Lincolnshire Pride February 2021

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PRIDE LINCOLNSHIRE

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This month’s cover artwork is Freya,

by Threekingham’s Kay Johns.

You can see more of her work and read about the artist inside.

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WELCOME

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nother year and, evidently, another lockdown. You’d be forgiven for feeling gloomy... but this is a time for looking forward, not for sadness! The overriding sentiment we should embrace is optimism... and the Pride team are certainly feeling optimistic about the prospect of putting 2020 behind us when we’re free again, and enjoying the county in spring and beyond.

In 2021 we urge you to enjoy all of the events we missed out on last year, and put uncertainties behind us. Join with us in making a pledge to support our local pubs, restaurants and hotels, independent retailers and other Lincolnshire businesses to make this year a better one for us all.

It can’t have escaped your notice that this month’s covers for Lincolnshire Pride as well as our sister titles, Rutland Pride and Stamford Pride, feature some absolutely beautiful local animals. Well, we’ll be meeting artist Kay Johns in this edition to find out more about her enchanting work.

Elsewhere we’re meeting Sheridan Smith to find out about her new BBC1 show. We’ll whet your appetite for some delicious home-cooked meals courtesy of a new cookbook from first responder charity LIVES, and we’ve yet more delicious food to enjoy in your own home as we meet barbecue entrepreneur David Beever.

On behalf of the whole Pride team, welcome to a better year for us all.

Here’s to 2021 and to all of the Lincolnshire businesses helping to make the county great!

Executive Editor robin@pridemagazines.co.uk 3

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74 CONTENTS NEWS & EVENTS 06

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HIGHLIGHTS 18

GROOM WITH A VIEW The Lincolnshire actress Sheridan Smith on her latest TV series... curating canines in Pooch Perfect.

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NATURE IN THE FRAME Exploring the beautiful countryside-inspired artwork of this month’s cover artist Kay Johns.

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NEWS The best ‘good news’ stories from across Lincolnshire... including plans to plant a tree for every North Lincolnshire resident.

A TRENCHARD BRAT A collection of memorabilia on the RAF’s youngest recruits, 100 years ago.

FOOD & DRINK 38

SAVING LIVES BY COOKING The new charity cookbook of our first responder charity, LIVES.

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DINING OUT Tom Kerridge on why it’s important to support Lincolnshire’s local pubs and restaurants.

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WHOLLY SMOKE A delicious new smokehouse providing barbecue treats via food delivery service Yummy.

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LIFT YOUR SPIRIT Local gin courtesy of Lincoln’s James Wood.

HOMES & GARDENS 66

WELCOME HOME A super family home located near Boston.

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INTERIORS Stunning sofas and beautiful bedding for a winter home.

100 GARDENING Winter snowdrops.

LADIES & GENTLEMEN 108 FASHION & COSMETICS Gorgeous winter outfits and soft pink makeup.

AND FINALLY...

122 MOTORS Land Rover’s go-anywhere luxury 4x4, and a heritage Bentley model that’ll blow you away.

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THE WEALTHIEST PEOPLE IN THE AREA READ PRIDE MAGAZINE

READ

FREE ONLINE

Pride Magazine is delivered free of charge, via Royal Mail, to high value homes in the county. Our circulation is to homes in the top three council tax bands, which are predominantly worth over ÂŁ300,000. This guarantees the magazine has an affluent readership commensurate with our content.

The magazine is also sold in supermarkets and newsagents and our in-house distribution team also works hard to hand-deliver the magazine to selected hotels and restaurants, doctors, dentists, executive motor dealerships and golf clubs.

This helps to ensure we have a continued presence, right across our catchment area.

Our titles also have more social media fans than any other local magazine. In addition we have over 30,000 online readers each month who view the magazine free of charge, online, on their tablet, computer, laptop or mobile phone via our website, our app, and via the Readly and Issuu platforms.

If your business would benefit from being showcased to the wealthiest people in the area, please call our friendly sales team on 01529 469977.

Amazing new app out now: You can read our magazines on any device anywhere.

Read Pride Magazine free online at www.pridemagazines.co.uk or by downloading our free iOS and Android App. LEGAL DISCLAIMER By supplying editorial or advertising copy to 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.

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

THE PRIDE TEAM Managing Director: Julian Wilkinson.

Production Director: Ian Bagley.

Sales Director: Zoie Wilkinson.

Sales Manager: Charlotte Daubney.

Sales Supervisor: Cydney Dyson.

Executive Editor: Rob Davis.

Illustrator: Jocelyn Lawman.

Customer Care Manager: Mandy Bray.

Web Developer: Joe Proctor.

Administration: Sue Bannister, Carissa Clay, Sami Millard.

Sales Executives: Cassy Ayton, and Grace Mumford.

Pride Magazines, Boston Enterprise Centre, Enterprise Way, Boston, Lincs PE21 7TW

Tel: 01529 469977 Fax: 01529 469978 www.pridemagazines.co.uk | enquiries@pridemagazines.co.uk

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NEWS & EVENTS

172,000 Trees for North Lincolnshire AMBITIOUS PLAN TO PLANT A TREE FOR EVERY NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE RESIDENT...

NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE Pupils from Baysgarth School are planting 3,300 trees as part of the county’s contribution to The Northern Forest. The scheme is the Government’s 25-year plan to plant 50 million trees across the North of England.

As part of the vision, North Lincolnshire has committed to seeing 172,000 trees planted in North Lincolnshire – one for every person in the county.

The Plant a Tree Today Foundation (PATT) was approached by Baysgarth School following a similar project carried out in Winterton last year involving 650 trees.

Phillips 66 Humber Refinery provided £9,000 funding to enable the project to go ahead, and helped with resources – including providing dozens of pairs of gloves.

PATT mobilised their Green Task Force of veterans to carry out the planting.

Young people and other

volunteers also helped with the planting and handed out hot refreshments on the day.

Richard Briggs, headteacher at Baysgarth School, said he would recommend the partnership between PATT

Great New Look for Lincoln CITY’S CORNHILL QUARTER IMPROVEMENTS CONTINUE WITH NEW LOOK MARKET PLAN

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and local business to any school looking to improve their area.

“Some of our students and staff had the opportunity to assist in this venture and thoroughly enjoyed it,” he said.

Rob Waltham, Leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “This is exactly the sort of project we are looking to get behind as part of our Northern Forest ambitions so thank you to everyone!” n

LINCOLN Improvements to the Cornhill Quarter of Lincoln are continuing, with news that the City Council has secured funding to facilitate feasibility works for the restoration and repurposing of the Lincoln Central Market building.

Funding through Historic England’s High Street Heritage Action Zone programme has now been secured, enabling initial works to begin later this year.

The works on the Grade II listed building would create a new updated, vibrant, distinct and diversified market offer, combining retail, food, leisure and technology.

The proposals include the replacement of the existing WCs and butchers & fishmongers corridor, the creation of the new open shopfront to Sincil Street to enhance the retail sales experience akin to a ‘Farm Shop in the City,’ plus a New extension to enable a new first floor retail space to be formed, with a balcony area facing onto Sincil Street with a new mezzanine level to the western end of the market providing additional retail space.

The project will also see the creation of new market stalls in the style of the 1937 ones. n www.cornhillquarter.co.uk.

PUP-DATE FROM THE LINCS WILDLIFE TRUST

Ibiza, in Lincoln, this February... yes,you heard us correctly!

Think Ibiza and you think sun, sand... and club music. Classical music in Lincoln in the middle of February might seem incongruous, but the Lincolnshire Showground is this month hosting its Ibiza Orchestra Live event, with club tracks transformed into classical music, performed by an orchestra to an audience under a sheltered auditorium.

