Stamford Living November 2013

HELPING

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MOST

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STAMFORD LIVING FOOD/FASHION/HEALTH

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BEAUTY/HOME

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LIVING

LOCALLY

CELEBR

AT I N G THE BE ST PLACE TO LIVE IN B

RITAIN!

GARDEN/LIFESTYLE

40+ Local Christmas Gift ideas Dress your Bed to Impress Ancient Boats at Flag Fen

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

9 771478 377017

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£1.50 NOVEMBER 2013

@LocalLivingUK 24/10/13 15:26:51

Wilsthorpe

£450,000

Withy Cottage Geeston

£425,000

Well presented barn conversion tucked away in the centre of the village Open country views, well tended gardens, four bedrooms, dining room Re-fitted kitchen and bathroom, en-suite shower room, double garage EPC: E

Newly renovated detached stone cottage superb views of the Welland Valley Large sitting room and dining or family room and a re-fitted kitchen with appliances Master suite with dressing area and luxury 4 piece en-suite, re-fitted family bathroom Set in a unique tucked away position with off street parking. EPC: E

Uffington

STAMFORD

£695 PCM

A fully furnished detached property located in stunning parkland Two reception rooms, kitchen with appliances, One double bedroom, large bathroom, The rent is inclusive of gardening services, off road parking, EPC: F

Call us now for more information

01780 765060

£700 PCM

A well presented period terrace property, Lounge with bay window, open plan kitchen/dining room, Two double bedrooms, family bathroom. Enclosed rear garden, on street parking, short walk from Town centre.

3 Red Lion Street, Stamford PE9 1PA email: mailroom@knightpartnership.com

www.knightpartnership.com

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S TA M FOR D LIVING Investment in well-being This has been a good autumn for Stamford’s ‘well-being infrastructure’.

The skate park has just been completed, opening up opportunities for a whole new generation; the new football ground and facilities have received its final approval and work has begun; and Stamford Hospital has just learnt that it is to benefit from a sizeable investment so that it can offer more services and continue to thrive.

Behind every one of these projects there have been individuals and organisations who have had the vision, drawn up the plans and have followed through to implementation, often with many obstacles to negotiate.

Congratulations to each and every one of them – their efforts will have been so worthwhile for all the people that will benefit from these initiatives in years to come, making Stamford a still happier and healthier place to live.

NOVEMBER CONTENTS W W W . B E S T L O C A L L I V I N G . C O . U K UPDATES, SHOPPING 8

18 20

29 40

Updates: North’s Shoes; Stage4Stars; Stamford Christmas Festival Updates: Riding High; Evergreen volunteers needed; Tax on rentals?

Updates: Esther Hewson Interior Design; Shutterbox Photography; Stamford Business Breakfast ; Hindmarch & Co Joules event; The Garden Room Christmas Fair; New local Art Psychotherapy Practice Updates: CCTV; Sophie Allport Design; Wicked Witch Michelin entry Christmas Gift Guide Special: Her, Him, Tots & teens

FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY 4 11 12 15

Fashion: Autumn footwear looks Health & Beauty: Party countdown Health & Beauty: Lips – ‘winter berries’ Health & Beauty – Asembo makeover winners

HOME, GARDEN, MOTORING AND TRAVEL 23 24 39

53 56 59

Travel: Winter escapes Design Interiors: How to Dress your Bed to impress Design Updates: The Rug Studio, Uppingham; Snow Design & Interiors Gardening with Adam Frost Motoring: The cost of changing cars Design: Delcor, new ranges

Nicholas Rudd-Jones

FOOD & DRINK

@LocalLivingUK

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Editor

Editor Nicholas Rudd-Jones 01780 765571 nicholas@bestlocalliving.co.uk Write to Stamford Living, PO Box 208, Stamford, PE9 9FY www.bestlocallivingliving.co.uk Advertisement Manager Claudia Bayley 01780 480409 claudia.bayley@btinternet.com Advertisement Director Helen Walton 01780 754801 helen.stamford@btopenworld.com Advertising Copy Rachel Beecroft 01780 765320 rachel@locallivingdesign.co.uk Head of Design Steven Handley steve@locallivingdesign.co.uk Senior Designer Nik Ellis nik@locallivingdesign.co.uk Publisher Nicholas Rudd-Jones 01780 765571 nicholas@bestlocalliving.co.uk Published by Local Living Ltd, PO Box 208, Stamford, Lincs. PE9 9FY nicholas@bestlocalliving.co.uk Printed by Warners of Bourne

12 HEALTH & BEAUTY

61 64 67

40 CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE

Olive Branch recipe: Venison Food & Drink: King Harry Liqueur Food & Drink: New menu at The William Cecil; Robin Stewart Food Photography Food & Drink: The Mustard Growers of East Anglia

ACTIVITIES, LEARNING & BUSINESS 16 23 30 73

Art: Living on the Edge Learning: What to study at ‘A’ level Day Out: A Day in Oxford What’s On

61 OLIVE BRANCH RECIPE

PEOPLE & PLACES 33 50 54 78

Perspectives: The conversion of St Michael’s Church Perspectives: Ancient Boats Ask Leo: Martinmas Stamford People: Nick Fluck, President of the Law Society

30 A DAY OUT IN OXFORD

COVER: Woodland Woodpecker by Carry Akroyd. Carry is exhibiting a collection of new paintings at the Fogell Gallery from Sat 2 Nov – Sat 23 Nov.

SUBSCRIBE TO STAMFORD LIVING For only £20 (UK only) you can subscribe to Stamford Living for a year (12 issues).

Please send your name, address and a cheque made out to Local Living Ltd to: SL Subscriptions, PO Box 208, Stamford, PE9 9FY Or you can subscribe via the website at www.bestlocalliving.co.uk

STAMFORD LIVING NOVEMBER 2013

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FASHION

(Left to right ) Navy suede Gabor quilted boot £150 Marcia May Shoes. Navy Tamaris boot trimmed with brown £120 North Shoes. Joseph Seibel blue suede boot £120 Marcia May Shoes.

Suited and Booted Walk no further than into our shoe shops to update your look this autumn Words & styling: Sally Stillingfleet Pictures: Elli Dean

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hen the new Season’s boots and shoes start to arrive in the shops I know that I will get more wear from these purchases! A way to instantly update your wardrobe, the key trends are flying off the shelves.

Boots in every hue but mostly blue! “There’s a real surge in popularity for the blue shoe and boot. We can’t get enough of them,” Sam (owner of Marcia May Shoes) tells me. Us Brits love navy and it definitely elongates the leg and lends itself to wearing with denim.

Next there’s the brogue, a classic country look, which lends itself to skirts now too. A heeled ladies brogue is a very popular style at Anand Shoes (not just a shop for men you know!)

Then there’s patent in all styles and very smart in burgundy and navy in particular. The animal prints have not gone away and if you are not brave enough to do the whole ‘Bet Lynch’ look, a shoe will give you a casual nod to the trend!

More than anything though, the way to go is with a shoe-boot.

Worn with tights and short skirts or dresses this useful new crossover style will make you look youthful and on trend – let the shoes do the talking!

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Navy Remonte sneakers £79.99 Marcia May Shoes

STAMFORD LIVING NOVEMBER 2013

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Owen Barry navy suede shoulder bag £105, Paul Green navy high heeled lace-ups £140 both North Shoes.

Tod’s blue patent clutch bag £120 Arch Label Agency.

David Jones patent shopper £40 Oxblood red slip-on Peter Kaiser pumps £129, Navy Gabor pointed toe heels £79.99 rounder toe Naturaliser navy heels £64.99 both Marcia May Shoes.

Anand Shoes – 28 High St, Stamford Tel: 01780 767688 For all shoe repairs and quality polishes.

Lovely H J Socks for men.

Marcia May Shoes – 41 St. Mary’s St, Stamford Tel: 01780 766608 North Shoes – 2 Red Lion Square, Stamford Tel: 01780 755400

Burgundy heeled Softwave ladies brogue shoe £95 Marcia May Shoes. Tan lace-up brogue heeled shoe Anand Shoes.

Animal print Owen Barry handbag £190 Metal toe capped Geox pump £110, both North Shoes. Lace-up HB shoes £129.99, far right brown and black Gabor pumps £99.99 both Marcia May Shoes.

( Left to right ) Grey Tamaris high boot £130 Gerry Webber (NEW!) boot £150 both from North Shoes. Short Softwave ankle boot £120 Marcia May Shoes.

Tartan man’s ‘Pitlochery’ brogue £285, navy and tan ‘Edwin’ man’s brogue £285 both Anand shoes.

Dark brown ‘Bedale’ Loake brogue boot £220 North Shoes. Brown suede pull-on ankle boot £120 Anand shoes.

STAMFORD LIVING NOVEMBER 2013

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ANAND SHOES

of Stamford

• Stockist of high quality leather footwear from:

Stand out from the crowd

• High class shoe repair and restoration service • Official retailer for

Bears

• Shoe care products • Key cutting & Engraving service

Exciting new brands and collections available in-store and online now

www.energy-clothing.com 28 High Street, Stamford, PE9 2BB - T: 01780 767688 E: anandshoesofstamford@gmail.com

9 Ironmonger St. Stamford - Tel 01780 765633 Mon – Sat 9.30-5.30 Sun 11.00-4.00

Wrap up your Christmas at Cavells, with stress-free festive shopping from sparkling party wear to fabulous gifts. Visit us in store or online at www.cavells.co.uk 6

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Y&B

Motiv 01 Heftformat DIN A4 mit Anschnitt 210 mm x 297 mm

You & Beyond

Motif 01 Full-page advertisement for DIN A4 format 210 mm x 297 mm format

JEWELLERY

Special Event Friday 8th - Sunday 10th November 9.30am - 5pm Join us to celebrate the exciting new Thomas Sabo charm club collection.

Spend £75 on Thomas Sabo jewellery and receive a string charm bracelet FREE* RRP £26!

Plus, you will have a chance to win £125 worth of Thomas Sabo vouchers!

*T&C’s Apply Im weißen Feld der Anzeige können Sie Ihre Händleradresse ergänzen.

You & Beyond are pleased to announce that we are now official stockists of

You can enter your dealer address in the white box in the advertisement.

Irresistibly Collectable Jewellery

Sterling silver and gold plated stackable bracelets inspired by the beautiful beaches of Bali.

www.youandbeyond.co.uk 14 St. Mary’s Street, Stamford, PE9 2DF // 01780 755996 7

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UPD ATES

Stage4Stars It’s the instant stage and theatre for budding Superstars!

Footwear heritage

Quality and heritage… staff at North Shoes in Stamford with just some of the Loake shoes in stock at their 2 Red Lion Square premises.

North Shoes – who opened at Red Lion Square just over two years ago – have been meeting the footwear needs of South Lincolnshire for over 135 years.

On their shelves you’ll find Loake shoes – the Kettering-based family firm have been making men’s footwear since 1880.

Like North Shoes, Loake are headed by a fifth generation family member – managing director Andrew Loake at Loake and James North at North Shoes.

James, at the helm of the Bourne-based family business, says: “We’ve stocked Loake shoes at Bourne since the early 1920s – and at Stamford since day one.

“It’s a real pleasure to stock and sell them. Their quality and heritage are unique – and they have a big following. We get men from 18 to 80 coming in to buy them.

“We have a huge range – 57 different items - more than they have in their own store in London; and in all size options from 7-12.

“Loake appeal to all ages and tastes – their 1880 premium collection is still made in Kettering today using the original processes and each pair takes eight weeks to make.

“There’s something for the older man, the business man and the young stylist. And with our Society of Shoe Fitters-endorsed fitting service we offer bespoke fitting that ensures you get the perfect size and style for your feet.”

2013 Stamford Christmas Festival and Christmas Light Switch-on Sunday 1st December from 10am to 4.30pm The ever popular Stamford Christmas Festival will be held on Sunday 1st December and will be situated right in the heart of the town, centering on Ironmonger Street, High Street and Red Lion Square. The town has good FREE car parking facilities on Sundays with the town centre easily accessible.

Stamford is well known for its exclusive and independent traders so do come along and see what unusual gifts you may find for those very special to you! There will be traditional craft stalls offering a wide range of popular and stylish gifts with treats and delights to excite and tantalise.

So come along, join in the fun and be part of this ever-popular annual, community event which attracts many thousands of visitors from far and near.

To add to the festive spirit there will be entertainments galore throughout the day including Punch and Judy shows, School Choirs, Santa’s Grotto, a children’s Fun Fair and, of course, culminating with the Christmas lights switch-on!

We look forward so seeing you there!

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Wow! It’s not everyday that Father Christmas invents a unique and fantastic concept that both children and adults can use as a constructive play-thing as well as a teaching aid for Britain’s talent. The perfect alternative gift to gadgets and technology!

Stage4Stars has been created by Lizzie, a Stamford High School pupil who is passionate about the Performing Arts. The original model was created by her grandfather as a Christmas present and is now designed, developed and manufactured locally.

As the idea of the concept blossomed in Lizzie’s mind her mother knew that she would have to seek professional advice as to how she could design, develop, and market the idea of a children’s stage.

This became possible when her mother, Julie was introduced to Guy Carter, a retired Marketing Director of the original local toy company Peter Pan Playthings. Guy had enjoyed a long and successful career both in new product development as well as marketing, and so was able to bring all his expertise together and concentrate on bringing this unique concept to the market place.

Julie said “working with Guy has been fantastic, his wealth of experience and my passion and determination to succeed was a great combination and we now have a unique product that every child and family can enjoy, it’s the perfect gift to make dreams come true.”

For details of the product look at the leaflet inserted in this issue of ‘Stamford Living’.

Stage4Stars takes fewer than five minutes to assemble – there are no screws, no washers, and no bolts! There is not even one small part to lose!

On Saturday 9th November 2013 Stage4Stars would like to invite you to see how interactive play and creativity can inspire and motivate your children, by inviting you and them to come and play, perform and be creative at Wildcats Studio, Castle House, St Peter’s Hill, Stamford, PE9 2PE, from 1.00pm till 4.00pm.

• The Fun, The Fame, and The Refreshments are FREE!...So please phone Julie now on 01780 752761 to let her know you’ll be there or email info@stage4stars.co.uk Contact www.stage4stars.co.uk

STAMFORD LIVING NOVEMBER 2013

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Find your style

With over 57 styles to choose from, you’re sure to find a pair for any occasion!

North ShoeS

fittiNg ShoeS SiNce 1876

2 Red Lion Square, Stamford. Tel: 01780 755400 www.northshoes.co.uk • SL nov ADS.indd 9

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Let Your Feet Do The Talking Chiropody/Podiatry • Treatment for Various Skin & Nail Conditions • Budget Toe Nail Cutting • Free Foot Care Advice • Hard Skin Removal • Painful Corns • Verruca Treatments Room available • Simple & Casted for rent Enquire within Orthotic Design • Diabetic Foot Care

OPEN NOW FOR “SLOW SUNDAYS”

Relax and unwind with a coffee & newspaper

• Cut/Blow Dry • Waxing • Massage • Walk in Gents Haircuts November Offers: • 15% off Cut & Blow Dry • 4 for 3 on Clarins Facials & receive a vanity case worth £50 • £23 for an Indian Head Massage PLEASE GO TO OUR FACE BOOK PAGE FOR ALL OTHER OFFERS AND TWITTER

Our Stylists will be available to show new tips and tricks on how to finish / style your hair on

Thursday 28th November 6pm – 9pm Christmas Gifts & Gift Vouchers available Champagne & Canapes

Tickets £5.00 (Redeemed on the night) Tel: 0844 999 3365 Red Lion Square, Stamford, PE9 2AJ

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HEA LTH & BE AUT Y

Beauty - Party count-down Genevieve Potter advises scheduling some beauty treatments in the run-up to the year’s biggest party season, to ensure that you look and feel your sparkling best Face basics Before you even think about putting on makeup, you need to focus on well-hydrated, glowing skin. This time of year, central heating and sudden changes of temperature can leave your skin looking decidedly dull; so I would recommend a good facial like the Espa Skin Solution facial at Asembo. The facial begins with a detailed consultation and skin analysis, including a fascinating look at your skin using a special “skin vision” light, which shows up areas of dehydration, oiliness or sun damage.

Therapist Becca stresses that skin constantly changes, therefore it’s vital that she has a clear understanding of how to get the best results by carrying out analysis before every facial. A sensory test (smelling the key products) also helps determine exactly what your skin needs.

