Rutland Pride August 2015

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STAMFORD AND RUTLAND RutlandPride

RutlandPride THE

NUMBER

ONE

MAGAZINE

A U G U S T 2 0 1 5 ÂŁ3.70

Previewing the 2015 Burghley Horse Trials...

The Lifestyle Magazine for High Quality Homes

AUGUST 2015

Bill Oddie at Birdfair 2015 Sailing on Rutland Water - Burghley Horse Trials LOcAL HiSTORy - RUTLAND ciDeR - eATiNg OUT iN RUTLAND

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ROB davis Editor, PridE magazinEs editor@pridemagazines.co.uk

There’s plenty happening in the great outdoors this month. With Birdfair approaching, we talk to celebrity ‘birder’ Bill. Also this month we enjoy a sailing lesson courtesy of Rutland Sailing School’s Ben Lulham, who explains how to enjoy life on the water. Of course, this month also sees the final preparations for The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials. We’ve a preview of the event, which attracts world-class riders and over 160,000 spectators.

Also in this edition, we recall life before the water with a trip down memory lane and a stroll around Nether Hambleton - the county’s lost village.

We also meet the trio of Rutland ladies who established For Rutland, In Rutland just over a year ago.

The charity is designed to provide welfare to Rutland’s older residents and ensure its fundraising activities continue to benefit the county.

RutlandPride STAMFORD AND RUTLAND

THE

NUMBER

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MAGAZINE

A U G U S T 2 0 1 5 £3.70

The Lifestyle Magazine for High Quality Homes

Bill Oddie at Birdfair 2015

Sailing on Rutland Water - Burghley Horse Trials LOCAL HISTORY - RUTLAND CIDER - EATING OUT IN RUTLAND

This Month’s Cover: A luxurious Eating Out option this month as we recommend Rushton Hall, just 30 minutes from Oakham.

See page 50 for details.

Finally, Mike Berry and his fellow cider enthusiasts this month reveal Rutland Reserve, a new, high-end cider made using méthode Champenois.

It’s a refreshing, premium tipple just perfect for enjoying in the garden whilst you enjoy reading Pride!

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RutlandPride STAMFORD AND RUTLAND

RutlandPride

THE

NUMBER

ONE

MAGAZINE

A U G U S T 2 0 1 5 £3.70

Previewing the 2015 Burghley Horse Trials...

The Lifestyle Magazine for High Quality Homes

AUGUST 2015

Bill Oddie at Birdfair 2015

Sailing on Rutland Water - Burghley Horse Trials LOCAL HISTORY - RUTLAND CIDER - EATING OUT IN RUTLAND

With best wishes from the Rutland Pride team managing director and Publisher: Julian Wilkinson. general manager: ian Bagley.

Executive Editor: rob davis. Features Editor: tilly Wilkinson. graphic designer and Customer Care manager: mandy Bray. it: Joe Proctor. accounts manager: sue Bannister. sales manager: zoie Wilkinson. sales Executives: Liz King, roberta Hall, Carissa Clay, Emily Brown, sami millard, Lauren Chambers and amy Whiley. distribution manager: Paul dixon.

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By supplying editorial or adverts to rutland Pride you accept in full the terms and conditions which can be found online at www.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.

Enjoy rutland Pride, read it cover to cover.

Pick it up, put it down and when you have finished with it pass it on. When everyone has had a good read, pop it in the recycle bin!

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Contents

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august 2015

A round-up of news and events on our wHaT’s On pages, with information from around Rutland and Stamford.

Remembering Rutland before the reservoir this month as our HisTORy pages explore the county’s lost village, Nether Hambleton.

Find out what’s in store at this year’s Rutland water based Birdfair event courtesy of celebrity birder Bill Oddie.

This is the perfect month to enjoy a spot of sailing On RuTland waTeR as we enlist the help of Ben Lulham to learn the basics.

Advice for SMEs this month as we profile the best accountancy & legal service and Business advisors in Rutland & Stamford.

Our fOOd & dRink section this month features local restaurants and fine wine tip-offs from Oakham’s Harish Khanderia.

Our love of local produce continues with a look at RuTland ReseRve, a premium local cider made by Mike Berry.

Our HOMes & gaRdens section this month features a beautiful barn conversion, and compelling ideas for your kitchen.

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County News Enjoy the flicks in Oakham as cinema returns to town Monthly cinema screenings will be restarting in Oakham’s Rutland County Museum and film fans are urging volunteers to join in the fun...

Rutland volunteers are being urged to come forward and make an Oakham Cinema a success, with Arts for Rutland planning to host cinema screenings in the county’s museum on the first Thursday of every month starting from September.

The group is working with Rutland County Museum and members of Catmose Film Club to bring screenings back to Oakham for the first time since 2012, which was when Live at the Museum was axed due to council budget cuts.

The idea has been spoken about in Arts for Rutland meetings for some time now but volunteers are needed to make it a reality.

Exotic Marigold Hotel which stars Judi Dench, Maggie Smith and Bill Nighy.

“We are working very hard to get something going and we think it’s something that will be well-received,” says Joy Everitt, Arts for Rutland treasurer. “It’s just so nice to be able to walk to the cinema and have a drink and it is something that would be of huge benefit to Oakham.”

“We would encourage anyone who is interested in helping out, either at the film nights or in the planning and marketing of the project.”

The first film to be screened will be The Second Best

Country Court Care Win Award

‘Bon Anniversaire’ for Stamford’s chocolate café...

Country Court Care providing care homes, won a prestigious award

Café au Chocolat celebrates its heureux premier anniversaire with special chocolates and patisserie

Country Court Care, who have care homes across the Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire, London and Somerset have won the Health Investor award for Residential Care Provider of the Year for the UK. The panel of expert judges were looking for the organisations and individuals that have made an outstanding contribution to the sector during 2014.

The Health Investor awards annually celebrate and recognise innovation and excellence by those investing in, operating or advising healthcare providers across the country.

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Café au Chocolat opened its’ doors for the first time twelve months ago. It is the inspiration of the owner Krystyna Szypryt whose background, upbringing and experiences have added to successfully establishing an original concept in the heart of Stamford appealing to her customers of all ages: a French style café offering speciality single origin coffees and eye catching pâtisserie, fine artisan chocolates and authentic French crêpes for eating in or out.

Gluten-free Buckwheat flour imported from France is used to make the savoury crêpes or galettes. Fresh croissants filled with a choice of savoury fillings are available daily for takeaway or delivery. n This is a café with a difference and there is something for everyone at Café au Chocolat. For more info, please visit www.cafeauchocolat.co.uk or give them a visit in Stamford.

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

Chater Choir is in fine voice...

medieval Heritage Festival

Chater Community Choir enjoyed another sell out concert in Uppingham Parish Church recently raising a grand total of £1,188 for local charities

medieval knights shone through the centre of Peterborough for the annual heritage festival recently, along with 300 costumed re-enactors...

Peterborough’s annual medieval event which last year attracted over 30,000 people to the city, featured a medieval joust in late June held twice daily on the Cathedral Green, the first time that such an event has been staged in the middle of a city centre in England since 1467.

Chater Community Choir managed to raise a total of £1,188.17 for the Wendy Gough Cancer Awareness Foundation which works to raise awareness of male cancers, particularly testicular cancer, in schools with young people and The Brain Tumour Charity, the UK’s largest dedicated brain tumour charity committed to helping sufferers.

The programme included a selection of popular and traditional favourites along with some solo items which delighted the audience on what turned out to be a warm summer evening.

“We were delighted to have had a sell-out concert and raise a substantial amount for our two chosen charities,” says Tracy Steward, Chater Choir Leader.

“Yet again our audience showed their backing for the various

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charities we decide upon supporting at each concert, meaning we have raised almost £7,000 since we formed in 2012.”

The choir recently sang at The Rutland Show in Rutland Pride’s marquee. Even though the weather was appalling, Chater Community Choir managed to put a smile on everyone’s faces.

New members are always welcome and do not have to audition and no experience is necessary.

Chater Community Choir allows anyone who enjoys singing to join in and is great that they can raise money for charities in need in the process. n For more information on joining the choir or finding out their next scheduled performances so you can see and support them, visit, www.chatercommunity choir.org.uk.

Visitors saw plate-armoured knights fight in a specially constructed arena, experiencing all the excitement of a medieval tournament. The knights taking part in the joust came from across Europe, and are some of the best in the world. Two of the knights were seen this year escorting the coffin of Richard III through the streets of Leicester as part of the funeral.

The Heritage Festival involved 300 costumed re-enactors from some of the country’s top living history groups at the end of June.

Joining in the festival were 30 local history societies, community groups and historic attractions, who were putting on displays to show off the best of the area’s heritage. The Children’s Zone provided an activity area for the kids with jesters, storytellers, games and activities on St John’s Square.

There were fun family activities too in the hands-on science marquee on Cathedral Square, as well as the chance to find out the story of local company Perkins Engines and the opportunity to share memories of it being in the city.

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NE W

Offers in the region of £1,100,000

STAMFORD, LINCOLNSHIRE

Set in an excellent central Stamford location, this splendid townhouse dates from 1765 and, along with its handsome façade, retains many fine Georgian features. The interior has elegant rooms, splendid proportions, high ceilings and casement sash windows and the extensive accommodation includes a self-contained one bedroom Coach House, a south-facing courtyard and a Garage. EPC Rating: Exempt.

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COLLYWESTON, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

PR ICE

£1,995,000

This out-standing period residence has a stunning façade, impressive reception rooms, and fine historic detail throughout the interior.

At the heart of the house is the Kitchen & Breakfast Room and adjoining light-filled Sitting Room where floor-to-ceiling windows open out to the terrace. The secluded west-facing gardens border open countryside, with panoramic views across the Welland Valley and there is the further benefit of a spacious separate Annexe, ideal for entertaining or as a guest suite. EPC Rating: Exempt.

Fine & Country 2 St. Mary’s Street, Stamford, Lincs PE9 2DE Telephone: (01780) 750200 Email: stamford@fineandcounty.com www.fineandcountry.com

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ÂŁ1,800,000

WOTHORPE, NR STAMFORD

Set in secluded mature gardens and immaculately presented throughout, this charming property combines period character with more recent updates including a stunning Kitchen & Breakfast Room, contemporary bathrooms and a Games Room opening out to a courtyard and swimming pool. The extensive accommodation includes a self-contained one bedroom Annexe with further potential for self-contained space within the house. EPC Rating: Exempt.

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YAXLEY, CAMBRIDGESHIRE

ÂŁ950,000

With rural views and wonderful access to the surrounding countryside this handsome house has many windows flooding the rooms with light and a semi-open plan layout with bespoke hand-made solid oak doors and impressive fireplaces. The house sits in secluded landscaped gardens and there is the further benefit of a pony paddock and twenty-one acres of agricultural land. EPC Rating: D.

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SEATON GRANGE

The Grange offers a unique combination of 4,500 sq ft of stylish accommodation and breathtaking countryside views perfectly positioned in a six acre plot.

GUIDE PRICE £1,350,000

• Five reception rooms

• Beautiful mature gardens

• Five bedrooms

• Large cellar

• Four bathrooms

• Five acre paddock (approx.)

• Open plan family kitchen

• EPC D

• Stunning panoramic country views

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Park House, Clipsham A Magnificent Conversion of Former Stables, Listed Grade II, on the Edge of this Sought after Rutland Village with Views over Open Parkland

GUIDE £1,325,000 • 3 Reception Rooms • 3 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms • 1 Bed Annexe, Offices • Outbuildings, Garages • Gardens - In All 0.95 Acre

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L

A a to

Thornhaugh £480,000

Positioned in a semi rural location off a no through road this well maintained and presented double fronted semi detached cottage offers 3 reception areas, kitchen breakfast room, utility and downstairs shower room. To first floor 3 double bedrooms and a bathroom. Many of the windows are specialist double glazed mullion windows and the property also benefits from oil central heating. Full planning permission granted for further extension to both ground and first floor to provide both living and bedroom/bathroom space. Westerly aspect landscaped gardens and detached triple garage with storage above. Offered with no chain.

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A gr an Tr

Stamford £475,000

Located in St Peter's Street, within the conservation area of Stamford, this period town house offers well proportioned rooms set on 3 floors. The entrance hall, the open plan study area/ kitchen/dining room and living room all have French doors leading out on to the south facing veranda and courtyard. Further accommodation comprises a separate office, cloakroom and utility to the ground floor. Landing leading to 2 double bedrooms both with ensuite bath/shower rooms to the first floor and on the second floor is a suite comprising leisure space/bedroom 3/ensuite bathroom. Many exposed timbers and period features. Gas fired heating.

O

Be ho op G

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LYDDINGTON Guide Price £800,000 A rare opportunity to acquire a Grade II Listed property which has been converted into two adjoining dwellings and offers potential to be reinstated to form a single substantial dwelling. Both properties occupy a prime position within one of Rutland most sought after villages enjoying delightful views over the village green, with gardens and grounds extending to approximately 0.57 acres and a range of outbuildings to the rear. EPC Exempt.

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0

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WEST DEEPING Asking Price £1,250,000 A unique, beautiful Grade II* Listed property within approx. 12 acres of magnificent gardens and grounds, with 3 Reception Rooms, 5 Bedrooms (one en-suite), a superb range of outbuildings and ancillary accommodation including: Work Shop with Green House and First Floor Gym/Store Room, Triple Garaging, Orangery, Stables, Wine Store. EPC exempt

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OLD DALBY Asking Price £425,000 Beautifully presented character property, sympathetically and tastefully modernised to offer a beautiful home which seamlessly combines period charm with modern comforts. Dining Room, Study, open-plan Sitting Room, Kitchen Area & Garden Room, 3 double Bedrooms, En suite, Feature Bathroom.

Garage, parking, lovely landscaped garden. Energy Rating TBC.

UPPINGHAM Asking Price £750,000 Beautiful secluded 5/6-bedroom detached house, situated down an exclusive, private drive with large south-facing gardens, overlooking open countryside while still being within a very short walk of the town centre. The property offers spacious, immaculately presented accommodation with stunning gardens backing onto fields. Energy Rating TBC.

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- HistorY oF rUtLand WatEr -

Rutland water is at the very heart of Rutland and helps to make the smallest county in the country look more prominent on the map.

After winning the title of the best place to live in Britain from the Sunday Times to the Halifax, Rutland is a very important yet small region of the UK. Rutland Water plays a key role to this being the epicenter of the county’s recreational activities from sailing to fishing to cycling. But how did it get here? Being a manmade reservoir, what happened to create the landmark of Rutland?

Well, relating back to the size of our county, Rutland Water became Europe’s largest manmade lake in the 1970s as the twin valleys of the River Gwash were flooded.

Rutland Water was conceived back in the 1960s to meet the needs of the quickly-expanding East Midlands. 64 sites in and around the Northamptonshire area were first looked at before the twin valleys of the River Gwash were chosen. The second choice was the Chater Valley, less than a mile away to the south of Rutland Water.