Tickets are £45, the event takes place on 13th February 2021, from 6pm. n lincolnshireshowground.co.uk.

LINCOLN

SKEGNESS Whilst 2020 might not have been to everyone’s taste (to put it mildly) the year certainly ended on a high for the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust who were delighted to report record numbers of seal pups born at Donna Nook.

Serving as a reminder that life goes on – despite global pandemics and Brexit – at the time of writing 2,204 seal pups have been born on the East Coast which already exceeds 2019’s figure of 2,186, so last year was at least a bumper

year for new life on the coastline of the North Sea. The Wildlife Trust advised visitors that the reserve was closed as long as Lincolnshire remained in tier three, which suited the seal mums coming ashore to give birth to their young pups, who – quite understandably – don’t tend to appreciate visitors and their camera lenses. Donna Nook covers more than 10km (6.25 miles) of coastline near Saltfleet and Theddlethorpe. n See www.lincstrust.org.uk.

In the Kitchen for LIVES NEW LOCAL COOKBOOK AIMS TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE COUNTY’S EMERGENCY FIRST RESPONSE CHARITY

LINCOLNSHIRE A new cookbook, Lincolnshire Kitchen, created

by LIVES is a celebration of the fantastic produce in the county.

It brings together an abundance of well-known and highly respected companies and food producers. This a 50 page book, with the recipes cooked and photographed together to produce a commercial feel to the book, whilst also showcasing the brands who have chosen to be part of the project.

All profits from the sale of the cookbook will support the vital work of LIVES. n See our feature on the new cookbook later in this edition, where we’ll find out more about the charity.

£100,000,000

Seal Birth Record

BOSTON It’s open for business... or at least open to protect businesses and homes in Boston. The town’s new flood barrier – part of a £100m Environment Agency scheme – operated for the first time in mid-December and will protect 13,000 premises. The barrier can be raised in 20 minutes in the event of North Sea tidal surges. n

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LOCAL

NEWS In Brief GRIMSBY x

HELPING THE NEEDY ONE CRISP PACKET AT A TIME At this time of year, life on the streets is cold and lonely, but Grimsby’s Caz White has come up with an innovative way of helping the homeless, creating blankets, roll mats and sleeping bag covers... by recycling old crisp packets!

Already Caz has collected 67,000 packets plus the 33,000 she has already used, which are then washed out and melted together using an iron to create thermal blankets.

Ten volunteers help Caz to create her items, which of course also prevents the film packaging going into landfill. n 7

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YOUR HOME, OUR VISION

3-4 BEDROOM HOMES FROM £185,000 Surfleet is a popular village location with plenty of amenities and good transport links.

STATION ROAD, SURFLEET, LINCOLNSHIRE PE11 4DG Showhomes open Thursday to Monday 10-5pm book your private viewing on 07935 502728.

01406 490590 • www.ashwoodhomes.co 1 GOODISON ROAD, LINCS GATEWAY BUSINESS PARK, SPALDING, PE12 6FY Please Note: Internal photographs reflect the typical style and finish of properties, but exact specifications and room layouts may vary according to individual plot and development. Help to Buy terms and conditions may apply, please call for further details.

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LIME GROVE, BASSINGHAM, LINCOLN

£595,000

Contemporary red brick property offering light and spacious accommodation to create a stylish six-bedroom family home. Ground floor accommodation includes a generously proportioned kitchen/breakfast room with separate utility room, dual aspect sitting room, family room, formal dining room and home office. To the first floor there is large principal bedroom with dressing room and en-suite bathroom, en-suite guest bedroom, four further double bedrooms and a family bathroom. The secluded garden to the rear has a delightful terrace and large raised lawn, whilst to the front, the detached double garage is approached via a block-paved driveway. Bassingham is a thriving rural village with a wide range of amenities and just ten miles from both the historic cathedral city of Lincoln and the popular market town of Newark. For commuters, there are frequent mainline train services from Newark to London King’s Cross (approx 82 minutes).

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THE COTTAGE, WELLINGORE, LINCOLN

EPC Rating: D

£400,000

This charming, linked cottage enjoys a quiet position within the picturesque and sought-after Lincolnshire Cliff village of Wellingore. The Cottage’s spacious and versatile interior is steeped with many original features and the ground floor accommodation comprises of a kitchen with separate utility room, large sitting room with garden views, dining room and fourth bedroom /study. The first-floor accommodation enjoys three bedrooms and a spacious family bathroom. Externally, the property occupies a superb position, with a walled mature garden, sun terrace, spacious garage for two/three vehicles, workshop/garden room and private driveway. This desirable village is located nine miles from Lincoln and fourteen miles from Newark where there is an hourly hi-speed rail connection to London Kings Cross (approx 82 mins).

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EPC Rating: D

YEW TREE BARN, HELPRINGHAM, SLEAFORD

£750,000

A superior five-bedroom barn conversion in a half-acre plot situated within an idyllic village location. Yew Tree Barn offers stylish and generously proportioned accommodation throughout to create a very special family home. The ground floor accommodation includes a spacious semi-vaulted family kitchen, sitting room with feature brick inglenook and multi-fuel stove, elegant formal dining room and four generously proportioned bedrooms (two with en-suites). The stunning principal suite with walk-in wardrobe and ensuite bathroom is located on the first floor. The beautifully landscaped south-facing gardens offer a large terrace for outdoor entertaining, expansive lawns, and a delightful wildlife pond. The property boasts a detached double garage and ample additional parking.

Grantham’s high-speed rail network to London Kings Cross (approximately 65 minutes) is located a short distance away as are two excellent and sought-after Grammar schools.

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EPC Rating: B

THE WALLED GARDEN, HARMSTON, LINCOLN

£279,950

A wonderful, end of terrace cottage within the picturesque and sought-after village of Harmston. The extended accommodation is arranged on two floors and is entered by a reception hallway. The ground floor comprises of a duel aspect sitting room with multi fuel stove, kitchen/dining room and a bright garden room/ home office with composite windows and French doors. At first floor level, there is a master bedroom, second double bedroom, single bedroom with handmade fitted cabin bed and a family bathroom. Externally the property enjoys an enviable corner location, a private rear low-maintenance garden and a garage with driveway providing off street parking for two vehicles. The desirable Lincolnshire Cliff village of Harmston is located just six miles south from Lincoln and 18 miles from Grantham where there is a High-Speed Rail Network to London’s King’s Cross (approxi 65 minutes).

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EPC Rating: C

Fine & Country Lincolnshire and Grantham, 55 High Street, Navenby, Lincs LN5 0DZ Telephone: 01522 287008 or 01476 247070 Email: lincoln@fineandcountry.com www.fineandcountry.com With offices in over 300 locations worldwide Fine and Country combine the widespread exposure of the international marketplace with national marketing campaigns and local expertise...

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Philbeech Gardens, Kirton £435,000

Spilsby Road, Boston

The beautiful executive detached Plot One on Richard Reed’s Philbeech Gardens has underfloor heating and four large double bedrooms, two of which have en-suite. It has an incredible ‘living kitchen’ with quartz worktops, integral appliances, triple bi-folding doors a larger than average plot and a detached double garage.

Such a beautifully maintained period property with four reception rooms, and five bedrooms over three floors. It enjoys a private mature rear garden, ample off road parking for many vehicles a brand new bespoke sun-lounge and a detached Double Garage and is within a convenient walking distance to schools, hospital and the town centre.

