Rutland Living December 2025

RUTLAND LIVING

HELLO DECEMBER 2025

Christmas time seems to work so well in our market towns: the Christmas tree in the Market Place supplied by a local farmer, the lights turned on by a local personality (there are never quite enough Craig Revel Horwoods and Julia Bradburys to go round!), the latenight shopping, Christmas carols from a local school, mince pies and mulled wine, and slow group walks across muddy fields to that idyllic pub with a roaring log fire.

Family and friends, pets galore, bonhomie and good cheer, looking after everyone, snoozing it off after a huge Christmas meal – this is what the season is all about. May you have a very happy one.

Until 2026!

Editors, Nicholas & Clare

Website: www.stamfordandrutlandliving.co.uk

Monthly Newsletter: Sign up via our website App Store: Living Mags (for Rutland Living & Stamford Living) Instagram: stamfordandrutlandliving

COVER: Stamford Living: The George Hotel, High Street St Martin’s, Stamford, by Portia Graves of Where the Wildlings Roam (featured in the brand new Little Calendar of Stamford, see p8), wherethewildlingsroam.com. Rutland Living: Belvoir Castle at Christmas (for details of this year’s festive extravaganza at Belvoir, see p12).

THE TEAM

PUBLISHER & EDITOR

Nicholas Rudd-Jones | 01780 765571 nicholas@bestlocalliving.co.uk

EDITOR & EDITORIAL DESIGN

Clare Rudd-Jones

ADVERTISEMENT SALES

Rutland & Market Harborough

This magazine has been created by the team at Local Living, PO Box 208, Stamford PE9 9FY

Tracy Watkinson 01572 813187 | tracy@bestlocalliving.co.uk

Stamford Claudia Bayley 07876 171063 | claudia.bayley@btinternet.com Nene Valley (Oundle & Peterborough)

Nicholas Rudd-Jones Contact details as above

ADVERTISEMENT PRODUCTION

Ad Copy Manager: Rachel Beecroft

Ad Designer: Sarah Patterson

This magazine has been printed by our local printers, Warners of Bourne, on FSC® certified paper from sustainable and other controlled sources.

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THIS MONTH WE LOVE…

CHRISTMAS SOAPS AT PAPER

PLANE

ABOVE: Rutland’s Paper Plane has a range of 100% natural soaps (£6.95 each) in seasonal scents. Perfect stocking fillers – check them out at paperplane.co.uk

DESIGNER SPARKLE AT ARCH LABEL AGENCY

RIGHT: Dice Kayek’s diamante bow brooch (£150), available at Arch Label Agency in Stamford, brings sustainable style to the party season. archlabelagency.com

A NEW BOOK FROM HANNAH GOLD

RIGHT: The latest novel from Stamford writer Hannah Gold is out now, just in time for Christmas. Buy your copy (£14.99) at local bookshops including Walkers of Oakham and Stamford, the Oundle Bookshop and Kibworth Books. hannahgold.world

FESTIVE NADINOO

LEFT: Love decorations but want to be greener? These gorgeous, individually hand-turned little wooden trees are an investment that will last for generations. £24 each at Nadinoo of Oakham. Buy one, several or a whole forest! nadinoo.com

SEASONAL JOY AT FRECKLEFACE

BELOW: Give the gift of 12 perfect moments with this gorgeous Freckleface Luxury 12 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar (£150). frecklefacehomefragrance.com

THE LITTLE CALENDAR

OPPOSITE: You’ve seen The Little Book and The Little Map – and hopefully bought a Little Mug or Little Bag. New for 2026 is The Little Calendar of Stamford (£10), featuring the work of five talented local artists: Beach, Naomi Willis of Illustrations by Nomes, Ru th Hudson (see also p22), St ephanie Stilwell and Portia Graves of Where the Wildlings Roam. Every purchase of the calendar helps to support #ShopStamford, championing local independents. Buy yours now at Energy in Stamford or online at shop-stamford.co.uk

A truly bespoke service with our in-house design team. Manufacturing custom cabinetry, crafted in our Rutland workshops.

WHAT’S ON IN DECEMBER

A

SELECTION OF EVENTS TAKING PLACE ACROSS OUR BEAUTIFUL REGION THIS MONTH

EXHIBITION

Pablo Picasso at Goldmark Gallery, Uppingham

From 29 Nov to 28 Dec, free entry

This December Goldmark Gallery will be displaying prints by the most famous, versatile, prolific and influential artist of the 20th century: Pablo Picasso. The son of a painting and drawing master, he was remarkably precocious, mastering academic draughtsmanship when a child. By the 1920s Picasso had established himself as a world-famous painter, and his reputation and status grew. It is our good fortune that Picasso had such a great love of printmaking.

By the time he died in 1973 he had produced a substantial body of original etchings, lithographs and linocuts, which rank among the greatest prints of the 20th century. While the ownership of an original painting is, for the majority of us, out of the question, his original prints made in small editions remain relatively accessible. On show throughout December, they would make a fabulous Christmas gift for someone special.

Also at Goldmark: launching on 29 November and running into December is the gallery’s eighth exhibition of work by ceramicist Ken Matsuzaki.

FESTIVE EVENT

Christmas at Belvoir Castle

For prices, times & to book, see belvoircastle.com/christmas

From 29 November to 30 December, Belvoir Castle’s historic estate will be transformed into a winter wonderland filled with sparkling lights, storybook décor and heartwarming Christmas experiences for all ages. From indulgent festive afternoon tea to enchanting family Christmas adventures, discover unforgettable Christmas moments.

New for Christmas 2025 is the Christmas Mice Trail, which runs through the Castle’s grand rooms to uncover tiny surprises around every corner. This charming, interactive Christmas adventure is designed especially for children to enjoy. Other highlights for youngsters include Santa’s Grotto and (also new for 2025) the Search for Santa Christmas activities. There are also lots of opportunities for Christmas shopping at the Belvoir Retail Village.

CHRISTMAS AT GATES

Right through December, you can enjoy fun for the whole family at Gates Oakham. Every weekend, the scent of freshly made churros fills the air as Gates’ red van returns to the Barn Walkway. Why not have a double treat and pair your churros with a cup of velvety hot chocolate – perhaps with a cheeky splash of Baileys for the grown-ups! On selected weekends (see website), there’ll be traditional children’s rides – meaning smiles and laughter for young visitors and a touch of nostalgia, no doubt, for parents, too.

LEFT: Picasso at Goldmark Gallery this December.

FESTIVE EVENT

The Rutland NSPCC Christmas Concert at All Saints, Oakham 7.30pm, £20 from James Sellicks, Oakham (01572 724437) and The Falcon Hotel, Uppingham (01572 823535)

In its 19th year, this fund-raising concert marks the beginning of the festive season for many Rutlanders. This year, it will feature Austin Healey (international rugby player), Lars Tharp (BBC Antiques Roadshow), Anne Davies (BBC East Midlands Today), Tim Hart (Hotelier, Restaurateur), Caroline Aston (Royal Commentator and one of this magazine’s esteemed history writers) and David Farrer KC, who will entertain with a mix of readings from our greatest literature. Music will be provided by the Rowell Camerata, and the Ratby Brass Band will put us all in the Christmas mood, with the opportunity for carol singing too.

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THEATRE

Janet Street-Porter at Stamford Corn Exchange

7.30pm, £30

From bolshy child to National Treasure, Janet Street-Porter has always had a colourful life. As a broadcaster, television executive and newspaper editor, she was at the forefront of some of Britain’s most enduring cultural moments. Now she finds herself with a senior railcard and four ex-husbands. The nation’s favourite pissed-off pensioner brings comedy, tragedy and gossip in equal measure, a tour de force rant against growing old gracefully.

EXHIBITION

Karen Neale at The Blonde Beet

Until 31 January, free Pop into The Blonde Beet for coffee, lunch or dinner and enjoy Artist’s Adventures All Around, an exhibition of some new work from local artist Karen Neale’s sketchbooks this year in Stamford and beyond.

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THEATRE

The Lion in Winter at Stamford Arts Centre

7.45pm except 6.30pm on Sat 6 Dec, £12 (£10 conc)

It’s Christmas, 1183. The Plantagenet family gather at Chinon Castle for the Yuletide season, but amidst the snowcapped turrets and the wafting smell of roast boar, the fate of England is being sealed. A festive night of political intrigue, dark humour and an English titan’s desperate search for legacy. A Stamford Shoestring production.

VENUES

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CINEMA

Cinema for Rutland at Rutland County Museum 7.30pm, £7.50 from Oakham Wines or online at wegottickets.com December’s film is ‘Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’ (12A). Hunt (Tom Cruise) and the IMF pursue a dangerous AI called the Entity that’s infiltrated global intelligence. With governments and a figure from his past in pursuit, Hunt races to stop it from forever changing the world.

LITERARY EVENT

An Evening with Olia Hercules at Stamford Town Hall 6.30–8.30pm, from £10 (£30 with book), available via Ink & Ember’s website: inkandember.store/pages/events

This will be a moving and inspiring evening with Olia Hercules –

• All Saints’ Church Oakham Church Street, Oakham LE15 6AA

• Belvoir Castle Grantham, NG32 1PA, 01476 871001, belvoircastle.com

• The Blonde Beet 7 St Paul’s Street, Stamford PE9 2BE, blondebeet.co.uk

• Burghley House Stamford PE9 3JY, 01780 752451, burghley.co.uk

• Gates Oakham Somerby Road, Cold Overton, Nr Oakham LE15 7QB, gatesgardencentre.co.uk

• Gladwell Patterson 1 High Street, Stamford PE9 2AL, gladwellpatterson.com

• Goldmark Gallery 14 Orange Street, Uppingham LE15 9SQ, 01572 821424, goldmarkart.com

• Peterborough Cathedral Peterborough PE1 1XS, 01733 355315, peterborough-cathedral.org.uk

CULTURE, EVENTS, WORKSHOPS

• Rutland County Museum Catmos Street, Oakham LE15 6HW, 01572 758440, rutlandcountymuseum.org.uk

• Rutland Nursery Lyndon Road, Manton, Rutland LE15 8RN, 01572 498720, rutlandnursery.co.uk

• Stamford Arts Centre 27 St Mary’s Street, Stamford PE9 2DL, 01780 763203, stamfordartscentre.com

• Stamford Corn Exchange Broad Street, Stamford PE9 1PX 01780 766455, stamfordcornexchange.co.uk

• Stamford School Oswald Elliott Hall, St Paul’s Street, Stamford

• Stamford Town Hall St Mary’s Hill, Stamford PE9 2DR

It’showyousayit.

14ST.MARY’SSTREET,STAMFORD,PE92DF

WHAT’S ON IN DECEMBER

celebrated Ukrainian chef, food writer, and activist – as she discusses her remarkable new book, Strong Roots. Through recipes, memories, and family stories, Olia weaves a century of Ukrainian history, from her grandmother’s deportation under Stalin to her parents’ flight from their occupied hometown in 2022.

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FESTIVE EVENT

Late-Night Shopping at Rutland Nursery

6–9pm, free, no booking required Enjoy mulled wine, pulled turkey Christmas baps, mince pies and festive treats while browsing the artisan market, featuring Two Chimps Coffee, Bramley, Cidentro, Multum Gin Parvo, Cap & Copper, and the Rutland Nursery range. Live music will set the perfect festive atmosphere as you shop. Don’t miss Green Machine Creative’s live letterpress printing pop-up – a little station where you can stop by and print a festive card to take home.

FESTIVE EVENT

Gather at Gladwell’s Corner On 4, 11, 18 Dec, until 8pm, free Gladwell Patterson are holding ‘Art After Dark’ late-night shopping evenings on Thursdays in December – as well as wreath-making workshops (for dates of those and more information, see their website).

LEFT: late-night shopping at Rutland Nursery.

BELOW: Christmas Magic at Peterborough Cathedral (see p18).

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FESTIVE EVENT

The Crafters Market Christmas Fair at Stamford Arts Centre 10am–4pm, free admission Head along to the Arts Centre, where there will be lots of beautiful handmade gifts for sale. A great place to shop for Christmas.

FESTIVE EVENT

Festive Calligraphy at Rutland Nursery 10am–12.30pm, £65 per person, including materials and refreshments Vicky Daws from Inviting Writing will teach you the basics of calligraphy and how to adapt your skills to rounded surfaces, and by the end of the workshop, you’ll have your own custom baubles –perfect to keep or give as gifts. This workshop is suitable for beginners. All materials are provided. Book at themoderncalligraphyco.com

LIVE MUSIC

Rutland Choral Society at All Saints’ Church, Oakham 7.30pm, tickets £15 including refreshments (under 16s free), from wegottickets.com Rutland Choral Society’s winter concert will include choral pieces from Chilcott, Whitacre and Rutter, together with some festive favourites. With Musical Director Jamie Conway and accompanist Ivan Linford.

6&7

EXHIBITION

Laxton & Bulwick Open Studios 11am–4pm, free entry

Join local artists Sam Marshall, Heather Harrison and Kathy Miller as they open their studio doors across the villages of Laxton and Bulwick for a festive weekend of art, warmth and conversation. Expect original prints, paintings, drawings, and cards – perfect for Christmas gifts –alongside tea and mince pies.

Studio Addresses: Sam is at 2 Main Street, Laxton NN17 3AT, while Heather is at 5 Main Street, Laxton NN17 3AT and Kathy is at The Stackyard, Bulwick NN17 3DY.

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FESTIVE EVENT

Stamford Santa Fun Run at Burghley Park

The Santa Fun Run is organised by Stamford Striders and raises funds for Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice, MindSpace Stamford and the Rotary Club of Stamford Burghley. It starts with a warm up led by enthusiastic comperes who will be blasting favourite Christmas tunes – and finishes with mince pies, mulled wine or a soft drink in the marquee.

WHAT’S ON IN DECEMBER

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FESTIVE

EVENT

Christmas Magic at Peterborough Cathedral

2.30pm & 7.30pm, tickets from £18 at peterboroughsings.org.uk

Peterborough Male Voice Choir and Peterborough Voices will be performing with Peterborough Festival Brass against the stunning backdrop of Peterborough Cathedral this December. There’ll be festive favourites by candlelight, plus a magnificent light show. A delight for the festive season. Note that there are two concerts: a matinee and an evening performance.

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LIVE MUSIC

Stamford Choral at Stamford School

7pm, £20 (£10 for 18–25s, £5 under 18s) to include a glass of wine or soft drink, available at stamfordchoral.co.uk or on the door

Stamford Choral are proud to present their Christmas concert, a performance of Handel’s Messiah with professional soloists and a Baroque orchestra at the Oswald

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LIVE MUSIC

Arts for the Heart of England at All Saints’ Church, Oakham Adults: £15/20; under 18s free, tickets from Ticketsource, Oakham Wines or by ringing Susie on 07809 229292

Join David Hill, his professional choir IKON, Anne Bolt and Rutland Youth Choirs for an evening of festive carols and readings, followed by drinks. The programme will include carols by Holst, Howells and Warlock, as well as some modern favourites by Rutter and Chilcott.

artsfortheheartofengland.co.uk

19–24

PANTOMIME

Alice in Wonderland at Stamford Arts Centre

For times, see online; £16 (£15 conc), family tickets available Stamford Arts Centre’s professional in-house pantomime returns with a brand new adventure: Alice in Wonderland. Join Alice as she journeys down the rabbit hole and into the heart of

LEFT: Alice, the Queen of Hearts, the White Rabbit and the Mad March Hare from Stamford Arts Centre’s pantomime, Alice in Wonderland. Made in Stamford for Stamford, the show has colourful costumes, silly jokes, lots of local nods and references, and stunning scenery designed by Stamford artist Karen Neale.