I was lucky enough to try out this facial for myself and in Becca’s expert hands this luxurious facial left my skin really bright; smooth and glowing; I also noticed that when I reapplied make-up the next day it looked much more even and lasted much longer.

Asembo are offering readers 10% off the Skin Solution facial right up until Christmas (normal cost is £45 for 60 minutes); please quote Stamford Living at the time of booking.

• Asembo 20 St Leonard’s Street, Stamford PE9 2HN 01780 765337 www.asembo.co.uk

A golden party glow Whilst deep mahogany tans are decidedly out of vogue, an even, golden glow can really help you feel ready to party. The Fake Bake Express spray tan at The Advanced Skin Clinic is a high tech new formula, which, after expert application, you leave on for between an hour to three hours then shower off. It continues to develop and you’re left with an immaculate, even tan.

You can even get your nails painted for the first hour that it is developing – how’s that for multitasking?

For the month of November, readers can take advantage of a Fake Bake Express spray tan alongside a Pro Polish pedicure for just £35, when you mention Stamford Living at the time of booking.

• The Advanced Skin Clinic 8 High Street, St Martin’s, Stamford PE9 2LF Tel: 01780 481155

Lose inches fast at Equilibrium

Creative nails at Oscar Rose

If you’re a little off your optimum weight and need something more than just good underwear to make you feel party-ready; help is at hand in the form of the Classic and Elite treatments by Universal Contour at Equilibrium.

These treatments can really help to remove toxins and target stubborn problem areas like the stomach and thighs. Each wrap combines a unique blend of detoxifying mineral-rich clay, combined with specialist body wrapping techniques, to create instant inch loss with a minimum overall loss of six inches guaranteed. The treatment also includes a complimentary express facial (worth £30).

The team at Oscar Rose (formerly Body Care) on Ironmonger Street have developed a reputation for creating the funkiest nails in town. Using the famous Jessica Geleration lamp and an LED lamp that cures the gel in just 30 seconds per layer, they can create a stand-out look from multi-colours to metallics, which will enhance the simplest party frock.

During the month of November, Oscar Rose will create your perfect gel party nails for £20 (with selected therapists, normal price £35), when you mention Stamford Living at the time of booking.

• Oscar Rose 7 Ironmonger Street, Stamford PE9 1PL Tel: 01780 480777

If you book and pay for a course of three treatments, costing £165 (Classic) or £200 (Elite), you will receive a complimentary Universal Contour home products goody bag worth over £50. Please mention Stamford Living at the time of booking; courses must be completed by 30th November 2013.

• Equilibrium 7 St Paul’s Street, Stamford PE9 2BE Tel: 01780 757579 www.equilibriumstamford.co.uk www.facebook.com/equilibriumstamford STAMFORD LIVING NOVEMBER 2013

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Beauty – winter berries If you’re not convinced that the current trend for forties-style red lips is for you, Genevieve Potter discovers that there is a softer, prettier alternative for this year’s party season in the form of the “new berry” shades Emma, Claire and Lisa – perfectly ready to party!

For Emma’s fair but warm complexion, MAC sweetie lipstick

Claire has MAC sex and oyster shadow applied and carefully blended

Lisa’s cheekbones were enhanced with a subtle MAC blush baby blush, to balance her dramatic lip colour

A selection of MAC’s new berry colours

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eeta of Flawless Faces demonstrated how to create a party face that is both striking yet flattering for all ages and skin tones, using MAC professional make up. Our three gorgeous models, Emma, Claire and Lisa, were recently treated to being made up in Neeta’s Manhattan boutique themed beauty studio above Browns hairdressers in Red Lion Square.

To create a perfect party base, all of the models had their bare skin enhanced with an application of Décleor Double Radiance cream, which serves to instantly brighten and even the complexion, illuminating the skin, before MAC face and body foundation was expertly applied

by Neeta using a foundation brush.

Neeta explained that the trick for this look is to combine a soft, metallic eye shadow with the right shade of berry lip colour. When it comes to eye colours, it is easy to shy away from anything too sparkly, but the right metallic shade can be simple to apply, immensely flattering and will balance out the strong lip colour. For all of the eye looks that Neeta created, she first applied a base of either concealer or a MAC naturalism paint cream in a neutral colour, to ensure that the powder colour held and didn’t crease.

When applying a metallic powder eye colour like the ones that Neeta used, the trick is to load your brush with lots of the colour, stipple it over the entire eyelid and then use a blending brush to soften and blend it in to the socket and outwards towards the corner of the eye.

An angled brush was then used to line and emphasise the whole eye, using the same colour, running it just underneath the lower eyelashes.

Neeta is a fake lash devotee; a set of false eyelashes was used for each model and she

shared her secrets for perfect application.

• Firstly, ensure that the lashes are cut to the correct length; too long and they will get stuck in the corner of the eye (which is usually why they pop off completely) • Apply to your natural lashes – without any mascara • Shape the lashes in to a U/bridge shape • The right eyelash glue is crucial; Neeta uses MAC double wear surgical glue; squeeze a small line on to the back of your hand then quickly run the base of the fake lash through it • Apply to one closed eye, ensuring the lashes fit snuggly on the top of your own lashes – leave to dry for about 90 seconds keeping your eye closed, then repeat with the other eye • You shouldn’t apply mascara at all to your top lashes; you won’t need it; just wiggle a small amount of mascara on to your bottom lashes For lips, Neeta selected the right tone of berry lipstick to complement each model, from a dusky, sheer pink for Emma (MAC sweetie), a slightly deeper berry tone for Claire (MAC sophistico), right through to a dramatic damson for Lisa (MAC rebel, after Lisa’s lips were lined with MAC beet liner).

Flawless Faces offer professional make up applications from around £25-45 for a 30 to 45 minute session, or up to £60 for a 90 minute master class lesson. You can get together a small group of friends for a makeup session; and Neeta and the Flawless Faces team can even provide a bottle of bubbly to get everyone in the mood for a party!

• Flawless Faces Above Browns Hairdressing, 3 Red Lion Square, Stamford PE9 2AQ Tel: 0844 9993365 www.flawlessfaces.co.uk

STAMFORD LIVING NOVEMBER 2013

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LOCAL PRIVATE CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS Specialising in treating: • Low self-esteem and loss of confidence • Low mood, depression, self-harm and suicidal thinking • Anxieties, phobias, obsessions and ruminations

• Significant life events, trauma, nightmares, flashbacks

• Attachment and relationship difficulties • Abuse (physical, emotional and sexual) Adult Speciality

Johan Truter

Tel: 01780 758556 www.psychologistuk.co.uk Orion House, 14, Barn Hill, Stamford, PE9 2AE

Child and Adolescent Specialty. EMDR Practitioner

Dr Alexandra Dent

Mbl: 07986 585270 www.alexandradent.co.uk

Orion House, 14, Barn Hill, Stamford, PE9 2AE Church Street Practice, Melton Mowbray LE13 0PN

• Muscle relaxing injections for facial lines and wrinkles • Restylane and Juvéderm ultra dermal fillers • Accent RF Spa facial skin tightening • Treatment for excessive underarm sweating (hyperhidrosis) • Micro-sclerotherapy for thread veins • Dermaroller for skin regeneration and scar repair • Jan Marini glycolic peels and full range of skin care products now available • Free consultation

01476 550056

www.glen-edenmedical.co.uk

Bourne Road, Corby Glen, near Stamford, Lincs NG33 4BB

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November Offer

Full head highlights, cut & blow dry for £45 (with Jess only) - Please bring voucher.

Offer expires 30th Nov 2013. T&C apply.

Vacancy available for Senior Stylist – please call for details

Like our Facebook page for current offers.

Wella salon

1A Iron Mongers St. Stamford, PE9 2PL T: 01780 757070

Zoe Smith

Humanistic & Integrative Counsellor BSc (Hons), MBACP

07889 185 319 zoeann1@live.co.uk Based in Stamford

Please get in touch for more information or to book an appointment.

DO YOU HAVE SORE, PAINFUL, EMBARRASSING FEET? “Your First Step p To Healthy Feet”

Chiropodist / Podiatrist Mrs Susan Lester is fully qualified and registered with the Health Care Professions Council (formally HPC) with a 3 year degree in podiatric medicine and based at Premiere Podiatry Clinic, Carlby, Stamford, Lincs.

Our aim is to treat any painful condition with an empathic gentle touch. Its all about keeping you on your feet, and keeping you mobile, active and happy.

Treatments available: • Verruca, nail and skin infections, including athletes foot • Cracked Heels • Routine nail cutting, corns and hard skin removal • Ingrowing toe nails (many can be managed conservatively) • Nail surgery with local anaesthetic, only performed after an initial assessment (partial or full removal of nail) • Thick difficult or fungal nails • Diabetic foot care and education • Foot or heel pain • Children’s feet • Arthritic feet • Biomechanical assessment and gait analysis • Orthotics (corrective insoles)

FREE FOOT HEALTH ADVICE

Tel: 01778 590 107, Mob: 0788 Te 881815800 forr an appointme ment or for your ur Free ot Health Check. k. It will be thee best step you take!

Foot FREE PARKING AT CLINIC

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HEA LTH & BE AUT Y

ASEMBO MAKEOVER - THE RESULTS In September we offered two very lucky Stamford Living readers the chance to have a makeover in the expert hands of the Asembo team. Asembo is a truly luxurious hair and beauty salon set in a beautiful Georgian building on Stamford’s St Leonard’s Street, which has the look and feel of a modern, upmarket residential spa.

Before inner Pete Holland enjoyed an Espa Skin Solutions Facial; specifically tailored to his skin; comprising a deep cleanse, exfoliation, and a treatment specific massage, mask and intensive serum. The Espa brand is famous for its truly personalised approach to treatments, every facial begins with an indepth skin analysis and products are based on nourishing, non-irritating, natural ingredients.

This was followed by a second appointment for a haircut and re-style, eyebrow wax and an ultimate wet shave with therapist Jamie; Pete’s skin was prepared with hot towels, then exfoliated before the first of three shaves with a traditional cutthroat razor. Each stage was followed with a conditioning of the skin and a final application of cold towels and skin balms. The result? Smooth, radiant, fresh-looking skin.

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PETE COMMENTS: “My makeover at Asembo was a real treat for me.

I had never had any form of body treatment, so didn’t know what to expect. I started my makeover with a facial, which had me relaxed enough to constantly be dozing in and out of consciousness. The only thing keeping me from a full sleep was my fear of snoring. In one word bliss!

“This was then followed by an equally relaxing shave, a haircut and an eyebrow wax. I left feeling rejuvenated and very smart. I can’t wait to try some more treatments…. a back massage maybe?”

Karen Howard was our second lucky winner.

Karen’s prize started with an Espa enzyme facial with Becca. This powerful and highly effective natural facial peel dramatically smoothes,

softens and evens skin tone. A brush cleanse, followed by an intense Enzyme Peel containing botanical extracts and Pumpkin Enzymes deeply exfoliated and removed dead skin cells, followed by an application of soothing Rose Quartz Crystals which helped to cool and calm Karen’s skin, revealing an ultra smooth, glowing complexion.

Karen then came in for a hair consultation, make-up application by Jamie using Mii minerals make-up and then a hair colour and re-style by Lisa.

KAREN COMMENTS: “My facial was so relaxing and I loved the fact that I chose some of the products by deciding which smell I liked best. My skin was noticeably plumper and glowing but remarkably continued to improve over the course of the following week.

“I then had my hair coloured and styled by Lisa. She was very confident and full of ideas, which I enjoyed, because I’m a bit clueless with hair. In addition she applied several restorative and protective treatments, all whilst I was sitting comfortably in a massage chair! She did an amazing job re-styling my hair; particularly as I’ve spent the last year tying it up so my baby daughter can’t pull it! Finally Jamie did my make up, I don’t usually wear much; so I felt very glamorous by the end of the session.

“In sumary the whole experience was wonderful, the team are lovely, but also so calm and competent and the surroundings completely relaxing. I would absolutely recommend Asembo.”

Asembo is open Tuesday and Friday 9 am – 5.30 pm, Wednesday and Thursday 9 am – 7 pm, and Saturday 9am – 4 pm. To find out more and book an online appointment, visit www.asembo.co.uk or call 01780 765337. Asembo 20 St Leonard’s Street, Stamford PE9 2HN

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Living on the Edge ‘Living On The Edge’ is an exhibition by a collection of artists who share a profound interest in nature and an awareness of the predicament of wildlife. The work is showing at Stamford Arts Centre in November (12th – 29th) to coincide with the annual New Networks for Nature symposium, when a broad alliance of creators (including poets, authors, scientists, film makers, visual artists, environmentalists, musicians and composers) whose work draws strongly on the natural environment join together in Stamford to share knowledge and thoughts.

Living on the Edge refers both literally to creatures who live in marginal places, but also metaphorically, as so many species are pushed to the verge of survival.

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Carry Akroyd Exhibition

An exhibition of new paintings by talented artist Carry Akroyd will show at the Robert Fogell Gallery from Saturday 2nd - Saturday 23rd November.

Carry Akroyd is a painter and printmaker whose images examine the relationship between humans, wildlife and landscape, but are just as much about colour and composition.

• Robert Fogell Gallery, 23 High St, St Martin’s, Stamford, PE9 2LF Tel: 01780 762099 www.robfogell.co.uk

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❶ ‘Songbirds’ printed feathers by Rebecca Jewell ❷ ‘Black Headed Gulls and Avocets’ Greg Poole woodcut ❸ ‘From the North’ woodblock print by Matt Underwood. ❹ ‘Short-Eared Owl’ Nik Pollard monotype ❺ ‘Sixty Wrens’ Andrea Roe, photograph of arranged cabinet skins at National Museums of Scotland

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The new ‘Aegean’ Collection has arrived from

Drapery Design Specialists We are proud to offer you the benefit of our 30 years experience, meticulous attention to detail and outstanding service with no design fee.

Furnishing fabrics • Loose covers & upholstery • Alterations Made-to-measure blinds • Designer wallpapers and paints For beautifully crafted curtains made in-house, ornate Georgian and Regency-style pelmets and lambrequins.

Bespoke individually designed headboards

Call into our showroom for lots of great ideas 8 All Saints St, Stamford PE9 2PA - Tel: 01780 763005 enquiries@blindsbyfinishingtouch.com - www.blindsbyfinishingtouch.com

CARRY AKROYD - NEW PAINTINGS NOVEMBER 2ND - 23RD

Contemporary and Modern Art

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Do I have to pay tax if I rent a property or room?

Tax specialist and Partner of accountancy firm Stephenson Smart, Kerry Hilliard, provides the answer.

Riding High….

International event rider Kelly Aldous is moving to Stamford. 26 year old Kelly is living proof that if you work hard enough your dreams will come true.

From a young age Kelly set her heart on becoming a professional event rider and her childhood dream of riding at the prestigious Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, just a stone’s throw from her new yard, looks set to become a reality. She has just completed her first 3* event at Ballindenisk in Ireland on her own horse, High Garth High Flyer, whom she believes will be good enough to partner her at Burghley.

Not only does Kelly intend to make her mark on the world-famous Lincolnshire event, she wants to inspire and help youngsters trying to carve out a career in eventing; nobody knows better than Kelly the rigours of this notoriously competitive of sports and she is testament to the fact that coming from a ‘non-horsey’ background is not a barrier to success. Once she has settled into her new home, she will be offering master classes in dressage and jumping for all aspiring competitors.

This year Kelly has gone from strength to strength securing two new sponsorship deals; one with Smiths Gore, a national property agent also based in Stamford, and one with Nags Essentials, suppliers of equestrian essentials. She also has a fantastic team of supportive owners and will be looking to add to her roster when she finally moves into her new base.

With the imminent launch of her new website – www.kellyaldouseventing.com – she will be able to keep us all up to date with her progress. We look forward to catching up with the new poster girl for eventing when she finally moves in!

• Smiths Gore Stamford, 9 High Street St. Martins Stamford Lincolnshire PE9 2LF. Tel: 01780 484696 www.smithsgore.co.uk

If you decide to start renting out a property, you will pay tax on the profits that you make in each tax year so you must inform HMRC. The amount that you will pay will depend upon your marginal rate of tax and if you jointly own the property there are rules that dictate how the income should be split for tax purposes.

Your rental profits are based on rents receivable after deducting allowable expenses.