The main reasons for choosing the site, in addition to the location of the River Gwash, was the availability of clay in the reservoir area to build the dam, the proximity of the River Welland and the River Nene to supply the water required, and its central location to the surrounding villages and areas that require the water.

Still in the planning process, initially it was to be called Empingham Reservoir but local protests persuaded the authorities to change it to Rutland Water.

As you can imagine, not everyone in the county and surrounding areas were delighted at the idea of flooding a large area of prime agricultural land. A concerted campaign against the proposal started, especially from the farmers who were worried that they could lose all of their land and all of their livelihood.

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The fertile land which was about to be flooded had been farmed for thousands of years.

Archaeological investigations, both before and throughout the construction of the reservoir, revealed evidence of Roman farmsteads, which is not surprising when you consider that Great Casterton, the known location of an important Roman fort and town, is only a few miles south of the valley.

Sites of Iron Age hut circles, Saxon houses and cemeteries, and medieval

House, located right on the southern edge of what was to become Rutland Water, failed to reach its reserve at auction in 1924 and it was eventually demolished.

The adjacent stables survived and after being a prisoner of war camp in WWII, and later a farmer’s barns, they were eventually converted to a hotel thanks to their unique location on the south shore of Rutland Water; just one example of the reservoir’s economic benefits.

The Hidden Hamlet under

Rutland

WATER

the lost city of atlantis comes to mind when you look at the history of our county’s best feature. not realising the benefits the reservoir would bring to the county, protestors pleaded to stop the flooding of a small hamlet in the county called Words: Tilly Wilkinson nether Hambleton... dwellings and barns were also found.

Aerial photographs of the valley before flooding also show large areas of medieval ridge and furrow, certain evidence of strip farming methods being used.

Until the very early 20th century, most of the land in the valley was owned by a number of aristocratic families, particularly the Finch family, the Earls of Winchilsea and Nottingham, who lived at Burley on the Hill and the Heathcote family, the Earls of Ancaster, who lived at Normanton House.

Both estates were sold, but farming continued to be the main career of residents in the area. Normanton

St Matthews Church, the private chapel to the Normanton Estate, was lucky to have escaped demolition as it was below the high water line of the proposed reservoir. However, it was deconsecrated in 1970 and a trust was formed to try and ensure its preservation.

Various alternatives were considered but the adopted plan was to fill the lower half of the church to just below window level with limestone and rubble capped with concrete.

Externally, a bank had to be built to provide protection from the water, and a causeway had to be laid to provide access. It’s now the Water’s Museum and it’s a dominant feature in the

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Main: Photograph of Normanton House, the stately home owned by the Earls of Ancaster, demolished in 1924.

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Main: Normanton Church before it was deconsecrated and moved.

Above: The village was called Manton. The photo is said to have been taken around 1910.

Opposite/Right: An image of Beehive Cottage, known to be the oldest house in Rutland, sadly flooded with the making of Rutland Water.

Opposite/Bottom: Edna Locke was a resident at Middle Hambleton. You can see Lower Hambleton in the background of the photo.

Opposite/Middle: The hamlet itself that was flooded for the construction of Rutland Water.

Opposite/Top: Normanton Park, demolished before the construction started.

All photos supplied by the Rutland Local History & Record Society. Visit www.rutlandhistory.org for more information.

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- History of rutland Water -

“One of the most interesting facts about the hamlet is that it was home to Beehive Cottage, known to be the earliest property in the county...�

landscape at Rutland Water. Normanton Church as a building was saved, but inevitably other buildings were lost, including a number of farms and one entire village.

The hamlet of Nether Hambleton was a small community of houses and farms at the western end of the south arm of the proposed reservoir. It came as a surprise to the inhabitants on realising that they were to lose their homes. One of the most interesting facts about the hamlet is that it was home to Beehive Cottage, known to be the earliest property in the county.

Research from the Rutland Local History & Record Society has unearthed some other interesting stories about the people who once lived in the valley, going as far back as the 1300s.

A good example is the Weldon family of Nether Hambleton. An estate notebook of 1797 lists the houses and their occupants who were tenants of the Finch family of Burley on the Hill.

One house was occupied by Mrs Weldon. A cross was placed by her name with the note where you never go.

Further research revealed that her sons, Richard and William, murdered a baker from Edith Weston who was passing through the village. They received the death penalty for their

crime and their bodies were hung on a gibbet within sight of the family home.

Before the valley was flooded, a survey was carried out by the Local Natural History Society as there was great concern regarding the loss of the natural flora and fauna. Although these fears were well founded and habitats were lost, the construction of Rutland Water has resulted in the creation of extensive nature reserves which are attracting a number of endangered species, particularly the osprey. In fact it has provided one of the most important wild fowl sanctuaries in Great Britain.

The construction of Rutland Water started in 1971 and it nearly took five years for them to complete. The biggest task was to build the dam wall. This is made of compacted clay which was taken out of pits in the reservoir itself.

The dam is 35 metres high, up to 810 metres wide at its base, and 1200 metres long. All of the landscaping and the designing of Rutland Water, especially the dam, has been made as discreetly and as carefully as possible so the closest village, Empingham, has a scenic view which wasn’t compromised in the slightest by the dam. Rutland Water is still the picturesque landscape they created all those years ago. n For more about the history of our county, visit www.rutlandhistory.org.

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AWARD-WINNING

CARE

Oak House Care Home offers comfort and care for their clients, and nutritional health is central to this. the greetham home is trying to raise awareness of the issue to ensure residents receive the right amount of nutrition and hydration...

Words: Tilly Wilkinson.

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- Food -

nutrition and Hydration week is a collaboration between the National Association of Care Catering, the Hospital Caterers Association and NHS Patient Safety First. It was first established to help raise awareness of the importance of good nutritional care, which includes hydration, in all social and healthcare settings throughout the United Kingdom.

The week focused on providing vital advice and guidance to health and social professionals on the action that can be taken to help prevent under nutrition and dehydration.

Part of the week involved a chef event where three college students were mentored by the leading chefs in the sector, then challenged to produce a meal “Masterchef ” style to round off their placement within the sector.

Gaynor Pokorny from New College Nottingham was one of the chef students selected for the event and spent time at Oak House Residential Home in Greetham, mentored by Preston Walker, the kitchen manager.

“It was a real pleasure to mentor Gaynor, the Student Chef of the Year, at Oak House Care Home...”

The aim of the week was to illustrate how, by making positive changes to eating and drinking habits, people can improve their quality of life.

The benefit of the campaign to professionals and staff within social and healthcare settings was the preventative role they can play in catalysing a reduction in malnutrition related illnesses that often require complex treatments, prolong recovery periods and delay hospital discharges.

The judges were impressed with all the student chefs but awarded Gaynor, Nutrition and Hydration Week Student Chef of the Year. They went on to comment on Gaynor’s innovative cooking techniques and suitability of dishes for the sector.

“It was a real pleasure to mentor Gaynor,” says Preston. “I hope she has inspired other students to see healthcare as a rewarding career option. She really is a talent and we have all been impressed by her skills.”

find Out More: If you’re interested in finding out more about the Nutrition and Hydration week, visit the official website address below www.nutritionandhydrationweek.co.uk and visit the Oak House Care Home’s website www.oakhouse-carehome.co.uk.

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- BirdFair -

Rutland’s Birdfair on 21st - 23rd August this year, is often referred to as the birdwatcher’s Glastonbury and with attendees such as Bill Oddie and Chris Packham every year, it’s scheduled in many diaries. The smallest county in the country will attract thousands of enthusiasts looking to share knowledge and learn about the bird species so where’s better than Rutland Water, to indulge your ornithological excitement?

Bill Oddie, will be one of the many stars of the fair. From being a member of The Goodies to becoming a comedian, to developing his interest in birds an interest he had as a small child, Oddie has turned his hobby into a career. He’s gone from presenting BBC’s Springwatch, Autumnwatch, Bill Oddie Goes Wild, and various other nature shows to writing books on birds, and visiting conservation events such as Birdfair. He spent some of his time telling Pride about a career in ornithology, conservation and nature in addition to his past life as TV funny man.

So what triggered your initial interest in birdwatching and other conservation matters?

Rather bizarrely, being the age I am, it started when I was a child just after the war in the 1940s and 50s. Around this time, young school boys used to have the hobby of collecting bird’s eggs, unfortunately. I didn’t think much of this at the time and certainly didn’t expect it would lead to a career later on in life. That’s where my interest started and I guess where my skills began.

First of all, I was very careful. I didn’t want to disturb the nest too much when taking the eggs which doesn’t make what we did right but it meant I had some sort of respect for them.

I would spend hours in woodland or countryside. To do this, I had to learn the different calls and songs but most of all, I learnt the value of being patient and quiet. Frankly I believe that there’s far too much scaremongering so children aren’t allowed to explore for whole mornings or whole days like we used to do out in the wild.

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It’s only when you’re on your own or just with a couple of mates when you can really see things and learn things when birdwatching.

In addition to your keen interest in birds, how do you feel about the other areas of work you’ve been involved in?

It’s hard to choose which area of work would be the best because I’ve loved them all. I suppose one of the highlights

So you’ve been to many different locations across the globe. How does Rutland compare?

I go to Rutland every year. I believe I’ve only missed two Birdfairs in the 29 years it has been running. There have been other occasions where I’ve simply called in to the county as I know many significant people involved in Rutland Water. I’m no stranger to the county and it is absolutely picturesque. It feels

BILL’S ODYSSEY

From writing to presenting and joking to conservation, Bill Oddie is an oldie but a goodie. His interest in ornithology leads him to Rutland this month for the annual Birdfair of which he Words: Tilly Wilkinson. attends every year...

would be presenting live shows; I really enjoyed Springwatch and Autumnwatch.

I like live TV because you have to busk it to a certain extent. You have to just go with it, which is how the world runs.

One of the programmes I was presenting was fantastic. It was a whole series - six programmes - in America. I believe it was called Back in the USA and I really loved doing that. It wasn’t live but it meant I had to go to many different places in America some that I’d been to and some that I hadn’t. I loved the whole American feel in addition to the wildlife. I really enjoyed being there whilst doing something I really love.

The show was a great success.

quite a privilege when they ask me to visit for the opening of something at the reservoir. It’s nice to see how the place has developed and grown.

Do you miss being a member of The Goodies?

If I tried to do that now, I’d have a heart attack in two seconds! Physical comedy is like being a sportsman. It has high levels of intensity for an occupation.

There’s no danger of ‘missing it’ in that sense! At the same time, it was probably the only part of my life where my job would overwhelm everything. Graeme and I would write the scripts, the music, I had to record the music and this was all in addition to writing books and

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Goodie: Bill has gone from music and comedy to nature and conservation.

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- BirdFair -

“Eric Morecambe, inevitably would talk to me about birds as he was an enthusiast himself. We would never discuss comedy which was good...” tours and actually filming series. It was a brand name at the time really.

You’ve worked with many people throughout your career in addition to The Goodies. Who’s been the best people to work with?

To be perfectly honest I haven’t really dealt with many people who have been in the public eye. At the very start of The Goodies, we did a couple of shows which featured guest villains. I remember Milton Reid being good fun.

However, the biggest part of The Goodies for bumping into celebrities would be when we were rehearsing.

There’s a big BBC rehearsal block in North London and it wasn’t just us rehearsing there. We would see people like Morcambe and Wise, the Two Ronnies and Lulu for example. There were all the Top of the Pops staff there sometimes whom we made good friends with. It was nice to see them actually. Eric Morecambe, for example, inevitably started talking to me about birds as he was a big enthusiast himself. We would never discuss comedy which was nice because you’re able to talk about what you do offstage.

What do you feel has been your greatest achievement?

I think it has been very satisfying to have been a part in creating several programmes that people still remember and not only remember but talk to me about them. I’ve had people come up to me and say I was such a fan of yours, you changed my life. The programmes were part of people’s everyday life.

Things aren’t quite so ‘part of your life’ these days which is quite upsetting as everyone is now used to technology and television. There were about four shows that people approached me with. There was Sorry, I’ll Read that Again, a radio show, The Goodies of course and the Springwatch/Autumnwatch programmes.

Jazz FM surprisingly is another part of that list. I’ve recently been to a Jazz FM reunion of which I used to be a part of and people would say they’d listen to

my show every day. Doing things that become part of people’s lives is what I’m most proud of.

Are you planning on being involved in any programmes soon?

Well, actually I’ve been doing work with many NGOs (Non-Governmental Organisations) like the RSPB and the RSPCA which is all off-camera so I haven’t really been involved in filming and don’t plan to be. Most of my time is spent from opening nature reserves to giving environmental awards to meeting MPs in the House of Commons. There was a lot of that last year and there will be again this year with protests against the badger cull.

I don’t really like the word charity because it means something the government ought to do but manage to push all of the expenses onto the public but I do a lot of work to support ‘charities.’

Where can people find you around Rutland Water Nature Reserve during Birdfair?

Oh, I’ll be all over the place! I have two or three regular functions. I’m giving two or three presentations with people from the League Against Cruel Sports discussing the problem of Malta and other countries killing small birds in staggering numbers.

I always chair Bird Brain of Britain which is normally too serious in my opinion so I’ll try and sneak a few frivolous questions into that one. There’s also parts to Birdfair which you don’t really know about. You’ll hear on the tannoy Bill Oddie is going to be appearing in this tent and I don’t know anything about it. n Chris Packham, Nick Baker, Mike Dilger and Mark Carwardine will also star alongside Bill Oddie on the 21st, 22nd and 23rd of August as they discover this month’s Birdfair.

Look out for bird shows, book signings and talks. For more information, visit www.bird fair.org.uk or email them with the address callen@birdfair.org.uk.

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- Land roVEr BUrgHLEY HorsE triaLs 3rd - 6tH sEPtEmBEr

HURLEY

Burghley Words: rob davis. images: Kit Houghton and getty images

it’s onE oF tHE UK’s BEst EQUEstrian EVEnts, attraCting, on aVEragE, 160,000 Visitors oVEr FoUr ExHiLarating daYs. tHE Land roVEr BUrgHLEY HorsE triaLs rEtUrns to tHE CoUntY nExt montH Bringing WitH it WorLd CLass EVEnting atHLEtEs and an EstimatEd £20m oF WEaLtH to tHE LoCaL EConomY too...

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it’s one of the greatest events in the calendar for fans of world-class equine sportsmanship, for those who enjoy spending time in the countryside and those who love to shop.

You don’t have to love horses to love The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, and with a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, you’ll have a great deal of fun at this county’s biggest event by far when it returns to the area from 3rd-6th September.

200 acres of parkland and 60,000 man-hours put into the event’s organisation, let alone the year round administration that is required to stage this famous televised sporting event.

of horsemanship. Dressage, showjumping and cross country events test the mettle of top Olympic riders like last year’s winner, New Zealander Andrew Nicholson, who took the trophy for the fifth time, his third win on, the now famous grey, Avebury.

