Dales Life winter 2015

FREE Winter 2015

ANTIQUES

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FOOD

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INTERIORS |

WILDLIFE

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GARDENING

Yorkshire’s Craft for Finest Christmas FANTASTIC FOOD MAKE A FABULOUS SEASONAL WREATH

Snow Whites STUNNING WINTER FLOWERS

AND GREAT GIFTS

Nature Watch

KINGFISHER SPOTTING IN THE DALES

Cook up a festive feast with GORDON RAMSAY and PETER SIDWELL

Suppliers of

BEAUTIFUL KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS

Visit our website: yorkshire-kitchens.co.uk Showroom: Belle Vue office, Market Place, Leyburn, North Yorkshire DL8 5AW Open: Monday to Friday 9am-5:30pm Saturday 10am-1pm Please ask for our complimentary brochure Telephone: 01969 624274

COUNTY KITCHENS 2

| Dales Life | Winter 2015

(Leyburn) Ltd

from the editor

S

Keep it Local

hopping for Christmas can be a stressful experience, particularly if you choose to fight your way through the crowds at a jam-packed out-of-town shopping centre.

Fortunately, though, there’s a far easier way to get the job done.

Everything you need for a perfect Christmas can be bought right here in the Dales, in a friendly environment, at a relaxed pace, and often at better prices than you’ll find elsewhere.

With so many talented craftspeople, fine food producers and excellent independent shops on our doorsteps, we’re genuinely spoiled for choice. In this issue we flag up some of the highlights, from innovative liqueurs and artisan chocolates to choice wines and succulent free-range birds. And it’s not just food and drink, either. For plenty more great gift ideas, turn to our Lifestyle and Dales Life Loves pages.

So this year, do yourself – and the Dales – a favour by supporting the local businesses that make our region so special!

Don’t Miss Out Every issue, we distribute tens of thousands of copies of Dales Life. Unfortunately, it’s just not possible for us to reach every tiny village and hamlet. That’s why we’ve had some smart new stands made, and we’re installing them at key points around the Dales so those of you who don’t get the magazine through your letterbox can collect a copy. You can find a list of locations on page 103, and also at daleslife.com.

And did you know you can now download a digital version of the magazine from our website to read offline? Tell your friends and family so they can enjoy Dales Life too!

Finally I want to say a huge thank you to all our advertisers for supporting the magazine – please mention us when responding to advertisements.

We’ll be back early in the New Year. Meanwhile here’s wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous 2016!

Sue Gillman | Editor

GUARANTEED DELIVERY Take out a subscription and never miss another issue!

Visit www.daleslife.com

NOT HAD DALES LIFE THROUGH YOUR LETTERBOX? See page 103 to find out where you can pick up a copy for free.

MORE THAN JUST A MAGAZINE Read our latest issue at daleslife.com and follow us on twitter.com/Dales_Life

Winter 2015 | Dales Life |

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The home of the world’s finest fireplaces BEAUTIFULLY STYLISH WOOD BURNING AND MULTI-FUEL STOVES, GAS & ELECTRIC FIRES, FIREPLACE SURROUNDS & ACCESSORIES ALL OVER 5 ROOMS AT OUR SPECIALIST SHOWROOM IN NORTHALLERTON

235 HIGH STREET, NORTHALLERTON, DL7 8LU WWW.YORKSHIREFIREPLACES.CO.UK 01609 779866 FULL INSTALLATION SERVICE AVAILABLE

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Contents Winter 2015

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IFE STYLE L Inspiring ideas for your home and garden.

18 WILD ANGLE Photographers celebrate the beauty of the natural world.

20 FLY FISHING The kingfisher is one of our most spectacular birds, and winter is the ideal time to see it.

29 GARDEN NOTES Garden news, products and advice,

by Adam Appleyard.

34 SNOW WHITES Nothing lights up the garden like a drift of stunning white flowers, says Adam Appleyard.

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42 MAKING MERRY Craft your own gorgeous festive wreath and create some stunning displays with bulbs.

51 FOOD FILE Food news, events and the best of local produce, by Amanda Cook.

55 DRINKS NOTEBOOK Amazing offers on wines and champagnes, award-winning liquers and a five-star drinks service.

cover image Š Mark Hamblin Dales Life 90 Tadcaster Road, York YO24 1LT. www.daleslife.com

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Contents

104

Winter 2015

56 A ROASTING FROM RAMSAY Rustling up Christmas lunch does not have to be a chore. Gordon Ramsay shows you how to have a stress-free Christmas.

68 THE DISCERNING DINER Claudia Blake visits The Black Bull, Moulton.

78 FESTIVE FEAST Sumptuous seasonal menu from TV chef Peter Sidwell.

84 SEASON’S BEST Combine nutritious sprouts with Fountains Gold Cheddar to make a delicious bake.

87 MY YORKSHIRE Continuing our series, we meet Rob Theakston, MD of The Black Sheep Brewery, Masham.

91 P RIZE LOT This month’s auction room highlights.

92 DALES LIFE LOVES A collection of gorgeous goodies for that special Christmas gift.

104 DALES DIARY A guide to local events compiled by Liz Hanson.

110 FRENCH LEAVE Buying a property in France is cheaper and easier than you might think.

128 TO DINE FOR Great places to eat in the Yorkshire Dales.

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Editor Deputy Editor Production Advertising

Art Editor Proofreader Proprietor

Sue Gillman Brian Pike Claudia Blake Sue Gillman Liz Hanson Stef Suchomski Alison Farrell Sue Gillman

Contributors Prof. Chris Baines, Mark Hamblin, Paul Miguel, Brian Pike, Ian Henry, RHS Images, Peter Sidwell, Elena Greenway, Amanda Cook, Adam Appleyard, Liz Hanson, The National Trust.

t. 01904 629295, 01904 279499 m. 07970 739 119 e. sue@daleslife.com www.daleslife.com Dales Life 90 Tadcaster Road, York YO24 1LT.

Winter 2015 | Dales Life |

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DOVETAIL INTERIORS FURNITURE HOME ACCESSORIES GIFTS

Interest free credit now available 17 Market Place, Bedale, DL8 1ED 01677 426464 www.dovetailinteriors.com

Specialists in: • Wood Flooring • Carpets • Luxury Vinyl Tiles • Vinyl and much more Image courtesy of Kersaint Cobb

t m e w 8

01748 822834 07789 996526 nhflooring@btinternet.com www.nhflooring.co.uk

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Unit 6 Borough Court, Borough Rd, Gallowfields Trading Estate, Richmond, DL10 4SX Telephone Nick Hodges to make an appointment

lifestyle INSPIRING

IDEAS FOR YOUR HOME Charming Christmas decoration from a range at Love Thy Interiors, Thirsk, lovethyinteriors.co.uk

A hand-p ainted par trid graces th is linen nap ge ki of a set o f six – avai n, one lable online at annabelja mes.co.u k

ecorated ushion d Comfy c bugs l u rf u with colo ies from erfl and butt rior.fi/en vallilainte

‘Purpleheart’, a classic paint shade from Little Greene, available from Thirsk Decorating Centre, 01845 440668.

Plum and blackberry scented candle by Stoneglow at Love Thy Interiors, Thirsk, lovethyinteriors.co.uk

Enhance your festive dining table with a set of these silver place mats from Dovetail Interiors, Bedale, dovetailinteriors.com

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STOCKIST: Thirsk Decorating Centre (Rydenor Ltd.) Unit 3, Plot 22, Thirsk Industrial Park,York Road, Thirsk Y07 3BX 01845 440668

Be inspired by our Christmas collections

Quaint & Quirky is a gorgeous gift and interiors shop selling an inspiring range of gifts, home accessories and gardenware with an emphasis on being quirky and a little bit different.

Our new range of Christmas gifts and unique decorations are now in stock.

Shop online at quaintandquirky.net 15 MARKET PLACE, LEYBURN DL8 5BG 10

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T 01969 368150

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W QUAINTANDQUIRKY.NET

lifestyle INSPIRING

IDEAS FOR YOUR HOME This smart world clock comes in two sizes – you can see them at Love Thy Interiors, Thirsk, lovethyinteriors.co.uk

You can find this festive table runner in a choice of colours at Do vetail Interiors, Bedale, dovetailinteriors.c om

Chic painted ice bucket, perfect for the party season, from Love Thy Interiors, Thirsk, lovethyinteriors.co.uk Sumptuous fabric from the new ‘Eze’ collection by Manuel Canovas, available from Milners of Leyburn, milnersofleyburn.co.uk

Handsome enamel trinket box, part of a new collection at Quaint and Quirky, Leyburn, quaintandquirky.net Cheeky robin mug by At Home in the Country, at Jamesons Country Store, Masham, wjameson.co.uk Winter 2015 | Dales Life |

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B E A R C OT TAG E I N T E R I O R S Period & Contemporary Country Design Bespoke design service ranging from a single cushion cover to a complete home design package

We would like to invite customers old and new to visit our festive emporium in our large showroom in Hawes The Cattle Market, Market Place, Hawes, DL8 3RD Tel 01969 666077

www.bearcottageinteriors.co.uk

staceymooreart Our exciting new country collection of limited edition prints, luxury homeware, and stationary has just been released.

Subjects include; hares, foxes, sheep, cows and birds. They would make an ideal gift for Christmas.

All available to buy online at www.staceymooreart.com

01969 667045 www.staceymooreart.com www.facebook.com/staceymooreart staceymooreart@gmail.com

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lifestyle INSPIRING

IDEAS FOR YOUR HOME

This hand-poured Dovecote soy candle burns for ages and releases a delicious fragrance – buy it online from thedovecoteshop.com

Stylish, practical range cooker in a selection of contemporary and classic colours from Homecare, Darlington, homecaresupplies.co.uk

Colourful Christmas plate by Emma Bridgewater available at Dovetail Interiors, Bedale, dovetailinteriors.com

Pack of six delightful Christmas cards designed by Wensleydale artist Stacey Moore, staceymooreart.com

Cheery cotton cushion, one of several designs by Wensleydale artist Stacey Moore, staceymooreart.com This quirky hand-carved hare from Velvet & Dash (shop. velvet-dash.com) is a copy of a traditional country good luck charm Winter 2015 | Dales Life |

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Let’s Colour Make an ordinary kitchen incredible with a creative colour palette.

We stock the Dulux Tailor Made Collection which offers over 1200 colours that can be mixed in any finish you want.

Finishes available in Flat Matt, Matt, Soft Sheen, Silk, Eggshell, Satinwood and Gloss

SANDERSON & CO

INTERIOR DECORATING SUPPLIERS High Street, Leyburn | Tel: 01969 623143

Love Thy Interiors Exciting new collections for Christmas

Our store in Thirsk is the perfect place to find that special gift for Christmas.

We have a unique collection of homeware, soft furnishings, furniture, lighting and collectable pieces you won’t find anywhere else.

Open 7 days a week plus bank holidays.

www.lovethyinteriors.co.uk 14

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11 Kirkgate Thirsk YO71PQ

01845 527123

lifestyle INSPIRING

IDEAS FOR YOUR HOME Delightful deerthemed linen cushion by Charlotte Macey, charlottemacey.co.uk

You can find this fine bone china jug featuring gorgeous game birds at Quaint & Quirky, Leyburn, quaintandquirky.net

Handsome wallpaper from the Linwood ‘Ephemera’ collection – see the range at Bear Cottage Interiors, Hawes, bearcottageinteriors.com

Handmade napkins embr oidered with a jolly C hristmas pu d, from Charlo tte Macey, charlottlem acey.co.uk

Elegant dresser in French Grey and Lime White by The Fettling Fairies, thefettlingfairies.com

Rattan log basket, available in a choice of sizes from Yorkshire Fireplaces, Northallerton, yorkshirefireplaces.co.uk

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MAKERS OF BESPOKE KITCHENS AND BEDROOM FURNITURE

T 01609 775383 W DEANSBURYKITCHENS.CO.UK

The Fettling Fairies Amazing furniture refinished with a touch of magic Visit our website to see how we use our magic to breathe new life into

Dressers ♦ Drawer Chests Wardrobes ♦ Dressing Tables Farmhouse Tables and Chairs and much more.

We can also wave our magic wands over your own cherished furniture or items we have sourced for you.

www.thefettlingfairies.co.uk Viewing by appointment at Moulton, Richmond 01748 478748 enquiries@thefettlingfairies.co.uk 16

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E INFO@DEANSBURYKITCHENS.CO.UK

HANDCRAFTED SOLID WOOD PRESENTATION BOARDS,TABLEWARE, GIFTS AND ACCESSORIES

With over 28 years design expertise in the product, furniture and interior markets. “Simply Stuart Clarkson� is pleased to be able to offer its very own collection of beautifully designed and hand finished products.

Each piece has been designed, crafted and finished to bring you something truly unique.

Serving boards Chopping & cheese boards Food presentation boards Sushi boards Paddle boards Serving bowls Unique shaped boards Giftware & table accessories Client commissions T: 07803 020168 E: info@simplystuartclarkson.co.uk www.simplystuartclarkson.co.uk

Let us bring your furniture back to life If your suite is showing signs of wear, why not consider reupholstery?

We offer a bespoke upholstery service.

We can make your suite as good as new by covering with the latest fabrics, and replacing the fillings.

Choose from a fantastic choice of fabrics. Our craftsmen will restore your furniture to the highest of standards.

BESPOKE UPHOLSTERY SPECIALISTS

Sophisticated Style

Contact Colin Blanchard for more information on 01677 470238 or 07764 279815 www.canefurniturenorthyorkshire.co.uk Winter 2015 | Dales Life |

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WILD ANGLE | PHOTOGRAPHERS CELEBRATE THE BEAUTY OF THE NATURAL WORLD

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mallard on ice

by Paul Miguel

Wherever there’s a suitable expanse of open water, whether it’s an urban pond or a stretch of windswept coastal wetland, there’s a good chance you’ll find a flock of mallard. The males, with their bottle green heads and purple-brown chests, are unmistakable. The females are rather drab: mottled brown with a dash of iridescent blue on the wing feathers.

The mallard is the ancestor of our domestic ducks, and the commonest species of wild duck found in Britain today. In winter resident birds are joined by visitors from Northern Europe in search of milder conditions and more plentiful food. And when it comes to eating, the mallard isn’t picky, gobbling up insects and other small animals along with a wide variety of plant material.

This handsome male pictured by Paul Miguel was sliding its way towards food across the thin ice of a frozen lake. To get the best angle for the shot, Paul decided to break the ice and wade in. He ended up with this splendid photo – and Wellington boots full of freezing cold water!

Nature photographer and writer Paul Miguel is based in West Yorkshire, and many of his stunning images are captured in and around the Dales.

His popular photography workshops range from landscape days in the Dales to close-up bird of prey shoots. Visit paulmiguel.co.uk to enjoy more of his work.

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fly f覺shing The kingfisher is one of our most spectacular birds, and winter is the ideal time to see it, says Professor Chris Baines

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“ None of Britain’s other native birds can quite match the brilliant colours of this tiny airborne gem”

FEATHER FORECAST

OPENING PAGES Wintering kingfisher on frosted branch THIS PAGE, TOP Diving kingfisher with a fish ABOVE LEFT A family of kingfishers together on a perch ABOVE RIGHT Adult male preening wing feathers OPPOSITE Kingfisher diving into an ice hole OVERLEAF Male kingfisher passing fish to female.

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eeing a kingfisher is always a thrill. None of Britain’s other native birds can quite match the brilliant colours of this tiny airborne gem.

Kingfishers fly fast and low above the water, and you will almost always hear a shrill whistle before you catch sight of the bird itself. Occasionally a kingfisher will hover over the water, but generally each bird has a series of regular perches from which it keeps watch for the sticklebacks and other small fish that it hunts. If you can locate one of these fishing perches – maybe an overhanging branch, the edge of a bridge, or a fence post jutting out over the water – you could be in for a spectacular treat.

A kingfisher spends a good part of the day just sitting and quietly watching, and if you’re lucky enough to find one of its favourite spots perhaps you should do the same. The amazing colours in a kingfisher’s plumage are seen to their best advantage when the bird is sitting upright in the sun. The back is an extraordinarily intense electric blue, the wings are bluegreen, and the cheeks of its relatively large head are the same bright orange as its belly. It has a pure white collar and throat, red legs and a black beak. The overall impact of this colourful combination can be breathtaking.

Kingfishers make a nesting tunnel almost a metre deep, at the far end of which six or seven eggs are laid. Both male and female birds take a share of the digging, usually choosing the soft sand of a vertical river cliff, which helps make the nest very difficult to raid. There can be up to three separate broods in a season. Both parents will incubate the eggs, although it is always the female that takes the night shift.