Wonderland, meeting all kinds of curious characters along the way.

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LIVE MUSIC

SIMFestival Christmas Concert at Stamford Arts Centre

7.30pm, £28 (free for under 17s)

Join violinist Freya Goldmark and friends for an evening of festive warmth and exceptional chamber music at SIMFestival’s annual Christmas concert. The evening opens with Mozart’s final completed quartet – String Quartet No.23 in F Major, K590 – a work of refined elegance, joy and warmth. The second half is dedicated to Schubert’s String Quintet in C Major, D.956, often described as one of the greatest achievements in all chamber music. Composed just weeks before his death, it is marked by ethereal lyricism, aching beauty and an astonishing emotional breadth.

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CHRISTMAS DAY!

It’s here! Wishing you and yours a wonderful festive holiday and all good health and happiness for 2026!

Elliott Hall at Stamford School. The conductor is Jeremy Jepson.

Join us this Christmas

For inspirational gifts, children’s shop, our festive menu, Christmas trees, beautiful wreaths & plant arrangements

Festive Late Night Shopping Thursday 4th December 6pm - 9pm

Rutland Nursery

PLANT � SHOP � EAT � EVENTS

Lyndon Road, Manton, Rutland LE15 8RN

www.rutlandnursery.co.uk @rutlandnursery

Ruth Hudson RH Prints

From Fine Art at Newcastle to Vogue in London and Burghley House in Stamford, artist and printmaker Ruth Hudson – aka RH Prints – draws on a richly creative background that spans art, fashion and heritage. Her bold linocut prints –hand-printed on an 1856 lithographic printing press in her home studio – and her evocative paintings reflect both craftsmanship and narrative, and are now gaining recognition well beyond her hometown

Ruth, when did your interest in art first begin?

My mum was an art teacher, so I grew up surrounded by art books and sketchpads; it was always part of my world. I studied Fine Art and English Literature, incorporating some History of Art, at Newcastle University, which gave me a solid foundation in both making and thinking about art.

Your career took you into the world of fashion magazines. How did that environment shape your approach to art?

After university I moved to London and worked for both Vogue and Tatler in sales, before later moving into magazine production. One

of the most crucial jobs was putting together ‘The Book’ – the flat plan that shapes the flow of the issue – famous from The Devil Wears Prada. It was demanding but highly creative, and that energy has always been part of my working life.

Where did you go after that?

In 2006 I moved to Paris with my partner, who was working on a beautiful restoration project over there. A couple of years later we settled in Stamford, and I became Operations Manager at Burghley House – a role I loved, surrounded by artistic treasures and remarkable architecture.

photo: lizzie rees

How did printmaking become your chosen medium?

Once my children were a little older, I wanted to reconnect with something that would feed my creativity again, something for myself. I went to a linocut workshop at Snow Interiors on St Mary’s Street in Stamford, and it lit a spark right away. I joined Leicester Print Workshop soon afterwards, and it became an invaluable creative outlet. It took off from there.

Now I print on a cast-iron lithographic press dating from 1856. It’s a beautiful, temperamental machine, and each print carries traces of hand, small irregularities and a clarity that speaks of the handmade. I never set out to be commercial, but over time the work has grown into a mix of prints, cards and fairs, and eventually into a career.

You’ve just embarked on an MA in Fine Art.

How is that influencing your practice?

Doing an MA felt like the right next step. I’m studying part-time at The Cambridge School of Art at Anglia Ruskin University. It’s already pushing me to think more critically about visual language and to expand my practice.

I’m exploring painting and photography as well as printmaking, and I’m really excited by the dialogue between the different media.

Who inspires your artistic direction?

I admire Ethel Spowers and Edward Bawden – his Brighton Pier print is a particular favourite. I love that traditional style of printmaking but also how it can be reimagined for today. Matisse is another influence –his use of colour and form is endlessly inspiring. I’m also drawn to the German Expressionists with their simplified shapes and bold use of colour. I often use the reduction method of printmaking, sometimes called ‘suicide printing’, where each layer subtracts from the block and there’s no turning back. It’s challenging but rewarding.

You’re active in several groups and exhibitions. Tell us more. I’m in the Deepford Artists collective, which launched in 2024. It’s a warm, collaborative group of 15 artists: potters, painters and printmakers. This December we’re holding a winter exhibition at Stamford Arts Centre, which will be a wonderful showcase of local talent. I’m also part of Northamptonshire & Rutland Open Studios and Peterborough Open Studios. Group exhibitions feel less solitary; there’s strength in community, in shared audiences and encouragement.

Another group exhibition highlight recently was having my Barn Hill print accepted by Ironbridge Fine Arts as part of their Printmaking Competition. That exhibition runs from 12 October through to late November, so will have just finished by the time this issue comes out. But it’s very exciting and it means that my hometown is going further afield.

What should visitors expect to see in the December Deepford Artists exhibition at Stamford Arts Centre?

I’ll be showing linocut prints including Barn Hill and Kings Mill Lane, and hopefully a new work too. It’s a group exhibition, so you’ll see a mix – pots, paintings, prints: a snapshot of the creative energy in this patch. It’s a lovely opportunity to enjoy a breadth of local creativity in one space.

see ruth’s linocuts and paintings, alongside work by fellow deepford artists, at their winter exhibition at stamford arts centre (9–27 december).

rhprints.com | ruthhudsonartist

this page, top to bottom, all by ruth hudson: take flight; blood sugar; domestic landscape.

The Acorn Singers

Pamela Howarth meets Rutland’s Memory Choir

photography by james millar photography | jamestmillar.com

THE ACORN SINGERS was launched in March of this year for those living with dementia or memoryloss problems, together with their friends and families. Anyone else can join, and there’s no upper or lower age limit. This is okay for me, then, as I can’t hold a tune for toffee. So, on a sunny autumn morning, I go along to find out more about Rutland’s first Memory Choir, which has about 25 members currently and is free to join, thanks to a generous donation from Greetham Valley Golf Club.

Its inspiration came from two dedicated people: Yvonne Rawlings, the area’s dementia support worker from Age UK, and Heather Tyrrell, the choir leader, whose father moved to Oakham to be near her, soon after his dementia diagnosis. Yvonne does the organising along with a myriad of other support groups, clinics and activities for people living with dementia. Heather, stage name Tricity Vogue, has a musical background as a jazz singer, teacher, cabaret artiste and ukulele-player par excellence. Both are passionate about the importance of singing for those with dementia, as well as being very knowledgeable about the condition.

The morning gets off to a soft start, ie coffee, biscuits and lots of friendly chat. ‘We forget our worries when we get here,’ the couple next to me confide. And another member’s granddaughter tells me she’s come along for the first time with her granny. Then the percussion instruments are given out: something for everyone, shakers and scrapers, bells, maracas and a triangle – a sure sign that we are moving towards making music.

Singing with One Voice

Heather starts by welcoming everyone: ‘This is not just a singalong,’ she tells us. ‘We are a choir and together we will sing with one voice!’ I love the motivation. We do some vocal warm-up exercises and then have fun singing a couple of songs in the round to explore the idea of harmony, Frère Jacques being one of them.… Dormez-vous, dormez-vous! The words come back to me, as they do to everyone else – we know more than we think we know. Everyone is already engaged and focused.

The words to the next song are given out: I’m Gonna Wash that Man Right Outa My Hair, from South Pacific. Using more musical

terminology, Heather tells us a bit about the song, its arrangement, its rhythm or heartbeat, as she calls it. (There’s no talking down to her audience, just clear, informative language.) As we start singing, I realise how wonderful the ukulele is as an accompaniment with its happy, larky notes. Our leader slows us right down at the end: AND-SEND-HIM-ON-HIS-WA-A-A-AY!!!

We don’t need to be told to add percussion… lots of noise, laughter and applause at the end.

We move on, retrieving memories from the decades, through a succession of well-known songs, most of them with a chorus and strong heartbeat. Heather brings out the drama in each – you can take the girl out of cabaret but not cabaret out of the girl! I’d Do Anything, Bring Me Sunshine and The Deadwood Stage, from Calamity Jane. Then, a new one for the choir – Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head. We reminisce about the scene from Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid with the late, great Robert Redford.

We’re having fun.

Sparking Memories

The Acorn Singers is not the only dementia choir. Many others have been started over the last few years, including one in Nottingham, led by actress Vicky McClure, which she featured in her documentary about the difference singing can make for people living with dementia. It’s not just about friendship, fun and the joy of singing together, which anyone who’s ever joined a choir will tell you about… for those with dementia, it’s also about the power of music to combat a condition that is tough for them and also for their carers. There are many scientific studies now that show the effects on the brain of singing – the release of happy hormones such as serotonin, the stimulation of memory and the restoration of neural pathways, to name but a few.

And seeing is believing. As Heather says: ‘Anyone who has a loved one with dementia will probably have witnessed these effects at first hand. You see your mum, dad or partner, previously disconnected from their environment, come to life when the singing starts. They start singing along, they know all the words and the music brings them back to the people around them.’

It’s sad that many traditions of singing together have waned over

time and that there are fewer opportunities these days, with the arrival of digital music and individual listening habits. Ironic, too, that older people, who would really benefit from music, are often unable to access it. I include myself here – I have no idea how to make a playlist!

But back to this morning’s playlist: we end the session with the choir’s favourite – you might remember the Seekers’ lullaby, Morningtown Ride?

Rocking, rolling, riding, out along the bay….

This song, with its calming, comforting night-train metaphor of children sleeping, before arriving safely in Morningtown, has become the signature tune of the choir.

Somewhere there is sunshine, somewhere there is day…

Heather’s father blows the train whistle, and another round of applause concludes our journey through song this morning. The sense of togetherness and achievement is uplifting; the exhilaration palpable.

Heather and Yvonne are planning a Christmas concert, but their wider vision, apart from expanding the choir, is to raise awareness and to reach out to the villages, to take their lifeline of music to those isolated by dementia, so that they, too, can benefit from the healing power of singing.

I wend my way to the car park, the lyrics of Morningtown Ride resounding in my head.

Rocking, rolling, riding, out along the bay, All bound for Morningtown, many miles away

the acorn singers meet at all saints’ church hall, church street, oakham le15 6aa from 10.30am–12pm every last monday of the month. for more information, contact yvonne rawlings by email at yvonne.rawlings@ageukleics.org.uk or on 07738 820910

Interiors Merry & Bright

WORDS: ALLY JOHNSON

FINALLY! Time to blast Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas at full volume without fear of judgement. Time, too, for cocktails in The George, wintry walks at Burghley, and decking the halls fuelled by mulled wine. Can you tell I’m excited? Unleash the sparkle!

Decorating for Christmas is one of the highlights of the season for me. A little tragic, you may think… but scattering sparkle and joy throughout the house feels like medicine for the soul after a long year. By December, our household has usually played the world’s least-fun game of pass-the-parcel with germs, tag-teaming snotty noses and Lemsips, while the outdoors is more sad, soggy grey than sparkling, snowy white. Therefore, I am often in dire need of a hefty injection of jolliness to warm the cockles and reignite that nostalgic, childlike excitement of Christmas past.

Don’t get me wrong, there are a few 1980s’ decorations even I can’t reignite (except, perhaps, on the fire); garish foil garlands and plastic blow-moulded Santas spring to mind –though I do secretly love the smell of old tinsel. Instead, I aim for plentiful and playful, never tacky. This article is all about embracing festive extravagance, while keeping things classy.

SETTING THE SCENE

There’s nothing like a beautiful wreath to set the tone for your home. Whether you go faux for ease, craft your own from hedgerow finds, or join a wreath-making class with friends, the moment it’s hung on the door always marks the start of the season, with a warm welcome and the promise of magic inside.

Once over the threshold, the hallway takes centre stage, with the staircase often the star of the show. A simple garland of greenery is the perfect base for your banisters; faux for convenience or handmade by tying foliage along a length of twine. I love fresh evergreens; pine, fir or cedar for that traditional look, but ivy and eucalyptus offer a lighter, fresher, more contemporary vibe. Add fairy lights for instant sparkle; sometimes that’s all you need for a pared-back glow, especially if you have a lot going on in the rest of the space, as in my hallway (shown opposite)! And, if the budget allows, local florists such as Ode to Joy in Stamford can adorn your hallway or fireplace for you; likewise Oakham’s Fōrm&blōm.

TOP TIPS FOR STAIRCASES THAT STUN

If you’re keen to dial up the wow factor on your staircase display, try these ideas:

ABOVE: Stamford fine floral design atelier Ode to Joy offers large, luxury bespoke wreaths and gorgeous mantel arrangements – ask at the atelier for details or visit odetojoyflowers.com.

Over in Oakham, Fōrm&blōm on Mill Street offer elegantly understated wreaths, garlands and dreamy table centrepieces.

And White Goose Flower Farm have stunning dried flower arrangements, including wreaths, this Christmas.

OPPOSITE: this William Morris ‘Blackthorn’ wallpaper creates an impactful festive welcome at Ally’s home in Stamford.

• ADVENT GARLAND: hang numbered decorations, mini wooden houses or tiny burlap bags that the ‘elves’ can fill with treats for a whimsical vignette that will delight the children.

• PAPER-CHASING: budget-friendly but impactful; clusters of oversized paper pom-poms, honeycomb globes or fold-out snowflakes strung along the banister create impressive scale for less.

• BOW DOWN: wide-wired ribbons tied into generous bows look fabulous and very on trend this winter. Think traditional tartan or deep burgundy/forest green velvet for a classic look. Hessian or gingham give country charm. Danielle Churchill does a gorgeous range – see daniellechurchill.co.uk for more details and to shop.

Whether you want to give new life to your existing living spaces or you are about to embark on your dream property renovation project, aluhome has the finest brands of contemporary and traditional glazing systems available, creating light, space and a new way of living.

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Visit our Aluminium studio in the heart of Stamford and be inspired

BELLS & WHISTLES

celebrate in style

WHILE THERE DEFINITELY can be too much of a good thing, they don’t call Christmas and New Year the season of plenty for nothing! Here are three ways to create a harmonious balance of festive abundance at home without going over the top.

SPRUCE IT UP

As in the traditional carol, the holly and the ivy truly bear the crown for me. Both are easily sourced from gardens, woodland and hedgerows and can transform any space into a Christmas wonderland in the most charming and effortless way. Here are my top tips:

• Perch smaller sprigs on top of picture frames or wall art.

• Wind around oversized mirrors for a bolder statement

• Drape artfully over mantelpieces

• Trail from light fittings (just steer clear of the bulbs!)

Even the simplest cuttings can turn an ordinary room into a festive retreat; be liberal and forget about perfectionism – embrace the wild, wonderfully wonky charm of nature.

BELOW: illuminate windowsills and focal areas with festive tealight holders such as these star lanterns by Nkuku, available at Rutland Nursery in Manton.

GLOW GETTER

Lighting is also key – the gentle sparkle of fairy lights truly brings homes to life at Christmas, whilst low, soft lighting transforms a room into a cosy haven on long winter’s evenings, but it pays to get the details right:

• Hide the hardware – always disguise fairy light wires in greenery to avoid looking messy

• Keep tones consistent – ice white or blue-toned lights strip the warmth from a room and too many different light tones can make a space feel disjointed. My advice: stick to warm white all round – it’s the professionals’ choice!

• Layer the light – rely on table and floor lamps rather than ceiling lights, aiming to softly illuminate each corner, giving a lovely even spread of relaxing warmth.

• Candles – candlelight creates that intimate, feel-good magic, and it’s all the better when combined with an evocative festive home fragrance. My tip is to illuminate windowsills with displays of lanterns or festive tealight holders, all of which will add atmosphere and magic.