BUrgHLEY HorsE triaLs attraCts oVEr 160,000 sPECtators and PUts oVEr £20m into tHE LoCaL EConomY EaCH YEar. tHE EVEnt rEQUirEs oVEr 1,000 VoLUntEErs and stEWards, 200 aCrEs oF ParKLand and 60,000 man HoUrs

The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials attracts, on average, 160,000 spectators and puts over £20m into the local economy each year, with over 1,000 volunteers and stewards,

Beyond its numerical successes though, there’s the bragging rights that ensue from our area welcoming the world’s best riders to compete in one of the world’s toughest tests

Other celebrity riders to look out for at Burghley include William Fox-Pitt, Oliver Townend and Zara Phillips.

Beyond the equestrian excitement, The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials will also provide entertainment in the form of the event’s unofficial ‘Ladies’ Day’ on Thursday, and over 600 trade stands – open on all four days.

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- Land roVEr BUrgHLEY HorsE triaLs 3rd - 6tH sEPtEmBEr Meanwhile the competition itself comprises two dressage days, with regularity, rhythm of pace, obedience and calmness all qualities that judges demand from competitors. Saturday follows and is The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials’ most popular day, with a cross country course designed

by Capt. Mark Phillips, himself a Burghley veteran and Olympic medallist.

The 6,500m course has around 32 obstacles including water jumps and dramatic turns throughout the estate’s parkland, with skilled riders aiming for the magic figure of around 12 minutes for its completion.

Finally, Burghley’s showjumping element is a test of each horse’s stamina after the previous days’ competition element.

With a first prize of £63,000 and with Burghley alongside Badminton and Kentucky (USA) - part of the ‘Rolex Grand Slam’ of eventing, the test is as challenging as the sport will permit, meaning visitors can expect the very highest standard of competition and plenty of excitement and drama.

“2014 was one of the most popular years yet, with in excess of 166,000 visitors passing through the gates across

Right: The event is a test of world-class horsemanship with dressage, cross country and showjumping elements all testing the stamina and discipline of all the equine competitors.

Below: The Burghley Horse Trials are as much about having a great time and seeing the VIPs of the eventing world as they are a demonstration of first class sportsmanship.

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- EVENTS -

the four days of competition,” says Event Director Elizabeth Inman. “We’re really proud that the event is recognised as a major International equestrian and social event in the Autumn sporting calendar.”

Whether you’re a follower of eventing, or not, or you’re looking for a day enjoying the event’s famous trade stands, fashions and entertainment, there’s plenty to enjoy at the world class event, one that’s eagerly anticipated by local Burghley fans as well as those from much further afield. n The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials takes place from 3rd-6th September. To take advantage of advance ticket discounts, call the Box Office on 01933 304744 or visit the event’s website at www.burghley-horse.co.uk.

“SaTurday iS ThE LaNd roVEr BurghLEy horSE TriaLS’S moST popuLar day, wiTh a croSS couNTry courSE dESigNEd By capTaiN mark phiLLipS, himSELf a BurghLEy VETEraN aNd oLympic mEdaLLiST...”

Above: Event Director Elizabeth Inman is gearing up for a successful event.

Above: Last year’s winner was Andrew Nicholson (NZL) on Avebury.

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4/5 Star Self-Catering Accommodation in Rutland

Book Online or Call: Two Nights, Weeks or Fortnights.

Rutland

Luxury

Lodges

Park Lane, Greetham, Rutland LE15 7FN

Call now on 01572 813520 www.rutlandluxurylodges.co.uk

Each with: Private Gardens • Hot Tubs • Saunas • Luxury Kitchens • • Outdoor Furniture • One or Two Bedrooms • Use of Swimming Pool

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What’s On wOOdCaRving week

Find out what’s on this month with events hosted by many different venues across the county. From theatre to summer sundays, there’s always something to see or do in the county of rutland...

Monday 10th august This summer school is perfect for anyone who has taken an introductory course and would like to gain a greater understanding of the woodcarver’s art. You’ll learn all about tool care and timbers for carving sculptures.

01572 813 200 www.barnsdalegardens.co.uk

BjöRn again BuRgHley filM fesTival saturday 1st august With Burghley House as the spectacular backdrop, five days and nights of fabulous films will be showing for the annual Film Festival. For full list of movies and prices, visit their website.

01780 752451 www.burghley.co.uk

siMOn & gaRfunkel sTORy saturday 1st august The Live at Kilworth event running at Kilworth House Theatre will feature the Simon & Garfunkel Story. It tells the tale of how two young boys from New York went on to become the most successful music duo.

01858 881881 www.kilworthhouse.co.uk

THe HOllies aT kilwORTH sunday 2nd august One of Britain’s best loved groups, The Hollies, are renowned for their vocal harmony. They will perform their classics at Kilworth House Theatre like The Air That I Breathe, Long Cool Woman, In a Black Dress and He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother.

01858 881939 www.kilworthhousetheatre.co.uk

- THEATRE sHakesPeaRe’s RiCHaRd iii sunday 9th august One of Shakespeare’s most famous works, Richard III, is set to bring The Curve to life this month. The play follows the rise to power of this very misunderstood king with treason, treachery, passion and murder.

Tickets from £12.50.

info@livepromotions.co.uk www.livepromotionsconcerts.co.uk

PeT exPeRienCe day

www.curveonline.co.uk

sunday 16th august Join Sacrewell Farm this August for their pet experience day. As part of their pet experience day they’ll be judging rabbits, rodents and guinea pigs and will also have a photo competition for cats and dogs.

sweeT CHaRiTy

01780 782254 www.sacrewell.org.uk

01332 207570

wednesday 19th august The National Youth Music Theatre presents this classic 1966 musical.

Wonderful songs, matched with great choreography, include Big Spender, If My Friends Could See Me Now, Too Many Tomorrows, and There’s Gotta Be Something Better Than This.

01332 207570 www.curveonline.co.uk

inTO THe wOOds wednesday 19th august Recently a critically acclaimed motion picture starring Meryl Streep, the performers of KYT are going into the woods to bring you this staple of Musical Theatre storytelling back to its roots in the live and intimate environment of Key’s Main House.

01733 207239 www.vivacity-peterborough.com

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saturday 15th august The fantastic tribute band to Abba, Björn Again are performing at Rutland Water soon thanks to Live Promotions. They’ll be playing classic hits including Mamma Mia.

COTTesMORe MiliTaRy wives

sunday 16th august The Military Wives Choir Foundation charity was created after the Number One single, which raised over half a million pounds. There will be VE Day celebrations with the Military Wives Choir at the Stamford Corn Exchange this month.

01780 766455 www.stamford-corn-exchange.co.uk

BiRdfaiR in RuTland

friday 21st august Often referred to as the birdwatcher’s glastonbury, Birdfair encompasses the whole spectrum of the birdwatching industry whilst at the same time supporting global bird conservation. This is the event of the year if you're into birds and wildlife.

01572 771079 www.rutlandwater.org.uk

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

PRide & PRejudiCe aT PeTwOOd

sunday 23rd august Chapter House Theatre are performing a selection of shows across the county soon including Pride and Prejudice, an incredible Jane Austen story, at the Petwood.

01526 352411 www.petwood.co.uk

disCOveRing BaTs

sunday 30th august Join Rutland Water Nature Reserve for an afternoon and evening learning about the fascinating species of bats. The workshop on British bats will include a guided bat walk to listen and identify bats using bat detectors.

01572 771079 www.rutlandwater.org.uk

BuRgHley fine fOOd MaRkeT saturday 30th & 31st august This is a food market with a difference. Come and meet more than 30 local suppliers in a celebration of local produce with handmade cheeses, artisan breads, organic vegetables, luxury sweet treats and rare breed meats at one of the three seasonal Fine Food Markets.

01780 752451 www.burghley.co.uk

PigeOns faRM saturday 1st - 31st august There’s plenty of summer fun at Pigeons Farm throughout the month with baby rabbits, guinea pigs, chicks and more. Enjoy tractor rides and the indoor and outdoor play areas.

01733 271020 www.pigeonsfarm.co.uk

- SUMMER SUNDAYS MaTTHew Biggs Talk

sunday 2nd august A special day of informal walks and talks hosted by BBC broadcaster Matthew Biggs. Matt will be touring the Gardens to discover the interesting species that you might otherwise miss.

gaRden Of deligHT

sunday 23rd august Enjoy Barnsdale Gardens as you listen to live music and short stories on Sunday 23rd August. It adds another dimension to walking around Barnsdale.

THe gOOd, Bad & ugly

sunday 9th august Learn about the insect friends and foes you’ll find in the garden. Build a bug hotel, join a moth expert or have a go at pond dipping.

suMMeR veg weekend saturday 15th & 16th august If you love growing your own food then Barnsdale is the place to be this weekend.

They’ll be opening up the productive areas that are normally off-limits to visitors, and the expert growers will be available.

aRTs and CRafTs TasTeR

sunday 30th august Meet the tutors of Barnsdale’s craft courses and gain a better understanding of what arts and crafts you can get involved in at the gardens. Enhance your knowledge on the courses available.

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- saiLing in rUtLand -

All Plain

SAILING

this month we discover that few experiences can beat the exhilaration of sailing. From the spray on your face to the blend of both exertion and meditation that comes from taming the wind to make it do your bidding. Best of all, Rutland water offers world class facilities that even complete beginners can take advantage of...

we’ve all enjoyed Rutland water. We’ve enjoyed the scenery, the walks, the nature and restaurants around its perimeter. In the distance we’ve enjoyed the familiar sight of lofty triangles, all gliding in unison, collectively cutting a Pythagorean swathe across the water.

It’s easy to take the sight for granted, but the 3,000 acre, 4.5 square mile water, with its 124 million square metres of water provides those who enjoy sailing with world class facilities on which to practise their sport to Olympic standard. That, and the sheer expanse of water, can intimidate those who have always wondered what it would be like to experience sailing for themselves, but Rutland Sailing School is determined that the activity should be available to all, and the county’s best ambassador for sailing is the School’s principal, Ben Lulham.

Rutland Sailing Club was established in 1975, soon after the water itself was created, with the Sailing School the training arm of Rutland Sailing Club who is affiliated to The Royal Yachting Association. The Club itself hosts over 50 competitions each year, and has over 800 memberships, with 500 boats measuring from six to 26 feet kept on the 13 acre site, plus somewhere in the region of 100 moorings on site for larger craft.

“My aim, ultimately, is to make sure people can make the most of the site and can really get to know the water,” says Ben. “We teach somewhere in the region of 250 adults and around 300 children to sail here each year.

We want people to learn to sail and to stay in the club.”

Sail Away: Rutland Sailing School is affiliated to the Edith Weston Club. It was established in 1975 soon after the reservoir was constructed and now teaches over 250 adults and 300 juniors to sail each year.

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The activity is popular with the young and not so young alike, but one of its real successes is the Ladies Who Launch group ladies from 18-70 who enjoy the social side of sailing.

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“noW, it’s aLL aBoUt EsCaPism For mE. tHErE’s a rEaL Bond WHEn WE mEEt UP EaCH satUrdaY, and WitH a WidE rangE oF PEoPLE taKing Part it’s good EsCaPism From FamiLY LiFE and oUr BUsinEss.” Above: The School’s Principal Ben Lulham claims to be able to have even novices enjoying the water in under an hour.

“I definitely didn’t come here wanting to sail,” says Val, one of the group’s keenest members. “I wasn’t a natural and hadn’t been on the water before, but it was fun, and unusual. I think the fact that I found it difficult at first was the thing that kept me interested, it was a challenge, and a challenge that took me out of my comfort zone.”

“Now, it’s all about escapism for me. There’s a real bond when we meet up each Tuesday and Friday morning, and with a wide range of people taking part, it’s a good release from family life and from running our business.”

Rutland Sailing School employs two full time instructors, as well as part time instructor

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for the busy summer, teaching anyone from the age of seven to sail regardless of ability or whether they’ve been in a sailing boat before.

“For the complete novice we run our RYA Introduction to Sailing courses; a sort of taster day. Sometimes these are purchased as gift vouchers, or by people around the county who have seen the boats and wondered what the fuss is all about.”

“These are one to one courses (or two-to-one for couples or friends), and they include three hours with an instructor,” says Ben. “We can usually have someone who has never sailed before on the water, sailing, within 45 minutes.”

Tuition covers water safety, terminology of sailing and the craft itself, then the principles of sailing followed by the practical part of the lesson. Initially, both students learning to sail and members of the club use dinghies – the smallest and simplest of craft - but at the club it’s possible to progress to multihulls and keelboats, which have weighted keels stopping them capsizing. During our visit, wind speed was a breezy 10 knots, but the club permits sailing

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HOw TO TRy sailing yOuRself...

Rutland sailing school has a number of opportunities to discover sailing, whether you’re seven, or 70...

within anything from 2-25 knots, which allows sailing about 90% of the year.

quickly enthralled, reporting that it’s a refreshing way to spend time.

Wetsuits and buoyancy aids mean that even if you’re not a strong swimmer, safety is paramount and in fact, if you’re slightly timid in the water, it’s a great way to conquer your nerves.

“Because there are no engines, motors or gadgets, it’s a meditative activity,” says Ben.

One of the lessons taught to beginners, is the right way to overcome a capsize – an event which sounds dramatic but becomes more of an inconvenience once you’re familiar with the technique for correcting one.

Learning how to launch the craft then stop, start and turn, then mastering tacking (turning the boat through the wind) and gybing (turning away from the wind) are all part of the taster session, and with no electronics anywhere on board, novices are

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“I think that’s the inherent pleasure.

You definitely need to concentrate and because you’re focusing on what you’re doing - because there’s no room in your mind for anything else - it’s a way of putting work, family or anything else that’s on your mind to the back of your mind, so it’s a strangely relaxing activity given its nature.”

“We’ve such a brilliant resource here, and it’s so important to make the most of it,” adds Ben. “Age or experience is irrelevant; we reach people from seven to 70, and it’s always a pleasure to show how enjoyable sailing can be, especially in our part of the world!”

n Taster session three hours learning how to sail a dinghy or catamaran with no previous experience or equipment required. one to one or tuition in pairs, £125/day. n Rya level 1/2 Four day course which can be taken over half or full days, covering most aspects of sailing incl rYa start sailing handbook, and certificate; £595. n Cygnets & swans + kids (under 16s) taster sessions from £105 or structured week courses from £305.

Rutland sailing school is part of Rutland sailing Club. To find out more, call Principal Ben lulham on 01780 721999, visit the school at gibbetts lane, Oakham, Rutland le15 8Hj or see www.rutlandsailingschool.co.uk.

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Business News For premier printed material ‘think digital’

Think digital Print is celebrating 12 years as Rutland’s premier print and design specialist by expanding its premises and its services.

Based in Station Approach, Oakham, Think Digital Print’s owners Nicky Bartram and Pete Halliday have 50 years combined design, print and finishing experience. Since they opened their doors in 2003, they have earned a reputation for quality and service.

Nicky said: “We’re delighted to be celebrating our 12th anniversary by expanding our services even further.”

“Our extended premises have enabled us to expand our finishing department and we can now offer some exciting new finishes to enhance our print.

a law firm with a reputation for established excellence stamford and oakham based law firm offers the full range of legal services, achieving the best possible results for clients...