The eggs hatch after about 20 days, and the young birds are ready to leave the nest about 25 days later. Surprisingly, the parent birds will only continue to feed their young for a further four or five days. After that the fledglings must fend for themselves as the adults begin tending the next clutch of shiny white eggs.

Learning to fish successfully in such a short time is quite a challenge, and hence the mortality rate is very high. It is believed that half of young kingfishers starve to death within a couple of weeks. Fewer than one in four survives to maturity, and even those who do rarely live for more than a single breeding season. This means that when the population crashes in a particularly hot, dry summer or a harsh, cold winter it can take several seasons for the numbers to rebuild.

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“there are more than 80 species of kingfisher worldwide” KINGFISHER FACT FILE ◆ There

are more than 80 species of kingfisher worldwide, many of which don’t eat fish.

◆ In

Greek mythology, the ‘halcyon’, a mythical kingfisher-like bird, was said to lay its eggs on the surface of the sea in early December, and to have the power to calm the wind and waves for two weeks – long enough for its eggs to hatch. The term ‘halcyon days’ is still used for a calm, peaceful period of time.

◆ ‘Our’

DO NOT DISTURB An adult kingfisher needs to catch its own body weight in fish each day, so clear, unpolluted water is essential. Chemical pollution and muddy flood water both pose serious threats. Kingfishers are shy birds, easily disturbed, and in the summer months this can cause serious problems. With a nest full of young to feed, and each chick needing as many as ten small fish each day, any interruptions to the kingfisher’s routine can leave the nestlings starving.

A kingfisher will defend its territory all year round, although in the breeding season a male and female from adjacent territories will combine their respective stretches of stream or canal. A territory may extend for three or four kilometres along the waterway, taking in any ponds or fishable lakes within its corridor.

Winter is an especially good time of year to see kingfishers. The lack of bank-side vegetation makes it much easier to gain an uninterrupted view, and the shorter days mean that birds are busy hunting throughout the daylight hours.

In very harsh winter weather, when the usual fishing water freezes over, kingfishers will move to warmer waters in towns and cities, and they may well be glad of a goldfish or two from garden ponds. Some will also migrate to the coast, where they are guaranteed unfrozen water and a plentiful supply of food in the shallow brackish creeks and rock pools of the seaside.

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kingfisher Alcedo atthis is also found in temperate areas of Europe, North Africa and Asia, and its range stretches as far east as Japan.

◆ Here

in the UK it is estimated we have around 4,000 breeding pairs of kingfishers.

◆ When

a kingfisher dives into water to catch fish, a third eyelid closes at the moment of impact, and the focus of the lens alters to give the bird better vision underwater.

◆ While

it is in the water, both the kingfisher’s eyes work together and the bird can see in 3D. Out of the water, each eye is used separately, so the bird has to judge distances by bobbing its head from side to side.

◆ The

kingfisher kills the fish it catches by beating them against its perch before swallowing them whole, head first.

◆ The

kingfisher is protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, and it is an offence to intentionally or recklessly disturb the birds close to their nest during the breeding season.

There’s nowhere quite like Homecare

We have a huge range of designer brands all under one roof Homecare is one of the largest home improvement centres in the North East, a family run company established for over 40 years. Our vast showrooms display the very best in bathrooms, range cookers, fireplaces, woodburners and multifuel stoves. Our friendly team will help you find the ideal solution to suit your needs and budget. Whatever you are looking for you can rely on us to supply the leading brands at discounted prices and if you find the same product cheaper we’ll endeavour to match it.

Valley Street, Darlington DL1 1PY | 01325 352224 | www.homecaresupplies.co.uk

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luxury at home 26

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Luxury at home

INTRODUCING… KELLER A SMART CHOICE

Any style, any colour. Keller’s unique system allows you to combine colours and materials to your heart’s content.

We’re proud to be the only Keller kitchens design studio in the North East

RETAILER OF CHOICE

FLOORING DESIGN STUDIO IS NOW OPEN

FREE Amtico flooring with every kitchen sold *stt&c

Think Kitchen and Bathroom Ltd 5 Standard Way, Standard Way Business Park, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL6 2XE

01609 770287 Download our brochures from kitchenbathroombedroom.co.uk Winter 2015 | Dales Life |

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MILNERS of Leyburn E S T. 1 8 8 3

STYLE FOR YOU AND YOUR HOME Introducing The Brook collection by Morris and Co. CARPETS | RUGS | CURTAINS | BLINDS | UPHOLSTERY | BEDDING LADIES FASHION AND ACCESSORIES

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6 Market Place, Leyburn DL8 5BJ | 01969 622208 | sales@milnersofleyburn.co.uk www.milnersofleyburn.co.uk | Dales Life | Winter 2015

Seasonal Sensation

Hellebores With their handsome evergreen foliage and showy, long-lasting flowers, hellebores are a winter garden essential. They’re great for brightening up your indoor spaces too – simply float a few of the cup-shaped blooms in a bowl of water to make a stylish winter table decoration.

Hellebores love rich, welldrained soil in partial shade, so they’re perfect for filling in areas that get shadier as the year wears on, such as the gaps between deciduous shrubs. If you’ve got a space to fill, you can find a selection of hellebores – and friendly advice on growing them – at Ravensworth Nurseries near Richmond, ravensworthnurseries.com.

garden notes Adam Appleyard’s

FLYING VISIT It’s that time of year when our garden birds – and birds from the surrounding countryside – appreciate a helping hand. Hang up a feeder or two, load them with good quality bird food, and hungry visitors will soon be filling your garden with life and colour.

J & H Meynell Pet & Garden Supplies in Richmond, 01748 825532 carries an impressive selection of feeders and feed, and can provide you with everything you need to give your local feathered friends a festive treat.

A Cut Above

Less is More?

If you’re burning logs to keep warm this winter, it’s important to realise that the moisture level of the wood makes a huge difference to how much heat you’ll get from it. According to Northallerton-based Yorkshire Firewood (yorkshirefirewood.co.uk), who supply top quality kiln-dried hardwood, you need to burn three seasoned logs to match the heat output of a single kiln-dried log. And kiln-dried wood is kinder to your flues too!

Halve your labour and double your harvest: that’s the intriguing proposition put forward by James Wong in his RHS book Grow for Flavour (£20 from rhsshop.co.uk). According to James, current gardening practices favour bumper harvests at the expense of flavour. The solution, he believes, is to rethink what varieties of fruit and veg you choose to grow – and how you treat them. We think he’s on to something, so why not give his system a try-out in the coming year?

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TERRIFIC TIMBER Field House Logs of Manfield, near Darlington, do a lot more than supplying firewood, as you’ll see if you take a look at their website, fieldhouselogs.co.uk. Here you’ll discover an eye-opening range of strikingly individual handmade furniture, from beautiful benches and dashing dining tables to stylish stools and chic chairs. There are pieces to suit every look from classic to contemporary, all combining clever design with the timeless beauty of natural wood.

garden notes Adam Appleyard’s

FIR REAL

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What kind of tree will you choose this Christmas?

Norway Spruce is a traditional and economical option, but if you’re disinclined to spend the New Year vacuuming up shed needles, try the lush Nordman Fir or the citrus-scented, bluetinged Fraser Fir. Braithwaite’s nursery at Leeming Bar (braithwaitesnursery.co.uk) has an excellent selection of premium grade trees, and these include potted trees that you can grow in your garden once the Twelve Days of Christmas are over. And if you’re planning on planting out, the slow-growing Korean Fir, also in stock at Braithwaite’s, is a particularly good option to consider.

Berried Treasure If you want a bumper crop of raspberries next summer, now is an ideal time to prune your canes. Canes that fruited last summer won’t fruit again, so lop them down to ground level to give newer ones free rein. While you’re about it, shorten any canes that are too tall – this will encourage side-shoots. If you don’t yet have any raspberry canes, you can plant them any time over winter, providing the soil’s not frozen or waterlogged.

HAPPY FEET If you spend a lot of time out and about in winter, you’ll know just how chilly and uncomfortable traditional wellies can be. Fortunately modern technology has changed all that. Hoggs of Fife’s Field Sport wellingtons incorporate a high-density neoprene lining for outstanding warmth and comfort, plus a memory foam insert to make being on your feet all day a much more pleasant experience. Now available at Jamesons Country Store, Masham, wejameson.co.uk/country-store

We supply top quality seasoned hardwood and kiln dried logs from sustainably managed woodlands Delivery is free within a 25 mile radius of Darlington Order your logs online from

www.fieldhouselogs.co.uk

or contact us for more information www.fieldhouselogs.co.uk | info@fieldhouselogs.co.uk Manfield, Darlington, DL2 2RD | t: 01325 731717 | m: 07967 305979

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WOOD FIRED HOT TUBS

Finest Quality Kiln Dried, Hardwood & Softwood Logs

Order online at thelogcompany.com or call 01748 889298

Traditional designed

Quote DALES LIFE to receive 5% off a hot tub if you buy in 2015

shepherd’s hut This enchanting Shepherd’s Hut makes the perfect office, summer house, or guest accommodation.

The hut is bespoke and can be finished to your own specifications.

Hand-crafted using materials of the highest quality, the hut has a cedar exterior and a traditional tin roof.

The cosy interior has a cedar ceiling and oak floor.

The hut is fully insulated with double glazed windows, and insulation to the floor and ceiling.

This traditional hut will blend in perfectly making it a wonderful addition to your garden.

Viewings are welcome, for more information call

07793 388805

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Now in stock for Christmas: Holly wreaths, door garlands, hyacinths and planted arrangements.

Open Mon-Sat 8am-4.30pm, Sun 10am-4pm Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day & New Year’s Day Ravensworth, Richmond, North Yorkshire DL11 7HA info@ravensworthnurseries.com | Fax: 01325 718953 | Tel: 01325 718370

J&H Meynell Pet and Garden Supplies A wide variety of bird feed and bird feeders now in stock.

We can also give advice and guidance to attract an abundance of birds to your garden.

7 FINKLE STREET, RICHMOND, DL10 4QA T: 01748 825532

To book space in the Spring issue contact Sue Gillman

Telephone: 01904 629295 Mobile: 07970 739119 email: sue@daleslife.com www.daleslife.com Winter 2015 | Dales Life |

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snow whites Nothing lights up the winter garden like a drift of stunning white flowers, says Adam Appleyard

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“ you can enjoy carpets of white from the darkest days of December right through until mid spring”

Perfect for attracting the attention of the few insect pollinators on the wing at this time of year, and perfect for gardeners wanting to add sparkle to an otherwise dormant garden!

CROCUS IN FOCUS:

OPENING PAGES Leucojum and crocus in container THIS PAGE, ABOVE Muscari CENTRE Sping snowflake, TOP LEFT White grape hyacinth TOP RIGHT White crocus OPPOSITE Anemone nemorosa OVERLEAF, TOP Snowdrop, BOTTOM White squill All Images ©GAP Photos

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ne of the joys of winter is waking to find your garden magically transformed by the year’s first snowfall. Whatever the weather, though, you can enjoy carpets of white in your borders from the darkest days of late December right through until mid spring. Some of our finest winterflowering plants are either white or are available in white forms. Planted en masse they make a stylish display that will bring you just as much pleasure as any floral display you’ll see at other times of year.

White may not initially seem the most exciting of colours, but there’s a reason so many winter plants have snowy blooms. In the short, shadowy days, white petals stand out better than anything else against the backdrop of bare earth and dark, leafless twigs.

Crocus sieberi ‘Bowles White’

Apart from snowdrops, one of the earliest to flower of the winter whites that I’ll be recommending is an absolute gem of a crocus, Crocus sieberi ‘Bowles White’. Providing there’s a decent amount of sunshine, the generous blooms of this gorgeous, low-growing plant, with their striking white petals and yellow-orange throats, can open as early as December.

Crocus sieberi does best in an open, sunny site in well-drained soil, which makes it an ideal plant for adding winter interest to rockeries and dry beds. What it won’t tolerate is damp soil, so if your garden is prone to winter water-logging you will need to dig in plenty of fine grit. Alternatively plant it in containers in a freely draining grit and compost mixture.

OUT OF THE WOODS: Anemone nemorosa

Visit any ancient woodland on a sunny day from the end of January onwards and there’s a good chance you’ll spot the flat white flowers of the wood anemone – Anemone nemorosa, also known as ‘windflower’ – dancing in the breeze. The reverse side of the petals is often flushed with a delicate pink that tones nicely with the pinkishpurple stems.

As its choice of habitat in the wild suggests, the wood anemone is a terrific plant for those hard-to-fill shady spots under deciduous trees, and because it’s a native species it’s as hardy as can be. It will be expecting a rich, well-drained soil, but because it dies back and falls asleep before high summer arrives it can happily sit out any dry spells in the middle of the year.

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“ many people don’t realise just how many different kinds of snowdrops there are” SNOW DIFFERENCE

STAR QUALITY: Scilla siberica ‘Alba’

The Siberian squill (Scilla siberica) is an invaluable winter-through-spring flower that deserves to be more widely known. Despite its name it doesn’t actually hail from Siberia, but it’s nonetheless a tough, hardy little plant that will cheerfully endure temperatures of -15ºC or lower.

In its commonest form the Siberian squill’s nodding, star-shaped flowers are a vibrant bluepurple (try planting these under the crimson stems of dogwood for a striking winter colour combination). The white variety, ‘Alba’, is equally stunning in its own way, and if you want to enjoy a huge constellation of snowy stars in early spring, this is the plant that will do the trick.

Scilla siberica likes rich, well-drained soil, and if your garden is to its taste it will soon spread – although it quickly dies back after flowering, and is far too pretty be regarded as a pest. If you need to help it colonise new areas, separate the offsets when the plant has finished flowering.

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We all love snowdrops (Galanthus sp.), but what many people don’t realise is just how many different kinds of snowdrops there are. Once you start looking closely, though, you’ll begin to appreciate the subtle – and not so subtle – distinctions between them.

And you’ll find more than 2,000 named varieties to choose between!

I’m not a fan of the ‘double’ forms like Galanthus nivalis f. pleniflorus ‘Flore Pleno’, which are too big and brash for my taste.

For me the key to the snowdrop’s appeal is its delicacy, and one of the most delicate of all is the shyly drooping Galanthus ‘Margaret’ with its oval petals and long curved stalks. But if it’s sheer exuberance you want, try Galanthus ‘S. Arnott’, with its widely spreading petals that give the flowers the appearance of tiny aeroplane propellers, or Galanthus woronowii with its lush, glossy green leaves.

Often confused with the snowdrop, the spring snowflake (Leucojum vernum) is taller and generally more robust, and it carries small clusters of bell-shaped flowers that are white with green tips.

Whereas snowdrops prefer moist soil in partial shade, the snowflake performs best in full sun.

Snowdrops can easily be propagated by dividing the clumps once the foliage starts to die back. Snowflakes produce offsets, which can be carefully removed after flowering and planted nearby.

In a mild winter snowdrops are often in bloom well before Christmas, but most varieties peak between January and March. Spring snowflakes generally flower a week or two later, from February through to April.

BATHROOMS

DIRECT

THE HOME OF BEAUTIFUL BATHROOMS 01677 425788 sales@bathrooms-direct.net www.bathrooms-direct.net John H Gills Yard, 1 Leeming Lane, Leeming Bar DL7 9AB

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Lowmill Landscapes PROFESSIONAL LANDSCAPING SPECIALISTS Part of Chris Beardshaw’s gold-medal winning team at the 2013 Chelsea Flower Show

Lowmill Landscapes are hard landscaping contractors that specialise in all aspects of landscape work, including walling, paving, driveways, water features, fencing and groundworks.

Our small team of qualified, experienced craftsmen provides an efficient and excellent service throughout the Yorkshire Dales and surrounding areas.

Tel: 01677 450510 Mobile: 07710 747891 Email: admin@lowmill-landscapes.co.uk www.lowmill-landscapes.co.uk

FLOOR TILES & FLAGS CLEANED AND SEALED Kitchens • Conservatories • Halls

JOHN LORD

01748 811452 • 07961 460020 john@steamcleanseal.co.uk

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T I M B E R

• Oak Beams • Doors • Decking • Sawn Timber • Machined Timber • Skirting • Architrave • Flooring • Cladding

TIMBER SOLUTIONS

Call us or visit our showroom for advice on how we can help you with your project.

GREEN LANE, MELMERBY RIPON HG4 5JB

01765 640564

sales@duffieldtimber.com www.duffieldtimber.com

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making

MERRY

Bring colour and cheer to your home this winter by crafting your own gorgeous festive wreaths or creating stunning displays with flowering bulbs. Louise Curley explains how 42

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TIP

A Seasonal Wreath What you will need: • Hazel branches about 1m long • Stub or reel wire • Wire cutters or secateurs • Natural decorations: lichencovered stems, larch cones, rose hips, garden moss, sweet chestnuts • Something to hang the wreath: ribbon, twine, raffia • Scissors

welcoming wreath on your door has become just as much a part of decorating a home for Christmas as a tree. Take your pick from all manner of styles, from the traditional to the quirky. Many shopbought versions feel mass-produced, with their gaudy, plastic ribbons and uninspiring conifer fronds, so for something truly unique, why not assemble your own?