These include mortgage interest (but not capital), letting agency costs and repairs. If you let furnished property you can also claim an allowance for furnishings known as the wear and tear allowance. This is calculated as 10% of rents after deducting any charges you make for services that would normally be borne by the tenant. Some expenses cannot be deducted from your rental income, such as the capital expenses incurred in purchasing the property or expenditure to renovate or improve it to the extent that it is better than it had been before.

If you receive property income from a lodger living with you in your home, there are special rules called the rent-a-room scheme. You are given a flat deduction of £4,250 per annum against your rental income, so if your income is less than this then there will be no tax to pay.

If you sell your rental property, you must work out the profit or gain on sale to see if you are liable to capital gains tax. Reliefs are available where the property has at some time been your main home and you can also make use of your annual tax free allowance if it has not already been utilised elsewhere.

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

The Evergreen Wholesome Food Service needs volunteers If you haven’t heard of The Evergreen Care Trust, it’s a Stamford charity dedicated to the care of the elderly and vulnerable in our community. The charity’s staff and volunteers do a brilliant job of improving the lives of so many of our relatives, friends and fellow community members.

Amongst other services, Evergreen provide a Hot and Wholesome service, where for a small fee, clients in the Stamford area have a bowl of homemade soup delivered to their table, accompanied by a roll, and a homemade savoury and cake. Thus ensuring clients get a warm, wholesome meal where they probably otherwise wouldn’t. For many of the clients the soup deliverers are the only people they see from one day to the next, making this service even more important. Evergreen are recruiting extra volunteers for this service, so if you can spare an hour and a half a week, a fortnight or even monthly then please contact the office.

• Evergreen Care Trust, Ryhall Road Tel: 01780 765900 www.evergreencare.org.uk

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Designed for living Stoneham Kitchens now available from Orchard Kitchen Showroom: 22-23 Scotgate, Stamford, PE9 2YQ T: 01780 481850 F: 01780 481132 E: orchardkitchens@live.co.uk www.orchardwindows.co.uk Opening Times: Monday – Friday 9am-5pm. Saturday 10am-3pm

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Esther Hewson Interior Design Using an Interior Designer to help you with your project doesn’t need to be expensive, and can actually save you time and money as an Interior Designer will have access to a wide range of specialist suppliers and bespoke products not typically seen on the High Street.

Esther Hewson Interior Design is a new practice based in Buckden, and specialises in residential Interior Design and Spatial Planning.

Esther has 20 years experience as an Interior Designer. During that time Esther has undertaken a huge range of Interior Design projects with a wide variety of briefs, from traditional Victorian residences through 1970s architecture to modern high end luxury contemporary apartments.

Esther can help with all aspects of your Interior Design, from space planning and colour coordination through to the selection and supply of fixtures, fittings, soft furnishings, lighting, furniture, wall coverings, artwork and accessories.

• Please contact Esther on 07581 426217 or email info@ehid.co.uk. For more information and testimonials please visit www.estherhewsoninteriordesign.co.uk.

Stamford Business Breakfast Seminar The annual Stamford Business Breakfast Seminar on Thu 21 November has moved to a new venue at the William Cecil due to growing delegate numbers. Hosted in conjunction with Duncan & Toplis and Hegarty Solicitors, this important date in the Stamford events calendar continues to draw key figures from local businesses. Tom Hindmarch, partner at Duncan & Toplis, notes “The mix of legal advice and financial planning advice sits well in the local business community and the seminar provides a rare opportunity to network with local business leaders. This year we are covering HMRC enquiries and credit control as well as the usual pensions and investments update and employment law round up.”

• To book a space, please contact either Lisa Pask at Duncan & Toplis at lisa.pask@duntop. co.uk or Angela Babb at Hegarty LLP at angela.babb@hegarty.co.uk

New local Art Psychotherapy private Practice Kate Hilliard has 11 years experience working as an Art Psychotherapist for the NHS. She worked in adult mental health and also in child and adolescent mental health.

She is now very excited to be setting up as a private practitioner, based at Wansford Surgery.

Sessions are available to anyone, not just patients registered with the Surgery.

Art Psychotherapy is a form of Psychotherapy; it differs in the fact that art materials are also used. Image making and discussion are utilised to help understand and express thought and emotions. Clients need no skill or experience in the use of art materials to benefit. With the support of the therapist positive changes can be made to emotional and mental wellbeing.

Kate’s service is suitable for people of all ages and in particular children. Talking about our problems can sometimes be too painful or it may be hard to find the right words. The use of art materials as an extra means of expression can often be tremendously helpful.

Kate has a Diploma in general art and design and a degree in multi-disciplinary design. She gained a postgraduate diploma in Art therapy in 1996.

Her main aim is to treat each person with care, as an individual and not as a diagnosis.

Art psychotherapy can be of benefit to people suffering from many different conditions including anxiety, depression and bereavement. It is also effective in regards to emotional effects of many conditions, including a stroke, abuse or physical disabilities.

• Contact Kate for an appointment to discuss whether Art Psychotherapy could be of benefit to you or your child on 07549 705150 or 01780 482512.

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The Garden Room Christmas Fair

Tue 26 Nov 10am - 9pm, Wed 27 Nov 10am - 4pm Supporting St Barnabas Hospice and Marie Curie Cancer Care Enjoy inspirational Christmas shopping and lots of ideas for decorating your home for the season whilst enjoying a mince pie, coffee or mulled wine. As well as painted furniture, decorative antiques and interior accessories, there will be fabulous stalls selling fabric, jewellery, scarves, Christmas decorations and wreaths, paintings and more.

• Hester Cresswell, Chapel Garden House, Chapel Street, Haconby, Bourne, Lincs.

PE10 0Ul Tel: 01778 570952 www. hestercresswell.co.uk/

Shutterbox Photography Due to the cancellation of this year’s Dog Show ‘ShutterBox Photography’ Studio on North Street is holding photo shoots throughout November to raise funds for the charities represented

by Stamford’s ‘Trinity Methodist Church’. These include Phakamisa Community Project in South Africa, Evergreen Trust in Stamford, Youth Outreach work in Stamford.

This is a great opportunity to receive a discounted portrait sitting, and to raise money for good causes. Sitting can be for pets, children or families... just in time for Christmas. Sittings cost just £10 and you receive a complementary 7x5” print of your favourite photo • Quote ‘Methodist Church’ or ‘Stamford Living’ when booking. Contact Lyndsay at ShutterBox Photography for more information via her web site www. shutterboxphotography.co.uk or call on 07580388880.

Hindmarch & Co Joules Event Hindmarch & Co are hosting their Annual Joules Event with a Preview Evening on 21st November and a General Sales Day on 22nd November to raise money for Children in Need with the help of local businesses Adnams and The Wicked Witch.

• Last year’s event was very popular and tickets sold out fast. To get your tickets call 01780 762008.

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w Ag ith a Ro Coo C se ki hr m ng ist ar D m y L e em as ec on h st on ra 6t tion h D ec

Friday 6th December from 11am Come and join us for our Christmas Coffee & Cake Morning.

- Raffle All proceeds to Macmillan Charity

Designer, Contemporary & Traditional Kitchens 39 St Mar y’s Street, Stamford PE9 2DS

Tel 01780 756050

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www.stylek.co.uk

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B OURNE GRAMMAR SCHOOL Sixth Form

Six t h Fo r m O p e n E ve n i n g Thursday 14 November 2013 6 PM - 9 PM Bourne Grammar School, South Road, Bourne, Lincolnshire, PE10 9JE Telephone: 01778 391646 Fax:01778 394872 Email: sixthform@bourne-grammar.lincs.sch.uk Website: www.bourne-grammar.lincs.sch.uk 22

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T R AVE L UPD ATES

Winter Escapes

offering beautiful views and positioned 250 ft over the little town of San Sebastian, the island’s tiny capital.

Prices from £924.00 pp for 10 nights in December 2013.

With another British winter on its way, Oundle Travel has a fabulous ‘Hot List’ of destinations all with guaranteed sunshine to tempt you over the next few months….

Oman Understated and upmarket, Oman featured extensively in the BBC documentary series The Frankincense Trail, and is perfect for anyone wanting a guaranteed week of sunshine in world class hotels. There is a choice of luxury properties including the Chedi, The Shangri La complex and the Six Senses Zighy Hideaway Bay. Prices from £989.00 pp ~ February 2014.

Maldives Turquoise lagoons and romantic over-water bungalows have long drawn honeymooners to the Maldives, but winter sun seekers are choosing to escape to the Indian Ocean without special occasion. Deals from Sri Lankan Airlines, Emirates and British Airways have boosted sales with the islands offering a tropical climate from November to May with world class diving and snorkelling on offer.

Prices from £1,500.00 ~ 7 nights BB on Vessalaru ~ March 2014.

All Inclusive deals also available on the stunning island of Centara from £1700.00 pp ~ February 2014 The Canaries The Canary Islands have a handful of good quality hotels; these islands offer a mild, temperate climate during the winter months.

For 5* Luxury The Abama on Tenerife will not disappoint and is suitable for couples and families alike. For February & Easter holidays book early for The Princess Yaiza, Lanzarote, a 4* hotel offering superb family facilities.

For a quieter week visit the Parador Conde de la Gomera on La Gomera,

Sri Lanka A great value destination which combines beach and cultural touring perfectly.

Sri Lanka has never achieved the tourist volume it deserves due to its longrunning civil war, but it is now Serene Pavilions, all in the past and it offers exceptional value for money.

Sri Lanka Lofty jungle fortress Sigiriya and the cave temples at nearby Dambulla, Kandy and the southern UNESC city of Galle offer interesting stopovers, whilst tea plantations and National Parks offer reliable sightings of elephants and leopards.

Negombo is the most popular west coast resort, but quieter, more upmarket beaches are found further south, where Sri Lanka’s new move into boutique accommodation includes Serene Pavilions and Aditya.

Combine with The Maldives for a perfect 2-week getaway. Itineraries are often Tailor Made with a private driver, please contact us for more details.

Dubai Constantly surpassing itself, mid-haul Dubai is popular with both families and couples and also offers a cool stopover whilst en route to the Indian Ocean.

For top family entertainment Atlantis has to be the one, however those seeking a little more luxury still with a family feel, check out The Westin Resort & Spa. For couples, The Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa offers sublime luxury in the desert and offers guided desert safaris, falconry, camel trekking and horse riding as just a few of its complimentary activities.

Prices from £1479.00 pp for a 5 nights ~ March 2014.

• Oundle Travel has considerable personal experience of many winter sun destinations for more information contact them on 01832 273600.

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What to study at A-Level Around this time of year, many 15 and 16-year olds will be preparing for their GCSEs and making decisions about what and where to study next.

Many will have decided the direction they want to take, but are perhaps less sure of which school or college will give them the best learning environment and support to achieve their goals.

Sixth Form Open Evenings offer a good opportunity for current and visiting students thinking of studying A -levels to find out about the subjects they are interested in, as well as what it’s like to be a student in that particular school.

Bourne Grammar School, which takes students from a wide area including Stamford, The Deepings and Peterborough, offers the following advice on how to make the most of an Open Evening visit: • Take the opportunity to talk to students who are studying the subjects you are interested in as they will give you a real insight into the subject content, the workload and how studying for A-level

differs to GCSE. • If you are interested in a subject that you haven’t studied before, such as Economics, Law, Business Studies or Psychology, make sure you do your research to find out what sort of skills you will need e.g. essay-writing or scientific analysis, and whether the subject will suit you.

• Ask about the extra-curricular activities and extended learning opportunities to develop personal skills that are offered, as these can be added to your C.V. and will make a valuable contribution towards your future career or further studies.

• If you have missed an Open Evening contact the School and arrange a visit. The more you know, the more informed your decision will be.

While changing School may seem like a daunting prospect, many students make that choice each year and go on to achieve the A-Level grades needed for securing a university place, apprenticeship or employment.

• Bourne Grammar School’s Sixth Form Open Evening is on 14th November 2013 from 6pm. For more information visit www.bournegrammar.lincs.sch.uk or email admissions@ bourne-grammar.lincs.sch.uk.

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DES IGN INT E R IOR S

How to dress your bed to impress “Always buy expensive shoes and an expensive bed – because you’ll either be in one or the other!”

– Bill Deedes At the end of a long day there’s simply nothing nicer than having a well dressed bed awaiting your arrival.

Whether it’s the smell of freshly laundered sheets or the allure of a decadent woolly throw that welcomes you to your bedroom, Antonia Scott asks some local bedding experts what styles are available to suit everyone’s tastes.

T

he Bedding department displays John Lewis in John Lewis are a master-class in achieving a variety of looks and styles to suit all tastes and budgets.

With their beautiful duvet covers, pillows, bedspreads and blankets it makes the thought of an early night quite irresistible! Simple white sheets and covers can be brought to life by splashes of colour, or blankets and throws in subdued natural colours to add warmth and layers of textural interest.

Depending on your personal preference and desired atmosphere, different coloured accents transform the look of the room – use cool blues for tranquillity or warmer hues of brown for earthy cosiness.

An easy to follow video on the John Lewis website (www.johnlewis.com) • Then lay standard pillows down using Oxfordbreaks down how to ‘dress your bed to impress’ style pillowcases for added flair. into a few easy steps: • Decorative cushions add focus and colour – • Start with the duvet – crisp white linens are place in size order on the middle of the bed. always the most popular.

• A folded bedspread at the foot of the bed adds • Add square pillows to rest against the balance, warmth and a finishing touch. headboard for height and support.

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Tweens and teens need something to bridge the gap from Disney themed bed sets and would love John Lewis’s range of contemporary colourful orange/ grey/green mosaic duvet sets or an attractive combination of bright pink striped/spotted bed linen. For little pirate boys (and girls!) who have grown out of their toddler beds, nothing beats a fishy themed ‘big bed’ to impress their shipmates. Or for country loving kids, John Lewis stock the fantastic Anorak range of ‘kissing stags, robins, rabbits and horses’ to cuddle up with over winter.

Hunters Interiors of Stamford always have great ideas whichever room in your house you want to give a face lift to. With an eye for detail, originality and flare, Hunters manage to find something a little out of the ordinary to make your boudoir something really quite special, like fabrics

by Travers by Zimmer + Rohde, bed linen by Designers Guild or bed throws by Kelly Hoppen.

H-Works based in Stamford Walk also have a beautiful range of soft furnishings/

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CONTACTS: JOHN LEWIS Queensgate Shopping Centre Peterborough - www.johnlewis.com

John Lewis

HUNTERS INTERIORS OF STAMFORD The Dairy, Copthill Farm, Deeping Road Uffington, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 4TD, Tel: 01780 757946 www.huntersinteriorsofstamford.co.uk H-WORKS The Black Bull, Stamford Walk, Stamford PE9 2JE, 01780 754605 - 07919218484 www.hworksdesign.co.uk

THE WOOL ROOM 8 & 9 Star Lane, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 1PH, 01780 767 927 www.thewoolroom.com Hunters Interiors

Wool Room

THE FITZGERALDS BED CENTRE West Street, Stamford, Lincs, PE9 2PS, Tel: 01780 762908 www.fitzgeraldsbeds.co.uk Wool Room

H Works

Hunters Interiors

cushions suitable to dress any style of bed. The Lexington ‘Fall 2013’ bed linen collection can be viewed in their shop which showcases some beautiful autumnal colours; along with a small range of hand-made luxury faux fur bed throws backed with linen - perfect for snuggling under on cold winter evenings!

The Wool Room on Star Lane actually has a bed in store kitted out with their woolly bedding range to let you see for yourself just how comfy it is and to shatter the misconception that wool would be too “scratchy” to sleep on or under.

As a natural product, wool regulates your

body temperature making it the perfect bed companion! The Alpaca pillows – reserved for Royalty in bygone days - are one of the most popular products sold as their hollow fibres make it better at insulating, so is perfect for anyone who ‘feels’ the cold without letting you overheat. The luxury bedrooms in The White Horse pub in Empingham, Rutland are kitted out in The Wool Room’s bedding for happy residents to test sleep their products.

However it doesn’t matter how well dressed your bed looks if it doesn’t allow you the basic requirement of a good night’s sleep.

The Fitzgeralds Bed Centre has stores in Stamford, Peterborough, Bourne and Spalding to showcase a huge range of beds. From classic metal frames from £69.95 and Day Beds from £169.95 to larger more luxurious divan visprung beds from £1,250, finding the perfect bed is an important task.

For November, Fitzgeralds are offering Stamford Living readers a FREE standard mattress with every ‘Cher Leather Style Ottoman Double Bedstead’ in brown for £299.95 (available in 3ft, 4ft and 5ft sizes). (Limited Offer).