Hegarty solicitors is a thriving law firm with offices in Oakham, Stamford and Peterborough. They have a reputation for excellence and a firm focus on achieving the best results possible for their clients. They offer a wide range of legal services to both the commercial and private sectors.

There are milestones and challenges in the lifecycle of every corporate organisation: formation, expansion, succession. Then there are the ups and downs of everyday business life, from disputes and problem employees to the incredible commercial opportunities. Whatever stage your business is at, our expert lawyers are on hand to make sure you are protected from unnecessary risks. Great opportunities do not wait for

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We are fully equipped to cope with short-run or bespoke jobs, high-volume print runs and can even offer 24-hour turnaround (or faster!) on some jobs if required.”

“Personal service has been a key factor in Think Digital’s success.

We are proud to have built longlasting relationships with our customers over the years. We love our clients to call in and see us – or we’ll happily visit them.

There’s no substitute for face-toface contact. Our customers businesses vary significantly in size and we can find a solution to fit any budget to ensure customer satisfaction – that’s what our business is built on!” n To find out more about Think Digital Print call 01572 770022 or see think-digital-print.co.uk.

professional advisors who are slow to react. When you instruct them, you get lawyers who understand the commercial realities; lawyers who are clear-thinking, straight-talking and who work with you to meet your objectives, no matter how tight the deadline or how complex the solution.

So whether you are just starting out or have an already established business, they will give you sound legal advice to help you achieve your main commercial objectives.

Thier clients go to them because of their established name and their reputation for excellence; they stay with them because they get the best results. n For more information see www.hegarty.co.uk or call 01780 752066 for their Stamford Office.

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send your business news to: tilly@pridemagazines.co.uk.

Celebrating 80 years of success with a stamford opening...

Helping businesses move forward, accelerating growth...

Bulley davey provide accountancy and tax advice services from their new stamford satellite office

Business improvement and growth acceleration service provides ‘light bulb moments’ for companies

Bulley davey, a local firm of chartered certified accountants and tax advisers, celebrates 80 years of successful trading this year and continues to expand, including recently opening a new office in Stamford.

They operate throughout East Anglia, working closely within their communities to ensure the services they provide are cost effective, high value solutions which meet the financial needs of their clients. The service they provide will give you the peace of mind that you are receiving accurate advice specific to your personal objectives.

Whether advising on the efficient management of your tax affairs, guiding you through the increasing legislation that surrounds accounts preparation or completing and filing income

tax returns on your behalf, the Bulley Davey team is here to assist. They also have a number of dedicated specialist teams dealing with a range of matters such as insolvency, business recovery, corporate finance and wealth management.

Employing some 100 staff, they have the knowledge and capability to manage any financial requirement without losing the personal touch. They offer a bespoke service, with high levels of director involvement and look beyond the basic compliance routine with the aim to add real value to their clients’ businesses.

They aim to build genuine relationships and have a proactive approach in helping their clients’ achieve their business goals. n Visit www.bulleydavey.co.uk or call 01733 569494.

duncan & Toplis have launched a new Business Improvement & Growth Acceleration (BIGA) service to give businesses a fresh pair of eyes and provide those light bulb moments that help organisations to move forward.

The service is being provided in association with Alison Rex of Rex Associates and provides, a structured review of current operations, a bespoke report on the business, and a very clear implementation of the plan of action.

“Even successful businesses often need fresh impetus or a new way of looking at things,” said Damon Brain, a Director at Duncan & Toplis. “Are there ways to do things differently in your business, or are there opportunities to launch new products and services?”

“Our Business Improvement &

Growth Acceleration service aims to help you find that extra gear by conducting an independent review of your business and working with you to provide an achievable plan to facilitate the next phase of your growth.”

“Our three-step plan will provide an objective evaluation and will ensure you have the answers you need and can move forward with confidence and a clear strategy in place.”

Alison Rex added: “With the daily pressures of working in a business it can be difficult to find time to plan and achieve business development and growth. Just a few hours with us can make all the difference. n For more info about Duncan & Toplis’s BIGA service email businessgrowth@duntop.co.uk.

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to view and purchase photographs from the Event visit www.pridemagazines.co.uk

Anna’s Hope 2015: The Fairy Ball event, at the Haycock Hotel

The ninth charity ball hosted by Anna’s Hope, a children’s brain tumour charity, was such a success recently being held at the Haycock Hotel near Wansford. Tickets went on sale for £70 and 230 guests attended. In addition to this, there were raffles and auctions throughout the evening raising a grand total of £32,500! Carole Hughes, founder and trustee of Anna’s Hope, was thrilled with the money raised and said that it was a very special evening.

“We want to give a big thank you for the people who continue to support and follow the charity as they’ve grown with it,” says Carole and husband Robert. “We have such generous sponsors and we want to thank people for donating gifts to the auctions and raffles for the night.” n To find out more about the charity, visit www.annas-hope.co.uk and please donate to such a brilliant charity.

Feature your event in our magazine.

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

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Purchase photographs from this event online.

Visit www.pridemagazines.co.uk.

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to view and purchase photographs from the Event visit www.pridemagazines.co.uk

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Feature your event in our magazine.

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

1 - Rutland Pride AUG 157_Layout 2 06/07/2015 13:52 Page 49

Purchase photographs from this event online.

Visit www.pridemagazines.co.uk.

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GREAT ExPECTATIONS this month we’ve great expectations for a luxury restaurant with literary connections. Rushton Hall is a country house hotel with superb dining opportunities and plenty of attractions to enjoy nearby...

Words & Images: Rob Davis.

The great Hall of Kettering’s Rushton Hall is large, bright, and impressive. It’s the antithesis of the room in Dickens’s Great Expectations in which Miss Havisham was due to celebrate her wedding. Nonetheless, the very room in which I stood was said to have been the author’s inspiration for the room in the haunted broken woman’s Satis House.

The property was built in the 1430s, extended in 1630 and was in the ownership of Clara Clarke-Thornhill in the mid-1800s, when her friend, Dickens, visited her often. It was converted into a hotel in 2003 and today it boasts 46 bedrooms, a spa and one of the most visually impressive fine dining experiences we’ve enjoyed for a long while, just 30 minutes from Oakham.

Our first impressions were helped by the beautiful bright sunshine which illuminated the building’s local stone.

Main Course: Aberdeenshire beef fillet with smoked beef cheek.

With three AA rosettes for its fine dining we had our own great expectations, but even these were surpassed as we were led into the impressive great hall.

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Left: Lemon mousse with meringue, curd and basil sorbet.

Opposite: Pan fried cod with crushed potatoes, asparagus, peas, pancetta and gem.

“A brigade of nine chefs ensures plenty of time and effort are invested in each cover, with all of the bread, ice creams, sorbets and petits fours created in house and amuse bouches served at the start of each meal...”

enjoying an aperitif in the great hall, diners are seated in the wood panelled dining room with its comfortable furnishings, a large stone fireplace and candlelight, overlooking the hotel’s courtyard.

Villeroy & Boch crockery and starched white linens assure attention to detail is maintained. If the venue isn’t granted a Michelin star we’d be surprised - both the setting and the restaurant’s food are, in our opinion, commensurate with the award.

Above: Welsh goats cheese mousse with beetroot and chicory.

Below: Salmon ballotine with poached rillette and gin & tonic jelly.

Dining takes place in the hotel’s wood panelled Tresham Restaurant, with its 38 covers, or in one of two private dining rooms.

The Great Hall provides a lunch menu served 12-1pm Monday to Saturday and afternoon teas seven days a week, but the hotel’s table d’hôte fine dining menu and the restaurant itself is reserved for evening service from 7-9pm seven days with an additional Sunday Lunch menu available too.

A brigade of nine chefs ensures plenty of time and effort are invested in each cover, with all of the bread, ice creams & sorbets and petits fours created in house. Amuse bouches are served before each meal and all of the pastries for the afternoon teas are created by a dedicated team.

The menu comprises six starters, six main courses and six desserts, priced at £55/head, with no supplements. After

The area’s best artisan suppliers are well-represented, with three local companies charged with the responsibility of providing local cheeses, Aubrey Allen butchers provide locally reared meat and Pickled Village supply jams and chutneys. Veg arrives via local farmers, and the hotel even uses a professional forager, who provides really specialised ingredients like wild sorrel, nettles, samphire and penny wort.

Adrian Coulthard is the head chef with seven years of provenance at Rushton Hall.

During our visit he prepared six dishes for our consideration, including two starters of salmon ballotine and an organic Welsh goats cheese mousse.

Presentation lived up to expectation, with home made gin & tonic jelly and celery sorbet for the former and a timbale of beetroot and a foam expression on the latter.

Our main courses of 28-day Aberdeenshire beef fillet with smoked beef cheek and pan fried cod with asparagus and pancetta were both beautifully presented.

To accompany, there’s a very extensive wine list, carefully compiled, with advice available from restaurant manager and the hotel’s sommelier. Our chosen accompaniments were a Pouilly Fumé and a 2003 Burgundy, both around the £50 mark.

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“Flawless chefcraft, well-judged flavours and beautiful presentation combined to ensure an excellent fine dining experience...” was attentive without being obtrusive, ensuring an experience that can quite legitimately claim fine dining status.

As part of an overnight stay, guests in the hotel’s flagship four-poster rooms enjoy probably the nicest hotel rooms we’ve seen for years with lots of space, soaring bed canopies, dedicated lounge areas and very large, beautifully appointed bathrooms.

A dedicated spa in the former stableblock provides plenty of opportunities for a relaxing spa break, whilst no fewer than 17 stately homes within a 30 minute radius of the hotel ensure that the hospitality of Rushton Hall can easily be combined with a Saturday visit... especially given that the hotel isn’t too far away; just half an hour from Oakham.

Desserts are a real treat, with our ‘deconstructed’ lemon meringue pie featuring piped mini meringues and a tuile, then a globe of English strawberries and cream which included crushed pistachios and a zesty homemade sorbet.

Flawless chefcraft, well-judged flavours and beautiful presentation combined to ensure an excellent dining experience whilst service 54

“We’ve deliberately limited the fine dining menu to the restaurant, and ensured that only evening service takes place there,” says the hotel’s Tom Gilbert. “In doing so, we’ve preserved a dining experience that provides a really high quality, enjoyable visit, one that all of our guests thoroughly enjoy.”

We second that, and though we arrived at Rushton Hall with great expectations, we leave extremely satisfied, highly recommending the hotel’s very beautiful dining experience.

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Sample Menu Prix Fixe £55/three courses including amuse bouche... startErs salmon 50oc ballotine of smoked salmon with poached rillette, gin & tonic jelly, celery sorbet and walnut crumb. guinea Fowl Guinea fowl & foie gras pressing with burnt apple and pain d’epices. scallops Seared hand dived king scallops with cauliflower raisins and curry.

mains Beef 28 day hung Aberdeenshire beef fillet with smoked beef cheek with mushroom, tomato and sauce bearnaise.

Pork Roasted loin of pork with brawn pressing and a black pudding bon-bon, served with gnocchi, apple and crackling. turbot Seared fillet of turbot with cockle broth and smoked salmon tortellini.

PUdding strawberries English strawberries and cream with pistachio, gel and sorbet.

Lemon Lemon mousse, meringue curd and basil sorbet.

Chocolate Valrhona chocolate with white chocolate sorbet.

Cheeseboard Selection of British artisan cheeses.

Rushton Hall, Rushton, northamptonshire nn14 1RR Tel: 01536 713001 web: www.rushtonhall.com 55

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MORE THAN JUST A GOLF COURSE NOT JUST A VENUE, WE’RE A VERSATILE LOCAL DESTINATION WHICH SUITS YOUR LIFESTYLE...

Wood Lane, Greetham, Oakham, LE15 7SN

hotel • holiday lodges and cottage • dining • golf • weddings • gym physiotherapy and holistic health clinic • functions and meetings

Telephone: 01780 460444

www.greethamvalley.co.uk

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ABOVE PAR

DINING With enviable views across the reservoir and a superb collection of dishes Rutland water golf Course provides quality dining way beyond what you’d usually expect from the 19th hole, and this month there’s even more to enjoy with a brand new courtyard and artisan pizza oven... some time ago I added golf to an already extensive list of sports I’m simply no good at. I can certainly see the attraction; the fresh air, the opportunity to enjoy a long walk around beautifully maintained grounds and in the case of Rutland Water Golf Club, spectacular views too.

The appeal of the club’s adjacent Courtyard restaurant goes beyond provision of the 19th hole and will definitely appeal to both golfers and non-golfers alike. It’s a quality restaurant in its own right, ideal for those seeking lunchtime/evening dining, with the bonus of enviable views over the reservoir and the option to dine outdoors too.

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Main Course: Ballottine of chicken with wild mushrooms, wrapped in Parma ham served with seasonal vegetables and a wild mushrooms sauce.

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Left: Handmade ‘gourmet’ burger with beer-battered onion rings and hand-cut chips.

Below: Fish and chips with homemade tartare sauce and mushy peas.

“There’s additional choice for diners in the form of a sharing board, with around 10 options creating either nibbles over a glass of wine or to create a tapas style lunch selection...”

dedicated menu. Once the courtyard’s pizza oven is up and running as Pride goes to press, the team - headed up by Gemma Wood, Matthew Williamson and Head Chef Dan Ketteringham - are also planning to hold a dedicated pizza evening on Thursdays from 5pm.

Below: One of the restaurant’s forthcoming wood-fired artisan pizzas.

There’s an additional option for diners of our sharing board, which include 10 choices from Lincolnshire sausages to whitebait, to asparagus wrapped in Parma ham, these delightful bites are best served with a chilled glass of Pinot Grigio on the restaurant’s terrace, enjoying the panoramic waterside views.

In addition to the main à la carte offerings on the blackboards there’s also a dedicated clubhouse bar menu and private dining available with bespoke menus in the first floor function room overlooking the golf course.

Starter options from this month will continually change, but will usually include dishes like chicken liver parfait, moules marinières and tempura king prawns.

Originally part of a farming estate, the golf course was an exercise in diversification with a par three course established in 1992 and extended in 2002 to create the Normanton 18 hole championship course.

2008 saw an improved clubhouse creating the Courtyard restaurant, and during our visit, work was approaching completion to renovate the eponymous courtyard outdoors, to improve facilities for the weddings and other social functions held there, and to install a new pizza oven for the creation of al fresco artisan pizzas, breads and other dishes. Dining in the restaurant is casual, rather than formal, but quality is unsurpassed and there’s a good selection of dishes displayed on a daily-changing blackboard with around five or six main courses alone.

Service takes place seven days a week until 9pm. Except Sundays & Mondays finishing at 5pm. There’s also an additional Sunday lunch service from noon to 3pm with a

By way of main courses, we tried the ballottine of chicken with wild mushrooms, wrapped in Parma ham served with seasonal vegetables, fondant potato and a wild mushroom sauce.

This is incidentally one of the favoured dishes for many of the weddings the course caters for each year.