Unless you use florists’ foam, wreaths made from fresh material will not last very long without water, so create these wreaths close to when you want them to look their best.

Hanging them in cooler rooms or outside will help to extend their life.

Dried material wreaths will last indefinitely, so you can do these much earlier, before the hectic festive season starts. They will need some protection from the elements, so hang them on a sheltered door or indoors.

When forming your wreath, bear in mind that any material you add will make the ultimate size of your wreath larger than the actual base, so do not get too carried away with the size of the wreath base.

MAKING YOUR WREATH Loop one piece of hazel into a circle of the required diameter and secure with wire.

Take another stem of hazel and weave around the circle.

Repeat with several more stems, starting at different points around the circle to create a balanced shape.

Continue weaving in stems until you have formed the desired wreath base.

Gather together a couple of lichencovered stems and a stem or two of larch cones for a twiggy posy.

Secure with wire. Lay on your wreath base to gauge the fit and trim to size.

Make up enough of these posies to cover your wreath.

Wire into place on your hazel wreath base, using subsequent posies to cover the wired base of the previous posy.

Wire or poke into place further decorations of your choice. I worked in rose hips and pieces of vibrant green moss from my garden path.

Finish by cutting and attaching some ribbon, twine or raffia to the wreath.

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ALTERNATIVE NATURAL WREATH BASES Hazel (Corylus) makes a good rigid base, which is invaluable for large wreaths and if you have a lot of weighty material. It is easy enough to come across hazel in the hedgerows, but if you cannot find any try a local coppicer who should have stems for sale. There are alternatives, though: Willow (Salix) stems could be used as a substitute for hazel. Bunches of willow stems can be bought online, and there is a wide variety of coloured stems to choose from, thereby adding another dimension to your wreath design.

Silver birch (Betula pendula) is simple to work with, as it is very pliable and incredibly easy to bend into shapes. It also forms much looser wreaths, with little branches poking out in all directions for a very natural effect. Take a long branch, create a circle the size of your desired wreath base and then weave the rest of the stem around this circle. Take further stems and do the same. Do not be too precise about tucking in stray side branches as these add to the charm. The base of a birch wreath looks pretty enough to be very simply decorated with just a few stems of berries and holly (Ilex) or honesty (Lunaria) seed pods.

The long stems of Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus) can be used in the same way as the weeping birch. Cut long stems and strip any remaining leaves, create a circle and weave in the stems to build up the base.

TIP Evergreens make for a classic winter wreath but do not feel constrained by this. Experiment with what you have stored from autumn and what inspires you in your winter garden and the countryside. Try old man’s beard (Clematis vitalba), glycerined beech stems with their nuts still intact, acorns or gloriously vibrant Chinese lanterns. And look out for sweet chestnuts, which with their rich mahogany sheen look beautiful on wreaths. The base of the chestnut is soft enough to have a piece of stub wire pushed into it, and it can then be conveniently wired into the wreath.

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Forcing bulbs for winter decoration By forcing bulbs you bring them into flower earlier than they would normally. There are plenty of bulbs that can be treated in this way to provide winter decoration, and one of the classiest and easiest has to be paperwhite narcissus (Narcissus papyraceus). The most commonly sold variety is ‘Ziva’, although there are others such as ‘Inbal’. Paperwhites have multiheaded stems with delicate, pure white flowers with the most incredible fragrance.

Unlike the narcissi grown in gardens, paperwhites are tender varieties originating from the eastern Mediterranean, so they are not suitable for growing outdoors in cooltemperate areas. Fortunately they are easy to bring into flower for an indoor display.

Bulbs of paperwhite narcissi tend to become available from late summer, and you can plant at regular intervals from then right up until mid-winter. They generally take 6–8 weeks between planting and flowering, but if you plant in late summer you can have flowers after only four weeks. Once you have bought your bulbs they will be desperate to grow, so if you do not want to use them immediately store the bulbs somewhere cool and dark but frost-free.

You can put them in the bottom of your refrigerator to retard growth. When you bring them out, condensation will form on the bulbs because of the change in temperature, so allow

TIP Next year plan ahead for winter flowers by planting bulbs for forcing in late summer and early autumn. Try amaryllis (Hippeastrum), paperwhite narcissi and specially treated hyacinths.

them to dry out a little before you plant, to prevent them from becoming mouldy.

There are also all sorts of other bulbs which can be grown to provide winter cheer.

Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) comes in a great range of colours and looks incredibly exotic.

For scent, buy specially treated hyacinth bulbs for forcing, which will come into bloom early.

Plant up crocus and early-flowering dwarf and cyclamen-flowered daffodils, keeping them in a greenhouse or cold frame and then bringing them indoors to bloom in late winter. With a selection of bulbs planted at regular intervals it is possible to have a succession of flowers from autumn right through to spring.

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PLANTING FORCED BULBS You can grow your forced bulbs in bulb fibre or potting compost mixed with some biochar (a charcoal soil improver) to keep the potting medium smelling fresh. They can be planted in all manner of pretty containers. Once planted, store somewhere cool and dark for a week or so to allow the roots to develop. Bring out and place somewhere sunny to maximise the amount of light they receive. Water only when the compost feels dry and try not to overwater.

Add grit to the bottom of pots without drainage holes Pack the bulbs into the pot, pushing them down so the bases are in contact with the compost

Projects and photos are from The Crafted Garden: Stylish Projects Inspired by Nature by Louise Curley with photographs

by Jason Ingram, published in hardback by Frances Lincoln and available from all good booksellers, RRP ÂŁ16.99.

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TIP If your chosen pot does not have any drainage holes, add a layer of grit about 2.5cm deep to the bottom of the pot so that plant roots will not sit in waterlogged compost.

Fill the container with multipurpose compost mixed with a little biochar, or use bulb fibre

Paperwhite narcissi flowers make a stunning winter decoration. Grow these bulbs in a variety of old tins, preserving jars and textured pots for a quirky display.

BULBS IN WATER Both paperwhite narcissi and hyacinths can also be grown in just water, with the bulb resting on a bed of pebbles or shells placed in the bottom of a container. Pour in enough water so that it settles just below the base of the bulb; the roots will sense the water and reach down into it. If the bulb is in contact with the water it can rot. Top up the water as necessary.

Start off the bulbs somewhere cool and dark for a week or so, to allow the roots to develop, then bring out into as a sunny a position as possible.

Low light levels can make the bulbs grow leggy and floppy. A pretty nest of woven birch twigs can provide some support.

PAPERWHITE NARCISSI IN WATER AND ALCOHOL Another forcing technique is to grow paperwhite narcissi in a mixture of water and alcohol. The flowers and foliage have a tendency to strain for the light and become leggy but studies in America have shown that growing the bulbs in an alcohol solution stunts the growth of the plant with no impact on the quality of the flowers, and my own experience backs this up. To use the alcohol method, grow your bulbs initially in water as mentioned, over a base of pebbles. Once the roots have established and the shoot has turned green and is about 2.5cm tall, gently tip out the water and replace it with an alcohol–water mix, keeping it away from the base of the bulb. I make up a bottle of the mix comprising one part gin or vodka to seven parts water and use this to top up the liquid level as needed. Do not introduce a stronger solution or other types of alcoholic drink such as wine, because both will damage the plants.

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THE BRUCE ARMS R E S TA U R A N T

PUB

ROOMS

NOW UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT An 18th Century Coaching Inn with real character Some of the finest food in Yorkshire Comfortable en-suite bedrooms Extensive gin, whisky and wine selection Cask ales and craft bottled beer PRIVATE DINING ROOM for up to 30 diners Festive menu, large group and shooting party menus available Early Evening and Sunday Lunch Fixed Price Menus FIZZY FRIDAYS: Buy a bottle of champagne or prosecco on Friday evenings and we’ll include a platter of our ‘mega nibbles’ to go with them.

A great way to start the weekend!

OPEN WEDNESDAY EVENING TO SUNDAY LUNCH

2 MAIN ST. WEST TANFIELD, HG4 5JJ 01677 470325 www.thebrucearms.com

A magical place at Christmas, The White Bear is perfect for your festive celebrations.

Relax in our beautiful rooms and dine on the finest Yorkshire produce.

Experience a real taste of the Dales.

Christmas at The White Bear Masham, North Yorkshire 01765 689 319 • www.thewhitebearhotel.co.uk 50

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BEAN THERE When it comes to finding a luxurious present for a loved one, nothing beats fresh, hand-crafted artisan chocolates for sheer sensual delight – and Kelsey Anderson of Kacao Chocolaterie at Sedbury Hall, near Richmond, is an expert at making them. Kelsey travelled and worked extensively in Central and South America, developing an in-depth understanding of the

plantations where cacao beans are grown, and the communities that cultivate them. Now she uses the finest Fair Trade, sustainably sourced chocolate, combined with fresh organic cream and butter, herbs, spices and fruit, to create gorgeous chocolatey treats that are perfect for marking a special occasion. Find out more at kacao.co.uk.

foodfile

delivering flavour If you have Yorkshire-born friends or relatives who happen not to be living in God’s Own County at present, they would almost certainly appreciate a taste of Yorkshire cheese to remind them of what they are missing. To cheer up their Christmas cheeseboards, the Wensleydale Creamery can despatch a boxed selection of mouthwatering, freshly cut cheeses to any address in the UK. Full details on The Wensleydale Creamery website, wensleydale.co.uk.

by Amanda Cook

WHAT’S

COOKING

Keen to sharpen your kitchen skills and add extra oomph to your festive menu this year?

Swinton Park’s Cookery School is offering a day-long ‘Festive Fare’ course on Friday 11th December, in which charismatic chef Stephen Bulmer – always buzzing with ideas – will show you how to put a refreshing new spin on a selection of traditional classics.

Visit swintonpark.com/cookerycourses for details of this and other exciting seasonal courses at Swinton Park.

GETTING THE BIRD

Christmas is no time for half measures, and when it comes to a festive fowl you’ll want the best chicken or turkey you can get.

Discerning locals swear by the butchery department at Campbells of Leyburn (campbellsofleyburn. co.uk), and if you haven’t tried their herb-fed birds you’re very definitely in for a treat. Moist and delicious, the flavour is head and shoulders above that of less pampered poultry.

Order by phone on 01969 625600.

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The changing of seasons in the Yorkshire Dales is the perfect time to visit Yorebridge House. Nestled in the heart of Wensleydale, our luxurious boutique hotel also offers fine dining in an informal atmosphere with a welcoming roaring fire and beautiful views across the Dales.

Why not celebrate the festive season in style in our beautiful three rosette restaurant, or relax with us on Christmas Day and enjoy our fabulous 5 course traditional lunch.

STAY

DINE

New Year Celebrations will also be in full swing again this year, with a 7 course gourmet dinner, midnight fireworks and disco.

We are open every day of the week* so you are welcome to drop in for a coffee, a sandwich or a relaxing drink.* Light bites served between 12.00pm and 3.00pm.

Dinner is served between 7.00pm and 9.00pm.

CELEBRATE

Sunday Lunch is available every Sunday* from 12.00pm until 2.00pm.

Please contact us on 01969 652060 to make a reservation or enquire about Christmas or New Year availability. *Subject to functions

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Yorebridge House - Bainbridge - Leyburn - Wensleydale - North Yorkshire - DL8 3EE - UK Tel: 01969 652 060 Email: enquiries@yorebridgehouse.co.uk - Web: www.yorebridgehouse.co.uk

| Dales Life | Winter 2015

Seasonal Special

BRANDY BUTTER

Brandy butter is a must for spooning over Christmas puds, mince pies and plenty else besides. But why buy it when you could so easily make your own?

Simply dice 175g unsalted butter and beat together with 175g icing sugar until the mixture turns pale and creamy. Continue to beat as you add 6 tbsp brandy, one spoonful at a time.

Refrigerate until set. Your brandy butter will keep in the fridge for at least a fortnight. For a richer, deeper taste, make it with light brown muscovado sugar.

Alternatively, add the seeds from a vanilla pod for a dreamily aromatic version.

foodfile

SWEET SOMETHINGS Home cooks with a passion for puds and patisserie will undoubtedly want to get their hands on a copy of TV chef James Martin’s latest book, Sweet (Quadrille, hardback, RRP £20). It opens with a chapter of crystal clear, step-by-step tutorials on the basics, before moving on to themed explorations of desserts, cakes and pastries. Whether you’ve got a yen for something chocolatey, creamy or fruity, there’s no shortage of food for thought here.

by Amanda Cook

ROAST WITH THE MOST Christmas Cheers!

Can’t decide which bird to buy this Christmas? With a combination roast you can enjoy three different fowl at once – plus stuffing too – cleverly combined into a single delicious package. Adlington’s best-selling threebird roasts are available in various permutations of turkey, duck, goose, chicken, pheasant and guinea fowl. They’re easy to cook, and simplicity itself to carve. Order yours from Booths for collection or home delivery – you’ll find full details at orders.booths.co.uk.

If you’re looking for a present for a beer lover, you’re bound to find something to suit in the Black Sheep Brewery’s extensive selection of gift hampers. Each hamper teams up a selection of the Masham-based company’s superior ales with various locally made delicacies – which can include, according to your choice of hamper, marmalade, fruit cake, cheese, mustard, pickle or chutney.

To explore the options (and lots more Black Sheep gift ideas) visit blacksheepbrewery.com/shop.

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relaxed dining in the yorkshire dales

Situated in the picturesque market town of Leyburn Thirteen offers good, honest food using the very best of locally sourced produce together with a great selection of superb wines.

A great place to meet friends and family for a lazy lunch or a relaxed dinner.

for reservations T: 01969 622951 E: table@thirteenatleyburn.co.uk www.thirteenatleyburn.co.uk

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Wine

down

Choosing wines for your festive table can be tricky, but Campbells of Leyburn have made the job a lot easier by slashing the price of two excellent wines.

If you’re looking for an elegant white, their Domaine Ferret Pouilly-Fuissé 2013 recently won a gold medal in the International Wine Challenge and is currently on offer at £16.99 (normally £24.99).

For a cracking red, try the Marimar Estate la Masia Pinot Noir 2009 from Russian River, California, now at the bargain price of £19.99 (normally £32.99). With luscious plum-cherry flavours and spicy clove and mocha notes, it’s a vibrant wine with a lovely lingering finish.

For information contact Richard on 01969 622169, campbellsofleyburn.co.uk

DRINKS

notebook GET FRUITY On a chilly winter’s day a warming shot of liqueur is just the ticket, and here’s an exciting new option that you probably won’t have tried before: Bramble Whisky.

Innovative drinks wizards Sloe Motion, based in Barton-le-Willows near York, have combined juicy blackberries and Scotch whisky to create a delicious digestif that cleverly matches the deep, rich flavour of the fruit against the full, earthy notes of the whisky.

Sloe Motion’s Bramble Whisky has been a huge hit at drinks shows nationwide.

You can find it, along with other beguiling Sloe Motion products, at www.sloemotion.com

RAISING THE BAR

If you’re planning a special celebration and you want your guests to be impressed by a display of expert mixology – or, more memorable still, the spectacular art of ‘sabrage’, a technique for opening a champagne bottle with a sabre – then it’s The Guzzling Gander you need to speak to.

They have accumulated a wealth of experience presenting a five-star bar service for private and corporate events across the North of England.

They pride themselves on their attention to detail, and can offer all sorts of clever little extras – creating bespoke labels for wine bottles, for example, or ferreting out vintage port, cognac, or champagne to match someone’s year of birth or anniversary date. Contact them at theguzzlinggander.co.uk

Party Poppers Christmas is definitely the time to push the boat out and open a bottle of bubbly.

Booths in Ripon have got some great offers on Laurent Perrier Champagne to make it that bit easier on the wallet.

The Laurent Perrier Rosé has terrific berry fruit flavours.

It’s one of editor Sue’s favourites, and with a £13 price reduction (£58.99 down to £45.99) she’s bound to be tempted!

If pink’s not your thing, Booths are also discounting Laurent Perrier Champagne Brut NV by a generous tenner (£38.99 down to £28.99).

