Lincolnshire Pride March 2017

PRIDE

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LINCOLNSHIRE

LINCOLNSHIRE

PRIDE

MARCH 2017

LOCAL FOOD INCLUDING QUALITY DINING AT GRIMSBY’S COMFY DUCK...

Will’s Tea Encyclopaedia

Author’s guide to our national drink

Clare Shaw’s Countryside Art

Lincolnshire Wolds painter inspired by animals

Lincolnshire’s Great Churches

A roundup of the county’s divine heritage

£4.50

Dining Out in Lincolnshire The Comfy Duck & The Wheatsheaf

MACRH

2017

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- MARCH 2017 -

welcome letter Julian Wilkinson

Managing Director

Ian Bagley

Production Director

Welcome to an edition of Pride that introduces not just a new look, but a new, premium feel too.

We’re aiming to reflect the continued success and growth of both this, our Lincolnshire edition, and our sister magazine in Rutland as well.

From this month we’ll bring not just words and images to our readers but an element of tactile satisfaction too, with a luxurious feel to our new pages, printed on what’s known in the industry as bond stock.

We know that our magazines remain on the coffee tables of the county’s best properties for several months. That’s why we’ve worked hard to source the best quality paper possible.

Zoie Wilkinson

Advertising Director

Our new magazines are designed to present our content as well as possible and to give a really satisfying feel in your hands as you’re reading them. They’ll also cope well with being picked up and put down, over and over again, without becoming tatty!

Our best wishes for a wonderful month!

Emily Brown

Sales Director

s i v a D b o R Editorial Director, Pride Magazines

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NEWS Each month, we bring you a round up of the county’s good news stories.

HIGH SOCIETY We’ve covered the

annual Farmer’s Ball at the Petwood Hotel in this month’s edition.

FEATURES 20 26

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CHURCHES This month we’ve highlighted a number of the county’s most prominent churches from Boston to Barton-upon-Humber.

TEA We speak to the man who has created a tea encyclopaedia from his home in Potterhanworth.

ARTIST Clare Shaw, countryside artist, shows us some of her most finest mantlepiece paintings and an gives us an insight to her inspiration.

WHAT’S ON From theatre productions, to live music, theatre to comedy, each month we provide a roundup of the county’s best live events.

FOOD & DRINK 46

FINE DINING We pay a visit to

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ROLY’S FUDGE A visit to Steep Hill this month as we taste the delights of Roly’s Fudge Pantry.

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Grimsby’s Oaklands Hall Hotel to try their selection of exquisite dishes served at the Comfy Duck Restaurant.

THE WHEATSHEAF INN Sister pub to Farndon Boathouse, the Wheatsheaf Inn in Newark serves traditional classics.

SAMPLE DISHES Our featured dishes this month show us what’s on the butcher’s block, with meaty mains.

WINE A focus on Australian reds plus a look at English whisky.

HOMES & GARDENS 66

WELCOME HOME A very modern Grimsby property with all the latest environmentally friendly technology.

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ROOM WITH A PEW A converted church is cosier than you might think.

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FLOWERS For 2017 garden inspiration we have eight species to brighten up your green patch this season.

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AUCTIONEERS Golding Young & Mawer provide a day in the life of a Lincolnshire auctioneer.

ADAM FROST BBC’s Gardeners World star Adam Frost provides a tour around his new gardens in Stamford and tells us about his garden school.

FASHION & BEAUTY 98

WEDDINGS Celebrating a wedding

at the Poachers Country House Hotel.

105 FASHION Stunning new season 113 114

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dresses from Red Carpet Ready.

COSMETICS With our beauty blogger.

JEWELLERY A selection of Pandora’s finest products.

MOTORS

121 MOTORS A preview of BMW’s new 5-Series executive saloon.

THE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE FOR HIGH QUALITY HOMES Our latest edition is available to read right now, free, at www.pridemagazines.co.uk...

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

By supplying editorial or advertising copy to Lincolnshire Pride you accept in full the terms and conditions which can be found online at pridemagazines.co.uk.

In the event of an advert or editorial being published incorrectly, where Pride Magazines Ltd admits fault, we will include an advert of equivalent size, or equivalent sized editorial, free of charge to be used in a future edition, at our discretion.

This gesture is accepted as full compensation for the error(s) with no refunds available.

Selected images in our content may be sourced from www.shutterstock.com.

Pride Magazines Ltd., Elm Grange Studios, East Heckington, Boston, Lincs PE20 3QF

Tel: 01529 469977 Fax: 01529 469978

THE PRIDE TEAM

Managing Director: Julian Wilkinson.

Production Director: Ian Bagley.

Advertising Director: Zoie Wilkinson.

Sales Director: Emily Brown.

Editorial Director: Rob Davis.

Features Editor: Tilly Wilkinson.

Customer Care Manager: Mandy Bray.

Distribution: Joe Proctor. IT: Ryan Potter.

Office Manager: Sue Bannister.

Customer Account Managers: Lauren Chambers, Nicola Smith.

Sales Manager: Roberta Hall.

Sales Executives: Sian Jarratt, Carissa Clay, Hayley Scott, Sarah Allen, Aileen Perolio-Jones and Cassy Ayton.

www.pridemagazines.co.uk | enquiries@pridemagazines.co.uk

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County News Sleaford is ripe for tourism in 2017 say local residents...

National Centre for Craft & Design, Cogglesford Mill and Sleaford Museum are just three sites for locals and visitors to enjoy in spring and summer, say residents

Sleaford is a great town and is ripe for tourism if properly promoted, say locals.

This year will see a number of events taking place at The National Centre for Craft & Design, formerly known as The Hub, such as its 3D printing exhibition and Here & Now, a major tapestry exhibition later in the year.

Meanwhile working watermill and heritage centre Cogglesford Mill will continue to host milling days through the spring and summer months, taking part in National Mills Weekend in May.

Sleaford Museum explores the town’s history, including its Navigation, currently undergoing restoration, as well as the

HRH Princess Royal visits Louth’s Riding for the Disabled Charity...

Louth is due to receive a royal visitor as Pride goes to press.

HRH Princess Royal is patron of RDA nationally and will spend 3rd February at Lincolnshire Wolds’s Riding for the Disabled Association charity.

The Louth centre has 22 riders and three carriage riders all aged from two years old upwards.

The Princess will be shown a riding display and will be given a tour of the specialist facility before meeting helpers, riders and their parents. n See www.rda.org.uk for more.

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Three new pilots for the Red Arrows’ 2017 displays

history of the Bass Maltings, and The Carre Gallery is open to those who want to appreciate both canvas based and sculptural art throughout the year.

With a packed programme of events including Sleaford Carnival and nearby attractions such as July’s Heckington Show, Cranwell’s Aviation Heritage Centre and Heckington Windmill too, plus attractions like Navenby’s Mrs Smith’s Cottage currently undergoing restoration, it’s hoped that more people will realise what the town has to offer throughout 2017. n All of Sleaford’s attractions will be open with free access as part of Discover Lincolnshire Weekend later on 18th and 19th March.

Scampton’s RAF Red Arrows have gained three new pilots as Flight Lieutenant Toby Keeley, Flight Lieutenant Dan Lowes and Flight Lieutenant Chris Lyndon-Smith have begun training with the Red Arrows.

They will be among the nine pilots who will display the team’s famous jets across the United Kingdom and around the world in 2017. Red Arrows pilots generally stay with the Squadron for three years and are selected following a gruelling process that involves flight tests, interviews and other exercises.

Based at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, the team uses BAE Systems’ Hawk T1 jet and is famous for its trademark Diamond Nine formation. It is expected the 2017 display season will get underway in May.

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Send your press releases and county news to: Features Editor via tilly@pridemagazines.co.uk.

Bowthorpe oak tree finishes fifth in tree competition...

Iconic oak tree near Bourne is around 1,000 years old and finished fifth in Tree of the Year Competition with a £500 grant from the Woodland Trust charity Bourne’s Bowthorpe Oak has finished fifth in a competition to find England’s Tree of the Year.

The tree, believed to be in excess of 1,000 years old, is located in a field near Manthorpe and has a hollow trunk believed to have once accommodated over a dozen people standing inside it.

public vote to represent the UK in the European version of the competition.

With a girth of 12 metres and links to Charles II, the tree was one of just 10 nominated in a n Lincoln sisters Tracy Atkins and Yvonne Ray have raised over £7,000 for St Barnabas Hospice in Lincolnshire by walking the Great Wall of China.

n Lincoln’s Gadsby’s is set to offer four new retail units for rent following a rebuild of its former craft shop on the corner of High Street and Tentercroft Street.

n Spalding drivers are being promised an end to congestion at the A16/A17 roundabout with improvements due to be completed this spring.

Keadby girl wanted to give something back to Sheffield Children’s Hospital after being nursed back to health following horrific burns injury...

The Bowthorpe Oak tree was pipped by the Sycamore Gap tree from Northumberland.

Securing over 1,150 votes, the Bowthorpe Oak did nonetheless win a £500 consolation prize from the Woodland Trust which can now be put towards a health check from an specialist arboriculturalist or a cultural event.

n Lincolnshire Dambuster George ‘Johnny’ Johnson was snubbed in the New Year’s Honours List and should be given a knighthood for his wartime contribution, says TV mathematician Carol Vorderman. “I can’t think of anyone who deserves a knighthood more,” she said. “There were many fine people who received awards, but I believe Johnny deserves one too.”

Ten-year-old Lily from Scunthorpe raises £800 for Children’s Hospital

n Navenby’s Somerton Castle is to be treated to a major restoration to rescue the building. It’s one of the oldest castles in the UK, dating back to 1281.

n Stamford inventor Colin Furze has given his garden a somewhat unique addition with the creation of a full size replica of an AT-AT walker as seen in the film franchise Star Wars. The walkers were made famous in the 1980 film The Empire Strikes Back and have been seen in the most recent film, Rogue One, as well.

Scunthorpe’s brave 10 year old Lily-Mai Proctor raised £800 for The Children’s Hospital Charity, after being scalded by boiling water and suffering third degree burns last May.

Keadby’s Lily was treated at Sheffield Children’s Hospital for three weeks after her accident, requiring skin grafts to treat burns which covered 12% of her body.

The money she raised has been used to buy toys for the Sheffield Children’s Hospital’s burns unit.

“It was Lily’s idea to raise money to buy toys for the unit,” said Lily-Mai’s mum, Lisa Proctor a 30 year-old teaching assistant.

“She just wanted to show how much she appreciated the care

given to her by the nurses and doctors at the hospital. It was her way of giving back and helping to make things that bit easier for all the other children and their families.”

“Lily brought some of her school friends with her when she came back to donate the toys so they could see where she was treated.

They were fascinated and Lily loved showing them round and introducing them to her nurses.”

“Lily has been scarred for life but she’s so brave,” said Lisa. “We just want her to know how proud we are of her.” n If you would like to support The Children’s Hospital Charity, make a donation online at www.tchc.org.uk.

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County News Garden Village investment for Grantham’s Spitalgate Heath... £6m investment will create 4,000 new homes as well as schools and employment opportunities Grantham’s Spitalgate Heath is one of just 14 sites across the UK set to benefit from a £6m investment designed to create a series of ‘garden villages.’

Designed to address housing shortages, provide more green spaces for communities and take advantage of the village’s proximity to the A1, the plans

will see the creation of 4,000 new homes plus 110,000 square metres of shops, offices or commercial spaces, as well as a primary and a secondary school.

“Locally-led garden towns and villages have enormous potential to deliver the homes that our communities need,” said Housing Minister Gavin Barwell.

2017 set to see completion of new £2.7m Boultham Park

Lincoln’s Boultham Park is set to gain an education centre and café in a Heritage Lottery funded project which has seen £2.7m pumped into the Grade II listed 50 acre site.

The park’s bandstand, fountain garden and bridges will all be restored as part of the project, and new signage, CCTV and lighting will ensure a safe and modern experience for visitors.

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The project is being led by learning disability charity Linkage in association with the City of Lincoln Council.

Originally the park for the Boultham Hall, it was purchased in 1929 by the City of Lincoln Council, and opened as a public park for the people of Lincoln. The house was demolished in 1959. n See www.boulthampark.co.uk.

THE BOOK CLUB Waterstones have just released the bestselling books going into 2017, so we look at the top five most popular fiction novels...

This Must Be the Place, Maggie O’Farrell, £14.99 Winner of numerous awards, this novel is about a New Yorker living in Ireland. He is about to find out something about a woman he lost touch with 20 years ago, and this discovery will send him off course, far away from his wife, a reclusive ex-film star, his children in California, and his home.

Bridget Jones’s Baby, Helen Fielding, £7.99 Before marriage and motherhood, Bridget finds herself joyfully pregnancy which is dominated, however, by a crucial but awkward question; who is the father?

Mark Darcy, the honourable, decent, notable human rights lawyer, or Daniel Cleaver, the charming, witty, notable idiot?

Mount!, Jilly Cooper, £10 In Jilly Cooper’s latest novel, Rupert Campbell-Black takes centre stage in the cut-throat world of flat racing.

Rupert is consumed by one obsession; that Love Rat, his adored grey horse, be proclaimed champion stallion.

He chases winners in the richest races worldwide.

Cartes Postales from Greece, Victoria Hislop For Ellie, a series of beautiful, mysterious postcards addressed to an S. Ibbotson, and signed merely with the initial ‘A’ - serve as a lifeline of diversion in her otherwise flat life, lived out in a dreary London flat. A sudden impulse takes her to Athens where the story begins.

Small Great Things, Jodi Picoult, £7.50 When a baby dies after a routine hospital procedure, there is no doubt about who will be held responsible; the nurse who had been banned from looking after him by his father. What the nurse, her lawyer and the father of the child cannot know is how this death will change all of their lives.

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www.mountandminster.co.uk

Parklands Avenue, Nocton An exquisite and superbly presented cottage situated in the sought after village of Nocton. A traditional home benefitting from modern construction, the accommodation briefly includes a lounge, dining room, kitchen diner, 4 bedrooms (1 ensuite) and the family bathroom.

Outside, the property has a lovely garden, plenty of private parking on the gravel driveway and a large, detached double garage. EPC: D. Guide Price: £325,000

Village Farm, Bassingham A beautifully converted barn, finished to an extremely high standard with private off street parking and low maintenance courtyard garden to the rear. Accommodation includes open plan living downstairs including space for dining and a very well presented kitchen, together with two double bedrooms upstairs and the family bathroom. Bassingham is very well serviced with shops, primary school and surgery. EPC: B. Guide Price: £250,000

Atton Place | 32 Eastgate Lincoln | LN2 1QA – 01522 716204 40 St James’ Place London | SW1A 1NS – 020 7839 0888

Ralph Wyrley-Birch James Ward Lincoln Lincoln

Edward Chetwynd- Bob Bickersteth Talbot, Lincoln London

Milly English London

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To view and photographs from the event visit www.pridemagazines.co.uk

The Farmer’s Ball 2017 event at The Petwood Hotel in Woodhall Spa...

The Petwood Hotel hosts the Lincolnshire’s Farmer’s Ball every year, and it continues to be a tremendous success. Farming families across the county come to the event to celebrate the year, enjoy a meal, have a dance and raise money for local charities in the process. The event represents an opportunity for the farming community to come together and meet people in the same profession.

The event is a long-standing tradition which started in the early 1900s as a key networking event for the local farming community. It continues year on year, and has only had to cancel during the war years.

n For more information about events held at the Petwood Hotel, call 01526 352411 or visit www.petwood.co.uk.

Feature your event in our magazine.

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Call 01529 469977 and speak to our Events Desk...

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View photographs from this event online.

Visit www.pridemagazines.co.uk.

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To view photographs from the event visit www.pridemagazines.co.uk

Feature your event in our magazine.

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Call 01529 469977 and speak to our Events Desk...

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View photographs from this event online.

Visit www.pridemagazines.co.uk.

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KEEP YOUR

WHEELS TURNING

With fuels and lubricants for tractors and other farm machinery...

01949 81019

or see www.e.org/fuels

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Fuels Division E (Fuels), based in Owthorpe, Notts., Heating Oils, Lubricants and Fuel Additives...

Domestic, Farm or Commercial use...

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- CHURCHES -

Lincolnshire’s

CHURCHES HERITAGE IN LINCOLNSHIRE IS PROMINENT, AND BUILDINGS OF RELIGIOUS SIGNIFICANCE, EVEN MORE SO. LINCOLN CATHEDRAL MADE THE COUNTY POPULAR FOR CLERGYMEN, SO CHURCHES BEGAN TO BUILD OUTWARDS OF THE CAPITAL. TODAY YOU’LL FIND ONE IN MOST TOWNS IN LINCOLNSHIRE AND HERE WE HAVE HIGHLIGHTED A FEW OF OUR MOST INTERESTING ONES...

St Botolph’s, Boston...