‘Low, soft lighting transforms a room into a cosy haven on long winter’s evenings’

OPPOSITE & BELOW: In the elegant dining room of a Georgian townhouse in Stamford styled by Ally, the stunning Zoffany wallpaper provides a soft, neutral backdrop that allows the red and green accents to truly sing. A generous mantelpiece arrangement sets the scene, blending real and faux evergreen stems with touches of red and gold for a festive flourish.

FESTIVE TABLESCAPING

If there’s one moment that captures the spirit of Christmas, it’s gathering around the table. Whether it’s a grand Christmas afternoon feast or a casual Boxing Day brunch, the table becomes the heart of the celebration. A beautifully dressed dining area instantly elevates the occasion, providing the perfect setting for those long-lasting, rosycheeked memories.

Styling ideas for a showstopping festive table:

• Layer large jute mats to add natural texture and balance formality.

• Craft charming, understated place settings, tying hessian ribbon around linen napkins, weaving in ivy and adding a decoration for each person to take home.

• Use cut-glass for a timeless, elegant base.

• Vary height with tall candlesticks and small votive candles or tea light jars to create an even spread of glow.

• Weave simple strands of ivy through the centrepiece for organic movement.

• Add silver-sprayed branches, mercury glass baubles and gemmed faux fruits for sparkle and texture.

• Dot bud vases with Christmas roses along the centrepiece for added botanical beauty.

Quilted bow tree topper, £45, daniellechurchill.co.uk

WHILST I ADORE the classic red-and-green Christmas palette, it doesn’t quite suit my sitting room (above)

Over the years, I’ve gathered decorations that echo the surrounding scheme instead – introducing pinks, teals, yellows and blues, creating an eclectic display that feels perfectly at home. If your home has a more neutral base, it’s easy to swap out your cushions and throws for richer tones that complement your decorations. Avoid anything too gimmicky and instead invest in good-quality prints and sumptuous velvets.

ABOVE: with so much choice out there (this black, gold and green combination at Gates is a stunner), it’s worth treating your tree as an extension of your interior scheme. Pull colours from your room into your decorations, and your festive styling will feel beautifully cohesive without losing any of the fun.

Colourful Wild and Wool Throws, £74.99 each, thewoolroom.com

Festive wreaths, garlands & table centrepieces, formblom.co.uk

Orangeries, garden rooms, conservatories, windows and doors. From design through to completion.

Natural Structures

Simon Lewington, founder and owner of Natural Structures, describes a recent countryside conversion that was truly special

TUCKED AWAY in the heart of the countryside, this old Dutch barn had been standing quietly for generations – a proud reminder of rural life gone by. When this project began, we shared a vision with our client: behind the years of wear lay a building full of character, history and the promise of something truly special. They wanted a home that felt spacious and filled with light, yet carried a modern edge. Each room was to have its own personality and charm, while still flowing seamlessly through the open layout, creating a cohesive story from one space to the next.

The transformation began with a profound respect for the building’s original structure. Over a 12-month restoration period, every decision was made to protect what was already there while shaping what it could become. The new steel frame was introduced with care, balancing preservation with innovation. Clean lines, open spaces and generous expanses of glass were added to invite in natural light, creating a striking contrast with the barn’s rustic bones. Polished concrete floors, exposed brickwork and soft neutral tones became the backdrop for a calm, contemporary aesthetic – one that celebrates both the building’s industrial strength and its new-found warmth.

At Natural Structures, we begin by listening – understanding what matters most to the client, the character they want to protect and the way they hope to live within the space. Our role with this conversion wasn’t just to restore the barn, but to shape it into a home that carried their vision while reflecting our own expert finish and design approach. The result is a balance of personal intention and architectural expertise: a building that feels deeply familiar and distinctly transformed.

‘The result is a balance of personal intention and architectural expertise: a building that feels both deeply familiar and distinctly transformed’

THE PROCESS

This began long before the first brick was laid. Using detailed 3D designs, we brought the concept to life in vivid form, allowing the client to step inside their future home before construction even began. These immersive visuals became the blueprint for possibility – a way to refine, imagine and perfect every detail. From there, we prepared the planning documents and guided the proposal through the council approval process, as the barn fell under Agricultural Permitted Development. Every stage was managed with precision and care to ensure compliance without compromising the integrity of the design. Once approval was secured, the project moved into the working-drawing phase – the moment when vision became buildable reality, and every line, beam and finish found its place.

Inside, the light-filled, open-plan layout celebrates height and space, where vaulted ceilings and exposed beams create a graceful sense of flow throughout. Every element –from the handcrafted staircase to the bespoke joinery – reflects the precision and artistry at the heart of Natural Structures’ craftsmanship. Beneath its traditional charm lies a thoroughly modern home, complete with energy-efficient glazing, advanced insulation and underfloor heating for year-round comfort. Expansive glazed doors and windows invite the outdoors in, framing sweeping countryside views and creating a seamless connection between the home and its natural surroundings, including a rare, century-old orchid that was carefully protected throughout the build and still thrives on the land today.

Each space within the barn tells its own story while contributing to the home’s overall harmony. The oak kitchen, with its sleek steel surfaces and warm oak cabinetry, is the heart of the home –a modern workspace grounded in natural materials, which was then carried into the bathroom. The open-plan living area blends comfort with character, where soft furnishings, textured woods, and statement lighting bring warmth to the industrial frame. Upstairs, the bedroom offers a serene retreat, softened with gentle tones, layered fabrics and the comforting curve of the vaulted ceiling: a perfect balance between contemporary design and rural tranquillity.

For Natural Structures, this project represents everything we believe in: listening first, designing with integrity and building with craft that endures. The barn has not simply been converted; it has been reimagined. A building once defined by work now defines a way of living, proving that when architecture respects both story and structure, it becomes timeless.

OPPOSITE, ABOVE & BELOW: Every detail in this stunningly reimagined barn demonstrates Natural Structures’ craftsmanship – from the precisionengineered steel frame and vaulted ceilings to the handcrafted joinery and flawless finish – combining modern design with the integrity and character of the original building.

FOR A FREE DESIGN CONSULTATION, CALL 01858 545518 OR VISIT NATURAL STRUCTURES AT THE MANOR, MAIN STREET, TUR LANGTON LE8 0PJ

WWW.NATURAL-STRUCTURES.CO.UK NATURAL_STRUCTURES

Spaces by Design combine cutting-edge Virtual Reality technology with their expert design services to create the ultimate immersive experience. Their goal? To help you fall in love with your kitchen, bedroom or bathroom— before a single piece is built.

The Vision

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Thanks to Virtual Reality this isn’t a dream. It’s the new benchmark in interior design. Whether you’re remodelling your current bathroom or building a kitchen from scratch, VR transforms your vision into reality in ways traditional floor plans and static 3D renders simply can’t match.

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Little Blue

FOR QUIRKY AND ORIGINAL HOMEWARES AND GIFTS, LITTLE BLUE AT 86 WEST STREET, OUNDLE, IS A WINNER. REBECCA DOWNEY MEETS PROPRIETOR ALI

OSBORN, WHO ALSO OFFERS A REPAIR SERVICE FOR BELOVED TEDDY BEARS

IT’S IMPOSSIBLE to visit Little Blue without exiting clutching something unexpected and delightful. Ali Osborn regularly scours Brittany’s brocantes for desirable items to stock in the shop. She has an eye for exquisite tableware, antique linens, smaller pieces of furniture and pre-loved curios, but also sells a range of leather bags and vintage kantha quilts from India. Using Fairtrade and ethical traders is important to Ali – an approach that aligns neatly with her selection of upcycled and preloved items. ‘It’s not always possible to shop this way, but it helps these communities and sends a message to other producers to improve conditions in their supply chains,’ she says.

Ali took the decision to move Little Blue (previously located in the Market Place) to West Street when the ideal property came up for sale. Once the King’s Arms pub, and then Geoff Stubbs’ Airfix model shop for over 50 years, the listed building required the preservation of the Victorian shop front and would become both home and business for Ali and her husband, Steve Adams. The couple embarked on a thorough and sympathetic renovation beginning with the shop and then working from the top down, moving into the space in September 2024 and opening the shop in time for Christmas.

Ali made the decision to move away from the haberdashery offering and has created a bear hospital in its place. She has restored around 20 bears this year and since September has been receiving two or three a week. ‘I’m always learning when it comes to vintage and antique teddies. There are imperceptible tweaks and references, for example, the colour of the button in a Steiff teddy’s ear will affect date and value – and it’s important to get it right and keep it authentic. Also, it’s a privilege to be entrusted with people’s beloved

toys.’ Ali describes how she turned around a precious Jellycat rabbit, which was dropped off in the morning and repaired in time for the child’s return from school!

In the past, Ali has worked as a nurse and in the corporate world for the Co-op group in Manchester, but her interior design diploma stands her in good stead for all things creative. She is a valued member of Oundle Yarn Bombers and was thrilled to be involved in knitting two panels depicting events of the D-Day landings for ‘The Longest Yarn’ exhibition at Peterborough Cathedral. As a stockist for the Frenchic paint range, Ali also takes commissions for furniture painting. ‘It’s an easy-to-use, self-levelling chalk paint containing no nasties; so fine for baby furniture, etc, and works beautifully on wood and metal.’ Ali can also get hold of Frenchic’s wall paint and vinyl wraps for next-day delivery.

The Little Blue boutique extends the interesting parade of shops along West Street, complementing Green Man Antiques and The Clock Shop, and operates from Wednesdays to Saturdays 10am to 4pm. Ali has recently become a Town Councillor and is fully invested in promoting Oundle’s independent businesses and ‘shop local’ campaign. Whether looking for a one-of-a-kind gift, or planning to rejuvenate a tired piece of furniture or beloved bear, Little Blue is the place for you.

Oundle will be holding its annual Christmas market on Saturday 6 December 2025 from 10am to 5pm with 90+ stalls, hot and cold food, fun fair, brass band, carols, Santa’s grotto and reindeer.

Little Blue, 86 West St, Oundle PE8 4EF | littleblueoundle

words: amander meade

Trek a Goat

Are you looking to explore the outdoors in a whole new way? Or perhaps searching for that perfect Christmas gift for an animal lover? A local, familyrun business called Trek-a-Goat might just have the perfect solution

CARRIE WRIGHT’S love of goats and the outdoors was the inspiration behind her family business, which is run from her smallholding in Castle Bytham near Stamford. ‘We were looking for something new to add in to the mix and felt that walking alpacas was already well served in the area,’ explains Carrie. ‘I’ve always loved goats. They are so funny. Ours all have typically English names and their own character profile on our website outlining their particular characteristics. They are cheeky, loving, curious, endearing, calming but, best of all, massive characters – what’s not to love?’

Carrie’s trekking herd is made up of Anglo-Nubian goats, who have particularly playful personalities, a gentle nature and the ability to carry equipment, which all makes them the perfect trekking companions. Originally bred from British and Middle Eastern stock, these goats are known for their long, floppy ears and high milk production from the females.

There was also another driving force behind the venture, which was to find a ‘use’ for the male goats that are born within the dairy industry. ‘These males are mostly sent for meat, as they can’t produce milk and, with little economic value, they are considered a waste product. Being able to offer them a different life, really meant the world to us. Our males are castrated, so there’s no need to worry; they are not smelly.’

Unforgettable Experience

‘Walking treks with our fabulous pack goats offer a unique, fun, and eco-friendly way to experience nature. Whether you’re an avid walker, a nature lover, or someone looking for a fresh adventure, our pack goat companions make the stroll easier and more enjoyable. Pack goats are intelligent, strong, and friendly animals allowing you to travel light and focus on the beauty around you. Unlike horses or mules, goats are agile, low impact on the environment, and enjoy travelling with you as part of a herd. Their gentle nature makes them wonderful strolling companions for solo trekkers, families, parties and groups alike.’

‘We offer around 90 minutes of a fabulous goat-filled experience. After a swift Health and Safety briefing, we will match you with your perfect trekking partner where you’ll harness your goat and fill their pack with your favourite drink, binoculars and other small, required belongings. Although our trekking trail isn’t a fast-paced hike and is over a mile in length, it is on undulating and sloped fields, so some amount of fitness is required. We like you to get the most out of the experience, so a stroll is far more enjoyable, giving you plenty of time on the way to spot any wildlife and our other animals, which include South American rheas, alpacas, llamas, sheep, Fell ponies, various chickens, ducks and geese.’

Brew with a View

There’s a rest stop known as the Brew with a View halfway, where trekkers enjoy refreshment while taking in the views over the historic village of Castle Bytham. Here visitors can groom and fuss their goat companions. Pricing is £35 per trekker, including your own pack goat with a pack supplied with hot/cold drinks, binoculars and a ‘Trek-aGoat’ memento to take home. Children over 8 years old pay just £15 to accompany a full-paying trekker, with a cold drink provided.

‘We just adore our herd and are sure you will too if you come and see us. They are really special individuals, and we’d love to share that experience with as many animal lovers as possible.’

A customer from earlier this year commented: ‘We had the most amazing day here today. My little girl absolutely loved walking the goats and didn’t want to leave. The ladies are so lovely and really easy to talk to. I cannot recommend them enough. We will definitely go back again. Thank you for a lovely time.’

For further information, booking or to purchase a gift voucher call 01780 411194 or email Carrie at info@trek-a-goat.co.uk | www.trek-a-goat.co.uk

WELLNESS Get the Party Started

BEAUTY

words: erin andrews

Heading out for work Christmas drinks? Or getting glammed up for a festive evening with the girls? is month, blending into the crowd is taking a backseat – we’re going all out with sparkle, sequins and velvet

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1. The Marceau Faux Fur Coat (£85), from White Ginger, Stamford, blends elegance and fun. Pair with jeans and a pretty top or your most fabulous full-length dress. white-ginger.com

2. Hop on the trend of the season with the stunning leopard trousers (£111) and blazer (£181.50) from Traffic People at Energy Clothing of Stamford. energy-clothing.com

3. Make a statement with this showstopper (£50) from Pieces at Iris & Violet, Stamford – all-out sequins neatly wrapped together with a bow on the back. irisandviolet.shop

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4. No Christmas party get-up is complete without the sparkliest pair of earrings, such as these ones (£110), from B Jewellery of Oakham. b-jewellery.co.uk

5. No need to fear the cold winter with the Clarins Hydra-Essentiel set (£44) from Equilibrium. equilibriumstamford.co.uk equilibriumoakham.co.uk

6. Take your makeup from day to night with this eyeshadow quad (£42) from Inika Organic at Renaissance Beauty of Stamford. renaissancebeauty.co.uk

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7. If glamour is what you’re going for, look no further than these timeless Prada Slingback heels, size 41 (£450), from Arch Label Agency in Stamford. archlabelagency.com

8. If head-to-toe sequins are too daunting, try this Luisa Cerano Sequin Evening Bag (£149) from Cavells, Oakham, to add a touch of dazzle to any outfit. cavells.co.uk

9. This Dermalogica ‘Let it Glow’ set (£109) from House of Skin and Beauty, Stamford, is sure to reset your skin’s glow after all your festivities. houseofskinandbeauty.uk

THE CRAFTERS MARKET

CHRISTMAS FAIR

SATURDAY 6TH DECEMBER 10am – 4pm

“FREE ADMISSION”

LOTS OF BEAUTIFUL HANDMADE GIFTS

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WELLNESS

BEAUTY

Beauty with Daniel Sandler

GLOW WITH CONFIDENCE

Each month, the international makeup artist and founder of Daniel Sandler Cosmetics, who is based in our region, addresses your beauty and skincare concerns. This month, he covers your chic Christmas makeup look for 2025

There’s something magical about this time of year – the sparkle of fairy lights, the fizz of bubbly, the joy of dressing up in your finery. But when it comes to Christmas makeup, gone are the days of overthe-top glitter and thick foundation. The mood for 2025? Effortlessly radiant, grown-up glamour. This is the look for women who’ve mastered their style and want to glow – not glitter – their way through the festive season.