A finely balanced blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes, it’s a fresh, creamy champers that slips down nicely. booths.co.uk Winter 2015 | Dales Life |

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A Roasting from Ramsay

Rustling up roast turkey with all the trimmings doesn’t have to be a chore! All you need is a bit of forward planning. Super-chef Gordon Ramsay guides Dales Life readers through the stress-free festive feast 56

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ROAST TURKEY

menu

Roast turkey with lemon, parsley and garlic Turkey gravy with cider and walnuts Pork, apricot and pistachio stuffing Caramelised cranberry and apple sauce Roast potatoes with chilli and turmeric Brussels sprouts with pancetta and chestnuts Light steamed pudding with whisky cream

Planning Your Time Well in advance

1½ hours ahead

Order your fresh free-range turkey. (If, instead, you opt for a frozen turkey, a 5–6kg one will need about 3 days to thaw in the fridge.)

ake the cranberry and apple sauce from the fridge T and put into a serving bowl.

The day before Make the cranberry and apple sauce. Refrigerate.

Make the herb butter and use to stuff the turkey.

Return to the fridge. ake the stuffing and wrap in foil, ready for the oven.

M Refrigerate.

Make the pudding and steam, then leave to cool.

arboil the potatoes and drain. Toss in seasoning and P hot oil.

Remove the turkey from the oven and leave to rest.

Put the potatoes and stuffing in the oven to roast. ake the gravy and leave in the pan ready M to reheat.

Steam the pudding for 40–45 minutes to reheat.

About 15 minutes ahead

6–7 hours in advance

Warm your plates and serving dishes.

Bring the turkey to room temperature.

Finish cooking the sprouts and gravy.

4½ hours ahead

Warm the cranberry and apple sauce.

Put the turkey in the preheated oven. Baste and lay the bacon rashers over the turkey breast after the first 15 minutes. Baste the turkey every 30 minutes.

Just before serving

lanch the sprouts and keep them immersed in B chilled water.

Carve the turkey and serve with all the accompaniments.

Make the whisky cream and keep chilled. eel the potatoes and immerse in water to P prevent browning.

nwrap and slice the stuffing to serve alongside U the hot gravy. Plate the roast potatoes.

nmould the steamed pudding, glaze with U the maple syrup and serve with the whisky cream.

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Roast turkey with lemon, parsley and garlic

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Caramelised cranberry and apple sauce Roast potatoes with chilli and turmeric Brussels sprouts with pancetta and chestnuts

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Roast turkey with lemon, parsley and garlic My favourite way to roast turkey. A savoury butter under the skin keeps the breast meat moist and flavourful. And to ensure both turkey and stuffing are cooked properly, I bake the stuffing separately. I also rest the turkey for a couple of hours or more. It may seem a long time, but the texture will be greatly improved and piping hot gravy will restore the heat SERVES 8–10

LEMON, PARSLEY AND GARLIC BUTTER

1 free-range turkey (ideally Norfolk Black or Bronze), about 5–5.5kg

375g butter, at room temperature

sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 2 onions, peeled and halved 1 lemon, halved 1 head of garlic, halved horizontally

1 tbsp olive oil finely grated zest and juice of 2 small lemons 3 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed small bunch of flat leaf parsley, leaves only, chopped

6 bay leaves olive oil, to drizzle 8 rashers of smoked streaky bacon

1 Preheat the oven to 220°C/Gas 7. Meanwhile, prepare the herb butter. Put the butter into a large bowl and season with salt and pepper. Add the olive oil and mix well. Add the lemon zest and juice, crushed garlic and chopped parsley. Mix well to combine.

2 Remove the giblets from the turkey cavity. Season

the cavity well with salt and pepper, then stuff with the onions, lemon, garlic halves and 2 bay leaves.

3 With your hands, loosen the skin on the breast from

both ends of the bird so that you will be able to stuff the flavoured butter underneath it, making sure you keep the skin intact. Repeat with the skin on the legs – from the lower side of the breast feel your way under the skin and out towards the leg, loosening the gap.

4 Stuff half the butter mix into the opened spaces under the skin. From the outside of the skin, gently massage the butter around the breasts so that the meat is evenly covered. Finally, insert the rest of the bay leaves under the skin of the breasts.

5 Place the bird in a large roasting tray, breast side up. Spread the rest of the butter all over the skin.

Season well with salt and pepper, then drizzle with a little olive oil. (If preparing a day ahead, cover the turkey with foil and refrigerate at this stage.)

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6 Roast the turkey in the hot oven for 10–15

minutes. Take the tray out of the oven, baste the bird with the pan juices and lay the bacon rashers over the breast to keep it moist. Baste again.

Lower the setting to 180°C/Gas 4 and cook for about 2½ hours (calculating at 30 minutes per kg), basting occasionally.

7 To test whether your turkey is cooked, insert a

skewer into the thickest part of the leg and check that the juices are running clear, rather than pink. As oven temperatures and turkey shapes and sizes vary, it is crucial to check your turkey about 30 minutes before the calculated roasting time. If the juices are pink, roast for another 15 minutes and check again. Repeat as necessary until the turkey is cooked.

8 Transfer the turkey to a warmed platter and remove the parson’s nose, wings and tips of the drumsticks; reserve these for the gravy. Leave the turkey to rest in a warm place for at least 45 minutes; make the gravy in the meantime. Remove the bay leaves from under the skin before carving.

Serve the turkey with the piping hot gravy, stuffing and accompaniments.

Turkey gravy with cider and walnuts

Pork, apricot and pistachio stuffing

SERVES 8–10

SERVES 6–8

bacon, onions, lemon and trimmings from the roast turkey

500g pork mince

3 rosemary sprigs 3 tomatoes, chopped 1 litre good-quality dry cider 600ml good-quality chicken stock 2 tbsp walnut pieces, toasted sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 large Braeburn apple 6 dried apricots, about 50g, chopped 30g pistachio nuts, roughly chopped finely grated zest of 1 lemon small bunch flat leaf parsley, leaves only, chopped olive oil, to drizzle large bunch of large sage leaves 2 fresh merguez or chorizo sausages

1 Once you’ve transferred the cooked turkey to a platter to rest, drain off most of the fat from the roasting tray and place on the hob.

2 Roughly chop the bacon, add to the tray and

1 Preheat the oven to 200°C/Gas 6. Put the pork mince into a large bowl and season. Grate the apple into the bowl, avoiding the core. Add the apricots, pistachios, lemon zest and chopped parsley, and mix well.

fry for a few minutes. Chop the onions and lemon and add to the tray with 2 rosemary sprigs and the tomatoes. Cook for 1–2 minutes, then add the turkey wings, parson’s nose and drumstick tips and fry for a few more minutes.

2 Lay a large sheet of foil on a surface, oil with a

3 Pour in the cider and boil for a few minutes. Add

3 Spread half of the pork stuffing mixture in the

the juices from the resting turkey and simmer to reduce the liquid by half. Pour in the stock, return to the boil, then reduce the heat slightly. Using a potato masher, crush the vegetables in the tray. Simmer for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until reduced again by a third. Take off the heat.

drizzle of olive oil. Arrange the sage leaves on the foil, overlapping them in two rows to form a large rectangle, the length of the two sausages placed end to end. Sprinkle with a little seasoning. middle, along the length of the sage leaves, then run your finger down the centre of the stuffing to create a hollow for the sausages. Lay the sausages in the hollow

4 Strain the gravy through a sieve into a saucepan, pressing down on the solids in the sieve with a ladle to extract as much of the flavourful juice as possible.

Add a fresh sprig of rosemary to the pan, then turn off the heat and leave to infuse for a few minutes.

5 Before serving, remove the rosemary and reheat the gravy. Coarsely crush the walnut pieces using a pestle and mortar and then tip into a warmed gravy jug. Pour the piping hot gravy on top and serve at once.

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Roast potatoes with chilli & turmeric SERVES 8–10 2.5kg potatoes, such as Maris Piper sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 1½ tsp ground turmeric pinch of chilli flakes, to taste 4–5 tbsp olive oil (or goose or duck fat)

1 Preheat the oven to 200°C/Gas 6. Peel the potatoes, quarter lengthways and place in a large saucepan of salted cold water. Bring to the boil, then lower the heat and simmer for about 8 minutes.

3 Put the rest of the olive oil in a roasting tray and place in the oven for a few minutes to heat up.

Carefully add the potatoes and toss to coat in the oil. Roast for 40–45 minutes, turning a few times, until crisp and golden. Drain on kitchen paper and transfer to a warmed dish to serve.

Caramelised cranberry and apple sauce

Brussels sprouts with pancetta & chestnuts

SERVES 10–12

SERVES 8–10

150g caster sugar 2 star anise 4 green cardamom pods, lightly crushed 250g fresh cranberries 2 Braeburn apples, peeled, cored and chopped sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 60ml ruby port finely grated zest and juice of 1 orange

1kg Brussels sprouts, outer leaves removed sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 1–2 tsp olive oil 200g pancetta, cut into lardons 200g vacuum-packed chestnuts 2 lemons

1 Put the sugar into a heavy-based pan with the star anise and cardamom pods and melt over a medium heat.

Allow the melted sugar to turn a rich caramel colour, then add the cranberries and a touch of seasoning.

1 Trim the base of the Brussels sprouts and cut them in half lengthways. Bring a pan of salted water to the boil. Add the sprouts and blanch for 2–3 minutes, then drain well.

2 Cook briefly until the cranberries begin to soften,

2 Heat the olive oil in a wide frying pan and fry

then add the apples and cook for 3–4 minutes, tossing frequently to coat the fruit in the caramel.

3 Pour in the port, then reduce the heat slightly and

stir in the orange zest and juice. Simmer for about 10 minutes, allowing some of the cranberries to break down and thicken the sauce. Remove from the heat and discard the star anise and cardamom. Serve warm. (This can be made 3–4 days in advance and kept in the fridge.)

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2 Drain the potatoes in a colander and sprinkle with the turmeric, chilli flakes and some salt and pepper. Toss in the colander to coat evenly, then drizzle with a little of the olive oil and toss again.

Leave to steam for 5 minutes.

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the pancetta for a few minutes until golden and crisp. Toss in the sprouts and cook for 2–3 minutes, tossing occasionally.

3 Roughly chop the chestnuts and add them to

the pan. Grate the lemon zest over the sprouts and chestnuts and squeeze over a little juice. Check the seasoning and adjust if necessary. Transfer to a warmed serving dish.

Campbells Welcome to Campbells of Leyburn where we can offer a great range of products and events this Christmas!

WhereChristmas just keeps getting better!

Fantastic Products

Great Events!

We have a great range of products in-store this Christmas, flavoursome fresh fruit and vegetables, local award winning meats, (order your turkey now!) savouries and pies from our deli, olives and cold meats, a choice of more than 150 cheeses, artisan bread, confectionery, fruit and Christmas Cakes, plus probably the best range of wine, beers, spirits, port and sherry, sparkling wine and Champagne in the region!

2 December Champagne Christmas special - an evening with Jonathan Smailes from Pol Roger - a special not to be missed event where you can taste seven exceptional cuvees! A great night in prospect!

11 December A Port evening with Chris Mooney from Fells Wine Merchants.

Campbells of Leyburn Your family run Fine Food and Wine Emporium

4 Commercial Square, Leyburn, North Yorkshire DL8 5BP Tel: 01969 622169 Email: richard@campbellsofleyburn.co.uk www.campbellsofleyburn.co.uk

Campbells of Leyburn - All you need for a great Christmas and New Year plus a lot more!

In-store Tastings We will be having a supplier weekend on 4/5 December where a number of popular wine and food suppliers will be providing tastings of their products.

Competition Win a £100 shopping voucher in our November and December FREE to enter draw. £100 and 5 runners-up prizes of £20 each month.

See in-store for further details.

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Light steamed pudding with whisky cream After the turkey with all its trimmings and accompaniments, I find this is much more popular than the traditional heavily fruited Christmas pudding – and the whisky cream is irresistible.

You can still impress everyone with a flaming pudding, too SERVES 6 210g butter, softened, plus extra to grease finely grated zest of 1 orange 3 tbsp maple syrup, plus optional extra to drizzle 3 bay leaves 210g light brown soft sugar

1 Grease a 1.2 litre pudding basin with butter, scatter the orange zest in the bottom and pour the maple syrup on top. Put the bay leaves in the middle and press down.

2 Using an electric mixer, cream the butter and

sugar together until pale and light. With the motor running on low speed, slowly add the beaten eggs, making sure each addition is incorporated before the next is added. Sift in the flour, baking powder, ground cloves and salt and fold through with a large metal spoon.

3 Spoon the mixture into the pudding basin. Lay a

buttered and pleated sheet of greaseproof paper on top of the bowl, buttered side down, and cover with a sheet of pleated foil of the same size. Secure tightly with string under the rim of the bowl.

4 Stand the basin on a trivet or an upturned ramekin in a large saucepan. Pour in enough boiling water to come halfway up the side of the basin and bring to a simmer. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and simmer over a low heat for 11/2 hours, checking the water level every 30 minutes or so and topping up with boiling water as needed.

4 large eggs, lightly beaten 100g self-raising flour 1½ tsp baking powder 1 tsp ground cloves pinch of fine sea salt WHISKY CREAM

5 Meanwhile, for the whisky cream, whisk the

150ml double cream dash of whisky, to taste, plus extra to flambé dash of Irish cream liqueur, to taste

cream with a dash each of whisky and cream liqueur in a large bowl to soft peaks. Transfer to a serving bowl.

6 To check that the pudding is ready, unwrap and Recipes and photographs are from Christmas by Gordon Ramsay with photography by Chris Terry, published

by Quadrille and available from all good booksellers RRP £15

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insert a skewer into the middle; it should come out clean. To unmould, loosen the sides of the sponge, then invert a warmed serving plate over the hot pudding and turn both over to unmould the pudding onto the plate. Glaze with some more maple syrup, if you wish.

7 To flambé the pudding, warm a little whisky in a small pan and ignite it at the table with a match, then pour on top of the pudding. Serve with the whisky cream.

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the discerning

DINER

Claudia Blake visits The Black Bull in Moulton 68

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t’s certainly a hard act to follow. For four decades, under the direction of the Pagendam family, The Black Bull at Moulton was the iconic North East dining pub. It was the first to be featured in the Good Food Guide, and there it stayed for 38 years.

Following the sale of the business in 2006 The Black Bull suffered an unfortunate decline in fortune. By all accounts it was in a sad state when it was acquired by Provenance Inns in 2012 and comprehensively refurbished. When it reopened last year, it was inevitable that opinions would be divided, the only sure thing being that those who were hoping to see the old Black Bull magically reborn would be disappointed.

The Pullman coach – which, let’s be honest, was always a slightly cramped and awkward dining venue – is now just a framed memory on the wall of the bar. There’s a huge new dining area, and it’s clear that no expense has been spared in creating it. Whilst it may not be to everyone’s taste, there’s no doubting it’s a topquality job.

Two sides of the room consist of sliding glass doors, which must make it a pleasant spot for summer dining. The general ambience is understated, and distinctly masculine. Natural wood, brick and dark-painted walls are set off against a geometrical white ceiling, with virtually nothing by way of plants or drapes to add softness. A mite spartan, then, but it’s a space

that looks like it means business. And a perfect backdrop for functions, big ones if needs be.

It’s also a perfect backdrop for the food, which in terms of presentation was a miniature reflection of its environment, both as regards colour and materials (dark slates, white crocks, wooden boards) and form (simple, clean lines and geometrical shapes).

Take our starter for example. We could hardly have predicted, when ordering it, that our apple and chorizo black pudding would arrive in the form of chips on a slate, stacked as if for a game of Jenga. A bold idea, though, and one that made us smile. Even more memorably, it came with a hollandaise sauce served inside an egg shell perched on a massive slate cube. Possibly Chef is a frustrated Modernist architect, but you can’t help admiring his vision.

Mind you, I wasn’t entirely convinced that heavy, rich black pudding particularly benefits from a heavy, rich hollandaise. Fortunately there was a dollop of tomato and chilli alongside the nascent Jenga tower, and the acidity and heat of this cut through the fattiness very satisfactorily.

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which was some sort of pasta-pancake with a hearty and remarkably delicious mushroom stuffing. The Jerusalem artichoke velouté didn’t have much to say for itself, and the port reduction, whilst super-tasty, was present only as one of the minutest servings imaginable. The venison itself was a decent enough slab of meat, but with a certain chewiness about it that meant that it ended up being outshone by its own accompaniments.

“ a charming cast of neatly uniformed staff ” Our other starter, goats’ cheese mousse with pumpernickel and beetroot was nicely presented, but to my mind a little… strange. Lovely mousse, lovely beetroot, but it was the pumpernickel that was the odd one out here. Pumpernickel is a chewy German rye bread, which in this case had been reduced to a pile of tiny crumbs and strewn across the plate, creating a sweet, rubbery dust that stuck doggedly to the quenelles of mousse, almost entirely overwhelming their delicate flavour. An interesting experiment, perhaps. Personally I wouldn’t order it again.