£445,000

Fantastic four bedroom Grade Two Listed Georgian property, with many original features and a range of outbuildings to include former coach house, stables, multiple garages, games room and a workshop. There are four reception rooms, three en-suites and an attractive mature garden with outdoor kitchen and pizza oven.

Philbeech Gardens, Kirton £335,000

Rawsons Lane, Boston O/O £650,000

Philbeech Gardens, Kirton £360,000

Plot 4 in the exclusive Philbeech Gardens will be ready early 2021 and has underfloor heating, four double bedrooms with en-suite to the master and a high quality fully tiled family bathroom. It has a lovely ‘L’ Shaped dining kitchen with integral appliances, triple bi-folding doors, utility room, separate study and a detached garage.

Enjoying what must be one of the most attractive uninterrupted parkland views to the rear, The Elms is filled with charm and character and has a superb dining kitchen along with three other spacious reception rooms all fitted with wood-burners. There are five double bedrooms two of which are en-suite.

Ready early 2021 Plot 6 Philbeech Gardens, has four bedrooms, en-suite to the master, underfloor heating, spacious dining kitchen with quality appliances and bi-folding doors to the garden, separate utility room, two reception rooms and a garage.

Spilsby Road, Boston £525,000

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CARLTON HOUSE 42 Wragby Road | Bardney | Lincoln | LN3 5XL

• Five Bedroomed Detached Period Residence plus 2 bedroomed annexe set in 0.43 Acres of Private Gardens

HOTCHKIN Plot 3 | Petwood Oaks | Woodhall Spa | Lincolnshire | LN10 6AH

• 3 Large Reception Rooms, Modern Fitted Kitchen and Utility

FOR SALE FREEHOLD WITH VACANT POSSESSION

• 5 Bedrooms with 3 En-Suites and Spacious Hallways, EPC F37

£595,000

• Modernised Annexe with 2 Bedrooms, En-Suite and Shower Room

Subject To Contract

SOLD

THE OLD FORGE Middlegate Road | Frampton | Boston | Lincolnshire | PE20 1AW

• Unique Period Three Bedroomed Cottage in Highly Desirable Village Location FOR SALE • Sympathetically Updated to Include Large Open Plan Living Spaces FREEHOLD WITH • Features Include Inglenook Fireplace, Wood Burning Stove, VACANT POSSESSION Exposed Beams, Tiled Floors and a Superb Galleried Landing • New Central Heating System to Include a New Boiler and Radiators Subject To Contract • Desirable Rural Location, Integral Garaging, Gardens and Parking • Potential for Further Bedrooms Subject to Planning Consent

£349,950 SOLD

• A Magnificent Five Bedroomed Detached House of Architectural Merit FOR SALE • Nestled on the Edge of Parkland in a Select Gated Development FREEHOLD WITH • Located in One of the East Midlands most Desirable Villages VACANT POSSESSION • Large Kitchen Family Area with Dining Room, Separate Lounge and Study Subject To Contract • Three En-Suite Bedrooms, Two Further Bedrooms & Family Bathroom • Triple Garage and Private Gardens

£995,000 SOLD

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SHERIDAN SMITH’S POOCH PERFECT

SHERIDAN’S

GROOM WITH A VIEW This month you can expect some dramatic trans-fur-mations as Lincolnshire actress Sheridan Smith fronts a new TV series dedicated to showing off the most magnificent makeovers for scruffy pups. Carefully curated canines strut their stuff in style on the show’s catwalk... well, on the dogwalk, more accurately...

Words: Rob Davis.

SHERIDAN SMITH IS EXCEPTIONAL. With a CV that covers TV, radio, theatre and film.

The actress, from Epworth, near Scunthorpe, has also released two albums and can barely move in her house for tripping over her awards... Classic BRIT; Laurence Oliver; Bafta; Emmy; TV Choice; National Television Awards.

There’s one respect, though, in which Sheridan, who celebrates her 40th this summer, is rather more normal. Like the rest of us, she’s a dog-lover. Over 25% of the UK population has a dog, according to the charity PDSA, with many more of us coveting a canine but being unable to commit because of our lifestyles. Undoubtedly we’re a nation of dog-lovers, from lippy terriers with too much bravado to sedate labradors who won’t leave your side, to spaniels with boundless energy.

In all shapes and sizes, dogs are incredible company and they remain our best friends.

Accordingly, the dog grooming market has boomed. Things are a bit more sophisticated these days, and have moved on significantly from when I hosed down my thick-as-mince Boxer dog, who used to find dead birds or cow pats to roll in during a country dog walk.

These days a cursory glance at one groomer and you’ll see dog shampoos with eucalyptus and lemongrass; dog nose and paw balm; herbal ear cleaner and the obligatory dog cologne (Issey M’Yappie was my favourite pun during a brief search). It’s a far cry from the Fairy liquid and outside rinse-down treatment my foul-smelling Boxer received, and it’s this keenness that forms the basis of Sheridan’s new show, Pooch Perfect, which airs as Pride goes to press, an eight part series with each programme 60 minutes in duration.

“We’re finely tuned to the needs of our four-legged furry friends,” says Sheridan, who has six dogs at home. “From winter coats to car seats, doggy daycare to dietary needs, we all prioritise our pets’ care, comfort and wellbeing. As a result, the dog-grooming industry is booming, so man’s (and woman’s) best friend has never been so well pampered.”

The TV executives at Seven Studios UK thought it’d be a great idea for find the UK’s best dog groomer, and when Sheridan was approached to front the show, it proved too tempting a proposition to resist.

“Pooch Perfect will feature ten pairs of professional dog stylists from around the country, taking part in a series of themed challenges to create epic transformations of beloved pets, as they compete to be crowned the UK’s Top Dog Stylist,” she says. >>

Main: Sheridan Smith is from Epworth, Scunthorpe and this month fronts her first TV series, Pooch Perfect, which aims to find Britain’s best dog stylist!

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Sheridan Smith with partner Jamie Horn prior to the birth of her son Billy in May. The actress spoke openly about being pregnant in lockdown in the ITV documentary Becoming Mum. Also in shot are two of the couple’s six dogs.

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>> “Each week, the teams will reveal their creations on The Dogwalk, where the judges will deliberate over the week’s canine contenders, and their owners are given the chance to see their newly transformed dogs for the first time.”

Alongside breathtaking reveals, celebrity guest judges and the cutest cast of canines, the doggy stars will be in seventh heaven in the show’s specially built ‘Pooch Palace’ designed to cater for their every need. Pooch Perfect is packed with heart and joy, warm and funny for the whole family, leaving viewers begging for more.

“As well as amazing ‘trans-fur-mations’, the show will also be packed full of useful information for dog lovers and owners, delivering top tips on responsible ownership, fun facts about dog breeds and a guide to at-home pooch pampering techniques.”

Sheridan began her career after attending South Axholme Comprehensive School and John Leggott College, also studying dance at the Joyce Mason School of Dancing in Scunthorpe. Eschewing formal study at a drama school she instead joined the National Youth Music Theatre.

The actress is most often seen on our TV, though. Typically Sheridan portrays an avowedly working class young girl, from Emma in the Royle Family; Janet in Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps; and Rudi – Smithy’s younger sister – in Gavin & Stacey. That’s not to say, though, that Sheridan’s range is limited.

Sheridan has also performed on stage in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Nöel Coward and has worked at the London Palladium narrating Joseph & The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.

In 2018 Sheridan was nominated as Female Artist of the Year and for an Album of the Year award by radio’s Classic FM for her eponymous album. That year she also released an album of Northern Soul standards.