A Radiant Start

Glowing skin is always in, but at Christmas, it deserves centre stage. Begin with a makeup primer that instantly adds radiance, keeps makeup in place and makes you look like you’ve just had the best facial. Try my Blossom Colour Beauty Glow makeup primer on its own or mix with your foundation. This clever illuminator adds that subtle, soft-focus sheen that catches the light beautifully –think more ‘candlelit supper’ than ‘Christmas disco’. It’s my secret to skin that looks rested, fresh and effortlessly radiant, even after one too many mince pies.

A Festive Flush (Without the Frost)

If you’ve ever struggled with powder or cream blush settling into fine lines, this one’s for you. My Watercolour Liquid Blush is an absolute game-changer. Lightweight, blendable, and gloriously natural, it gives skin that healthy ‘just came in from the cold’ glow. A few drops of shade ‘Cherub’ for a soft pink flush or in ‘Caress’ for a gentle peach will bring instant warmth to your complexion. Apply it to the apples of your cheeks and sweep upwards – it lifts the whole face and looks beautifully polished, plus it’ll stay put whilst you’re in your steamy kitchen getting things prepped.

Eyes that Twinkle Softly

When it comes to eyes, subtle shimmer is your festive friend. Swap chunky glitter for sophisticated tones such as champagne, bronze or soft taupe – shades that catch the light but stay chic. Try Boots No7 Stay Perfect Smoothing Eyeshadow. Blend a wash of sheer colour over your lids, add a hint of brown or black liner, and finish with mascara to open the eyes. If you fancy something playful, try a navy or deep plum mascara – it’s subtle but adds a lovely depth. Another thing you could try is adding half-strip false lashes at the outer edge to instantly add glamour. Try Eylure Half Lash No. 5.

‘There’s something magical about this time of year – the sparkle of fairy lights, the fizz of bubbly, the joy of dressing up in your finery’

photo:

Brows that Frame & Flatter

Forget overly sculpted brows – 2025 is about soft structure. Use a tinted gel or fine pencil to gently fill and shape, focusing on enhancing what’s already there. Think elegant, not engineered. A well-balanced brow can instantly lift your whole look – the finishing touch that quietly says ‘put together’. Try Collection’s incrediBROW Tinted Mascara or Revolution Precise Brow Pencil.

Lips that Feel as Good as they Look

This Christmas, comfort meets glamour. Satin and creamy finishes are the go-to for soft, hydrated lips. During the day, try a rose or berry tint for effortless polish. When the evening calls for drama, you can’t beat a classic red or rich plum. To keep things neat, line first, then apply your colour and press a touch of gloss in the centre for extra fullness. I love the Maybelline SuperStay Vinyl Ink Long-Lasting Liquid Lipstick Shine Finish, as it packs a punch, and leaves lips looking moist and not too matte or dry.

Set It & Forget It

Once your masterpiece is complete, keep it in place with my Invisible Veil Pressed Powder. This ultra-fine powder sets your makeup without dulling your glow – perfect for those long festive days that turn into even longer nights. A light dusting across the T-zone is all you need for that elegant, photo-ready finish.

Your Christmas Glow-Up

This season, beauty isn’t about transformation – it’s about celebration. So pour the fizz, cue the fairy lights and let your glow do the talking.

SPECIAL READER OFFER

This Christmas, Daniel would you like to give readers 20% off danielsandler.com – offer valid until end of 31 December 2025 (T&Cs apply*). Simply enter code XMAS20 at checkout.

*Terms and Conditions: Enter code XMAS20 at checkout on www.danielsandler.com for 20% off fullpriced selected items. Sale ends 23:59 GMT on 31 December 2025. Excludes gift cards and already discounted items, including outlet items and bundles/kits. Cannot be combined with other discount codes. Code must be entered at checkout when prompted – we cannot apply a discount to your order once it has been processed. Offers subject to availability and while stocks last. All offer codes are applied to the value of the order, excluding delivery costs and are subject to our general Terms and Conditions.

www.danielsandler.com

Pilates Mat & Reformer Studio

Maiden Lane, Stamford (opposite opticians)

LATEST NEWS!

Mixed Ability Reformer now Sunday and Wednesday evenings and 8.15am Thursday Early Bird!

Beginners Reformer classes weekly Wednesday 1.45 – 2.30pm & Beginners Reformer (4 week) courses Sunday evenings 5.30pm

Pilates 4 Men: Reformer Monday evenings and slower paced chair based Pilates Monday 1-2pm

Visit website for full details, timetable & prices www.pilatespracticestamford.co.uk

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Wellness retreats and days that relax, restore and renew

Our Ultimate New You Retreat offers the perfect opportunity to rebalance – with plant-based nutrition, rejuvenating therapies and expert guidance to help you feel lighter, clearer and energised for the year ahead.

Coming soon … our new spa days, where you’ll be able to enjoy the Homefield Grange touch in one beautiful day.

Little Living christmas magic

With Christmas around the corner and excitement in the air, winter invites us to wrap up warm and step into the sparkle – from meeting Santa and his reindeer to festive fairs, magical light trails and cosy cafés serving hot chocolate and marshmallows. Here’s our guide to the best Christmas outings and wintry adventures for the young at heart

Festive Sparkle

From twinkling lights to storybook settings, these local spots capture the magic of the season. Pop into The George of Stamford for a festive hot chocolate and to admire the forest of twinkling Christmas trees in the courtyard –keep an eye out for Santa’s sleigh by the entrance and his legs poking down from a chimney!

Over at Belvoir Castle, this year’s festive extravaganza – A Magical Night Before Christmas – will transform the historic castle into a glittering wonderland from 29 November until 30 December, complete with a mice trail, Santa’s Grotto and festive afternoon teas. Find out more and book at belvoircastle.com

The National Trust’s Belton House also always brings sparkle during the festive season, as its majestic grounds are transformed into a glowing winter dreamscape. Follow the illuminated trail and enjoy twinkling lights and immersive sounds. Finish up with a Festive Yorkshire Pudding Wrap, which sounds perfect for warming up on chilly days! nationaltrust.org.uk

And, for pure festive joy, head to Gates Garden Centre, where the sparkling displays of trees and decorations are an event in themselves, as is the amazing Lemax Christmas Model Village. A must-visit for all the family this festive season! gatesgardencentre.co.uk

Winter Days Out

If the sun’s shining, wrap up warm and head outdoors for some wintry adventures. If you’ve got a novelty Christmas jumper, all the better! Our favourite options for a winter walk include the parkland at Burghley House – the House, Garden and Adventure Playground are now closed, but the park stays open year-round. Burghley’s restaurant, cafés and shops are currently open with winter opening hours and will close on 21 December 2025. burghley.co.uk

Another classic option for a winter trip out is Rutland Water, which offers frosty paths, birdlife and space to cycle or scoot. rutlandwater.org.uk

Over in Peterborough, Nene Park’s Winter Festival adds sparkle with Elf School (tickets required) and a Yuletide Yard (free entry – for food, stalls and live entertainment). The Festival will run on selected dates from Friday 28 November right up until Tuesday 23 December. nenepark.org.uk

Another great wintry excursion is aboard the Nene Valley Railway, whereChristmas at the Railway: Santa’s Reindeer Rescue is running right up until Christmas – for dates and to book on, visit nvr.org.uk

Christmas Shows

When it’s time to head indoors, Stamford Arts Centre has the perfect winter treat – this year’s pantomime, Alice in Wonderland, runs from Friday 19 to Wednesday 24 December. Expect plenty of sparkle, songs and giggles for the whole family. stamfordartscentre.com

Meanwhile, a musical treat for any young Sound of Music fans: it’s on at Curve in Leicester until 17 January. curveonline.co.uk

Toys & Festive Gifts

If you’re looking for gifts for youngsters, these local shops have it all. On St Mary’s Street in Stamford, there’s both Marcia May Mini and Stork – both have gorgeous clothing and classic toys and are must-visits if you have little ones to buy for this Christmas. YOU in Stamford has a brilliant collection of Jellycat favourites and a super-sweet Maileg range too.

Over in Rutland, Gates Garden Centre has a large toy department that will entice every child, with brands including LEGO, Playmobil, Jellycat and Steiff (see also opposite). And, in Manton, Rutland Nursery has a whole shop for children’s gifts again this year, plus there’s The View café for an excellent hot chocolate, lunch or more.

In the Nene Valley, Trains4U in Peterborough is paradise for miniature-engine fans and stocks Scalextric among other brands, while Oundle’s Bumble & Twig is tiny but packs a punch with its stylish range of classic toys, picture books and clothing.

Creative Explorers

For little makers and mini artists, winter brings plenty of opportunities to get creative, including card-designing, painting and gift-making. Check out Rutland County Museum, which usually runs family craft sessions during the holidays, or try your own at home – our Little Living craft panel (see right) has plenty of simple, festive ideas for young imaginations. rutlandcountymuseum.org.uk/ family-fun/

In Stamford, The Place Stamford runs lots of different workshops, including lovely craftsy ones to keep little creatives busy. theplacestamford.co.uk

And, in Oundle, why not try the imaginatively named Pot En Ciel, a pot-painting café aimed primarily at adults, but children are also welcome – a good option for a multigenerational trip out. potencielceramics.com

WHATEVER YOUR CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS HOLD –WHETHER IT’S TWINKLY TRAILS, FROSTY WALKS OR FESTIVE MAKES – WE HOPE THIS ROUNDUP HELPS YOU FIND LITTLE ADVENTURES AND HAPPY MEMORIES THIS WINTER.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

festive fun at home

From sparkling lights to frosty mornings, winter is full of magic for little adventurers. Here are some simple, seasonal ideas to bring joy, creativity and a sprinkle of wonder to the holidays.

bauble hunt

Hide a few colourful baubles or decorations around the garden (or indoors) and let little ones go on a festive treasure hunt. Give them clues or a basket to collect their finds.

reindeer food

Mix oats with a sprinkle of edible glitter (or hundreds and thousands) to make magical ‘reindeer food’. Sprinkle it outside on Christmas Eve to guide Santa’s sleigh.

snowflake spotting

Wrap up warm and head out when it’s frosty – see if you can spot snowflakes on coats or car roofs before they melt. And, if it’s not snowing, make paper ones to hang in the window instead.

homemade wrapping paper

Lay out a roll of plain brown paper and let the children stamp or paint festive patterns – stars, trees or snowflakes – for beautiful, personal wrapping.

twinkly walks

Take an evening stroll to spot Christmas lights and decorations around your neighbourhood. Count how many stars, reindeer or Santas you can see!

wish jars

Write down wishes or things you’re thankful for on small slips of paper. Pop them in a decorated jar and open them together next New Year’s Eve.

gingerbread makers

Whip up a batch of gingerbread dough and use cookie cutters to make stars, hearts or reindeer. Decorate with icing and string a few on ribbon for edible tree ornaments.

story tent

Create a cosy reading den with blankets, battery fairy lights and a pile of festive books – perfect for winding down before bedtime or escaping a busy afternoon.

christmas card workshop

Get creative with card, glitter and old magazines to make handmade Christmas cards for family, neighbours or teachers.

snuggle down for a read

When it’s too cold to play outside, pull out a classic story to enjoy together, whether that’s The Gruffalo, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe or Dickens’ A Christmas Carol

Shop Local, Give Joy

Treat your loved ones to something special this Christmas while supporting our brilliant local independents. Here’s the second instalment of our 2025 festive gift guide – happy shopping and a joyful, merry Christmas!

Quilted bow tree topper (also in other colourways), £40, Danielle Churchill Interiors. daniellechurchill.co.uk

Olive leopard-print pyjama set by Cyberjammies, £55, Maison Six of Oakham. maisonsixlingerie

Lemax Caravan Music Festival, £19.99, & Jazz Duo £6.99 (from an incredible range), Gates, Oakham. gatesgardencentre.co.uk

shop local, give joy

FOR HIM/HER/THE KIDS

Jimmy Choo emerald green suede shoulder bag, £200, Arch Label Agency of Stamford. archlabelagency.com

Lambswool ‘Catkin’ hat by Hilary Grant (range of colours available), £65, The Great of Great Easton, imogenowen.com

Diamond Tennis Bracelets, price on application, Lanes Fine Jewellery of Stamford. lanesjewellers.com

Moult alpaca bedsocks (range of colours), £30 a pair, Sarah Harding Interiors of Uppingham, sarahhardinginteriors.co.uk

One Hundred Stars Primula Gold Gown, £90, from a wonderful range at YOU of Stamford, youstamford.co.uk

Scalextric Supercar Showdown with two Lamborghini Revuelto supercars, £109.95, Trains4U of Peterborough. trains4u.com

Jette emerald, diamond and South Sea pearl drop earrings, £4,520, Heidi Kjeldsen of Oakham. heidikjeldsen.co.uk

Wellness Retreat Day at Homefield Grange, from £175, Homefield Grange, homefieldgrangeretreat.co.uk

Bamboo Bee Revival Kit Keyring from Beevive, £12.99, Stamford Botanics. stamfordbotanics.co.uk

Leather Torino Cross Body Bag in ‘chocolate’ (range of colours), £89, White Ginger of Stamford, white-ginger.com

Banwood Balance Bike in Dusty Pink (also comes in dark green), £149, Stork of Stamford. storkofstamford.com

Pilates Taster Class Voucher, Pilates Practice Stamford, £16–25, bookwhen.com/ pilatespracticestamford/vouchers

Anna Haie 14kt gold-plated Sterling silver necklace, with cubic zirconia stone, £89, RUBIROX of Stamford. rubirox.co.uk

Marjolaine silk wrap, £330 (matching chemise, not shown, £265). Chameleon of Stamford. chameleonboutique.co.uk

Steiff Disney Christopher Robin Winnie the Pooh (356124), £179.99, Anand of Stamford, anandofstamford.com

Wooden Christmas Countdown Sign with Chalk, £15, Where the Wildlings Roam. wherethewildlingsroam.com

18ct yellow gold suite, price on application, Dawson of Stamford. dawsonofstamford.com

Give the gift of The Den in Market Harborough. Gift vouchers available instore from £50. the-badgers-den.co.uk

(RM Williams, Cheaney & more)

(Barbour, Ashwood & more)

18ct White Gold Fine Coloured Aquamarine and Diamond Pendant

FOR THE HOME

Greenwich Collection Fuchsia and Peacock Throw (photo: Yeshen Venema), £595. bonniekirkwood.com

Small faceted vase (granite and ash glaze) by Mike Dodd, £245, Goldmark Gallery of Uppingham. goldmarkart.com

Winterberry Wax Melt Gift Set £30, Freckleface of Stamford. frecklefacehomefragrance.com

Green-and-white bowl, £80, Hunters Interiors of Uffington, nr Stamford. huntersinteriors.co.uk

Hand-thrown moon jar by Lyddington’s John Wright £135, textured vases £45, Fōrm&blōm, Oakham. formblom.co.uk

Burgon & Ball seed storage tin, £24.99, The Barn Garden Centre, Barnwell nr Oundle, thebarngardencentre.co.uk

Spiced Rose scented soy candle, £32 (Midi 220g, comes gift boxed), The Wick & Wax Co of Stamford. thewickandwax.co

Sweet pea seeds, £12 for the mixed collection, Easton Walled Gardens. visiteaston.co.uk

Art Nouveau bronze bust, £185, St Martin’s Antiques Centre. stmartinsantiquescentre

Fotheringhay Christmas trees at Walcot Lodge Farms; pick your own or order online fotheringhaychristmastrees.com

Janie Wilson scented Christmas candle, £11.99, from a lovely range at Love It of Stamford. loveitshop.co.uk

Gift vouchers for Tolethorpe – ideal for theatre-loving loved ones, valid for 24 months. tolethorpe.co.uk/gift-vouchers/

ARTS & CRAFTS

‘Old Christmas’ by Washington Irving, hardback, £150, St Mary’s Books & Prints of Stamford. stmarysbooks.com

Blue Moon ukulele in green, £39, from a fabulous selection at Stamford Music Shop, stamfordmusicshop.co.uk

Kaffe Fassett Oliso smart iron, to order (7day delivery time), £157.50, Stamford Fabric Co. thestamfordfabriccompany.com

The George Hotel Courtyard at Christmas print by Gillian Durno, £165 mounted, Gallery Stamford. gallerystamford.co.uk

*Free Gewa Bio Case with this violin during the month of December 2025. Show this page or the Stamford Strings’ advert in this magazine to claim your case!