What I would order again was the first of our mains, hot home-smoked salmon, served on a smudge of puréed aubergine, along with nicely cooked pak choi and a stubby round of caramelised potato. We were also given a fine bowl of accompanying vegetables to share between us, with mange-tout, leek and carrot that still retained a commendable amount of their original crispy freshness.

Our other main was Yorkshire venison, served with all manner of bits and bobs, the most notable of 70

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The Black Bull was clearly saving the best till last, though, because they dazzled us with two thoroughly cracking puds. One was described as crème brûlée, although technically it was arguably crema Catalana, being presented in a wide, shallow dish rather than a ramekin, and with a thin, delicate topping of caramelised sugar rather than the plate glass window’s worth of melted sugar typical of your standard brûlée. Authentically vanilla-dotted, with pleasant biscuits alongside. A job well done.

But it was our other dessert, modestly described as ‘lemon curd’, that really blew our socks off. A Jackson Pollock riot of colour and form, it matched sharp, tangy yellow curd against a Hello Kitty pink ball of intoxicatingly fruity raspberry ice cream, darkly maroon fresh raspberries and a swathe of crumbled, vibrant green pistachio nuts. Add to that the snow-white dots of miniature meringues (crispy outside, chewy inside) and you’ve got everything you could reasonably expect from a dessert, plus a few surprise bonuses. Just writing about it makes me ache for another one.

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Apart from this stellar pud, the other high point of the evening for me was the strikingly good service. The Black Bull has managed to amass a charming cast of neatly uniformed staff who are impeccably professional without being in the least bit standoffish. Quite the opposite in fact: friendly, foresightful and considerate. Restaurateurs who populate their front of house with slack-eyed, grudging teens, please take note.

At around £30 a head, we felt our night was excellent value for money. Chef clearly likes to think outside the box (and sometimes present his food on top of one), and whilst there were occasional wobbles, the food was consistently interesting. Those nostalgic for The Black Bull of yesteryear may shudder at the modern incursions, but back in the day The Black Bull was pushing the boundaries too.

This 21st century re-boot certainly deserves a visit.

What to expect

A clean-cut, contemporary eatery, with food to match.

Ambience

Diners in search of fun ideas.

Events organisers, private and corporate.

Country pub with sleek, multifunctional space attached.

Or possibly the other way round.

My one regret

Service

A nice touch

Spot on.

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Ideal for

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I didn’t ask for the recipe for the raspberry ice cream.

Proper linen napkins. All too rare these days.

The bottom line

Three courses cost us just over £30 each, excluding drinks. There was a decent selection of wines by the glass, with prices starting at £3.25/£4.25 (125ml/175ml).

For further information about The Black Bull call 01325 377556 or visit theblackbullmoulton.com

The Guzzling Gander provide specialist professionally staffed boutique-style bars for any occasion, Christmas parties, birthday parties, weddings, charity events, balls, cocktail parties, shoots, hunts, christenings, corporate events - or just because you need a bar!

We will take the stress so you can enjoy your event.

Contact us on 07736 386 674 theguzzlinggander.co.uk or find us on facebook.com/TheGuzzlingGander No event too big or small

FOOD • WEDDINGS • ACCOMMODATION in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales Our restaurant opened in April 2014 in the 150-year-old converted racing stables.

Experience grand honest food cooked to perfection, made with seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients and served with hand-picked wine from our award-winning cellar in the warm, friendly atmosphere of these unique surroundings.

Stay in our refurbished spacious cottages or brand new B+B rooms, suitable for both couples and families, adjacent to the restaurant and The Forbidden Corner.

Our self-contained air conditioned function suite caters for 50 guests and up to 350 people can be accommodated in a marquee in the exquisite grounds of Tupgill Park, making for memorable weddings and events.

Christmas - Visit our website. We can cater for up to 50 people in our function room for that special festive event. Packages available.

Bar • Restaurant • Cellar • Accommodation COVERDALE, LEYBURN, NORTH YORKSHIRE DL8 4TJ T: 01969 640596 E: INFO@THESADDLEROOM.CO.UK WWW.THESADDLEROOM.CO.UK Winter 2015 | Dales Life |

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Richard III is one of the finest locations in Middleham.

Well known for our warm welcome and friendly service, we are delighted to introduce our new chef Mikey Sykes.

Mikey has devised a fresh new menu, from pub classics, to daily specials, all based around fresh local produce.

Relax and unwind in our cosy bar with its welcoming log fire, or stay in one of our themed rooms.

Bookings now being taken for Christmas parties. We can cater for up to 20 people in our private dining room.

WELCOME TO

Richard III Hotel, Middleham We are open all day and offer breakfast, morning coffee. lunch, afternoon tea and dinner.

Market Place, Middleham, DL8 4NP 01969 623240 | richard111hotel.com

Our Christmas Shop is now open - Visit us for your Christmas shopping, presents, decorations and our home-made Corner Cupboard goodies.

The prefect venue to meet with friends, family, small groups and parties over the festive period.

Christmas Menu now available and bookings being taken - available throughout December.

Opening hours: Christmas eve and New Year's Eve 10am - 4pm Tuesday - Friday 10am - 5.00pm, Saturday 10am -6pm, and bookings only from 6pm - 8pm.

Sunday 10am - 4pm, All bank holidays from 11am to 4pm. Bookings now available online

Birdforth YO61 4NW • 01845 501495 • thecornercupboard.co.uk 74

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Stone House Hotel

Relax and unwind in our classic country house overlooking Wensleydale

Here’s an idea - Why not take a drive through the beautiful Yorkshire Dales, stop at the Stone House Hotel near Hawes and enjoy: • A revitalising freshly brewed coffee or Yorkshire tea with homemade baking • A delicious light lunch from our new season menu • A fabulous dinner from our daily table d’hote menu Or better still - pack an overnight bag and enjoy one of our highly recommended dinner, bed & breakfast packages!

Bookings now being taken for our fabulously festive Christmas Party Nights!

Relax - Explore - Discover Sedbusk, near Hawes, Wensleydale 01969 667571 www.stonehousehotel.co.uk

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Christmas Celebrations AT S W I N TO N PA R K

Gift Vouchers Available Online

Carols By Candlelight and Gala Dinner 2nd December

Christmas Lunches & Festive Afternoon Teas 1st – 23rd December

Christmas Chef Tables – Demonstration Lunches & Dinners 2nd – 19th December

Christmas Party Night – Dinner & Dancing 10th & 17th December

Festive Entertaining Cookery Courses 3rd – 13th December

Please see www.swintonpark.com for details and prices Swinton Park, Masham, Ripon, North Yorkshire HG4 4JH www.swintonpark .com • enquiries@swintonpark .com

•

01765 680900

Enjoy Roux Scholar Jonathan Harrison’s unique cuisine in the traditional surroundings of the Sandpiper Inn. Modern British food using only the finest local ingredients, beautifully prepared and presented.

Fine wines, real ales and friendly service.

Accommodation available.

Market Place, Leyburn, North Yorkshire Tel 01969 622206 www.sandpiperinn.co.uk

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STEP INTO SWALEDALE, STAY, RELAX, EXPLORE

WINTER RETREAT - Stay 2 nights or more DBB from 1st November 2015 - 21st March 2016 and receive 20% discount. www.theburgoyne.co.uk enquiries@theburgoyne.co.uk Tel 01748 884292 On The Green, Reeth, North Yorkshire

Offer excludes period 23rd December 2015 - 2nd January 2016

Christmas Parties catered for - lunch & dinner Dining for non-residents Mo, Julia & Staff wish all readers a very Merry Christmas and peaceful New Year.

The Bruce Arms Masham

The Bruce Arms is a charming little pub situated in the picture perfect town of Masham.

We serve traditional and hearty cuisine.

Chef Tim Mitchell’s menu reflects the seasons and is constantly changing.

The cosy bar has two roaring fires and is a great place to relax and enjoy our selection of local ales, fine wines and spirits.

Great service, fantastic food and comfortable rooms to stay.

3 Market Square, Masham, North Yorkshire HG4 4DY

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Festive Feast This sumptuous menu from TV chef Peter Sidwell is perfect for entertaining friends and family over the festive season

PARSNIP AND APPLE SOUP WITH BRITISH PORTER BREAD FOR THE SOUP 500g parsnips 1 large white onion 1 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp fresh rosemary 1 tbsp fresh thyme 2 Granny Smith apples peeled, cored and chopped a dash of brandy, to taste 800ml milk 200ml double cream 50g butter salt and pepper

Peel the parsnips and chop them into chunks, removing the woody core. Peel and dice the onion. Gently fry the onion and parsnips in the olive oil in a large saucepan. Season with salt to help draw the water out of the vegetables and create a lovely golden colour.

Chop the herbs and add them to the pan, with the diced apple.

Cook for a further 5 minutes. When the vegetables have started to soften and roast, add in the brandy and milk. Simmer for 10–15 minutes until all the ingredients are soft, then blend until smooth.

While blending, add in the butter and cream for a little richness. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

FOR THE BREAD 250g self-raising flour 100g wholemeal flour 10g salt 1 tbsp bicarbonate of soda 290ml dark porter ale 1 tbsp black treacle 1 tbsp melted butter

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Preheat the oven to 180º C Place both the flours into a mixing bowl, add in the salt and bicarbonate of soda, using your hands blend everything together. Make a well in the middle of the flour and add in the treacle, melted butter and beer. Mix together with a metal spoon to form a soft dough.

Transfer the dough to a clean, well-floured work surface and shape to create a round loaf. Place the bread onto a non-stick baking tray. Using a pair of scissors, cut a 2–3 cm deep cross into the top of the bread to let it open up as it bakes. Bake for 25–30 minutes, until your loaf is golden and sounds hollow when you tap the base.

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CHRISTMAS ROAST GAMMON 3 kg gammon joint, boneless 2 onions 2 carrots ½ head celery 3 bay leaves FOR THE GLAZE 4 tbsp honey 4 tbsp brown sauce 12 whole cloves

As a young lad growing up in York, there was one thing that confirmed Christmas had well and truly begun in our house: the aroma of a gammon cooking in the kitchen.

While it was cooking, my mum would be happily at work, baking and decorating. This recipe takes those nostalgic memories and puts a new twist on them. Once you have tried it, trust me, you will be roasting gammons more than just once a year!

Put the gammon into a large pan of water and add the carrots, onion, celery and bay leaves. Put a lid on the pan and bring to the boil.

Turn the heat down a little so that the pan is just simmering and bubbling gently, and leave to cook for a minimum of 2½ hours.

When the gammon is cooked, remove it from the pan and place it in a roasting tray. It is very important that you now leave it to rest for half an hour.

Preheat the oven to 200ºC and remove one of the oven shelves to allow space for the gammon to roast.

Using a sharp knife, remove the skin from the whole of the gammon, then gently score the fat into a chequerboard pattern.

Mix together the honey and the brown sauce. Gently brush a generous amount of the mixture onto the joint. Press a clove into the centre of each square.

Put the joint into the oven for 20 minutes to glaze, then remove and leave to cool.

You will be so tempted to sneak a slice from the end, but be careful it will be very hot due to the honey!

Image courtesy of Booths, www.booths.co.uk, who can supply top-quality hams, ideal for this recipe, at their stores in Marshall Way, Ripon and elsewhere.

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CHOCOLATE AND CHESTNUT ROULADE 200g roasted chestnuts, removed from their shells 1 tbsp vegetable oil 1 tbsp honey 1 tsp sea salt 6 medium eggs, separated 200g golden caster sugar, and extra for dusting 1 vanilla pod (cut it down the middle and scrape out the seeds) zest of 2 clementines 50g cocoa powder 125g 70% dark chocolate 284ml carton double cream 200g chestnut purée 200ml tub full-fat crème fraîche

Preheat the oven to 180ºC. Lightly oil a 33 x 20.5cm Swiss roll tin and line it with non-stick parchment paper.

Place the peeled chestnuts on a baking tray and drizzle with a tablespoon of vegetable oil. Bake the nuts in the oven for 10 minutes. When cooked and still warm, drizzle with the honey, sprinkle with the sea salt and leave to cool.

Put the egg yolks into a large bowl. Add the sugar, vanilla seeds and clementine zest, then whisk until light and pale. Add the cocoa and fold in with a large metal spoon.

In a clean bowl, whisk the egg whites until they form stiff peaks, then fold into the cocoa mixture. Spoon into the prepared tin, spread evenly and bake for 20–25 minutes until just cooked – the top should be springy to the touch.

Remove the roulade from the oven and leave to cool in the tin for 5 minutes. Put a sheet of baking parchment onto the work surface and dust with caster sugar. Carefully turn the roulade out onto the parchment and roll it up so that the parchment runs through the roulade where the filling will go. Wrap the cake in a clean tea towel and leave to cool. When it is almost cold, carefully peel the baking parchment away from the sponge ready for the filling.

Meanwhile, make the filling. Put the chocolate into a large bowl and melt over a pan of simmering water. In a separate bowl, lightly whip the cream to a soft peak (not piping thickness, softer than that). Stir the chestnut purée and crème fraîche into the cream, then add the cream mixture into the warm melted chocolate. It is vital you do it this way round, otherwise the mousse will become very grainy.

Spread half the filling over the roulade and sprinkle with the roasted chestnuts. Roll up the roulade, using the baking parchment to help you. Using a palette knife, spread the remaining chocolate mousse over the cake, then carefully lift the roulade on to a serving plate and dust with caster sugar.

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SEASON’S BEST

BRUSSELS SPROUTS

Combine nutritious sprouts with Fountains Gold Cheddar from the Wensleydale Creamery to create this delicious bake 84

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Fountains Gold, Brussels Sprouts and Cauliflower Bake

INGREDIENTS

Preheat the oven to 190°C.

• 40g plain flour

Halve or quarter the sprouts, depending on size. Separate the cauliflower into florets. Cook in a large saucepan in boiling water for 2–3 minutes until just beginning to soften but still crisp. Bear in mind they will be going into the oven later, so undercook rather than overcook. Drain and set aside.

• 40g butter • 550ml fresh milk • 2 tbsp wholegrain mustard • a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg • salt and freshly ground black pepper • 250g Wensleydale Creamery Fountains Gold Cheddar, grated • 400g Brussels sprouts • 1 medium cauliflower • 75g panko or crispy breadcrumbs • a dash of olive oil

Meanwhile make a roux. Warm the butter in a pan over a medium heat.

When melted, stir in the flour with a wooden spoon to make a smooth paste. Cook this gently for 2–3 minutes. Add a small quantity of the milk and stir in until the mix is

even and lump-free. Repeat until all the milk has been added. Bring to the boil, stirring continuously, keeping at temperature for a minute or two until the mix has thickened.

Remove from the heat and stir in the mustard, nutmeg and twothirds of the cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Place the vegetables in an ovenproof dish and cover them with the sauce. Mix the remaining cheese with the panko or crispy breadcrumbs and olive oil and spread on top.

Bake for 25–30 minutes until the sauce is bubbling and the topping turns golden brown.

ABOUT THE WENSLEYDALE CREAMERY The Wensleydale Creamery in Hawes is famous the world over as the home of Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese, which achieved European Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status in December 2013. This means that Yorkshire Wensleydale cheese is the only one actually made in Wensleydale itself – if it doesn’t say ‘Yorkshire Wensleydale’ it’s not from Wensleydale!

For more information about The Wensleydale Creamery and their Visitor Centre – plus more inspirational cheese recipes – visit www.wensleydale.co.uk.

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THORP PERROW

A fantastic day out for the whole family

Explore 100 acres of stunning woodland, run wild and free in our adventure play area or meet exotic birds and animals in the Wildlife Park, no two visits to Thorp Perrow Arboretum are the same!

Find us on facebook or visit www.thorpperrow.com

THORP PERROW, BEDALE, NORTH YORKSHIRE, DL8 2PS TEL: 01677 425323

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MY YORKSHIRE

ROB THEAKSTON Managing Director, The Black Sheep Brewery, Masham

Tell us about your early life After leaving Sedbergh school in Cumbria, I spent a gap year dairy farming in Canada – I have Canadian relatives, my grandmother was Canadian.

Then it was on to do a degree in Animal Science at Harper Adams University in Shropshire.

But then you changed tack and joined the family business?

I spent a lot of time working in the newly established Black Sheep brewery, and I soon caught the brewing bug. The classic thing in the brewing industry is to go and work for others before coming back to your own brewery, so I went to work for Shepherd Neame in Kent.

I sold beer in London, did a post graduate diploma in Brewing and Distilling at Heriot-Watt University, and spent two years shift-brewing at Carlsberg Tetley’s in Leeds.

And then it was back to The Black Sheep?