Sheridan is also known for her portrayal of Cilla Black in the 2014 mini-series of the Liverpudlian singer, and also portrayed cancer patient Lisa Lynch in 2015.

Away from work, Sheridan also has a son Billy, who is now eight months old, and partner Jamie Horn. Sheridan has spoken openly about her experiences with anxiety and the pressure of being in the industry and how her strength – and her family, including her animals – have helped her to overcome the intensity of being in the modern media.

“To combine my love of dogs with a brand new job presenting for the BBC was a match made in heaven! Everyone who knows me will understand that animals – and especially dogs – are very special to me.”

“I live at home with six dogs, so presenting a show dedicated to our four-legged best friends didn’t take much consideration!

I’m used to being on set with lots of actors, this time I can’t wait to hang out all day with dozens of dogs. It’s my dream job!” n

Find Out More: Pooch Perfect is due to begin on BBC One from Thursday 7th January at 8pm, please note that TV schedules remain subject to change. See www.sheridansmith.org for more.

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ARTIST KAY JOHNS

NATURE in the

FRAME For Lincolnshire’s Kay Johns, home is where the heart is… or rather, where the art is. From her studio in the village of Threekingham, Kay and husband David delight in taking their work on the road, even if 2020 was a little bit different…

Words: Rob Davis.

“I’M REALLY OBSESSED,” Says Kay Johns.

“Honestly, I’d go crazy if I didn’t paint every day.” We’re in her studio on the first floor of her Threekingham farmhouse, equidistant from Sleaford, Boston Bourne and Grantham.

It’s a misty old morning, but that lovely flat diffused light is ideal for painting… which is why husband David and I have to drag Kay, kicking and screaming, from her easel to have a chat!

Prior to my untimely interruption Kay was face-to-face with a mouse… not in the house, thankfully, but on the canvas. Kay’s work almost entirely consists of the kind of British wildlife we know and love; hares, foxes, pheasants, mice… though the odd jungle animal has wandered past Threekingham in recent years, affording Kay the chance to paint elephants and giraffes as they graze the Serengeti-like landscape of Sempringham fen.

Her work is utterly magical, absolutely full of character and an unequivocal joy to look at. I’m no expert and I’m certainly no artist but I have spent a good deal of time puzzling over what makes Kay’s work so instantly likeable.

All I can conclude is that quite beyond the technical quality of her work, Kay has an uncanny knack of understanding the subject anatomically and appreciating each animal’s character.

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“Any artist that tells you they don’t research an animal’s physiology online is probably a fibber,” says Kay. “But the best source material for an artist is observing an animal for yourself in its natural habitat. We go on lots of country walks, and I find myself just watching each creature’s mannerism.”

“I don’t work from a photograph, I take a creature and imagine it in a setting, giving each one an expression that’s commensurate with its character. If something about an animal’s position or expression isn’t right, you’ll know it. You might not necessarily see what’s wrong, but you’ll know that something isn’t quite right.”

“Even subjects like dogs are so different from breed to breed that it’s important to observe and understand their character.

A Spaniel might look explosive; a Labrador might look faithful; a Dachshund might look highly strung.” >>

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Above: Moonlight Flit, limited edition of just 295 copies worldwide, ÂŁ595, 1145mm x 900mm including mount & frame (XL size). Other sizes available.

Left: Kay Johns in her studio.

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LINCOLNSHIRE ARTIST KAY JOHNS

>> “If you don’t capture that, you haven’t done your subject justice,” she adds.

Ordinarily you’ll find both Kay and David pretty elusive, since their specialism is taking Kay’s art on the road. Happily they’ve been a little more available this year to those in the county, and have been able to enjoy raising Kay’s profile right here in Lincolnshire instead of doing so outside the county at the 40-odd shows they attend each year.

Ordinarily Kay reveals a new collection every January, and has recently created a range of greeting cards including Valentine and Mothers Day cards. This year though, she’s planning to release new artwork throughout the year, creating a compelling reason for regularly checking her website.

David left the RAF in 2005 to take over his parent’s business, selling artwork at country shows and craft fairs. Kay meanwhile had always enjoyed painting but instead threw her creativity behind upcycling furniture.

Their eyes met across a crowded showground where both were exhibiting – separately – and the rest is history.

The two worked together selling artwork from other artists but when Kay’s work started to make an appearance in the marquees they set up, she soon became the flagship ‘artist patron.’

print for less than £40 or invest in a handfinished original piece, framed, for anything up to £5,000.

“I always start with the eyes as they’re the most important detail, and they’re really crucial to capturing an animal’s expression.”

Kay produces both white work (slightly quirky style) and also a classic grown-up scenes with the subject set against a black background, which really creates a dramatic look.

“I then work around the eyeline and outwards, darkest tones first. It takes anything up to six or seven layers of painted fur to achieve the depth and realism I love, and I often take a step back to look at a piece not close-up as an artist, but from slightly further back, as the viewer.”

“Every single piece begins with a walk around the Lincolnshire countryside,” says Kay. “Living here you can be just 10ft away from a fox cub, like a voyeur who enjoys the privilege of watching nature right before your eyes. There’s nothing like it.”

“Gouache has a wonderful depth of pigment, enabling white to paint over black unlike standard watercolour. >>

“I sketch all the time and the sketching process can often take as long as the painting itself. I work in fine black pen once I’ve a few ideas in mind and sometimes I overlay different versions to perfect a composition.”

“Once I’m happy I complete a final trace and then photocopy it onto acetate, then use a projector to overlay an image of it onto my canvas.”

“I work on mount board because it has a lovely flecked texture and I usually work larger than the intended prints are to be.”

Today, the two exhibit at Agricultural Shows and Game Fairs throughout the UK for eight months of the year and now have two units; a Mercedes Actros and a Mercedes Atego lorry – the former an 18 tonne unit purpose-built for the couple by Mercedes – with the couple’s 40ft windproof marquee, and about 500 examples of Kay’s artwork on board. The couple set up a complete mobile art gallery wherever they go, with LED lighting, carpeting and enough room for the very many fans that Kay has.

Happily, Kay and David are really democratic when it comes to art, and believe that Kay’s work should be enjoyed by as many people as possible.

The couple have prints, some limited edition work and exclusive original pieces too, with sizes ranging from unframed prints of 15cm square to framed pieces well over a metre in width. Accordingly, you can enjoy a giclée Top: Love Is… hare cuddling artwork. Hand embellished, limited to 195 copies worldwide. 335mm x 335mm, £89 including mount and grey distressed deep modern frame.

Above: Bootiful, Norfolk Terrier. Hand-embellished, limited to 195 copies worldwide. 335mm x 335mm, £89 including mount and grey distressed deep modern frame.

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Above: French Kiss, French donkey artwork, limited to 195 copies worldwide, 580mm x 720mm ÂŁ295 mounted and framed (medium).

Other size options available.

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LINCOLNSHIRE ARTIST KAY JOHNS

>> “I guess the whole painting process can take anywhere from 2 to 50 hours depending on the size and complexity of the piece. I tend to work on two or three pieces so I can allow one piece to dry whilst working on another.”

“From that we scan and digitise the artwork then decide which sizes we’ll produce or whether we’ll keep it as an exclusive original.

I’m pretty prolific but I can sometimes sit on a proof for days before deciding. If and when we do produce prints, we’ve a state of the art nine-colour large format digital printer which can output colour corrected giclée prints on lovely 315gsm artist soft textured art paper. I often finish work with gold acrylic flecking which is a great way to emphasise movement and to add an intrinsic, hand-finished individually unique value to a piece.”

