights and The Regal interior comes alive to the theme and is decorated accordingly.

Conversation turns to their staff and how much they value them for their hard work and wonderful way with the public. In turn it seems that the staff love working at The Regal, contributing with ideas and naturally assuming more responsibility when it’s offered in what seems like a warm and inclusive environment.

How many other independent cinemas boast

a 17-year-old projectionist? Another staff member is the third generation to work at The Regal, following in the footsteps of their mother and grandmother before them.

Asked if she has any advice for other would-be young entrepreneurs (the Mundins were only 23 when they embarked on this project), Bryony says that they were lucky with family support and were prepared to learn on the hoof. Then she adds, almost apologetically, “…and don’t sweat the small stuff! Things can and do go wrong, but you have to move on.” They’ve learnt that people respect honesty and communication, and any teething problems in the early days were easily forgiven. In 2016 they sold over 60,000 tickets, which was up from 47,000 in their first year.

Working as a husband-and-wife team they’ve assumed different roles – Bryony handles the technical side, and Jacob manages the staff. With two young children and another on the way they make the juggling act on the home front look easy. They love this way of life, believing that the working day of a cinema fits with their young pre-schoolers and allows more family days together, with childcare shared in the evenings.

Jacob and Bryony plan to mark 2018 with more free screenings for members and special events to celebrate the last five years. Jacob says, “We can’t stress enough how grateful we are for the community’s support and for the appreciation of what we do… and that people just keep on coming.”

To book your sofa or comfy chair or to find out about becoming a member of The Regal (8 King Street, Melton Mowbray), call 01664 500642 or visit regalcinemamelton.com.

RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING JANUARY 2018

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A highly skilled and successful ceramicist, Daisy Fawcett works from a studio at her home in Leicestershire. The beautiful rural setting offers endless inspiration and motivates the designs she uses in her latest collections. Words: Amander Meade.

Artist profile: Daisy Fawcett

F

“

ROM the age of seven I was lucky enough to have teachers who taught ceramics and the first piece I ever made was a tile with a quail on it (my father kept these birds). The second piece was a head modelling the hairstyle I wanted at the time. So from an early age clay was a material I easily expressed myself with,” recalls Daisy.

Having fallen in love with ceramics so early in childhood, Daisy completed a foundation course specialising in textiles and ceramics before choosing a degree in Ceramics and Glass for Manufacture at what was then Leicester Polytechnic (now De Montfort University). Excelling in her studies, she went on to do an MA in Ceramics within the School of Fine Art. “My confidence in my work wasn’t great at that time,” she recalls, “I took the path of teaching rather than making. Eventually, and at a mature age, I decided to start my own business and was amazed by the positive response to my work.”

Daisy uses British terracotta clay, and the reimagined shapes and patterns she explores are steeped in the English slipware style and tradition. “The recent collections are much more domestic ware than anything I have made before. The material really lends itself to depicting the rural environment of the farm I now live on. The transformation of a bag of clay into useable table and giftware is pure alchemy and feels such an honest endeavour.”

Daisy’s work has exploded commercially with her distinctive tableware being sought by the likes of Marks and Spencer, Debenhams, House of Fraser and Sainsbury’s. Modestly she says she is lucky to be in demand: “I began with local fairs and galleries before being spotted by an agent who lives nearby and who helped get the big names interested. The timing has been great for me commercially, as computer-generated images on ceramics have gone full circle, with hand drawn very much back in vogue. I work with a ceramic tableware company who supply UK high-street

stores. I love being given a brief or trend board and responding through making. The samples will be sent to a factory, and it’s then a process of working with the factory to get the right results. I have built a particularly close relationship with one factory, where I work directly on the factory floor demonstrating how to apply the glaze, which I love.”

Currently developing new ideas Daisy is hoping to spend some time exploring some new surface patterns – on her favourite medium, clay, of course. “You have to work so hard to transform terracotta, and I still enjoy that challenge. Slipware is what we ate from when we stopped using pewter, and I love the continuing history of that tradition.”

You can see more of Daisy’s work at daisyfawcettceramics.com. She is based at Frisby Grange Farm, Gaulby Lane, Houghton on the Hill, Leicestershire LE7 9HB and her pottery is open by appointment (tel: 07876 501671).

“I find the effect of light on colour is such an inspiration in the countryside. I rarely take a car journey without stopping and photographing the beauty of weather, landscape or the animals within it.”

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RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING JANUARY 2018

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How to start 2018 in the right way when you’re dedicated to dinner.

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A Food Lover’s Guide to January

K. You’ve overindulged during Christmas. That’s fine. You can sort it. The books can be balanced. But let’s get one thing straight. Those obsessive diets where you drink only cucumber smoothies for 31 days, or totally ban alcohol from your house until Easter, or convince yourself you’ll never touch anything containing sugar again… they don’t work. Got it? They may give you a fleeting sense that your will is stronger than an Olympian’s, but before long – trust me – you’ll fall off the wagon. And then the risk is entering a cycle of boom and bust.

One month you’re drunk as a lord, eating burgers like there’s no tomorrow; the next you’re chewing celery and slurping water, desperately trying to redress the balance.

I’m no health expert, but such a cycle is almost certainly bad news. Moderation in all things. Common sense. A bit of what you fancy, followed by a bit of the less exciting stuff. Plenty of fruit and veg. Exercise.

So let’s not see January as a barren desert of all things nice, but a pleasant landscape of sensible eating and drinking. Here are just a few ideas to help you regain your natural balance.

RUTLAND COOKERY SCHOOL

At the heart of eating consistently well is being able to cook for yourself, and having a few recipes up your sleeve that you can fall back on at any time of year, whether you’re knackered after work on a cold night in February, or in a rush to feed yourself before going out to enjoy the sun one weekend in June. Robin Stewart’s cookery school on Oakham Enterprise Park is a great place to gain such skills and knowledge. Robin runs a number of courses that are ideally suited for healthy eating: the most Photo by Robin Stewart obvious is called “Healthy Eating” – a one-day workshop. Robin says: “In this workshop we will prepare a variety of tasty, colourful, easy gluten-free and healthy dishes designed to give you more energy, boost your mood, maybe help lose a few pounds and strengthen your immune system – all without giving up chocolate! We will discuss diets, fibre, protein, carbohydrates, fats and exercise. Most importantly though, this workshop will help you cook interesting, varied, appetising and simple meals that will contribute to a healthy lifestyle.”

EDIBLE16

Edible16 of Market Harborough – a not-forprofit online shopping service focused on local produce – is looking forward to a busy January.

Working with a number of communities, it will be holding several cooking sessions where guests will get involved and discuss healthy local food and drink. The first event will take place at Fleckney Community Library, where the Edible16 team will cook a sausage-and-mash supper.

How can sausage and mash be healthy? Well, when you are using organic potatoes and fresh, local pork sausages made with good-quality ingredients, it can be. If you are interested in attending any Edible16 events, email manager@edible16.org.uk, and Nicola will email you details as they become available. Alternatively, if you would like Edible16 to hold an event in your village hall, library or community facility, Nicola would love to hear from you.

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FISH TANK SUSHI

Oakham’s Fish Tank Sushi is a fun and delicious place to eat healthily this January. And if you think sushi is all about raw fish, then think again. Fish Tank serves a wide range of vegetarian and meat sushi, and some of the fish is cooked, too – a favourite being crispy softshell crab nigiri.

Wholesome and healthy ramen bowls and takeaway Bento boxes complete the mix. In January, husband-and-wife team Sam and Romy are launching their new menu, and they’ve added several more gluten-free and vegan options to the list. And on Wednesday 17 January, they are hosting a vegan night.

THE LEAN PANTRY CO.

The Lean Pantry Co. started out in Oakham and now has a Stamford operation, too. Serving food and drink that’s free from wheat, gluten, dairy and refined sugars, this place is perfect for healthy January eating. It offers a delicious and creative range of light meals including all-day breakfasts and lunches, salads and superfood smoothies. Great options include: sweet potato with curry of the day (vegan and non-vegan options); a range of sandwiches made with fresh bakery-style bread from The Incredible Bakery Company (a Northamptonshire-based bakery that does not use gluten, dairy, egg or soya in its products); beetroot and broad bean falafel on a cauliflower and turmeric wrap; tiger prawn and salmon served with a pickled fennel and citrus salad; and roasted celeriac and apple soup. The Lean Pantry’s smoothies are a great way to kickstart a healthy diet for the New Year – many include protein and are packed with nuts, fruit or veg.

The handbag- or glovebox-sized Great Food Club Handbook 2018 is out now. Packed with over 600 recommendations on where to eat out and buy food and drink in Rutland, Leicestershire, Northants, Notts and beyond – all spread out over 132 pages. It focuses on independents only and covers restaurants, pubs, farm shops, breweries, producers, delis and cafes. It is available to buy now for £5.95. Go to www.greatfoodclub.co.uk, scroll to the bottom of the home page and click “Buy the Handbook”.