What’s your idea of a great Yorkshire day out?

That’s right. I got my forklift and HGV and CPC licences, and ran the transport and technical services side of the business.

Then I spent two years as joint Managing Director before taking over as sole MD from my father Paul, who became Chairman.

Going down to Headingley to watch the cricket. The atmosphere is terrific, and we keep winning!

Do you have a special Yorkshire picnic place?

Next to the River Ure, by the fishing hut. It’s peaceful and quiet.

“the atmosphere at Headingley is terrific”

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What’s your favourite Yorkshire town?

And the best thing about living in Yorkshire?

Do you have a Yorkshire hero?

Too obvious, I know, but Masham of course… It’s home!

The people.

My father. He has never been afraid to give things a go.

And what Yorkshire view gives you a thrill?

Coming down Station Bank and seeing the silhouette of Masham, especially if there’s a mist and the church spire is gently reaching above the fog. It makes me feel grounded.

Where do you like to dine out?

If it’s a special occasion, I love Vennell’s restaurant in Masham.

Jon Vennell is an amazing chef and the food is always superb. It’s a great place to take my wife for a quiet meal amidst the hurly burly of life.

What Yorkshire food and drink do you most enjoy?

Roast beef and Yorkshire puds, washed down with a pint of Black Sheep ale.

Do you have a favourite Yorkshire phrase?

‘There’s nowt so queer as folk!’

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If you couldn’t be in Yorkshire, where would you like to be?

Canada. It’s an amazing place.

And they have proper seasons.

What, apart from your work, is your greatest achievement?

Three boys – Sam, George and Ben!

Turning your dreams into reality

We specialise in the finest bespoke solid wood, and hand painted kitchens.

All lovingly hand-made in our own workshop.

GROVE HOUSE Unit 1 Concept Park | Thirsk Ind.Est. Thirsk | North Yorkshire | YO7 3NH T: 01845 523562 | E: info@grovehousefurniture.co.uk www.grovehousefurniture.co.uk Winter 2015 | Dales Life |

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Music & Lights at Fountains Abbey See the abbey bathed in light, tuck into a hot pulled pork sandwich and grab a warming cup of mulled wine then hear live festive music in the cellarium.

Weekends 28 Nov - 27 Dec (excluding Sun 6 & Sat 26 Dec) 3.30pm - 5pm (last entry 4pm) Members and under 5s go free Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal, Ripon, HG4 3DY nationaltrust.org.uk/fountainsabbey | 01765 608888

© National Trust Images/Chris Lacey. Registered Charity Number 205846.

LIGHTWATER VALLEY’S SANTA EXPERIENCE 5 & 6, 12 & 13 and 19, 20, 21 & 22 December

Jump aboard the Lightwater Polar Express as it takes you to Santa’s cabin for a fireside story and a sing along with Santa and his elves.

There’ll be refreshments for everyone and of course a very special Christmas present, and even a little something for the adults!

Enjoy our festive UV Puppet Show and all of your favourite fairground rides.

Adults £10 and Children £12 (under 12) Children under 1 year: Free

lightwatervalley.co.uk/santa Lightwater Valley, North Stainley, Ripon, North Yorkshire HG4 3HT. Tel: 0871 720 0011* *Calls will cost 13 pence per minute plus your telephone company’s access charge.

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AUCTION ROOM HIGHLIGHTS

Prize Lot

The Lot

T

he standard of workmanship in this amazingly detailed model of a horse-drawn, steam-driven water pump is simply jawdropping – and clearly demonstrates why British makers are hailed as world leaders when it comes to precision engineering models. With its smart red and gold paintwork, shiny copper boiler and working brakes, hoses and nozzles, this delightful little fire appliance Maker made by Yorkshire-based Maxwell Hemmens is clearly a labour of love.

Maxwell Hemmens Although it was made to be fully functional, the tiny steam engine has Precision Steam Models never actually been fired up. That’s par for the course, explains Kegan Harrison, Toys & Collectables Specialist at Tennants Auctioneers.

Date Miniature marvels like this may be toys, but they come with very hefty price Circa 1990 tags. Collectors who have bought an immaculate example are understandably unwilling to see scorch marks on their precious acquisitions. If they want to Size demonstrate the models in action, they will usually run them on compressed Approximately 75cm long air rather than risk them coming into contact with genuine smoke and flames.

This particular piece is one of the highlights of a private collection of 85 lots Auction estimate of toy and model fire engines that will be coming up for sale at Tennants’ £2,500 to £3,500 Leyburn auction house this December. They range in date from the 1930s to the recent past, and this Maxwell Hemmens gem is one of the lots most likely to For sale at attract attention – and achieve the highest price. A toy, perhaps, but one that will Tennants Auctioneers, almost certainly end up in a display cabinet rather than a Christmas stocking.

Leyburn Toys, Models and Collectables Sale, 16th December 2015 A live steam 2-inch scale model of a Shand Mason fire pump in Belfast Fire Brigade livery

Contact tennants.co.uk 01969 623780

Winter 2015 | Dales Life |

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Freya Hobo bag in Rose Petal

by Mulberry, available from Chestnut, Darlington, 01325 481975 Hand treatment cream by Creme de la Mer, available at Harvey Nichols, Leeds

Shimmering silver bracelet by Gill Pottle from Emma Sedman, Leyburn 01969 368006

She Wolf nail polish from the Roar collection by Deborah Lippmann, deborahlippmann.com Clarins Joli Rouge lipstick in Orange Fizz at Clarins counters nationwide

i - glow compact shimmering powder in Sirocco from newcidcosmetics.com 92

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Silk dress from the Spring 2016 collection,

by Diane Von Furstenburg, at dvf.com

Tom Ford cream and powder eye shadow in Night Sky, from Harvey Nichols, Leeds

Contemporary pendant by Ria Poynton available at Emma Sedman, Leyburn, 01969 368006

Gold and lilac healing bracelet

by Daisy from Silverdale Jewellery, Bedale, 01677 427222

Heavenly eyes regenerating complex by Deborah Mitchell available at Blink Beauty, Northallerton, 01609 779390

Eye-defining pencil by Tom Ford, at Harvey Nichols, Leeds

Sparkling rose gold rings from Silverdale Jewellery, Bedale, 01677 427222

Radiance and vitality cell food serum by Elemental Herbology, elementalherbology.com

Striking cobalt blue dress

by Tory Burch available early 2016 at toryburch.co.uk

Shimmering gold pearl powder from newcidcosmetics.com

Winter 2015 | Dales Life |

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Diorific golden light compact in Sumptuous Pink available at Dior counters nationwide Open orange suede bag by Jil Sander at forzieri.com

Limited edition festive eye make-up palette available at Clarins counters nationwide

Christmas crackers

by Clarins, available at Clarins counters nationwide

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Stunning orange coat from the spring 2016 collection at paulcostelloe.com

J’Adore Touche de Parfum

by Dior, available at Dior counters nationwide

Nomad Hobo bag in glove tanned leather available at coach.com

‘GIFTED’

A Christmas Exhibition Exhibited November until January an exciting collection of work from new designers alongside our established favourites!

New Jersey, for everyone who loves to knit.

Beautiful collections of handmade contemporary jewellery, textiles and accessories ‘Sparkling Saturdays’ Celebrate the Christmas spirit with a glass of sparkling wine each Saturday in December Opening Hours to Christmas Monday, Tuesday 10.00am until 4.00pm Thursday, Friday, Saturday 10.00am until 5.00pm High Street, Leyburn, DL8 5AQ Tel. 01969 368006

Visit our beautiful shop in Bedale.

38 Market Place, Bedale, DL8 1EQ. 01677 427746 www.newjerseywools.co.uk

To book space in the Spring issue contact Sue Gillman

Telephone: 01904 629295 Mobile: 07970 739119 email: sue@daleslife.com www.daleslife.com Winter 2015 | Dales Life |

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Winter offers

for Dales Life readers Ultimate Pamper Package

Bee Sting manicure, pedicure and Bee Sting facial all for £99.00. Perfect for that special pampering present!

Offer available until end of December Patch test required 48 hrs before first facial

Bee Sting manicure & pedicure only, £50 (normally £65) only available during November

December Party Package 30 - 32 Malpas Road Northallerton, N. Yorkshire DL7 8TB 01609 779390 www.blinkbeauty.co.uk

Vita Liberata Tan (as used on Strictly) Gel polish on hands or toes Strip lashes applied Choose two of above treatments for £30.00 Choose all three for £45.00

Gatsby’s hairdressing

01677 426943

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all our clients 9a Market Place, Bedale 96

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To book space in the Spring issue contact Sue Gillman

Telephone: 01904 629295 Mobile: 07970 739119 email: sue@daleslife.com www.daleslife.com

Christmas Temptations AT S W I N TO N PA R K S PA

Look and feel your sparkling best this Christmas

Gift Vouchers Available Online

Treat yourself to some relaxing pampering in the serene surroundings of Swinton Park Spa. Indulge in our exceptional face and body treatments and enjoy our private spa* with hot tub, sauna and relaxation area.

• Day Spa Experiences and Girls’ Pamper Afternoons • Afternoon Indulgence – enjoy a spa treatment with afternoon tea • Cook & Chill – combine a spa treatment with a half day cookery course Monday – Sunday: 10am – 6pm *Day spa and groups, pre-booking essential Swinton Park, Masham, Ripon, HG4 4JH www.swintonpark.com • spa@swintonpark.com • 01765 680967

White Straight Beautiful…You • • • • •

Express teeth whitening only £35 Botox and fillers from only £99 Implants to replace missing teeth Affordable treatments in 5­star surroundings Invisalign® clear braces and Quick Straight TeethTM

Call our friendly team on 01609 761377 or e­mail hello@lovingyoursmile.co.uk to book your free consultation

www.lovingyoursmile.co.uk • 48 High Street, Northallerton DL7 8EQ Winter 2015 | Dales Life |

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the �ravel lounge

�t’s not just a holiday, it’s your holiday

�our local, �ndependent �ravel �gent

�ell travelled staff with 30 years experience in the travel industry

� wealth of knowledge on worldwide destinations �pecialising in ������ holidays, ������, �ong ���� holidays,

�������� abroad & worldwide ������� the �ravel lounge

K9199

11B �arket �lace, �edale, �orth �orkshire DL8 1ED www.thetravellounge.co.uk �el: 01677 427358

Share the polka dot love The White Bedding Company is delighted to announce the opening of our new shop in Leyburn. ●

Discover our sumptuous range of natural and organic bedding, 200 - 700 thread count Egyptian cotton, the highest quality

●

Our standard mitre linen has been tried and tested for over 7 years

●

We have everything a cottage needs, from personalised linen and towels to local hampers

●

And a range of our trade marked polka dot gifts you won’t find anywhere else

THE WHITE BEDDING CO. LTD. Unit 4, Leyburn Business Park, Leyburn, North Yorkshire DL8 5QA julie@thewhitebeddingco.com

www.thewhitebeddingco.com 98

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01969 623699

a treasure trove of cards and gifts

Nickery Nook Step into Nickery Nook and you will find a huge array of cards, wrapping paper, gift boxes and ribbons. Explore our huge selection of Yankee candles, Bomb cosmetics, hand made chocolates, Deal Clothing and many more unusual gift ideas you won’t find elsewhere.

For the kids we have the wonderfully colourful ranges of wooden Orange Tree toys, and the quirky Tyrell Katz and Rachel Ellen.

2 Market Court, Market Place, Bedale, DL8 1YA 01677 425848 www.nickerynookbedale.co.uk

Sophisticated Style If your suite is showing signs of wear, why not consider reupholstery?

Bespoke upholstery service

Let us bring your old suite back to life

We offer a bespoke upholstery service.

We can make your suite as good as new by covering with the latest fabrics, and replacing the fillings.

Choose from a fantastic choice of fabrics, our craftsmen will restore your furniture to the highest of standards.

Contact Colin Blanchard for more information.

01677 470238 or 07764 279815 ocean-designs.co.uk Winter 2015 | Dales Life |

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Winter 2015

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Open Sundays only until Christmas 10am until dusk, A free present for each child is included in the admission price, under 4’s visiting Santa is £3.50 Admission is by pre-booked tickets only To reserve your ticket please telephone 01969 640638 www.theforbiddencorner.co.uk We look forward to seeing you

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RELAX IN OUR RURAL WENSLEYDALE RETREAT AT WESTHOLME ESTATE

Tucked away on the banks of Bishopdale Beck, surrounded by lush rolling countryside, Westholme Estates is the perfect retreat for private parties, corporate events and celebrations.

Kids can go wild meeting our animals in the park!

Our contemporary lodges offer the perfect holiday location to experience the natural beauty of the Dales. Hendersons Bar and Restaurant, recently refurbished to the highest standards, is just a short stroll away – the ideal place to enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner or relax with a coffee while you plan your day’s adventures.

Westholme: at the heart of the Dales WESTHOLME ESTATE WESTHOLME ESTATE, AYSGARTH, LEYBURN, NORTH YORKSHIRE DL8 3SP 01969 663268 | paul.dixon@westholme-estate.co.uk Winter 2015 | Dales Life | 101

Kiplin Hall

JACOBEAN HOUSE Country Seat of Founder of Maryland, USA

A Dickens of a Christmas

Friday, Saturday & Sunday, 4,5 & 6 and 11, 12 & 13 December, 10am – 4pm.

Dip into our Dickensian Christmas compendium of celebrations. See the Hall decked with trees, flowers and greenery.

Admission: Adult £8.30; Conc. £7.30; Child £4.30; Family (2+3) £24.50.

Tea Room and Christmas Gift Fair Admission Free

“A truly wonderful house and garden; perhaps the most pleasant country house I’ve seen.”

Gardens and Tea Room re-open for

Snowdrops and Aconites Sunday 7 February see website for details

Kiplin Hall, nr. Scorton, Richmond, DL10 6AT Tel: 01748 818178 www.kiplinhall.co.uk

A world of experience PACKAGE HOLIDAYS • TAILOR-MADE ITINERARIES • CRUISES • RAIL FERRIES • FLIGHTS • FAMILY HOLIDAYS • CITY & UK BREAKS • HONEYMOONS SAFARIS • LONG-HAUL HOLIDAYS • AIRPORT HOTELS PARKING & LOUNGES • THEATRE TICKETS

Robert Sturdy, 10 Market Place, Leyburn, DL8 5BG 01969 623486 robert.sturdy@speartravels.net www.speartravels.net/leyburn Other Spear Travels branches in Boroughbridge, Northallerton, Skipton, Helmsley and Stokesley RETAlL AGENTS FOR ATOL HOLDERS - ABTA L8041

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WILDLIFE

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GARDENING

Yorkshire’s Finest

FANTASTIC FOOD AND GREAT GIFTS

MAKE A FABULOUS SEASONAL WREATH

Snow Whites

Nature Watch

STUNNING WINTER FLOWERS

CORPORATE EVENTS FULLY QUALIFIED C.P.S.A. COACHES PRIVATE TUITION CHRISTMAS VOUCHERS NOW AVAILABLE ON THE WEB SITE

KINGFISHER SPOTTING IN THE DALES

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WINTER 2015

Dales Diary YORKSHIRE SCULPTURE PARK West Bretton, Wakefield 01924 832632 ysp.co.uk

SWINTON PARK Masham 01765 680900 www.swintonpark.com Christmas Cookery Courses

Poppies: Wave

3rd December and 4th December

Until 10th January, 10am to 5pm, Lower Lake

Christmas in a Box. Half-day course.

Prepare and cook a festive meal for six to take home, £150.

Yorkshire Sculpture Park presents Poppies: Wave as part of a UK-wide tour of the iconic poppy sculptures organised by 14-18 NOW. Wave is from the installation Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red (poppies and original concept by artist Paul Cummins, installation designed by Tom Piper) by Paul Cummins Ceramics Limited in conjunction with Historic Royal Palaces. The installation was originally at HM Tower of London from August to November 2014, where 888,246 poppies were displayed, one to honour every death in the British and Colonial forces during the First World War.

10th and 11th December Festive Fare. One-day course. Inspirational dishes for festive entertaining, £140.

12th December Aga Cookery: Festive. One-day course.

Great recipes to get the best from your Aga at Christmas, £160.

Christmas Lunches and Festive Afternoon Teas 1st to 23rd December Enjoy a pre-Christmas treat amidst our fabulous Christmas decorations. Threecourse lunch, £28. Festive tea with mulled wine, £25.

Carols By Candlelight 2nd December, 7pm A magical evening of carols and seasonal readings, with gala gourmet dinner. £95, in aid of The Prince’s Trust.

Christmas Chef Tables 2nd to 19th December Watch Michelin-trained chef Stephen Bulmer prepare a festive gourmet menu for you. Lunch £35, dinner £58, including aperitif.