David, in addition to being a first-class logistics man, is also an expert framer. Ordinarily his entire year’s work consists of providing reprographic services to the business – printing and scanning – as well as framing work either to order, or as stock to take to shows.

One side effect of a slightly reduced number of orders from shows this year is that David has been able to accept framing commissions for customers’ artwork and memorabilia. Ordinarily the team are too busy and have to politely decline such work, but with thousands of combinations of mounts and frames, if you’ve a piece that needs displaying, or a piece of artwork that could benefit from modernising, David is certainly the guy you should have ‘in the frame.’ As it were.

Meanwhile, Kay returns to her easel and puts the finishing touches to a painting of a fieldmouse – a creature proving popular with customers right now – its cheeky expression makes it seem so real I could almost hand it a chunk of cheese. It’s alive with character… like the Lincolnshire countryside itself, and just like Kay’s artwork! n Kay Johns is the Lincolnshire artist based at The Event Gallery in Threekingham, which offers viewing by appointment. For more information and to view Kay’s work, see www.theeventgallery.co.uk or call 01529 240529.

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Images: Banger, the Sausage Dog; Heartfelt, and Chuckle Berries, all hand-embellished limited to 195 copies worldwide, £49 - £89.

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Above: Heaven Sent, liver working Cocker Spaniel, limited to 295 copies worldwide, 610mm x 750mm, ÂŁ185 mounted-only; ÂŁ275 framed (medium).

Other size options available.

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Can local business owners steer their enterprises in 2021 and thrive?

The way in which they plan, with staffing requirements high on the agenda, will shape the way in which they can move forward successfully, says Wilkin Chapman Partner and employment specialist Oliver Tasker.

PRE-Christmas brought with it the full re-opening of shops and many local businesses, even for those of us who initially remained within the strictest coronavirus tier.

Hairdressers, beauticians, market traders and local gift and clothing retail outlets were amongst the businesses that were able to breathe a sigh of relief and look to a busy December and hopefully a bustling January, with some no doubt planning their annual sales.

On the other side of the coin, the demise of some of the largest High Street brands has been well documented and this region has not escaped those closures. A sad sight will certainly be the huge premises vacated by Debenhams on St Mark’s Street in Lincoln if the business cannot be saved. These struggles serve as a reminder of the way in which Covid-19 has accelerated the demise of some of the nation’s bestlove department stores. Debenhams is not alone.

Whilst the ripple effect felt by such closures will remain and it continues to be extremely challenging for some,

especially those within the hospitality and entertainment sector, we can perhaps take a glimmer of hope from recent figures published by grocery insight specialist IGD. Its study found that nearly a quarter of 18 to 24-yearolds said they had visited a local butcher, fishmonger of greengrocer in 2020 – up from 20 per cent in 2019.

Could this upturn be the same for other local businesses?

Taking all the above into account, the complexities for many local business owners will be trying to predict the future, how busy their individual companies are going to be and organising their staffing accordingly.

Recruiting and retaining good staff may arguably be easier now with a larger pool to pull from, however it remains a priority for business owners to ensure they have the correct procedures in place – whether those new recruits are temporary or permanent.

Employment law remains firmly under the spotlight and in recent years there has been a move to further protect the casual employee or those on zero-hours contracts. Did you know, for example, that workers must have contracts of employment from day one, or before, and that stands for casual workers too.

When considering short term contracts, owners must also factor in holiday accrual for such non-permanent workers.

Add to that the planned increases in minimum wage from April and the end of the coronavirus job retention scheme at the end of March, and the importance of understanding and complying with employment law becomes apparent.

Here at Wilkin Chapman, we have responded to that need with the launch of Adapt HR, our bespoke employment law and HR advice line providing costeffective legal advice 24/7 for a fixed annual fee. It also allows businesses to tailor the service to their requirements, by adding valuable bespoke services such as targeted training for either owners or managers.

In developing Adapt HR, we recognise the challenges faced by SMEs going forward and the requirement for trusted legal advice when needed the most, as we work together to build again in 2021.

For more information, Oliver Tasker can be contacted on 01522 515987 or email oliver.tasker@ wilkinchapman.co.uk or visit wilkinchapman.co.uk

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100 YEARS OF RAF CRANWELL

A Trenchard Brat

In the Heart of Lincolnshire 100 years ago this month, Herbert ‘Tom’ Tomlin enlisted at RAF Cranwell. The station was just four years old, and Herbert was only ten years older than that. The plucky lad had heard stories of bravery and heroism from the Great War, not least tales of those ‘magnificent men in their flying machines.’

This month the Cranwell Aviation Heritage Museum reveals the story of the ‘Trenchard Brats,’ with a brand new collection of items which tell the story of Herbert’s life in RAF Cranwell Boys’ Wing...

Words & Images: Rob Davis & Tony Barron with material from NKDC; www.heartoflincs.com.

NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT to a story than a great main character. And when it comes to recounting the story of the RAF Cranwell’s ‘Boys’ Wing,’ Herbert Tomlin, ‘Tom’ is certainly a brilliant lead role.

Exactly 100 years ago, the young lad signed up to the Airport Apprentice Scheme (AAS); a role created by Hugh Trenchard. He was a man so RAF that even his stiff upper lip had a stiff upper lip of its own.

The First Viscount Trenchard was born in 1879 and had served in the Boer War, before being appointed Officer Commanding of the Royal Flying Corps. The latter would be amalgamated with the Royal Navy Air Service to become the RAF in 1918, just after the worth of air combat had been proven in the First World War. Aircraft engineers, Trenchard came to realise, were thin on the ground – pun intended – and so to keep Britain flying, the newly appointed Chief of the Air Staff needed a good supply of well-educated boys who could apply the necessary intellect and technical proficiency to aviation-centric engineering challenges – for instance, aircraft electrical systems, creating interrupter mechanisms to synchronise firing through propellers, and of course, designing aerodynamic air frames.

Trenchard created an Aircraft Apprentice Scheme, which was originally due to be

based at RAF Halton, though a lack of suitable accommodation meant it was first based at RAF Cranwell instead, opening in 1920.

Though a second ‘Boys’ Wing’ also opened in 1922 at RAF Halton, Cranwell’s AAS remained at Cranwell until 1952 before being transferred to RAF Locking.

And so, our hero, Tommy Tomlin, was one of the first recruits of the AAS, which would come to be known by the soubriquet of ‘Trenchard’s Brats...’ in Lincolnshire, incidentally, they were also known as The Poacher’s Brats. The Scheme was a three year commitment for boys between 15 and 17 and a half. Legal guardianship in loco parentis was assumed by the RAF and entrance involved rigorous exams, intelligence tests and also medical examinations.

Trenchard would address himself to Tom and the rest of the first intake thusly; “I’m Hugh Trenchard and you’re who work hard.”

Thankfully the education was better than the comedy, and among the AAS’s graduates was one Frank Whittle.

The creator of the jet engine, Whittle passed the entrance exam in 1923 at RAF Halton, but at just five feet tall and with a bit of a puny build, lasted just a couple of days.

Whittle was undeterred and embarked on a serious exercise regime, and after a second rejection, applied a third time, this time at RAF Cranwell and under an assumed name.

Whittle apparently hated the discipline, even considering desertion, but his Commanding Officer admired the model aircraft that he created and acknowledged his mathematical genius, recommending him for Officer Training at Cranwell in 1926... perhaps a neat example of how the meek can inherit the Earth. Safe to say that decision was a good one, for were it not for the faith that the OC demonstrated, we may never have had the jet engine, which was invented by Whittle!