St Botolph’s Church, commonly referred to as the Boston Stump, is one of the largest parish churches and has one of the tallest Medieval towers in England.

There are various stories surrounding the name of the church. Some say it’s called the Stump because of how long it took to construct, some say it was a name during the building phase - it was only a stump, but would be taller when complete - and the third theory is simply because you can see it over the flatlands for miles around.

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St Wilfrid’s, Alford...

In 2008, six St Wilfrid’s bell ringers entered the local striking competition and were placed second, allowing them to enter the lower level of the county competition in which they were runners-up.

In 2009 the St Wilfrid’s team competed and won the local striking competition. In 2011 the St Wilfrid’s team also competed and won the local six bell striking competition at Friskney, so this is the church with the best bell ringers in Lincolnshire!

It’s a Grade I listed church, thought to have been built in 1350, but in the early 21st century, one corner of the building was found to date back to 1289.

St Mary’s, Horncastle...

Gibson was ill-treated during the Civil War and deprived of his living for some years.

The 1859 restoration is commemorated by a stained glass window in memory of The Reverend Canon WH Milner, who is credited with being the primary driving force behind the restoration.

It is thought that a Roman church once stood on the site where St Mary’s Church is. This appears to have been succeeded by a Saxon Minister, although construction of the present building started in around 1250.

Past clergy of note includes John Langton, Bishop of Chichester, Simon Islip, later Archbishop of Canterbury.

The building appears to have experienced two major works of restoration.

The first, which took place around 1660, once he had been Above: Stained glass at St restored as Vicar of Horncastle, Mary’s, Horncastle. is credited to The Reverend Opposite: St Botolph’s, Boston.

Thomas Gibson.

St Swithin’s, Lincoln...

The original church of St Swithin was near Sheep Market. It suffered a bad fire in 1644 during the English Civil War and was rebuilt in stone in 1801.

This was replaced with a new building on Sheep Square and the foundation

stone was laid on Easter Day 1869 by the Bishop of Lincoln, Christopher Wordsworth.

The church was built to designs of the architect, James Fowler of Louth and financed by Alfred Shuttleworth the Lincoln industrialist. It’s a Grade II* listed building.

Memorials include members of the Dymoke family and Sir Ingram Hopton who fought in the Battle of Winceby.

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- CHURCHES -

Bourne Abbey...

Bourne Abbey and the Parish Church of St. Peter and St. Paul is a Grade I listed church in Bourne.

The building remains in parochial use, despite the 16th century Dissolution, as the nave was used by the parish from the time of the foundation of the abbey in 1138.

The abbey was dissolved in

1536 along with the other small monastic houses, in the first phase of Henry VIII’s suppression of the monasteries.

The church is now open daily for worship, quiet prayer and reflection.

Worship is prayerfully rooted in Christian tradition and enriching liturgy. There’s a number of groups associated with the church.

“BOURNE ABBEY AND THE PARISH CHURCH OF ST. PETER AND ST. PAUL IS A GRADE I LISTED CHURCH IN BOURNE...”

St Martin’s, Ancaster...

At the time of Domesday there were two churches in the vicinity of Ancaster, and, to the east of the site of the present church, a hermit’s chapel.

St Martin’s register dates from 1722. In 1859 the nave was re-floored, refitted and repaired, and in 1912 the tower was restored. The church is a Grade I listed church.

Crowland Abbey...

Crowland Abbey is formerly part of a Benedictine abbey church. It is a Grade I listed building.

The town was captured after a short siege by Parliamentarian forces in 1643 and this appears to have been when serious damage was done to the structure of the abbey. The nave roof fell in 1720, and the main south wall was taken down in 1744.

The north aisle of the nave was refurbished and remains in use as the parish church.

Crowland is well known to historians as the probable home of the Croyland Chronicle of Pseudo-Ingulf, begun by one of its monks and continued by several other hands.

St Mary Magdalene Gedney...

The church contains a skull which is identified as the skull of the 9th century Abbot Theodore who was killed at the altar by Vikings. The relic used to be on public view until it was stolen from its display case in 1982. The skull was returned anonymously in 1999.

John Clare wrote a sonnet entitled Crowland Abbey which was first published in 1828 and reprinted in his last book.

Roundels: A stained glass window at Crowland Abbey.

St Wulfram’s Church painted by JMW Turner.

St Mary Magdalene Church is an Anglican parish church of medieval origin in Gedney.

Renowned for its large size in the surrounding low-lying landscape, it is commonly known as the Cathedral of the Fens. It is a Grade I listed building originating in the 13th century.

St Wulfram’s, Grantham

One of the largest churches in the county, St Wulfram’s is a Grade I listed church in Grantham.

There’s so much history within its walls, including royal coats of arms and a reredos.

The design of the church, which is built from local limestone, was probably influenced by Salisbury Cathedral.

The church’s main feature is the slender crocketed spire which is 80m high.

Main: Crowland Abbey.

Main/Opposite: St Peter’s, Barton-uponHumber.

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St Helen’s, Brant Broughton

St Helen's Church is a medieval church dating from the 13th century. It was heavily restored by the Rector, Canon Frederick Heathcote Sutton and the architect George Frederick Bodley between 1874 and 1876.

The chancel, a rebuild of 1812, was entirely demolished by Bodley in 1874. He added the reredos in 1887. The bells were repaired and refurbished in 1881 by John Taylor of Loughborough.

The wrought ironwork, gates, railings, candlesticks and candelabra were made by the village blacksmith, F. Coldron.

It is said to have the most elegant spire in Lincolnshire. The spire although reduced in height in 1897 is 60m high. Parts of the church date back to about 1290 though most dates back to about the late 14th century.

There is a late 15th-century German painting of the Ascension and a piece of Anglo Saxon interlace stonework in the vestry.

Under the tower there are the remains of a 14th-century trinity which has the top half of God The Father missing. There are Green Man bosses to be found in the roof.

St Peter’s, Normanby...

St Peter’s Church is now a redundant Anglican church in the village of Normanby by Spital. It is recorded in the National Heritage List for England as a designated Grade I listed building, and is under the care of the Churches Conservation Trust.

St Peter’s, Bartonupon-Humber...

This fascinating tourist attraction is home to over 2,800 burials dating from Anglo-Saxon to Victorian times.

St Guthlac’s, Market Deeping

The church stands close to the former Roman road, Ermine Street, now the A15.

St Peter’s dates from the 12th century, with additions and alterations in each of the following three centuries.

It was restored in 1890, and the restoration included rebuilding the south aisle.

This beautiful church at Market Deeping is a Grade I listed building that has been continuously in use in Market Deeping for at least 800 years.

It’s style revolves around the gothic Norman era.

Located in North Lincolnshire, St Peter’s Church is both an archaeological and architectural treasure trove waiting for you to discover.

Visit the interactive exhibition called Buried Lives and discover everything you need to know

ST PETER’S CHURCH IS OWNED

BY ENGLISH HERITAGE. DISCOVER ITS INTERACTIVE EXHIBITIONS AND RECONSTRUCTED SKELETONS...

about medieval disease and diet, and medical and burial practices discovered here.

Don’t miss the reconstructed skeletons, anglo-saxon tower and bapistry and the medieval nave and chancel at this church.

Above in Roundel: St Peter’s Church, Normanby-by-Spital.

Left: St Helen’s, Brant Broughton.

Right: A memorial to 4th Earl of Gainsborough.

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The site was clearly a centre of worship long before that as Anglo Saxon religious masonry has been discovered in the grounds.

It has a fascinating history, not only the building but also St Guthlac himself, the local saint.

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St Denys’, Sleaford...

St Peter’s, Ropsley...

Richard Foxe, bishop and founder of Corpus Christi College, Oxford, who was born in Ropsley in 1448, provided for the building of the church porch in 1483.

The church received a National Heritage Grade I listing in 1984 and a new organ was installed in 2010.

St Peter’s Church originates from the 11th century, with later alterations up to the 17th.

The church is a Grade I listed building. The architectural historian Sir Nikolaus Pevsner stated it is remembered for the flowing tracery of its windows.

Built out of Ancaster stone with a lead roof, St Denys’ is furnished with a medieval rood screen and a communion rail, possibly

by Sir Christopher Wren.

The church also houses several memorials, including two altar tombs commemorating members of the Carre family, Sleaford’s Lords of the Manor.

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The original church was Saxon, parts of which remain in the nave, with a chancel and north aisle with arcade later added by Normans. The chancel was shortened, probably in the 17th century.

Its unusual feature is the stained glass. There is a 1949 stained window to RAF fighter pilot Philip Dale.

St Chad, Harpswell...

the foot of the Jurassic limestone scarp with ritual associations, was constructed on a much older pre-Christian ritual site connected with water cults. It is a Grade I listed building.

The ancient church of St Chad in the village of Harpswell, about 12 miles north of Lincoln, was established in 1042 and has one of the few complete Anglo-Saxon towers remaining in England.

The church had 13th and 14th century additions, in particular its Norman south arcade was extended in this period, and the whole church was heavily restored in 1891.

Research indicates that the church, which stands very close to a spring, one of a number at

St Andrew’s, Billingborough...

The stained glass contains fragments of medieval glass and the font dates from the Norman period.

A section of the churchyard is set aside for the graves of service personnel.

Above: The ancient church of St Chad in Harpswell.

Top: St Andrew’s, Billingborough.

St Andrew’s Church is a Grade I listed Anglican parish church dedicated to Andrew the Apostle, in Billingborough.

The church is situated seven miles south-east from Sleaford, and at the

western edge of the Lincolnshire Fenlands.

There was a church in the 11th century, noted in the 1086 Domesday Book. The present St Andrew’s dates from 1251 according to one source, and 1312 to another, with later additions to the late 15th century.

Comprising a Service Plot of four rows, it contains the war graves of a Royal Engineers soldier, 18 British airmen and one Canadian airman, and six non World War graves. Although old, it’s a beautiful church.

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TEA

- LINCOLNSHIRE AUTHOR -

TOTAL

Tea remains our national beverage, despite the upsurge in multinational coffee shops and ‘coffee to go.’ In fact, we consume over 165,000,000 cups of tea each day, 60,225,000,000 every year, and it’s the second most popular drink in the world, after water. How much do you know about the 1,500 varieties of camellia sinensis available though?

One man intent on educating and enthralling tea drinkers everywhere is Potterhanworth’s Will Battle... and he’s just potty, about tea!

It takes about five minutes to brew the perfect cup of tea. But it’s taken considerably longer than that for Will Battle of Potterhanworth to write his book, a definitive World Tea Encyclopaedia.

It’s not surprising that it’s taken so long.

After all, the world of tea is huge, not just geographically but culturally and in terms of the scientific minutiae of camellia sinensis, a plant which has over 1,500 varieties.

Not withstanding the huge subject matter, Will’s book is over 400 pages in length, with over 90,000 words and 300 images plus maps and diagrams.

Within just an hour of meeting Will he had become my hero, a true Englishman celebrating the quirks and perks of this most English beverage.

It’s a running joke in the office that I’m powered by sweet, milky tea. I’m happy to forgo breakfast and lunch, but going just a couple of hours without a cup of tea means lethargy and a dramatic drop in concentration.

Tea is the first thing I need in the morning, and that constant craving remains with me throughout the day.

Despite this appreciation, I barely stray from a conventional, common blend from a multinational brand name. Except for the odd Earl Grey, maybe an Assam or Darjeeling, my experience of tea, like many people’s is incredibly limited, despite it being the food or drink product I consume most of across my entire diet. I’m not alone, either.

However, coffee is now culturally endemic.

Colloquially we ‘go for a coffee,’ rather than a cup of tea, and talk about coffee shops, rather than tea shops. Restaurants refer to after dinner coffee and have large complex machines which hiss and screech and froth up milk and grind beans.

There’s no such theatre when making tea - no chrome machines costing tens of thousands of

“WILL IS A TRUE ENGLISHMAN CELEBRATING THE QUIRKS AND PERKS OF THIS MOST ENGLISH OF BEVERAGES...”

Main: Will Battle, Potterhanworth author, celebrates the completion of his magnum opus with... what else... but a cup of tea. The 400 page book is available now.

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pounds - and whilst there’s a fancy term for someone who makes coffee - a barista - there’s no similar term for someone who makes tea.

Yet despite being lower-key in nature, tea is still more popular than coffee as a national drink, and we’re the second largest consumer of it in the world, per capita, after Ireland.

Astonishingly, Will can think of no comparable book to the encyclopaedia that has taken him 10 years to write.

“My book shelf is heaving with books about wine,” he says. “Different grapes, regions, varieties and those ambitiously promising a comprehensive overview of the subject,” he says. “But there are no such books offering an overview of tea producing countries and processes.”

“I’m from Potterhanworth and was born into a farming family. My great uncle managed a Kenyan tea plantation in the early 20th century, but that’s incidental, there’s no real connection except for an affinity for farming which, essentially, is what tea growing is.”

“When I left Warwick University, having read German and obtained a degree, I joined Tetley, and trained for two years to become a tea taster. I’d have to try hundreds of samples a day, and buy for consistency across multiple characteristics from colour and reflection to pungency or mouth feel.”

“MY BOOK SHELF IS HEAVING WITH BOOKS ABOUT WINE. THERE ARE FEW EQUIVALENT BOOKS ABOUT TEA THOUGH...”

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“I had a real sense of wanderlust and one of the best things about working in the world of tea is the incredibly beautiful places that it takes you to. China and India are the largest producers in the world, but there’s a terrific domestic market for it there, so Kenya is the world’s biggest exporter. Sri Lanka and India, too, are incredibly beautiful.”

“Apart from the incredible travel opportunities, one of the greatest aspects of working with tea producers is the fact that you never stop learning.”

“Just when you think you’ve a sound knowledge, you’re reminded with a fresh

infusion of new information just how diverse the subject is.”

“I think that’s why, despite the fact that there are books about specific aspects of the industry, nobody has had the time before to produce what I hope my book is; an overview of the countries, processes, varieties and cultural idiosyncrasies of tea... one that’s detailed enough for experts, but also accessible enough for the public.”

And Will’s World Encyclopaedia of Tea is definitely something that tea drinkers can enjoy reading. Detailed as it is, it’s also beautifully illustrated and laid out.

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Main: Tea plantation in Mozambique, and tea pluckers in Kenya, a country with a relatively young but dependable industry.

Above: Will, a Potterhanworth tea merchant, has created his 400 page encyclopaedia of tea. He’s travelled the world as a buyer for the Tetley brand.

Far Left: During my visit Will took me on a tea tour with 13 different brews, designed to provide an insight into characteristics like varieties, low and high grown varieties, the differences between, for instance, several darjeeling varieties, and the differences that climate and weather can introduce.

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The term encyclopaedia implies that it’ll be dry and laid out as a list but that’s a misnomer; it’s accessible, and cleverly executed with, for instance, an infographic ‘flavour wheel’ for quick reference on the inside front cover, and flow charts showing the processes of cultivars and production methods.

Having left Tetley after a decade, Will joined Douwe Egberts to buy tea for the firm’s Pickwick brand. He lived in Switzerland then the Netherlands until 2016 before moving back to Lincolnshire to begin his new business as a tea merchant providing estate teas and bespoke blends to small tea shops and retailers across the UK. The setting up of his business coincided with the completion of his book, which is now available in hardback form, and is aimed at consumers, rather than the industry, and with a little guidance, it’s easy to gain an insight into Will’s world.

Main: Zealong tea garden in Waikato, New Zealand.

Above: Hainan Province.

Naturally, prior to my visit the expert had the kettle on, but rather than just one cup of tea, we enjoyed no fewer than 13. With an apron, a teaspoon and a spittoon, Will set about providing me with a world tour of tea estates, and varieties.

We began with an Assam, a high-grown Kenyan from the Aberdare Mountains and a Ceylon from the Uva Highlands. These are typically used in different combinations in

breakfast tea blends to provide our expected characteristics of body, looks and flavour respectively.

Will then used two different examples of Darjeeling - a Gielle and a Teesta Valley example - to demonstrate what in wine terms is terroir, before showing me the result of high-grown and low-grown tea varieties.

Next were two green teas, including a Dragon Well, then an expensive Silver Needle from Fujian Province, a soft sweet, pale tea. Then we tried a few tea oddities.

These included an Oolong green tea - produced by bruising the outer rim of the leaf in a special wicker basket - and a yellow tea, created with a highly-skilled artisanal process known as sweating that requires immense skill of the teamaker and deep pockets of the buyer.

My favourite was Will’s penultimate tea, a Jasmine Pearl variety demonstrating how tea can be scented with floral aroma, and he

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rounded off the experience with a Pu Erh Leaf from China’s Yunnan Province, a dark, aged tea.

My education underway, and armed with a book, Will advised a trip to one of the county’s local tea sellers, Imperial tea on Lincoln's Steep Hill, or Stokes on Lincoln High Street, for example, where I could continue my education.