So whether you’re partial to the texture of a chunky cable knit throw or prefer the smooth sleek lines of a velour bedspread, or perhaps you like your bed piled high with a mountain of cushions in different shapes and colours or you find them simply superfluous - there really is no right or wrong way to ‘dress your bed’, as long as the person sharing it with you is impressed!

Wool Room

Fitzgeralds

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Orangeries | Conservatories | Contemporary Extensions | Verandas

Visit our show home Ketton Design House, 63 High Street, Ketton, Rutland, PE9 3TE

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Opening hours Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm, Saturday 10am - 4pm, Sunday by appointment only

01780 400 500 | www.breckenridgeconservatories.co.uk

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Sophie Allport Design

Sophie Allport Ltd was established in 2007 as a family run business in Langtoft.

Now 6 years later, with commissions from Wimbledon and accolades from the RHS Flower Show under her belt, Sophie’s latest collections named ‘Stag’, ‘Game Birds’ and ‘Terrier’ proved very popular at Burghley Horse Trials this year.

The newly refurbished showroom and offices in Langtoft now has an upstairs ‘Seconds Shop’ with plenty of half price bargains to be had. You’ll also find other deals that are not available on the website - ten cards for £10, three tea towels for £16 and two mugs for £17 just for starters!

Alongside the popular Sophie Allport china products, there are lots of other beautiful home wares, such as mirrors, lamps, lanterns, bronze sculptures, large wall clocks and beautiful furniture to browse.

There are also plenty of new ranges for Christmas gift ideas – notelet wallets for thank you letters, an aptly named ‘Stamford’ Bag, and more essential home wares such as a new oilcloth range, worktop savers, chopping boards and ironing board covers.

• With plenty of free parking and extended opening hours over the Christmas period, come and get festive at Sophie Allport’s Barn: 29 King Street Industrial Estate, LangtoftPE6 9NF Tel: 0845 0177 866 Open 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday with special ‘Christmas Shopping Saturdays’ from Saturday 2nd November – Saturday 14th December to help make life that little bit easier.

Stamford Living readers will get a 10% discount on the Sophie Allport range until 20th December New collections: Stag range features a beautiful Stag family on an olive grey fabric with a matching fine bone china collection. The Stag Table Runner, Napkins and Placemats create an instant festive feel for entertaining at Christmas. Also available in the range are a Stag apron, oven gloves and tea towel.

Game Birds is a fine bone china collection of mugs and jugs featuring pheasants and partridge which all come in a smart gift box to make for easy wrapping!

Terrier collection of fine bone china, oilcloth and fabric home wares to appeal to all terrier-lovers.

Caught on Camera

There was a time when CCTV was an expensive commodity only used by the rich or the paranoid. Today the modern family is realising it is a sensible low-cost deterrent to burglars and an invaluable tool should a burglar breakin. CCTV can provide police with pictures which may quickly identify the thief leading to a swift arrest and retrieval of stolen property.

Most people think having an alarm system fitted is enough to stop them being burgled.

It isn’t. Research shows 57% of burglaries are committed while someone is at home, therefore an alarm system is likely to be switched off.

Burglars are well aware that alarms aren’t always activated, and if they do go off it is very unlikely neighbours will take any notice.

However, intruders are well aware of the power of CCTV and reformed burglars will be the first to say they will pass by a house with CCTV and move onto the next one they find without it.

Crime statistics show Stamford and surrounding villages are experiencing around 47 reported burglaries each month. Today’s high-tech CCTV systems are simple to use and live images can be viewed on your smart phone or tablet 24/7. Peace of mind if you’re away from home.

That burglary down the road, or even next door, could make you think you have got away with it. But burglars escape scot-free too many times and re-offend regularly in the same area. Today’s home CCTV packages don’t need special software, and with fast speed broadband you can log on to your remote viewable image from anywhere in the world.

The infra-red cameras give a clear night vision and images are recorded for at least two weeks.

Knowing you are well protected gives a feeling of security that should not be underestimated.

• For more information contact Neil Walker Lighting 01778 348049 or 07866 660067 www.neilwalkerctv.co.uk

Wicked Witch now in Michelin Guide The 2014 Michelin Guide has recognised the quality of the Wicked Witch less than two years after its debut. Its entry reads: “A modern restaurant with a relaxed formality. Seasonal menus offer modern dishes with an emphasis on presentation. Combinations are ambitious and original, with wide-ranging influences.”

Dom D’Angelo, the General Manager, commented; “We are really proud to gain an entry so soon; and with a young team and lots of enthusiasm and determination, we know that we can continue to go places. Great food, with great service, a simple formula that we work really hard at.”

To celebrate Monday opening, set menu is only £14.50 for 2 courses and £17.50 for 3, all day Monday.

The Wicked Witch, Bridge St, Ryhall, PE9 4HH Tel: 01780 763649

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A Day Out In…

ART & CULTURE

Oxford

Head across on the A43 and within an hour and a half you can be in one of the country’s most historic and enchanting cities Words: Nicholas Rudd-Jones Pictures: Elli Dean

The Ashmolean Museum of Art & Anthropology (www. ashmolean.org) Established in 1683, it is Britain’s oldest public museum and one of the oldest museums in the world. Especially notable for its pre-Raphaelite collection.

The Pitts Rivers Museum (www.prm.ox.ac. uk) If you like Victorian Gothic, you will love this building and its immense period charm.

It has outstanding collections from many cultures around the world, past and present.

University Museum of Natural History (www.oum.ox.ac.uk) features collections of zoological, entomological and mineral specimens that have been collected over the last three centuries.

Oxford Covered Market

View from The Old Bank Hotel

PIT STOPS

Oxford Keble College Chapel Wander round the town centre and colleges Pick up a free Oxford WHAT TO souvenir map and weave south from St Giles, along Broad St, down SEE AND DO Castle St past the Radcliffe Camera, down Oriel St, cutting left onto Christ Church Meadow, then along Broad Walk and back up along St Aldates. You will be amazed.

Christ Church Meadow This scenic park offers a delightful two-mile walk through meadows and along river banks, with picturesque views and ideal spots for relaxing or reciting some poetry. James Sadler made the first ascent in a balloon by an Englishman from the Meadow in 1784.

The Botanic Garden, (www.botanic-garden.ox.ac.uk) by Magdalene Bridge. Visit inspiring herbaceous borders, glasshouses that take you around the world or simply relax in the oldest Botanic Garden in Britain.

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Turl St Kitchen www.turlstreetkitchen.co.uk The appealing thing about this place is the eclectic mix of its clientele, from a table stuffed full of students apparently having an online seminar whilst munching away at their sandwiches, to tourists and eccentric academics. The food has a focus on vegetarian, but does much else besides.

The Missing Bean, Turl St (Tel: 01865 794886 www.themissingbean.co.uk) If you want a reminder of your university days, this will take you back in an instant with a room full of people chatting earnestly and sitting at awkward angles whilst consuming voluminous amounts of cake.

The Jericho Café, 112 Walton St www. thejerichocafe.co.uk Ten minutes north of the centre in the very characterful Jericho part of town, this was the place we loved

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SHOPPING DISCOVERIES

The Covered Market, High St A good place to start, lots of individuality and interesting items. The market has been trading for over 200 years. Find out more at www.oxford-coveredmarket.co.uk Broad Street has a changing roster of small shops but has always been home to Blackwell’s (48-51 Broad Street, Oxford, OX1 3BQ; +44 1865 792792; www.blackwell.co.uk). Oxford’s original bookshop has since spawned Blackwell’s Music (23-25) and Blackwell’s Art and Poster Shop (27) across the road.

At the top of St.Giles, foodies will delight in Taylors Deli (31, www.taylorsoxford.co.uk) very much an Oxford institution and next to it the original Maison Blanc (3, www.maisonblanc. co.uk), Raymond Blanc’s über patisserie.

SUGGESTED WALKS

The University Park & North Oxford Walk to the University Park, about 10 mins N of the centre, and admire the view in all directions including a fabulous view of Keble College Chapel, a masterpiece of Victorian Gothic, in the SW corner. Exiting on the N side by a passage just to the W of Lady Margaret Hall brings you out onto splendid Victorian streets – try Norham Gardens, Bradmore Rd, Norham Rd and then also cut across W if you have time to Canterbury Rd and Leckford Rd, ending up in the very quaint Jericho region of town.

A longer walk A brilliant 7.5 mile route which takes you up the river, includes a stop at the Trout Inn, then back along the Oxford Canal to Port Meadow. The route is fully described at: http:// www.oxfordcityguide.com/ee2/index.php?/OCG/article/oxford_waterways_-_a_walk/ A really helpful website to find out more about Oxford is www.oxfordcityguide.com

Focus on The Old Bank Hotel

the most, informal style, good range of food, huge cakes and good coffee.

The Turf Tavern, Hollywell St A tiny, incredibly characterful pub tucked down an alleyway, there since the 13th century and always crammed (in a good way).

Café Loco, St Aldates Tel: 01865 200959 www.goingloco.com A 5 minute walk from the centre of Oxford brings you to this beautiful cafe serving delicious food throughout the day with views of Christ Church and its meadow.

The independently owned Old Bank, situated on Oxford’s High Street, is a bold statement in design and one of the best locations in Oxford.

Awarded the Best City Hotel 2011 by the Good Hotel Guide, it is surrounded by the famous colleges of Merton, All Souls, Christ Church and University and is directly opposite the Bodleian Library and Radcliffe Camera.

If you do not like this hotel in every way I will be amazed.

Its central location means that you can walk everywhere easily. Rooms on the higher floors look out over the Radcliffe Camera and the spires of Oxford. The décor is modern and inviting, and is enriched by the owner’s fine collection of 20th century art which fills the public spaces (including a Damien Hirst, a Stanley Spencer and a Wyndham Lewis). The Quod Brasserie & Bar is a great place to socialise and drink & eat. And finally the service is outstanding. Room prices are not out of reach, the really costly thing is that you’ll want to keep coming back!

Every Sunday evening you can enjoy world class live jazz in the Quod. We settled down to listen whilst sipping cocktails and for us it was a ‘magic moment’. Check out the Sunday evening packages online.

Complimentary resident walking guides conduct walks every day at 2pm; and they also have hotel bicycles. And very importantly, they have parking, which is a HUGE asset for such a central location (it takes a bit of finding, but you will be very happy once you are there).

92-94 High St Oxford OX1 4BJ 01865 799599 www.oldbank-hotel.co.uk

STAMFORD STAMFORD LIVING LIVING NOVEMBER MARCH 2013 2013

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Room to Live

Image of Local installation by QKS

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PE R SPE CT IVE S

Wasn’t St Michael the patron saint of opticians?

No, not exactly. But Richard Barry learns the interesting story of how the church of St Michael in the High Street became home to Vision Express and Boots Opticians

T

he story starts with the Rev Chas Swann, rector of the church of St Michael. He indulged in some overly-enthusiastic structural tweaking and, in 1832, parts of his medieval church fell down. (The question of his own financial liability was only resolved in 1838 when he died, insolvent, aged 41) The new church was rebuilt in 1836 to the design of John Brown, the Norwich architect. At the time it was claimed to be “an exact imitation of Salisbury Cathedral” although today this may not be obvious to everybody.

Decay The church was closed in 1962 when the vicar moved to Christ Church, a newly created mission church for the post-war housing built in the north of the town. In the two decades after 1962 St Michael’s church became increasingly neglected. It was declared redundant in 1974, triggering a flood of ideas for alternative use. A bowling alley was an early runner but fell at the first fence. Turning it into Stamford’s answer to Burlington Arcade – ten boutique shops, five on each side of the aisle, with a restaurant upstairs – ran strongly but fell at the final fence.

Buried Alive?

It wasn’t until a determined property developer (Chartermark) commissioned a surveyor (Crabtree Morrell) and an architect (Arthur Mull) that an economically viable solution was found which satisfied the Diocese and the SKDC planning authority. This is essentially

what we see today – three shops each with two north-facing display windows. The church had a vault and the plan was to open it up and use it to store old headstones. Crabtree Morrell reported that “access to the vault was not possible”. On the other hand Arthur Mull, now long retired, told me that he did manage to raise the flagstones. Peering into the deep vault he saw a skeleton sitting with its back against one wall; Arthur says he still often thinks about the body – convinced that the victim had been buried alive in medieval times. However, a wellknown Stamford expert declares this story to be poppycock. I wonder.

Renewal Early in 1981 the church was deconsecrated and sold to Chartermark which went ahead with the conversion -- “an unsympathetic use and an appalling conversion” grumped Pevsner.

Pevsner’s judgement seems harsh, given that the conversion preserved the outer shell of an attractive building that might otherwise have become totally derelict. During the conversion much of the stained glass was rescued for Stamford Museum and the fifteenth century font, the peal of eighteenth century bells and various other items were rescued and sent to St Mary’s Church near Leicester and elsewhere.

The churchyard to the south was converted into a staff car park. Most of the graves were not disturbed, merely covered with tarmac – Richard III style. However, six of the graves did have to be bulldozed. Following a pastoral ruling

from the Bishop of Lincoln, the six bodies were exhumed, placed in individual coffins and taken to Marholm for cremation. Later, the eastern part of the churchyard was purchased by the Skells Trust so now belongs to the town. This has achieved two things – the preservation of a tranquil area in the centre of the town, and the prevention of more shops on Maiden Lane.

New Life The developer’s next task was to find three tenants. Stamford being Stamford, this proved to be fairly contentious. Mild objections to having a wine merchant (Peter Dominic) in a former church were swiftly dealt with by reminding objectors of the Wedding at Cana. By contrast, the Discount Motor Centre -- with its garish red plastic signage and its merchandise sprawling over the adjacent street – generated outrage in the letter columns of the Mercury.

This was harder to pacify but the developer eventually succeeded. There were no objections to the third tenant, Anglia Building Society (which became part of Nationwide in 1987).

With three tenants signed-up on 20 year leases, paying a total rent of £33,000 per annum, Chartermark had fulfilled its role as developer. In June 1983 it sold the property to the Wesleyan & General Assurance Society for £490,000.

What about the opticians? Clearly, it must have been St Michael’s intervention that led to the early termination of the leases of the Discount Motor Centre and Peter Dominic, to make way for the two opticians.

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St Whites Stone Ltd STONE MASONS & CARVERS

For a quotation for a hand worked stone fireplace/chimney piece or a general enquiry for all types of stonework Please phone Rosie on 01780 450350 or 07931 387615 Email stwhitesstone@btinternet.com • Design & Consultancy • Gargoyles & Caricatures • Stone Staircases & Steps • Fireplaces & Hearths • Porticos & Steps • Arches & Vaulting 36

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You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers!

Antique & Contemporary • Oriental Rugs, Carpets, Kilims, Textiles, Cushions • Stretcher Mounted Fragments & Furniture COME ALONG AND SEE CONTEMPORARY ARTIST REX RAY’S RUG & SCARF EXHIBITION ON SAT 9TH – SUN 17TH NOV 2 High Street East, Uppingham, LE15 9PZ Telephone 01572 829927 Open Tuesday – Saturday 10am – 5pm

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Snow Designs & Interiors.

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CCTV INSTALLATION l Protects your Home 24/7 l Deterrent to thieves l Reduced insurance premiums l Can be monitored from your Smartphone, iPad , tablet etc l Peace of mind - workmanship is to the highest standards l Infrared Night vision options l Digital hard drive recording up to 1 month l We can install a system that suits your budget & needs l No Tapes – No maintenance – No Hassle

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Interiors Emporium offering an eclectic mix of contemporary & vintage homeware & Gifts.

Find us at...

32 St Mary’s Street, Stamford, Pe9 2DS.

Tel. 01780 751551

www.camillasnowinteriors.com

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DES IGN INT E R IOR S

What’s New in Snow Design & Interiors?

W

hat I love about this shop is that there’s always something new to look at, something to add originality to your home.

Downstairs there is a wonderful selection of craftspeople and artists who each have a unique skill that they bring to bear on their chosen medium.

Laura of L@rlow

Fenella Beauchamp

Laura of L@rlow etches on glass, and you can find some delightful examples in store; she can also be commissioned for wedding gifts and special events. She will also be introducing vintage mirrors and decanters Fenella Beauchamp, well-known local artist, already has a thriving following from locals and of course in London where she started her art and painting.

She has introduced a wonderful range of wooden blocks which you will find arranged down the stairs to the basement.

Fenella’s British bird collection has been drawn with acrylics on old reclaimed wooden blocks. These are ideal to start a bird collection - birds includes, barn owls, robins, budgies and flamingos.