Meanwhile, back to Tom. After enlistment into the training establishment, the ‘Boys’ were divided into two sections. They would then be trained on many graded courses, beginning with elementary work, and passing out once tasks within the sphere of their particular trade had been achieved.

The boys were also required to sit all their written examinations in a number of subjects including the sciences, mathematics, English and technical drawing.

In 1921, Herbert was part of the Boys’ Wing contingent that paraded at the Royal Tournament at Olympia, London. This was clearly a memorable event for him, as aside from photos, Herbert collected numerous newspaper clippings relating to the event, as well as a well-thumbed copy of the Tournament’s programme, inside which was his own personal souvenir of the pageant.

These documents form part of the collection of material that Tom’s nephew Tony Barron, has collated and looked after. >>

Main Image: 100 years ago, Herbert ‘Tom’ (pictured front row, right with cane) Tomlin enlisted in the RAF’s Boys’ Wing, also known as the Airport Apprentice Scheme, as one of ‘Trenchard’s Brats!’

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THE TRENCHARD BRAT

>> Tony has recently donated the collection to the Cranwell Aviation Heritage Museum which has included it as part of its collection of material on display to tell the story of the AAS. From the same era, Herbert’s photo album includes images of RAF Cranwell’s original Fire Brigade and other images of buildings and aircraft at Cranwell as of 1922. Herbert was promoted to Aircraftman First Class in December 1922. Three years later he was promoted to Leading Aircraftman (LAC).

In August 1927, Herbert was promoted again, this time to Corporal, and then in June 1933, he was promoted to Sergeant.

Five years later to the day he was promoted a final time to the rank of Flight Sergeant.

On 24th September 1941, Tomlin was also Mentioned in Dispatches (MiD) for ‘distinguished service’ although this is for reasons he did not discuss. In 1947, after completing 27 years of service, then WO, Tomlin was discharged from the RAF. Following his release from the RAF, the now ‘Mr’ Tomlin was employed as a senior aircraft inspector at the Royal Naval Air Yard, Fleetlands in Gosport.

Herbert married rather late in life at the age of 53. Tony had just returned from National Service in West Africa and was privileged to be the best man at Herbert’s marriage to Phyllis. Over the following decades, Herbert attended at least three RAF reunions, the first in 1970, the last in 1985.

In 1970, Herbert attended RAF Halton’s Golden Jubilee celebrations and it’s no surprise that he purchased and saved a copy of the souvenir magazine.

Two further reunions took place in September 1980, when Herbert attended the 60 year reunion of the Boys’ Wing at RAF Cranwell.

Herbert retained three photographs from the event; a group photograph, the Boys’ Wing on parade and the presentation of a

This Page: A Super Handley Page aircraft c.1922; In 1921, Herbert was part of the Boys’ Wing contingent that paraded at the Royal Tournament at Olympia, London; Cranwell’s Fire Brigade 1922.

Opposite: Herbert c.1925; Herbert marries Phyllis in 1958. Herbert at 85 years of age.

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rose bowl by the 1920 Boys’ Wing, displayed in Trenchard Hall Officers’ Mess.

Five years later he was back at Cranwell, this time accompanied by Tony, attending the 65 years-on reunion of the Boys’ Wing at RAF Cranwell. By this time, the ‘Boys’ attending were in their early eighties. Sadly, Herbert’s wife had also predeceased him in 1984.

Herbert lived on until 1990 and died aged 86. His obituary entitled ‘Death of a Trenchard Brat’ was published in the Southern Echo, on 12th December 1990, and it’s not known if any further Boys’ Wing reunions took place after the one held in 1985.

100 years on exactly from Herbert enlisting in the RAF, Tony has ensured that the huge collection of documents, photographs, newspaper clippings and other material collected by Herbert is available for all to see, with an online exhibition now visible and more material at Cranwell Aviation Heritage Museum which can be enjoyed once Covid restrictions are listed.

Many of the items donated are specific to RAF Cranwell and its Boys’ Wing, others provide a more general background of the RAF’s early history.

Cataloguing the items, say the museum’s curators, has made for fascinating reading regarding the life of a man – or indeed ‘Boy’ – who joined the RAF in 1920 and who, 65 years later, was still attending events along with former colleagues commemorating their RAF service. Once Cranwell Aviation Heritage Museum resumes its normal opening hours, it is envisaged that many more of the items relating to Herbert, and indeed items relating to the Boys’ Wing from the collection, will be on public display at the museum. n

n Our article utilises material from Herbert’s archive, donated to Cranwell Aviation Heritage Museum by Tony Barron. The museum is operated by North Kesteven District Council, and is based at Heath Farm, North Rauceby, Sleaford NG34 8QR. Call 01529 488490 or see www.heartoflincs.com/cranwell.

North Kesteven’s other attractions include Mrs Smith’s Cottage, Cogglesford Mill and Navigation House.

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Did you know, one in four people experiences mental health issues each year? In the UK, mental ill health is responsible for 72,000,000 working days lost and costs employers £34.9bn each year...

What is Mental Health First Aid? Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an internationally recognised training course which teaches people how to spot the signs and symptoms of mental ill health and provide help on a first aid basis. MHFA won’t teach you to be a therapist, but just like physical first aid, it will teach you to listen, reassure and respond, even in a crisis. Adult MHFA courses are for everyone aged 16 upwards. Every MHFA course is delivered by a quality assured instructor who has attended our Instructor Training programme accredited by the Royal Society for Public Health, and is trained to keep people safe and supported while they learn.

Why Choose LIVES? Choosing LIVES to supply your Mental Health First Aid course will allow you to further your mental health awareness, help someone in need and promote positive mental health in the work pace. You will also help promote our passion for sharing knowledge and increasing awareness and allowing people to speak openly about their mental health. You would care for someone with physical first aid needs, why not mental health needs?

To find out more or to discuss your needs contact us on 01507 525999 or book online at www.lives.org.uk/training/mental-health-first-aid

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REASONS WHY EVERY EMPLOYER SHOULD INVEST IN STAFF MENTAL HEALTH. Retain Skills By Reducing Staff Turnover: Almost one third (31%) of staff said that they would consider leaving their current role within the next 12 months if stress levels in their organisation did not improve.

Reduce Costs: The annual cost of mental health-related presenteeism (people coming to work and underperforming due to ill health) is £15.1 billion or £605 per employee in the UK. Cut Sickness Absence: Mental health issues such as stress, depression or anxiety account for almost 70 million days off sick per year, the most of any health condition, costing the UK economy between £70-£100 billion per year.

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LIVES: A NEW CHARITY COOKBOOK

LIVES

Launches its New Cookbook LIVES First Responders are used to providing rapid help and peace of mind for Lincolnshire communities. Now the charity can help you create something delicious with equal expedience.

The charity has cooked up an amazing new book packed with local recipes, enlisting chef Darren Rogan, photographer David Harrison and Epix media to work on their project...

Words: Rob Davis.

PATIENCE, THEY RECKON, IS A VIRTUE. Sadly it’s not a virtue with which magazine editors are blessed. Always on deadline, we want everything yesterday and we’re eternally over-eager. Chefs, by contrast, recognise that their best dishes are those in which time has been invested; ones that have been cooked slowly, gently, with labour lovingly expended in their preparation.

It’s the same with bread. By chance my socially distanced phone call is well-timed. Darren Rogan is baking a batch of his signature charcoal bread, which he serves with Poacher cheese-flavoured butter. “I’ve got time to talk – all the time in the world – the bread’s proving, so the longer I leave it the better… it’s time well-invested” he points out.