“It’s been a decade of hard work but I’m really pleased with the result.” says Will.

“It’s a book that takes in geography, culture, history and of course, the profound pleasure of enjoying a cup of tea!” n The World Tea Encyclopaedia, is now on sale, published by Matador, £29.99, 400 pages, ISBN 978178589313, Call 01235 465521 for details.

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- ART -

WITH ryside Combining Count

CRAFT

With the likes of Sophie Allport and Wrendale Designs, Lincolnshire boasts artists that reflect their rural home in their work. This month though we interview a countryside artist from Louth who has taken a completely different approach. Instead of prints on kitchenalia, Clare Shaw works on huge and dramatic mantlepiece paintings with a modern touch... Words: Tilly Wilkinson.

Usually, artists struggle with subject matter more than anything else. Trying to find different ideas and inspiration for each piece can be their biggest challenge.

However, it’s inspiration that motivated Clare Shaw to paint. Combining her passion for the countryside with her passion for painting, Clare has created some beautiful pieces of work.

Before her art career, Clare worked in London after completing her degree in Psychology in the publishing industry. She then also had several years doing some property development.

“It was very mixed bag of professions, I admit,” says Clare. “I didn’t really know what I wanted to do, and every job I had,

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I was committed to and worked hard in, but had no real passion for; my heart was never in it.”

Four years ago Clare met the love of her life, Will, who was a Lincolnshire farmer. At the time she was living in her home town of Cheltenham so it was a long distance relationship.

But she knew very quickly that she had not only fallen in love with the farmer, but also the area and decided to take the plunge and move up to the Lincolnshire Wolds in early 2014.

“It was a very different pace of life, but I fell in love with it. I enjoy shooting, long walks with the dogs, fishing and other countryside activities.”

Clare started painting as a hobby, with a drive to paint what she saw; boxing hares, fighting pheasants or soaring birds of prey.

The idea of being a housewife didn’t appeal to Clare; she wanted a purpose and to do something she could really commit to.

“It started with a hare which I managed to sell, so I did another and it also sold. After setting up a Facebook page, I realised I would need to start a website getting quite a great amount of interest in my work.”

“After I started painting pheasants, I started to get a lot of interest from people in the shooting community. Word of my work spread like wildfire, and from a hobby I started just two years ago, now receiving

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commissions worldwide, with quite a big following amongst the hunting community in the USA.”

It’s through word of mouth in the enormous and very social shooting community that has really helped Clare gain more interest. After recognising this, she decided to create shoot cards. These are used to keep a record of what each person shot on the day and how many shots were taken.

“I don’t make much money out of the cards, but it’s a great marketing tool,” says Clare.

“They’ve been bought for about seven or eight shoots in the area now. It’s good because the cards will go home to their wives and families who see the art and perhaps gain an interest in it.”

Another great marketing tool for Clare has been getting in touch with House of Bruar.

Along the A9 in the heart of the Highlands, you’ll find the House of Bruar, often referred to as ‘the Harrods of the north.’

“I have been taken on by the House of Bruar as one of their new artists. It is my original work that is sold in their Wildlife Gallery. This is a huge accolade as I now

“As she lives next door to a commercial shoot, Clare will stalk a pheasant or two and wait for them to show their personality...” have my work hanging alongside some of my lifetime heroes such as Rodger McPhail and Jason Sweeney. These pieces are now selling well and it is this above all that has established me as a serious artist.”

“It has also helped with publicity dramatically, and is what prompted the surge of interest not only in Scotland but all over the world.”

What makes Clare’s work so interesting and so different, is the attention to personality she has.

Clare likes to capture the personality behind the animal she’s painting, be it a pheasant, kingfisher or dog.

THE GLORIOUS GAME Three of our favourite birds by Clare...

Amazing Grace “I love Kingfishers and wanted to try and paint one going into a dive. I found the perfect photograph and tired to emulate the speed and precision that this tiny bird enters the water to catch his supper. I used iridescent paint to try and get highlights and created a blurry background.”

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Stand & Deliver “This is the first dramatic painting of a pair (there’s a Stand & Deliver II). Both of these pieces are so energetic, vibrant and glorious. I even surprise myself with the diversity of colour and depth that was produced. You can see determination and fear in both of the birds.”

Glorious Grouse “Grouse is Britain’s finest wild game bird. Living on the moors in the north and in Scotland, this bird survives the perils of Mother Nature and thrives naturally in this country, eating heather and remaining elusive in the mountains. It really is a beautiful game bird.”

Living next door to a commercial shoot, you’ll see her stalking a pheasant or two and waiting for them to show their emotion. She has also started a few contradeals with professional photographers.

In return for an illustration of their work, she receives really high quality pictures of wildlife captured at its best. Because her material gets better, her work subsequently improves.

“I feel the growing trend in younger artists and younger people engaging in countryside activities is so important. My presence on social media and online helps too in spreading the word of what I’m doing.”

Clare’s favourite area of work is her pheasants but she’s increasingly painting other birds too, like birds of prey and garden birds. In addition to the occasional wren, she’s recently been commissioned to work on a pair of robins.

“I’m self-taught and my technique is quite different to others,” says Clare. “The main characters of my paintings are painted using Caran DAcche Prismalo Watercolour pencils, with tiny amounts of water.”

“The background is then a block acrylic colour, usually in powder blue or pale olive, depending on the client’s choice. I have 200 different colours in my studio, which has grown as quick as the business has.”

Clare has taken everyday as it comes and is very grateful for how quickly the business has grown, but her main achievement is getting into people’s homes.

“I have ideas of branching out into a range of silk scarves or perhaps curtains and thick richly coloured fabric materials. It’s never appealed to me to appear on mugs and coasters and egg cups.”

“I like the fact my work is a big part of people’s homes. I know that my work is displayed on people’s mantelpieces, kitchen walls and entrance halls. To be such a big part of someone’s home is an enormous achievement for me. I feel really privileged to play such a part in their daily lives.”

“It is the movement and energy that I am now known for. Most of my Christmas

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Main: Clare loves all kinds of countryside pursuits.

What Clare Shaw has to offer online...

ORIGINALS “Each Original piece captures the raw intensity of the creatures and I inject colour and vibrancy in order to create individual characters and personalities. The original portfolio is great for customers to look at what I could create for them.”

LIMITED EDITION PRINTS

“All of my limited edition pieces are produced as a Giclée print using pigment ink and printed on the highest quality paper which is Hahnemühle Traditional Fine Art Etching Paper. This beautiful paper is resistant to ageing and of a substantial 310gsm weight. Giclée printing and paper quality means the final prints are as vibrant and as perfect as the original paintings.”

COMMISSIONS

“Commissions are one of my favourite projects to be asked to do.

I do not enjoy anything more than being asked to do private work. To date, all of my customers have been thrilled with each piece that has been produced and continuously return to ask me to do more for them. I will undertake the most bizarre of requests!”

Call for details, see over for contacts.

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commission work was huge, vibrant pieces featuring birds in battle and flight.”

“I had quite a lot of secret commission for Christmas last year which was particularly exciting but particularly tricky. I had to do a pheasant but showing the flapping and movement in the painting. I wanted to get it perfect so I reworked and reworked and reworked the painting, it took forever.”

“I sometimes feel under great pressure when I paint people’s pets too, because I know from having three dogs myself, that animal is the customer’s baby. They want it to show its character and personality exactly, and I’m a perfectionist too, so this can be a real challenge sometimes, as are people’s horses and cats.”

Clare is a strong believer in really good customer service too. Even though her business is based online, she finds that it is vital to keep in contact with her customer throughout the process.

“I really want to get it right for the customer, so I’ll finish a bit and check in with them to see if they like it and if they want to change anything at each stage of the painting.”

“Customer service with most companies has just gone, with the internet and computers making it so easy to keep in touch with customers remotely. I don’t like delivering the pieces via courier either; I like to show

THE SHAW FAMILY Clare’s little helpers and her key supporters are her family. Her beloved husband Will is very patient and supportive of her throughout the launch of her business, and so is her chief of inspiration and daughter Daisy, who loves the country just as much as her mother does.

There’s Winnie and Florence, the two beautiful black labs sitting nearby at all times too while she’s working or shooting, and Noodle definitely deserves a mention, the very cute little ginger terrier.

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them in person, see their reaction and engage with them face to face. It’s such a shame that this is lost in most cases nowadays.”

“My favourite pieces are the large ones. A piece will take me anywhere between two weeks and a month to complete, but the big ones may take a little longer.”

“Over Christmas I expected I would be doing lots of little works as it’s more affordable as a gift, but a number of women have been in touch asking for 4ft by 5ft pieces. I soon realised they were buying for themselves but at least they were getting in the festive spirit!”

“In the future, as I say, I would like to see my work on thick fabrics like curtains and bedsheets and sofa covers, or silk fabrics like scarves, but that’s not for a long time yet. I’d content with simply painting at the minute.”

We’re lucky to be able to witness fighting pheasants, jumping foxes, boxing hares, and dancing rabbits on a daily basis, and it’s fantastic to see someone make the most of Lincolnshire at its best. n

Above: Clare doing what she loves best; painting and walking the dogs in the wide open countryside.

Main/Right: A commission Clare did named ‘the Clements Clan.’

Right: The hare is named Hazel and was drawn to portray how the animal is always alert and aware of its surroundings.

The pheasants are in a piece called the Game Plan. Clare has made it to look like the four birds are deep in conversation.

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Femmes

FATALES A GROUP THAT CLARE IS A PART OF, AND THE OTHER PASSION IN HER LIFE...

Femmes Fatales is a group run entirely on likeminded women who enjoy shooting.

They like to challenge the misconception that shooting is a man’s game, and use ‘being a girl’ as ammunition rather than an excuse.

They host shooting events throughout the country for women who want to get involved in clay pigeon shooting, and host parties for girls wanting to try something new.

All equipment is provided and it is for everyone; you can like high heels and lipstick and still enjoy the smell of gun oil and getting their boots muddy.

Visit the website www.femmes-fatales.co.uk for more information.

Above: Make sure to visit the website to see where the nearest me et-up is.

n For more information on Clare’s work, please visit her website www.art.clareshaw.gallery or call her on 07943 502756.

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What’s On...

NORTH LINCS MAYOR SPRING BALL

Find out What’s On this month with events taking place in different venues across the county. We look at some of the fantastic stage productions, what’s happening in stately homes and tribute acts...

WONDERLAND

Monday 27th Feb - Saturday 4th March TV and West End star Wendi Peters will headline the UK tour of Wonderland as Queen of Hearts alongside musical theatre favourite Dave Willetts as White Rabbit.

Wonderland is an enchanting musical adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s stories with a huge heart, a medley of magic and a whole lot of wonder.

0300 300 0035, www.grimsbyauditorium.org.uk

ICONS OF THE 80S

Friday 3rd March This is set to be an incredible blast from the past; see Go West and T’Pau together in concert with special guests The Christians.

The 80s are back as these legendary stars join forces for a truly incredible concert experience at the Meres Leisure Centre in Grantham. The groups will be performing all of their best known songs like We Close our Eyes, and Call Me.

01476 406158, www.mereslive.com

SELF BUILD & DESIGN SHOW

Saturday 4th - 5th March Visit the SelfBuild & Design East Show to meet exhibitors, take part in seminars, see product demonstrations and ask experts for their advice. Talk to the manufacturers, architects, suppliers, designers, builders and project advisors that serve the east of England. It’s a great event that will help turn your dream for you home into a reality. The show is held at Peterborough Arena.

01283 742950, www.selfbuildanddesignshow.com

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- THEATRE ROYAL HAMLET BY SHAKESPEARE

Tuesday 14th - 15th March An ensemble of seasoned classical actors embrace the exhilaration and violence of some of literature’s most vibrant language and characters, in a way you’ve never seen before; bold, exciting, and action-packed. It’s Shakespeare for Game of Thrones fans.

AN EVENING OF BURLESQUE

Friday 17th March Leave your inhibitions at the door and prepare to experience the UK’s biggest burlesque extravaganza. With a bevy of beautiful burlesque stars, speciality variety artists and fabulous costumes, An Evening of Burlesque revives this classic art form at New Theatre Royal in Lincoln.

Saturday 4th March You are invited to the Mayor of North Lincolnshire’s Spring Ball supporting Lindsey Lodge Hospice and Macmillan Cancer Support at 7.30pm at Baths Hall, Scunthorpe.

There is a three-course meal with entertainment

by The Moggies and a disco. The dress code is black tie or lounge suit tickets are £36 each, and they are available from Anne Millett or Anne Torn.

07720 635055 or 01724 296346, www.bathshall.co.uk

ENSEMBLE MARQUISE

Saturday 4th March Ensemble Marquise is an English/Hungarian group, who bring alive the music and culture of the 17th and 18th centuries on period instruments, singing and acting in costume, and using scenic accessories to evoke the atmosphere of the time. Their performance in Lincolnshire will be held at Spalding’s South Holland Centre.

01775 764777, www.southhollandcentre.co.uk

THE ADELE SONGBOOK

Saturday 25th March Coming to New Theatre Royal in Lincoln for the first time, Someone Like You is a celebration of one of our generation’s finest singer-songwriters. Hand-picked by Adele herself on Graham Norton’s BBC Adele Special, the outstanding Katie Markham has the show-stopping voice and captivating charisma to deliver all your favourite Adele hits in an enthralling concert performance.

01522 519999, www.newtheatreroyallincoln.co.uk

MICHAEL PORTILLO

Sunday 5th March It took Michael Portillo little more than 10 years to get a seat in the Commons and then rise in power and esteem to a point where he was a favoured leader of his party and possible future Prime Minister. He will give a very interesting talk about his life in Boston’s Blackfriars Theatre.

01205 363108, www.blackfriarsartcentre.co.uk

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Send your press releases and events to: Features Editor via tilly@pridemagazines.co.uk.

RUMOURS OF FLEETWOOD MAC

Monday 6th March Rumours of Fleetwood Mac, the world’s ultimate homage to Fleetwood Mac, returns to Baths Hall for their landmark Hits to Blues World Tour. Encompassing nearly five decade of legendary music and channeling the spirit of Fleetwood Mac at their very best, Hits to Blues offers a unique opportunity for fans, both old and new, to rediscover the songs and performances that have ensured Fleetwood Mac’s place as one of the most loved bands of all time.

0844 854 2776, www.bathshall.co.uk

THE EPIC WEDDING SHOW

Sunday 12th March Cupid’s Wedding Shows provide the ideal way of taking the hard work out of those hectic planning stages, and with over 70 stands at each show, remain the area’s biggest wedding shows attracting hundreds of brides to be from across the region. With fashion shows and a glass of bubbly, these are the regions best wedding shows. Get tickets for the Lincolnshire Showground show now.

01522 522900, www.lincolnshireshowground.co.uk

SAM BAILEY ON TOUR

Thursday 16th March X Factor winner Sam Bailey returns to the stage with her very own live show at the Baths Hall in Scunthorpe. The Sing My Heart Out tour coincides with the release of her new album, and as the title suggests, is guaranteed to showcase powerhouse vocals.

0844 854 2776, www.bathshall.co.uk

- DISCOVER LINCOLNSHIRE WEEKEND Discover Lincolnshire in March with a weekend of free entry to many of Lincoln city and countryside’s attractions, plus other free activities and special offers.

As well as enjoying the shopping and food available throughout Lincoln, visitors and residents alike can also explore some of Lincolnshire’s most fascinating attractions completely free of charge during the Discover Lincolnshire Weekend. This includes Lincoln Cathedral and Lincoln Castle.

Highlights include free rides on Lincoln’s open-top tour bus, free

entry to Lincoln Cathedral, and the Discover Lincolnshire Food Festival.

There are many other attractions across the city that are free to enter over the weekend, as they are all year long.

It’s a great day to celebrate what our county has to offer, with more free events being released when Pride goes to press. The weekend runs from the 18th to the 19th March.

To see what else is happening over the weekend across Lincolnshire, visit the Visit Lincolnshire site.

01522 545458,

visitorinformation@lincolnbig.co.uk.

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What’s On...

FAME THE MUSICAL

The recent Oaklands seaside-themed afternoon tea selection.

Thursday 16th - 17th March It is nothing short of a global phenomenon.

First came the hit motion picture, then the long-running TV series. Now it’s a stage sensation and coming to the Stamford Corn Exchange. And if the recent smash-hit West End production is any indication, Fame The Musical is indeed going to live forever.

01780 766455, www.stamfordcornexchange.co.uk

CILLA & THE SHADES OF THE 60S

Friday 24th March Cilla and the gorgeous Shades trio rediscover one of music’s most defining eras at Grimsby Auditorium. They follow the life and career of the iconic Cilla Black while their stories reflect on some of the biggest 60s stars.