We also sampled the club’s handmade ‘gourmet’ burger with beer-battered onion rings and chunky hand-cut homemade chips, also we would recommend the beer battered cod and chip’s served with mushy peas and a homemade tartare sauce.

Dan also showed off his forthcoming woodfired pizza of goat’s cheese, Parma ham and caramelised onion. Dan says the restaurant will have around five versions with a couple

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“The vision we had was to create somewhere truly beautiful, where people could sit and enjoy morning coffee, lunch or a sharing board and just enjoy the view.” well as recognised suppliers, with names like Nelsons Butchers and Tur Langton’s Paul Reid Vegetables.

The restaurant also has the bonus of the family’s Lodge farm being adjacent to the course.

From the farm the course is able to obtain the very freshest Rutland asparagus, strawberries and cold-pressed rapeseed oil.

of meat, fish and a vegetarian option for diners to choose from.

The restaurant’s provision goes beyond what you’d expect from a clubhouse attached to a golf club with very high quality dishes and lots of attention to detail.

Bread for example is baked in house and desserts such as our assiette of strawberries are all prepared with local ingredients as 62

“We’ve really tried hard to create a place that both golfers and non-golfers alike will enjoy,” says Gemma. “We live in a great area of the country with some spectacular scenery and each morning when I come to work I still look out at the view and smile.”

“The vision we had was to create somewhere truly beautiful, where people could sit and enjoy a relaxing breakfast, morning coffee, lunch or evening meal and just take in the view.” The team certainly have done just that. Whilst my golfing talent - or lack of same - remains unchanged, we can’t recommend a visit to Rutland Water Golf Course highly enough this summer, regardless of whether you enjoy the sport.

It’s a local dining experience which really is above par.

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Sample Menu sHaring Board £15/two diners, £30/four diners A selection of Whitby breaded scampi, Lincolnshire sausages, vegetable spring rolls, Greek salad, whitebait, beer-battered onion rings, tempura king prawns, asparagus spears wrapped in Parma ham.

mains Ballotine of Chicken £14.95 Ballotine of chicken stuffed with wild mushrooms, wrapped in Parma ham with seasonal vegetables, fondant potato and a wild mushroom sauce. ‘gourmet’ Burger £9.50 Hand-made beef burger with beer-battered onion rings and chunky hand-cut oven chips.

Beer-Battered Cod & Chips Beer-battered fish with hand-cut chips and mushy peas.

£9.95

Pizza From £10.00 Selection of wood-fired pizzas including Goat’s cheese, Parma ham, caramelised onion and rocket.

dEssErts assiette of strawberries Assiette of strawberries pannacotta, Pimm’s jelly, and strawberry smoothie.

6.50

Rutland water golf Course, lodge farm, Manton Rd, edith weston, Oakham, Rutland le15 8HB Tel: 01572 737149 web: www.rutlandwatergolfcourse.co.uk 63

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SUMMER DINING...

Now the weather is getting better come and dine in our lovely gardens NEW SUMMER MENU NOW AVAILABLE

SUNDAY LUNCHES £21.95 for 3 courses in restaurant only.

Bar meals also available.

OPEN TO NON RESIDENTS Lunch Monday to Saturday 12 noon – 2.30pm, Dinner 6pm – 9.30pm. Food served all day Sunday, last orders 7.45pm

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The In-Cider Story FiVE YEars ago, miKE BErrY CrEatEd rUtLand’s VErY oWn Brand oF CidEr. a YEar ago HE addEd to tHis a rangE oF FrUit FLaVoUrEd CidErs. noW, HE’s rEVEaLing a PrEmiUm ProdUCt EmPLoYing tHE METHOd CHAMPENOISE. tHis montH WE gain tHE in-CidEr storY on tHE CoUntY’s most rEFrEsHing sUmmEr tiPPLE… Cider is enjoying a posh renaissance. It’s no longer the poor cousin to artisanal craft beers and with the advent of fruit ciders in particular, more people are discovering a refreshing way to enjoy a new take on an ancient summer tipple this season.

It’s a product that has, in recent years, reinvented itself, growing up and becoming more upmarket a world away from mass-produced cider brands - also emerging from the shadows of the real ale movement.

This year, the company released its Rutland Reserve cider, a more expensive, truly exceptional local cider and one of - if not the only local cider in the UK to be created using the méthode champenoise process of secondary fermentation.

over the past five years – Mike, Andrew Craig and Drew Sandham are still able to ensure their products have the craft cider quality that you’d expect from a company with Rutland provenance.

“I’ve known Andrew and Drew since school,” says Mike, originally a builder by trade. “Cider was always my preferred drink, and when I purchased a cottage in Thistleton to renovate, I inherited three apple trees and decided to try to make my own.”

Making cider is a deceptively simple process. It’s a case of macerating the apples to create the pulp - a process known as scratting – before pressing the pulp and leaving it to ferment initially for two or three weeks, then for a further maturation.

“The varieties of apples used, correct settlement, the ‘adjustment’ of the cider can all affect the quality of cider...”

There are, perhaps, only 40 producers of cider of Fynbury’s size. It’s no longer a one-man hobby, but a growing business on the Rutland/ Lincolnshire border, with three business partners, currently producing 70,000 litres each year, with a growing retail trade and over 1,000 pub outlets stocking the products.

Provincial pub chains Bateman’s and Everards’ premises already stock the products and, in July, as part of a national cider festival promotion, each of the 960 pubs in multinational chain Wetherspoon’s will stock Rutland Cider, too. Yet, despite the company’s growth – increasing its output ten-fold 66

As with many things in life, though, the devil is in the detail. The varieties of apples used, their condition, the cleanliness of the equipment used, correct settlement, the adjustment of the cider – varying the sweetness and blending the product to produce a consistent taste and ABV – plus the maturation time and even the racking and bottling process can all affect whether your cider is mediocre... or perfect!

“My first attempt in 2008 resulted in about 200 litres.

I created the press myself and used the cooking and dessert apples growing in my garden. It was of dubious strength, dubious quality, but it was popular with friends and family.”

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- rUtLand CidEr -

Cheers: Mike Berry created his premium local drink five years ago. Fruit ciders were added a year ago and this year’s Rutland Show saw a special Reserve product added to the firm’s portfolio.

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“At the 2015 Rutland Show the company unveiled Rutland Reserve; a premium line with heritage apple varieties made using méthode Champenoise, which sells for £28...”

2010 saw Mike creating his first commercial cider, purchasing a new, electrically powered hydraulic press and creating a scratter, with a rotating abrasive wheel depositing the pulp into a hopper to provide a more consistent result.

By 2012, Off License News had awarded Rutland Cider a gold medal for its quality and though local festivals tend to focus predominantly on real ale - with artisan ciders added as a secondary subject the fruit cider market was soon to enjoy a huge surge in sales. During 2012 alone, the artisan fruit cider market enjoyed an 80% increase in sales, and was worth over £11.3m.

Top: The firm now produces around 70,000 litres of Rutland Cider each year.

Above: The firm’s ciders are racked for about six months. Rutland Reserve for around 18 months.

That’s why, in September 2014, Mike created his rhubarb & strawberry and blackberry & nettle fruit ciders. The former is more popular in high summer whilst sales of the latter increase dramatically towards August and September.

Mike added a mulled cider to his range too, thinking that it would be a popular Christmas line. In fact, many orders come in around Halloween and bonfire night, and sales remain strong into the new year, rendering the product popular for a much longer period than the producers first envisaged.

Future plans include taking the number of flavoured ciders to six, adding a couple of the prototype flavoured ciders Mike has already experimented with - Scottish raspberry, English cherry, gooseberry & honey, apple & elderflower or blackcurrant & mint – to the firm’s range. For now though, the three Rutlanders have another product which is causing a frisson of excitement among local cider aficionados.

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It was last month at the Rutland Show that the company unveiled its latest product, Fynburys Rutland Reserve.

It’s a premium line with a much longer 18 month maturation, cork closure and a closely guarded secret combination of heritage apple varieties from named trees.

It’s a fine cider, a little drier than the firm’s Rutland Cider, with a crispness and a fine mousse achieved by using méthode champenoise. It’s also sold in 75cl bottles, rather than 500ml bottles with a price of £28 reflecting its exclusivity.

“It’s a product that’s been in the planning for two years,” says Mike. “There are only 1,300 bottles in existence, and it’ll be two years before another run can be created.”

We’ve tried, and can heartily recommend, Fynbury’s fruit ciders; especially the firm’s strawberry and rhubarb product, a refreshing, light and fruity drop with a delicious vintage flavour.

It’s great for family barbecues and garden parties, with Mike recommending the firm’s ciders are all consumed chilled, with no ice.

Mike has also created a blog with foodpairing suggestions, recipes and ideas for pork and cider barbecue marinades etc.

However you enjoy Fynbury’s drink though, you’ll enjoy the taste of summer, and artisanal, vintage on-trend tipple that’s refreshing, locally made and absolutely delicious. n Fynburys cider is now available from www.fynburyscider.co.uk, or Oakham Wines on High Street, Oakham.(01572 757124, www.oakhamwinesonline.co.uk). Oakham Wines is the exclusive stockists for the limited quantities of Fynbury’s premium Rutland Reserve.

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- rUtLand CidEr -

Tasting Notes...

We’re fans of Fynbury’s flavoured cider - a nice, long drink that’s not too strong for an afternoon tipple... and you should definitely secure a bottle or two of rutland reserve before it’s too late!

Rutland Cider Using traditional artisan skills, a pure juice develops into a still, clear, distinctively crisp cider with a fresh apple flavour. £16/six, £32/12, 500ml, 6% ABV.

fynbury’s Rhubarb & strawberry Using natural flavours taken from real fruit, this cider balances the sweetness of English strawberry with the fresh bite of rhubarb.

fynbury’s Blackberry & nettle Using natural flavours taken from real fruit, this cider combines English blackberries with the fresh green notes of nettle. £18/six, £36/12, 500ml, 4% ABV.

Rutland Reserve Limited quantity of 1,800 bottles available. this premium product is made using méthode champenoise. a secondary fermentation, longer maturation, plus the finest quality and combination of apples ensures a premium mediumdry product with crisp apple notes. £28/75cl bottles, 12% ABV

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TheWineCellar

this month we explore wines of the great outdoors. our wine expert Harish khanderia of oakham Wines recommends some unusual al fresco wines. Enjoy each one chilled with a good book in the garden or as part of a barbecue party with friends and family. You’ll love their cool, crisp and refreshing flavours...

Our Gift Subscriptions last a whole year

Raizes sauvignon Blanc, Brazil, £14.99

groenekloof sauvignon Blanc, south africa, £11.95

Hattenheimer Riesling germany, £15.95

levarie soave Classico, italy, £11.75

vouvray loire, france, £14.75

Brazil isn’t a country typically associated with wine production, but this sauvignon is a wonderful example with aromas of tropical fruits, guava, passion fruit and citrus fruit. Refreshing, soft with mineral notes.

Produced by Casa Vulduga in the Campanba region.

A ripe yet focused style of sauvignon blanc, from the Groenekloof region,

by Neil Ellis. Enjoying tropical fruit and herbaceous overtones, 13.5%. Delicate in the mouth, yet with no lack of intensity. Energetic and refined through to the crisp finish, highly recommended.

This perennial star offers sumptuous peach fruit balanced by fresh citrus notes from the Rheingau appelation’s Balthasar Ress. A touch of residual sugar enhances the fruit, while the finish is dry.

The combination of light body and intense flavour makes it really refreshing.

From the Venaro region’s soave classico appellation. Intense floral nose with clear hints of wisteria flowers, together with bananas and pears. Strikingly fresh on the palate, well-balanced with good weight and structure.

Dry and refreshing on the finish.

A Loire Valley white from the Vouray region.

100% chenin blanc yielding a succulent, off-dry wine with ripe peach and red apple fruit, good weight in the mouth, and an elegant dry finish. Ideal when paired with rich, hearty dishes and barbecue meats.

every single month in 2014!

Each of our wines have been recommended by Harish Khanderia of Oakham Wines - visit Harish on High Street, Oakham LE15 6AH. Call 01572 757124 or visit www.oakhamwines.co.uk.

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- HomEs -

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A stunning blend of

CONTEMPORARY

& traditional

this month’s property blends a ‘contemporary/traditional’ look by showing off a stunning colour scheme, whilst providing an incomparable view. Caroline Ruddle, occupant and decorator of launde House, adores the space and style of the 19th century property as she wakes up each morning to panoramic views of the Rutland countryside and celebrates regularly with a house full of guests...

Words: Tilly Wilkinson.

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- HomEs -

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Oak Room: The colour choice works very well against oak beams and natural slate flooring.

Green Room: The neutral tones in this bedroom increases the amount of light and allows the light grey headboard to stand out.

Caroline Ruddle, the manager of Noble Outfitters, an equestrian clothing and equipment company based in Oakham, has lived in Rutland all of her life. Caroline lives in Launde House with her daughter, who is currently attending Oakham school. She adores the county and the property, especially because of its proximity to all the Rutland towns and villages as well as easy access to London.

“The location is what’s unique about the property,” says Caroline. “It’s situated perfectly. You can enjoy the peace and quiet of the rolling Rutland hills and not have one car in sight. In addition to this, you’re only five minutes from Uppingham and Oakham so there’s no better spot in the county to live.”

“The interior of the house is also something I’m very proud of. The oak room, the cloak room and other rooms around the property were extensions created eight to ten years ago on the farmhouse that was built in 1870.

“The Oak Room feels warm in the winter and bright and sunny in the Summer...”

I redecorated the interior when we moved in three years ago to give it a more contemporary feel.”

“The Oak Room feels warm in the winter and bright and sunny in the Summer.

The space it provides is great for entertaining, but it’s also a great room to read the Sunday papers in, so it’s versatile for two people or a huge party.”

“I believe the next owners will enjoy the beautiful interior, the light let in by the large windows, the locality, the views and the way the property always has a feel-good vibe to it.”

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- HomEs -

“The property was built in 1870 as an old farm house. It was called Abbey Farm and the buildings next door were the barns. The property was originally owned by a Rutland lady called Mrs Brough who everybody in the county knew well. The house was sold about ten years ago, when it was extensively developed.

Overall, there’s an entrance hall, sitting room, study, oak drawing room, games room, substantial breakfast kitchen/living area, pantry, boot room, laundry room, cloakroom, cellar, principal bedroom suite, four further bedrooms, three en-suites, a family bathroom, an open bay garage, store rooms, swimming pool, four stables with planning for more), a tack room, gardens, terraces, paddock land and a wood (total land 8.44 acres).

“The stables are great for anyone with equestrian interests but we’ve also had queries from people with alpaca interests...!”

“In the kitchen, there’s a Kohler sink, marble work surfaces, an integrated fridge, a very large Aga oven, and a built-in microwave,” says Caroline.

“We have a number of animals that enjoy the property too. There’s Fidget & Fudge, Fidget being a black cat and Fudge a Whippet/ Jack Russell cross. We also have a random tabby called Crumpet.”

“There is also Timmy, the horse who lives in the stables and fields.”