Join Great Food Club KAVANAGH’S BOOK CLUB

A healthy start to the New Year requires mental as well as nutritional sustenance. You can get both at Kavanagh’s Tea Room in Oakham during its monthly book club. Each month there’s a new book to read, and at the end of the month everyone gets together one evening at Kavanagh’s to discuss what they’ve read. That’s when the nutritional sustenance comes in (along with a glass or two of wine, if you’re in the mood). Everyone is welcome and you can just turn up. The last book was A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman and before that it was The Sea Sisters by Lucy Clarke. For more information visit www.facebook.com/Kavanaghstearoom/.

‘TRYANUARY’

Forget Dry January. Do Tryanuary instead! Tryanuary is a UK-wide campaign that aims to inspire people to seek out and try new beers throughout January. Some say the occasional pint is good for you (According to Men’s Health magazine: “Italian researchers found that moderate beer drinkers had a 42 percent lower risk of heart disease compared to non-drinkers” – whether this is fake news or not, who knows?), plus it’s important to support our local breweries! Sampling new beers is a good way to ensure crucial revenue heads their way during a historically quiet month. So why not seek out brews from local breweries such as Stoney Ford of Ryhall, The Grainstore of Oakham, Baker’s Dozen Brewing Co of Ketton, Three Hills of Woodford in Northants and Market Harborough Brewery? If you’re a social media user, use the hashtag #Tryanuary when you find a beer or pub that you want to share.

With its new editing team, Great Food Club is on a mission to unearth brilliant food and drink gems in your area and beyond. We currently recommend around 320 pubs, restaurants, producers and food shops, and around 200 of them run exclusive offers for Great Food Club members. Offers include 10% off at Stamford Cheese Cellar, 10% off at The Tobie Norris, Great Food Club Fridays at The Olive Branch and 10% off at The King’s Arms in Wing. It is completely free to join and get a membership card – no catches – and we never share your data – sign up at www.greatfoodclub.co.uk

About the writer Matt Wright founded and runs greatfoodclub.co.uk, a Leicestershire-based website that celebrates and promotes local food and drink. His Great Food Club Handbook 2018 is out now.

RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING JANUARY 2018

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The Olive Branch’s head chef, Sean Hope, is keen to bring a taste of the Med to your tables this winter.

A Mediterranean winter warmer!

J ANUARY is upon us, but that doesn’t mean we automatically have to fall back on casseroles and other British cold-weather classics. The recipe I’m sharing in this issue is as hearty and comforting as those traditional one-pot wonders, but comes with a welcome taste of the Mediterranean. It is perfectly suited to cooking at home to devour in front of the telly, but also feels special enough to wheel out for a dinner party. Enjoy!

PHOTO: CLIVE DOYLE

Meet Chris!

We’re delighted that Chris Ansell (ex-chef at Hambleton Hall and Langar Hall) is now part of our team at The Olive Branch. Chris is our cookery masterclass tutor, head gardener and breakfast chef. He also makes all the produce for sale in the Pub Shop!

Our new seasonal masterclasses are go!

PHOTO: CLIVE DOYLE

Black olive-crusted cod, chickpea and chorizo ragu, tomato sauce Serves 4 Chickpea and chorizo ragu, tomato sauce • 1 onion, roughly chopped • 1 clove of garlic, roughly chopped • 2 red peppers, peeled and roughly chopped • 4 small, raw cooking chorizos, roughly chopped • 2 tins cooked chickpeas, strained • 1 x 500ml passata • Handful fresh chopped coriander • 1 bunch of salad onions, finely chopped 1. In a large saucepan, sweat off the onion, garlic & pepper until soft.

2. Add the chorizo and continue to cook for two minutes.

3. Add the chickpeas and stir well.

4. Add the passata and reduce to a simmer for 15 minutes.

5. Add fresh chopped coriander and season with salt and pepper.

6. Serve.

For the cod • 4 x 140g trimmed cod loins • 1 teaspoon flaked natural sea salt 1. Sprinkle the prepared cod with the flaked salt and allow it to sit for 12 minutes.

2. Rinse it under cold water, then pat dry with a paper towel.

3. Refer to step 3 below.

Following the success of our Butchery and Fish masterclasses, we have decided to run a new kitchen masterclass for each season. They will be held at The Olive Branch and comprise a great half-day’s hands-on session with chef-tutor Chris Ansell (see above). A light lunch in the pub will follow. Space is limited to two guests for each masterclass, so you receive personal tuition from an incredibly knowledgeable expert. This winter we’re launching our Pasta Masterclass, where guests will learn how to make four types of pasta (squid ink, saffron, lobster and tarragon) in four different styles (tortellini, ravioli, cannelloni and tagliatelle).

Our Bread Masterclass launches in January.

To book or enquire, call 01780 410355 or visit www.theolivebranchpub.com.

Black olive crust • 2 tablespoons finely chopped olives • 6 tablespoons white breadcrumbs • 1 tablespoon olive oil • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1. Place all the ingredients into a food processor and blast for 60 seconds.

2. Cover each cod loin liberally with the black olive crust.

3. Bake in the oven for 8–10 minutes at Gas Mark 5 (190ºC), let it rest for three minutes, then serve with the ragu and, ideally, some buttered cavolo nero.

PASSIONATE ABOUT GOOD FOOD?

If you are passionate about local food and drink, then you might like to join Great Food Club.

• Sign up at www.greatfoodclub.co.uk, free of charge.

RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING JANUARY 2018

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The low-down on some of the fabulous places to eat and drink in our region.

Food & Drink News

Lunch for EVEN Less 2018 E

IGHT top local restaurants, including Hambleton Hall and The Olive Branch, have once again teamed up to offer a fine lunch at an impressively affordable price. The deal is for a twocourse lunch from £14.50, with the addition of a third course from just £3 extra.

The offer is valid from Monday to Friday or Saturday (but not on Sundays), subject to availability and variable to each restaurant – for more details, see below right. To make your reservation, please call the restaurant of your choice and quote the “Lunch for Even Less” offer.

Hart’s RESTAURANTS AND PUBS: The Berkeley Arms, Wymondham 2 courses for £14.95 (3rd course for £3).

Offer valid Friday 19 January to Saturday 31 March.

Includes Valentine’s Day and Good Friday.

Closed on Mondays.

01572 787587 www.theberkeleyarms. co.uk

Hambleton Hall, Photo: Elli Dean

The Olive Branch

Paten & Co Stamford’s Georgie Fenn tells us about one of the latest additions to her home town’s fashionable drinking and dining scene.

T

HERE were so many rumours circulating Stamford when The Periwig closed, I was guilty of sharing a few myself.

“I’ve heard that it’s being turned into hotel rooms for The Crown, with a wine bar at the bottom,” I quite confidently said, and believed myself too. I had pictured a sort of private wine club, with irritated guests in the bedrooms above slamming their hand on the floor, asking people to be quiet. What a relief it was to find that all three floors of The Periwig have been transformed into Paten & Co, Knead Pubs’ latest masterpiece, which opened in Stamford in November.

Anyone who knew and loved The Periwig will recognise the structure, but the whole feel of the place is totally different. I had my fair share of nights up on that crowded dance floor. Where the little DJ booth once stood alongside a well-used dance pole, you’ll now find the kitchen, where most of the food is cooked in a fancy little charcoal oven. The pole is still there somewhere, but you’ll have to see for yourself if you can spot it.

I caught up briefly with Mick Thurlby, the brains behind so many great bars in Stamford, “I’ve found you can’t really be too niche anymore, you’ve got to include everyone, all ages, all tastes, so that’s what we’ve tried to do.” The decor, the food, and the drinks menu certainly reflect this mind set – there is something for everyone.

Whether you want to sit in a cosy quiet corner on one of the beautiful new sofas, perch at the bar or crowd around a table with a big group of mates, you are sure to have a great night at Stamford’s trendiest new bar, Paten & Co. 26

RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING JANUARY 2018

Hambleton Hall, Nr Oakham 2 courses for £28 (3rd course for £7).

Includes 12.5% discretionary service.

Offer valid Monday 15 January to Friday 2 March.

Excludes Saturdays and Valentine’s Day. 01572 756991 www.hambletonhall.com Hart’s, Nottingham 2 courses for £19 (3rd course for £5).

Excludes service.

Offer valid Monday 8 January to Friday 2 March.

Includes Valentine’s Day. 0115 9881900 www.hartsnottingham. co.uk Langar Hall, Langar, Nottinghamshire 2 courses for £18.50 (3rd course for £5).

Excludes service.

Offer valid Monday 15 January to Thursday 29 March.