0300 300 0035, www.grimsbyauditorium.org.uk

- OAKLANDS HALL HOTEL -

Oaklands Hall Hotel in Grimsby have a wealth of events over March that celebrate Mother’s Day in the best way; with food and wine!

WINE TASTING

Friday 3rd March The wine tasting evening promises a vast selection of delicious food and fine wines. £40/person or £139 overnight stay with two tickets.

BEAUTY AFTERNOON TEA

Friday 24th March Enjoy Oakland’s delicious seasonal Afternoon Tea and an afternoon of beauty tips with A Class Above Clinic

& Clarins. You get to receive a free Clarins Gift at the end of the session and a £5 voucher to spend on a product, £19.95/person.

MOTHER’S DAY

Sunday 26th March On Mother’s Day, Oaklands Hall Hotel offers a three course meal with cupcake decorating for the children.

There will be live music at the event too, altogether making a great family day out all about celebrating mum, £24.95/adults, £11.95/under 11s.

01472 872248 ,

www.oaklandshallhotel.co.uk

Munitionettes...

THE BOOTLEG BEATLES

Friday 31st March The world’s most famous Beatles Tribute band continues to draw critical acclaim from across the globe with their stunning recreation of the greatest songbook of all time, and this month, they’ll be coming to Baths Hall.

0844 854 2776, www.bathshall.co.uk

THE TAKE THAT EXPERIENCE

Friday 31st March As Take That celebrate 25 years, the Take That Experience mark a decade together as the ultimate tribute act with their best show yet with a performance at Grimsby.

0300 300 0035, www.grimsbyauditorium.org.uk

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DINING TWO ROSETTE

One of Northern Lincolnshire’s best restaurants is celebrating an acknowledgement of its commitment to quality with a second AA rosette. We returned to Oaklands Hall Hotel to join its brigade of chefs, keen to show off their award winning cuisine...

Words & Images: Rob Davis.

Main Picture: Monkfish scampi with cockles, whelks, compressed cucumber & saffron mayonnaise.

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- EATING OUT -

meet the CHEF STEVEN BENNETT EXECUTIVE HEAD CHEF, THE COMFY DUCK

It looks the same; a pretty building, created in 1877 and nestling in five acres. It feels the same; warm, friendly. And yet, something’s different.

Steven Bennett heads up the team of chefs at Oaklands Hall Hotel’s Comfy Duck.

Despite the murky day on which we visited, there was something distinctly bright about Laceby’s Oaklands Hall Hotel.

My guess is that the extra joie de vivre about the 46-bedroom Best Western affiliated hotel is down to the award of a second AA rosette for quality dining. It’s perked up further still an already close-knit and talented brigade, headed up by Steven Bennett, who in recent years has been making a name for himself as The Lincolnshire Chef, self-titled but justifiable given his keeness to act as an ambassador for the county’s best food and drink producers.

“THE LINCOLNSHIRE CHEF IS KEEN TO ACT AS AN AMBASSADOR FOR THE COUNTY’S BEST FOOD AND DRINK PRODUCERS...”

The former country pile of the Lockwood family was sold in the 1960s, subsequently before the hotel fell into disrepair. The current owners were dismayed to see the building’s fall from grace and so purchased it to bring Oaklands Hall back to life.

They brought in Steven Bennett, a freelance hospitality consultant, and he, too fell under the spell of the building and decided to stick around, being appointed as one of the hotel’s directors a couple of years ago.

Under Steven’s stewardship the hotel’s restaurant, known as The Comfy Duck, gained an AA rosette, and was awarded a second one in November 2016.

The son of a butcher and baker, Steven grew up in Louth and went on to work at Winteringham Fields and Hart’s Hotel before a decade long tenure with Louth’s Brackenborough Arms Hotel.

Steven also runs The Lincolnshire Chef, working as a hospitality consultant, troubleshooting in the county’s restaurant or overseeing their development.

He began working at The Comfy Duck before becoming a director of the place in a few years ago.

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>> Steven’s fine dining menu is served in the Comfy Duck both daytime and in the evening, seven days a week. An à la carte menu provides a choice of seven appetisers, eight main courses, four grill options plus a fish & chip dish, plus seven desserts.

Menus are completely reinvented every month, keeping the dining experience fresh and as an ambassador of Lincolnshire produce and suppliers, Steven looks to the county first and foremost to provide, for instance, local veg, locally shot game, and fish landed in Grimsby docks each day.

OPEN FOR BUSINESS Lunch 12pm-2.30pm Monday to Saturday.

Dinner 6.30pm-9.30pm Monday to Saturday.

Sunday 12pm-3pm, 6.30pm-9pm Sunday.

Afternoon Tea Monday - Saturday 11.30pm - 4pm & Sunday 2.30pm - 4.30pm.

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- EATING OUT -

on the MENU FROM THE À LA CARTE MENU AT COMFY DUCK Starters

Monkfish scampi cockles, whelks, compressed cucumber & saffron mayonnaise £8.50.

Lincolnshire rabbit & black pudding terrine, gin-soaked grapes, purple sprouting broccoli & carrot ketchup £7.95.

Crispy ham hock, pear purée, confit hen’s egg yolk, radicchio & celery £7.95.

Main Courses

Pheasant wellington venison loin, chestnut purée, medjool date, chicory & sauce bordelaise £19.95.

In the case of the latter, the restaurant is also one of the three finalists in this year’s National Fish & Chip Awards. The awards have highlighted the hotel’s use of Oscar Cleaves’s award winning haddock, served grilled or fried, and its rosemary salted chips as being one of the best versions of the traditional dishes in the UK.

Other highlights of the menu include a chateaubriand option for two diners, and a signature duck breast which reflects the restaurant’s nomenclature. Served with celeriac purée and confit potatoes, heritage carrots and a five spice jus, it’s a lovely highlight for the dying days of winter, to be enjoyed before spring finally makes its presence felt.

Desserts are homemade, and like many of the Comfy Duck’s dishes, presentation is always sufficiently fancy to add an extra dimension of excitement. Our blackberry panna cotta, for example, is deconstructed in appearance, with ginger sorbet, ginger honeycomb and a blackberry macaron.

It’s a good example of how Steven and his brigade can get the basic flavours spot on, then add an extra bit of flair in their presentation to make a good dish great.

Previously, Steven has presented us with dishes that take advantage of unusual cooking methods like sous vide, or quirky touches; smoking food at the table for example. But drama never comes at the expense of fundamentally sound flavours and a good execution of each dish.

A keen advocate of Lincolnshire food, Steven is hosting a flagship dining experience on 26th May this year. There are just 16 places available for the Dinner with The Lincolnshire Chef event, which will feature a seven course tasting menu with wines for £135/head.

Book quickly if you’re interested, or visit sooner, because either way you’ll enjoy fresh ingredients, sound chefcraft, and a smart setting. It’s a definite recommendation for quality dining this spring, and a really good way to enjoy the best food that Lincolnshire has to offer.

Duck breast, celeriac purée, confit potatoes, heritage carrots, pak choi & five spice jus £19.95.

Porterhouse steak, cooked to your preference with garlic herb snails, roast chestnut mushrooms, spinach & truffle fries £24.95.

Desserts

Raspberry, white chocolate & pistachio mille-feuille, cointreau soaked raspberries, pistachio cream, white chocolate mousse & crystalised puff pastry £7.50.

NB: Featured dishes are subject to change.

n The Oaklands Hall Hotel, Barton Street, Laceby Grimsby DN37 7LF, call 01472 872248 or see www.oaklandshallhotel.co.uk.

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- FUDGE -

NICE Sugar, Spice &

ALL THINGS

Steep Hill is truly magical. The quintessentially British cobbled street is lined with quaint shops selling anything from tea blends to fascinators. There is a delicious welcoming smell when you (finally) reach the top of the hill, a culmination of butter, milk and sugar bubbling together in the giant copper pots you’ll see in Roly’s Fudge Pantry... Words & Images: Tilly Wilkinson.

Lincoln’s Castle and Cathedral bring tourists from across the world to our humble county, but a tourist attraction that seems to be one of the most loved is Steep Hill.

Awarded Best High Street of the Year in 2011, it’s everything you expect from a typical cobbled market street, and provides access from Lincoln’s busy high street to the Cathedral Quarter.

It may be next to impossible to climb without stopping for breath and, as I’ve learnt from personal experience, must never be done in high heels.

But the beautiful independent and speciality shops make it worthwhile, especially the smell of melted fudge when you finally reach the top.

Roly’s Fudge Pantry has been at the top of Steep Hill for the past four years, owned by Guy Bart-Smith.

With a background in the wine industry, he’s always had an interest in food and drink, but

it was his desire to become self-employed that pushed him to start his own business.

“When I lived in Brighton, I visited a Roly’s Fudge Pantry as they’re dotted around the country,” says Guy. “It was magical; they made the fudge right in front of me and it tasted like the Scottish tablet I’d make when I was a child. I realised that was the kind of service I wanted to provide.”

Guy saw the opportunity to create a shop on Lincoln’s Steep Hill, Street of the Year at the time, realising it was the perfect location from which to sell his product.

“Before my pantry came along, the shop was part of Cahoot’s Ladieswear for 15 years and the building was a fishmongers for at least 100 years before that.”

Guy also has three more franchises of Roly’s Fudge Pantry in York, Bakewell and Bowness-on-Windermere.

If Guy told me about what they included in the fudge, he might have had to kill me, as the recipe is top secret, but what he could say was that only natural ingredients were used, and almost all the flavours are gluten free. There are no palm oils or vegetable oils used, and the fudge is cooked completely from scratch, everything done within the shop.

“I can tell you about how we make it, a process that’s visible to all our customers.

Milk, butter and sugar in addition to the secret ingredients are added to our giant copper pots, and put on a high heat; this is what gives our fudge its creamy but crumbly texture.”

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- FUDGE -

“The fudge is then poured onto the table in the front window, naturally hardening from coming into contact with the cold surface.

We then make it into a sort of fudge baguette before cutting it into cubes.”

The 14 flavours you can enjoy at Roly’s Fudge Pantry include vanilla, chocolate, butterscotch, maple & walnut, rum & raisin, seasalt, Baileys, coffee & cream, lemon meringue, cherry bakewell, peanut butter, strawberry & champagne, liquorice and mint chocolate.

There are seasonal favourites like chocolate orange and Christmas pudding, and Eton mess fudge in summer months.

“My particular favourites have to be our coffee flavour, seasalt, cherry bakewell and you can’t go wrong with vanilla.”

“Sometimes making the fudge can be quite difficult depending on the flavour. For example, with our rum & raisin, the ingredients need to be added at exactly the right time of the process; too early and the rum will lose

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“My favourites have to be our coffee flavour, seasalt, cherry bakewell and you can’t go wrong with simple vanilla...” its flavour, too late and the alcohol won’t burn off. Making fudge is like a science!”

“At the moment, we’re very busy in the shop, but in the future I would like to exhibit at county shows too.”

“It would be nice to welcome more local customers, as our main market is tourists to the city.”

“Our Made in Lincoln stickers and beautifully giftwrapped boxes make our products a desirable gift for friends and family back home, our good souvenirs.”

“It’s a high quality product that suits the area. Our sweet smelling fudge shops should be situated in local markets and busy British tourist hotspots.”

“I feel very lucky to be able to work in such a beautiful part of the country creating a product I’m really passionate about, and I know the five people I work with in our little shop in Lincoln feel the same way.”

Guy spends most of his time in the Lincoln store but also travels to his other fudge pantries across the country.

Although most of Guy’s clientele does come from the tourist industry, he does have a few regulars and sees a number of locals nip in now and then, drawn in by the aroma.

So next time you’re making your way to the top of Steep Hill or about to begin the descent, stop off at Roly’s Fudge Pantry to make the journey a little smoother. n For more information, visit the website www.rolysfudge.co.uk or call 07709 661338.

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TRADE SECRETS: The Process of Making Roly’s Fudge...

Step One: Copper Pans Fired Up The fudge is cooked in full view of the customers in traditional copper pots, and this is where the delicious smell comes from.

Step Two: Natural Ingredients We can’t tell you exactly what’s used in the making Roly’s Fudge but butter, milk and sugar are the main natural ingredients.

Step Three: Fudge Flood Once cooked the fudge is poured out onto the solid marble slabs in the front window whilst still hot, where it cools quickly.

Step Four: Stirring the Fudge Guy will then ‘stir’ the fudge during the cooling process, using a paddle. He carefully forms the fudge into a baguette shape.

Step Five: First Cut As it begins to cool further, the fudge starts to set in shape, becoming less liquid, more solid. The baguette shape is cut into large slabs.

Step Six: Adding the Crumble Roly’s characteristically crumbly fudge is made by leaving the large slabs for a while before cutting it even smaller. It’s now ready to eat!

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- EATING OUT -

Keeping it

LOCAL

Like many of us, Dan Garner has fond memories of evenings spent with family and friends at his local pub. Feeling dismayed when it fell into obscurity, the restauranteur and owner of Farndon Boathouse vowed to return it to former glory and create a place that locals and visitors alike can Words: Rob Davis. celebrate the Great British Pub...

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Remember the Great British Pub? Dan Garner certainly does. He lives less than a mile away from his old local, The Wheatsheaf Inn in Dry Doddington, and has fond memories of evenings spent with family and friends.

Dan created Farndon Boathouse, his modern looking restaurant near Newark, back in 2008 and has enjoyed massive success with its AA Rosette award winning European cuisine.

However, when his village pub closed down, Dan saw the opportunity to create something a little more rustic.

He took over The Wheatsheaf Inn in Dry Doddington in November 2015, and completed a redecoration, being careful to preserve the village pub feel.

meet the CHEF LUKE HICKMAN, HEAD CHEF, THE WHEATSHEAF INN Experience: Worked at The Wheatsheaf’s sister restaurant Farndon Boathouse since 2008.

Philosophy: The same effort... just a more casual environment!

Food Heaven: Fillet steak, simple, easy!

“We’re conscious that the place should have a village pub feel, and we didn’t want to alienate the locals who provide not just the business’s wet trade, but also it’s village pub feel.”

“At the same time though, we’ve created a rustic restaurant with food that’s more relaxed in style, but just as high quality as its sister restaurant in Farndon.”

The Wheatsheaf dates back to the 1600s, and has a bar which seats about 24, as well as a restaurant for 60 diners. There’s a newly landscaped beer garden with vegetable garden and children’s play area too. >>

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- EATING OUT -

>> Dining is available in any of the above, and is available for ‘early bird’ dining from noon until 3pm, and from 6pm until 7pm Tuesday to Saturday, with food service until 9pm.

There’s a single menu with eight starters and nine main courses and four grill options, plus three desserts and a cheese board option.

Food might be more rustic in appearance than in Farndon Boathouse, but there’s real skill invested in its preparation - chips, for example are hand-cut and triple cooked, and the ‘gourmet’ burger is made on the premises from hand-minced beef. Desserts are homemade too, and the whole menu is drenched in local ingredients.

Being a pub, there’s a generous provision of local ales and there’s a gin menu, too, with

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speciality gins and cocktails. The wine list is a duplicate of the one available in Farndon, too, so you’re assured of a good drop.

Other promotions at the pub include a Tuesday Pie Night, Wednesday Burger Night and ‘Wine’ Down Wednesday, whilst Thursday and Friday provide steak night and fizz & chips. The week rounds off with a set Sunday lunch with two or three courses for £15.95 and £18.95 respectively.

Dan and the team really respect food, and Farndon Boathouse is one of our favourite restaurants, slick and smart with really creative food. Now, that same attention to detail has been distilled into a rustic setting, and the result is a place that’s relaxed, rewarding but still keen to provide diners with a really high quality dining experience. n

Right: Pan fried hake fillet, potato terrine, green lipped mussels, pea puree and peas.

Below: Gourmet burger; minced rump steak, fresh brioche bun, stilton, pancetta and red onion chutney with triple cooked chips.

OPEN FOR BUSINESS Dining 12 noon - 3.00pm, 6pm - 9pm Tuesday to Saturday.

(Early Bird 12 noon - 3pm; 6pm - 7pm).

Drinks 10.30am - 11pm Six Days.

Sunday Lunch 12 noon - 8pm Sunday.

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on the MENU FROM THE WHEATSHEAF’S À LA CARTE MENU Starters

Stilton Parfait, Waldorf Garnish, Brioche Crisp & Endive Salad £6.95.

Beetroot Cured Salmon Gravlax & Wheatsheaf Pickles £7.50.

Potted Ham Hock and Chive, Apple Butter & Toasted Sour Dough £5.50.

Homemade Black Pudding and Sausage Meat Scotch Egg & Brown Sauce £5.95.

Mains

Pan Fried Hake Fillet, Potato Terrine, Green lipped Mussels, Pea Puree and Peas £14.95.

Braised Pork Shoulder with Charred Spring Onions, Jus & Pancetta £12.50.