Nicola Jane Nottingham

Clipsham Stone offer a fabulous selection of placemats and coasters hewn out of the local stone – they would make a fabulous gift idea, utterly original to Stamford and incredibly long-lasting. They also have a couple of lamp stands.

Nicola Jane Nottingham has created vintage fabrics, tea towels and napkins of exquisite individuality. You are bound to find something that will add character to your kitchen • Snow Design & Interiors, 32 St Mary’s St, Stamford, PE9 2DS Tel: 01780 751 551 www. camillasnowinteriors.com

Clipsham Stone

The Rug Studio, Uppingham Sat Nov 9th – Sunday Nov 17th The Rug Studio, Uppingham kicks off with its first exhibition since opening in June 2013 with contemporary American artist Rex Ray. Renowned for his work with The Rolling Stones, U2, Bjork and REM and designs for Apple, Warner Brothers and Dreamworks he has now produced a limited collection of stunning contemporary rugs and scarves. Choose from a blaze of colour with one of his luxury Rex Ray silk scarves, or for a real show stopper choose from a collection of stunning contemporary rugs.

Alternatively, splash out and purchase an antique oriental rug or kilim; or for the perfect Christmas gift idea, proprietor Rachel Simpson makes bespoke handmade cushions and draft excluders from oriental rug fragments made to exact size, mounts textile and carpet fragments onto stretchers or upholsters kilim covered stools and ottomans for unique individual Christmas presents that brighten up and help keep warm any house. Use your own materials or choose from The Rug Studio’s extensive stock, including a stunning 19th century cradle fragment in natural dyes.

Belouch baskets, Afghan pottery, cushion covers, or even book a weaving lesson, all make great alternative 2013 Christmas gifts.

• The Rug Studio, 2 High St East, Uppingham, LE15 9PZ. Tel: 01572 829927. www.therugstudio.co.uk STAMFORD LIVING NOVEMBER 2013

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GIFT S

FOR HER

Christmas gift ideas Alysia Anderson finds festive inspiration for all the family in local shops

Urban Country felt satchel, £50, Chameleon (01780 755405)

Chiruca Chelsea leather boots, £199.99, Barnack Country Clothes (01780 740115)

Italian O bag with choice of body, £35, handles, £25, and inner, £20, Sly (01780 482870) Tokyo Jane diamante bangles, from £30, Energy (01780 765633) Helen Moore faux fur Christmas stocking, £26.95, Havershams Barn, Easton-on-the-Hill (info@ havershams.barn.co.uk)

Lush Designs Fox and Cub cushion, £35, Snow Designs & Interiors (01780 751551) Beauty treatment voucher, Equilibrium (01780 757579)

Papaya Art Starlet accessory bag, £25.99, You (01780 765001)

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STAMFORD LIVING NOVEMBER 2013

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Bumblebee necklace in rose gold, silver or gold, £150, Paradise Found (01780 764439)

Ashleigh & Burwood fragrance lamp gift set, £41.95, Lambs (01780 762762)

Patisserie de Bain Winter Wonderland scented candle, £12, Adorn (01780 754359)

Not The Same wool blazer, £120, Seaweed (01780 767878)

Cath Kidston Garden Birds umbrella, £22, Chez Soi (01780 482845) Caudalie Thé de Vignes fragrance set, £26, Chameleon (01780 755405)

MyWalit purse, £39.95, T&C Robinson (01780 755378)

Estheme cashmere scarf, £75, Marc Aurel wool and cotton scarf, £69, necklace, £29, Georgi Collections (01780 756444)

Bill Skinner galloping horse bracelet, £95, Jules by the Riverside (01780 755948)

Spode Christmas tree dish, £19.95, Sinclairs (01780 765421)

Miller Harris Rose en Noir gift set, Oscar Rose (01780 480777)

ChloBo sterling silver and goldplated stack bracelets, from £25, Bering watch with Swarovski elements, £169, You and Beyond (01780 755996)

STAMFORD LIVING NOVEMBER 2013

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Something Dif f er ent • Exclusive Designer Jewellery Davina Combe Azuni Alex Monroe Daisy Knights Missoma Rodgers & Rodgers and many more • Original Gift Ideas

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Christmas is in the bag at Attic Put some sparkle in your life with these gorgeous new handmade leather bags from Zatchels (logo) available in Pewter, Silver and Denim.

We also have cosy knits, leather boots and beautiful dresses for you to treat yourself as well as a great selection of gifts for Christmas from our favourite brands.

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FOR HIM

GIFT S

Christmas gift ideas Voucher, Stamford Cheese Cellar (01780 489269)

Le Chameau Vierzonord wellies, £165, Wellieboots.com (01780 740115)

Bespoke wine racks made in Lincolnshire from reclaimed wood, from £110 (www. thefallentree. co.uk)

Scott Nichol Shetland wool socks, £22.99, Digby & Gunn (01780 754296)

Carrol Boyes homeware, from £24, H-works (01780 754605)

Stainless steel Fish Flask, £24, Digby & Gunn (01780 754296)

Possum reversible leather belt, £35, Anand Shoes of Stamford (01780 767688)

Libra globe, £75, You (01780 765001)

Edwin Jagger handmade shaving brush, £38, Digby & Gunn (01780 754296)

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Limited edition handmade Robin watch (ladies’ Robina also available), £6,350, Robert Loomes (01780 481319)

STAMFORD LIVING NOVEMBER 2013

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M Simon Carter Tiger’s Eye acorn cufflinks, £59.95, T&C Robinson (01780 755378)

Remus Uomo tweed jacket, £169, Coneys (01780 481298)

Spiegl Press leather notebooks, handbound in Stamford, from £12 (01780 762550; www.spieglpress.com)

Aromatherapy Black Pepper and Ginger bath and shower gel, Sly (01780 482870)

The Labrador Company clock, £45, Sly (01780 482870)

Man’s Best Friend bone china mugs, £10 each, Paradise Found (01780 764439)

Rachel Barnes photograph, from £65, (01832 720154; www.rachelbarnes.co.uk)

Dog design wool blanket, £65, The Woolroom (01780 767927) Scotch & Soda iphone case, £35, Energy (01780 765633)

Thornback & Peel hankies, £15.50 for three, Paradise Found (01780 764439)

Town & Country Multi-tool Pouch, £10.99, Belton Garden Centre (01476 563700; www.belton garden centre.com) STAMFORD LIVING NOVEMBER 2013

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Christmas gifts for all the family

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M

Christmas gifts for all the family

Enter our £100 writing competition ‘Chapter One, Stamford’ Captivate us with the first 300 words of a story featuring this beautiful, ancient town.We’re looking for a compelling start to a tale that makes us want to read on... and on...

Send your entry to: WriteStars Ltd, 43 Berkeley Square, London W1J 5FJ, with a cheque for the entry fee of £2.50. (£1 goes to Children in Crisis). Or email to info@writestars.co.uk and pay by PayPal on our website, writestars.co.uk, where you can also find full rules, terms and conditions.

First prize: £100. Second prize: £50 Closing date: 30 November 2013 Any queries, please call 020 3078 7825. Good luck!

Registered Office: WriteStars Ltd, 43 Berkeley Square, Mayfair, London W1J 5FJ Company No 08270831

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GIFT S

FOR TOT TO TEEN S S

Christmas gift ideas Ornamental Christmas tree, £14.99, Lambs (01780 762762) Mi backpack, £22, Energy (01780 765633)

Stieff limited edition collectible mohair teddies, from £130, Anand Shoes of Stamford (01780 767688)

Lamy Neon Fountain Pen, Limited Edition, £15.99 and ‘Do Crafts’ Craft Planet Activity Bag £9.95, Coleman’s (01780 762324)

Marvel Comics messenger bag, £29, Love it (01780 482912)

Silly Cone mini alarm clock, £6.99, Nook (01780 751029)

Sodastream Source, £79.95, Steamer Trading Company (01780 756793) and Harrison & Dunn (01780 762088) Cath Kidston ballerina suitcase, £25, Chez Soi (01780 482845)

Sterling silver stars necklace, £34, Adorn (01780 754359)

Janod doublesided round puzzle, £19.99, Bubble & Squeak (01780 755799)

Hunter Original Iris Kids Wellies, £35, Wellieboots. com (01780 740115)

Kumpfipumps slippers, £12, Chameleon (01780 755405) STAMFORD LIVING NOVEMBER 2013

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Furniture for every room – not just tables!

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Open: Thursday to Monday 10-4 , Sunday 11-4

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Sack Store Award Winning Shop And Cafe

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Email sales@sackstore.co.uk Tel: 01205 310101

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ENTER ST. MARTINS ANTIQUES NEW USE FOR OLD COMPETITION & YOU COULD WIN A £50 VOUCHER

Esther Hewson

Interior Design • Interior Design Service tailored to suit your budget, from simple colour co-ordination to full design and supply projects

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The Great Little Cleaning Company.

Professional Cleaning Services

So many of yesterday’s useful objects can still be useful today. With a little imagination a redundant laundry ponch becomes a stylish home for toilet rolls, a log basket, looks great full of magazines and even a Victorian milk churn takes on a new life, full of umbrellas.

Buy something from us that you find a new use for, take a photograph of it and email it to info@st-martins-antiques. co.uk with a brief description of its new use and you could win a £50 antique voucher. Make the subject of the email ‘Competition’. Entries must be in by December 20th. They will be judged by the staff at St. Martin’s Antiques and their decision is final. You can enter as many times as you like.

The winner will be notified in the new year.

St. Martins Antiques is open to ideas 7 days a week, from 10am until 5pm Monday to Saturday and 10.30am to 5pm on Sunday. Whether yours is a traditional home or has a stylish modern interior come and take a look. You are sure to find something to inspire you.

St. Martins Antiques 23a High Street, St. Martins, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 2LF. Tel: (01780) 481158 Web: www.st-martins-antiques.co.uk

THE SHOOTING SEASON HAS ARRIVED! Discover our new shooting range for men and women

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Barnack, Stamford. PE9 3DY 2 miles from Burghley House Shop opening hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 11am-3pm

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PE R SPE CT IVE S

Ancient boats help to unlock the past

A fleet of eight prehistoric boats discovered in a quarry at Must Farm, Whittlesey are an enormously significant find which could throw new light on the Bronze Age. Fiona Cumberpatch reports

Photo: Cambridge Archaeological Unit

Moving the boats from the Hanson Kilns

I

t’s almost impossible to believe: the fleet of eight boats currently lying in their new home in cold storage at Flag Fen, near Peterborough, are about 3,500 years old. You can still see the grain in the inky dark wood, the pattern of knots and whorls of ancient oak and lime trees, smoothed over the centuries. One of the boats has decorative criss-crossed carving, another has lifting handles. The largest is a punt, nine metres in length which would have been used to negotiate the watery landscape of the newly formed Fens.

There was huge excitement when the boats were found in 2011 in a quarry at Must Farm, Whittlesey, the largest group of Bronze Age boats ever discovered at the same UK site. Quarry owners Hanson UK appointed a team from Cambridge Archaeological Unit to excavate a section of the lost course of the river Nene. The dig revealed some incredible artefacts including swords with wooden handles and scabbards, fish traps and cooking pots complete with contents and a wooden stirring spoon still inside. But most stunning of all were the boats. The quarry is used to extract Oxford clay which is used in the manufacture of bricks. “The brick pits offered the opportunity to go deep into the sediment,” explains Mark Knight of the Cambridge Archaeological Unit, and it was here that the boats were found.

The waterlogged silt was responsible for their superb state of preservation.

“The condition was so remarkable that as we uncovered them, we almost felt that the people who made them were going to come along, tap us on the shoulder and ask us what we were doing with their archaeology!” says Mark.

Around 4000 years ago, there was a period when water levels started to rise, effectively creating the Fens. At first this drove the people living there back on to drier land, but by the middle of the Bronze Age, they seemed to be adapting to the new conditions. “It wasn’t a scratched out existence, as has previously been believed,” says archaeologist Francis Pryor who has played a major role in the discovery of Flag Fen. “In fact, we know that the Bronze Age economy was based on wool and sheep, exactly the same as it was in the Middle Ages. It was civilised, with long distance trade routes. This discovery gives us a whole new insight into the way that people lived in their landscape.

It is the latest part of the narrative.”

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This punt is thought to be around 3,500 years old

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A mystery to be solved However, there are still many unanswered questions posed by the discovery of the boats. The Cambridge Archaeological Unit are still awaiting the results of Carbon-14 dating tests, which will give vital information as to when exactly they were made. It may help to ascertain why the boats were abandoned in the river, and whether they were sunk deliberately as part of a ritual or funeral ceremony, or whether they were sunk to keep the timber waterlogged and prevent it from splitting when the boats were not in use. They may have been used in battle, or to transport goods for trading: at present, nobody really knows.

With so much more research to be done, it was imperative to find a way of storing the boats safely. To this end, York Archaological Trust were recruited to design and implement the construction of the country’s largest archaeological cold store, and to oversee the transfer of the log boats into the new facility.

Last month, this was achieved. “It was an incredible feat to lift the boats in their entirety and get them into the cold store,” says Ian Panter of the York Trust. “When we did so, it was a great feeling.”

The boats are now on display to the public, behind glass in a container which is chilled to between three to five degrees centigrade to stop them from drying out too quickly. They will be treated over the next two years with a specialist water soluble wax, polyethylene glycol, to stabilise the timbers. It is a technique which was used on the Mary Rose and it will be carried out daily at Flag Fen by conservation technician Emma Turvey.

“The public will be able to see the ongoing processes,” says Ian Panter. “We will be monitoring the timber all the time. Once it has been stabilised, the boats can be put into a new display, but this won’t be for three to four years.

They should then last indefinitely.”

With Peterborough’s leisure trust Vivacity selected to care for the Must Farm Archive, the future of the boats is assured, and it is good news that they are to stay in the region for the foreseeable future. “The boats’ arrival at Flag Fen represents a kind of ‘coming home’ because both the boats and the causeway discovered at Flag Fen in the 1980s and now on display to the public, represent novel kinds of conveyances in a landscape fast disappearing beneath rising waters,” explains Mark Knight.

“Both Flag Fen and Must Farm sit at the very edge of a lost world.”

• During the treatment at Flag Fen, the boats can be viewed through glass by visitors during regular guided tours and on special event days. For more information, visit www.vivacity-peterborough.com • Flag Fen Archaeology Park, open daily 10am-5pm, April to October.

The Droveway, Northey Rd, Peterborough PE6 7QJ Tel: 01733 323414

The team behind the extraordinary Must Farm boats and their successful transfer to a new cold storage area, the building of which was funded by English Heritage

Moving the boats into the Cold Storage Facility

Photos left and below: Cambridge Archaeological Unit

The Fens: rich in archaeology

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Kitchens • Fitted Furniture • Joinery

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www.beltongardencentre.co.uk Family-run Belton Garden Centre is situated on the A607, just a mile north of Grantham town centre, and has just completed a major, luxurious refurbishment which was opened in March of this year.

Set in 10 acres of historic walled gardens in the beautiful village of Belton.

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Knowledgeable staff that can help with all your gardening requirements.

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A great range of freshly cooked food made to order using local suppliers. Superb range of daily home-baked cakes, scones, slices, and bakes.

Groups, coach parties and societies are all welcome - please call us on 01476 563 700 where we will be pleased to help you.

Belton Garden Centre, Belton, Grantham. NG32 2LN

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GAR DE NING

Adam the Gardener

Adam says: “November is a time when winter is truly on its way – where we say goodbye to a fantastic summer and fading autumn with its kaleidoscope of colours. But there are still plenty of jobs to do in the garden to keep warm, if you’re prepared to pull on your wellies and a coat and take a flask of something warming outside with you. November is also the perfect month to get a bonfire going and enjoy the heady aroma of smoking leaves.”

NOVEMBER JOBS

L

ocal gardening talent, Adam Frost has an impressive CV, having worked with many of the garden design greats, including Geoff Hamilton at Barnsdale Gardens. Adam won his fifth Gold Medal at this year’s Centenary RHS Chelsea Flower Show, with his Homebase sponsored garden entitled, “Sowing the Seeds of Change”, which featured inter-planting of flowers and vegetables, fruit trees, alpine strawberries, a bee hive and dipping ponds to encourage wildlife.