Brazenose Terra Violin, £2,975, Stamford Strings, special offer* for Stamford & Rutland Living readers, stamfordstrings.co.uk

‘You’re a Life Saver’ by Caroline Deighton, £695, Wingates Gallery, Market Harborough. wingatesgallery.co.uk

• Huge range of beautiful silver, jewellery and crystals.

• Great selection of humorous T-shirts and gifts. • Lovely range of Stamford themed gifts and cards.

Stunning sterling silver ranges from around the world

Huge selection of Quality RFID Leather Bags, Wallets, Purses, Glasses Cases & keyrings.

Stunning artwork of Stamford Scenes on Mugs, Coasters, Fridge Magnets, and more by Artist Phil Clements.

FOODIES

Belvoir Castle Raspberry & Elderflower Gin, £39.99 a bottle, Belvoir Farm Shop. belvoircastle.com

Lily and Honey mince pies available to buy now. Christmas pre-orders from the start of December. lilyandhoneybakery.co.uk

25th Anniversary Olive Branch cans: wines £5.50, Hazy Session IPA £3.75, The Olive Branch. theolivebranchpub.com

Hambleton Bakery’s festive range has now launched – Christmas cakes, shortbread, mince pies & more. hambletonbakery.co.uk

Yeti Rambler Wine Tumbler in Black Forest Green, £25, from a fabulous Yeti range at Rutland Nursery. rutlandnursery.co.uk

Multum Gin Parvo, £37.80 for 70cl, range of gorgeous flavours at New Lodge Farm of Bulwick. newlodgefarm.co.uk

Beautiful bespoke hampers & gift boxes from The Pickled Shop in Bulwick, from £35 (the gift above is £65). thepickledshop.com

Festive Mini Gifts (filled with the Vom Fass liqueur of your choice; Limoncino shown), Vom Fass of Stamford. vomfassuk.com

Le Creuset Cruets, £39.99 each (ask in store re offers for a set), from a lovely range at Stu-Pots of Oundle. stu-pots.com

Christmas made perfect at Wingates Gallery

This Christmas, come and treat yourself from a collection of over 300 pieces of original art and handmade sculpture from over 40 national and international artists all under one roof here at Wingates Gallery.

Our family-owned, multi award-winning, independent art gallery is proud to provide our customers with high quality, original art at affordable prices with something for every taste and budget.

Warm, No-Hassle, Friendly Service

Come in and see us - make this Christmas one to remember.

44a St Mary’s Road, Market Harborough LE16 7DU 10-6pm

Tuesday to Saturday Tel: 01858 465455

www.wingatesgallery.co.uk

land rover experience

Nicholas and Clare Rudd-Jones were invited to spend a half-day at Land Rover Experience in Rockingham, set within the picturesque grounds of historic Rockingham Castle in the heart of the British countryside. From the estate’s highest point you can take in sweeping views across Northamptonshire, Rutland, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire – the perfect setting to explore the capabilities of the legendary Land Rover fleet and pick up some off-roading skills

‘So, over the top we go, and down – a Big Dipper moment, as the car takes over most of the driving’

WE DROVE across to Rockingham in our newly acquired Range Rover Evoque with a mixture of anticipation, excitement and mild trepidation –what challenging paces would they put us through? And, as new owners, would we seem terribly naïve?

Our concerns were quickly allayed on arrival. We were met at the door by ‘Parky’ (photo below left), our instructor for the day, one of 14 highly qualified product experts at Rockingham. With a fabulously cheery demeanour (ideal for putting us at our ease), he turned out to be a retired police officer and, as we soon discovered, had all the qualities you’d hope for in one: calm under pressure (read: nerves of steel!), meticulous attention to detail, endlessly patient and possessed of a wonderful sense of humour – the perfect recipe for a hugely enjoyable and valuable day.

Getting to Know the Car

Parky whisked us into the well-appointed reception area for our briefing, complete with coffee and biscuits. He got straight to work, placing a Land Rover key on the table and asking if we knew its 10 functions. We proudly managed about five of these before running out of ideas. Parky cheerfully filled in the rest – the first of many ‘wow’ moments as we discovered just how much our car could do.

Each session is tailored to the client’s needs. As Parky put it: ‘It’s your day.’ For us, as new owners, that meant a deep dive into our own car’s features, followed by the classic off-road Range Rover Experience in one of their vehicles. (No need to get your own one muddy!)

The session in our car was one revelation after another: amazing things that would enhance both our driving capabilities and comfort. We felt like kids in a sweet shop, cramming our brains with lots of new facts, reconfiguring the electronic dashboard to our heart’s delight and trying out all the different controls. Would we remember them all? ‘No problem’, said Parky. ‘Call me any time, if there’s something you need to ask.’

The Off-Road Adventure

Then it was time for action. We drove across to the Rockingham Estate’s off-road tracks, and, once through the gate, tension rose and speeds dropped. Switching to the off-road setting, Parky advised: ‘Speed gives you the time to make the right decisions.’ Throughout the session, his instructions were calm and concise, never flustered. His phrases stuck in the mind, too: ‘As slow as possible, as quick as necessary.’

Soon, we found ourselves poised on the edge of a steep, rutted slope that you would never ever contemplate in an ordinary car. Parky engaged the car’s hill descent mode. Then came his completely counter-intuitive instruction: ‘Make absolutely sure you do not put your foot on the brake!’ ‘What, are you absolutely sure?’ we asked. ‘Yes!’

So, over the top we go, and down – a Big Dipper moment, as the car takes over most of the driving. We continue to steer, but the car brakes itself, and each of its wheels adjusts according to the terrain. You just sit there and (the first time, at least) pray. After a few loops, it started to feel a little more normal – until Parky’s grand finale: taking the car (or rather, the car taking itself!) down a steep slope again, before turning it sharply right and then driving into water. Taking turns, one of us drove, while the other took photographs from the bank, where it was clear just how far off the ground one of the wheels had lifted. Parky, meanwhile, remained as cool as a cucumber throughout!

Range Rover off-road technology is, frankly, amazing. Three hours sped by (can we say that in the company of an ex-policeman?!) in what seemed like a moment, and we left exhilarated. We can 100% recommend this experience, whether you’re a Land Rover owner or not. It’s immense fun and you learn a great deal about controlling a large vehicle off-road – a real confidence booster for any driver. At the end of the day, Parky said: ‘It’s about the people –and we have thoroughly enjoyed having you.’ Judging by the beaming smiles of all those at Rockingham that morning, enjoyment was the order of the day.

the land rover experience

DISCOVER THE FULL RANGE

Afterwards, we spoke with Hospitality Executive, Elizabeth Andrew, to find out more about the breadth and depth of what’s available.

‘Our raison d’être,’ she explained, ‘is to provide new Land Rover owners the opportunity to get to grips with their new vehicle’s capabilities, both on and off-road – its technology, instrumentation and controls. Every session is tailored to the individual’s needs.

‘However, there is so much more to Land Rover Experience East of England. We offer a unique combination of meeting spaces, exciting team-building activities and immersive off-road driving experiences that are perfect for young drivers, off-road sessions for adults, corporate activities/team-building, Lantra training courses, and private events and celebrations.’

Young Driver & Adult Off-Road Driving Experiences

‘We specialise in off-road driving experiences that build practical skills and confidence through one hour, half-day or full-day tailored packages. You can purchase an exhilarating experience for Land Rover enthusiasts both young (12 to 17 years) and older 18+ years.’

Corporate Entertainment

‘Maybe you are looking for a team-building experience that’s practical, unforgettable and rooted in your local countryside? We offer premium meeting and conference facilities with the unique option to add on off-road Land Rover driving. After a morning meeting, we’ll get your team behind the wheel of our iconic, world-class 4x4s, building skills, confidence and camaraderie in the great outdoors.

‘Alternatively, we can create bespoke, outdoor team-building events including both vehicular and non-vehicular activities – from Kubota ATV Swamp Walking to Air Soft Combat.’

Lantra Training Courses

‘Our Lantra-accredited training courses are designed for drivers who operate any 4x4 vehicle in off-road environments, both in the UK and overseas.

‘These courses are ideal for businesses whose staff use 4x4s, ATVs, or trailers in the workplace, ensuring full compliance with HSE and PUWER regulations. The Lantra qualification is nationally recognised, providing an excellent addition to your team’s professional development.

‘We work closely with a wide range of organisations, including the Ambulance Service, HART teams, Fire and Police Services, the Met Police, high-level security personnel, HS2 workers, royalty protection teams, utility providers, mobile network companies, the Environment Agency, RSPB, RNLI and military personnel, delivering comprehensive and in-depth off-road driver training. With years of hands-on experience, our expertise in off-road training and compliance delivery is second to none.’

‘It’s the most fun you’ll ever have at 5 miles an hour!’

Private Events & Celebrations

‘For special occasions, we can provide you with a truly memorable off-roading experience – something completely different from the usual family meal or indoor party. Try out our fleet of Range Rovers, Defenders and Discoveries – team up and pit yourselves against family and friends. It’s the most fun you’ll ever have at 5 miles an hour!’

Land Rover Experience East of England, Shire Farm, Rockingham Castle & Park, Uppingham Road, Nr Market Harborough LE16 8TP | 01536 772238 | Open Mon–Sun 9am–4pm | What3words: latter.defenders.woodstove www.landrover.co.uk/experiences/driving-experiences/uk/east-of-england.html

This Christmas, discover something special at Gates. Get into the festive spirit at Woodlands Hinckley or Oakham. With everything under one roof, you’ll get all your Christmas shopping done in a single day! Explore our Christmas halls, enjoy delicious food, or dine with Santa. Find stylish brands and unique gifts, alongside locally sourced produce, farm bred meats and the finest turkeys in our farm shops.

ENJOY A BOTTLE ON US

Every Monday to Thursday throughout January and February book a table for lunch or dinner and enjoy a complimentary bottle of house wine on us (red, white or rosé) when you purchase any two main meals.

ONLY AVAILABLE IF TABLE IS PRE-BOOKED ONLINE* at all of our Stamford venues

Terms and Conditions

Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer

*Bookings must be made online 12 hours in advance

Maximum table bookings of 10 people only Bottle of wine can be substituted for a selected soft drink or a non-alcoholic beer or wine

Christmas in The Lion’s Den

Our new, covered outside area at The Red Lion is the perfect place for a festive get-together.

Book a box. Enjoy a beer, a glass of wine or a cocktail (or two!). Tuck into a pizza, a delicious lighter bite or a sharing dish. With Sky TV available in every box, you can meet friends to watch a Christmas movie, share a sporting occasion or just enjoy a relaxed catch-up or celebration.

Walks-in are welcome, but you might be best to book at busy times. You can even hire the whole Den if you have a large group (it can accommodate up to 120, including standing space).

This is a year-round space so, if you can’t join us in the run-up to Christmas, we look forward to welcoming you in 2026. Heated in the winter, chilled-out in the summer – this could just be the hottest, coolest new spot in Market Harborough.

The Red Lion Great Bowden

A new space is fast becoming the must-visit venue in Market Harborough. Have you experienced ‘The Lion’s Den’ at The Red Lion in Great Bowden yet?

LOOKING FOR SOMEWHERE different for a corporate Christmas bash? Want to meet friends for an unforgettable night out? Fancy taking in a film? Or simply feel it’s time for a long-overdue catch-up with friends? The new ‘inside-outside’ area at The Red Lion in Great Bowden is the perfect place. As well as plenty of standing room, there are six ‘boxes’, each sitting six (or up to eight, if you’re happy squeezing in cosily). Each box has its own TV screen, showing your choice of channels, making this the ideal location to enjoy your favourite Christmas film or a sporting event.

Regulars at The Red Lion may well remember this section of the garden as ‘The Quadrant’, but it’s been given a complete transformation to become an all-year-round, covered space where walk-ins are welcome, but bookings are advisable at busy times. The Den opened in October, with visitors settling in to enjoy the unbeatable match-day atmosphere and watch three Premier League matches over its opening weekend, but the run-up to Christmas will see it offer a wonderful festive experience. It’s a casual spot where you can tuck into a pizza, a delicious lighter bite or a sharing dish, and enjoy a beer, a glass of wine or cocktail (or two). And don’t worry, the boxes are heated!

The Lion’s Den is the latest initiative from the Three Goats group, the Leicestershire and Rutland hospitality business that owns and runs The Red Lion, along with The Nevill Arms in Medbourne, The Sun Inn at Great Easton, and No.23 restaurant in Uppingham. The group has invested millions of pounds in its venues over the past few years and was keen to create a space unlike anything else in the area –one with a ‘totally chilled-out and relaxed vibe’.

At the helm is General Manager Chris Wakley, who’s a wellknown figure on the local hospitality circuit and has a reputation for creating and running ‘immersive experiences’. Chris has always had an association with Market Harborough, so is familiar with the town’s social scene and was a regular at The Red Lion long before he joined the Three Goats. ‘It’s lovely to have circled back here,’ he says. ‘It feels like a homecoming. Part of the joy of my role is giving visitors lasting memories – and The Den is one of those places where groups can come together for unforgettable experiences. It’s open Wednesday to Sunday, as is the pub, and really large groups can even hire the whole Den, which accommodates up to 120 including standing room.

‘Right now, it’s decked out for Christmas, but it’s a versatile space so is fantastic for sports fans, whether football, rugby, cricket, tennis or golf is your passion. It’s also designed to be suitable year-round –so it’ll stay shady and cool in summer, as well as cosy and charming in winter.’

There will also be events inside The Den – just one of which is a bespoke wreath-making workshop on Sunday 7 December, run in conjunction with the Harborough-based floristry Daisy & Fox. ‘It’ll be an enjoyable and creative evening where guests get to design and craft their own bespoke fresh wreath using seasonal foliage and natural decorations,’ says Chris. ‘An expert florist will guide you step-by-step, ensuring your creation is as beautiful and unique as your home.

‘Heated in the winter, chilled-out in the summer – The Den could just be the hottest, coolest new spot in Market Harborough,’ concludes Chris. ‘It’s the place to be – and the place to be seen!’

Meanwhile… inside The Red Lion

The Lion’s Den is a self-contained space with its own bar and menu, but if you step into The Red Lion itself, you’ll find the pub unchanged, with its cosy, welcoming ambience. With its traditional decor, carefully curated wine list and top-quality à la carte menu, it has built a reputation as one of the best country pubs in the Harborough area.