Gourmet Burger; Minced Rump Steak, Fresh Brioche Bun, Stilton, Pancetta, Red Onion Chutney £12.95.

8hr Braised Blade of Beef, Fondant Potato, Red Cabbage & Pickled Mushrooms £14.95.

Desserts

Glazed Lemon Tart & Raspberry Sorbet £4.95.

Chocolate Brownie, Salted Caramel Ice Cream & Chocolate Soil £5.95.

Cheese Board; Black Bomber, Goats Cheese & Stilton, Onion Chutney, Oat Biscuits, Grapes & Celery £7.95.

n Wheatsheaf Inn, Dry Doddington Newark, Lincolnshire NG23 5HU. Tel: 01400 281458, wheatsheafdrydoddington.co.uk.

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The Butcher’s Block...

ENJOY MOUTH-WATERINGLY DELICIOUS BEEF, LAMB, PULLED PORK, GAME AND ALL THINGS MEATY IN OUR ROUND UP OF MAIN COURSES FROM THE COUNTY’S TOP RESTAURANTS...

CHAMPION’S DISH

Winners of Lincolnshire Pride’s Restaurant of the Year Awards 2016, the Brownlow Arms’s pan roasted pork tenderloin is definitely something to shout about.

01400 250234, www.thebrownlowarms.com.

n Bar ‘67 is the new grill restaurant at the Lincoln Hotel, and we think it’s definitely the place to go if you’re looking for hearty succulent meat dishes.

Our particular favourites from our visit

was the menu’s local sliced sirloin steak with delicious beer mustard, blue cheese mayonnaise, and chunky chips for just £15.95.

01522 520348, www.thelincolnhotel.com.

n THE INN AT WOODHALL SPA The Inn Burger served in a Brioche bun, with Poacher cheese, relish, pancetta, gherkin, fries and onion rings.

n Farndon Boathouse in Newark specialises in succulent meat dishes. A speciality is their pavé of beef, with dauphinoise potatoes, spring greens, pancetta and baby onion jus which is only £15.95.

01636 676578, www.farndon boathouse.co.uk.

01526 353231, www.theinnatwoodhallspa.co.uk.

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- SAMPLE DISHES -

presented beautifully

The Queen’s Head’s main dish is a delicious pan-fried breast of Gressingham Duck, maple glazed, with a sweet potato galette, and apricot, brandy and orange sauce.

01529 305743, www.thequeensheadinn.com

LOCALLY REARED RED

A visit to the Crown Hotel in Stamford offers slow cooked braised Lincoln Red beef with honey glazed carrots and parsnip crisps.

01780 763136, www.kneadpubs.co.uk.

The Ram in Newark has a delicious chicken dish; enjoy their chicken ballotine, consisting of corn-fed breast of chicken stuffed with wild mushrooms, sage and truffle, with fondant potato and tarragon cream.

01636 940220, www.theramnewark.com. n Featured dishes are representative examples of our featured chefs’ skills... the menus of our featured restaurants change frequently so dishes are subject to availability. Check each restaurant’s website prior to your visit for an up-to-date menu.

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By George!

Wine of the Month

England’s very own single malt!

Sebastiani Californian Zinfandel, USA, £14.95 / 70cl, 14% ABV

By George, it’s a whisky, made in England! The English Whisky Co is based in Norwich, very far indeed from the Borders. It’s impressive though, made at the St George distillery, and most akin to a typical Highland or Speyside single malt.

A great easy-drinking classic single malt with a gentle aroma with hints of vanilla and tropical fruits.

Melts on the palate.

Slightly nutty with a long malty finish.

This single malt is £39.99/70cl. Cheers!

“At this time of year I’m asked to recommend a wine that’s warming, not too heavy, and will accompany spring lamb or a roast.

This Zinfandel is perfect - really smooth and juicy.”

The Wine Cellar STREWTH! THIS MONTH’S SELECTION OF WINES COURTESY OF HARISH KHANDERIA INCLUDES AN ANTIPODEAN TRIO JUST PERFECT FOR WARMING UP YOUR MARCH...

DOWN UNDER: A TRIO OF AUSTRALIAN REDS PERFECT FOR EARLY SPRING...

1. Full-bodied with a lightness of touch, this shows plum and mulberry fruit of Shiraz lifted by the delicate apricot and notes of Viognier.

Langmeil Hangin’ Snakes, £17.95 / 70cl / 14.5% ABV. 2. This beautiful Pinot Noir shows typical characteristics of red cherry, strawberry, earth and spice. The palate is medium-bodied and succulent, with forest floor complexity woven into the cherry fruit. Allegory Pinot Noir, £13.69 / 70cl / 13.5% ABV. 3. Intense blackcurrant and mint aromas mark this classic Cabernet, while the palate offers abundant berry fruit alongside spicy complexity.

Katnook Estate Cab/Sav, £15.94 / 70cl / 13.5% ABV.

This wine is a bit of a gentle giant; bold enough to warm your winter but not too heavy in the event of an early spring and warmer temperatures.

Ripe black fruit, raspberry and plum spiciness with a vanilla background gives a flavoursome feel with no hard edges. n

Perfect for Puddings Rasteau Vin Doux Naturel, Cotes du Rhône, France

Perfect for puddings this month, allow us to recommend a dessert wine which will pair well with gooey chocolate brownies and other warm puddings.

A profound purple colour and a stunning aromatic nose of black cherry, raspberry and spice lead to a full, sweet palate with great concentration but no heaviness, and a supple texture through to the long finish. £22.95 / 30cl, 15.5% ABV.

n Our featured wines are available from Lincolnshire’s best independent wine merchants, prices RRP and may vary from those stated.

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Green in - LINCOLNSHIRE HOMES -

GRIMSBY Words: Tilly Wilkinson.

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Imagine having a home with all the latest in technology, designed to a beautifully modern style, including everything you could possibly need and want from a home, and enjoying all its benefits almost for free? Go green with this beautiful modern property in Grimsby...

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HUMBERSTON AVENUE,

GRIMSBY

Above: The seating area is underneath the roof covered in solar panels that powers the house.

Becoming eco-friendly has a number of significant benefits. Not only does it cut bills down dramatically, but it reduces your carbon footprint which is so important in an increasingly industrial world.

That was the main aim in mind when Colin Goodwin from Grimsby built his home along Humberston Avenue. Living around the Grimsby area all his life, he discovered a need for a change in property, recognising the lack of modernity. He planned on building a house for the 21st century in brand new contemporary style.

“I bought the land five years ago and it took 18 months to complete,” says Colin.

Colin’s extremely passionate about working on a housing project. Before the property on Humberston Avenue, he built a house for himself in Hatcliffe in 2000.

He also acquired a piece of land and was told by planners that he would never be able to build on it. With Colin’s passion driving him to succeed, 10 years later he acquired the appropriate planning permission.

“The reason for leaving the home on Humberston Avenue is because of this land,” says Colin. “It’s a place my wife and I have always wanted to live, and although we’ll be leaving a beautiful house in a really lovely neighbourhood, we embrace the new project and the new area.”

Location: Five miles to Grimsby, 13 miles to Louth, four miles to Cleethorpes.

Style: Very contemporary and ecofriendly home in a beautiful village.

Bedrooms: Six bedroom property which includes a guest bedroom with en suite and two with ensuite and dressing rooms.

Receptions: Four arranged as home office, living room, dining room/kitchen and music room.

Other Features: Gymnasium, sauna and underfloor heating Price: Offers over £750,000.

We hope it’s just as successful as his current property on the market. Colin decided to make it smaller and more modern than the original ideas by the council, and after he showed them, they too saw his vision and fell in love with the plans.

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There are solar panels that provide 16kw of energy, air source heat pump, a biomass boiler, energy saving lights throughout, whole house ventilation, and Colin even harvests rain water.

The house runs on entirely renewable sources and this was a very important part of the build for Colin.

You’re welcomed to the home through a very impressive entrance hall with an entirely glass room in the centre.

This runs throughout the property with light coming in from the skylights above, and is the home of their pet tortoise in addition to a number of plants; an ‘outside in’ garden.

“The atrium runs through to the open plan living space and family kitchen. There are boiling hot water taps, integrated ovens, microwaves, warming drawers, steamers and wine cooler, all built in to the bespoke cabinetry.”

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Downstairs, you’ll also find the guest bedroom, the music room featuring two grand pianos at the moment, and second entrance lobby with stairs leading to the home office. The garage is also accessible via the second entrance.

“We designed it with two entrances in mind because it means for maybe elderly relatives or just alternative accommodation, the music room, garage, home office and lobby can all be transformed into living space and be separate from the rest of the home.”

Upstairs, there’s the master bedroom with en suite and dressing room and a second room with en suite and dressing room.

Overall, there are six bedrooms to the property.

There’s also a fairly large gym complex upstairs with a sauna and shower room attached, and all rooms upstairs are accessible via the landing.

Outside, everything has been beautifully landscaped with energy efficiency in mind.

“I’ve never liked the look of solar panels,” says Colin. “It was on a holiday in Turkey when I saw a structure similar to what we have in our garden now; it provides shaded seating underneath and a roof covered in solar panels. This means you can face it in exactly the right direction, it’s not on the side of your house, and it has an extra use.”

We believe Colin has been clever in his design of this property, and he’s confident he completed what he envisioned. We wish him the very best of luck in his next project and hope it’s as successful as this one. n

Above: The contemporary kitchen with all the necessary integrated appliances and underfloor heating.

Right: The entrance hall and atrium, home of the family’s pet tortoise and indoor garden.

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- LINCOLNSHIRE HOMES -

“THE HOUSE RUNS ON ENTIRELY RENEWABLE SOURCES AND THIS WAS A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF THE BUILD FOR COLIN. HE WANTED TO MAKE A DRAMATICALLY POSITIVE AFFECT ON THE ENVIRONMENT...”

Left: The living room is open plan with the kitchen and the dining room.

Above: The dining room looks onto the garden, seating 10 people comfortably.

Below: The music room with two grand pianos and the upstairs landing.

n The home on Humberston Avenue is currently on the market with Martin Maslin, 4 - 6 Abbey Walk, Grimsby, DN31 1NB. Telephone 01472 311000 or visit www.martinmaslinestateagents.co.uk.

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The Best of British Discover our large selection of vintage, retro & modern products for your home, for your garden or to give as a unique gift...

E+S xxx

ELIZABETH & STEVENS The Showrooms, Great North Road, Markham Moor, Notts DN22 0QU

Tel: 01636 822000 | www.elizabethandstevens.com

Open daily Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm. Just off the A1.

Free parking. Please call us if you are making a special journey.

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PEW Room with a - LINCOLNSHIRE HOMES -

Words: Tilly Wilkinson.

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A fusion of modern styles and medieval elements, Old Church House in Cold Hanworth isn’t like anything you’ve ever seen before. The converted Grade II listed church is as stunning as you would expect it to be, and we’re ‘blessed’ to be able to feature it...

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OLD CHURCH HOUSE,

COLD HANWORTH

Above: The original lychgate is still a part of the home, and so too is the stained glass throughout.

Conversions have become really popular over the last year or so. Lincolnshire’s wealth of converted barns is ample proof of this.

But rarely do you come across a property that is akin to the conversions you’ll witness on Grand Designs or George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces.

If you’ve watched the TV shows, you’ll know the end product is always absolutely fabulous, but the amount of time, effort and money that has to go into each property to start with is tremendous.

This month, estate agents Mount & Minster have a property for sale that is one of the best conversions we have ever seen, in a building that’s strikingly different.

Marriage ceremonies and Sunday service are normally their use, but we’ve never come across a church that’s a family home.

Old Church House in Cold Hanworth boasts a large open plan modern living space with so many period features you wouldn’t be able to enjoy with a usual house.

A lychgate and cast iron gates is a fabulous welcome followed by a drive through beautifully manicured and landscaped gardens with mature trees and planted beds.

Location: 11 miles to Lincoln, eight miles to Market Rasen.

Style: A stunning medieval church with original stained glass windows and a modern interior design in a open plan layout.

Bedrooms: Three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

Receptions: Two arranged as kitchen/breakfast room and a principal reception lounge area.

Other Features: Original lychgate on entrance, stained glass windows and other medieval features.

Price: £425,000.

Built in 1861 as All Saints’ Church by J Croft of Islington for Commodore Peter Cracroft in memory of his father, it replaced an earlier medieval structure. It’s so rare to find a property with such an interesting past, let alone live in one.

The entrance is via its original solid wood glazed doors onto original tessellated tiled flooring and a welcoming reception hall. In here, there’s the first glimpse of stained glass

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windows. There’s also the wooden staircase that leads to the first floor. Via two arched stained glass doors, you’ll enter the main reception area. It’s a very open plan layout as you might expect from a converted church with full length wooden glazed picture windows, oak flooring, a brick fireplace, wooden mantel, cast iron solid wood burner, and access to the extensive cellars.

The kitchen, as you can see, is absolutely stunning. As you might expect, there’s a wealth of original period features, but what you may not expect is the wealth of modern facilities also incorporated.

In addition to original tiled flooring, various arches and stained leaded windows, there’s a central island, breakfast bar and granite work surfaces you’d expect to see in a top of the range kitchen. On top of all this, there’s a Belfast sink, Leisure range cooker with 74

ceramic hob and an integrated dishwasher.

The last room on the ground floor is the utility/cloakroom.

Upstairs, the first bedroom has a vaulted ceiling, an ornate brick hearth and woodwork, twin wood Velux windows, and a stained leaded picture window.

The en suite to this room comprises a bath with tiled surround, toilet and sink.

The second bedroom has more exposed beamwork, a double glazed Velux window, and an en suite shower room with large shower, vanity units and heated towel rails.

Rasen but completely surrounded by open countryside.

There’s also a raised patio outside providing an alfresco dining area, and a large garden shed providing plenty of storage.

There’s no denying this is a really beautiful and unique family home. It’s a property that gives you the chance to enjoy all the benefits of a Grand Design without having to go through the amount of hassle involved in creating one. We’re blessed to have such a property in our county. n

The third room has very ornate woodwork and another Velux double glazed window.

Outside and past the landscaped gardens, is an extensive view across the Lincolnshire countryside. The home is in the very heart of the county, which is a great location being 15 minutes from both Lincoln and Market

Above: The kitchen is one of the most beautiful rooms with stone carving and ornate stained glass.

Right: All three bedrooms benefit from stunning ornate wooden beamwork and stained glass windows.

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- LINCOLNSHIRE HOMES -

“IT’S A PROPERTY THAT GIVES YOU THE CHANCE TO ENJOY ALL THE BENEFITS OF A GRAND DESIGN WITHOUT HAVING TO GO THROUGH THE AMOUNT OF TIME AND MONEY INVOLVED IN CREATING ONE...”

Left: The open plan living space has a cast iron log burner with wooden mantle.

Above: One of the bathrooms featuring a bath with tiled surround.

n Old Church House is currently on the market with Mount & Minster, 32 Eastgate, Lincoln LN2 1QA. Call 01522 716204 or visit www.mountandminster.co.uk for more info.

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Quality Appliances

and the best customer service...

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Kettles, plus 40 Toasters, 30 Mixers & Blenders

Bagged & Bagless Vacuum Cleaners

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Cookers plus ranges, built-in ovens & hobs

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Norfolk St., Boston PE21 9HG 01205 350 737 www.bostonelectrics.co.uk Mon - Fri: 8.30am - 5pm Sat: 9am - 4pm

We Deliver • We Install • We Demonstrate • We Take Away Your Old Appliance We also Provide Servicing, Spares and Repairs for your Existing Appliances...

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L-R: John Leatt, Colin Young and William Gregory, with a globe that sold for ÂŁ9,200.

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- THE AUCTION HOUSE -

A Local Auction House

Around the Globe You’d be forgiven for thinking that a local auction room’s responsibilities end with the slamming of a gavel, but for Golding Young & Mawer, the Lincolnshire auction house selling lots (of lots) around the world, local sales have become a truly global business...

Sold! You’d be forgiven for thinking that with the slamming of a gavel, the work of William Gregory and Colin Young is done and dusted. But the work of the 38 strong team goes well beyond simply bringing the hammer down on its 50,000 lots annually.

“Most people have a rough idea of what an auction house does, but perhaps not how nuanced the range of professional services can be,” says senior auctioneer Colin Young, “We’ve auction houses in Grantham, Lincoln and Bourne, and we have offices in Stamford and Louth too.”

“Each month we host three collective auctions, plus interim specialist sales of, for instance, fine art, home interiors, jewellery, or antiques. We sell around 50,000 lots each year with a combined value of about £3m.”

Beyond that though, the firm’s 38 strong team includes a Professional Services department which can provide insurance and asset valuations, and provide help with inheritance tax issues, liaising with other professionals such as solicitors, accountancy firms and executors of wills.

“Each year we will complete hundreds of house clearances, with valuation of contents.