With the onset of falling leaves, now is the time to clear them from lawns and ponds where they can cause the most havoc. Remember not to remove all of them from your beds –not only will it keep the worms busy over the winter but will provide a habitat for wildlife. You could easily knock up a post and wire enclosure for the leaf mould which is kept separate from other compost.

Faded herbaceous perennials can be cut back and added to the compost heap, however leave your ornamental grasses as they can look great when the snow falls. Move any tender perennials that need protection into a sheltered place or greenhouse. Another good job is to remember to give the greenhouse glass a good clean so that it lets the maximum amount of light in over the winter months. If you have irrigation systems, get them drained down and outside pipes turned off or lagged. Remember to wrap outside taps before it’s too late and frost strikes. Put your wooden garden furniture inside and give it a rub down and oil. Clean your terraces with a power wash to break down any algae.

Preparing the Soil for Next Year November is your last chance to prepare the soil before winter really sets in and it becomes very wet or frozen. Clear the weeds and old crops from your beds and turn over the soil, incorporating any organic matter such as compost leaf mould or manure, which will put the goodness back into the soil. Leave it in a rough state so the clods break down over the winter, which will improve the texture of the soil and get you ready and raring to go for next year. Ultimately, what you put in is what you get out, so you will see better results next year. It might feel like a lot of hard work but it’s a great way to start your Sunday morning!

Plants I prune my roses back twice; the first time is in November to take the weight out of them and prevent wind rock and again in early spring. A good estimate is cutting them back by a third.

I use the same technique for my Buddleias.

Remember November is a good time, if you want to get some bare root trees, hedges or roses into your garden before Christmas so

the roots can settle down and you get a better value tree for your money. I like to soak them in some water for an hour or so before planting them.

It would be nice to see more of us putting in mixed hedges which naturally occur all around Stamford. It creates great interest in your garden throughout the year with good autumnal colours and berries – such as hazel, rose, wild cornus, wild privet and native acer.

Plant out winter bedding such as Wallflowers, Forget-me-nots, Bellis, Primula, Polyanthus, Viola (winter pansies) and tulip bulbs for a spring display next year. My favourite tulip is the dark ‘Queen of the Night.’ Lily bulbs can still be planted in pots to flower next summer.

Vegetable and Fruit Gardens Remove any canes and supports in your plot from summer crops and store them somewhere dry. Protect Brassica, kale, shoots and broccoli from hungry pigeons and lift and store any remaining carrots, beets and turnips in a cool dark place. At Barnsdale we put them in big pots covered by bark chip or mulch, where they happily stay for most of winter. If you haven’t got room for compost bins, maybe a compost trench is a good idea - dig down a spade’s depth (where you’re going to put your runner beans) and fill it with peelings etc and re-cover them with soil to guard against foraging animals.

Now the leaves have fallen, you can more easily view the structure of your trees and shrubs and decide what needs cutting back in order to put some good shape into your apple and pear trees. However, stoned fruit trees like plums do not want pruning over the winter.

Wildlife It’s even more important now the weather is getting colder to put out food and fresh water for the winter birds. Remember also to leave some vegetation or log piles for shelter and protection for insects.

Finally November is a great time to drop hints about what you want on your Christmas list!

Check out next month’s issue when I’ll be listing my ‘Top 10 Gardening Gifts’.

• For more information: www.adamfrost.co.uk Adam Frost was speaking to Antonia Scott STAMFORD LIVING NOVEMBER 2013

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AS K L EO SPE CIAL

NOVEMBER 11

TH

November 11th has been an important day in the calendar for many centuries as Sue Lee and Jean Orpin explain

MARTINMAS

Today we often use Christmas as a deadline or a starting point – “I’ll do that before Christmas” or “After Christmas I’ll sort that out”. Until about a hundred years ago, Martinmas would have been as commonly used, if not more so.

November 11th was declared the Feast Day for St Martin in the 7th century. Even then it took over long held customs dating back to preChristian days and, as with most ancient festivals, these were related to the round of agricultural activities.

At the end of the agricultural year, Martinmas was associated with feasting and good times before the enforced fast that winter brought with it. The term ‘martinmen’ came to mean anyone who drank too much and those who suffered from over-eating were said to have ‘St Martin’s sickness’!

In Britain beef was the meat for Martinmas.

By November pasture was over and fodder was in short supply so cattle were reduced to a minimum and even peasants might get to taste the beef. The rest was salted and this preserved ‘Martlemas beef’ would then have to sustain even the wealthy through the next few months.

Martinmas became the time when farm workers were contracted for the year ahead. In due course ‘Hiring Fairs’ were held in market towns across the country on November 11th and the date applied to contracts and leases of property as well as labour.

Locally there were Martinmas fairs at Market Deeping, Grantham, Melton and Bourne, not necessarily on the 11th but somewhere near the middle of November, until the end of the 19th century. Legally the term Martinmas was a common one for leases and contracts of all sorts in Stamford into the 20th century.

ARMISTICE DAY

In some parts of Europe and even in parts of Britain, Martinmas festivities continue but by the early 20th century proceedings at local Hirings were often described as disappointing with more farmers than servants attending. November 11th, however, was soon to have new significance.

The official end of World War I was the Treaty of Versailles signed on 28th June 1919 but it is the Armistice signed by the Allies and the Germans ‘on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month’ in 1918 that became the event marked by an international day of remembrance on November 11th. A year later George V set aside the day asking that “there may be for the brief space of two minutes the complete suspension of all our normal activities”.

The end of the war was celebrated with a parade in London and one of the temporary structures set up for this day was a cenotaph, an empty tomb, designed by Edwin Lutyens. It made such an impression that he was asked to reproduce it in stone as a memorial to honour the dead. The first wreath laid at the Cenotaph was of cornflowers laid there in 1920 by the Ypres League, a society based in London for veterans of Ypres. A poem about cornflowers in Flanders fields led to the league adopting it as their emblem and soon another poem - about poppies in Flanders fields - led to the poppy’s adoption as the symbol for the British Legion. The first Poppy Day was held on November 11th 1921 soon after the formation of the British Legion in May 1921 to care for those who suffered as a result of war – still its role today.

Since the 1940s the official Remembrance observances have been on the nearest Sunday but the two minute silence is still observed in many places on Armistice Day including by the Royal British Legion in Trafalgar Square.

STAMFORD BOYS 1911

As the town begins its preparations to commemorate World War 1, a group of the Stamford Local History Society are researching boys who were 12-16 in the 1911 census and would therefore have a part to play in the conflict. Some would have served in the army but many others would have been exempt as they were working in the engineering businesses or on the farms. Does anyone have information or pictures of family members born between 1895 and 1900 and growing up in Stamford?

As members of the group, Ask Leo would be really pleased to hear from you.

• Please contact us at 1 St Peter’s St, 01780 765755 or askleo@btinternet.com.

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M OTOR ING

The cost of changing

When considering buying a new or used car the critical factor is not necessarily the ‘sticker price’ on the vehicle, but the cost to change, according to Ashley Martin

M

any readers will be considering changing their car now that the economic outlook is improving once again.

However, owners when looking to trade in their existing vehicle may be shocked to find the dealer offering them little more than scrap value - and that situation is only likely to get worse.

The reason, according to experts at vehicle valuation experts CAP Motor Research, is the price of the annual tax disc or Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) fee.

The cost of the annual tax disc has been linked to a car’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions figure since 2001. The emissions structure has been altered a couple of times in the intervening years with today’s 13-band system designed to encourage motorists into low emission cars.

As a result, the cost of renewing an annual tax disc for cars in VED Band L and M - the two highest emission rates at 226-255 g/ km and above 255 g/km - is today £475 and £490 respectively. That is a £15 rise for each band from 2012/13 levels and there is every chance in the 2014 March Budget that the cost of renewing the tax disc for at least the most polluting cars will break through the £500 barrier from April 1, 2014.

Therefore, says CAP, the “sky-high” cost of a tax disc could soon force tens of thousands of good cars, registered since March 23, 2006 - when VED rate bands were amended to penalise higher CO2 emission vehicles - off the road and onto the scrapheap. In 2005/6 the cost of a tax disc for a car with the highest level of emissions (above 186 g/km was £165 for a petrol model and £170 for a diesel).

The CAP study reveals that the cost of taxing some cars that are only seven years old – they were new in 2006 when the VED structure was amended - is now around a third of their value.

The danger now, according to CAP, is that such cars could rapidly become worthless in the trade, even though they cause relatively little pollution because older, less economical, vehicles tend to be driven less.

CAP car running cost expert Mark Norman said: “We are now in the crazy situation where perfectly good cars have become uneconomical to own because the cost of taxing them could soon approach half their car’s value.

“This means more and more cars will become unsalable and will have to be scrapped long before the end of their useful life.”

CAP says that its ‘clean’ condition valuation - the recognised benchmark trade value of used cars in Britain - for higher emission sevenyear-old cars that have clocked up an average 70,000 miles during their lifetime means renewing the tax disc for 12 months could cost around a third of the value of a vehicle.

56

Additionally, it needs to be considered that the percentage figure is only going to increase as car values depreciate month-on-month and the Government has a habit of increasing the cost of a tax disc annually.

CAP believes that lowering VED rates for the top two CO2 brackets after a certain age, would prevent the scrapping of well-maintained vehicles with many years of serviceable life remaining.

Mr Norman said: “Scrapping serviceable cars for the sake of a tax disc makes a mockery of environmental taxes as owners already tend to limit their mileage because the cars are relatively uneconomical. Throw in the carbon footprint of building the cars that replace those that are scrapped and the environmental justification for taxing these cars off the road collapses.

“The Government should now consider

lowering VED rates for cars that fall into the brackets L and M after a certain age. This would prevent this potential waste of vehicles that do relatively little harm to the environment but provide cheap and comfortable transport for thousands of hard-pressed motorists in austerity Britain.”

Given the Government’s ‘green’ agenda that idea is unlikely to be adopted by Whitehall.

Therefore, as the price pressure increases on older cars it means that the financial sense around the cost of ownership makes them increasingly hard to sell Consequently, if CAP is right in that dealers take a dim valuation view of older high emission cars then the cost to change for readers owning such models is set to accelerate even higher.

The only exception may be a used car deemed collectable and generally purchased by an enthusiast.

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New ‘Silhouette Soft Lift’ for the face

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WWW.RUTLANDOUTDOOR.COM 57

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DES IGN INT E R IOR S

The Delcor Difference Delcor has been hard at work developing new additions for its Autumn – Winter range. These include the Georgian Chair, a winged high back chair, and The Ambassador, a Knole-style sofa with drop down sides

J

ust like all its other models, the Georgian Chair and Ambassador Sofa are constructed on a hard wood frame that carries a 20 year construction guarantee. They can be made longer, shorter, taller, wider and in any choice of fabric including leather.

The Ambassador The Ambassador is based on the classic Knole-sofa design, dating back to the early 1600s. There are many theories as to the origins of this design with its drop down sides. Most popular theory is that the high sides were designed to eliminate draughts on your back and neck, while the sides were adjustable to accommodate the large dresses worn by ladies in the 1600s.

Delcor’s Ambassador has come a long way from this original design and is available in a Scatter back or Formal back (2 back cushions) option. The Ambassador pictured here is covered in the Red House collection from Warwick, with a formal back.

Modern Velvet Georgian Chair The Georgian chair shown here is in William Morris velvet. The style of this ‘Forest Velvet’ is based on a tapestry designed by William Morris, Philip Webb and J. H. Dearle in 1887.

This adaptation, designed by Alison Gee, depicts scrolling acanthus leaves, a lion, peacock, hare and fox, amongst bunches of wild flowers, making it an exultant choice for those traditionalists at heart.

The Prezzo might not be a new addition to the range, but with its sleek lines this modular corner unit will complement any contemporary interior. Linwood’s new and luxurious Italian velvet, Omega, is a great choice for the modern family with its washable, stain repellent finish. There are 53 fabulous velvet colours swatches to choose from.

• To see these, and many other beautifully hand crafted sofas, come and visit the Stamford showroom at 30 Bath Row, Rear of St Mary’s Hill, PE9 2QX. Monday – Saturday, 10am – 5pm and Sunday, 10am – 4pm www.delcor.co.uk For more details call 01780 762579 or email stamford@delcor.co.uk STAMFORD LIVING NOVEMBER 2013

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OUNDLE MILL

Barnsdale Hall Hotel

Christmas & New Year Celebrations 2013 DINE FOR £18.95 ON THURSDAYS

Christmas Party Nights

On Thursdays in October and November, for lunch or dinner, you can experience our delicious menu for £18.95 for three courses.

Christmas Residential Package

SET MENU Our set menu offers a selection of mouth-watering dishes and is perfect to enjoy for lunch or dinner from £12.50 per person.

The set menu is available for lunch or dinner on Wednesdays and Fridays and for lunch on Saturdays.

SUNDAY LUNCH Join us at Oundle Mill with family and friends for Sunday lunch and enjoy scrumptious starters, traditional roasts and tempting desserts from our fabulous Sunday lunch menu.

2 COURSES £19.50 3 COURSES £22.50 CHILDREN’S SUNDAY LUNCH 2 courses £9.75 • 3 courses £11.25 Sunday lunch is served between 12.00 and 16.00 OPENING HOURS Monday and Tuesday – Open for private meetings only Wednesday to Saturday - Open all day Sunday- 7.30- 18.00

£26.95

£369 per person

Join us for a traditional family Christmas. Let us do all the work this Christmas while you enjoy this magical time of year.

Christmas Day Lunch £69.50

Children 6-11 years £34.50 Spiced pumpkin soup, toasted seeds, chilli crème fraiche Oak smoked salmon and prawns, capers and lemon Chicken liver parfait, tomato and date chutney, brioche toast [k\

Roast turkey, sage and chestnut stuffing, bacon wrapped chipolatas, cranberry and bread sauce, gravy Roast sirloin of Lakeland beef, Yorkshire pudding, horseradish cream and gravy Grilled Loch Duart salmon, chive crushed potatoes, kale and Champagne and caviar sauce Spinach, ricotta and pine nut tart, root vegetables, parmesan cream Seasonal vegetables and roast potatoes [k\

Christmas pudding, brandy sauce Montgomery cheddar, Sparkenhoe Red Leicester, Colston Bassett Stilton, fruit cake and chutney Dark chocolate torte, Caramalised hazelnuts and Satsuma, coffee sauce [k\

Mince pies and chocolate truffles

Barnsdale Hall Hotel, Nr Oakham, Rutland, LE15 8AB

Tel: 01572 757 901 Barnwell Road • Oundle • Northamptonshire • PE8 5PB

www.barnsdalehotel.co.uk

www.oundlemill.co.uk • 01832 272621 60

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S E A N’ S SI MPLE SUPPE R S

The autumn game November is a great time to cook some local venison…

A

utumn is here and winter is on its way. Thoughts turn towards slowcooked casseroles and succulent roasts. I love to cook with local meats at this time of year and that passion undoubtedly comes from my late father. He was a real countryman who loved his pheasant and game.

I dedicate the venison recipe below to him and the fond memories of growing up in Clipsham. These days at The Olive Branch and Red Lion Inn we tend to get our venison from our local gamekeeper in Clipsham and also from Keythorpe Game in Tugby, Leicestershire.

Venison casserole with tarragon juniper dumplings Casserole ingredients Serves six • 450g diced venison (stewing steak) • 2-3 tbsps olive oil • 1 large carrot, peeled, roughly chopped • 1 turnip, peeled, chopped • 1 onion, roughly chopped • 1 clove garlic, finely chopped • 1 tbsp plain flour • 1 measure of port • 300ml real ale (we use Olive Oil bitter from The Grainstore Brewery) • 1 sprig thyme • 1 tbsp redcurrent jelly

• 1 tbsp tomato paste • 4 tbsps red wine vinegar • 300ml beef stock or 2 beef stock cubes • 1/4 stick cinnamon Juniper tarragon dumplings ingredients Makes 12 • 175g self-raising flour • 75g shredded suet • 1 tsp chopped juniper berries • 1 tsp chopped tarragon • 1 tsp English mustard • Pinch of salt and ground black pepper Another local venison producer and supplier is Fen Farm Venison of Horbling Fen near Sleaford. They regularly stand at Stamford, Oundle and Oakham markets, where they sell a range of venison steaks, sausage and burgers made from meat raised on their Lincolnshire farm.

Venison is probably the healthiest red meat. It’s low in fat, low in cholesterol, and high in iron and protein.

It’s perfect for anyone on a diet or looking to cut down on fat intake while still enjoying red meat.