Excludes Saturdays and Valentine’s Day. 01949 860559 www.langarhall.co.uk

The Marquess of Exeter, Lyddington 2 courses for £14.50 (3rd course for £3).

Offer valid Monday 15 January to Saturday 24 March.

Excludes Valentine’s Day. 01572 822477 www.marquessexeter. co.uk The Olive Branch, Clipsham 2 courses for £16.50 (3rd course for £3.50).

Excludes service.

Offer valid Monday 15 January to Saturday 24 March.

Excludes Valentine’s Day. 01780 410355 www.theolivebranchpub. com The Wheatsheaf, Greetham 2 courses for £14.50 (3rd course £3).

Offer valid Wednesday 17 January to Saturday 31 March.

Includes Valentine’s Day and Good Friday.

Closed on Mondays.

01572 812325 www.wheatsheafgreetham.co.uk The Wicked Witch, Ryhall 2 courses for £14.95 (3rd course for £3).

Offer valid Monday 15 January to Saturday 28 April.

Excludes Valentine’s Day but includes Good Friday.

Closed on Mondays.

01780 763649 www.thewickedwitch experience.co.uk

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The George at Ashley

New Winter Menu starts Thursday 4th January Pie & A Pint Night £10 - every Wednesday starting on 10th January 6 Course Tasting Dinner - Saturday 13th January, Tickets just £35

Burns Night Dinner with Piper - Thursday 25th January, Tickets £30

Happy New Year and look forward to seeing you in 2018 21 Main Street, Ashley, Northamptonshire. LE16 8HF T 01858 565411 E info@thegeorgeatashley.co.uk www.thegeorgeatashley.co.uk

Country Inn and Restaurant A warm welcome is assured at our quintessential old English county pub, bringing you the best of British home cooked meals and a choice of well kept Real Ales.

Why not join us for Sunday Lunch?

Choice of 3 roasts all served with the traditional trimmings £9.95 for one course up to £15.95 for three courses

Curry Night

1st Thursday of every month.

Two course menu with selection of starters, followed by three homemade curries £10.95 a head

Friday Lunchtime Special

2 Portions of Cod, Chips and Mushy Peas for £10 Tue, Wed, Thur 12pm – 11pm (Food 12pm – 2.30pm/6.30pm – 9.30pm) Fri, Sat 12pm – 12am (Food 12pm – 2.30pm/6.30pm – 9.30pm) Sun 12pm – 6pm (Food 12.30pm – 3pm).Closed Mondays

LAST ORDERS WILL BE TAKEN 30 MINUTES BEFORE FOOD IS STOPPED SERVING

14 Arnhill Road, Gretton | Northants, NN17 3DN

Tel: 01536 770268 www.thehattonarms.com 29

STEP

INSIDE

Real Transformation

Amander Meade meets the owners of a Rutland home shortlisted for the Real Homes Magazine Transformation Awards 2017, which showcase the best home renovations in the UK. PHOTOGRAPHY: DUG WILDERS

S

TEWART and Fiona MacDonald purchased their Rutland home in 2012, having fallen for the county’s lifestyle benefits as they enjoy sailing and cycling. Not for the MacDonalds the easy option, however, when they decided to completely remodel and update their new house in collaboration with architects Paul Testa. The innovative design has unlocked the building’s full potential by transforming a maze of small, dark rooms into a series of bright, open-plan spaces with a glorious relationship to the garden. The exterior was also completely overhauled to revive the home’s tired appearance and improve its kerb appeal.

The main objectives were to improve the amount of light and put an updated stamp on the interior decor. Plans were approved for the major changes, which included adding on a front porch and creating an interior so completely altered that all the interior walls came down. Additionally, a new roof now accommodates two newly created rooms that were formerly dead attic space. “The house was just a shell with absolutely everything stripped out – the staircase was moved from a central position to the front of the new interior,” explains Stewart. A major feature of Paul Testa’s design is the impressive full-height hallway staircase that runs through to the second floor and is illuminated with plenty of natural light; a selection of contemporary light fittings by local firm Lumison enhances this feeling of light.

The ambitious project took 18 months, which was longer than planned, but, as Stewart acknowledges, not unusual or unexpected with such a large project.

The couple moved in just before Christmas 2016 and say that their completed home is now everything they could have wished for and more. Downstairs a large, open-plan kitchen flows seamlessly into a dining area and relaxing seating space. Upstairs Stewart and Fiona both have offices on the expanded second floor, meaning that their work areas are clearly defined from the rest of the house and making it easy to leave work behind at the end of the day.

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RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING JANUARY 2018

For Fiona the living space comes into its own when she is entertaining, “I’m no longer shut away in the kitchen on my own but can now be at the centre of things while I cook. Our children are grown up, but they visit frequently to sail and cycle, so the house retains its family feeling.”

The couple describe the house as a joy to live in and they love to watch the seasons changing through the full glass door that frames their expansive rural view to the rear of the house. “All the hard work was worth it; we love it here and couldn’t be happier with the house and have absolutely no plans to move.”

About the architects…

Paul Testa Architecture is a practice of active, outdoor people with a passion for architecture and the built environment. “We’re especially interested in the way buildings are made – the nuts and bolts of the process – and we’re passionate about every project we undertake. We take our values of good design and fundamental sustainability to offer clients good-value, healthy, flexible and useful buildings. Architecture is, above all, about people, and we aim to create buildings in which people enjoy living and working.”

CONTACT LIST: Architect Paul Testa, 07930 637379, paultestaarchitecture.co.uk Bathroom fixtures by Utopia at Pochin, 01572 756240, pochin.com Building work by DVD Building, 01733 358 822 Lumison Lighting, 01572 724600, lumisonlighting.co.uk Oak flooring by Ultra-Interior, 0116 275 2791, ultra-interior.com Rational Kitchens, 0114 399 9802, rationalgb.com

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

Sitting room red sofa and dining chairs by Carl Hansen and table by the Aram Store

AFTER The architect added lots of little pockets of interest to prevent the ultracontemporary styling from looking too clinical

Kitchen units by Rational with Miele appliances

A high, contemporary drop-light fitting by Lumison adds personality to the staircase, making it a key feature of the house

A stylish, sleek bathroom by Pochin looks clutter-free and chic RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING JANUARY 2018

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Spotlight on The Langtons The ancient villages of Church, Tur, Thorpe, East and West Langton sit four miles north of Market Harborough, nestled around a ridge once populated with Saxon settlements. The parishes each have their unique historic charm and are home to series of hidden gems that are worth seeking out, as Lily Canter discovered.

T

HE gateway to The Langtons – as they are collectively known – is the Greenhouse Cafe and Garden Centre, which hosts one of the most childfriendly cafes in the region. The open-plan design means that families can enjoy a farmshop breakfast, wholesome lunch or afternoon tea whilst their little ones pootle around the tables in toy cars or make new friends in the designated play area, all within eye shot.

Church Langton At the heart of the village stands the impressive red-brick Gothic school founded in 1873 by Reverend William Hanbury. Almost 150 years later Church Langton CE Primary School is still very much part of the local community, although boys and girls no longer have to enter the school through separate doorways. The school is closely connected to St Peter’s Church, which serves Church, East and West Langton and stands tucked away from the main road down a bumpy single-track dead-end road. Villagers are also lucky enough to have their own community hall with regular yoga classes, and the Langton Arms, which is currently undergoing major renovation before relaunching in spring 2018.

Thorpe Langton

Tur Langton

As the economic hub of The Langtons this 1,400-acre parish is home to a range of companies at The Manor rural business complex. Stop by for an illy coffee or Gallones ice cream at Mint & Ginger cafe whilst thumbing through their range of quirky cookbooks on sale such as Five Go Gluten Free and Posh Toast. If you are looking for an unusual gift or unique home decor, then Bunny & Clarke, situated on the courtyard opposite the cafe, is the ideal retailer. And whilst you’re there, why not book an appointment at Manor Hair & Beauty or sign up for a printmaking workshop at The Laughing Cactus. Meanwhile, if you are in the area with the kids, The Crown is a great place to stop for a carvery lunch; kids can enjoy the outdoor play area, equipped with slides and a large climbing frame.

The 1,100-acre parish maintains its customary charms with its thatched-roof pub, stonefronted cottages and 12thcentury chapel.

Traditional on the outside but stylish on the inside, The Bakers Arms is the ideal venue for a cosy modern meal. The fusion menu, which is updated at regular intervals, includes everything from homemade pork, black pudding and thyme scotch eggs to Asian monkfish and king-prawn stir fry. And the in-house pastry chef creates fresh desserts each day including affogato with biscotti and white chocolate and cardamom brulée. St Leonard’s Church is also a welcoming stopping point, running a community cafe each Tuesday. But the best little find is the red telephone box library, which has made excellent use of an obsolete public amenity. A great selection of books can be borrowed, and there is even a pair of spectacles on a string to help you pick through the titles. The kiosk also houses a defibrillator, which enhances its status as a vital community facility.