Christmas Party Night 10th December Three-course menu with wine and dancing.

Tables of four or more, £50 per person.

For private party bookings contact events@swintonpark.com.

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WINTER 2015

THORP PERROW ARBORETUM Bedale, North Yorkshire 01677 425323 thorpperrow.com

KIPLIN HALL near Scorton, Richmond 01748 818178 kiplinhall.co.uk

Santa’s Grotto From December 4th. Thursdays and Fridays (for pre-school children and school groups), 11am to 2pm. Saturdays and Sundays, 10.30am to 3pm.

Saturday 19th until Christmas Eve, 10.30am to 3pm. £4.50 per child.

As the stunning autumn colours fade and winter sets in at Thorp Perrow, the grotto deep in the woods magically bursts into life!

We listen in anticipation for the jingling bells heralding the arrival of our very special guest and his helpers, fresh from Lapland.

A Dickens of a Christmas Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 4th, 5th and 6th and 11th,12th and 13th December, 10am to 4pm Dip into our Dickensian Christmas compendium of celebrations and see the Hall decked with trees, flowers and greenery. £8.30/£7.30/£4.30/ Family (2+3) £24.50. Please note HHA cards are not valid at Christmas.

Follow the trail through the Arboretum to the grotto where the elves will be on hand to guide you through a magical winter wonderland, meeting wonderful creatures as you go.

Santa will be waiting to meet you, so perhaps you could bring him a letter, telling him about your favourite toys and books, or explaining how to find your house. Maybe he’ll have a special gift for you, and a reminder to be good!

After your visit to Santa you’ll find yourselves in the Birds of Prey and Wildlife Centre, so have a wander round and meet some of the residents. The tearoom will be open as you head back to the car, offering our delicious winter menu. Why not pop in for a warming glass of mulled wine and a juicy mince pie before you leave?

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Tea Room Delicious homemade lunches, cakes and festive goodies. No admission charge.

Christmas Gift Fair in the Maryland Centre Local craftspeople selling original gifts and stocking fillers. No admission charge.

Snowdrops and Aconites From Sunday 7th February, Sunday to Wednesday, 10am to 4pm Enjoy drifts of snowdrops and aconites naturalised in our woodland and gardens.

Described as ‘one of the best displays I have seen’ by a regular visitor! Admission to the gardens: adult £5.50, concession £4.50, child £2.50, family £15.50.

A nursery at the heart of the community

Little Foresters sessions A warm welcome awaits you at Incy Wincy’s Nursery each week

Baby Massage Taster session Monday 21st December 10 – 10.45 am Ring to book

• Fully qualified staff team •

• Enchanted journey for babies and children aged 0-5 years • • Maze of beautiful gardens which boast mud kitchen, greenhouse, sensory garden, raised beds and wooden adventure play equipment • • Local suppliers used for our yummy menu • • Forest School, Makaton Signing, ECAT and Movement Play trained • • Attractive Listed building overlooking Bedale Park • • Fully inclusive - daily essentials provided •

www.incywincys.com Find us at: Amen House, North End, Bedale, North Yorkshire DL8 1XA tel: 01677 425550 e-mail: info@incywincys.com

Winter 2015 | Dales Life | 107

WINTER 2015

FOUNTAINS ABBEY & STUDLEY ROYAL near Ripon 01765 608888 nationaltrust.org.uk/fountains-abbey

Father Christmas’ Grotto Saturdays and Sundays 28th November to 20th December, 1pm to 3pm With the jingle of reindeer bells Father Christmas will be touching down at Fountains Abbey, and he’ll come bearing gifts. If you’ve been a good little boy or girl, visit him in his cosy grotto and he may have a special something for you! £5 per child, includes gift.

Festive Christmas Lunches Monday to Thursday, 30th November to 23rd December, 12pm to 1.30pm

Music and Lights Saturdays and Sundays 28th November to 27th December (excluding 6th and 26th December), plus Monday 28th December,3.30pm to 5pm (last entry 4pm), choirs/band 3.30pm to 4.30pm

Enjoy a delicious festive lunch with family, friends or colleagues. Choose from a two- or threecourse lunch, and add tea or coffee and a mince pie for an extra treat. Then shop for seasonal gifts, or take a leisurely walk around our grounds.

Normal admission applies, free for NT members.

Two courses, £17.95 per person. Three courses, £19.95. Tea, coffee and mince pie, £2.95. Booking essential, 01765 643197.

Carols by Candlelight Sunday 6th December, 3.30pm to 4.15pm

Get into the Christmas spirit on a crisp winter’s afternoon! Tuck into a hot pulled pork sandwich and mulled wine from the Visitor Centre, then wander through the estate. See the trees twinkling and the Abbey all aglow, and stop at the abbey Cellarium to catch some live festive music.

Normal admission charges apply.

Our ever-popular annual family carol service.

Pick up a candle on your way in and see the flickering glow of nearly 1,000 candles light up the abbey Cellarium. Grab a mulled wine or a hot chocolate and sing along to your favourite traditional carols. Arrive early to get a seat!

The Elves’ Christmas Workshop

Christmas Floristry Workshops

Saturdays and Sundays 28th November to 20th December, plus Monday 21st December and Sunday 3rd January, 1pm to 4pm

Monday 7th December, 11am to 1.30pm (lunch from 1.30pm); Tuesday 8th and Wednesday 9th December, 10am to 12.30pm (lunch from 12.30pm)

Pop along to Swanley Grange to write your letter to Father Christmas. We’ll provide paper, pens, envelopes and stamps for you to write your wish list, become the elf postmaster, and send your letter off to the North Pole! Then make yourself a sparkly snowflake to hang on your tree at home. If you drop in after Christmas, why not write to Father Christmas to thank him for your pressies?

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Join award-winning florist Joanna McCrae to create festive decorations using natural materials from here on the estate. In a series of workshops over three days, she’ll provide expert tuition on making your own wreath, swag or table decoration. Includes a delicious two-course lunch. £45, booking essential, 01765 643197.

Winter 2015 | Dales Life | 109

Les Coussiras, Champagnac-de-Belair

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The Residence de Chavirat, Champagnac-de-Belair

French Leave The Dordogne is one of France’s most stunning regions – and buying a property there is cheaper and easier than you might think

wning a property in France is a dream that many of us secretly harbour, particularly with a dreary British winter in prospect.

And when it comes to choosing the perfect location, the Dordogne is the region that you’ll find at the top of many people’s wish lists.

The Dordogne has long been a magnet for UK buyers, and when you look at the wealth of attractions the area has to offer it’s no wonder it has been so consistently popular. With its spectacular scenery, fertile soil, miles of quiet roads and gorgeous medieval towns and villages – not to mention the outstanding locally produced food and drink – it’s the ideal place to buy a rental property or get away from the rat-race to enjoy a more serene way of life.

If it’s a prospect that you find tempting, you might be surprised at just how easy it is to turn that dream into reality. With the current strength of the pound against the euro, exchange rates are very much in our favour right now. Property in France is remarkably affordable, and it’s an ideal time to think of buying.

There’s one thing that holds many people back, of course, and understandably so – the language barrier. Not only is there the sales process to conclude, but afterwards there are all the fine details of setting up your home to grapple with.

Nowadays, though, the fact that you flunked French at school needn’t stop you starting a new life in sunny southern Europe. Because if you need a helping hand, it can easily be arranged.

Take, for example, the service offered by Yorkbased estate agents Austin Brooks, who have recently set up an international department. The company specialises in French properties, and having owned property in France themselves, they understand buying and owning and can give you full support throughout the actual sale.

Equally importantly, they can take the worry out of future management of the property, making sure you have access to reliable English-speaking tradesmen – painters, plumbers, gardeners, builders and so on – as and when you need them.

And, reassuringly, you’ll have advice on tap to help you resolve any problems that may crop up.

A good illustration of the exciting options open to potential buyers are the two charming properties just outside the village of Champagnacde-Belair that Austin Brooks currently have on their books.

Champagnac-de-Belair is easy to get to – just an hour from Limoges airport – but offers precisely the kind of tranquil rural setting that so many of us yearn for. The village itself is a little gem, and just 5km away is the picture-postcard destination of Brantome and its ancient Benedictine abbey set in a spectacular wooded river valley. With extensive parks and gardens, a bustling Friday market and a Michelin-starred restaurant, Brantome is the quintessential French country town – and typical of the many attractions that this beautiful and historic area has to offer.

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The medievel town of St Jean de Cole a few kilometres from the properties.

Also on the doorstep is the picturesque Chateau de Puyguilhem, a listed monument with sweeping views of the oak forests native to the region. And within a few minutes’ journey by car you’ll find Saint Jean de Cole, the location for a colourful annual flower fair, Bourdeilles with its ancient castle, and Thiviers, famous for its foie gras, walnuts and truffles. For a grand day out, just 22km away there’s the remarkable cathedral town of Perigueux with its lively street cafés and fairytale medieval architecture.

The two properties in Champagnac-de-Belair currently being handled by Austin Brooks are both spacious, extending to around 260 square metres and providing comfortable four-bedroomed family homes. Each benefits from splendid views across tranquil, rolling countryside, but with neighbours nearby you certainly won’t feel isolated.

The Residence de Chavirat is a traditional, foursquare farmhouse, dating back to around 1800 and bristling with original features. It comes with attractive gardens and a swimming pool, along with 2–3 hectares of adjacent land that you can either make use of yourself or rent out to the local farmer. There is also a traditional rectangular barn that could be converted into stabling, workshops or 112 | Dales Life | Winter 2015

additional accommodation, so the possibilities for carving out a new lifestyle are limited only by your own imagination!

The second property, Les Coussiras, is a tastefully converted traditional barn with an attractive driveway and gardens. Like the Residence de Chavirat, it has its own pool along with 2–3 hectares of adjoining land and – once again – a detached traditional barn that could be adapted to all manner of different uses.

Of course there’s one last sticking point when it comes to plumping for a new way of life, and that’s the issue of funding your purchase by selling an existing property. Fortunately Austin Brooks International can help with this too, and can arrange a part-exchange deal on suitable properties here in the UK, so as to streamline the whole process and get you started on your new life as quickly and smoothly as possible.

So yes, moving to Southern France is indeed a dream – but one that, if you want it to, can quite easily come true!

For further information on the properties featured on these pages, please contact Austin Brooks International, austinbrooks.co.uk 01904 227992.

Personal Advice in an Impersonal World

Estate Planning • Wills & Probate • Estate Administration • Powers of Attorney • Care Home Fees • Tax Planning • Estate Disputes

Property & Rural Law • Property Sales & Purchases • Landlord and Tenant Matters • Agricultural Land • Leases and Tenancies • Rights of Way • Sporting Rights & Purchases • Wind Farms

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We provide legal advice and assistance using old-fashioned values in a friendly and modern way

McGarry & Co. S O L I C I T O R S

21 Galgate, Barnard Castle, Co. Durham DL12 BEQ • 01833 600160

Market Place, Hawes, North Yorkshire DLB 3QS • 01969 667000

office@mbmcgarry.co.uk • www.mbmcgarry.co.uk Authorised and regulated by The Solicitors Regulation Authority Number 606950

Winter 2015 | Dales Life | 113

AUSTIN BROOKS

5 St. Edmunds Close, Stamford Bridge, York

ÂŁ579,950

This beautiful, five bedroom, modern, detached property is located in the picturesque, historic village of Stamford Bridge and is surrounded by open views across the countryside. This executive development of houses was established in 1999, number 5 is located on a corner plot with a useful adjoining paddock measuring 1291.2 sq metres. The home has been tastefully extended and upgraded by its current owners.

01904 227992 | sales@austinbrooks.co.uk | www.austinbrooks.co.uk 114 | Dales Life | Winter 2015

2013 | Dales Life |

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NORMAN F. BROWN

Appletree House, West Scrafton

A spacious well presented semi detached cottage with garage and studio/workshop, open front aspect.

Entrance porch, lounge with stove, dining room, kitchen/ breakfast room with Aga, pantry, utility room, cloakroom/ wc, 3 double bedrooms, bathroom/wc, studio/workshop, garage, driveway, front and rear gardens, night storage heating, double glazing. EER E48 £365,000 Leyburn Office

Abbey House, Richmond

A spacious detached Grade II listed cottage in a secluded riverside setting close to Richmond. Originally part of the Easby Abbey estate. Current 5* holiday let. Lounge, kitchen/dining room, cloakroom/wc, 3 double bedrooms each with en-suite, detached garage, driveway, mature gardens, fishing rights on the River Swale, oil fired underfloor c/h. NO FORWARD CHAIN. EER N/A £520,000 Richmond Office

CH NO AI N

CH NO AI N

Chartered Surveyors • Estate Agents • Lettings Selling and letting property since 1967

Cheslar, West Burton

This is a well presented spacious semi detached cottage on the vilage green with good sized garden backing onto open countryside. Entrance hall, inner hall, lounge, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, utility room/wc, pantry, 3 double bedrooms, bathroom/wc, garage, driveway, ample parking, good sized rear garden, oil fired central heating, UPVC double glazing. NO FORWARD CHAIN. EER E51 £465,000 Leyburn Office

14 Queens Road, Richmond • 01748 822473 6 Bridge Street, Bedale • 01677 422282 25 Market Place, Leyburn • 01969 622194

Images courtesy of chequeredchicken.co.uk

LAWYERS IN LOCATIONS YOU LOVE T: 0800 160 10 10 E: info@coles-law.co.uk W: www.coles-law.co.uk Offices also in… York, Thirsk, Yarm, Guisborough, Market Weighton & Beverley Winter 2015 | Dales Life | 115

On the market

Our regular round-up of beautiful properties for sale in Yorkshire.

£330,000 1 The Old Smithy, Tunstall Extended & renovated semi-detached cottage.Entrance hall, lounge, dining room,kitchen/breakfast room, utility room, cloakroom/wc, 4 beds, en-suite shower room/wc, family bathroom/wc, dble garage, parking, large garden, oil fired c/h. NO FORWARD CHAIN. EER N/A Contact Norman F Brown on 01748 822473 normanfbrown.co.uk

£450,000 17 The Pastures, York Located in a quiet cul-de-sac off Hob Moor nature reserve, this unique, spacious, recently refurbished, six bedroom family home has four bedrooms, four reception rooms and two bathrooms. With a further two bedrooms, a shower room and lounge with kitchenette, in the adjoining annex extension.

Contact Austin Brooks on 01904 227992 austinbrooks.co.uk

£315,000 Littlecroft, Constable Burton Spacious individual single storey barn conversion close to Leyburn. Entrance hall, lounge/dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, 2 large double bedrooms, conservatory, bathroom/wc, side hall, utility room, ample parking, mature gardens, oil fired c/hg, double glazing. NO FORWARD CHAIN. EER E44.

Contact Norman F Brown on 01969 622194 normanfbrown.co.uk

£395,000 26 North End House, Middleton on the Wolds A superb, beautifully appointed, high specification finish, fully renovated, 5 bedroom, former Victorian farmhouse with gated access, a useful large, separate double garage and a stable.

Contact Austin Brooks on 01904 227992 austinbrooks.co.uk

£205,000 Old Bank Cottage, Reeth A well presented terraced cottage modernised in recent years. Current holiday let. Lounge, kitchen/dining room, 3 bedrooms, bathroom/wc, store room with loft above, oil fired central heating, double glazing. Contents available by separate negotiation. NO FORWARD CHAIN. EER D60.

Contact Norman F Brown on 01748 822473 normanfbrown.co.uk

£575,000 46 St. Johns Road, Driffield Beautifully positioned in a premium location in the appealing Wolds’ market town of Driffield and set on a large plot with extensive, front and rear gardens; this impressive, double fronted, 6 bedroom, period detached home extends to 2,850 square feet of superb living space.

Contact Austin Brooks on 01904 227992 austinbrooks.co.uk

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On the market

Our regular round-up of beautiful properties for sale in Yorkshire.

OIEO £800,000 Gatherley House, Moulton, Richmond An outstanding period farmhouse residence sitting in 8 acres of land.

Secluded in a quiet rural location yet highly accessible. First class accommodation. The Old Granary Barn. Beautiful gardens, grounds and orchard. EPC rating D. Viewing by appointment.

Contact Robin Jessop Ltd. on 01969 622800 robinjessop.co.uk

OIEO £625,000 The Gillings, Richmond An outstanding detached family house with very substantial gardens and grounds in a secluded location. Five double bedrooms. Spacious living accommodation. Garaging. Excellent location close to local amenities. EPC Rating C. Viewing by appointment.

Contact Robin Jessop Ltd. on 01969 622800 robinjessop.co.uk

£475,000 Oak Tree Farm, West Witton, Leyburn A substantial traditional Dales farmhouse with spacious accommodation.