A recent example was a manor house near Sleaford which utilised ten of our valuers, each specialising in everything from paintings and Asian fine art to 18th century ceramics to jewellery and modern home furnishings.”

“The sale yielded about 1,300 lots, and everyone was surprised to find that the items that made the highest price was not the older items but, in fact, a pair of mid-20th Century Danish chairs. That’s the benefit of using a diverse firm like ours.”

“We’ve a huge breadth of expertise and can use our experience to yield the best returns for our clients.”

During our visit, William Gregory, head of Professional Services, was heading to Cairo and South Africa to complete valuations, as well as working at a local museum and for an MOD client. A busy start to the year.

“The role of an auction room really has changed over the last few years,” says William. “Online auction sites deal with more modern, low value items leaving a better standard of lots in modern auction rooms,

In Numbers

THE AUCTION HOUSE

£3,000,000: Total value of the lots that the auction house sells each year.

50,000: Number of lots auctioned by the company each year.

£5-£50,000: Value of each individual item in a typical weekly Collective Sale.

1864: The year the firm was founded, initially known as Thos Mawer & Sons.

1,200: Number of bidders at some Collective Sales - it’s rare for fewer than 200 actual buyers.

500/700: Number of sellers every month.

and in addition to house clearances, we are enlisted to auction private collections and sell the effects of clients who ‘walk-in’ for valuations.”

“Sales necessitate our in house team of photographers taking pictures and creating catalogues for each sale, documents which are also replicated online.”

“Nowadays at a sale we can have anywhere between 200 and 1,200 people; generally a third of lots are sold in the room, a third are on the telephone or commission bid and the final third are online bidders – of which there were 550 during our last fine art sale.

Even after the sale though, there’s lots of admin as we’re regulated by RICS, and so remain directly accountable to our clients.”

“We host about 45 sales each year, with lots going for anything from £5 to £50,000.

One of the delights of working in the profession is that you never know what will appear in the next sale, from unusual lots to items with unexpected values. We also host commercial sales and outside sales when called upon to do so. As such the range of items we value and sell is really diverse.”

“That’s what makes the job so fulfilling, and why we’re one of the UK’s top 30 auction houses, a local auction house trading all over the world!” n Forthcoming Sales: Grantham Collective Sale Wednesday 1st March; Bourne Collective Sale Wednesday 8th March; Lincoln Collective Sale Wednesday 15th March. Valuations on selected days each month on Old Wharf Road, Grantham; Spalding Road Bourne; Station Road, North Hykeham and Station Road, Stamford. Call 01476 565118 or see www.goldingyoung.com for more information.

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Cooking Up a Better Home With nearly 60 years in the business of creating beautiful kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms, Colin Luesby Interiors of Swineshead is able to cook up a room that looks great and works well for families...

Words: Rob Davis. Images: Paul Trevor.

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- INTERIORS -

Nearly 60 years experience has ensured that Colin Luesby Interiors is able to provide kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms that really work well for its clients.

I’ve headed up the business for over 22 years now, having taken over from my father,” says Paul Trevor. “I began my working life as a fitter, which means I’ve a sound understanding of what will work, and what will look good.”

“Over the years, I’ve been able to hone in on which products will stand up to the tough treatment of day-to-day family life, and plan rooms well, incorporating clever features that work for every member of clients’ households.”

“Many people know us for our kitchens, with a range of made to measure cabinets, work surfaces created from modern engineered stone like Corian and Silestone, sinks and taps from market leaders Franke, and appliances from Bosch, Neff, Siemens and Miele.”

“In the case of the latter we’re stockists of exclusive products and can usually achieve the best prices for our customers, dealing directly with the manufacturer.”

“As standard, our service includes in-house fitting using our own trusted tradespeople and our regular sub-contractors. We can project manage the installation and troubleshoot any problems that arise to ensure a fuss-free install, with as little disruption as possible.”

“Customers return to us time and again, and on the back of requests from our existing

Colin Luesby Interiors Kitchens: Contemporary or traditional kitchens with full project management, working with any budgets to suit, with accessories, appliances and work surfaces from market leading names.

Bedrooms: Fully fitted wardrobe systems for bedrooms and home offices providing integrated, versatile storage.

Bathrooms & Wetrooms: With full project management.

Colin Luesby Interiors, Swineshead, PE20 3LJ. Tel: 01205 820215, www.colinluesby.co.uk, or see Facebook.

satisfied customers, we began to offer bedrooms and bathrooms too. We install the Volanté system of sliding bedroom doors, for example, with bespoke interiors providing a space for everything in your bedroom or home office, from clothing and accessories to work files, stationery and so on.”

“Stocking Utopia’s fitted bathroom furniture and bathroom fittings from names like Aqualisa and Matki enables us to provide quality bathrooms too. With about seven kitchens plus bedrooms and bathrooms in our newly refurbished showroom, we provide, above all, the very best service possible to ensure we can create a room which works well and looks great, year after year.” n

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2

1

3

Favoured Flowers 2017 GARDEN INSPIRATION

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4

Looking to brighten up your garden this year? Here are our top 2017 ideas for floral fancies in your patch...

1. Scabious This beautiful flower creates the illusion of flower on flower. It also brings about a mecca of bees, something many gardeners are pushing at the moment.

2. Coreopsis This flower combines well with other plants and immediately brings a bright burst of colour to any bed.

3. Dianthus Another bright colour for the garden, Dianthus has a lovely fragrance and makes a pretty cutting flower.

4. Petunia A flower that has never gone out of fashion.

5. Peony These large flowers in whites, pinks and reds add an element of romance and glamour to any garden.

6. Alstroemeria Coming in a number of varieties, alstroemeria (sonata pictured) is a bright addition.

7. Cosmos A daisy-like flower, cosmos’s varieties include chocolate cosmos, offering a tasty scent similar to dark chocolate.

8. Fuschia A garden favourite, still as popular as ever.

A great way to add variety with this hanging flower.

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- GARDENING -

ADAM h Gardening wit

FROST

For a true gardener, there’s no such thing as a winter of discontent. Even if there’s little work to be done in the garden, you can still busy yourself with planning the year ahead.

And speaking of plans, one of the area’s top gardeners, a celebrity landscaper and presenter of BBC Gardener’s World, is unveiling some of his own... Images: Charlie Hopkinson, Jason Alden, Tatsuya Shirai.

“It’s an interesting time,” says Adam.

Extrinsically, we’re talking about gardening in March. But there’s a secondary topic of conversation on the go, too.

“This month is when gardeners get cabin fever,” he says. “They’re restless, keen to look for the first signs of spring and get back out in the garden.”

“Gardeners are optimists in that respect, they dwell not on the cold temperatures and snow, and instead on looking for the first signs of spring.”

“This month we’ll be done with dull depressing winter and we’ll find ourselves wanting to get stuck in again. For keen gardeners it is the earliest that they can begin new projects outside.”

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Adam has plenty of projects of his own on the go at the minute. In May last year, he, wife Sulina, and their four children, moved into their new property, a former farmhouse in Barnack.

Gardener’s World viewers have already enjoyed watching Adam transform a barren area of weeds into a kitchen garden.

It’s a nice family home, and a new gardening project to get stuck into, but more than that, it’s the site of his new garden school that Adam hopes to establish in a couple of the outbuildings currently being renovated.

As a young man Adam worked with Geoff and was a big part of the gardens’ development.

The house is a handsome property, Grade II listed, made of the vernacular limestone of the area and set in about three acres.

The garden will also be an outdoor TV studio for filming programmes like BBC Gardener’s World. It’s size, position and potential make it an ideal location, and

If all that sounds familiar, it should. Back in 1983, Geoff Hamilton embarked on the creation of 38 individual gardens at Barnsdale - each one a film set for Gardener’s World.

“About 5,000,000 people watched him on television, both ladies, who loved him, and gentlemen, who would feel quite comfortable going for a pint with him.” >>

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Image: Jason Alden.

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- GARDENING -

“He had a warmth and genuine charm which was absolutely effortless. TV never seemed to be something he wanted in isolation; it was only ever a vehicle to get across his enduring passion for gardening.”

Adam was born in North London, and as a teenager at 15, was uprooted and moved to North Devon. “It was quite a culture shock, and to begin with I didn’t like it, but by the time I left school I had fallen in love with the rural landscape. I’d narrowed my career choices down to just two jobs - I’d either be a gardener, or a chef.”

By the time the mid-1980s had come around, Adam had trained as a gardener with North Devon Council’s parks department, and had gained experience of doing everything from maintaining lawns and propagating bedding plants to creating summer displays... and even digging graves!

“It soon reached the point when I wanted to return to London, where I’d train and work as a landscaper.”

“He was incredibly enthusiastic, a keen plantsman, and probably one of the first men I ever looked up to” Adam’s big opportunity, came when he answered a simple advert in Horticultural Week in 1989 and found himself working alongside Geoff at Barnsdale.

“I think it was the furthest north I’d ever been before! The landscape around here is so different; not hilly and rugged and I missed the North Devon coastline. However, Rutland Water was the next best thing!”

“When I came up for the job interview I managed to swing by Stamford too, and had a look at the town.”

“I absolutely fell in love with the place. I’m quite keen on architecture and I thought the

ADAM’S CHELSEA GARDENS Three of our favourite Gold Medal Designs

whole town was really beautiful.” Adam would move to the area, and begin a close working relationship with Geoff that lasted many years.

The veteran gardener nurtured the talent he saw in Adam and even sent him away to ensure he achieved the necessary training.

He then worked on garden design and landscaping projects upon his return.

“He’d come up with some amazing ideas and I’d be tasked with helping him to design them. Back then the site was not fully developed. Geoff, and his son Nick, were building a nursery, and though he was already using a few TV gardens for the series, these were under constant development and redevelopment.”

“He was incredibly enthusiastic, a keen plantsman, and probably one of the first men I ever looked up to.”

Geoff died in 1996 and for the first six months or so, Adam worked with Nick to help get the garden ready to open, setting up a garden design and landscape business, too, which he still runs.

“I returned to the gardens on screen back in July 2016 for a 20th anniversary special which was really emotional, and quite difficult to film.”

“I’ve done bits and pieces of filming for programmes like Gardener’s World over the years, but most of my time has been spent building up the garden design business.”

Initially working from home, Adam later developed a studio at Barnsdale Gardens but now works from his own home with his team.

2013: Sowing the Seeds of Change A modern garden that has been created with a small family in mind, providing a space to enjoy an everyday connection with food and nature. It is designed for gardening, relaxation and entertaining, while also providing a habitat that encourages wildlife.

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2012: A Rural Muse The garden is designed for a couple who have been inspired by their local environment, especially the walks of the famous peasant poet John Clare. It takes inspiration from the six well known local walks.

2011: Across the Pond This Frank Lloyd Wright inspired garden proves that small spaces call for big ideas.

Reflecting Wright’s love of nature and crisp architectural style, the garden’s backbone is the interlocking slabs of polished concrete.

“We’re akin to an architectural practice in terms of our design work. We probably complete between 15 and 20 projects a year, and handle anything from small courtyards to gardens that are many acres. I’ve probably completed more than 500 gardens overall.”

“We’re all used to choosing furniture for our home and decorating - picking colours and so on - but people can become really nervous when they open their back door.”

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Adam’s Gardening Courses

HOW TO DESIGN YOUR GARDEN

3rd & 4th March 2017 13th & 14th October 2017 A two-day course for anyone wanting to understand the process and principles behind designing a garden. From surveying to planting borders, Adam will draw on a lifetime of experience to create an informative and inspiring day.

Includes lunch with Adam.

GARDENING MASTERCLASSES Monthly in 2017

Spend a day in Adam’s garden and learn about monthly jobs you can do at home. These are hands-on classes where everyone will be outside and having a go at seasonal tasks. Includes lunch with Adam.

DESIGNING A KITCHEN GARDEN

27th & 28th July 2017 Main: Adam’s own childhood memories and the English landscape inspired his Chelsea 2014 show garden.

Adam’s love of growing and cooking means the kitchen garden is an important part of any home. In the two-day course, learn about how to create a garden that produces delicious crops and looks beautiful too.

Prices TBC as Pride goes to press, call for details, see over for contacts.

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- GARDENS -

“They look at their garden and panic, but there’s really no need. It’s a case of following simple design rules and looking at the size and shape of your site.”

“Garden design should always be driven by you, the client or the homeowner, because gardens should, in the first instance, be practical, and in the second instance, individual. It’s all about the people, plants and place.”

Adam will be practising what he preaches and is already developing his own garden which includes a walled garden featuring herbaceous borders, an orchard and a less formal copse area. There’s a productive kitchen garden, too, which has already featured on BBC Gardener’s World.

That’s not the only development planned for the site. With several outbuildings currently under renovation, Adam is creating a garden ‘school’ and has a whole calendar of classes beginning from March 2017. There will be a 20 seat classroom and a covered potting shed.

Although Adam became a gardener, not a chef, food is still a passion. He’s hoping to host events that identify the connection between growing and cooking your own food along the lines of his own preferred style of cooking - rustic, hearty food.

ADAM’S REAL GARDENS Adam’s first book, published in 2016, looks at his seven Chelsea Gold Medal Gardens. 256 pgs, garden plans and the inspiration behind each design. Available for £16.99 at good bookshops.

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“Cooking has always fascinated me, and I’ve always enjoyed the inextricable link between gardening and food. The plan is to exploit the connection between the kitchen garden and cooking - I’m already talking to a few chefs I know. Hopefully, as well as courses on garden design, pruning masterclasses and so on, we can start to make the most of growing and eating your own food, especially for a younger generation.”

Adam’s work setting up the school will be complete as Pride goes to press, ready for a spring launch, alongside a new website.

“We think that what we’ll create here has huge potential to appeal to gardeners of all abilities from starters to experienced hands, to people who love to cook, and anyone seeking a really enjoyable day out.”

Gardeners, as we’ve already established, are optimists, but on this occasion, it’s optimism that we all share... the school will hold huge appeal for a wide audience, and we plan to be among the first through the doors! n

Above: Adam has created show gardens all over the world, including Singapore in 2016. His practical approach has made him a popular new presenter on Gardener’s World.

Main/Left: At Chelsea Flower Show in 2015 Adam designed an urban community garden with planting that would encourage pollinators.

Right: Adam also travelled to Japan in 2016 to build another show garden. In this design, soft planting contrasted against the hard outlines of rock.

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Jobs for

MARCH JOBS FOR YOUR FLOWER, VEGETABLE AND FRUIT GARDEN

4 Direct sow special mixes

of wildflower seeds into soil now. They’re great for bees and butterflies, and add colour to your garden.

You can make use of paddocks and save a mowing job by creating a wildflower meadow.

4 It’s also the month for sowing hardy annuals such as California poppies and cornflowers into well-prepared soil.

4 Get your kitchen garden growing going in the greenhouse this month.

Sow peppers, tomatoes, and perennial herbs like rosemary, sage, and thyme under cover.

4 Make sure your lawnmower is ready to go with a good service from your local specialist. Fuel left in the mower over winter will have spoiled.

Above: Califo rnia Poppy - a splash of sunshine for the summer, seeds into we sow its ll-prepared so il this month.

n For more information on Adam Frost’s garden designs and courses, call 01780 740531 or see www.adamfrost.co.uk.

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THE LEGIONELLA AND HYGIENE SPECIALISTS Commercial & Industrial Expertise From Legionella Control & Disinfection, to Risk Assessment and Reporting Compliance.

For free, no obligation hygiene advice, call

01522 705 511

or see www.guardian-group.co.uk

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- LAWN CARE -

Green with

ENVY

ACHIEVE THE LAWN YOU’VE ALWAYS DREAMED OF AND MAKE VISITORS TO YOUR HOME GREEN WITH ENVY. NOW’S THE TIME TO TALK TO IAN STEPHENS OF LINCOLNSHIRE’S LAWNMASTER...

n For more information on Ian Stephens’s Lawnmaster treatment programme, in lawns anywhere in Lincolnshire, call 0800 326 5015 see www.lawnmaster.co.uk.

Look at these ‘before & after’ images.

It’s hard to believe, but they were taken just a month apart. This time last year the Lincolnshire homeowners decided to transform their lawn, and enlisted the services of Ian Stephens of Lawnmaster.

Regener8 Your Lawn

To improve not just the short term look but the long term health of your lawn, too, Ian recommended Lawnmaster’s Regener8 programme.

It’s a system that proves 75% cheaper than laying new turf, and achieves initial results in a month. The eight stage process takes place throughout the year, and was developed by qualified greenkeepers.

The Simple Solution

Enlisting Lawnmaster sees repeat visits to provide scarification, aeration, overseeding and top dressing, as well as soil improvement and pest control, promoting the look and

health of your lawn, whether you’ve acres of grass or a small area of lawn that requires attention.