East and West Langton There are two culinary delights in East Langton – The Bell Inn and the delicious free-range eggs from the Robinson farm, which is hidden away at the tail end of the village. Half a dozen eggs are just £1 and can be easily picked up at the roadside. Meanwhile, the ironstone Bell Inn stands on the opposing side of the village at the point at which it branches in two. This newly refurbished country pub serves lunch and dinner with a modern twist, including wine and game four-course taster evenings and a Wednesday-night gin club, along with hosting community events such as art sales.

Less than a mile away is West Langton, a tiny hamlet made up of a cluster of houses on the road to Kibworth Beauchamp. The centrepiece is West Langton Hall, a large three-storey building made of ironstone and limestone dating back to the 17th century.

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RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING JANUARY 2018

MAIDWELL HALL

7-13 Co-Educational

Boarding and Day

“Small enough for everyone to know each other but big enough to offer a first-rate, all-round education, the school encourages pupils to work hard, get lots of fresh air and have fun along the way.”

GOOD SCHOOLS GUIDE

Open Morning Saturday 20th January 2018, 10.30am-12.30pm

The Open Morning will involve a welcome reception, tours of the school with current pupils during a normal busy Saturday morning and the opportunity to meet members of staff.

Please contact us on 01604 686234 in order to book a place.

Northamptonshire, NN6 9JG Tel 01604 686234 headmaster@maidwellhall.co.uk www.maidwellhall.co.uk

Inspirational Flooring Visit our showroom at Unit 14 Midland Court, Station Approach, Oakham, Rutland LE15 6RA 01572 759752 www.barefoot-flooring.biz

JANUARY SALE

• 10% off Carpets & Vinyls • Free cleaning kit worth £35 for Wood & LVT purchases.

• Half hour FREE in home interior design consultation.

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Winter pansies If you’re starting to pine for a little bit of colour, then there’s nothing better to plant up than a pot of cheery winter pansies for by your door. Get down to your local nursery and see what they have in stock. The pansy is one of the hardest-working and most forgiving little container plants in the garden, and with regular deadheading it will continue to flower through our shortest winter days. Pansies can put up with the cold and wet and come in a striking array of colours – you can go bold and riotous or muted and pale! Choose frost-proof pots to put them in and position them in a sunny, sheltered spot to make the most of any winter sun. Plants grow very little in winter, so position them more tightly together for maximum impact. Remember to water them little and often – just because it’s winter it doesn’t mean that your containers can’t dry out. You can experiment by adding height to your containers in the form of dwarf tulips and small-flowered daffodils.

Winter Birds Family Walk at the Rutland Nature Reserve Enjoy a family walk and learn how to identify the more common water and garden birds. Saturday 27 January at 10am, Anglian Water Birdwatching Centre, Egleton, Oakham LE15 8BT, www.rutlandwater.org.uk.

OUTDOOR Living Brightening up winter days by Rebecca Chatterton

Remember the birds….

You may have plumped up over the festive season, but January can be a lean month for birds – making a fat ball feeder for them is a good rainy-day project.

You will need: • An old yoghurt pot with a tiny hole pierced in the bottom and a length of string knotted through it • One cup of lard or suet • Two cups of a mix of any of the following: wild-bird seed, peanuts, currants, oats and any kitchen scraps such as grated cheese, bread and cake.

1. Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl.

2. Melt the lard/suet in a pan over a gentle heat until melted, then add the dry mix, stirring well to combine all the ingredients.

3. Fill the prepared yoghurt pot with the mixture and put it in the fridge overnight to set.

4. Finally, cut through the pot and peel it away to reveal a delicious bird feast.

5. Hang your feeder outside!

Stop the wrong sort of outside from coming in!

Invest in a wroughtiron bootscrape to keep mud out of the house in the winter months – Wymondham’s Old Bakery Antiques (23 Main Street) is home to a wonderful array of architectural and garden antiques and has just the thing. Find out more on 01572 787472 or at www.antiques-atlas. com/oldbakeryantiques.

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RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING JANUARY 2018

Plant of the month – Hellebores Look out for the elegant white blooms of the socalled Christmas Rose, which can appear before the first bulbs. Hellebores with deep purpleblack flowers are stunning too. Hellebores reveal their flowers from late-winter to early spring and will grow in most conditions. If you’re lucky enough to have some in the garden, you can cut them and bring them in as your first picked flower of the season. Before putting them in water, strip away any leaves that can rot below the water line and sear the last 2cm of their stems in boiling water to help them last longer. Plant Hellebores now to provide interest in January and February. Helleborus niger is available from Barnsdale Gardens, 01572 813200, www.barnsdalegardens.co.uk.

Traditional Restoration Timber Renovation Specialists Old sash & casement windows, exterior doors & joinery

Window Repair

Why replace your timber windows when you can restore? Traditional Restoration offers a cost-saving alternative to window replacement.

• Repairs and renovations • Overhaul and draught proofing • Reglazing and reputtying • Converting single glazing to double glazing

Your Local, Friendly, Independent Builders Merchant.

OAKHAM DEPOT NOW OPEN

Before

After

Before

After

Exterior joinery repair

Call James on:

01572 720524 or 07841 527855

Offering both Trade and Public an extensive range of building materials to suit all trade requirements and DIY enthusiasts alike.

tradrest@hotmail.co.uk

www.traditional-restoration.co.uk @tradrest

Our yard stock range contains:

Aggregates, Bricks, Blocks, Lintels, Cement Products, Plaster/Plasterboards, Drainage, Coal, Landscaping Products, Fencing, Sleepers, Plywood & General Timber (treated & untreated).

In our impressive shop area we stock: Builders Metalwork, Tools, Ironmongery, Fixings, Building Chemicals, Sealants, Paints & Sundries, Plywood, Guttering and Work Clothing.

On display and available to order are Doors, Stairs, Roofs, Windows etc.

Open Mon-Friday 7.30am – 5.00pm Sat 8.00am – 12.00pm Telephone 01572 490790 and speak to our friendly, experienced and knowledgeable team, Geoff, Colin, Lee or Donna.

KEN RAWSON

GARDEN DESIGNS HELP!

with design problems, hot, dry or shady places, screening issues or just with that idea

You need somebody?

01780 481624

www.kenrawsongardendesigns.co.uk Easton-on-the-Hill, Stamford. Established 1986

William Hercock Limited Pillings Road, Oakham, LE15 6QF. Tel 01572 490790 Mob 07803 407168 E-Mail lee@williamhercock.co.uk

www.williamhercock.co.uk 35

A liTtlE ADveNtuRe

A liTtlE DOinG

The wind-chill factor may put you off feeding the animals at West Lodge Rural Centre, but that doesn’t mean the Desborough farm isn’t worth a visit. Stepping into the recently opened Indoor Adventure Barn is like entering a giant heated treehouse, and it’s an incredible space for children to run off steam on the treetop-inspired ramps, ladders and slides. Even better, parents can watch from the comfort of the cafe with a cup of tea and a piece of cake in hand. The play area is included in the entry price to the farm and is also available for birthday parties, making a nice alternative to the ubiquitous soft-play party venues. www.westlodgeruralcentre.co.uk

Whether it is music, craft or cookery, there are activities galore for children of all ages across the region. Music with Mummy (ages one to three) and Jolly Babies (newborn to age one) run on a Wednesday to Friday in Preston Village Hall, so why not take up a free taster session by contacting the talented Suzie Goode on musicwithmummysuzie@gmail. com. Over in Market Harborough the Leicester Crafts Centre has a timetable of events for ages two to 11 plus. I’m looking forward to taking my eldest Byron to the Mini Makers Club, where he can get as messy as he likes painting, sticking, modelling, stamping and snipping. There is also wind-chime making, a children’s sewing club and an after-school art club to suit every creative endeavour. Find out more at www.leicestershirecraftcentre.co.uk. And if you’re not brave enough to try out our recommended Little Baking recipe this month, why not join Cooking Caterpillars in Braunston Village Hall, which has classes for three- to 11-year-olds. From teens to tots they find the inner cook in all our children. www.cookingcaterpillars.co.uk/cooking-classes

LIttLe livIng

January can feel like a cold and dreary month following the excitement of Christmas, and it can be difficult to conjure up imaginative – and warm – activities to do with the kids. Fortunately, there are plenty of great indoor pursuits to keep even the most demanding of little bodies and minds active.

Lily Canter tells us more…

A liTtlE BAkiNg This month Nature’s Pantry in Market Harborough recommends making these simple but tasty energy balls. Full of nutritious ingredients, but still bursting with sweetness, they are the perfect antidote to a month of over-indulgence. Nature’s Pantry runs regular children’s cooking classes above its toy and health food shop in Church Street, Market Harborough. Find out more at www.facebook.com/ Natures-Pantry-925408654237010/ or by calling 01858 468568.