1. Preheat the oven to Gas Mark 2 (150C).

2. Add olive oil to a large frying pan heat and seal off meat briskly and in batches. 3.

Remove from frying pan and place in a casserole pan and dust the meat with flour.

3. Place frying pan back on the heat, add all the alcohol, bring to the boil and reduce by half. Add the liquid to the casserole pan with the meat.

4. Wipe out frying pan with kitchen towel, add a tablespoon of olive oil, toss in prepared vegetables, garlic and roast off until golden brown (about 10 minutes).

5. Place roasted vegetables in casserole pan with meat and add rest of ingredients to casserole. Cover and place casserole in oven for three hours or until meat is nice and tender. Season to taste and serve.

Dumplings 1. Mix all dry ingredients together in a bowl. Add English mustard, tarragon and sufficient cold water to make a fairly stiff dough and shape into 12 dumplings.

2. Thirty minutes before serving casserole, remove the lid, place the dumplings on the surface of the stew and continue to cook.

PASSIONATE ABOUT GOOD FOOD? If you are passionate about local food and drink then you might like to join Great Food Club.

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

STAMFORD LIVING NOVEMBER 2013

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Open from midday weds – sun (9am Saturdays for breakfast) 01832-274383

12 West St Oundle PE8 4EF

NEW MENU, includes steak pie, fish & chips, gammon, spare ribs, sausage & mash, lasagne, carbonara, enchiladas, scampi, and more!

Spag Bol now on kids menu!

Oundle’s Retro Restaurant www.62lovemedo.co.uk

Stamford Cupcake Company

We Are Moving We are very pleased to announce that The Stamford Wine Company will be moving premises to No. 10 St Paul’s Street, and will be opening our doors towards the end of October.

Our new premises will feature a bar and seating, where you can enjoy our ‘by the glass’ selection (including beers and spirits..), as well as opening any bottle from the shelves at a small corkage charge. And once spring comes around again, our large enclosed garden will be a great place to enjoy a glass or two.

We will also be serving a light food menu, including cheese boards, charcuterie platters etc.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Cupcake Classes & Workshop FROM COMPLETE BEGINNER TO BRUSHING UP ON YOUR EXISTING SKILLS • Cupcake Decorating • Cake Baking Workshops • Learn to Create Cake Toppers • Introduction to Sugar Flower Workshops Children’s Parties, Ladies Days & Hen Parties

CUPCAKES & CELEBRATION CAKES TO ORDER

The Stamford Wine Company – By the glass, by the bottle, buy the case!

17 St Mary’s Street, Stamford, Lincs, PE9 2DG Tel: 01780 489269 www.thestamfordwinecompany.com @StamfordWineCo www.facebook.com/TheStamfordWineCompany

Gift Vouchers Available

George Farm, London Road, Stamford, PE9 3JP Telephone: 01780 489364 or 07825 153003 www.stamfordcupcakecompany.co.uk •

find us on Facebook

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Christmas Parties 2013 Hambleton Hall has a wonderful Private Dining Room - ‘The Study’ - available for parties of 6 - 16 guests

Special Limited Choice Menu - £55.00 per person At the end of the evening why not stay the night?

We are offering a special rate of £230.00 per night, based on 2 people sharing one of our standard double bedrooms, this includes full Hambleton breakfast & vat.

For more details about our Special Breaks and Events please visit our website www.hambletonhall.com

Crab Raviolo with a lemon grass & ginger flavoured bisque or Fricassee of Wild Mushrooms with confit of bacon & quail egg or Hambleton Salad *** Sirloin of Beef with Jacob’s Ladder & cèpe purée or Roast Breast of Pheasant with pearl barley risotto & root vegetables or Pan Fried Fillet of Seabass with caramelised fennel *** Lime Meringue Pie or Passion Fruit Soufflé or Chocolate Truffle flavoured with salted caramel *** All menus are subject to a discretionary service charge of 12.5%

HAMBLETON, OAKHAM, RUTLAND, LE15 8TH T: 01572 756991 E: hotel@hambletonhall.com W: www.hambletonhall.com

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FOOD & DR INK

Liquid Gold King Harry Food writer Sarah Lyon reports on a North Norfolk Saffron- inspired liqueur

A

pinch of saffron is pure culinary gold.

“Adding saffron gives products a golden colour, so referring to this was the obvious way to go,” says Sally when describing how newly produced saffron and orange infused gin based liqueur, King Harry, found its name. The name is integral to the product and it was important that it too was infused with significance and meaning. “Initially we thought of naming it Goldfinch – a happy chirpy bird,” says Sally.

The Goldfinch with its bright red face, yellow wing patch and melodic song is a good match for the reddish golden colour of this aromatic liqueur. “To give the name a Norfolk twist we decided on the bird’s dialect name of King Harry – a Goldfinch on the label adds Norfolk provenance and as far as we know, no other saffron-infused fruit liqueurs like it are on sale in the UK - it is one of a kind.”

Dr Sally Francis, an agricultural botanist and freelance consultant maintains a long standing interest in alternative crops. The cultivation of saffron started with a birthday present from her mother Jill of just 20 corms in 1997. It can perhaps be claimed that after two centuries it was Sally who brought back commercial saffron production to Norfolk on a patch of land in Burnham Norton (North Norfolk) too small for conventional modern farming. Her inspiration for King Harry came from perusing through old books and obscure literature – through libraries and online research. Her digging and culinary sleuthing led her to a fascinating historical recipe where gin was infused with saffron and orange zest. “I made my prototype a couple of years ago just before my son was born,” says Sally. “The liqueur came first in its class at Burnham Market Flower Show back in 2011 with some lovely comments from the judges, which was really encouraging.” There then followed 18 months of development work, including a search for highest quality gin for the liqueur’s base, produced as locally as possible.

“Orange and saffron make for a happy partnership,” says Sally. The orange is the main flavour note and the real orange zest gives the liqueur its boost. “A balance is created between the orange zest and the

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aromatic saffron strands that heighten the overall flavour,” says Sally. There are no commercial syrups or flavourings here. Made using artisan gin from the English Spirit Distillery, a small distiller based in the village of Dullingham, Cambridgeshire, King Harry is a locally produced liqueur of excellent quality.

The liqueur was launched at events in the Norfolk Food & Drink Festival during August and September and can be bought from The Stamford Wine Company, 10 St Paul’s Street, Stamford (www.thestamfordwinecompany.com) or ordered online at www.norfolksaffron.co.uk.

Flavour notes “A taste of King Harry Liqueur evokes memories of my mother’s homemade Christmas fruitcake where she would brush the top and sides of the cake with marmalade then cover with marzipan before icing. Marmalade and Marzipan… that’s exactly what it tastes like…perfect for Christmas” ~ Blake Johnston, the Stamford Wine Company • ‘King Harry’s Spritz, 25ml ‘King Harry’ orange and saffron liqueur topped with prosecco and an orange twist (developed by No 42 King St, Norwich) • Drizzle King Harry over ice cream, crepes or add to a citrusy fruit salad, trifle or a chocolatey dessert.

• Add a splash to whipped double cream and serve with warmed mince pies • Christmas pudding served with a chilled shot of King Harry Liqueur is a perfect match for Christmas day

More on the English Spirit Distillery…

An exciting discovery to find this small distillery in Cambridgeshire producing some of the finest spirits made anywhere. Using copper pot stills to make an eclectic variety of spirits including vodka, infused vodkas, gin, old salt rum, apple brandy and more with the long haul production to whisky. “Making one-off batches of this and that as seasons come and seasons go so do little gems like English Grappa and English Sambucca,” says distiller John Walters.

Dr J’s Gin begins life from English Spirit Vodka and then John packs in varieties of coriander, juniper berries, macadamia nuts, fresh zest and some magic. All distilled in copper pots that work their wonder. The Cucumber Gin is a popular purchase from stockists The Stamford Wine Company, Stamford.

Cucumber Gin taste it note – made in a gin style but with no junipers. John explains, “In fact the only botanical is English cucumber.

The radiant spectrum of cucumber notes intertwines with white pepper and hints of fennel, but there is a true surprise waiting for you…a light golden honey dew melon finish.

Serve as a neat sip, over a chunk of ice with olive or as an extraordinary base to a Bloody Mary.”

Source from The Stamford Wine Company and from Devines Deli, Market Place, 10B West Street, Oundle (Tel: 01832 274396, www. devinesdeli.co.uk)

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Countdown to Christmas at The William Cecil Join us for your pre-Christmas party or a relaxing lunch or dinner in December; don your glad rags for our spectacular New Year’s Eve Gala Evening (fizz & wine included); or why not retreat to us on Boxing Day & New Year’s Day to enjoy our special brunches.

To find out more, call 01780 750 070 or visit www.thewilliamcecil.co.uk Call now for tickets to our New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner & Dancing

£69.50 per person

We’re open every day for lunch, afternoon tea & dinner.

Delicious Game now on the menu!

The William Cecil High St, St Martins, Stamford PE9 2LJ. 01780 750 070 www.thewilliamcecil.co.uk

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FOOD & DR INK

Food Photography

Robin Stewart, professional photographer, based in Oakham, specialises in food, interiors and people photography. Here he explains why photography is the single most important element of most advertising campaigns: “While copywriters may spend hours producing an eye-catching headline and copy that explains the benefits of a product, it’s the image that first attracts the viewer. It’s also the last thing the viewer usually remembers after turning the page. ”With the variety of media available to attract new customers, announce new products or services, the benefits of clear, attractive photography is instrumental in reinforcing messages of quality, innovation and desirability. ”The benefits of product photography for advertising are many-fold and should be seen as part of a process that plans for the coming year – for example, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter and once a portfolio of images has been produced these can then be used across a variety of media including websites and social media, as well as print - so should be thought of as a multi-use product that can be utilised throughout the year as required. ”More than just a simple snap-shot, a professional photographer will seek to convey all that is most desirable about a product, location or person using artistic and technical skill to create an honest image that portrays your product in the best possible way and creates a memorable image for the viewer.”

Specialising in food, products, interiors and people, Robin creates beautiful images for websites, PR, advertorial, menus, packaging, magazines, books et al.

• Call him on Tel: 07852 158057 or to see more log on to: www.realfoodphotography.co

New Menu at the William Cecil Nicholas Rudd-Jones finds much to like about the William Cecil

The William Cecil has become a very stylish and relaxing place to meet up socially or for a business meeting; and it does the autumn season very well, with its traditional hues, and candles scattered around the intimate bar and restaurant. You feel cosy and well looked after as soon as you step into the front hall.

We took drinks in the bar beforehand and had a long look through the autumn menu. Phil Kent, the talented young head Chef, has created a menu full of locally-sourced dishes, with a particular emphasis on game and seafood. The game dishes are sourced locally and from the Burghley Estate, meaning you can enjoy the very best and freshest game of the season.

With one meat-lover and one vegetarian, the menu suited us very well, and there were lots of tempting choices. For starters, I chose the Pan-seared king scallops, celeriac purée & tempurabattered courgette flowers – very fresh, and the courgette flowers were visually delightful as well as delicious. My partner chose the Cromer crab & lobster mousse, lobster butter, avocado ice cream & a pancetta tuille in a regulation Kilner-style jar.

For mains, I took the game route – a Pan-seared venison fillet, black pudding potato, wilted spinach, apple & fig chutney, parsnip crisp – indulgent, a rich sauce, perfect for an autumn evening.

Elli chose the ‘Mille feuille of thyme & parmesan tuille with artichoke purée, spinach & garlic medley, shallots, potatoes & herb oil – excellent texture and ingredient combinations, it could perhaps have had more herbs infused into it.

I was on a diet, but if we had chosen a dessert it would certainly have been the sharing plate: “Melting chocolate fondant, white chocolate fondant, salted caramel ice cream, Champagne & strawberry terrine, Eton mess, Lemon tart & baked Alaska.”

Home-made truffles to finish off with a slug of peach vodka made for the perfect evening.

• William Cecil Hotel St Martin’s, Stamford, PE9 2LJ Tel: 01780 750070 www.thewilliamcecil.co.uk STAMFORD LIVING NOVEMBER 2013

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B R I N G I N G L OCA L FOOD T O LIFE

Cutting the mustard Last month Matt Wright named a group of Fenland mustard farmers local food heroes. Here’s why…

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ix years ago, English mustard Members of the growing co-operative. growing was on its knees. For From left: Michael Sly, Tom Gee, at least 200 years, the flatlands Greg Bliss of south Lincolnshire and north and Adrian Cambridgeshire have produced Gee almost the entire English mustard crop. The seeds sown and grown here have been used by Colman’s since the legendary brand’s birth in 1814, and at every harvest since have been taken to Norwich, milled, put into yellow jars and sold, eventually being used to spice up Sunday roasts up and down the land.

But this long tradition nearly died out in 2007 due to declining yields and the fallout from the 1995 sale of Colman’s to Unilever. The fact that scale of the Colman’s suppliers. mustard growing on the Fens still Before 2007, there was no takes place at all – and is now mustard growing co-operative on the up again – is thanks to but several farmers supplying 11 farmers who decided to join Colman’s individually. After a forces to scrap for the crop’s disastrous harvest that year survival. combined with declining yields, “In many cases, our families some growers threw in the have been growing mustard towel. A crisis meeting was held. here in the east of England “We decided to form a growing cofor more than 120 years,” says operative of 11 farmers,” says Michael.

Michael Sly, acting chairman of the “Our aims were to secure the English crop, Thorney-based English Mustard Growers boost the yield and improve the seed in time for Co-operative. “We all thought, hang on a Colman’s bicentennary in 2014.” minute, we can’t just give up without a fight.

The group of farmers – now 14 strong and And it’s down to the producing around 1300 tons of mustard a year sheer sentimentality on 1400 acres – is on track to achieve these and dogged goals. George Hoyles, whose family has been determination of this growing mustard in south Lincs since 1912, says: growing co-operative “Much more knowledge has been gained as a that the Colman’s result of the group coming together. Before the English mustard crop co-operative was formed, the mustard growers still exists.” did their own thing whether it was correct If they had stopped or not. Now everything is considerably more growing, Colman’s About the writer transparent and best practice is being shared.” would have had to Matt Wright Greg Bliss’s family has also grown mustard import all its mustard founded and runs here since 1912. “Since we came together to from abroad, and Greatfoodmag.co.uk and save the crop, Unilever has been supportive its famous English Greatfoodclub.co.uk, and surprised at how quickly we’ve moved mustard would have two Leicestershireforward,” he says. The growers now handle been no more. Other based websites that celebrate and promote seed development rather than Colman’s, which small English mustard local food and drink. makes sense.” The co-operative is also trying growers do exist – in His Great Food Club new methods, such as growing brown mustard Yorkshire and the Handbook 2013/14 is in winter for the first time. “Winter growing Cotswolds – but out now. means you avoid wet springtime periods and nowhere near on the

pests,” says Greg. “One problem with spring mustard is that it flowers just as the oilseed rape finishes, so all the bugs jump from the rape to the mustard.” Next on the agenda could be a push to gain Protected Geographical Indication status for English mustard, in the same way as Melton Mowbray pork pies and Blue Stilton cheese. “We can see the potential of the Colman’s brand and the crop,” says Greg. “And it’s worth fighting for.” Michael continues: “Financially we don’t own the Colman’s brand but morally and spiritually we feel like we are its real custodians. The Fens have always been a mustard producing area and we’re proud of that history.”

Michael ends with a story: “It’s said that Jeremiah Colman [founder of Colman’s] used to come to Wisbech to check the crop. The farmer would tip his mustard seeds into a bowl. Mr Colman – sitting at a table with a cut-out section to incorporate his impressive girth – would scoop the seeds round with his hand to check the quality. If he was happy he would seal the contract by giving you a cigar.”

With so much heritage at stake, it’s a good job the English Mustard Growing Co-operative have fought to keep the Colman’s crop. No doubt Jeremiah would give each of them a big cigar.

Join Matt’s food club – Great Food Club – free of charge and discover the very best local food and drink.

Members can enjoy special offers at over 90 handpicked independent pubs, restaurants, producers and farm shops www.greatfooodclub.co.uk/join

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Mustard: a little history

Harvesting mustard seed

The Romans probably exported mustard seed to Britain.