Kitchen: With an incredibly large Aga, beautiful marble work surfaces, a Kohler sink and handmade wooden cabinetry, the kitchen is functional whilst looking fantastic.

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“The stables are great for anyone with equestrian interests, but also ideal for mini tractors, lawn mowers and other appliances.

We’ve also had someone interested in keeping their alpacas in the fields!”

“The garden is also a really great area to be in. With a secluded courtyard incorporating

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- HomEs -

an outdoor heated swimming pool, it’s great for summer. There’s also a large barbecue area, a terrace, herb garden, and a picking flower garden.”

“The picking flower garden is great because it means that the house in summer is as pretty as the garden and it ends up smelling fragrant with the different flowers we place around the house.

Steps lead from here to a large rectangular lawn lined with herbaceous borders which then lead to a wildflower meadow and woodland that’s covered in bluebells at certain times in the year.”

Stables: The property has stables currently home to Timmy the horse, Caroline’s daughter’s eventer.

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“For anyone with a strong equestrian interest, this house is perfect. With the stunning stable yard, great paddocks and fantastic riding straight from the house and plenty of bridle paths” “I love the property, the space and it really is somewhere that a family of any size could live. It has the perfect amount of space.”

“Entertainment space is important and with the extension on the property being very large with big double doors onto the terrace and barbecue area, you’ve got the perfect venue for a party.”

“The space the property affords and, above all, its location, are features you can’t find in many other places, simultaneously in the centre of the countryside yet five minutes from all of the shops and supermarkets that Oakham and Uppingham provide. It really does offer the best of both worlds.”

Launde House, Launde Location: Oakham six miles, Uppingham seven miles.

Style: Contemporary traditional farm house with oak room extension.

Receptions: Snug, study, Oak Room, Games Room, Kitchen/Breakfast Room.

Beds: Five bedrooms and five bathrooms.

Other Features: Stables, swimming pool and paddocks.

Guide Price: £1,500,000

Find out more: Estate Agency: King West Tel: 01780 484520 Web: www.kingwest.co.uk.

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- KitCHEns -

Great Ideas for Stylish

HOMES

Kitchens have evolved to become family spaces in which we cook, eat, socialise and work, especially throughout the week. They’re personal spaces, and the design of your next kitchen project will depend not just on the size and style of your space, but the way you and your family live, too... here, we seek expert advice to help you to design your space...

The kitchen is a battleground. It’s a theatre of war for a family’s day-to-day activities, from the frantic morning rush to leave the house, to time spent juggling work, cooking, eating, and a place where all of the jobs that get in the way are completed.

Kitchens - especially in period homes - are no longer utilitarian spaces where butlers and housekeepers prepare meals, but spaces for homeowners and their families to enjoy.

Hence, the look and feel of kitchens, and their level of comfort, has never been more impor-

tant. Kitchens are highly subjective, not just in terms of the array of visual styles but in terms of how they suit both your property and your lifestyle. So, seek the advice, inspiration and creativity of as many experts as possible when you create your new room...

Contemporary Hand-Made style The beauty of bespoke is its ability to blend seamlessly into your space. White in-frame cabinetry and a mezzanine study area really makes the most of this impressive barn conversion. Textured black glass panels and a contemporary staircase complete the look.

Blending Materials Achieve a stylish look that’s a little different, or introduce contemporary quality into a newer property with an installation that blends granite and timber surfaces with natural and painted cabinetry. Bespoke solid wood cabinetry ensures plenty of practical storage and quality which will really last.

n Lewis & Hill; 01664 424200, www.lewisandhill.co.uk.

n Fitted Furniture Co.; 01780 480080, www.thefittedfurniturecompany.com.

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island Paradise A kitchen island is a way of maximising the available space in a large room. A hob, sink or worktop space will enable you to face guests or family members rather than working with your back to them. Islands also provide a place for casual dining or the children’s homework. n Lewis & Hill; 01664 424200, www.lewisandhill.co.uk.

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in frame shaker Bespoke hand-built cabinetry can be created by craftsmen to suit any size and style of kitchen. This in-frame shaker style is timeless, hard-wearing and can be repainted whenever you wish to freshen it up or change the look of your room as time goes by. n Fitted Furniture Co.; 01780 480080, www.thefittedfurniturecompany.com.

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Once you’ve decided how much storage space you need and created ‘areas’ for food preparation, socialising and dining, you can design a kitchen layout, ideally with a work triangle between your sink, hob and refrigeration, to ensure you can move around your kitchen more efficiently.

Allow for plenty of worktop space and de-clutter surfaces with integrated appliances like fridge-freezers and a ‘bank’ of cooking appliances like ovens, a microwave and coffee machine...

Country kitchen Update the traditional timber kitchen with this New England style kitchen finished in buttermilk.

The traditional cabinetry includes lots of storage, from integrated plate racks to integrated trays and modern features like soft-close doors and integrated appliances.

Bespoke Cabinetry For the ultimate in luxury and to specify your kitchen down to the finest detail, a bespoke kitchen will provide the size, shape, layout and colour you’re seeking. This example mixes shapes and materials to create interest, whilst a large island makes the most of the available space.

n Oldrids & Downtown, 01205 350505, www.oldrids.co.uk.

n MG Dales Joinery, 01205 760275 www.dalesjoinery.co.uk.

tECHniCaLLY PErFECt THe MOsT MOdeRn equiPMenT...

And finally, install a boiling water tap such as those from Qooker. You’ll never buy, boil or descale a kettle again and will only ever heat up the necessary water for your cup of tea or to blanch vegetables. It’ll leave your surfaces clear, too.

Tame technology and make your life easier in the kitchen.

A new take on the traditional range cooker, Aga’s Total Control can be timed via a smartphone, and switched on remotely so your home is warm and supper is cooking upon your return.

Meanwhile, keep cupboards neat with Stellar’s Eazistore bakeware and saucepans - they ‘nest’ inside another, taking up less space, yet still provide the professional-standard cookware for which the firm is justly renowned.

“Creating a kitchen is very much a collaboration between both the kitchen designer and their client...”

Find Out More: Each month in Pride we present some of the county’s best kitchen design experts. Their creative and technical expertise and knowledge will help to you create the kitchen of your dreams.

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Visit our new showroom in Stamford, 100% dedicated to providing quality kitchens...

n 30 room settings with 10 new kitchens n Contemporary and Traditional styles n Handmade Bespoke Kitchens by Charles Yorke

n Siemens supplier, Neff Master Partner n Full Project Management

n Est 1981, 34 years experience

The Maltings, Barnack Road Stamford PE9 2NA 01780 756514 or 755855

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inspiring

ideas For Home & Garden

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Whether you’re looking for a whimsical item for your home, antique or reproduction furniture, or a larger architectural piece for your garden, Retford based Elizabeth & Stevens can help...

1. Laying hare £550, from a series of animal bronzes from small creatures right up to life-sized families of deer. 2. Dieu et Mon Droit enamel coat of arms £46. 3. Resin gorilla approx 1m tall £345. 4. Oil painting of hare by local artist, framed £300. 5. Angel and Cherub stone roundel £85. 6. Large urn, 173cm tall, £595 from a selection or urns and bases in stock. 7. Stone fountain, approx 1.5m high, £1,800. 8. Vintage boxing gloves £45.

9. Picnic blanket in pure wool, made in Wales, 145cm x 183cm £70. 10. Vintage balls in brown leather, with Twickenham and 1924 motifs £40/ea. 11. Resin peacock, approx 1m long suitable for positioning indoor or outdoors £245. 12. Leather wine chest in tan, glasses not included £495.

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13. trio of bronze sculptures, giraffe £120, rhino £99, and abstract galloping horse £90. 14. resin cat, £19.99, life size, suitable for indoors and outdoors.

15. Elizabethan bust in off white composite, £call. 16. resin dachshund, for indoor or outdoors, life size £75.

17. tealight holders, in stainless steel for outdoor dining at dusk, £56.50 five lights, £42 upright suitable for pillar candles. 18. Cast iron gazebo measuring 4m x 3m, £5,600 from a selection.

19. running hares, in bronze, £95.

20. Julius Caesar bust, in composite resin £175.

All of the items seen here are available from Elizabeth & Stevens of Markham Moor, (just off A1/A57 Junction).

Call 01636 822000 or see www.elizabethandstevens.com.

The company specialises in vintage and retro products for interiors and gardens, including garden sculptures and urns, post boxes and antique, and reproduction furniture.

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“ever since stamford was named ‘the best place to live in the UK’ by The Sunday Times and Rutland was identified by Halifax as the best rural place to reside in Britain, the number of buyers coming to the area has rocketed. Of course, those of us who live here already know it’s a great place to call home, but this is where the trouble begins. With only a few people wanting to leave and many deciding to arrive, competition for the best properties is fierce.”

Local property finder, Kate Vincent, gives Rutland Pride an exclusive insight into the diverse week of a professional property finder. She travels the length and breadth of Rutland and the surrounding area in search of properties perfect for purchasers. The market is becoming harder to enter so Kate can really help.

The House HUNTER discover a week in the life of a property finder as kate vincent from garrington explains her day-to-day job of finding dream homes for her clients. this exclusive insight will show you just how much a property finder can help you get onto the property ladder. With Rutland growing in popularity, the challenge of finding a home becomes harder, so Kate could be your answer...

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The Week Begins “After the usual busy weekend of juggling property viewings and family obligations, Monday morning brings an optimistic anticipation of what will be brought to the market this week. I catch up with clients and speak to local estate agents about new properties that have been instructed over the weekend. Often this goes hand in hand with calls from frustrated buyers who are struggling to find their dream home. Since the election in May, the number of people looking to buy has soared. Stamford continues to be a popular choice and the best properties get snapped up in a matter of days. Further afield there is a dire shortage of properties, with land being highly desired so any period properties with a few acres generate a great deal of interest. I also trawl through the copious emails arriving in my inbox from property portals.”

“Whilst the majority of properties we source come through word of mouth, it is important to keep a close eye on the overall market, enabling us to have a thorough understanding of our patch and enhancing our negotiation stance when clients instruct us to buy. As those familiar with the area will know, an attractive period property with 3-5 acres of land is gold dust in Rutland!”

Tuesday “The long standing relationships I nurture with agents prove crucial to progressing with property searches repeatedly. Agents know to trust that buyers represented by independent firms like Garrington are serious and committed to their search.

Leaving at lunchtime, I’ll drive to Marston

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- HomEs -

near Grantham to meet a couple wishing to relocate. The clients like the property we have just viewed and believe that they should buy it. However, their hearts tell them that they still love the more expensive farm we saw last week in Leicestershire. We discuss the relative merits and I promise to analyse and detail the likely financial implications of the two properties. Impartial advice and ability to offer an objective stance on the best-placed purchase is something our clients appreciate.”

“With only a few people wanting to leave and many deciding to arrive, competition for the best properties is fierce...”

Wednesday - Viewing Properties “The next morning is spent following up on client meetings and viewings, whilst working on the promised comparable for yesterday’s clients.”

“Later, I receive a call from a local resident interested in selling their home, an invitation to view an off market opportunity in a village between Oakham and Melton Mowbray. The owners had read an article

by Garrington in Rutland Pride and thought it could be of interest to one of our clients.

Again, Garrington’s trusted reputation for representing only committed buyers is reassuring for vendors looking to sell calmly and discretely.”

Thursday - A New Search “I have a new client looking for a rural development opportunity in Leicestershire.

Sheer frustration of not being able to source their forever home on the open market has brought them to Garrington, seeking our expertise to find their next and last project.

Confirming that there is little to meet their search brief available openly, I spend the day driving around the favoured area, spotting potential properties, visiting agents and dropping off letters of introduction.”

importantly includes analysis of the pricing and negotiation strategy we have engaged which is invaluable to our clients.”

“First draft completed, I send a brief report to another of my clients of a property I viewed last night. Not meeting all the search brief criteria, I illustrate my concerns. I had known it was not an exact match, but it is worth viewing properties outside of the box to make sure a balanced view of the market is obtained. I am also a believer in not relying on Google Earth to check out a property as onscreen images can be deceptive.”

Saturday - The Week Continues “A familiar busy weekend; this afternoon I am taking an overseas client on an orientation tour of the area but first I have a meeting with a property owner just outside Stamford to discuss some planning issues and try to gain mutual agreement on the price of the property.”

“Truth be told that if a desirable property has been on the market for over six months, it is probably overpriced. Emotional attachments to a home tend to give sellers an inflated impression of the price they should be seeking for their home and sometimes it is difficult to remove the emotional aspect from your sale and next purchase.”

“Being able to offer the voice of reason for many of my clients gives me both professional and personal satisfaction.

Buying a property is no small task and can be the most expensive asset many will own in their lifetime. Working hard for many years and rewarding yourself with the home of your dreams, is something most of us aspire to and helping people achieve this is hugely rewarding. I have a great job!”

“Through the busy peaks of the year and the quieter months for the property market, there is growing demand for professional property buyers such as myself to source and acquire the right home or investment property for clients.” n To discover what Kate Vincent and other property finders at Garrington can do for you, visit their website www.garrington.co.uk. If you prefer to contact them directly, then please call on 01780 408377 or email them at info@garrington.co.uk.

“Feedback from the agents is that the market is very patchy, with the numbers of buyer enquiries picking up but house sellers in short supply. A couple of Nottingham agents I speak to on the phone today say that they are receiving more instructions for larger properties. The market is beginning to look more active at the top end in Nottinghamshire, in stark contrast to the Stamford and Oakham agents who have a seemingly short supply of prime properties.”

Friday - Back in the Office “I spend the morning working on a property report. We produce these for every property we help clients to buy. The report meticulously documents the history of the search, the background on the property and most 93

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Step into Summer at Elizabeth & Stevens INSPIRATION FOR YOUR HOME, GARDEN AND GIFTS, COME AND VISIT US

The Showrooms, Great North Road, Markham Moor Retford DN22 0QU Telephone: 01636 822000

www.elizabethandstevens.com

Open daily Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm.

Please call us if you making a special journey

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Historic House – Smart Home Julius geeson of smallwood architects’ stamford office takes a look at sophisticated home technology Home has a different meaning for everyone but all will agree, in the 21st Century it’s increasingly the hub of our lives. It’s the place where we all work, rest and play simultaneously. But you don’t need to build a new house to survive in the digital era, an old house can be a modern home too.

The home office has never been more prevalent. Whether monitoring the FTSE 100 or skyping Grandma, having a reliable connection to the outside world is critical, and there are essentially two choices, wired or wireless.

Wireless (Wi-Fi) has the clear advantage that there are no cables to install. No stripping of plaster or lifting of floor boards.

However, beware when retrofitting such systems into historic buildings as thick walls can limit coverage. If such issues are a problem there are Mesh control systems available such as Zigbee or Z-wave that pass the signal from sensor to sensor.

Alternatively, if you have building works planned, taking the opportunity to fit a wired network can reap rewards. Reliability problems disappear and the cables can be

used for a complete home automation system, often referred to as the Internet of Things (IoT).