A liTtlE SHopPinG Looking for something a little colourful to brighten up your children’s winter wardrobe? Then pop over to Fords of Oakham, which has a wonderful array of seasonal wear. This gorgeous floral Kite Go Girls Coat (£45) is the ideal piece to keep off the cold and rain, while this Kite Foxy Sweatshirt (£24) is a lovely unisex piece to add a flash of red and yellow to a grey January day.

A liTtlE ZOo Whether it be a frilled dragon, Asian palm civet or hairy armadillo, Rutland Water’s Bugtopia The Zoo at Sykes Lane, Empingham, has something to thrill and surprise visitors great and small. Kids can take part in the interactive handling sessions and view over 75 different species all under one roof. I just wish I had taken my two-year-old son Ivor there earlier because under-twos go free – children are £6.50 and adults £7.50. The centre is open seven days a week, all year round.

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RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING JANUARY 2018

Cacao & Goji Balls Ingredients: • 8 Medjool dates • 1/2 cup cashews • 1/2 cup almonds • 1/4 cup cacao nibs • 1 tbsp cacao powder • 1/2 cup goji berries • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 1/4 tsp cinnamon To decorate: Puffed amaranth Mixed seeds Cacao powder Desiccated coconut Method: • First pit the dates and cover them in boiling water; leave to soak for 10 minutes and drain before adding to the mixture (see below).

• Measure out the nuts first and give them a quick blast in a food processor, before adding the remaining ingredients. Blitz to form a rough paste and shape into balls. Roll them in toppings of your choice.

• Store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to a week.

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HEALTH New Year’s Inspirations& Catherine Varney speaks to seven inspirational women in the health and beauty industry to ask them about their New Year’s resolutions... and how they plan to make YOU healthier, happier and altogether more fabulous in 2018!

Naomi Tzirki, Naomi Nails and Beauty, Market Harborough Naomi and her team of friendly therapists have been making the members of Market Harborough feel fabulous for the past seven years. This spacious and well-established salon, which was recently voted the best salon in Leicestershire 2017 by the Muddy Stilettos awards, offers everything from HD brows, eyelash extensions and LVL lashes to tanning, waxing, facials and Shellac manicures. In recent months, Naomi has taken on two new members of staff and has introduced an exciting new nailcare brand called EVO by bio sculpture.

My resolutions for 2018: “In my line of work, I need to look after my skin, so I am going to keep feeding it from within by using the ANP supplements that work alongside the Environ skincare range we stock; and also try to drink more water and herbal teas and less caffeine. Being a business owner and a mother of two keeps me busy and I often forget to take a breath, so I’m going to make more time for myself.”

Dr Debbie Lashbrooke, Islington Studio, Rutland GP Debbie Lashbrooke started her aesthetics clinic in Langham, Rutland, last year, offering dermal fillers and muscle-relaxing injections that have already proved to be a huge success with Rutland ladies who want a naturally enhanced look. She told me about her plans to expand her treatments: “This year I am looking forward to offering a bespoke range of aesthetic treatments tailored to the needs of each customer, including the 8 Point non-surgical face lift, the Nefertiti [neck and jawline] Lift, and lip augmentation.”

What 2018 means to me: “For me 2018 is going to be about focusing on the little wins.

It’s going to be about working out what makes me smile and doing it more. It’s taken a long time for me to realise that happiness is always there for the taking – but not necessarily in the places I expect to find it. I’m also going to spend longer just chatting to my clients; I meet so many strong and inspirational women and learn so much from them.”

Natalie Godefroy, Beauty Defined This advanced aesthetics clinic is based in the beautiful location of Union Wharf, in Market Harborough, and Natalie and her team have become renowned for their technologically advanced treatments including Collagen Wave facials, HIFU (High Intensity Focused Ultrasound – a non-surgical face lift), plasma blast non-surgical eye lifts as well as botox and dermal fillers. She told me: “Trust is hugely important when you are planning facial enhancements, so I look at my clients artistically as well as clinically to gain a full understanding of their motivation behind desiring change.”

Keeping our clients happy in 2018: “We love making our customers happy and seeing them gain in confidence and self-esteem, and we hope to continue to do so.

I see lots of clients who have lost their eyebrows and eyelashes, often due to illness, and we are able to bring back their smiles and self-confidence through a range of beauty treatments. To see their faces when they look in the mirror really is a huge reward.”

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RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING JANUARY 2018

& BEAUTY Michele Evans MCSP, Chartered Physiotherapist & Certified Pilates Instructor, Rutland Chartered Physiotherapist Michele has years of experience of working with people of varying degrees of mobility and fitness, and focuses on helping people with back and joint issues to improve posture and balance. Her Pilates classes take place at various locations throughout Rutland and aim to improve physical health in her clients’ daily lives; 1:1 sessions are available at home within a 10-mile radius of Oakham. (For the month of January, get 10% off any 1:1 sessions booked.)

My goals for the New Year: “I would advise anyone to ‘live life to the full’ – whatever your version of ‘full’ may be. For me, that means doing exercise that I enjoy (Pilates, of course), being grateful for something every day and sharing the joy of laughter with others.”

Seema Khanna, The Lean Pantry Co., Oakham & Stamford Due to the huge success of her first cleaneating cafe, Seema Khanna opened her second premises within a year. “Launching The Lean Pantry Co. was a nerve-wracking experience, as the business ethos of being free from wheat, dairy, gluten and refined sugar isn’t a concept familiar to all customers. The last 12 months have been overwhelming and rewarding, as we have been able to not only provide a range of foods for customers who understand what we’re trying to achieve, but also attract customers who were unfamiliar with our concept and now return on a regular basis.”

What lies ahead in 2018: “Expanding into Stamford has been hugely exciting and rewarding and I couldn’t have done it without my family, who have been very supportive.

For 2018, my focus is to spend more time with them and to find the time to get back on top of my fitness regime, as this was the motivation behind the business in the first place.”

Sally Walton, Slimming World leader, Greetham If there’s one person who is proof of how much can be achieved through self-belief and hard work, it is Sally. Having joined Slimming World a few years ago, when an over-indulgent Christmas made her realise her weight had spiralled out of control, Sally subsequently lost four stones and now runs the Greetham group. Sally’s enthusiastic and committed style has seen the numbers increase dramatically since she’s taken over the helm... and in fact, Sally is so committed to the cause that she’s opening the doors on New Year’s Day! “There’s no need to book – just turn up and we’ll help you start your weight loss journey in 2018.”

A healthy New Year: “It’s not an exaggeration to say that Slimming World has changed my life, so I love helping other people achieve that feeling too. I can empathise and support people struggling with their weight because I’ve been there. I’ve gone from a size 24 to a size 12/14, and the weight loss has given me so much confidence. My aim is to continue my new lifestyle for good – and I know that it’s achievable.”

Gemma Frisby, GLOW Hair Salon, Oakham Gemma opened GLOW at Barnsdale Lodge two and a half years ago, and this modern salon offers L’Oréal colour services and exceptional hair styling and bridal hair care. Gemma told me: “I feel like we have had many little successes over the past two years, but personally for me the 2017 L’Oréal colour trophy competition was an absolute highlight. We all came together as a team, and after qualifying through to the regional finals I was so proud to be standing next to my girls as we came in 13th out of 35 entries, ahead of some big chain salons.”

Continuing the success in 2018: “I really enjoy making women feel good about themselves, and I knew I wanted to create something special for our clients, offering professionalism, experience, great products, quality colour, and a friendly atmosphere with a team that works well together. We will all continue to train with L’Oréal, welcome new clients, enjoy seeing our existing clients, maintain our high standard of service, stay friendly and positive… and keep Rutland glowing!”

DIRECTORY: • Beauty Defined, 3 Stable Block, Union Wharf, Market Harborough, 01858 288242, www.beauty-defined.co.uk • Michele Evans, 07813 760758, michelephysio@btinternet.com • GLOW, Barnsdale Lodge, The Avenue, Exton, Oakham, 01572 720611, www.glowhairandbeauty.co.uk • Islington Studio Rutland (Dr Debbie Lashbrooke), Cold Overton Road, Langham, Rutland, 07815 787573, www.islingtonstudiorutland.co.uk • The Lean Pantry Co., 2c Mill Street, Oakham, 01572 774363 and 72 High Street, Stamford, 01780 763173, www.theleanpantry.co.uk • Naomi Nails and Beauty, 14 Manor Walk, Market Harborough, 01858 657001, www.naominailsbeauty.co.uk • Sally Anne Walton, Greetham Community Centre classes, 07437 010235, sally.slimmingworld@gmail.com RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING JANUARY 2018

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Try a new approach to fitness this January Every January, following the excesses of Christmas, hundreds of thousands of people in the UK flock to gyms and exercise classes in the hope of losing weight and getting in shape. Despite an initial burst of activity, however, before too long many find themselves exhausted and piling on the pounds again.