Being a chef patience comes naturally, but even the Hykeham pan-rattler has his limits, and with fewer people to cook for during lockdown, Darren needed a creative outlet.

Unusually, the chef doesn’t have his own restaurant. Instead, he’s cleverly created a niche, cooking in his clients’ own homes. He had two or three clients a week prior to lockdown, whereupon the ‘rule of six’ put a temporary culinary kibosh on households mixing.

Keen to cook but with no outlet for his culinary talent, Darren decided to put his pans to good use and has, instead, worked with the Lincolnshire first responder charity LIVES to create a cookbook to raise money for the service. It’s out now and features not only some of the chef ’s greatest recipes, but local suppliers too… a good meal, for a good cause, using good ingredients? What’s not to love?

Darren began his career in Lincoln, the son of an RAF officer. He attended North Kesteven Academy and enjoyed gainful employment in his youth as a potwash at The Wig & Mitre on Steep Hill before working as an apprentice chef and later becoming Sous Chef. Later his career saw him working as Sous Chef at seafood and Champagne restaurant Épernay and a number of other local restaurants before he joined The Tower Hotel as a Sous Chef, before being promoted Head Chef in 2010 and earning the restaurant a rosette in 2012.

Later working as a consultant to restaurants and as a freelance chef, Darren initially wanted to own his own restaurant, but instead, gravitated towards his current interest, creating private dining experiences in his clients’ own homes. >> Main: Darren Rogan has worked with photographer David Harrison and with Zoe & Will at Epix media to create a new charity cookbook celebrating the best of Lincolnshire produce.

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LIVES: A NEW CHARITY COOKBOOK

>> Darren’s niche makes an enormous amount of sense, really. We all love inviting friends over for a dinner party, after all, but then we end up stuck in the kitchen preparing, cooking, plating and serving each course… to say nothing of the washing up that ensues the following morning once that nasty hangover is doing its worse.

There must, Darren reasoned, be a better way. How about having a chef create bespoke menus, then prepping each course in his kitchen before coming to your home and setting up your table, then finishing each dish, serving on his own crockery and taking away all of that washing up afterwards?

“It’s a really great way to make a living from a love of cooking,” says Darren. “I always know how many covers I’m working with, so there’s that predictability and security.”

“But also with a menu pre-agreed – bespoke and designed in conjunction with the client – I don’t have to prepare several choices per course. Instead, I’m able to just concentrate on the one starter dish, the one fish course, the one main course and the one dessert and for a smaller number of diners than a restaurant environment.”

“It gives me more time to concentrate on making those dishes absolutely spectacular.

It also means I’m free to include treats and special flourishes like amuse bouches, or predesserts, whatever the client would like.”

“I’m also free of the need to deal with staff (although a waiter is available if the client would like) or the upkeep of a building… all of the stuff that ordinarily takes a chef away from the kitchen.”

“I’m able to complete much of the prep work in my own kitchen prior to my arrival at a client’s house, so there’s less fuss on site, dishes can be served in a timely fashion and I can chat to the guests and introduce them to each dish, if they’d like.”

“It’s pure, unadulterated cooking. And with many of my clients quite knowledgeable when it comes to wine, they can supply their own favourite wine to enjoy.”

Roughly, Darren’s prices range from around £125/head for two diners; £85/head for

four diners; £65/head for six diners and he typically caters for an average of six to 12 diners right up to 28. That’s a rough average, naturally, as each menu is bespoke, tailored to a client’s requirements.

Over 150 diners each year certainly saw the benefit and business was brisk until the rule of six, so instead, Darren decided to wait out lockdown by doing something constructive.

“I’ve always considered LIVES a really important charity,” he says. “It’s not the first time I’ve worked with them, having been involved with their Sausage Supper campaign a year or two ago. The idea was to encourage people to host dinner parties online at home, with the good old Lincolnshire sausage featuring prominently on the menu.”

“It’s pure, unadulterated cooking and it gives me more time to include treats and special flourishes like amuse bouches, or pre-desserts...”

“We hosted online recipe videos for the October campaign, which coincided with the Lincolnshire Sausage Festival, and we invited people to make donations to the charity.”

“It was really popular and they’re a great charity to work with, so when the idea was first put forward to create a cookery book I jumped at the chance, and it was a more convenient time for me given that bookings of dinner parties over six people had diminished.”

The cookery book has 50 pages and features 30 recipes, including some of Darren’s flagship dishes and those the chef has created in collaboration with some of the county’s finest food and drink producers – Alfred Enderby Smokehouse, Lincolnshire Honey, Ulceby’s Poacher Cheese, Hawken’s

Gingerbread, Boston Sausage, Uncle Henry’s, Myers, Belvoir Fruit Farms and Stones to name just a few.

“Producing recipes for a book is quite an undertaking,” says Darren. “Chefs tend to measure by eye and naturally know how to combine or prepare ingredients, so putting those into words and turning out readable, common-sense copy with exact measurements and timings is the first challenge.”

“Then there’s the photography. We were really lucky to work with David Harrison Photography, who gave his time and experience to the project free. But the photography is only one part of producing the images as each dish needed to be prepared and styled.”

“We shot the book’s imagery over two Mondays; one in October and one in November. I’ve some really good friends, Natalie and Tom, who run Ashlin Farm Barns, five really beautiful self-catering holiday cottages near Welton. They donated a cottage in which we could prepare and photograph the dishes. I did all of the prep work a day or two before and we worked from 8am to 6pm to photograph them.”

“As I cooked and David photographed the dishes, Epix Media were on hand to support as they worked on design. The LIVES Fundraising Team project managed the book to ensure we could have the book ready for sale at Christmas.”

“It was quite a challenge to create an entire book in such a short space of time but we’re all so proud of the result. It’s bright and beautiful, with the kind of recipes that really shout about what great food and drink we have in the county, and it enables everyone to enjoy cooking some really amazing dishes.

There are some more technically challenging dishes but most of them are accessible, and all of them are incredibly rewarding.”

“My favourite dish, personally, is a beef blade dish which was contributed by Doddington Hall and features ingredients from the estate. Even I was massively impressed with the taste, it’s a huge dish in terms of its flavour, I really love it!” n

Find Out More: Darren Rogan provides bespoke private dining events in your own home, for anywhere between two and 28 people. Menus and priced are bespoke, for a free, no obligation chat call 07792 659542 or see www.bydarrenrogan.co.uk. The chef has contributed to the LIVES charity cookery book, out now for £9.99 plus £2.50 P&P, via www.lives.org.uk

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HELP SAVE LIVES WITH OUR RURAL CHARITY

More about LIVES

LIVES is a vital Lincolnshire Emergency First Response charity, that attends 999 medical emergencies around the county.

Their volunteer army of 700 First Responders and Medics are based within local Lincolnshire communities, meaning they are able to get to the scene of a 999 medical emergency in minutes, arriving before the ambulance 81% of the time.

As a charity, they need essential funding to keep volunteers on the road and ensure that they have the training and equipment to respond.

LIVES Responders attend over 14,000 incidents a year, from road traffic collisions to cardiac arrests, and ensure your loved ones receive treatment when they desperately need it.

They need over £1.4million a year to ensure they can keep this service running.

The charity’s cookbook has been created to raise money for the lifesaving work of Lincolnshire Emergency Response charity, LIVES. All profits from the sale of this cookbook will support the vital work of LIVES. You can purchase the book from the charity’s website where you’ll also find information about the charity’s 50 year history. n See www.lives.org.uk or call 01507 525 999.