Spring Forward

“Spring is a popular time to get back in the garden, and by beginning work this month we’ve enough time to ensure that by the time the warmer weather arrives and you’re out in the garden, you’ll have a lush new lawn you can be proud of !”

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Nature

NOTES

Nature is finally returning to our gardens in March.

There are some rare sights to see this month including boxing hares, jumping frogs and fighting mayflies...

Boxing

BABIES

The products of the ‘mad’ March hare mating season are called leverets. They’re born fully furred with eyes wide open ready to run from predators if needed.

March will see nest building begin.

Expect plenty of robins, sparrows, blackbirds and other birds in your gardens as they fly back and forth with twigs.

If you fancy giving the birds a helping hand, you can tie up bunches of tiny twigs, dried moss and vegetable matter from the kitchen near your feeders.

Having made the perilous journey across Europe, tiny warblers will be returning from Africa in March. They are probably more of a difficult bird to spot, but you might hear them singing.

Hibernating animals such as hedgehogs and frogs will start to 96

become more active in March. If you’d quite like to attract frogs to the garden but don’t really have space for a pond, you can use a plastic washing up bowl.

Dig a whole and place it halfway into the ground in a shady place.

Putting a large stone in the centre will help the frogs jump in and out. Other amphibians can be attracted with long grass or piles of stones in sheltered damp locations.

Bulbs are the first signs of spring.

Watch out for daffodils and crocuses. They may already be in bloom, especially daffodils, heading into the month of March if last year was anything to compare to.

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- NATURE -

HOP TO IT:

Toad or Frog?

Struggling to identify the difference between the amphibians you can spot in your pond? Here’s a rough guide...

Common Toad The common toad has a lumbering walk or small hop and is covered in obvious warts.

It’s generally dry in appearance.

Common Frog Variably spotted or striped skin, and tends to move with a hop rather than a walk.

Above: A peacock butterfly is one of the earliest butterflies so you may spot one in March.

Opposite/Top: Boxing hares; a female (jill) and a male (jack). Jills put up a fight to test the jack’s determination or to show she’s not ready to mate.

Opposite/Bottom: Watch out for early daffodils.

Opposite/Left: Frogs will be hopping about garden ponds this month.

Other attractive early flowering includes primula, hellebores and pulmonaria.

The ideal month for planting in your garden is March; the plants are still dormant and don’t mind moving while the soil is slowly starting to warm up.

You might be able to spot brimstone and peacock butterflies on sunny days in March, dependent on the everchanging seasons.

If you have lungwort in the garden you might be able to see some long-tongued flower bees; they look like small black or brown bumblebees. There are plants that are important sources for bees.

Use primrose, butterbur, wood anemone and lesser celandine to attract hoverflies and solitary bees.

Young rabbits may be hopping about above ground for the first time in nearby fields, and it’s a busy time for voles. Look in hedgerows for a glimpse of these creatures.

Freshwater invertebrates like mayfly and stonefly are preparing to emerge as adult insects so be sure to look in streams.

You might spot a couple of boxing hares too in fields in March during their mating season, a peculiar and rather entertaining show only available in the spring time.

Pool Frog Males have prominent vocal sacs at the side of the mouth and light yellow back stripe.

Natterjack Toad Like a common toad but with a stripe down its spine. It has short stocky legs and seems to run rather than walk or hop. They have golden yellow irises with dark slanted pupils.

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IN TUNE WITH

ROMANCE

A very romantic proposal, impeccably choreographed by Luke Harrison, led him and fiancée Alice to plan a vintage wedding with a soundtrack of their favourite tunes...

Photographer: Ryan Jarvis Photography, 07775 661288, www.ryanjarvisphotography.co.uk.

“She had dropped a few hints...” says Luke, on his proposal to Alice in December. But a man likes to plan these things, and Luke jumped into action when Alice stepped out to fetch the Christmas decorations in from the garage. “He locked me out, much to my annoyance,” recalls Alice.

“When I did finally get back into the house I was a bit grumpy, but also confused as all the lights were off. We lived in a three storey house and all the way up the different flights of stairs were photographs and song lyrics of different memories from our life together.

They were lit by candles and when I got to the top, Luke was on one knee with a bottle of Champagne and a ring.”

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The whole proposal was impeccably choreographed and set to a playlist of the music lovers’ favourite songs - music is incredibly important to both Alice and Luke.

We think that a Noel Gallagher track was playing during the exact moment, and when the couple ran into Noel by chance in a London department store, he was delighted to hear about his role in Luke’s proposal, spending a few minutes with the couple and posing for photos with them.

“We then created a Youtube video in the style of Bob Dylan’s Subterranean Homesick Blues with caption cards to announce the proposal to friends and family.”

“We wanted a vintage wedding and loved the Poachers Hotel near Boston. We liked the atmosphere and the fact that it’s a dedicated wedding venue. We had the ceremony and the reception there, and we thought they were really helpful.”

“I found my Justin Alexander dress at Spalding’s Fancy Frox. It wasn’t the style of dress I expected to like, but as soon as I tried it on both mum and I knew it was the one.”

“Our next great find was Ryan Jarvis, our photographer, who was incredible, and made us both feel really comfortable.”

“We had a ‘girls’ night in’ to create the reception’s pom-pom decorations and

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- WEDDINGS -

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- WEDDINGS -

“It was a great day, with lots of laughter and great speeches from Luke’s two ‘best men,’ Alex & Liam!” installed them the day before the wedding.

Our graphic designer friend Drew Davies created the invites, table plan and centrepieces, and we themed our table names with song lyrics.”

“Emma, Luke’s sister, created our cupcakes, and we sourced our flowers from Pinchbeck.

Luke found his perfect suit but then became addicted to running and lost weight before the wedding, which entailed the purchase of an ‘emergency suit!’”

“It was a great day, with wonderful speeches from Luke’s two ‘best men,’ Alex and Liam, but my overriding memory of the day was that all of our friends and family were there, in one place, and we really enjoyed having everyone around us. It was so lovely!” n Photographer: Ryan Jarvis, 07775 661288, www.ryanjarvisphotography.co.uk.

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Bespoke & Made to Measure Suits by a Savile Row Tailor, Andrew Musson

Andrew J Musson Bespoke Tailor of Lincoln

CALL TODAY TO ARRANGE AN APPOINTMENT FOR A BESPOKE OR MADE TO MEASURE SUIT. 39 High Street, Lincoln LN5 8AS

Tel: (01522) 520142 info@andrewjmusson.com www.andrewjmusson.com

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glen eden MEDICAL AESTHETICS

Purveyors of Luxury Eyewear Since 1979

Look YOUNGER AnD BooST your CONFIDENCE...

Prada and Persol frames - a range of colours and styles in stock now.

43/44 Wrawby Street, Brigg, North Lincolnshire DN20 8BS Tel: 01652 653 595. Web: www.obriensopticians.co.uk

Call for an appointment or pop in to view our latest designer eyewear.

Muscle relaxing injections for fine lines and wrinkles...

Eight point ‘facelift’ and 15 minute ‘rhinoplasty’ using injectable fillers...

Call 01476 550056 www.glen-edenmedical.co.uk Market Cross Surgery, Bourne Road, Corby Glen, Stamford NG33 4BB

The Latest Laser and Injectable cosmetic procedures performed by fully qualified GP or Nurse Practitioner

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Our Red Carpet Ready Models: Navy collection from left to right, £450 available in red too, sizes 6-16; a Red Carpet Ready exclusive available in gold, black, silver, red & gold, navy & gold and black & gold, in sizes 6-20 £455; navy dress also in burgundy, royal blue and flame red, sizes 6-16 £225; navy/silver dress, also in burgundy and black, sizes 6-24 £360.

READY FOR ANY EVENT

Red Carpet Ready last month took delivery of their brand new spring and summer collections of long and short dresses, designed to ensure you look stunning whatever the event.

Here we present a preview of just some of their new dresses, including a new plus-size range to suit any figure...

Words & Images: Rob Davis.

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- FASHION -

Red Carpet Ready can make sure you dazzle during any special occasion thanks to a choice of over 1,700 dresses - one of the largest selections in the UK. With both long, short and midi-length dresses available in a range of colours and sizes, plus shoes, jewellery and clutch bags, the Channel 5 Prom Queen winner provides a luxurious shopping experience in Branston, near Lincoln.

Our photoshoot shows some of Red Carpet Ready’s newest collections, including a range of plus-sized dresses up to size 32, to flatter any figure. n Below: Green dresses £360 (sizes 6-12, also in navy, red & black); gold/silver encrusted dress £1,250 (sizes 2-18); fishtail dress £470 (sizes 6-20, also in navy, red).

Main Image: Seated silver/grey dress £395 (sizes 6-20, also in navy, red, black); standing, left to right £745 (high end crystal embellished gown as seen on various celebrities, also in gold, aqua, sizes 2-18); grey dress £285 (sizes 6-14, also in burgundy, nude, navy, silver, royal blue, red); silver sequin dress £395 plus sizes 14-32, also in red, royal blue.

Opposite Page: White dresses, two piece £510, many colours, sizes 2-16; white gold £450 in sizes 2-18, also in ivory, coral, navy, seafoam); RCR exclusive dress in white, sizes 2-18, £510.

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- FASHION -

Top: Short dresses in black, red, white, royal blue and fuschia, sizes 2-28 £495.

Above: Navy long sleeve, part of Curve collection, sizes 14-32 £650.

Right: Black and gold full length £360, sizes 6-22.

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Main: Burgundy dresses £360, sizes 6-24, also in navy, black; burgundy £490, sizes 2-18, also in red, blush, ivory and black; RCR exclusive £455, sizes 6-20, also in gold, black, silver, red, navy and gold.

Burgundy bow back £450, sizes 6-14, also seen below.

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- FASHION -

Main: Blush dresses £480, sizes 4-22, also in burgundy, teal, navy, ivory and red; plain dress in blush, red wine, red, royal blue, navy and orange £360, sizes 6-12.

Blush fishtail £595 in black, red, purple too, sizes 2-28.

Below: Silver sequin dress £395 plus sizes 14-32, also in red, royal blue.

Find Out More: Featured items are available from Red Carpet Ready, Hall Lane, Branston near Lincoln.

Open seven days a week until 9pm but you must prebook on 01522 793777. Walk-ins welcome on Saturdays. Alternatively, see www.redcarpetready.co.uk or Instagram @RedCarpet ReadyLincoln.

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MISSING TEETH? “Implant technology is awesome but you have to have the right person doing them.”

Dental Health Centre principal dentist, Colin Sutton, has successfully placed hundreds of dental implants since 2000. He has an excellent reputation for providing dental implant treatments, including single implant crowns and full implant-retained bridges and dentures.

He offers a complete service from assessment, implant placement, bone grafting and sinus lifting, to creating your crown, bridge or denture. Our practice is a leading implant centre in Lincolnshire and we have invested in training and technology that allows us to provide a number of implants systems, so we can offer what’s best for you.

One satisfied patient wrote a fantastic testimonial that is featured in full at www.dentalhealthcentre.co.uk.

He said: “I would recommend for anyone to see Colin, he’s meticulous and really knows his business.

“I have a seven-tooth bridge secured onto four implants. I call them ‘my teeth’ because that’s how they feel. I can eat anything I like and my teeth blend in absolutely superbly. I’m delighted.”

The Dental Health Centre Grantham is one of very few dental practices to have invested in a 3D dental CT scanner. Our state-of-the-art scanner makes implant treatment, safer, quicker and more accurate for our patients and makes us one of the most technologically advanced dental clinics in the area.

If you would like to find out more, please visit us for a free 30-minute initial consultation with Colin Sutton

The Dental Health Centre, 3 Avenue Road, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG31 6TA. Tel: 01476 594480, or see www.dentalhealthcentre.co.uk

Colin Sutton and his implant team at The Dental Health Centre

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- COSMETICS -

1. SLIGHT

STING Brightening, firming and deep cleansing, Rodial Bee Venom Cleansing Balm is an ideal gift for all Mum beauty enthusiasts.

Pomegranate and water lily adds the most lavish but mouth-watering scent.

For Mum Bee Venom works on relaxing muscle tension improving skin firmness and improving elasticity in the skin, £50.

2. Chocoholic’s Gift...

Treat mum this Mother’s Day to a guilt-free cocoa infused moisture mask that will leave her skin feeling hydrated and radiant-looking.

Watch the mask transform into a smooth chocolate colour and enjoy a sweet smell thanks to cocoa-infused microcapsules, £52.

3. Sleeping Serum...

Spoil mum with this game-changing retinol oil that promotes skin healing and radiance. Retinol restores and repairs skin damage caused by UV rays from the sun and everyday pollution, £85.

4. Pretty in Pink...

A rich cream that wraps skin with moisture and clarity is something every Mum will love. Oak kernel extract softens, soothes and nourishes whilst pentapeptide-18 erases the signs of fine lines and wrinkles, £41.

CELEBRATE MOTHER’S DAY WITH PRODUCTS THAT ARE WONDERFUL TREATS AND THOUGHTFUL GIFTS FOR HARD WORKING MUMS. BEAUTY EDITOR JOHN ROHNAN-WHARFF PICKS HIS FAVOURITES...

5. Causing a Buzz...

A new personal favourite of mine, Deborah Mitchell’s latest BeePeel is the next generation of exfoliation.

Resurface, peel and reveal the new you and say goodbye to the old you.

Glycolic acid and raw cane sugar exfoliates and rejuvenates congested pores while correcting uneven skin tone. It targets wrinkles and sagging skin.

I call this the ultimate skin treatment in a jar, £109.

n John Rohnan-Wharff is a beauty and makeup blogger, who reviews and rates products at www.mr-wharff.com. All products from good independent local stockists unless otherwise stated, prices are RRP. 113

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1.

2.

Think Pink

3.

4.

FOR BEAUTIFUL JEWELLERY

1. Love Struck: Bangle and charm £90.

2. Love Struck: Petite charms £25, locket £120.

3. Loving Hearts: Necklace £80.

4. Ribbon of Love: Ring £40.

5.

5. Sparkling Bow: Bangle in sterling silver £100.

6. Ribbon of Love: Necklace part of set £85.

7. Droplet Pendant Charms: January, March and February shown £30/ea.

8. Charms: Bracelet £60, charms from £30-£60.

9. Ribbons of Love: Stud earrings £40.

10. Moments: Silver bracelet with sparkling heart £60.

Featured items available from Pandora, Wide Bargate, Boston PE21 6LR, 01205 364587, www.pandora.net.

6.

8.

9.

10.

7.

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- EDUCATION -

Unprecedented Growth at

Worksop College and Ranby House Prep school Last year saw the unveiling of state-of-the-art boarding and flexi-boarding facilities at Worksop College, plus investment at the prep school and pre-prep learning environment for younger children. The development of the independent school doesn’t stop there, either, with a ‘master plan’ designed to ensure long term changes to create a school for future generations...

Since the new term started in January, North Nottinghamshire-based school, Worksop College and Ranby House Prep School has welcomed an additional 30 children, all of whom have made the decision to move since the start of term in September 2016.

But with this kind of unprecedented growth, what is it that’s prompting parents to make the switch in the middle of the school year?

“Firstly, academically, the school continues to exceed expectation, with a record number of Sixth Form students being offered places at Russell Group institutions. Continuing this success, the school has just learned that four of its current Sixth Form students have been offered places at Oxford and Cambridge universities – the highest number the school has ever achieved.”

The school puts their achievements down to the ‘Master Plan;’ a programme of long-term investment and change that will create a school that current and future generations can be proud of.

Headmaster, Gavin Horgan, explains what the Master Plan means to him, and why Worksop College and Ranby House Prep School is fast-becoming the leading school in the region.

Multi-million-pound project “We are pleased to say that our Master Plan programme of investment is really taking

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Words: Leila Gold. Images: Andrew Lee.

shape, and it is attracting parents who want to ensure they are placing their faith in a school that’s investing in their child now, and for future years to come.”

“It’s been a busy few years. In late 2014, we started work on Mason House - a brand new £3.5 million project - and since it opened in Jan 2016, the stunning building has supported a growing boarding community, as well as creating space for additional library, study and classroom spaces.”

Home from Home “Moving boarders to the new purpose-built facilities enabled us to reconfigure the main building, spending £750k on modernising boarding facilities, classrooms and break-out spaces across the school.”

“Flexi-boarding continues to be a really

“FLEXI-BOARDING CONTINUES TO BE A POPULAR CHOICE WITH PARENTS WHO MAY WORK UNSOCIABLE HOURS, OR TRAVEL FOR BUSINESS...”

Opposite: Worksop College and Ranby House Prep School provides day and boarding opportunities for boys and girls from three to 18 years. The school is set in over 400 acres of beautiful North-Notts countryside and provides flexi-boarding opportunities too.

popular choice, supporting the demands of busy modern life and parents who may work unsociable hours, or travel for business.”