The wires are installed ‘behind-the-scenes’ and will transform your historic house into a smart home, without you even knowing they’re there. Application based software such as Control 4 or Savant is used to operate your heating, lighting, security and even your kitchen appliances. You can programme the kettle to come on with your morning alarm, check your CCTV footage from the beach, adjust your heating from the flight home - all possible using your iPad or smartphone. The best part is that once the cables are in, they’re in and as future technologies hit the market, all you need do is download the new app to stay up-to-date.

No further building work required.

In the 21st Century, playtime has also become serious, well at least the equipment required for it has, but you don’t need a space-age pad to have a home cinema, plasma screen or sound system. In fact the thick walls and irregular shaped rooms of historic buildings often provide superior acoustics when compared to their modern

counterparts. Installing a home entertainment system needn’t be garish either, good architects will work with you to create solutions that ensure your state-of-the-art toys don’t clash with the traditional architecture.

Your historic home can offer a 21st century lifestyle without losing its uniqueness or beauty, but be warned, working with historic buildings is complicated. Employing a skilled, experienced architect is paramount.

Also, cable up when you have the chance.

If you’re stripping plaster anyway, futureproof the property by installing a wired network. Like it or not, the next generation of home buyers will be expecting one.

Running your historic house in the 21st Century doesn’t need to be complicated, in fact, it should be easier and more efficient than ever before. find Out More: Smallwood Architects provide a very personal service to clients, creating beautiful buildings of the highest quality.

They have achieved a reputation for delivering high quality traditional and contemporary design throughout the UK, Europe, and beyond.

Contact Julius on Stamford (01780) 757737 to discuss your ideas for your home, or visit the website www.smallwoodarchitects.co.uk

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- gardEning -

Teapot Topiary in the

PARTERRE

deene Park offers the grandeur of quintessentially English gardens from formal parterre to meadows. the eclectic mix of bright borders and tea partythemed topiary is impressive and andrew jones, Head gardener, works hard to maintain this...

Words: Tilly Wilkinson.

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- gardEns -

The formal parterre style of gardening is the most visually impressive with large stately homes historically taking on the challenge of topiary, but it hasn’t always been a desired landscape.

Andrew Jones has been the head gardener at Deene Park for 14 years. With his botanical studies at Glasgow, Birmingham and the Royal Botanical School in Edinburgh, he has a wealth of experience and knowledge in the gardening world. This is reflected in the upkeep of Deene Park.

The owners of the property, Mr and Mrs Brudenell, took over the stately home in the past twelve months or so but the family has been in charge for a lot longer.

The Brudenells have owned the stately home and gardens since 1514. In the 1600s the formal gardens were located to the east of the house and incorporated box hedging and rectangular pool. The pool was home to an island with a large monument in the centre.

The descendants of those earlier Brudenells followed the fashion trends of the day and developed the formal gardens to the south of the house. Although different from the original gardens the series of formal gardens we see today are in this location.

In the early 18th century English gardens were undergoing a cultural revolution, such a swing in fashion as to be unprecedented.

Formal parterre was out and a relaxed garden was in. This was known as the English Landscape Movement. This dramatic botanical turn meant the gardens at Deene park were re-landscaped, replacing the formal gardens were open lawns, an arboretum and lake. People wanted gardens to be more like parks rather than something pretty to look at.

The Landscape Movement in the 1700s carried on up until formal parterre became a historical British design reintroduced in many stately home gardens we see today. Deene Park was back to its original regimented style shortly after the change.

The garden was in its worst condition following WWII; during the war years the gardens were transformed into a training ground for troops from Britain and other parts of the world. the troops were trained in the use of tanks and other vehicles which left the gardens looking like a wilderness.

Following the war years and throughout the 50s and 60s the gardens mainly consisted of large lawns, numerous trees, shrubs and acres of rough grass. In 1976 the circular Hornbeam

hedge was planted and the statues of the Four Seasons were bought to replace those sold after the war. Two Chinese style wooden bridges were installed across the stream and tow gates of similar inspiration were installed in the walled garden. In 1990 the late Mr Edmund Brudenell and his wife Marian commissioned David Hicks to design the formal parterre garden we see today. this element of the garden was built by the ground staff employed at the time over seven days. Deene Park currently employs two gardeners.

“The garden is constantly updated and changed,” says Andrew. “It’s a full-time job for the both of us and we don’t have time to cut the grass so somebody else does that.

With a 17 acre garden, you’re always faced with challenges and problems. Only last year, the garden suffered from box disease.

We had to remove a large part of the formal garden and replace it with new bright Victorian-style gardens.”

“The Victorian style formal parterre is a new addition this year and very in your face with very bright colours. It’s situated near the stone summerhouse. Other smaller gardens in Deene Park can be seen around the house. Next year, we’re planning on turning one of the gardens into a Golden Garden as it once was know as a Black Garden. The problem I have with this is that most of the garden has been in shade hence the term Black Garden so many dark plants were used and it just wasn’t working in our opinion. The tree causing the majority of the shade has recently been declared as unsafe so with it being taken out of the equation, we’re planning on turning the garden right around with red, golden and yellow flowers hence the term Golden Garden. Changes like this one constantly occur throughout the garden’s time.”

“In addition to the formal parterre, there’s the lake, meadows, glass houses and copses.

You’ll find a mass of roses throughout Deene Park and other flowers that crop up at certain times of the year. In August, there’s hollyhocks, verbascums, penstemons, geraniums and plenty of lavender. Irises, pelargoniums and heliotropes grow elsewhere in the garden at this time of the year and it is a great time for the garden.

However, the garden is almost as strong at other times too. In February, we get snowdrops in the meadow followed by daffodils around March and the most beautiful Queen Anne’s Lace and forgetme-nots shortly after. In the parterre, there are hyacinths around the start of the year

“In the 18th century, English gardens were undergoing the cultural revolution which became known as the landscape movement...”

Above: Andrew Jones, Head Gardener, at deene Park attending a flower arrangement.

Left: There’s a footbridge, long borders and an inner courtyard filled with plants.

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- gardens -

followed by tulips, then the irises start to show followed by plenty of geraniums and lavender. Alliums come after this.”

“This is what I love about the gardens at Deene Park; they’re ever-changing. It looks different every time you visit. I also love the fact it’s open to visitors. It really pays off to see a garden full of people asking questions and complimenting our work. The interaction we have with visitors is great. We also host charitable open days with NGS; our last open day was a few weeks ago actually. It’s open for group visits and we also offer guided tours. It just enhances the trip a little more rather than observing the garden yourself. You get to understand the history and style on a tour which is important.”

“The house itself also offers a fantastic range of floristry. It’s well worth seeing because there are so many potted plants decorating the interior. We have some really interesting species of plants inside that can be seen when touring the interior. We also have two glasshouses worth a look at.

Everything at Deene Park is just slightly quirky and different from the norm with the teapot topiary, strikingly bright Victorian garden, the species of plants you’ll find, and even the species of animals you’ll find.”

“The whole property is full of life. The lake especially brings a number of species of birds some rather unusual. There are red kites, kingfishers and we have two black swans. They’re called Sydney and Adelaide and are accompanied by a number of white swans. The birds are so relaxing to watch and a lot of visitors have picked up on this.

You’ll usually see visitors admiring the lake.”

“The masses of roses in a traditional English style are so beautiful and are in keeping with the historical atmosphere the place provides.”

“The late Mrs Marian Brudenell who lived here asked me once ‘what should we do with the hedging in the formal garden?’ because we had large hedges in the very centre that looked a little out of place. I suggested that, because of the Victorian garden and the tea party feel the garden gives, how about teapots? She jumped at this idea and this quirky touch attracts tourists. Masses of people will take photos of the teapots. It’s emphasised the theme of Deene Park gardens which is a romantic English garden.”

Deene Park is open to the public on Sundays throughout August: the gardens and tearoom are open from 12pm and the house open from

“This is what I love most about the gardens at Deene Park; they’re always changing throughout the seasons . It looks different every time you visit...”

2pm until 5pm. On Wednesday 5th and 12th of August we are offering special guided tours of the house at 2pm, 3pm and 4pm. The gardens and tearoom are open from 12pm.

Booking is advisable for the tours. n To discover what else Deene Park has to offer, visit www.deenepark.com or call them for more information on 01780 450278. Deene Park, Corby, Northamptonshire. NN17 3EW.

Above: The parterre looks incredibly designed and fits in well with the quintessentially British theme.

Left: The view to the lake and the walk to the lake is absolutely picturesque; there are some amazing views to see at Deene Park.

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- natUrE -

Reconnecting youngsters with

Nature

Richard Owens this month, tells us of the passion children have for nature and what activities children can get up to in august to discover more about wildlife. this month, make sure they go outside and explore in the county and find out about Rutland’s flora and fauna...

Hopefully summer will have arrived by the time you read this month’s column and the thrills, trauma and excitement of this year’s Springwatch will seem like a distant but pleasant memory as thoughts turn to barbecues and summer nights, but have you ever wondered where the next Chris Packham is going to come from? Well the answer is quite simple; education.

In a world that is becoming more and more technically absorbed, it is vital that we connect youngsters with the great outdoors and all it can offer.

opportunity to get the children out of the house and exploring nature first-hand.

A quick look on the internet should reveal a host of summer activities at most nature reserves, in particular the larger RSPB and wildlife trust venues. Amongst the activities there will almost certainly be the opportunity for a bit of pond dipping. This perennial favourite will have the children and the grown-ups marvelling over the incredibly diverse range of species lurking down in the murky depths of the pond.

“Amongst the activities in the county, there will almost certainly be the opportunity for a bit of pond dipping...”

I have been teaching youngsters about nature and the environment in both schools and as a volunteer youth leader for the RSPB for around eight years now, and I have to say I’ve enjoyed every minute. From one child showing me how to conquer my greatest fear - picking up a crab - to another telling me this is the best day of my life as he busily dissected a regurgitated owl pellet to expose the bones within, every moment has been brilliant. So how can you help? The summer holidays are upon us and what a great 104

Remember Spineless Simon the stickleback from Springwatch?

Well you may get the opportunity to see one close up, or perhaps a water scorpion and maybe a beautiful common newt. All these beautiful creatures are sure to capture the interest and imagination of all present, and I guarantee it won’t be too long before the children are wanting to do it all over again!

If this isn’t available, then the kids may have the opportunity for a bit of mini-beasting.

Children seem to have a real passion for the

smaller critters in our ecosystem, so watch their excitement as they lift an old log to expose beetles, ladybirds and others too numerous to mention, or they sweep net in the long grass and get up close and personal with grasshoppers and butterflies.

All these activities will be guided by reserve staff or very knowledgable volunteers, so always feel free to ask questions. If you can’t get to any of these sessions then just go out and explore, take an identification book and ask the children to identify the flora and fauna.

What an amazing opportunity for us to help nurture the next Chris Packham or David Attenborough, and you may just enjoy it yourself, more than you think!

Richard has spent his career promoting bio diversity within the world of turf and is currently the UK's Golf Course Conservation Greenkeeper of the Year. Birdfair, the bird watcher’s Glastonbury, is also on in August in the county of Rutland.

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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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Win a Wedding worth £25,000 It’s free to enter, just visit

www.ukbride.co.uk/join

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- weddings -

A Highland

Fling

A traditional Scottish wedding in the rolling Rutland countryside has been brought to life this month with Will and Charli’s church and marquee wedding. with the tartan trousers worn by thirteen groomsmen and 150 guests in total, a happy atmosphere ďŹ lled the valley of Catmose...

Images: Georgi Mabee Photography. Words: Tilly Wilkinson.

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A challenge to brides & grooms is bringing a theme or location to a venue. Bringing a flavour of the groom’s homeland of Scotland over 400 miles south is a challenge that this couple have conquered in their recent Highland fling.

Will and Charli met in london when Charli worked in property marketing and Will as a Chartered Surveyor. As they planned their future, they decided to move to Rutland as they have family connections here with Charli’s family living in the area. Charli and Will also decided it would be a good base for Charli’s business, Chazwinkle’s, a food business specialising in preserving British fruit and vegetables - something she managed to incorporate into their wedding.

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“We had a bit of a hectic rollercoaster week when Will took us on a trip to the Dales,” says Charli. “As we were walking, we stopped for a short break on top of a hill with this truly incredible view. Will then started reflecting on our relationship as he pulled a ring out of his pocket. i was not expecting it at all! We’d just had such a distracting week so it was perfect timing.”

“The most difficult part of the planning was deciding on the date with my brother living in new Zealand, Will having family in Scotland and planning around the school holidays. The only key member we had to upset was Will’s dad as we had to go for a date at the start of the grouse season!” “it was important for us to use British produce

“Will pulled a ring out of his pocket. I wasn’t expecting it at all!

It was perfect timing!”

Images: Georgi Mabee Photography. Visit www.georgimabee.com or call 07738 053068.

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- weddings -

Top/Right: The hydrangea’s mixed in with other flowers and thistles made the bouquets and flower arrangements beautiful.

The bagpiper, believe it or not, was called ‘Billy Piper’ and welcomed Will into the church.

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- weddings -

Right: The couple opted for a selection of British meats to be part of their banquet-style meal.

Photography: georgi Mabee Photography. Visit www.georgimabee.com or call 07738 053068.

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and we wanted to incorporate Chazwinkle’s into the menu, too. Fortunately, the caterer’s were very obliging and it all worked out well.

The food was a success so it was worth the planning.”

“Secondly, it was important for us to have a church wedding at the local church we go to.

My mum spent almost 200 hours in the church garden making sure the borders were nicely presented and a willow arch was planted from the church entrance to the marquee. it all came to life on the day.”

“There wasn’t a real theme - just good food, enough to drink and being around our closest family and friends. Aside from this, the main theme was Scotland. My father and i discussed getting a bagpiper for Will which we did as a complete surprise. He welcomed Will to the church to Highland

Cathedral, a song played at the start of Will’s rugby matches at school.”

“One of the most nerve-racking parts of the day had to be walking down the aisle which is also one of my favourite memories as well. it was a very meaningful moment for both of us. With 150 guests, the wedding had such a buzz about it. Will’s 13 groomsmen in their various tartan trousers was a highlight for some of the English guests.”

“For the honeymoon, it was brilliant to reflect on how exciting the day was. We went to nova Scotia for an adventure honeymoon which was really special. We didn’t really want a beach holiday as nova Scotia allowed us to talk more and do things together more which was important! not only did we get Scotland represented at the wedding, but the theme continued into our honeymoon! ”

Charli & will’s wedding Ceremony: St Peter, Barrowden.

Reception: Events & Tents, Stamford.

Florist: Sophie’s Flower Company.

Photography: georgi Mabee.

Catering: Jeeves and Chazwinkle’s.

Stationery: James Armstrong and Bandstand london.

Wedding Dress: Charlie Brear.

Bridesmaid Wear: J Crew and lucy Choi london.

Rings: Simon Warrender.

Hair: Helen Sutcliffe.

Bagpiper: Billy Piper.

Wedding Cars: Wedding Cars Ashby and Stamford Executive Cars.