‘Local isn’t just a word for us – it’s one of our guiding principles’

The menu regularly changes to reflect seasonality, but venison and port pie, maple Sriracha confit duck, black garlic chicken Kiev and pumpkin squash salad are just four examples of the types of dish you can expect on the menu. If you’re a fish lover, you might tuck into beer-battered fish and chips, or, if you’re visiting for a special occasion, maybe even indulge in half a grilled fresh lobster.

The Red Lion is well known for its ‘field to fork’ credentials, with much of its beef, lamb and pork coming from the Three Goats’ own farm just a few miles away on the lush Welland Valley pastures around Great Easton. As the Three Goats’ Ellie Uppal explains: ‘We have a policy of sourcing locally wherever we can, so, if we can’t produce something ourselves, we try to work with Leicestershire, Rutland or Northamptonshire suppliers who share our commitment to quality and provenance. Forging links with local businesses allows us to improve sustainability and champion regional ingredients. It also reduces food miles and plastic packaging. Local isn’t just a word for us – it’s one of our guiding principles, whether it’s the food we serve or the team we employ to run our venues.’

Just one example of this is a tie-up with the award-winning Langton Brewery, based on a farm at Thorpe Langton. One of the most popular beers in The Red Lion is Langton Brewery’s Inclined Plane, an amber ale with a light floral finish named after the canal boat lift that once operated at Foxton Locks.

‘We are even now feeding the pigs on our farm the grain generated as by-product of the brewing process – so we’ve created a closed local supply loop’, adds Ellie.

THE RED LION, 5 MAIN STREET, GREAT BOWDEN LE16 7HB | 01858

Heritage Social

Nicholas Rudd-Jones met with Chef Adebola (Ade) Adeshina, founder of the Heritage Social Group (HSG), at his latest establishment, Fletchers Public House in Grantham, to find out more about his plans for the group

ON MEETING Ade, two things soon become very clear: firstly, he remains very hands-on in every aspect of the business, and, secondly, that he remains very passionate about his cooking. And this, ultimately, is the driving force behind the successful expansion of the HSG from one establishment in 2017 to four today. Running through everything is a commitment to great food, genuine hospitality and supporting local communities.

Raised in East London, Ade honed his culinary skills under the tutelage of Gordon Ramsay, starting with the renowned Aubergine team and then perfecting his craft at the three Michelin-starred Gordon Ramsay Restaurant on Royal Hospital Road. He works closely with the head chef in each of his establishments to optimise the menu. He tastes all the dishes, but allows creative freedom to thrive. His rules are few, but key – no chemicals, everything traceable, source locally wherever possible. At the heart of it all is a belief that good food begins with respect: for the land, for those who grow and produce it, and for the wellbeing of the customers. ‘Your health is your wealth,’ as Ade put it.

The Chubby Castor

34 Peterborough Road, Peterborough PE5 7AX thechubbycastor.com | chubbycastor

It all began in 2017 with The Chubby Castor, a fine dining restaurant that Ade set up in Castor, a village near Peterborough, in 2017. It has gone from strength to strength, serving the top end of the market, and has been awarded three AA Rosettes. The food here is of a very high standard, the welcome warm, and the ambience very distinctive, being in an old pub full of beams and with oodles of character. The festive menu offers the best of British winter produce this year.

The Yard at Castor theyardcastor.com

The Yard opened in 2022 in the garden of The Chubby Castor. It is a three-season, indoor and outdoor casual-dining concept, offering a relaxed atmosphere. We had a brilliant meal there last year, looking out over the vegetable patch and enjoying the great outdoors with seafood and a glass of sparkling wine.

Fletchers Public House

90 Westgate, Grantham NG31 6LE fletcherspublichouse.com | fletchers.publichouse

Set within a beautiful Grade II-listed building, Fletchers has brought new life to a site steeped in local history since its launch this year. Once home to a wine merchant, the building has character and charm that have been thoughtfully preserved and enhanced. Here, you can enjoy high-quality, comforting food at an affordable price. We were very impressed that there is currently a lunch for less offering for £22 for two courses, or £28 for three courses, and we love the sound of the ‘Feasting’ offering – perfect for 2-3 people to share. ‘Absolutely fantastic venue and the new jewel in Grantham’s crown’, said one happy diner.

The Westgate Bakery

28 Market Place, Grantham NG31 6LR westgatebakery.com | westgate.bakery

Westgate Bakery is an artisan bakery where everything is made in-house from scratch: breads, pastries, cakes, sausage rolls, sandwiches and deli takeaway bowls, including a large range of gluten-free items. It serves breakfast, brunch and afternoon teas, is fully licensed and regularly hosts private events in the evenings.

Ade has created four establishments, each offering something a little different but all sharing his passion for good food and warm hospitality. And what of the future? ‘Well,’ says Ade, ‘I feel that these four spots have huge further potential for further growth; but if another opportunity crops up, we will, of course, be considering it!’ Ade is, as always, practical and ambitious.

ABOVE: Ade and the inviting interior of his newest venture, Fletchers Public House.

Indie Food & Drink

From Melton Mowbray’s iconic pork pies to Grantham’s handcrafted

chocolate bark, Louise Goss savours two delicious tastes of Christmas tradition

Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe

One thing that will adorn many a Christmas or Boxing Day table this year is the humble pork pie. Louise Goss speaks to the manager of the famous Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe in Melton Mowbray, the town known as the rural capital of food.

A thick golden pastry crust, a generous wedge of pork meat and (love it or loathe it) a layer of jelly in between, and you have the pork pie. It is a picnic staple, and quite often, a buffet centrepiece come Christmas. There is one place synonymous with the pork pie and that is Melton Mowbray. It has become known as the rural capital of food given that it has two famous protected food products: pork pies and Stilton cheese.

In fact, pork pies were first created as a result of the cheesemaking process, which preceded them. Richard Griffiths, manager of the famous Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe in the heart of Melton Mowbray, and seller of the original Dickinson & Morris pork pies, explains: ‘In the Vale of Belvoir, there was mass production of Stilton cheese. That produced an excess called whey, which was fed to pigs… It was such a good ingredient in the feed that pork became more readily available and better quality.’ This led to pork becoming increasingly popular as a meat.

Eaten on the Hoof

The pastry of the first pork pies was often discarded. It was used as a container, known as a coffyn, for the meat, designed purely for transporting the pork ball inside. Melton Mowbray was an

‘epicentre for the winter sports of fox hunting and shooting at the time’, says Richard. ‘The people on horseback would see the grooms and groomsmen eating this product and ask about it… They loved what it was and started taking it back, predominantly to London, which is why we have a really strong connection with London as well.’ The pork pie was one of the first grab-and-go type of products and eaten ‘on the hoof’, as they ate it as they walked around the fields doing their jobs.

‘A thick golden pastry crust, a generous wedge of pork meat and (love it or loathe it) a layer of jelly in between, and you have the pork pie’

The ‘jelly’ layer came about as the pie evolved and people found that the pastry was drying out and cracking during transportation. Mary Dickinson, founder of the original Melton Mowbray pork pie, credited with standardising the pie and its shape, made a pork trotter gelatine layer to help keep the meat moist and the product protected. Richard explains: ‘The history books show it was never intended to be eaten as it is today; it was all about getting the pork somewhere safely and edible. Over time, more and more people liked it and started eating it and so she refined it and made it a more palatable product.’

Accept No Limitations

There are certain characteristics that give true Melton Mowbray pork pies their protected status. Richard says, ‘You can’t bake it in a hoop [mould], that’s what gives it its lovely shape; you have to use British pork, and the seasonings you can use are really limited as well, so salt, pepper and nutmeg are three of the very few seasonings you can use. It is a really traditional product with really basic ingredients. That’s what keeps it protected and why the product has been so consistent and famous for so many years. It hasn’t really changed since we started making them in this shop in 1851.’

The hoop is a mould, which can be used to shape a pie, but it must not be baked in it as a Melton Mowbray pork pie has to be free-standing. ‘If you look at a Melton Mowbray pork pie, it has a bit of a sag, and a bit of a droop either side, and that’s because you can’t bake it supported, and it gives it that really recognisable shape,’ says Richard.

You can make a pork pie anywhere, but if you want to make a Melton Mowbray pork pie, it must be baked within the Protected Geographic Indication (PGI) boundary of Melton. If you draw a line around Stamford, Nottingham, Leicester, Northampton and Grantham, you’ll find Melton Mowbray is in the middle! It is so famous they now have tourists coming specifically to the town to try their pies. ‘In Melton it’s a popular product all year round, but we get lots of tourists come in, especially at Christmas.’ The shop now has a new tasting room to allow people to come and sample their pork pies and several other items on the menu including differently topped pork pies, stilton cheese and quiche.

Ye Olde Pork Pie Shoppe, 8–10 Nottingham Street, Melton Mowbray, Leics. LE13 1NW | porkpie.co.uk

Glorious Chocolate

Big, rich and bold is how Phil Bushell describes his chocolate bark, which he makes for his small business, Glorious Chocolate, based in Grantham. He prides himself on creating unique flavour experiences for his customers. ‘The flavours are very true to what they should be,’ he says. ‘It is very difficult to describe the depth of flavour. A lot of people are quite surprised when they taste them.’

Customer favourites of dark chocolate and cherry, or milk chocolate caramel and honeycomb, remain bestsellers, alongside seasonal favourites at this time of year such as dark chocolate and ginger or an orange crunch. Phil now has over 20 flavours on offer, including a popular chilli chocolate. ‘The heat doesn’t come in until you’ve actually finished eating the chocolate, so you enjoy the taste of the chocolate and only when that’s completely gone, do you get the chilli. It has a nice warmth to it, and it’s very popular.’ Phil’s own preferences change as he creates and tastes flavours, with his favourites switching between the dark raspberry to a white chocolate raspberry cheesecake.

If you want to sample some of the chocolate bark, Phil will be at the Burghley Christmas Fair (27–30 November), which is one of his biggest events of the year. ‘It gives people the chocolate tasting experience, which is so important to us.’

The focus on flavour has informed how Phil makes his chocolate as well. ‘Traditional chocolate is made in a mould,’ he explains. ‘For us, however, it’s more about getting the flavour into the chocolate, so we make ours in a large tray and we break it into shards. This creates a really lovely thin chocolate, which a lot of people like. It’s more delicate and it melts a lot quicker in the mouth, so the flavours come on to your taste buds a lot quicker.’

Coming up with flavours is often inspired by smell. ‘That’s a big part of it. A lot of taste is derived from the smell of something.’ Phil says if he smells something delicious or interesting, he then imagines it in a milk, dark or white chocolate. Sourcing chocolate from a range of producers around the country allows him to select the most suitable chocolate for the flavours he wants to create. ‘Everything is natural that we use, there are no artificial ingredients. All our chocolate is sustainably sourced with its own eco-programme to support the farmers and the cacao industry.’

Phil plans to keep innovating and experimenting with different tastes for his customers. ‘We are looking at doing some more rose and lavender flavours, just to add a little bit of interest to people’s palates,’ he says.

You can find Glorious Chocolate in the Lincolnshire Co-op and Burghley Christmas Fair. You can also buy packets of Glorious Chocolate bark online.

gloriouschocolate.co.uk

Christmas Menu

FESTIVE CELEBRATION 2025

STARTERS

CREAM OF CELERIAC SOUP (V)

Toasted Ciabatta, unsalted butter, truffle oil, chestnuts, pea shoots RETRO ATLANTIC PRAWN COCKTAIL

Scottish smoked salmon, Marie Rose sauce, avocado puree CORNFED CHICKEN TERRINE

Fig Compote, globe artichoke salad, homemade bread LENTIL, CHICKPEA AND MUSTARD FRITTERS (VE)

Sundried tomato hummus, crispy salad, tzatziki MAINS

FREE RANGE ROAST CHRISTMAS TURKEY BREAST

Roast potatoes, sprouts, honey roast parsnips, roasted carrots, pig in blanket, gravy

WILD VENISON LOIN

Truffle oil pommes puree, spiced green lentil ragout, blackberries, mulled wine sauce

HALIBUT FILLET

Baby onions, bacon lardons, creamed cabbage, Maderia sauce

BUTTERNUT SQUASH RISSOTTO (VE)

Chestnuts, pickled beetroot, shaved parmesan rocket, herb oil

DESSERTS

TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS PUDDING

Brandy cream or custard GINGER CRÈME BRULEÉ

With ginger shortbread MANDARIN CHEESECAKE

With mandarin compote and sesame seeds INDIVIDUAL CHEESE BOARD

Mature Cheddar cheese, grapes, biscuits, spiced fruit chutney

INCLUDES COMPLIMENTARY MINCE PIES FOR ALL AFTER THE MEAL

£49.95 for 3 courses | £38 for 2 courses 24th November - 23rd December

Available to advanced bookings. £10 deposit per person. All bookings are asked to submit their menu selections 5 days in advance of booking. The Christmas menu is not available on Sundays. We are happy to accommodate special requests for allergies and dietary requirement. Please speak to one of the team ahead of your booking.

Camille Ortega McLean

Founder of Pickled Village Preserves & The Pickled Shop/Café

Background: My parents were Spanish and Italian, so I grew up with amazing food and wine. I spent some of my younger years in the Caribbean; and my domestic science teacher was an Irish nun – so a great variety of food experiences over the years!

Style of cooking? It’s mainly based on Mediterranean type of cuisine with a tropical twist too. I enjoy observing the current trends and then using them my own way. I believe making and serving food is like giving love. The strapline for my preserves is: ‘Made in Bulwick –Inspired by the World’.

A favourite dish currently on the menu: My current favourite dish on our menu and, in fact all year round (besides tapas of course), is The Pickled Burger, using either Aberdeen Angus burgers or local venison. Served on a toasted brioche bun, with mayo, lettuce, sliced gherkins, tomatoes, red onion, smoked bacon rasher and a generous slice of cheddar cheese and topped with the Red Rapscallion (my red onion relish with redcurrants and chillies).

A favourite ingredient: Chilli – surprise, surprise! But use with great care and caution!

A cooking ‘trick’ to share with readers: For perfectly crisp, golden duck breast, start it in a cold pan – not a hot one. Place the duck skin-side down in the cold pan, then turn the heat to medium. As the pan warms the fat has time to slowly melt and render, giving you that thin, perfectly crisp skin without burning. Once the skin is deep golden and most of the fat has rendered out, flip the duck breast, and cook the flesh side for just a few minutes more. This simple method delivers restaurant-quality duck every time.

A bit about your establishment: Bulwick Village Shop was a disused post office when I took it over 20 years ago. I created my range of preserves, The Pickled Village. I decided that a village shop needed something different in order to succeed, so I would regard the shop as more of a speciality food shop, but we do stock the basic essential items. The shop was recently described as a mini Fortnum & Mason – an emporium! We have extended the rear of the shop and garden with an enclosed Terrace with heaters and rugs for those less warm sunny days. We are fortunate to have beautiful views over Bulwick Park. We are open Tuesday to Saturday 9.30am to 4pm and serve breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and, our speciality, tapas. The Garden Terrace may also be booked for private events.

The Pickled Shop |15 Main Street, Bulwick, Northants NN17 3DY | thepickledshop.com | @thepickledshop

Camille’s Recipe: Jolly Berry Christmas Chutney

This chutney is so delicious with a cheeseboard, in sandwiches or cold meats. Wonderful with leftover turkey! The recipe makes 2 medium-sized jars –perfect for giving as gifts.