There is, however, another way, as Lily Canter reports.

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WAY from the glare of wall-to-wall mirrors, two Market Harborough businesses are pioneering alternative approaches to help you get on the road to a healthier, fitter lifestyle.

Body Fitness Personal Training Describing themselves as health and well-being coaches, the staff at Body Fitness Personal Training at Archway Health Hub, Lubenham Hill, use a holistic method to assess client’s eating, sleeping, resting and exercise routines.

From this they tailor a bespoke programme, which “nudges people in the right direction” and enables them to gradually make lifelong changes.

“We look at nutrition, stress levels, lifestyle and so on. All of this is as important as exercise, which is the fun bit,” says owner Stephen Rutherford-Bate.

“The majority of our clients are women over 40 who are time tight and don’t like gyms. They have tried everything else and it hasn’t worked.

That said, we have men and women of all ages, currently from 15 to 82-years-old.”

The business operates out of a studio where four coaches work on a personal level with clients as well as holding small group classes. There is

Training Shed Located on Market Harborough’s St Mary’s Road and established four years ago, the Training Shed also looks beyond just exercise. Their approach is based around training, nutrition and function, and they have a range of classes, activities and training sessions.

“We have 10 staff including sports therapists, massage therapists and trainers, who are there as a team to support whoever you are, whatever level you start at,” says director Glen Thurgood.

The starting point is taking what your body can currently do and developing it into what you want it to do.

“Our training is individualised to each person, we understand that there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach, and we welcome everybody. We have exercise-referral clients up to Olympians and everything in between.”

Getting nutrition correct is also key to a client’s success, and staff at the Training Shed advise on what to eat in order to get extraordinary results.

an initial 50-minute free consultation at which prospective clients talk about their goals, habits, routines, diet and what they are hoping to achieve.

They can then return for a one-hour physical assessment, which starts the beginning of their wellness journey.

“We are creating a lifestyle change, and it is all about the long term. We educate clients about how nutrition, exercise and hormones all work together, so they are able to feel well rested, energised and confident in their body shape, as well as progressing towards their goals.”

Working with local chiropractic, physiotherapist and sports-massage therapists, the studio also offers rehabilitation and recovery programmes for a range of chronic and acute problems including fractures, muscle pains and arthritis.

“We work with clients and help them build up their strength and mobility in an environment where we can educate them on how to improve their condition and safely work through an exercise routine.”

For £25, clients can have their seven-day food and drink diary assessed by a nutritional advisor, who will review diet choices and give quick and easy-to-follow personalised tips and advice. This can be developed further with a nutrition analysis or an in-depth nutrition consultancy.

Trainers can also support clients to strengthen body muscles and address poor postural habits that can cause problems such as lower back pain, shoulder pain and limited flexibility.

“We’re big advocates of corrective exercises to help solve current issues and prevent new problems occurring. Our team of experts is on hand to help restore the body to its best form. Staff are also on hand to help with recovery after a hard training session through massage, they can help improve running technique through detailed analysis, and they will teach clients proper form and body awareness to prevent injury.”

The Fitness Box

This new company, recently opened in the rural setting of The Manor in Tur Langton offers tailored classes and personal training. It is run by Adam Fowler, former Head of Strength and Conditioning for Leicester Tigers and Royal Marines Commando Physical Training Instructor. It aims to support clients with any goal, whether it be fat loss, increased lean muscle mass, general fitness, strength, power or hypertrophy. The dedicated gym is equipped with cardio machines, free weights, power bags, kettlebells and more. Group classes and personal training sessions (including dietary plans and lifestyle advice) are also offered.

CONTACTS: Body Fitness Personal Training, 01858 410820, www.bodyfitnesspt.com Training Shed, 01858 419268, www.trainingshed.com The Fitness Box, 07880 334567, thefitnessbox.co.uk

RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING JANUARY 2018

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Bluebird Care

Nicholas Rudd-Jones talked to Leisa MacKenzie, Director of Bluebird Care, about their aims and achievements

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LUEBIRD Care Peterborough & Rutland is a multi-award-winning Care Company based in the heart of Stamford, providing high-quality home care and support services in Stamford, Peterborough, Rutland, East Northants, Bourne, Market Deeping and the surrounding areas (including Yaxley, Castor, Oundle, Oakham and Uppingham) to keep you safe and comfortable in your own home.

Leisa MacKenzie told Local Living: “We offer a unique choice of flexible home care and support services tailored exactly to your needs. These could be anything from a 30-minute visit to 24-hour live-in care. You may want short-term help after an illness, or you may require respite care because your usual carer is having a break. Whatever your needs, our dedicated team of home-care workers is happy to talk to you about your requirements.

“As our reputation grows, so does the demand for our services, so we are looking to expand our team of care staff over the next 12 months, in a variety of roles, all focused on supporting the care team and our customers.

“As such we have introduced the Career Pathway for all our Care Assistants to ensure we continue to develop and train our staff, both in professional qualifications, bespoke training for specialisations in care such as dementia, palliative, stroke and Alzheimers. This is in addition to the continued training and supervision of all our staff, ensuring we stay as the preferred provider of choice, providing the level of care that everyone has come to expect from Bluebird.

“Over the seven years we have been established we have become integrated into our local communities both in a professional manner and as part of fund-raising events for local charities.

We pioneered a community-care service working with Peterborough and Cambridge Clinical Commissioning Group, helping the hospital in discharge and assisting the Accident & Emergency department to help avoid hospitalisation.

“We are linked to several charities in our area, regularly attending events and trying to raise awareness. We have recently carried out an event raising funds for Thorpe Hall hospice in Peterborough and a Tea Party event for Macmillan Cancer Support.

“Not one to sit on our laurels, earlier this year we took part in ‘the innocent Big Knit’ [organised by smoothies and juice firm innocent to raise funds for Age UK]. This was a great charity event that has been really embraced, and has proven to be a fantastic support of Age UK. We are once again, with our team and customers, carrying out a knitting event, this time in support of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), with knitted hats for premature babies donated to the charity for sale.

“We also like to ensure we support the communities on a wider basis, and not just those who have more of life’s ‘experience’, shall we say! Which is why we sponsor both Oakham Rugby Club and Stamford ‘Daniels’ football club, trying to help both the young and old in our community.

“What we as a team have achieved over the last seven years has been not without challenges, but it has always been rewarding, and we feel a great sense of pride in our team and the huge positive effect we have had not only on our customers but also on the community as a whole. We feel as if, although we are seven years in, we are just getting started, with so much more to do. 2018 will be a fantastic new year when we will continue to grow and develop as a company, but more importantly we will be able to work with more customers, more charities and more people within our community, making sure we stay the best at what we do.”

Bluebird Care (Peterborough & Rutland), 16 Wharf Road, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 2EB 01780 480881 www.bluebirdcare.co.uk/peterborough-rutland/home

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RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING JANUARY 2018

My life My home My cuppa, just the way I like it

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News & Notes Helping you make the most of Rutland living

High praise for 5 Day Blinds

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AKHAM blinds and curtain professionals 5 Day Blinds Ltd, headed by Richard Cook, recently completed a specialist installation in the side chapel of St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Oakham. Richard was asked to install curtains – a service that can be done with any suitable fabric, for example by designers including Osborne & Little, Harlequin or Designers Guild and from retailers such as John Lewis or Dunelm, as well as using 5 Day Blinds’ own fabric, and in this case was carried out using material from specialist ecclesiastical supplier Watts of London.

“The key is the process,” Richard told us, stressing that his firm is focused on achieving the highest standards of production and installation.

The team at the church were delighted with the results, advising, “We wanted to create a ‘side chapel’ atmosphere for a recently available space in our church for Our Lady’s Queen of Sorrows statue. Wanting to use a local business, I contacted 5 Day Blinds of Oakham. Thank goodness, I did! We received a first-rate service. The curtain was made to an excellent standard and the installation was painless and very quick. Would I recommend 5 Day Blinds? Oh yes, definitely!”

Richard’s other clients range from private individuals to offices and institutions, and he works locally in the Rutland, Stamford, Peterborough, Melton and Bourne areas, as well as nationally, at extremely competitive prices. “I’m here to help where I can,” is his highly positive approach.

Whether you need supply only or supply and installation, and whatever your requirements for curtains and blinds (from roller to roman and Venetian and more), don’t hesitate to get in touch.

For further information and to arrange a free quotation, contact Richard Cook at 5 Day Blinds Ltd, 30 Pillings Road, Oakham LE15 6QF, 07967 383827 or 01572 759176, www.5dayblinds.co.uk.