Early Years Investment “And over at our prep school, Ranby House, a refurbished library, new ICT suite, upgraded tennis courts and pre-prep classroom have created exciting spaces for our younger learners.”

Traditional Features Based on the outskirts of Retford and set in 60 acres of stunning grounds, Ranby House continues to thrive - with a rich mixture of traditional school features, such as the main house, available to the children alongside state-of-the-art modern facilities and teaching resources.

“Unlike a playgroup, or other types of childcare, our nursery programme is designed to help children make the very best start in life through carefully planned academic learning, as well as active, creative play. “ “Staffed by fully qualified, highly experienced Nursery and Reception teachers, our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides every child from three to five years of age with the best possible start. With full access to our 60-acre school grounds and 10-acre on-site forest, all our children learn outdoors through rich first-hand experiences as part of our excellent outdoor education programme.

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- EDUCATION -

Specialist teaching in music and sport also helps natural skills and talents to develop right from this early age.”

Specialised Teaching Ranby House has also increased its offer of specialist subjects and lessons into the Early Years and Years 1 and 2. Ensuring high quality, learning is taking place at all ages and stages.

“We are much sharper, academically and have embedded our Learner Profile and Growth Mindset initiatives,” says Gavin.

“Our dedicated Sports programme continues to grow. This includes fixtures with increased access to our sports coaches, new house competitions, such as tennis and swimming, as well as development of our superb music and drama programmes for all children.”

“Boarding opportunities, Breakfast Club and our popular Crèche service have been enhanced, with a flexible start (Breakfast

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Club) and end of day provision to fit in with the demands of busy parenthood.”

“Fast-forward to present day, and in September 2016 we welcomed years seven and eight to their new home at the senior site, Portland House, adding an exciting dynamic to our growing and thriving school.”

What Next?

“And the work doesn’t stop; this term will also see the development of an area dedicated to our Sixth Formers, with quiet study spaces, social areas, and tutorial rooms, plus refurbishment of our swimming pool.”

“All of our facilities add up to an inspiring and secure environment in which to ensure each one of our students achieves not just their academic potential, but personality, confidence and a willingness to achieve, too.” n Worksop College is hosting is Spring 2017 open days this month for those who wish to tour the schools. See opposite for dates.

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WORKSOP COLLEGE & RANBY HOUSE PREP SCHOOL

Worksop College and Ranby House Prep School is a co-educational independent school for day, boarding and flexi-boarding pupils aged 3 to 18...

The School in Numbers

3-18: The school provides prep school education for boys and girls aged 3-11; and senior school education for those aged 13-18.

65%: Over 65% of Worksop College’s graduates attend ‘outstanding’ (i.e.: Russell Group) Universities, with four current U6 pupils offered Oxbridge places.

400: The school is set in over 400 acres of beautiful North Nottinghamshire countryside, with the senior school site sharing a border with Clumber Park.

400: The senior school site is home to just over 400 pupils, 60% of whom are boarders; 43 teacher and their families live in properties across both sites, including headmaster Gavin Horgan.

The Junior School has just under 200 pupils.

1895: The Grade II listed College was built in 1895, founded by Canon Nathaniel Woodard, with five Masters and 44 boys.

Worksop College is hosting its spring 2017 Open Days on Tuesday 21st February from 3.30pm to 5.30pm and on Saturday 25th March from 10.30am to 12.30pm.

The school is based at Sparken Hill, Worksop S80 3AP. Call 01909 537100 or see www.wsnl.co.uk.

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FIVE STAR

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- MOTORS -

IT’S GENERALLY REGARDED AS THE CLASS-LEADING MID-SIZED EXECUTIVE MOTOR, WITH A PEERLESS BLEND OF DRIVER INVOLVEMENT AND UNABASHED LUXURY. RECENTLY, MERCEDES’S E-CLASS HAS BEEN WINNING LEGIONS OF FANS IN THE MOTORING PRESS BUT NOW IT’S TIME FOR MUNICH TO FIGHT BACK WITH AN ALL-NEW, LEAN AND LUXURIOUS BMW 5-SERIES...

Words: Rob Davis.

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- MOTORS -

With January behind us it’s time to forget all of that new year’s resolutions, losing weight nonsense. That’s unless you’re a BMW 5 Series. This month a new model of the midsize executive saloon, arrives in showrooms, sitting, as always, between the 3-Series & 7-Series and is generally considered to be the class leading car in its size and price.

A quick history lesson; the 5-Series launched in 1972, and this will be its seventh iteration.

Its design is evolutionary, rather than revolutionary, sticking with a relatively sober but still smart and engineered from scratch to be not only 100kg lighter, but to incorporate and facilitate the latest technology.

The 5-Series is generally regarded as a class-leader, but with the arrival of Jaguar’s revised XF and Mercedes’s E-Class, plus the advent of the popular Audi A6, the 5-Series’s supremacy has been diminished, and now, the choice between all of the above models is now one of arbitrary personal preference, rather than a case of one car being empirically ‘better.’

Despite that, most of the motoring press agrees that the 5-Series is the best driving car in its class, and the new model will look to reconcile its peerless handling whilst offering emerging autonomous driving technologies.

From launch, there will be two petrol and two diesel cars. The 520d and 530d and four and six cylinder diesels, producing 190hp and 265hp respectively.

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The 530i and 540i petrols are four and six cylinder respectively, and will remain the most powerful cars - kicking out 252hp and 340hp - until the fire-breathing M550i arrives in summer. Most models are available with xDrive four wheel drive; some are available with a manual ‘box. Most 5-Series models, though, will be two-wheel drive automatics.

We’d recommend sticking to the 520d, which provides 190hp, 400nm torque, reaches 60mph in 7.5 seconds and 146mph flat out.

It’ll reward drivers with 68.8mpg economy combined and is relatively clean, releasing just 108g CO2.

That makes it the best compromise between efficiency and performance, and the cheapest company car until the inevitable arrival

“DESPITE THAT, MOST OF THE MOTORING PRESS AGREES THAT THE BMW 5-SERIES IS THE BEST DRIVING CAR IN ITS CLASS...”

Above: An eight speed gearbox is allied to a 2.0V4 diesel engine in the 520d. Other engine options include a V6 diesel and two petrol units, whilst four wheel drive is optional.

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- MOTORS -

of the 520ed ‘Efficient Dynamics’ model essentially a re-engineered 520d designed to lower CO2 emissions for fleet driver seeking lower-tax bills. Inevitably a plug-in hybrid model will follow, but when BMW’s diesels are so efficient, there’s little point unless your only journeys are urban, rather than motorway or A-road sorties.

The 520d in SE trim will sell for £36,025, falling into the VED band B, and will have the lowest leasing and PCP rates.

As standard, it provides drivers with 17” alloy wheels, climate control, Bluetooth, automatic gearbox, DAB radio, cruise control, satellite navigation, parking sensors front and rear, auto lights and wipers, as well as heated leather seats with a choice of black, beige, brown or white hide.

Standard equipment is generous, with all the essentials covered, but by opting for the more modest engine you’ll have budget for what 124

we consider essentials; the Parking Assistant Plus option, at £1,095, gives 360° and reversing cameras and automatic parking.

The Driving Assistant Plus package at £2,250 provides adaptive cruise control, automatic steering on motorways and automatic lane changing. Other technology is available, if you’re technically minded, from remote control parking, operated when you’re outside the vehicle by a smart key, to a night vision system and head-up display.

The new car is the smoothest, quietest and most aerodynamic 5-Series yet. Lighter, smarter and stronger. If you’re seeking an executive car, the 5-Series is probably on your wishlist already. The market is sharper, the cars better, and the choice harder than ever, but if you’re seeking an executive car offering comfort, and engaging drive, badge kudos and quality, you’ll have to go far to beat the compelling 5-Series. n

BMW 5-Series 520d SE

Price: £36,025.

Engine: 2.0 V4 diesel, 8-speed automatic (190hp) Economy: 68.83mpg (combined), 108g/CO2.

Top Speed: 146mph; 0-60mph 7.5secs.

Equipment: Heated leather seats, sat nav, cruise control, climate control, parking sensors, DAB radio, automatic lights and wipers, automatic transmission.

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- JAGUAR & LAND ROVER -

The New Home of Jaguar & Land Rover THERE’S A NEW HOME FOR DUCKWORTH LAND ROVER, AND A NEW BRAND TOO. THE FAMILY DEALERSHIP INTRODUCES JAGUAR TO ITS RANGE OF LUXURY CARS...

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The opening of Duckworth’s new Jaguar Land Rover showroom on the A16 at Kirton, this month heralds the return of Jaguar and ensures the family run retailer’s existing Land Rover customers continue to be treated to the highest levels of customer service, in a state of the art retailer.

The new space is designed to be timeless, and its contemporary environment provides a fitting showcase and room to display nine vehicles from each brand.

Duckworth was initially established in 1962 as James Duckworth and Son, specialising in repairs to Land Rover vehicles.

They moved to their current site in Market Rasen in 1980 and became a full Land Rover retailer. Initial expansion into Boston happened in 2007, when the Managing Director, Ben Duckworth, took over Parkside Land Rover at the site on London Road, Kirton.

“Our new Jaguar Land Rover Showroom is a standout building in the community with class leading customer and staff areas,” says Ben Duckworth. “We are proud to be involved in bringing Jaguar back to Boston and this facility allows us to give these models the premium setting they require”

The whole project has cost over £7m with ground officially broken in April 2016 and work completed January 2017. The site is 4.25 acres and the structure itself covers 3,796m2.

State-of-the-art facilities extend to the used car displays, ceramic tiled workshops and aftersales service. Duckworth are ensuring customers are firmly at the heart of every aspect of their business with a comfortable customer lounge, barista bar, valeting bays, customer handover bays and free wifi.

Andrew Shaw, Head of Business for Jaguar Land Rover Boston says: “This has been a massive investment for the forward-thinking Duckworth family.”

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Two Brands, One Retailer NOT ONLY HAS DUCKWORTH’S NEW FACILITY PROVIDED MORE SPACE FOR LAND ROVER’S EXPANDING RANGE OF 4X4S, IT ALSO ENABLES THE GROUP TO SHOWCASE JAGUAR’S SMART NEW RANGE OF LUXURY SALOONS, SPORTS CARS AND SUVs...

“We’re pleased that we are able to support the local community by offering further employment opportunities, the interest has been overwhelming and we have now employed additional people with exceptional skills who are currently training to fulfil their potential and to offer the levels of service expected by the brands, and the Duckworth customers.”

“We’re all excited by the challenge of developing the business with the current Award Winning vehicles from the Jaguar line up as well as introducing the technological advances they are currently working on such as the I-Pace, Jaguar’s first venture into an electric vehicle, and its forthcoming ‘baby F-Pace’ compact SUV.”

“It’s with great pride that from this month we can welcome customers both existing and new to this inspirational space. We believe a state of the art environment is a fitting environment for our equally state of the art products.”

Jaguar XE, £26,990-£44,995: Advanced, efficient and refined, it’s the compact sports saloon with tax efficient 99g CO2 models, and the option of all wheel drive for keen drivers.

Discovery Sport, £28,995 - £46,510: A compact SUV with standard all-wheel-drive and the availability of seven seats. Dynamism and the latest technology, plus efficient four cylinder Ingenium powerplants.

Jaguar XJ, £58,690-£99,370: Premium luxury executive saloon available with standard and long wheelbase, providing agility, opulence and scope for personalisation.

R/Rover Evoque, £30,600 - £52,400 The essence of Range Rover distilled into a sporty three or five door SUV, also available as an innovative convertible model. Compact dimension make it ideal in town.

Jaguar XF, £32,300-£49,995: Luxury mid-size executive saloon achieving as much as 70.6mpg, blending sporting performance and cutting edge technology, with Sportbrake estate version also available.

Jaguar F-Pace, £35,020-£65,275: Jaguar’s first SUV is available with rear wheel drive or all wheel drive.

Dynamic handling, space and an attuned driving experience all come as standard.

Jaguar F-Type, £49,995 - £115,485: Setting a new standard for the grand tourer class, Jaguar’s F-Type is a dynamic benchmark for a 21st century sports car; athletic, refined and utterly distinctive.

Discovery, £43,495 - £68,295: Luxury, capability and space, a Discovery reinvented for 2017 with the latest off-road driver assistance and unprecedented on-road dynamism.

Range Rover Sport, £59,700 - £96,900: A road-biased Range Rover designed to provide the practicality of an SUV with the athleticism of a sports car. Powerful and practical, with true breadth of capability.

Range Rover, £75,850 - £166,400: The ultimate expression of Range Rover and the most desirable car available in the UK today. Standard and long wheelbase, V6, V8, hybrid and supercharged versions available.

n The whole range of Jaguar and Land Rover products are now available to experience at Duckworths, A16, Boston. Call Boston 01205 449758 or see www.duckworthlandrover.co.uk. Also at Market Rasen, call 01673 799393.

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L.F. Connell & Son FURNITURE CLEARANCE, HOUSE REMOVALS & GARDEN CLEARANCE munity, Supporting the com centre sis cri the d an y the need Help Lincoln’s poor and needy with unwanted furniture and home accessories - REMEMBER these people have nothing!

• Family run • Friendly and professional • Free collection for quality furniture

• Furniture, crockery, glasses, anything you have that you no longer need • Free quotations

t: 01522 521582 m: 07783 874407 email: gtfod@hotmail.com

Interested in buying Original Artwork?

Then why not take a look at

anthonypeggartgallery.com

For a wide range of subject matter Oil on Canvas – various sizes Limited Edition Giclee prints

ALL DIRECT FROM THE ARTIST Next time you’re online - please pay me a visit Look forward to seeing you!

MOBILITY

TOWN & COUNTRY Affordable stairlifts, with free no-obligation surveys in your own home...

“Your One Stop Shop for all your Mobility & Healthcare needs...”

Scooters, wheelchairs, stairlifts, bath and shower aids...

Your one stop shop for all your mobility needs!

Sales • Servicing • Repairs • Hire • Finance

Call 01205 362444 • Market Place, Boston

www.townandcountrymobility.co.uk 128

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Crosswords CRYPTIC CROSSWORD Test your lateral thinking skills with this month’s Cryptic Crossword. Each puzzle has a set of perplexing clues to unravel, and as every lover of logic knows, the frustration is all part of the fun!

ACROSS

1. Musical stored inside piano roll’s top container? (7) 5. Name taken by game master (7) 10. See 4 11. Art of sewer decoration? (10) 12. It happened in the end lift crack (6) 13. Leave empty room smaller than before, not having a clue (8) 14. Bids under, breaking free (9) 16. About those taking flight 161 (5) 17. Burn peeled off in layers with no end of heartache (5) 19. Escort’s state? Unserviceable — the woman’s cool (9) 23. List of the actors etc to take the role of Sykes? (8) 24. In irritation, say, 4 x 4 almost knocked over horseman (6) 26. Idealistic rocks given a stressed look (10) 27. Standby terraced housing bits combined (4) 28. See 21 29. Jail youth’s liquid holder(7)

DOWN

ACROSS

DOWN

1. Race of 21.0975 km (4- 8) 2. Shorten (a text) (7) 9. Cavalry — gymnastic apparatus (5) 3. Perceive by touch (4) 10. Traveller to a shrine (7) 4. Home help from abroad (2,4) 11. Broad (4) 5. Completely sane (3,5) 12. Age of majority (8) 6. Vast multitude (5) 14. Fragrances (6) 7. Neater column (anag) 15. Hansel’s sister (6) — terminology (12) 18. Stretched out (8) 8. Poem by T.S. Eliot (3,5,4) 20. Infantry — unit of 13. Upright (8) linear measure (4) 16. Crushed under the feet (7) 22. Insatiable desire for wealth (7) 17. Decree (anag) — ebb (6) 23. Shore bird (5) 19. Snares (5) 21 Bathe (4) 24. Lack of consensus (12)

CRYPTIC ANSWERS

QUICK ANSWERS

QUICK CROSSWORD

2. Article on site associated with Apollo Theatre (7) 3. Certainly no opening for kidnap (5) 4,10. Et ceteras Jo removed could have her off the aircraft pdq (7,4) 6. They might hum, unsmiling, in Old Style setting (6) 7. Jokes about grand passion for soft treatment aids (3,6) 8. Rocky area is uranium- enriched vast tract (7) 9. Famous 5 article getting more column inches? (1,6,6) 15. Corporation founder’s shambolic board manoeuvre? (5-4) 18. Writer’s block — in bed before start of evening (7) 20. Creature’s energy, life force and cycles (7) 21,28. Pushed to do something unprepared and so likely to go under? (2,2,3,4,3) 22. Unknown metal containing cold mineral (6) 25. Clog junk boats (5)

1 - Lincs Pride MAR 176.qxp 30/01/2017 10:57 Page 131

1 - Lincs Pride MAR 176.qxp 30/01/2017 10:57 Page 132