Ingredients:

2 large cooking apples, peeled and chopped into small pieces

1 large red onion – finely chopped

150g sultanas

100g dried cranberries

250ml apple cider vinegar

150g soft brown sugar

1 tsp ground cinnamon

½ tsp ground ginger

½ tsp nutmeg

Start by preparing your jars. Wash thoroughly and place in a warm oven to sterilise them.

Method:

1. Place all ingredients into a medium-sized saucepan and give them a good stir.

‘Blazing Bonnet’ chilli jam scooped Gold at the Great British Food Awards 2025 – the ultimate ery pickle and a taste triumph!

2. Place on the hob and gently bring to the boil, stirring constantly at this stage to prevent sticking. Lower the heat and reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 30–40 minutes, stirring now and again, until thick.

3. Spoon into the clean, warm jars and seal them with a lid. Stored in a cool cupboard, this will keep beautifully for months.

ARTISAN BAKERY

SOURDOUGH BREADS I BUNS I PASTRIES I CAKES AWARD WINNING MINCE PIES

OPENING HOURS

WEDNESDAY - FRIDAY 9AM-2PM, SATURDAY 9AM-1PM

The George & Dragon Seaton

Nicholas Rudd-Jones and family visited this friendly pub at the end of their 10-mile Three Valleys walk (see p104), so were very much in the mood for a hearty meal and a good pint

THE GEORGE & DRAGON was taken over by Ralph Offer eight years ago and substantially refurbished, and it is now very much in its stride without having lost any of its sharpness. In fact, it’s everything that you could wish for from a pub in the colder months: a roaring log stove, a friendly greeting from the bar on arrival, some excellent beers and a really cosy feel throughout, with wooden tables, cosy chairs and some fascinating nooks and crannies. This pub is very comfortable in its skin. And, if you happen to be visiting in the summer, then it has an excellent garden out the back too. When we visited, we had the Sunday lunch menu, which offers very good value at £28.50 for two courses and £31.50 for three – the minimal price difference making it impossible to skip a course, and, as we found out, why would one wish to?

THE MEAL

For starters, I chose the Hoisin game bonbon, with rocket and leaf salad. Game is a speciality here, and the dish was rich and delicious – it seemed to go especially well with my beer (Grainstore). Sam had the twice-baked Lincolnshire Poacher soufflé, with crispy onions, parmesan and herb oil. The onions worked a treat to provide texture contrast, and the choice of cheese was a reminder that the pub likes to keep everything as local as possible. Pedro, perhaps out of curiosity, chose the braised pig’s cheek, with caramelised apple purée and black pudding. He especially liked the black pudding!

For the main course, I must confess we all had the same – roast pork loin, served with duck fat potatoes, savoy cabbage, honey carrots and parsnips, cauliflower cheese and Yorkshire pudding. And, yes, since you ask, it tasted just as delicious as it sounds. The pork was especially good quality and very succulent.

For dessert, we reverted to being individualists. I plumped for the sticky toffee pudding with butterscotch sauce and vanilla ice cream. Pedro enjoyed the selection of three cheeses with pear chutney, celery and grapes. And Sam wolfed down the white chocolate parfait. Each to their own, and all enjoyed it.

By this stage of the meal, our 10-mile exertion was long forgotten, and we were in a world of complete relaxation and contentment.

THE SERVICE & AMBIENCE

We loved the service in this pub – relaxed, attentive, timely. All in all, excellent food, great value – I would heartily recommend it. As we left, we observed a couple by the wood stove, happily relaxing in the comfy armchairs and chatting with their best friend, aka a cocker spaniel, perched regally on the third armchair – it’s that sort of informal place, we loved it.

A delight!

the george & dragon

2 main street, seaton, rutland le15 9hu 01572 747418

thegeorgeanddragonseaton.com | thegeorgeanddragonseaton

‘It’s everything that you could wish for from a pub in the colder months: a roaring log stove, a friendly greeting from the bar on arrival, some excellent beers and a really cosy feel throughout, with wooden tables, cosy chairs and some fascinating nooks and crannies’

Whether you’re treating yourself to a meal from our two AA Rosette A la Carte menu, relaxing by the fire with a cosy meal, or simply catching up with friends over a tipple or two! Madison Keys, Zak Perrin, and the team at The Falcon, warmly welcome you seven days a week!

Mondays-Thursdays:

Food served 12-2pm and 5-8pm, bar closes at 10pm Fridays-Saturdays:

Food served 12-8pm, bar closes at 11pm Sundays:

Food served 12-3pm, bar closes at 5pm

What's on?

Easy as Pie Mondays

Join us every Monday for our homemade pies, a selection of your favourites paired with all the trimmings for just £10!

Darts Social nights!

(Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5pm)

Complimentary snacks provided in the evening

Fish and Chip Fridays!

Enjoy our local real ale battered Haddock and chips, crushed minted peas and tarragon tartare sauce all for just £10 between 12-8pm on Fridays!

Return of our Ready to Roast Kits!

Ready to order through our website now.

Our festive menus are also available to view on our website

Local Briefing

News from the region this month

Tallington Lodge Team Celebrates Success

Tallington Lodge Care Home has had plenty to celebrate recently. To recognise everyone’s hard work and achievements, Home Manager Natalie White hosted a special evening of appreciation for her dedicated team. The team’s recent successes include their Good CQC rating and winning the Country Court in Bloom Gardening competition. In two categories, they were in third place. In the Water for Wellbeing category, they came in first place, and they were awarded the overall winner due to the hard work and wonderful things they accomplished, including the support given to David, the Head Gardener.

The evening was filled with laughter, team spirit and appreciation for each other and was a perfect way to reflect on everything the team has achieved together, creating a positive, caring environment where residents truly thrive and staff feel valued and motivated.

Home Manager Natalie White said: ‘The team have worked so hard over the last few months and accomplished so much. I wanted to show my appreciation for their dedication and commitment to making Tallington Lodge such a fantastic place for our residents and a positive environment to work in. The support and feedback from families have been amazing.’

Chantal, one of the Wellbeing coordinators, added: ‘On behalf of all the staff, I would like to say a huge thank you to Natalie for her support and for leading by example every day. We truly appreciate all that she does for us and our residents.’

For more information about life at Tallington Lodge Care Home, please contact Morgan Hicks on 01780 740 314 or email careenquiries@countrycourtcare.com

Hereward Harmony

Sing in Harmony in 2026 – join Peterborough’s Male Barbershop Chorus

Hereward Harmony, Peterborough’s only male Barbershop chorus, is inviting new members to join a free six-week ‘Learn to Sing’ course starting in the New Year. Alan Lund, Chairman, told us: ‘Founded over 30 years ago, our chorus now includes around 25 dedicated singers who share a love for the rich, unaccompanied four-part Barbershop style. We’ve delighted audiences at public and private events, competed in national contests and performed in concerts across the region. Our “Sing Outs” have supported charities including Childline, MNDA, and the Stroke Association.

‘Now, we’re offering others the chance to experience the joy of singing. Our free six-week course begins on Thursday 22nd January at 7:30pm, held weekly at the Community Centre in Orton Wistow. It’s the perfect New Year’s resolution – no experience or musicreading skills required.

‘Led by our talented Musical Director, Rob Yarnell, you’ll discover which voice part suits you best – bass, baritone, tenor or lead – and learn how to blend your voice into a sound you’ll be proud of. Each session begins with coaching for our new singers and learning two new songs. After a refreshment break, you’ll hear the full chorus rehearse and showcase our repertoire. You’ll also receive access to online and downloadable resources to help you learn between sessions.

‘Our mission is simple: sing well, make friends, and have fun. We offer a warm welcome to all who’d like to see what Barbershop singing is about - and you won’t be alone, as you’ll be joining other beginners on the same journey.’

Interested? Please contact Alan on 07850 007057 Find out more on Facebook at herewardharmony and online at www.herewardharmony.com

Every

First Friday of the month, 1pm - 2.30pm

Last Thursday of the month, 2.30pm - 4.30pm

Local Briefing

News from the region this month

Memory Mondays at Bluebird Care

Bluebird Care Stamford & Rutland and Peterborough & Oundle have launched a new initiative called ‘Memory Mondays’, aimed at nurturing connection, sparking conversation, and bringing joy to their customers. This programme encourages care experts to ask a thoughtful question each week, prompting customers to share and relive cherished memories, which in turn helps strengthen memory recall and foster deeper, more personal bonds.

The first Memory Monday question was a simple yet heartwarming one: ‘Who was your first best friend?’ The responses were full of warmth, laughter, and nostalgia, underscoring the enduring importance of friendship. One customer from Stamford, Mrs JH, shared a truly unique story of remaining friends with three people who were all born on the same day, in the same hospital. KM from Stamford recalled a fun memory of having five school friends all sharing the same first name, and noted that she is still in touch with most of them today.

Encouraging older people to share their life stories through reminiscing is not only enjoyable but also hugely beneficial for emotional and cognitive wellbeing. It helps to stimulate the mind, boost mood, reduce feelings of isolation, and reinforce a sense of identity and self-worth. For those living with dementia, these gentle activities can particularly aid communication and offer comfort through familiar stories.

At Bluebird Care, quality care extends beyond practical support to include understanding each person’s life story and celebrating their individuality.

For more information, contact the Stamford office on 01780 480881 or the Peterborough office on 01733 459907

Communities Unite for Christmas at Peterborough Cathedral

This festive season, Peterborough Cathedral once again takes centre stage as a beacon of community spirit, hosting The Wonder of Christmas on selected nights until 4 December. This festive celebration will bring together schools, local organisations, charities, and families from across the region.

Over 20 local schools will take part in the festivities, while over 40 organisations, charities, clubs and businesses are set to contribute by decorating Christmas trees for the Cathedral’s inaugural Christmas Tree Festival running until 7 January, transforming the Cathedral into a glittering showcase of creativity, community spirit and seasonal cheer. Each tree will tell a different story, reflecting the diversity and vibrancy of life in Peterborough and the surrounding areas.

At night, The Wonder of Christmas, sponsored by Peterborough Positive, includes a magical light and sound display, along with festive decorations inside and outside the Cathedral, creating an immersive experience for visitors of all ages. From sparkling trees and intricate decorations to twinkling lights that illuminate the Cathedral’s architecture, the event promises a festive spectacle that truly celebrates the season.

Visitors will be enchanted by the Cathedral’s festive displays, and have the opportunity to explore the Christmas Tree Festival lovingly created by community groups as part of the ticket price. During normal daytime opening hours, visitors can see the Christmas Tree Festival with a suggested donation of £3.

Tickets for the Wonder of Christmas: ticketsource.co.uk/ peterborough-cathedral-events/the-wonder-of-christmas

Tickets for Christmas Tree Festival: ticketsource.co.uk/ peterborough-cathedral-events/christmas-tree-festival

See how we can help your loved ones stay in the place they feel best. For homecare visits, live in care, night care and more, contact us.

Local Briefing

News from the region this month

The Great: Café & Store, Great Easton

This café has all the things you could wish for: great coffee, fabulous bread from the Garage Bakehouse, delicious homemade cakes, artisan gelato, places to sit inside and out, lovely things to buy. But it also has something else less tangible, but more special – a magical quality. This is created by the extraordinary sense of community here. In the time we had our coffee, there was a steady trickle of villagers popping in for bread or a drink, and always a good chat – each newcomer was greeted with a warm smile and genuine welcome. This place really brings people together; it is a hub of the community. People come here to meet old friends and make new friends and, above all, to feel part of the vibrant Great Easton community.

It’s also a creative hub. It offers workshops in calligraphy, Christmas styling, wreath making and jewellery, with more to come next year. And it sells handmade cards, writing sets, craft and cookery books, children’s books, decorative baubles, gorgeous knitwear from Orkney, handmade ceramics – the list goes on.

The café was founded just over a year ago on the back of a successful crowdfunding campaign by local craftsperson Imogen Owen. She has been at the forefront of the UK’s modern calligraphy scene since 2014, running workshops, working with brands and writing her best selling book Modern Calligraphy Workshop Her motivation for starting the café was to connect people and to have another outlet for her wares.

We left on a high. If only every community had a spot like this!

The Great, 6 High Street, Great Easton LE16 8ST Wed–Sun, 8.30am–4.30pm

Email: bonjour@thegreatstore.co.uk | 07736 453868 www.imogenowen.com/pages/our-store www.thegreatstore.co.uk | itsthegreatplace

Bonnie Kirkwood

Introducing the Windings Collection from multi-awardwinning textile designer Bonnie Kirkwood – a series of handmade artworks made in Rutland that bring colour, texture and movement to your home.

Threads that Tell a Story: Each piece in the Windings Collection is crafted from hand‑dyed silk yarn, carefully wound to form patterns that are precise, delicate and mesmerising. The process stems from the early stages of woven fabric design, where yarn windings allow the weaver to experiment with colour combinations and warp and weft placement. Inspired by the vivid colour language of Sonia Delaunay, Bonnie Kirkwood transforms thread into art. No two pieces are identical, making each winding a unique statement. The silk’s delicate sheen is showcased in bespoke frames with anti‑reflection, gallery‑grade glass. Ideal for display individually or as part of a striking triptych, every piece adds a sophisticated splash of colour to your walls and living spaces.

Layering Colour and Texture: The collection complements the woven throws and cushions from Bonnie’s Greenwich Collection, adding depth, warmth and vibrancy to your home. Designed by Bonnie Kirkwood in London, woven in Bristol and finished in Scotland, the throws and cushions are produced to the highest standard, drawing on expert craftsmanship from across the UK. For each Greenwich Collection item purchased, a donation will be made to the Woodland Trust, supporting long term conservation. Those wishing to explore the collections first hand can visit Bonnie’s website or email to arrange an appointment to view the Empingham studio, where each piece can be experienced up close.

Email: studio@bonniekirkwood.com www.bonniekirkwood.com | bonnie_kirkwood

Local Briefing

News from the region this month

Hill View Farmhouse

Are you retired from a profession or business?

George Grainger, a member of Stamford Probus writes: ‘Come and join us, a club that offers an opportunity for retired people to meet and socialise with people with a similar outlook.

‘We are a welcoming community where you can make new friends and enjoy the company of people with varied and extensive experiences and interests. We meet monthly together over a pub lunch, followed by a short and entertaining presentation from a member. In addition, we meet informally between meetings for coffee and a lively chat, putting the world to rights!

‘Presentations have included:

‘The challenging story of a wartime POW camp in Scotland, chosen to imprison dedicated Nazis... but ending with an uplifting story of a disillusioned prisoner who responded to local kindness, with charitable work after the war in the very same community.

‘The history of Browne’s Hospital, Stamford, established in the medieval period as an alms-house providing a home and house of prayer for 12 poor men and two poor women, and today more modern accommodation is still provided in 13 flats. Fortunately, the original building was largely retained along with its chapel and nationally significant stained glass windows.

‘The story of a Jewish family in Vienna confronted with the Nazi occupation in 1938, forcing a family breakup. The son departed for Paris, his sister to London, and the parents who particularly struggled to find a way of leaving. They managed to leave in early 1941 with a visa for Shanghai, travelling east via the Trans-Siberian railway.’

If you would like to know more about Probus, visit www.stamfordprobus.org

Enjoy a staycation at Hill View Farmhouse, where spacious interiors, sweeping views and twin hot tubs create the ideal backdrop for celebrations and group retreats.

Hill View Farmhouse offers everything you could wish for in a standout group staycation. Sleeping up to 20 guests across five bedrooms, this elegant self-catering retreat sits in Little Bytham, on the Rutland border, just six miles from Stamford. With no near neighbours and no curfew on the outdoor twin hot tubs, it’s made for relaxed celebrations, hen weekends or simply gathering your favourite people for time away together.