Oakham Veterinary Hospital asked us to point out that in their advertisement feature on p47 of our December 2017 issue they mistakenly listed carrots as being harmful to pets. This should have read “currants” – carrots are fine and, of course, very healthy.

Rutlanders are only moving every 13.5 years This month, our local property advisor David Crooke, owner of UPP Property Agents, identifies how a new trend of property sales appears to have started in the Rutland area.

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HE average house price in Rutland is 12.6 times the average annual Rutland salary. This is higher than the last peak of 2008, when the ratio was 9.8. Some commentators anticipated that UK property prices might drop like a stone following the Brexit vote, but in reality some have and some have not.

The market for Rutland’s most desirable properties does appear fragile (although they are selling if they are realistically priced), and overall, Rutland property price growth has slowed. The lower-to-middle Rutland property market, however, appears to be quite strong.

Rutlanders are moving home less often than they once did. Data from the Office of National Statistics shows that the number of properties sold in 2016 is again much lower than it was in the “noughties”.

Even though we are nowhere near the low levels of property sales of the post credit crunch (2008 and 2009), the torpor of the Rutland housing market following the 2016 Brexit vote has seen the number of property sales in Rutland and the surrounding

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RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING JANUARY 2018

local authority area level off to what appears to be the start of a new long-term trend.

There are complex reasons behind this stalling in growth, but a good place to start is that the growth rate of real UK household disposable income has fallen from 5.01% a year in 2000 to 1.68% in 2016. Additionally, since the country voted to leave the EU, consumer price inflation has risen to 2.7% per annum, meaning that inflation has eaten away at the real value of wages (as they have only grown by 1.1% in the same time frame). With meagre “real income” growth, it has become more difficult for homeowners to accumulate the savings needed to climb up the housing ladder, as the level of saving has also dropped from 4.26% of household income to -1.11%.

Regrettably, it is difficult to see how the rate of properties being sold will rise any time soon, although there could be opportunities to secure larger properties as demand for them will surely grow over the coming years.

For professional advice on buying, selling, renting and managing your homes and property investments, please call UPP Property Sales & Lettings on 01572 725825. See also www.upp-property.co.uk.

➧

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News & Notes Six holiday hotspots for 2018 Paula Cockcroft, Director of Oundle Travel (01832 273600, www.oundletravel.co.uk), gives six fabulous recommendations for travel in the coming months.

Iceland – capital of cool: One of our top destinations for the third year running, Reykjavík, the world’s northernmost capital, never fails to impress. Viewing the Northern Lights, relaxing in the Blue Lagoon and heading out on a whale-watching trip are just a few of the adventures that await.

Great dining options and quirky shopping make for the perfect short break with a difference.

Oman – sun seekers: With temperatures in the mid-20s (ºC) during the winter months, Oman is a stunning choice for that dose of sunshine when you most need it. There are daily direct flights from London, so why not check yourself into the newly refurbished five-star deluxe Al Bustan Palace and take advantage of their world-class spa?

Sri Lanka – history and culture: Whether you want to tour and experience local customs, stay in an intimate romantic retreat, relax on a white-sand beach or get up close with the wildlife in the many national parks and reserves, Sri Lanka should not disappoint. Low rainfall between January and March mean that those months are a good time to go.

New York – the ultimate city break: One of the most iconic cities in the world awaits, and by travelling off peak in January you can take advantage of some of the best prices on airfares and hotels.

Enjoy a Broadway show, walk around Central Park, visit worldclass museums, be dazzled by the local food offering and, of course, shop till you drop.

Tenerife – family hotspot: The Hard Rock Hotel in Tenerife is a luxurious, cutting-edge hotel combining style with a vibrant atmosphere. A temperate climate in early to mid-spring, plus a flight time of just four hours from the UK, make it ideal for a half-term or Easter family break.

Costa Rica – adventure & wildlife: Discover abundant scenery, amazing wildlife and adventurefilled excursions among misty rainforests, volcanic peaks and dramatic waterfalls. The abundance of nature coupled with the eco-credentials of the country are among the reasons that Costa Rica is one of the rising stars for 2018.

The Dream Team at Creme

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The Wonderful Wizard of Oz!

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HIS month the Cottesmore Village Players hope you will support their latest production, The Wizard of Oz, featuring all your favourite and instantly recognisable characters from the original iconic film.

The Players were formed in 1979 by a group of local amateur dramatists who shared a love for music and the stage. The group now has over 30 active members involved in all aspects of producing the show, whether behind the scenes or treading the boards, and varying in age from as young as six to over 60. Although the players still bear the name of their original village, an urgent need for a larger venue meant that Market Overton Village Hall became their new home, and, with the help of a National Lottery Grant, it has remained so ever since.

Players supporter Sarah Bateman said, “Due almost entirely to the quality, professionalism and commitment of our members, our shows and pantomimes have become increasingly popular with all age groups. Not only do we attract local audiences but also those from further afield. Word has even spread as far south as Somerset. What is most encouraging is that having enjoyed their first show, people are returning year after year to see new productions as well as some slightly less familiar shows, which are sometimes neglected in mainstream theatre.”

This year audiences can expect some surprises, fun and laughter, but most of all to be enthralled by the incredible talent on show.

Performance dates are: Friday 26, Saturday 27, Sunday 28 January and Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 February 2018. There will be matinee and evening performances available on both weekends. Ticket prices are adults £6 and children £5, and group discounts are available.

For tickets and further information contact Alan or Lynn Lane on 01572 768040.

AKHAM Hair Salon, Creme Hair and Beauty Treatments, based on Mill Street, is celebrating the success of four of its stylists completing the Redken Certified Colourist course. Chris, Sophie, Krystel and Kim are now professionally endorsed Redken Certified Hair Colourists and are among a select group of hairdressers in the country to have completed the course.

Chris, co-owner of Creme said he was “delighted that he and his team had successfully passed the course, given that there is only a finite number of hairdressers who successfully pass. The fact that we have four Redken Certified Haircolourists at Creme is a fantastic achievement for us!”

The Redken Certified Haircolourist course is aimed at teaching colourists the best in professional knowledge and at giving them the skill and confidence to create perfect colour every time.

“We’re delighted that this achievement recognises and endorses the quality of our stylists,” said co-owner Ruth Ward.

Creme offers a comprehensive range of hair, beauty and personal care treatments. It is an ESPA Skincare-approved Salon, as well as Redken, Pureology and Kerastase approved. It also offers St Tropez spray tans and Mii makeup, plus a full range of holistic therapies and natural beauty treatments.

Creme Hair and Beauty Treatments, The Old Church, 8 Mill Street, Stylists at Creme Hair and Beauty Treatments Oakham LE15 6EA, 01572 723823, www.cremehairandbeauty.co.uk.

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RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING JANUARY 2018

➧

Where will you be in 2018?

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News & Notes M A R K E T

H A R B O R O U G H

Welland Place – the “crafty” choice!

W

ITH so much on offer at Welland Place you can continue your hobbies in retirement and even find new ones! Living at Welland Place gives you the opportunity to be part of a community where there really is something for everyone. Just one example of this is the craft room, a hive of activity with the many groups that meet there. Formed over three years ago, the sewing group regularly meets and makes Market Harborough’s ‘Morsbags’ (mentioned in our the November 2017 issue of Rutland & Market Harborough Living – still available online if you would like to read it) from locally donated fabric. Cyndy Clayton and Mary Green from the Morsbags group volunteer their time to help members of the sewing club to enjoy their favourite pastime.

“It’s lovely to all regularly meet up in the craft room,” says Sheila Williams, a resident of over four years. “Even though we all live in the same building, we don’t necessarily see each other every day, but the sewing group brings people together to enjoy making things, have a coffee together and share ideas.”

The group is keen on recycling everything, from unused fabric to the donated machines, making use of unwanted items and keeping them from landfill.

Mildred Henton, a resident of over three years, was a seamstress in her working life. “It’s just like old times; I’m doing something that I love and know about and I enjoy regularly meeting my friends.”

Pam Henderson, aged 94, was one of Welland Place’s first residents, seven years ago. “I really look forward to our get-togethers. It gives me a hobby and a purpose.”

Some users of the craft room meet to do lace-making, embroidery and cross stitch.

Others simply enjoy some quiet time for painting and jigsaws.

Glenys Riggs has been running the knitting group since she moved in with her husband in 2013. “It’s a lovely, pleasant afternoon when we look forward to meeting up with friends.

There are sometimes 16 ladies who come along every Monday when we meet in the library and make items including hats, scarves and blankets for the Homeless of Leicester and Special Care Baby Units and nearby hospitals.”