Six bedrooms. Delightful walled gardens. Range of outbuildings and garaging. Stunning position with views over the surrounding countryside.

EPC D. Lot 2 - two grass paddocks. Chain free. Viewing by appointment.

Contact Robin Jessop Ltd. on 01969 622800 robinjessop.co.uk

£350,000 Low Dovescar, South Walden, Leyburn A superb traditional Dales long house. In need of some updating.

Spacious accommodation with four bedrooms. Gardens and garaging.

Stunning panoramic views of the dales. Currently used as a holiday cottage. EPC rating E. Viewing by appointment.

Contact Robin Jessop Ltd. on 01969 622800 robinjessop.co.uk

£300,000 Sandwith Lodge, Newton Le Willows A beautiful detached four bedroom bungalow situated in large gardens and grounds. Garaging and off street parking. Stunning secluded yet accessible rural location. EPC rating D. Viewing strictly by appointment.

Contact Robin Jessop Ltd. on 01969 622800 robinjessop.co.uk

£250,000 Beulah, Middleham A detached two bedroom bungalow with garaging and gardens. situated just outside the highly popular village of Middleham.

Overlooking open countryside views. Good sized plot. EPC rating E. Viewing by appointment.

Contact Robin Jessop Ltd. on 01969 622800 robinjessop.co.uk

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Guiding you in the right direction

With over 35 years experience in auctioning properties, we know which properties sell better by auction.

Come to the property Auction specialists

Bedale Office

Leyburn Office

4 North End, Bedale, North Yorkshire DL8 1AB Tel: 01677 425950

Marwood House, Railway Street, Leyburn DL8 5AY Tel: 01969 622800

All our properties are listed at robinjessop.co.uk Follow us on twitter @robinjessop Winter 2015 | Dales Life | 119 CHARTERED SURVEYORS, AUCTIONEERS, VALUERS, L AND & ESTATE AGENTS

TAKE YOUR HOME TO AN ENERGY EFFICIENT FUTURE with Bedale Plumbing & Heating Ltd established in 1970

• PANASONIC ACCREDITED INSTALLERS OF AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMPS • GRANT ACCREDITED INSTALLERS OF SPIRA WOOD PELLET BOILERS. • SOLAR THERMAL & SOLAR PV INSTALLATION. • FULL DESIGN AND INSTALLATION.

WE CAN ALSO PROVIDE: Under-floor heating systems.

Un-vented hot water and heating systems.

Multi-fuel Heatstore installation.

Oil storage tank replacements.

System upgrades.

Powerflushing.

Oil boiler replacements.

Natural gas & LPG boiler replacements.

Boiler service and repair.

Plumbing repairs.

Water mains replaced & repaired.

Landlords certificates.

BEDALE PLUMBING & HEATING LTD 12 Coronation Rd, Little Crakehall, Bedale, DL8 1HZ bedaleplumbingandheatingltd@hotmail.co.uk

bedaleplumbingandheatingltd.co.uk

01677 426063 • 07814 036057 120 | Dales Life | Winter 2015

Bathroom Suites Design and installation including all joinery, tiling and electrical works.

SWITCH ON TO Bedale Electrical Ltd Welcome to our sister company Bedale Electrical Ltd. We are a family-run business and we will be offering the same reliable service our customers have enjoyed for over 40 years. We are electrical contractors and engineers providing all your electrical needs for both domestic and commercial properties, our experienced team will provide the same friendly and high standard of work we are known for!

• ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION • TESTING & INSPECTION • FAULT FINDING • SECURITY • FIRE ALARMS & EMERGENCY LIGHTING • ELECTRICAL HEATING & CONTROLS • DATA & COMMUNICATION • PAT TESTING

BEDALE ELECTRICAL LTD

12 Coronation Rd, Little Crakehall, Bedale, DL8 1HZ

bedaleelectricalltd@outlook.com

01677 426063 • 07710 741874

Winter 2015 | Dales Life | 121

Go For Growth We have!

Dales Life is 40% bigger Giving you more for your money.

• 20,000 copies hand-delivered to homes and businesses throughout the Dales.

• Average 90,000 readers per issue.

• 75% of our advertising is repeat business.

• Twice the value: Dales Life is online too, with clickable links in advertisements.

It all adds up.

“We have advertised with Dales Life for 19for years, and Going have always had a great response. The magazine has Growth really helped our business grow.”

County Kitchens, Leyburn

“The best response we have ever had from any magazine.”

Sarah and Kelly, Love thy Interiors

“I highly recommend advertising in Dales Life.

Whatever we feature always sells out!”

Tory, Dovetail Interiors

www.daleslife.com

Helping local businesses grow since 1993 Contact Sue Gillman on 01904 629295 sue@daleslife.com Dales Life, 90 Tadcaster Rd, York, North Yorkshire YO24 1LT

122 | Dales Life | Winter 2015

Produce your own electricity and earn money with solar pv panels • Reduce your electricity bill • Tax free return on your investment • Feed in tariff index-linked and guaranteed for 20 years • Use your local installer • No cold calling or salesmen

Domestic • Commercial • Agricultural

For further information please contact DDR Solar Ltd 01969 622 260 www.ddrsolar.co.uk Your local friendly chartered architects

Designing dreams

To book space in the Spring issue contact Sue Gillman

RBCARCHITECT Domestic and commercial architectural and planning services New build | Extensions | Conversions | Refurbishments

T: 01609 751668 E: hello@rbcarchitect.co.uk Evolution Business Centre, 6 County Business Park, Darlington Road, Northallerton DL6 2NQ

www.rbcarchitect.co.uk

Telephone: 01904 629295 Mobile: 07970 739119 email: sue@daleslife.com www.daleslife.com Winter 2015 | Dales Life | 123

Dales life_RBC Architect_14.indd 1

23/06/2014 17:57:01

Are you an older driver?

The Wensleydale House Doctor Est. 1999

Home Improvement Specialist • Interior & Exterior Painting • Interior Decorating • Tiling • Plumbing • Plastering • Flooring (including laminate) • Kitchens and bathrooms fitted

No job too small Friendly and reliable service

Refreshing Your Skills If you have a licence to drive, and are fit to drive, keep driving!

Try not to become over-dependent on your partner’s driving because as traffic conditions change it can be very hard to take up driving again after several years off. It’s better to stay in practice on the roads you frequently use.

Refreshing your skills really can make all the difference to your confidence, building on your experience with driving tips, techniques and advice.

For residents of North Yorkshire, 95 Alive are currently offering a free 1 hour refresher drive with an approved driving instructor, for drivers over 50.

For more information email 95alive@northyorks.gov.uk call 01609 798120 or visit our website www.roadwise.co.uk This offer is only available to North Yorkshire residents 124 | Dales Life | Winter 2015

Tel: 01677 450810 Mobile: 07715 682966 Hunton, Bedale, North Yorkshire

To book space in the Spring issue contact Sue Gillman

Telephone: 01904 629295 Mobile: 07970 739119 email: sue@daleslife.com www.daleslife.com

Bedale Dental Practice We offer one of the most competitive Dental Plans in the area only ÂŁ11.42 Please see our Website or talk to one of our Receptionists for further information We offer free NHS treatment for all Children Come and join our Dental Practice We are dedicated to patient care and offer a wide variety of specialist dental services including implants and orthodontics BotoxÂŽ also available 18 Sussex Street Bedale DL8 2AL Tel 01677 422865 www.bedaledentalpractice.co.uk

PHYSIOTHERAPY Neurological Rehab Pain Management Sports Therapy Therapeutic Massage Physiotherapy

COMPLEMENTARY THERAPY Acupuncture Clinical Hypnotherapy Reflexology Aromatherapy

CLASSES/TRAINING Dru Yoga Tai Chi Manual Handling Training Hot Flush Clinics Baby Massage

Formerly Leyburn Physiotherapy Practice

Masham: 01765 689556 healthfusion@btconnect.com www.healthfusion.co.uk Middleham: 01969 623354 leyburnphysio@btconnect.com www.leyburnphysio.co.uk

The core values of HealthFusion are to be dynamic and proactive. We focus on each individual’s needs, offering a personal level of care whilst providing a first-class service. We diagnose, treat and educate, helping many diverse conditions.

Winter 2015 | Dales Life | 125

Do you have pain?

Back pain Headaches Neck pain Frozen shoulder Sports injuries Pregnancy issues Stress relief Osteopathy - Acupuncture - Massage www.bedaleosteopaths.co.uk

01677 425858

126 | Dales Life | Winter 2015

Premiere Care

North East Ltd.

We are a Leyburn-based agency offering high quality care services to our Clients.

Our experienced team supports the various needs of vulnerable people to remain as independent as possible in their home. We provide hourly, day/night and live-in-care.

Testimonial

’Exceedingly high quality ladies, honest, caring and totally trustworthy’ Premiere Care has been awarded by the CQC the highest possible rating on their last inspection in 2009 which confirms the quality of service that we supply.

For an information pack please contact: Premiere Care (NE) Ltd Thornborough Hall, Leyburn DL8 5AB 01969 622 499 www.premiere-care.co.uk

Hillcrest Care Home Dedicated to quality care • Established owners • Experienced management team • Low staff turnover • Pleasant surroundings • Nutritional, attractive home cooked quality meals • Care available - long stay, day care, respite (dependent upon availability)

Hillcrest has a warm and welcoming atmosphere. It enjoys an enviable reputation within the community and is totally compliant with CQC. To experience the Home and the expertise of the local management team, why not call in and view for yourself the level of care being offered to the Residents.

Call Hillcrest’s manager Nicola Cooper to arrange a visit at a time to suit you on 01748 834444 or email hillcrest@sirtin.com

Hillcrest, Byng Road, Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, DL9 4DW Winter 2015 | Dales Life | 127

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TO DINE FOR Great places to eat and stay in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales.

THE WHITE BEAR

THE CORNER CUPBOARD

The White Bear is situated in the beautiful market town of Masham. A team of talented chefs use locally sourced ingredients to create delicious, seasonal dishes. Enjoy your meal in the charming dining room or the traditional bar; open fires create a cosy atmosphere throughout.

An extensive wine list complements the menu. Accommodation is available in fourteen individually designed rooms all en suite.

The Corner Cupboard at Birdforth, near Easingwold, is a licensed day-time restaurant serving mouthwatering scones and tea cakes, light lunches and more substantial meals, all home-made using top-quality local produce.

Peak lunch times can be busy, so advance booking is advisable. Having eaten your fill, there’s the added bonus of a charming shop carrying a beguiling selection of gifts, jewellery and home furnishings.

T: 01765 689319 thewhitebearhotel.co.uk

T: 01845 501495 thecornercupboard.co.uk

SWINTON PARK HOTEL

THE SANDPIPER INN

An elegant, 30-bedroom luxury castle hotel.

With four Red Stars (Inspectors’ Choice) and three Rosettes awarded by the AA for excellent facilities, this is one of the most highly rated hotels in Yorkshire. Award-winning cuisine is served in the sumptuously furnished dining room, using seasonal produce sourced from the hotel’s four-acre walled garden and surrounding estate.

Chef Jonathan Harrison and his wife Janine have owned The Sandpiper Inn since 1999, during which time they have won numerous accolades for their unique take on modern British cooking. The Sandpiper’s cosy traditional bar serves local real ales, fine wines and an extensive range of whiskies. The stylish 40-seater restaurant is open for lunch and dinner from Tuesday to Sunday inclusive, and there are two tasteful boutique-style ensuite double bedrooms for overnight guests.

T: 01765 680900 swintonpark.com

T: 01969 622206 sandpiperinn.co.uk

HENDERSONS BAR & RESTAURANT Set in the idyllic riverside surroundings of Westholme Estate in Bishopdale, Hendersons is a bright, stylish, relaxed bar and bistro-style restaurant with a contemporary feel. Our talented chef has created a mouthwatering seasonal menu using fresh local and seasonal produce. The restaurant is open all day for lunch, light bites and beverages. Dinner 5.30pm to 8.45pm every day except Tuesday. Sunday lunch 12–4pm.

THE BLACK SHEEP BREWERY The Black Sheep Brewery Visitor Centre – situated in Masham, is the ideal place for a great day or evening out. You can take a tour of the Brewery, have a meal in the Bistro, and taste their award-winning beers at the ‘Baa…r’.

You can also buy lots of goodies from the wellstocked Sheepy Shop. It offers a ‘ewe-nique’ venue for corporate entertaining, product launches, parties and weddings.

T: 01765 680101 blacksheepbrewery.com

T: 01969 663268 westholme-estate.co.uk

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THE BURGOYNE HOTEL

STONE HOUSE HOTEL

Overlooking Reeth village green, The Burgoyne Hotel is a luxurious home-from-home set in an elegant Georgian mansion. It has eight spacious and beautifully appointed rooms — the panoramic views from some of them have to be seen to be believed. There’s an emphasis on friendly service and fine food, with generous breakfasts and a four-course dinner menu focusing on fresh local produce sourced from the Dales and the Yorkshire coast.

Stone House Hotel is an elegant country residence just a short drive from the bustling market town of Hawes. With its cosy bar, library-cum-billiard room and panelled Oak Room, Stone House is the perfect place to relax. Enjoy delicious, locally sourced traditional food from breakfast through to dinner, and choose from an extensive list of fine wines. There are three spacious, romantic four-poster suites, and five groundfloor conservatory bedrooms opening directly onto the lawns.

T: 01748 884292 theburgoyne.co.uk

T: 01969 667571 stonehousehotel.co.uk

FAIRHURSTS BISTRO Fairhursts Bistro is one of the most exciting eating and drinking places to open recently in Wensleydale. Situated in Middleham Key Centre, it has an intimate, relaxed atmosphere and a rustic yet modern interior.

It offers a unique interpretation of classic dishes, using local produce where possible, and its themed nights feature cuisines from all over the world. There is private access from the car park, and the bistro is open Thursday–Saturday evenings. Middleham Key Centre, Park Lane, Middleham, DL8 4RA

T: 01969 624668 fairhursts.co.uk

THE SADDLE ROOM RESTAURANT New to the Dales is The Saddle Room Restaurant situated in the heart of Coverdale on the Tupgill Park Estate near Leyburn. Grand honest food from local suppliers prepared and cooked to perfection by our award-winning chef Tom Morrell. Accommodation available on the estate for a one-night-stay or longer in our beautifully appointed cottages. For that special event we can cater up to 350 people on the grounds of Tupgill Park Estate or up to 50 in our function room ‘The Hayloft’. Our wine cellar has been beautifully restored and is the ideal setting for a private dinner.

T: 01969 640596 thesaddleroom.co.uk

THIRTEEN

YOREBRIDGE HOUSE

Thirteen is a smart, comfy restaurant in the centre of Leyburn, owned and run by husband and wife team Michael and Sarah McBride. The menu is based around fresh, seasonal Yorkshire ingredients, offering beautifully presented modern British cooking with a Continental twist. Ideal for family celebrations; children’s menu available.

Thirteen is open for lunches on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and for dinners on Monday nights and from Wednesday to Saturday inclusive. Space is limited, so book early to avoid disappointment.

The changing of seasons in the Yorkshire Dales is the perfect time to visit Yorebridge House, with its luxurious boutique rooms and beautiful views across the Dales.

We achieved 3 AA rosettes in 2014 rewarding the team for their inspiring, innovative dishes using superb local produce. Dishes excel in design and flavour and the restaurant is famous for its romantic atmosphere.

Awards include White Rose Awards winner Restaurant with Rooms and Restaurant of the Year and Taste of Herriot Restaurant of the Year.

T: 01969 622951 thirteenatleyburn.co.uk

T: 01969 652060 yorebridgehouse.co.uk

130 | Dales Life | Winter 2015

Eccles Heddon LLP Solicitors

For your legal ease For help and legal advice call Bedale 01677 422422 Ripon 01765 601717 Thirsk 01845 522324 www.eccles-heddon.co.uk

Family Law (Divorce, Family & Children) Property Law (Residential & Commercial) Business Advice Employment Law Wills, Probate and Family Trusts Estate Planning Lasting Powers of Attorney Advising the Elderly Farming & Agriculture Dispute Resolution

FAMILY LAW CLINIC We also run a family law clinic once a week at our Bedale and Ripon offices.

Please telephone Jane Midgley at Bedale or Liz Kidd at Ripon to book a FREE 30-minute consultation.

Winter 2015 | Dales Life | 131

VISIT OUR SHOWROOM HOLME DESIGN LIMITED, UNIT 1, THE CRAFT YARD, THE STATION, BEDALE, NORTH YORKSHIRE DL8 1AW CALL 01677 424669 FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO ARRANGE A FREE DESIGN CONSULTATION WWW.HOLMEDESIGN.COM