The house is wonderfully private, set within two acres of grounds with sweeping countryside views. That first dip in the hot tubs sets the tone for a stay where the pace instantly softens and everyday life feels a world away. Two superb pubs – The Olive Branch in Clipsham and The Six Bells in Witham on the Hill – are close enough to stroll or drive to without fuss. And, just 10 minutes down the road, Rutland Water offers scenic paths for walking and cycling, plus opportunities for sailing, fishing and boat or bike hire, as well as the Aqua Park in summer.

But many guests find they hardly need to venture out. Hill View lends itself to long, lazy days and celebratory evenings, with plenty of outdoor space to arrange activities in complete privacy. The owners also curate a list of trusted local suppliers to help you shape a truly memorable stay – from private chefs to hair and makeup artists for weddings or special occasions.

Hill View Farmhouse is in Little Bytham, Nr Stamford

Book/find out more at hillviewfarmhouse.co.uk or through www.independentcottages.co.uk/rutland/hill-view-ref4800

Stamford Probus

THE DECEMBER WALK

Three Valleys of the Welland

words: nicholas rudd-jones

WHEN MY SON said to me one day that he would only come walking with me if we did an ‘old favourite’ rather than a ‘new-fangled experimental route’, I had little choice but to pull out all the stops and go for one of the very best. Here it is – and with contours, vistas, impossibly pretty villages, a beautiful town, long views of the Eyebrook reservoir, medieval history, great hostelries, it really has it all!

The countryside around the market town of Uppingham is blessed with several delightful brooks that all eventually meander down to the River Welland – the Uppingham Brook, the Eye Brook and the Hlyde Brook are the most notable of these, creating the three valleys of our walk.

Pick a sunny day over the winter months, perhaps even over the festive break itself, set out early with plenty of stamina, and you will love it. We certainly did!

KEY DATA

Distance 9.7 miles

Typical time 4 hours

Star t & finish Seaton village, Rutland (LE15 9HU)

Terrain Plenty of contours, but nothing too steep

PITSTOPS

• Scandi Coffee Co, 3 High Street East, Uppingham LE15 9PY. Excellent café with on-site bakery. Great cakes and savoury bites.

• The Old White Hart, 51 Main Street, Lyddington LE15 9LR. Always a good spot for a drink and some food.

• The George and Dragon, 2 Main Street, Seaton LE15 9HU offers top-rate cooking and a warm welcome. One of our absolute favourite post-walk pub experiences. See our review on p90.

POINTS OF INTEREST

• Uppingham is a great place to explore – lots of interesting buildings, art galleries, antiques shops, interior design shops, a bookshop, butchers, bakers, the public school dating back to the 16th century and much else besides.

• The Eye Brook is our region’s most sinuous river, and this is probably due to the fact that it is relatively tiny and has not been subject to any re-engineering, with the major exception of the Eyebrook Reservoir.

• The Eyebrook Reservoir was built in the 1930s to supply water to the steel industry in Corby. It was built by a Scottish firm, which perhaps explains why it looks as much like a loch as a reservoir. The Dambusters practised their bouncing bombs on Eyebrook Reservoir during World War II.

• The stream that runs through Lyddington is called the Hlyde, meaning ‘the loud one’, and the village takes its name from it.

• Lyddington Bede House, owned by English Heritage, is a Grade I-listed building incorporating parts of a medieval bishop’s palace. In 1547 it was seized on behalf of the king from the Bishops of Lincoln and later passed on to Lord Burghley. In 1600 part of the palace was converted into an alms house and it continued in this use until 1930. The remains of the fishponds of the bishop’s palace are on our route.

• When Henry Royce (founder of Rolls-Royce) was created a baronet, he took Seaton as his territorial designation. His family had worked here as millers, presumably on one of the many streams we have crossed in our walk.

the december walk: three valleys of the welland

DIRECTIONS

1

Park in Main Street in Seaton near to the pub, then head west along it past the village hall. When you reach Moles Lane on your left, take the footpath on the right going up some steep steps in the wall up to a field. Head due north.

2

On crossing a disused railway line, veer diagonally left up the left bank of the right hand stream to head towards Bisbrooke.

3 On reaching Bisbrooke, head past the church, then take a little gate on your left that tracks up round a field to come out opposite Top Lane; take this little road, and then bear left along the Inhams; the path eventually comes out on the Glaston Road heading into Uppingham.

4

Follow the road to the roundabout, then cross over to head west along High Street East; then cross the main London Road to continue heading west along High Street West and then Stockerston Road. Soon after passing the end of the 30mph speed limit, you will see the footpath taking off to the right, diagonally across a field.

5 You then cross four more fields; in the fifth field, skirt to the left of King’s Hill Lodge to reach the Stockerston Road again.

6

Turn left here, reach a house on your left and then take the right path along a well-marked track, which will take you to a fabulous vantage point overlooking the Eyebrook Reservoir.

7

8

Here the path swings round to the left, hugging the contour as it heads towards Manor Farm and the Stoke Dry road.

Turn left here, carefully cross the main A6003 again, and head diagonally across the next field, following the telegraph poles. The footpath starts bearing right, enters a series of fields and you then descend along a ridge to Lyddington.

9

On reaching the road, bear left, cross the main village street and then head over on the other side along the green, passing between two houses and finding the path again heading northeast out of the village.

10

On reaching the medieval fishponds on your right, follow the path left until you reach a gate.

11

Turn right here (northeast) and follow this path all the way back to Seaton; on reaching the road turn right and you will soon be back at the start.

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Of Stables, Royals,Wise Men & Beasts

Most age-old recipes have time-honoured ingredients, and nowhere is this truer than the Nativity play. Mangers and stables will be concocted, and homes will be awash with crowns, ox/donkey face masks, tinsel halos, wire hanger-scaffolded angel wings and colourful robes of all kinds – from simple shepherd style to kingly kaftans! So, here’s a festive take on some aspects of our local history as the season to be jolly speeds towards us

words: caroline aston

UP AT BURLEY ON THE HILL, near Oakham, the stable block is the only thing remaining of the original house built by George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham, in the 1620s and destroyed by fire during the English Civil War of 1642–51. Unlike the stable in the nativity, this huge block was more akin to a luxury horse hotel, with accommodation for a vast number of steeds. Nowadays it looks nothing like it did back in the 1600s when it sported fashionable Dutch gables which disappeared during the creation of Daniel Finch, 2nd Earl of Nottingham’s ‘palace’ between 1694 and 1708. He seems to have acted as his own architect, though he did have some good advice from Sir Christopher Wren! The old stables became a service block for Finch’s great residence, with a facelift completed in 1705/6. As the stable at the inn provided humble shelter for Joseph, Mary and their baby today, this now-converted former stable provides luxurious housing for humans instead.

A Royal Relic: Edward IV’s Horseshoe at Oakham Castle Rutland and Stamford have been visited by many more than three kings over the centuries. The famed horseshoe collection housed in Oakham Castle bears testimony to this, and the ‘royal wall’

features the oldest surviving shoe. This was presented by Edward IV following his victory at the Battle of Losecoat (Losecote) Field, fought near Empingham on 12 March 1470 during the Wars of the Roses. A rebel army rumoured to number 100,000 men and led by Lincolnshire nobleman Sir Robert Welles (whose father Lord Welles was already a captive of the King) squared up to the royal army around 5 miles (8km) from Stamford. Chillingly, Edward IV had Lord Welles publicly executed before the battle in full view of both armies. Swift defeat for the rebels followed: after a single devastating barrage of cannon fire, they ran from the field. Robert Welles and his commander of foot Richard Warren were both captured and put to death a week later. The king’s horseshoe is almost 5ft (1.52m) high and is darkly magnificent, a real power statement. In strong light the ghost of its original splendour can be seen: once black, its now much-faded colour bears the faint outlines of the red roses of Lancaster, the political statement that once decorated it.

The Curious Mind of William Stukeley

One of Stamford’s most celebrated wise men was undoubtedly the historian William Stukeley. Born in 1687 and vicar of All Saints, Stamford, between 1730 and 1747, he became a prominent historian and antiquarian. In 1736 he founded a local antiquarian

‘The animals he bred were a far cry from the ones depicted in paintings of the Nativity scene’

and literary society called ‘The Brazen Nose’ (a nod to the shortlived Brasenose College that existed in the town between 1333 and 1335). The weekly meetings must have been gripping indeed as the members discussed things such as lunar maps, astronomy, a wasps’ nest and a walnut-sized bladder stone passed by a local dog! Stukeley wrote a biography of Isaac Newton (he gave the earliest account of that famous apple falling on Newton’s head!) and was fascinated by all things Druid, though he wrongly attributed the sites at Stonehenge and Avebury to them following his archaeological investigations at both.

A second marriage in 1739 to a wealthy woman brought a marriage settlement of £10,000 (almost £2 million in today’s money), which enabled the couple to spend their summers in Stamford and winters in a splendid house in London’s Gloucester Street, Pimlico, from which he sallied forth to meetings of the Royal Society. Dubbed the ‘Father of Archaeology’, Stukeley died aged 77 in 1765: he was described as ‘a gregarious character’ and as having ‘an immensely likeable quality’ plus ‘charm and pleasant oddness’.

Rutland’s Agricultural Pioneer: Richard

Westbrook Baker

When Richard Westbrook Baker died in 1861, his obituary spoke of him as ‘the foremost agriculturalist of his day’ who did ‘everything to promote the interests of all in his adopted county’ – that county was Rutland, where, from 1828 onwards he acted as Steward of Sir Gerard Noel’s estates. Born in Baldock, Herts in 1797 he was

just 16 when he travelled to the county in 1814, appointed as an apprentice to the then agent. Fourteen years later he got the top job – by which time he’d married a Melton girl and set up his home and office at The Lodge at Market Overton. With his promotion came a change of house, this time to what’s nowadays called The Grange in Cottesmore.

He was an ambitious innovator in an age of agricultural innovation, inventor of the famed ‘Rutland Plough’ but also hugely influential when it came to improving the breeding of oxen, cattle and sheep. And the animals he bred were a far cry from the ones depicted in paintings of the Nativity scene. Baker’s Shorthorn cattle were famed far beyond Rutland, and his bulls and rams were made available to other farmers to improve their stock. Agricultural shows were becoming popular with the Rutland Show Society being founded in 1831: many county-winning beasts were also shown at Smithfield in London, where Baker’s own Shorthorn heifer won the 1837 Gold Medal for the best beast in any class. A painting of this superb creature hung for years in The Falcon Hotel in Uppingham, and in 1838 a print of it appeared in ‘The Farmers’ Magazine’. He also worked tirelessly to improve the lot of farm labourers and their families and his death was universally mourned by all, both high and low.

Stables, a king, a wise man, oxen and sheep – a Christmasthemed peep through the keyhole of our history.

A merry Christmas to all our readers.

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Music Review of the Year

As we head towards the curtain call for 2025, it seems a good moment to look back over a few of my musical highlights of the last 12 months and catch up with some of the artists I have written about in previous years

words: steve roberts

CHOIRS HAVE BEEN a regular feature of the year.

In January I wrote about The Vintage Singers, who perform regularly throughout the region, and the June magazine featured The Inham Singers, a dynamic, open-to-all initiative based in Bisbrooke. I was also honoured to be a guest at a rehearsal of the Sunflowers Choir, comprising refugees from the war in Ukraine – it was especially inspiring to hear them practise a work by visiting Ukrainian composer Vadym.

Musical Highlights

Rehearsals are always fun to attend and can vary enormously.

The Happy Tuesdays Ukulele Band, who I wrote about in 2023, staged a full-on concert for me as I sat in splendid isolation in Barrowden Hall. The duo Fugu allowed me to sit in on their creative

process while they explored ideas in search of musical perfection – two very different evenings and equally enjoyable. Talking of enjoyment, please be assured that, whilst this column always features singers and bands I am enthusiastic about, I have not lost all my critical faculties. I see lots of acts and am drawn to those who not only have talent and a commitment to their music but also engage with their audience. Those are the ones I try to write about.

That being said, space and time limitations often mean I can’t write about some acts that are well worth catching. Traditional Irish music group One Too Many are stalwarts on the circuit. They provide the perfect accompaniment to a pint of Guinness (zero or otherwise) and are available for private parties. Flashback played a really nice gig at Uppingham’s Exeter Arms, whilst the Open Mic nights at Oakham’s Grainstore always reveal a gem.

In Praise of Our Venues

The support of venues is obviously vital to musicians trying to make a living from live performance. As well as the above, credit must be given to The White Hart in Melton Mowbray, which seems to have live music just about every day. The Voodoo Lounge at Mama Liz’s in Stamford hosts a variety of up-and-coming bands across a huge variety of genres. I can’t mention all of Stamford’s locales but special shout-outs to the Bull and Swan, where I spent a splendid summer evening listening to the ace Ellie James, and to The William Cecil hotel too.

Uppingham is also well served for music venues, such as the Crown and the Falcon, and the Goldmark Front Room hosts some pretty cool acts too. There are few more interesting venues than Oakham Castle, and I had a fun afternoon there listening to guitar maestro Steve Bean. I regret not getting to Cutts Close in Oakham for their summer series of concerts – thanks are due to Oakham Town Council for supporting bands – and I certainly hope to be there in 2026.

New Experiences & Rising Stars

I also had some new musical experiences in 2025. It was a pleasure meeting musical theatre star Paul Mannion Alright Jack converted me to the vibrancy of a saxophone quartet, whilst the honey-voiced crooner Gareth John introduced me to the wonders of the nose trumpet – as ‘played’ by Zoe Swann – at his packed Market Harborough Theatre show.

Another musician I featured last year who is going from strength to strength is Jonny Kerry. The gifted jazz singer-pianist released an album in 2025, reviewed in this magazine and available on www.jonnykerry.com. Mention should go, too, to the powerhouse

OPPOSITE, LEFT TO RIGHT: pianist Rachael Johnson; Jonny Kerry; Daryl and Jimmy. ABOVE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Ellie James; The Real Monsters; Steve Bean; Sunflowers Choir.

that was Voodoo Haze, whose gig I hugely enjoyed, although sadly they have since disbanded.

I also had a great time seeing The Lokeys on Uppingham Feast Day as well as at the launch of their album a couple of days before at Uppingham Town Hall. A special treat at that earlier concert was that the support act was Paul McClure, aka The Rutland Troubadour. He has a new album out in 2026, and I look forward to talking to Paul for these pages to coincide with its release.

Gig of the Year

Which brings me to choosing my gig of the year. Rachael Johnson, a fab pianist and singer, is certainly on the shortlist, as are the multi-talented and fun Daryl and Jimmy, who I saw again this year, and Ellie James (as mentioned already). However, the undisputed champs – and I think every one of the 300 or so people who were in the crowd singing along at the climax of Uppingham’s Social Sundays will agree with me – are The Real Monsters Funk, Soul, Pop, Rock – you call it, they knock it out of the park!

Happy Christmas and here’s to more magic music in 2026.

A FEW GIGS FOR YOUR DECEMBER DIARIES

• The Happy Tuesdays Xmas Party is on Friday 5 December in Barrowden. Details on barrowdencommunityhub.co.uk

• The Lokeys are doing a fundraising concert at Bisbrooke Church at 8pm on Friday 5 December. For full details, see Facebook.

• The Sunflowers Choir can be seen and heard at Christ Church, Stamford, on Sunday 7 December, 4–6pm.

• Ellie James will be performing at Bijou Cocktail Bar, Peterborough, on the evening of Saturday 13 December and at noon at Milly’s Bistro at The William Cecil hotel in Stamford on Sunday 21 December – expect some Christmas songs.

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