There are even more choices, whether it’s a swim in the pool, taking gentle exercise in the gym or playing snooker, table tennis or darts in the games room. Residents can even do their own DIY projects in the fully equipped indoor “tool shed” or find their new favourite author in the library. But, if you simply want to relax, you can enjoy the coffee lounge, social bar and restaurant.

For more details about life at Welland Place and the apartments for sale, please contact the team on 0800 3281656 or sales@mha.org.uk or visit www.mha.org.uk.

Welland Place is located on St Mary’s Road, Market Harborough, Leics LE16 7GF.

New Year, New Friends

I

N our increasingly isolated society, finding new friends can be hard. Technology, longer working hours and a globally mobile workforce have completely changed the social landscape.

Few of us have the same physical social networks we used to have, especially following divorce or relocation; nor do we have the time for all the traditional ways of meeting new people.

The unique Earls & Pearls service – an exclusive platonic introduction agency – is used by men and women seeking a bespoke and effective way of increasing their social circle.

Members simply place “Requests” to do things that truly interest them, whenever it suits them.

With each Request they are expertly paired with a like-minded member who wants to go too.

Growing demand for this upmarket platonic introduction agency has recently enabled it to expand outside of London. “While the majority of our members either live in London or enjoy travelling there for its rich variety of art and culture, we’ve had a surge of membership enquiries from this region,” says Mary-Ann Henningham, Co-Founder.

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RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING JANUARY 2018

Most of us would agree that life’s better with friends, and Earls & Pearls makes the process of finding new ones both fast and easy.

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Out & About

Amander Meade selects some of the best entertainment in the region this month.

“Snow Geese”

by Sandra Peck

Throughout December to Sunday 14 January with afternoon and evening performances FAMILY SHOW: George’s Marvellous Medicine Most grandmothers are lovely, kind, helpful old ladies, but George’s Grandmother likes to gobble up slugs and bugs. When his parents leave him alone with the grizzly old grunion, George takes his chance and sets about creating a brand new medicine to cure her of her cruelty. Bags of frothbuggling family fun. Recommended for ages 5 and upwards.

Curve, Leicester Tickets from £12, 0116 242 3595, curveonline.co.uk Friday 5 January, 7.30pm EVENT: Lyddington Film Night “Hampstead” is the film inspired by the true story of renowned squatter, Irishman Harry Hallowes.

Harry gained world renown for achieving squatter’s rights for his makeshift home on a patch of land near Athlone House on London’s Hampstead Heath, defeating property developers in the process.

Lyddington Village Hall Admission is £5 on the door Wednesday 10 January, 7.30pm TALK: The Anglo-Saxon Monastery at Breedon on the Hill Douglas Clinton will speak about the fascinating ancient hilltop church, which is dedicated to St Mary and St Hardulph and contains an unrivalled cornucopia of mid-Saxon sculpture, the largest collection of any place in the country. He will trace the sources and kinship of these magnificent carvings, as well as telling of the ghosts of the monastic library there and the riddles composed by Tatwine, the scholarly abbot of Breedon who was later Archbishop of Canterbury.

The Roman Way Community Centre, Market Harborough Doors open 7pm with admission free to members; visitors are charged £3 Saturday 20 January, 9am to 4pm EVENT: Winter Wildfowl Day Ornithology expert Terry Mitcham will accompany a small group across Rutland Water Nature Reserve in search of some of the unusual wildfowl overwintering in Rutland. Previous highlights have included the American Wigeon, Scaup, Eider and Great Northern Divers. A packed lunch is required.

Begins at the Anglian Water Visitors Centre at Lyndon and places are £12 each. To book call 01572 770651 or visit rutlandwater.org, where you will find details of all the courses and events at Rutland Water this year.

Friday 26, Saturday 27, Sunday 28 January, Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 February 2018 FAMILY SHOW: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz! The Cottesmore Village Players present their version of “The Wizard of Oz”, featuring all your favourite and instantly recognisable characters from the original iconic film. The Players were formed in 1979 by a group of local amateur dramatists who shared a love for music and the stage. The group now has over 30 active members involved in all aspects of producing the show, whether behind the scenes or treading the boards and varying in age from as young as six to over sixty. This year audiences can expect some surprises, fun and laughter from this talented group.

Market Overton Village Hall Prices are £6 for adults and £5 for children with group discounts available. Tickets from Alan or Lynn Lane on 01572 768040 Saturday 3 February, 7.45pm CONCERT: Janette Monroe and Il Destino A new South Leicestershire group called the “Village People” has been formed to help with projects and fund raising in local villages. The group will be launched with a concert featuring Soprano, Janette Monroe and duo Il Destino. Janette has worked with the likes of Russell Watson and Joe Cocker and will be joined by Jon Christos and Adam Lacey. The show will encompass some of the world’s most loved and timeless music in a variety of styles with the proceeds donated to help the villages of Bringhurst, Drayton and Nevill Holt to purchase defibrillators.

Medbourne Church Tickets are £15 each to include mulled wine and canapes and are available from Peter Oppenheimer on either 01858 565392 or 07770 607674

RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING JANUARY 2018

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January – a month of resolutions (many made to be broken!), of fresh starts and of coughs and colds! For weeks our surgeries and pharmacies have been festooned with posters reminding us to get that all-important flu jab, a reminder that is especially resonant in 2018, the centenary of the outbreak of the great influenza pandemic that was to kill up to 100 million people worldwide and which struck hard at our own communities in Rutland and Leicestershire. Caroline Aston tells us more.

The Plague of the Spanish Lady

A

S World War I entered its fourth and final year, a new threat to life gradually emerged. To this day no one knows for sure how, when or exactly where a killer strain of influenza appeared. British army medical reports seem to indicate that during the winter of 1917 in the hospital camps of northern France a virus was circulating that hit soldiers already weakened by three years of fighting and mustard gas attacks. In Spain, a country NOT involved in the conflict – and therefore where there was no press censorship – newspaper reports of this lethal disease appeared early, which led to the infection being dubbed “The Plague of the Spanish Lady”.

However, the first officially recorded case was not noted until 8 March 1918 at Camp Funston, Kansas, USA. In all there were to be three waves of influenza before the “Spanish Lady” loosened her hold – her arrival in Britain coincided with that of American soldiers. There was a second outbreak from September to December 1918, with the third phase occurring between February and April 1919, and these last two were especially devastating.

The Midlands area was particularly badly hit in the second wave, especially Rutland – indeed our rural communities suffered much more than might have been expected (cities with poor

housing and sanitation would normally have fared far worse during epidemics). Maybe the spread of illness was linked to the East Midlands’ position at the centre of the rail network – The Daily Telegraph published a piece headed “To avoid flu – move to the country”.

Fear stalked the country, and the papers were full of stories of sudden tragic deaths, of people hale and hearty at breakfast time who were dead by evening. Pneumonia set in swiftly in many cases, and doctors reported victims showing a classic bluish colour known as cyanosis, as they struggled to breathe. The popular press gave guidance on how to fight this invisible invader – salt-water gargling, boiling of linen (especially handkerchiefs) and use of disinfectants.

Of course, there were then no flu vaccines available, and the sick sank or swam according to the strength of their immune systems. In Oakham Mrs Caroline Wagstaff helped to tend to the sick boys at Oakham School’s sanatorium – the first wave hit the young and healthy more than their elders. In the town’s Church Street straw was laid down to muffle the hoof beats of the horses drawing hearses to the parish church, lest the noise should disturb the sick. Nellie Tomblin fell sick aged 12 – she survived and many years later spoke of her high fever and of her refusal to drink a bowl of beef broth brought by her mother.

Maybe the spread of illness was linked to the East Midlands’ position at the centre of the rail network – The Daily Telegraph published a piece headed “To avoid flu – move to the country”.

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RUTLAND & MARKET HARBOROUGH LIVING JANUARY 2018

In her delirium she thought it was full of pins and needles rather than pearl barley!

Thirty miles or so from Market Harborough, in the Leicestershire village of Sutton Cheney, the death of prominent farmer Walter Abell was reported by the Leicester Evening Mail, while Leicester-born Land Army girl Edith Corton recalled that she “stayed in a cottage near Market Harborough and during October 1918 I got the flu… in nearby villages called the Langtons 17 people died.” Farm work suffered and so did public services, as workers fell sick; hospitals felt the strain too, with nurses and doctors gripped by the Spanish Lady’s deadly embrace. Both the brother and son of Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes, died, while Prime Minister David Lloyd George came close to death.

Published in 1939, Katherine Anne Porter’s “Pale Horse, Pale Rider”, a poignant short story about the epidemic, includes these lines: “It seems to be a plague… something out of the Middle Ages. Did you ever see so many funerals, ever?” A chilling description of what happened a century ago. Let’s finish by quoting a rather dark nursery rhyme that children sang at the time: “I had a little birdie – That birdie’s name was Enza, I opened up the window And in-flew-Enza!”

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