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- FasHion -

Making the most of

MONO

summer is the perfect time for black & white fashion because you’ll stand out from the colourful crowds. it’s tempting to dress in colour during the summer but joseph Ribkoff’s summer collection makes black & white an irresistible choice Words: Tilly Wilkinson.

august is the month for bright colours and floral prints... this month though, stand out from the crowd at summer events with monochrome styles and dresses.

resistant beachwear tending to come into the spotlight.

Joseph Ribkoff offers irresistible fashions featuring luxurious tailoring and immaculate detail.

These fashions can be very casual but provide the option of standing out with few accessories or dressing up your outfit for formal nights on a cruise ship or for fine dining in a hotel.

The usual fashions of the season don’t normally incorporate such luxury, instead favouring beach clothing; with sand and sea

These monochrome outfits are timeless, and our featured dresses from Joseph Ribkoff will also hide your curves.

Opposite: Shift dress from Joseph Ribkoff, beautifully elegant with contrast from black and white tones in a clever panel effect £169.

Left: Sleeveless dress incorporating a golden buckle that adds just a subtle element of sparkle £169.

The featured fashions are all from Joseph Ribkoff. Visit the firm’s website www.josephribkoff.com or contact the company on 01392 876390.

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Opposite: Embroidered shift dress in ivory £229.

Left: V-neck honeycomb dress in monochrome with belt.

Our featured fashions are all from Joseph Ribkoff. Visit www.josephribkoff.com or telephone 01392 876390.

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- FasHion -

Right: Black blouse with golden detailing £172.

Printed trousers in monochrome £190.

Opposite: Black and vanilla Joseph Ribkoff dress with free-flowing skirt £199.

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Local Stockists Ball Gown Heaven, Uppingham. Visit ballgownheaven.co.uk or call 01572 822390.

Gillys of Burnham Market Norfolk. Remember to visit the website www.gillysof burnham market.co.uk or call 01328 730057.

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Protect your sun throughout the

SUMMER

tina recommends...

You’re encouraged to wear the products below by tina to ensure you don’t have any problems with your skin...

tina Brocklebank advises on the best products with sPF to use and explains why it’s so important to look after your skin... from my teens I have always used an SPF in my moisturiser, as it was just something I knew I had to do. It is something that I have continued doing into my 40s and shall keep doing. SPF is so important. It protects from UVA and UVB from the sun which are the causes of wrinkles, pigmentation and serious damage to skin and vitally, organs.

Sunblock SPF 55, because this isn’t oily and doesn’t clog pores. Also, their Age Shield and Repair Anti-Ageing Sunblock SPF 55, 90, or 110 is great if you have pigmentation.

If you have extreme pigmentation and mature skin, try the Age Shield Anti-Wrinkle and Brown Spot Matte Protection SPF 90 or 110.

UVA rays are the ones that are slower at damaging, and it can take years to see the damage but once you have, it is very difficult to reverse. UVB are the rays that make your skin red straightaway.

Boots No7 Anti-Dark Spot Facial Sunblock SPF 50 is great too, effective for protecting against UVA rays.

I have tried lots of products over the years but I have a few favourite products.

The brand, DDF is used underneath your moisturiser, and it has a broad spectrum plus anti-oxidants.

Below: This is Neutrogena’s Ultra Sheer dry Touch Sunblock SPF 55 £10.49. left: Bioderma Photoderma MAX SPF 50+ £11.20.

Below: La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Spray £11.66.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios XL Tube £11.66.

La Roche Posay, owned by L’Oreal, is another favourite for this. Not only is it reasonably priced but also great for all skin types.

Bioderma Photoderma MAx SPF 50+ is a great product for sensitive skins too.

“Sun protection is so important as UV rays can affect you in a number of ways...”

Dermalogica has an extra rich faceblock SPF 30 which helps to stop the free radicals damaging your skin.

Peter Thomas Roth is a max sheer all day lotion with products like Uber Dry Sunscreen SPF 30 and Ultra Lite Oil Free Sunscreen SPF 30. For problem skin, use the brand’s skin instant mineral SPF 30, this has salicylic acid in it, so it helps to prevent blemishes and dry others up and it also clears pores. This is also a great product for touch-ups and for protection, as it contains titanium dioxide and zinc oxide and is talc free.

Neutrogena is one of my favourite brands for SPF. I love their Ultra Sheer Dry Touch

Remember, if you’re wearing make-up, ensure you are using waterproof formulations and are able to apply sunscreen over it. Makeup is a physical barrier against the sun, however, it won’t stop the sun damaging your skin.

I can’t stress enough to be extra careful with your skin because if you look after it now and it will reward you. It is really worth taking the time to find the right product for you, so you can use it everyday as part of your skincare routine.

Finally, at night I don’t really like heavy creams - I prefer serums, lotions or oils and I particularly like the L’Oreal Paris Age Perfect Extraordinary Facial oil; my skin always looks fresher after using this.

Right: L’Oreal Paris Age Perfect Extraordinary Oil £13.29.

n Visit Tina’s website www.tinabrocklebank.co.uk or book in for a make-up lesson, to learn all the tricks of the trade!

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This year’s Rutland show marked the first anniversary of a group established by a team of dedicated fundraisers and volunteers. For Rutland-In Rutland is headed up by probably three of the most well-known ladies in the county.

The group was established back in April 2014, with an ‘official’ launch at the 2014 Rutland Show. Headed up by Jane Clayton-Jones, Elizabeth Mills and Trish Ruddle, with Dr Lawrence Howard as Patron and Stefa Hart as President it benefits, too, from the dedication of over 70 volunteers, and has helped to retain important services across Rutland.

Services previously funded by a multinational charity were threatened when the funding was withdrawn in April 2014. For Rutland-In Rutland took over the task to raise funds in order to make sure there was a continuity of services, providing advice and support for those living with cancer, dementia and other long-term illnesses by access to advice for non-medical issues such as benefits, accommodation and income maximisation for people in Rutland.

“In 2030 there will be a 70% increase in the number of people over the age of 60,” says Jane Clayton Jones. “Over 50% of the general population aged over 50 years of age are living with one or more long-term conditions, so when Elizabeth and Trish came to see me, with a view to raising money to provide services for people in Rutland living with long term conditions, we all agreed that it was so important to establish a fund raising group to ensure the services could still be provided.”

Jane is the CEO of Citizens Advice Rutland, formerly the CAB. The advice service is an access point for help, with For Rutland-In Rutland serving as a fundraising sub-group, raising money to provide, from April this year, two part time advisors for the service.

“The timing of our second advisor was perfect,” says Trish. “When word about the service got out, more and more people wanted to use it, so ensuring it’s available to its end users became 124

increasingly important to us, despite the tight financial constraints.”

it can extend provision of the service over successive years.

As the three ladies point out ‘it’s hard to live on a low income in Rutland.’

Because Rutland is seen as a wealthy county, there’s comparatively limited support for people living with long term conditions who may well be facing a reduced income, the top subject for users of the service seeking advice is welfare benefits advice and general income maximisation. £225,000 was raised for the clients by income maximisation during the last year.

One of its most successful events is the Good & New Clothes Sale, held in March at Barnsdale Lodge each year.

The fundraising event has been held for around 50 years and over the past two years has generated over £45,000 annually for this charity.

People also use the service to access advice about travel and transport

A tombola at this year’s Rutland Show also helped to raise funds and shifted over 1,500 bottles of wine in the process. This winter will also see a collection as The Cottesmore Hunt moves out from Cutt’s Close during the group’s Boxing Day meet.

We’re For Rutland, We’re In...

Rutland

this summer saw the first anniversary of a new Rutland fund raising group set up by a trio of ladies with the backing of the Lord Lieutenant of rutland and over 70 volunteers. for Rutland-in Rutland aims to provide services for people living with cancer or dementia, as well as other long-term conditions and for general welfare concerns. Here we meet Jane Clayton-Jones and former High sheriffs of rutland Elizabeth mills and trish ruddle to find out more...

- in particular to reach hospital appointments, as well as health and NHS access more generally, plus advice on utilities, employment, housing and debt.

“We posed the question to our users ‘if this service wasn’t offered right here in Rutland, would you seek it out in, for instance, Leicestershire,’” says Jane.

“Over half of our respondents said ‘no’ which demonstrates the need for the service to operate right here in Rutland.”

The group is currently raising over £55,000 each year and needs to increase that figure each year to ensure

“For Rutland-In Rutland has been really well received. One year on we’re delighted with the support it has received,” says Elizabeth. “It was really important that we could keep the services that we offer in the county and make sure Rutlanders could access the advice and help they may need in later years.” n For Rutland-In Rutland has celebrated its first anniversary, and is the fundraising subgroup of Citizens Advice Rutland. The service can be accessed free of charged from the Citizens Advice offices at 56 High Street, Oakham. Call 01572 723494 or see www.forrutlandinrutland.org.uk.

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Jane Clayton-Jones and former High Sheriffs Elizabeth Mills and Trish Ruddle

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- motors -

The Car Created By

Q-BRANCH audi’s flagship 4x4 is a technological tour de force that even James Bond’s Q-Branch would be proud of. Listen carefully, 007: if you’re seeking a seven seater that’s luxurious, smooth, decent off-road but still delivers robust economy day-to-day, audi’s new q7 could be just the large suv you’re looking for...

audi sold just under 160,000 cars in 2014, an increase of 12% over the previous year.

It was a bumper year for the company, as buyers flocked to showrooms encouraged by the brand’s smart image, from the ‘posher than a Mini’ A1 small car, to the sales rep’s favourite, the A4, to its large 4x4 the Q7. The latter is not really designed for too much off-road punishment, despite its height and 4x4 transmission. As a seven seat SUV with some degree of ability for traversing muddy country lanes though, it’s one of - if not the - best.

A new model has just reached showrooms and will further cement the old model’s popularity, offering greater efficiency, most standard equipment and the latest technology to help negotiating supermarket car parks and the school run in the two tonne, five metre long car safer and easier to manoeuvre than ever.

It’s a sign of the times that the firm’s old eight and 12-cylinder engines are gone, replaced, instead, with a single 3.0 V6 engine, which is pretty modest for a car of the Q7’s size.

60mph is reached in 6.5 seconds, there’s a top speed of 145mph where legal, yet the Q7 still achieves 48mpg combined, 44mpg in town, which is not unreasonable in context. The firm’s standard eight-speed gearbox and 4x4 system are mated to a slew of driver aids, making it a cinch to drive.

Listen carefully 007: Audi’s Q-Branch has created a seven seater that’s wellequipped, luxurious, smooth and surprisingly economical.

The Q7 tackles backroads and motorways alike with aplomb.

Prices are from a reasonable £50,300 but put additional funds aside for the Dynamic Pack.

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What’s more prices start at £50,300 which, for a large and well-equipped seven seater is reasonable too, undercutting a Range Rover Sport to the tune of £10,000.

It’s well equipped too, with electrically adjustable heated leather seats, climate and cruise control, auto lights and wipers, sat nav,

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- motors -

“The ride is superlative, especially when you specify the optional air suspension...”

Right: An eight speed double clutch gearbox makes driving easy and jerk-free.

Below: The modern cabin doesn’t suffer ‘button overload’ thanks to an integrated control system and hi-res screen.

DAB radio, parking sensors front & rear, Bluetooth, keyless go and seven seats all standard on the basic SE model.

Also available is the sporty S-Line model which carries a £3,500 premium. Instead, we would choose the SE, then specify the optional Dynamic Pack which includes adaptive cruise control and air suspension for an extra £2,800, and perhaps a rear view camera (£500) for safer parking.

The options list is, of course, full of options like a digital TV tuner (£1,100), Bang & Olufsen stereo (£6,600) and extended leather pack covering instrument panels, sun visors and door pulls (£6,000)... the merits or otherwise of which we’ll leave to you to determine.

Ride comfort is superlative - especially when you specify the air suspension - and the Q7 is smooth, and refined even over rough roads. It’s just as adept when tackling motorways as back lanes, and even though you’d trust a Land Rover Discovery more over a rutted field, its 2.8 tonne towing ability should make pulling the odd horsebox or caravan a cinch.

The Q7 is every bit the modern car, with a pared back dashboard facilitated by a large screen, which rises electronically from the dashboard, and an integrated rotary controller with touchpad. Instrumentation is clear thanks to a colour display or the optional (and very beautiful, crystal clear) Virtual Cockpit - a 12” hi-res screen which replaces conventional dials to display speed, sat-nav instructions and other information.

Other thoughtful touches include electrically foldable rear seats, 4G wi-fi, and a wide range of interior leather colours and finishers.

Q7 is definitely a quality car, with equipment, space and economy figures that rival any large SUV. Off-road ability should be sufficient for most families, and with unsurpassed road manners, Audi’s ‘Q-Branch’ has created a large 4x4 which will leave Rutland motorists comfortable and cosseted... not shaken or stirred.

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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. Post office (9) 6. Be depressed when doctor introduces exercise (4) 8. She vainly seeks masculine attention (8) 9. A warm spring, we hear, for this old man (6) 10. Go off to find another partner (6) 11. Barely beat the opposition? (8) 12. It goes amiss to be a selfish type (6) 15. Dicky, Interpol star (8) 16. Many disturbed when people had a drunken party (8) 19. Set to work with new tutor after assembly (4,2) 21. One to perform afterwards for a devoted fan (8) 22. Lower by degrees into river (6) 24. Without love, tramp and wealthy man don't do this (6) 25. Told to include security to prevent access (8) 26. Less than one hour for action (4) 27. A plain fellow treated like a doormat (7,2)

dOwn 1. Keep shop (5) 2. Chap comes up in new suit, gets big wave (7) 3. He's not himself when working (5) 4. Vessel making way for others (7) 5. Strange thing to observe in a club (9) 6. Music masters require note when taking a rest off (7) 7. I'd put in now for a position in society (9) 13. Organised chaos on a grand scale (9) 14. Laboratory equipment is twice set up without objection being raised (4,5) 17. Rosalind's lover is located in Florida (7) 18. Bad rule may become permanent (7) 20. Censured about plot involving UK (7) 22. Fall out of love and languish (5) 23. Battle for the chairman's seat? (5)

dOwn

1. Roller — breaker (4) 3. It contains information about an air crash (5,3) 9. Knocking sound (3-1-3) 10. Dutch cheese (5) 11. An originally Bohemian dance (5) 12. The Dog Star (6) 14. Relating to the wrong period of time (13) 17. Large sautéed prawns (6) 19. Native American symbol (5) 22. Doomed (5) 23. Writing fluid holder (7) 24. Water sport (8) 25. Syncopated music (4)

1. Puns etc (8) 2. Essential (5) 4. Cross-legged posture for meditation (5,8) 5. Havana, say (5) 6. Bunch of flowers (7) 7. Yule (4) 8. Annex (6) 13. Excessive sentimentality in art or music (8) 15. One practising self-denial as a discipline (7) 16. Things or quantity imported (6) 18. Where one is surrounded by other things (5) 20. Greek letter (5) 21. Uncertain (4)

CRyPTiC answeRs

quiCk answeRs

quiCk CROsswORd

aCROss

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