They are known to have mixed unfermented grape juice, known as ‘must’, with ground mustard seeds to make ‘mustum ardens’ (burning must) – hence ‘mustard’. An early use of mustard as a condiment in England was in the form of mustard balls – coarse, ground mustard seeds combined with flour and cinnamon, moistened, rolled into balls, and dried. Growing co-operative member George Hoyles has another nugget of mustard history: “When the Pilgrim Fathers set sail from Boston in 1623 to discover America, they were a religious lot and used to pray five or six times a day. They took mustard seed with them – as the bible says, it is the smallest, fastest growing seed there is. Whenever they prayed they threw down some seed so they could retrace their footsteps. These mustard trails can still be picked up by satellite today.”

Did you know?

English mustard is one of the strongest of them all, being made from only mustard flour, water, salt and, sometimes, lemon juice – but not with vinegar.

Colman’s Mustard One of our most iconic food brands, Colman’s Mustard was founded in 1814 when flour miller Jeremiah Colman took over a mustard making business near Norwich.

Today, Colman’s is owned by multinational giant Unilever but its famous yellow packaging and bull’s head graphic has remained the same since 1855. It has always used mustard seed grown in the Fens.

Winter mustard on the flatlands near Thorney – this will soon be livening up Lincolnshire sausages

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Jeeves Catering – For Business and Pleasure From catering to complete event management

• Local caterers -Established since 1995 • All occasions weddings, parties, corporate entertaining, christenings, shoot lunches, picnics, funerals • Barbeques, buffets, hot and cold food, canapés • English tea parties served on our complimentary range of vintage china • Catering at any venue, marquees, village halls, homes and work spaces • Christmas and New Year menus are available to view on our website covering intimate dinner parties to large corporate gatherings.

Robin Stewart Photographer Food, Products, Interiors, People Robin creates beautiful images for websites, pr, advertorial, menus, packaging, magazines, books

07852 158 057

www.realfoodphotography.co/

Visit our website to view menus and prices www.jeevescatering.com To discuss a forthcoming event please call Susan Fenner on 01778 349512 Email: info@jeevescatering.com Jeeves Catering 41 High Street, Maxey, Peterborough PE6 9EE 10% discount on bookings for over 50 people, event to be booked and deposit paid by November 30th 2013.

To claim quote JCVM10% when booking.

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*1 bo

tt

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t festive See our grea us! party men

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Christmas 2013

Soak up the atmosphere

BARNSDALE LODGE

CHRISTMAS SEASON 2013

Let our chefs and their dishes take your taste buds travelling to the Orient through a tantalizing variety of dishes from the diverse cultures and flavours of Southeast Asia.

East Restaurant, Upper Deck Charters, Town Bridge, Peterborough PE1 1FP

www.east-restaurant.co.uk

01733 315702

Rock the Boat!

NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY Tickets on sale NOW

Entrance £10 per person* *£5 per person if you dine in East

Live band The Dizzy Miss Lizzys

Good Food, Real Ales, Great Entertainment

November events...

Sat 2nd Nov from 7pm: Fabulous Guy Fawkes Bonfire & Fireworks Display!

BBQ; Toffee Apples; Fireworks 7.30pm, New Live Music 8pm with Doors openBonfire 7pm 7pm, ‘til early morning Year’s Day The Blues Volcano. Supporting The 1st Deeping St James Scouts Group & Team Jess

FREE ENTRY!

SUN 3RD NOV - Join us for our monthly Sunday Big Quiz and Play Your Cards Right evening. Minimum £50 PYCR pot!

Visit our website for other events & live music in November.

Festive Party Nights DINNER/disco in the barn A selection of dates available throughout December.

Private parties can be arranged, subject to availability. £27.50 pp (Sun-Thurs) | £30.00 pp (Fri/Sat)

Christmas Lunch/Dinner Available Mon-Saturday from 7th Dec - 23rd Dec. Booking essential.

Prices from £17.00 for 2 courses Private dining available – complimentary glass of mulled wine for tables of 8 or more

NEW YEARS EVE DINNER Champagne & canapés, 5 course dinner, live entertainiment from The Jazz Rats and fireworks! £90 per person. Booking essential.

Christmas 2013 Join us for a variety of fabulous festive menus and events in our restaurant, bar and marquee parties at the weekend..

New Year’s Eve 2013 Hogmanay: Enjoy a wonderful a la carte menu, then Celtic band, Claddagh, will lead us into Great below the New Year with Scottish Reels, followed by aatmosphere disco into the early hoursdeck

UK’s largest floating real ale emporium

Open Boxing Day and New Year’s Day for dining or simply

12relaxing hand by pumps our loginc fire award winning brews from Oakham Ales Please visit our website for all Christmas Lower Deck, Town Bridge, and Peterborough New Year event and menu details.

www.charters-bar.co.uk

01733 315700

Jan & Feb 2014 New Year offer – 10% discount on all main menu selections!

The Golden Pheasant - 1 Main Road, Etton, Peterborough, PE6 7DA

Tel: 01733 252387

Have you seen our stunning retreats?

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Email: info@thegoldenpheasant.net - www.thegoldenpheasant.net

The Avenue, Rutland Water, Nr Oakham, Rutland LE15 8AH enquiries@barnsdalelodge.co.uk

www.barnsdalelodge.co.uk

www.rutlandretreats.co.uk

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D IA RY DAT E S

WHAT’S ON Amander Meade selects some of the best entertainment in the region this month Tuesday October 29 to Saturday 9 November EXHIBITION: Dimensions A new exhibition by local artist Rosemary Tolkien together with the artist and illustrator Caroline Ward. Rosemary’s paintings are largely inspired by the architecture and character of Stamford. Caroline is exhibiting original paintings and drawings from the ‘Harry Hailstorm’ collection and ‘Woodsy’ children’s fantasy books. Poetry and books by the writer Michael Tolkien will also be on display. They are joined by the artist Josette Carroll who is exhibiting some of her popular recycled cardboard sculptures Stamford Arts Centre, Admission is free.

Friday 29 November Paul Daniels – First Farewell Tour One of the UK’s favourite entertainers, Paul Daniels will be performing a brand new show featuring some old favourite tricks plus some new ones never performed in public before. Paul is the only magician to have received all the accolades awarded by the Magic Circle and will be accompanied by his wife…the lovely Debbie McGee. Stamford Corn Exchange Theatre Tickets £17.50 Tel: 01780 766455

Barnsdale under frost Throughout November Events and courses continue with the Illustrated Garden Journal, Plant Propagation, Watercolour Painting, Pruning Fruit Trees, and workshops making Christmas wreaths and garlands. Expert tuition for beginners and beyond.

Barnsdale Gardens Booking essential Tel: 01572 813200 www.barnsdalegardens.co.uk Saturday 2 November, gates from 5pm EVENT: Bonfire Extravaganza This event organised by the Stamford Kiwanis is always guaranteed to draw the crowds.

Considered the best firework display in Stamford, there is also a giant bonfire Queen Eleanor School Admission £5 adults, £2 children with all proceeds to local charities, details at www. stamfordkiwanis.co.org Saturday 2 November, 7.30pm EVENT: The Lighthouse Family – Tunde Baiyewu

As the voice of the Lighthouse Family, Tunde has achieved in excess of twenty million global sales.

He returned to the live circuit in 2011 and this year released his second solo album ‘Diamond in a Rock’ Stamford Corn Exchange Theatre, Tickets £20 Tel: 01780 766455 www.stamford-corn-exchangetheatre.co. uk Wednesday 6 November, 8pm MUSIC: Aly Bain, Ale Moler & Bruce Molksy Three of the world’s leading folk musicians sharing their Celtic, Nordic and Appalachian cultures.

Aly Bain is Scotland’s supreme traditional style fiddler; his playing is unique with a vibrant, unmistakable tone. His most recent collaboration with Swedish multi-instrumentalist Ale Möller, created the album ‘Fully Rigged’ a celebration of shared Nordic heritage. Completing the line-up is Bruce Molsky who has also explored traditional music from an astonishingly broad range of cultures over the past two decades.

Stamford Arts Centre, Tickets £15/£13 Tel: 01780 763203 www.stamfordartscentre.com STAMFORD LIVING NOVEMBER 2013

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D IA RY DAT E S Thursday 7 to Saturday 9 November, 7.30pm (Saturday matinee 2.30pm) THEATRE: Act Your Age College Players amateur society presents this musical farce.

Stamford Arts Centre,Tickets £9.50/£8.50, Tel: 01780 763203 www.stamfordartscentre.com

Sunday 17 November, 10.30am to 3.30pm Stamford Quality Market An exciting new shopping experience featuring high quality local stall holders representing cottage industries, craftsmen and small businesses. Gorgeous interiors, country lifestyle, jewellery, vintage finds, cheese, bread and cakes.

Stamford Arts Centre Ballroom Wednesday 27 November, 7.30pm TALK: Parks and Gardens – Stamford’s Green Spaces From meadows and common land to parks, gardens, orchards and allotments, Philippa Massey looks at how the green spaces in Stamford evolved; and their use, from food production to recreation.

Stamford Theatre, Tickets £5/£4.50 Tel: 01780 763203, www.stamfordartscentre.com

Sunday 10 November, 5pm EVENT: The Glen Miller Orchestra Sinatra, Dean Martin and Louis Armstrong are all featured in a show which highlights the stars and bands of the era. These are the sounds that served a generation through the war and laid the foundations of pop right up to the present day. Expect wartime chart toppers. The perfect night out for Big Band aficionados.

Stamford Corn Exchange Theatre, Tickets £19/£18 Tel: 01780 766455 www.stamford-corn-exchangetheatre.co. uk Saturday 16 November, 8pm CONCERT: Stamford Chamber Orchestra The orchestra opens its thirtieth anniversary season with Mozart’s Haffner Symphony, Haydn’s London Symphony and the world premiere of a celebratory commission from the Orchestra’s Musical Director, Ben Palmer’s Pocket Symphony.S Stamford Arts Centre, Tickets £12/£10/£5) Tel: 01780 763203 www.stamfordartscentre.com

Monday 2 December, to be seated by 7.20pm EVENT: Rutland NSPCC Carol Concert Mulled wine and mince pies on arrival before a magical programme of wondrous tales of Christmas by guest readers including Lars Tharp (BBC Antiques Road Show), Nigel Colborn (BBC Gardeners World), Rosemary Conley (Diet expert) and Anne Davies (BBC East Midlands Today) plus sublime music from the Harborough Singers. This prestigious county occasion has become the largest single fundraising event for the NSPCC in the East Midlands Region.

All Saints Church, Oakham Tickets £12 each from Bakers Yard, Oakham, Don Paddy’s Wine Bar, Uppingham, Margaret Wheeler Tel: 01572 813626

Choose from our roundup of Christmas shows and pantomimes this year….

Saturday 14 December, 11am & 2pm Once In A Blue Moon It’s the moon’s birthday! During the party the moon disappears. Search for clues to the moon’s whereabouts, as you journey through strange lands and meet some curious characters along the way. Dance, live music and audience interactivity for three to six year olds and their families.

Stamford Arts Centre. Tickets £5 Tel: 01780 763203. www.stamfordartscentre.co.uk Saturday 14 December to Tuesday 24 December, various performance times Beauty and the Beast All the magic and fun of a traditional family pantomime which promises to be an all-singing, all-dancing festive spectacular. The enchanting story of a young girl who learns to love the grizzled beast, thus releasing him from the cruel spell cast by the evil Carabosse is a favourite with Cresset Pantomime audiences. And with Beauty’s eccentric nurse, kids favourite Silly

Billy and a magical frog helping them along, you can expect them to live happily ever after.

The Cresset Theatre, Peterborough Tickets £11.50 Tel: 01733 842500

family pantomime.

Stamford Corn Exchange Theatre Tickets £9.50/£7.50 Tel: 01780 766455 www.stamford-corn-excahange.co.uk

Saturday 21 December, 11.30am & 3pm Scrooge A spectacular adaptation of Dickens’ timeless tale, played out with huge puppets, fine actors, great songs and ingenious staging. Expect lots of audience participation.

Stamford Arts Centre Tickets £8 (family ticket £28) Tel: 01780 763 203. www.stamfordartscentre.co.uk

Friday 13 December to Saturday 4 January 2014 - Jack and the Beanstalk Get ready to cheer Jack on his magical journey to Giant Blunderbore’s Castle in the Sky as the daring hero takes on the evil Poison Ivy. Polka Dot are back with another fantastic family pantomime. Expect up-beat singing and dancing, fabulous costumes and plenty of fun for the audience to get involved in.

The Guildhall Arts Centre, Grantham Tickets £12/£10 Tel: 01476 406158 www.guildhallartscentre.com After running at the Guildhall, this pantomime transfers to Stamford Arts Centre and runs from Thursday 9 to Sunday 12 January where tickets are the same price and available on Tel: 01780 763 203 www.stamfordartscentre.co.uk

Saturday 28 December to Wednesday 1 January 2014 - Aladdin Stamford Pantomime Players present a truly fabulous production of Aladdin. Spectacular costumes, a lavish set and sequins aplenty, this sparkling all-singing, all-dancing cast of local performers will take you on a magic carpet ride full of adventure. An enchanting and magical

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ACCOUNTANTS

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24/10/2013 17:33

STA M FOR D PE OPLE

Nick Fluck

President, The Law Society Two months ago, Nick Fluck, partner at Stapleton & Sons, Stamford, was elected President of The Law Society. Harjit Gammon conducted an interview with the elusive Mr Fluck, to discover how a former farm hand became the man in the top job.

H

aving all but given up on pinning Nick down after several months of trying, I received word that he would after all be available, as the copy deadline loomed a day off! Thus we shoehorned a conversation into his hectic schedule.

Fluck, as many Stamfordians will know has been with Stapletons Solicitors in Broad Street ‘man and boy’ and, is frequently to be seen going to and fro to the offices of what he describes as a good “old fashioned, general practice High Street solicitors”. How then did he become a jet-setting President of The Law Society?

The answer, as is so often the case, lies in that equally good old fashioned concept application.

Some eight years previous Nick joined the Council, the governing body of The Law Society. as a means of some much needed diversion from an intensely demanding circumstance in his personal life. This eventually culminated in him volunteering to be elected as an office holder, first as Deputy Vice President, then Vice President and ultimately as President of The Law Society. After two years of part-time work in the first two posts, he is currently two months into a yearlong full-time post which will see him travel the world on behalf of The Law Society.

similar work in Europe, notably France, where advocacy only is paid for in this way, with the State bearing all other preparation costs, Fluck and his colleagues clearly have a significant challenge in representing their members practising in this area of the law. Another key issue for the Society currently is a review of the regulation of lawyers. With 129,000 practising solicitors with a certificate this also promises to be a vital issue.

Polytechnic with a degree in Humanities (French) I thought about teaching before settling on law. “It was probably the misconception of wealth beyond the dreams of avarice,” he laughs. But, “you get to speak to people and help them sort out their problems.

It’s valuable and useful work that is satisfying.”

A year later, spent labouring on a farm, to save the money to do a conversion course at Leeds University, he was on his way.

What is your own area of Practice?

In keeping with the nature of Stapletons as a general practice High Street Solicitors I cover the full span of work, from property; both commercial and residential, through wills and trusts. The enduring benefit to dealing with ‘High Street’ solicitors, such as ourselves, is that we are able to help our clients with all aspects of their needs. We get to know our clients and they can build up a trust in us.

Where do you live?

For this year I have use of the President’s House in London, a beautiful and gracious 18th century building in the vicinity of the Law Society’s offices. It is quirky and lovely, with odd shapes and corners everywhere, like many of the lovely buildings in Stamford. A useful base for the many trips he will undertake on behalf of the Society worldwide. “You step out of one life and into another for one year. A side step into a different parallel universe in a job which is both an honour and a duty”.

Why did you go into the Law? That’s a good question! After I left Huddersfield

What is your role as President?

Essentially it is dual facing. I represent the profession and secondly, I am an ambassador for English & Welsh Law overseas. English law enjoys immense respect worldwide, in part due to the vestiges of Empire but more importantly because it is seen as the “least corruptible and, most reliable law on the planet”. It is chosen by many, from Russian Oligarchs to humble private citizens, to represent them because it guarantees, at the very least, a fair hearing and justice.

Tell me about your current projects.

The hot ticket item currently is working with the Ministry of Justice on price competitive tendering for criminal & civil legal aid work. The Ministry is seeking to reduce the cost of the service. However the rates were last changed in 1993, he tells me, making them woefully out of kilter with inflation. But the Lord Chancellor is now proposing a further cut of 17.5% and then bidding downwards from there to the nearest competitor.

Coupled with unfair comparisons with

78

Nick Fluck with wife Sue and daughter Claire.

STAMFORD LIVING NOVEMBER 2013

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