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LINCOLNSHIRE RESTAURANTS

SUPPORT YOUR

LOCAL

This year, spring isn’t just a time for new growth in your garden, it’s also a chance for the hospitality industry to put a devastating year behind it.

Here, landlord and chef Tom Kerridge reveals why supporting your local pub, restaurant or hotel is more important than ever before...

Words: Rob Davis.

THE NEW YEAR is usually a pretty flat time for the hospitality industry. We’re stuffed from Christmas, all spent up, and determined to follow a new year’s resolution to eat more healthily, cut down on booze or lose weight... and those are hardly conditions which are music to the ears of publicans and chefs.

The hospitality industry accounts for 10% of UK employment, 6% of businesses and 5% of GDP. It’s is the third largest private sector employer in the UK after retail and social work – double the size of financial services and bigger than automotive, pharmaceuticals and aerospace sectors combined.

But this year is different. Worse. Much worse. And that’s why it’s incumbent on us all to support our local pubs, restaurants, coffee shops and hotels to ensure they can claw back some of the lost ground from a miserable 2020.

It creates £130bn in economic activity and generates £38bn of tax receipts for the Exchequer, funding vital services whilst employing 2,900,000 people.

“Pubs are the living rooms of the whole community,” says Tom Kerridge. “They are spaces where people connect, they get rid of loneliness. People connect in pubs and restaurants.”

“They’re so important particularly at times like these. And now, there are so many places that are losing money hand over fist.

“Places that were close to breaking even, or just making a very small profit, pre-lockdown, now being locked down and coming out the other side, the profit margins are just not there to be able to repay any loans, let alone break even or make any money.”

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The message, then is not only simple, but it’s also not that unpleasant to follow. This month and in the months that follow, it’s imperative that we dine out, drink up, and support as many local independent pubs, restaurants and coffee shops as possible.

“If we don’t use those pubs, restaurants and coffee shops, they won’t be there in the future. If you don’t just call in for a couple of drinks or just a coffee and a slice of cake every now and then, or for that Friday night meal, that pub’s not going to be there. They need your help to survive, please support your local!” n Over the page we’ve selected a few of our favourite Lincolnshire venues as a reminder of what they have to offer their customers this season. Meanwhile Tom’s series Saving Britain’s Pubs, is on BBC iPlayer now.

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>> Are you seeking a memorable dining out experience this spring?

These are our recommendations to help you support the industry...

1. The Red Lion, Bicker...

Tandoori fillet of salmon.

Good food begins with good ingredients, and so there’s nobody better to trust than one of the county’s most renowned farming families to create and source local fruit vegetables and meat with which to create wonderful dishes.

The Duffy family has owned the Red Lion at Bicker since 2012 and the pub’s sister venues are The Poachers Country Hotel at Kirton Holme and The Supreme Inns on he Bicker Bar Roundabout.

At 350 years old the Red Lion features stunning architecture creating a great backdrop for the pub restaurant’s dishes. There’s a great à la carte menu featuring classic dishes prepared with skill and creativity, and a VERY good Sunday lunch is available too. We’re also fans of the Lincolnshire Tapas option, which provides a choice of 14 smaller ‘mix and match’ dishes to enjoy as sharing dishes, starters or a tapas-style main course. n Ye Olde Red Lion, Bicker, Boston, Lincolnshire, PE20 3EF Call 01775 821200, www.redlionbicker.co.uk.

3. The Cross Keys, Grasby, Caistor...

Grasby’s Cross Keys affords its diner spectacular views of Lincoln Cathedral, from its elevated position between Caistor and Brigg.

Chef patron Steph Barker and front of house Malika Garwell work with their team to create imaginative dishes with lots of local ingredients and big flavours.

2. The Black Horse...

Based at Gosberton, The Black Horse specialises in providing a traditional pub atmosphere but food that proves satisfying and well-crafted.

During our visit honey-roasted Norfolk pork belly and seared pigeon breast sat on the menu alongside a Bouillabaisse and wonderful winter desserts like a poached pear crumble. Based in South Holland, the team make the most of the availability of superb local ingredients with no gimmicks, just a really satisfying dining experience. n The Black Horse, Gosberton Risegate, Spalding PE11 4ET. Call 01775 840995 or see www.theblackhorse-gr.co.uk.

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Currently the Cross Keys team is running a single menu with seven main courses including roasted duck breast and duo of lamb. Later in 2021 it’s expected that restaurant’s Specials Nights will resume, for deliciously different dining. n The Cross Keys, Grasby, DN38 6AQ. Call 01652 628247, www.crosskeysinngrasby.co.uk.

Roasted duck breast, with salt baked beetroot, and buttered corn.

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4. The Petwood Hotel, Woodhall Spa...

5. Engine Yard, Grantham It’s still pretty chilly, you’ve come down with a touch of cabin fever, and you’d like to enjoy a trip somewhere, although you’re stuck for ideas.

Thankfully, we’ve the perfect suggestion.

Belvoir Castle’s Engine Yard is located adjacent to the 15,000 acre Belvoir Castle estate, and the Grade I castle which stretches 450ft into the sky and is home to the Duke of Rutland. The Duchess of Rutland Emma Manners created the £2.5m Engine Yard, development, which opened in 2018 and as well as the interiors shops, posh delis and garden centres, the Fuel Tank and Balloon Bar provide excellent food, from brunches to lunches or just to a slice of cake to enjoy with decent coffee.

Happily, the appeal of The Petwood Hotel in Woodhall Spa extends way beyond its Dambusters heritage, with excellent AA rosette dining courtesy of Philip Long and his brigade, via a menu that comprises a blend of à la carte dishes and traditional favourites.

As spring begins to appear you can enjoy a walk around the hotel’s grounds and the woodland that surround The Petwood Hotel.

Then, later on in the year, subject to restrictions lifting, enjoy days spent in Jubilee Park opposite,

with Woodhall Spa’s 1940s weekend hopefully returning after its absence in 2020.

During the warmer months the hotel’s terrace is an ideal spot to enjoy al fresco dining.

In addition, The Petwood Hotel also invites open air theatre companies like Chapterhouse to perform within the grounds too, so visit the hotel’s website regularly for an up to date events list throughout 2021.

n The Fuel Tank at the Engine Yard, Belvoir Castle, Grantham NG32 1PA. Call 01476 247059 or see www.engineyardbelvoir.com

n The Petwood Hotel, Stixwould Rd, Woodhall Spa, LN10 6QG. Call 01526 352411, www.petwood.co.uk. Pictured right is the hotel’s Chilled chocolate fondant, blackberry purée and crème fraîche sorbet

Baked North Sea cod, smoked haddock and pea sauce with parsley mash at Orton Hall.

Dining Out: Going a little further afield...

Naturally we’re keen advocates of enjoying Lincolnshire’s best pubs, restaurants and hotels, but if you were inclined to venture a little further, we promise the trip will be worth it... n Looking for astonishing fine dining in a pretty village location? Look no further than The Chubby Castor near Stamford. Chef Adebola Adeshina has worked with Gordon Ramsay and Marcus Wareing at Petrus, his own restaurant is exceptionally impressive!

01733 380801, www.thechubbycastor.com.

n Rutland’s Barnsdale Lodge is highly recommended ideal for morning coffee, a superb lunch or brilliant evening dining. Close to Rutland Water, you can also blow the cobwebs away with a walk or cycle around the reservoir.

01572 724678, www.barnsdalelodge.co.uk.

n Orton Hall, Peterborough boasts a stunning location and has its own spa.

Choose from fine dining in the Huntley Restaurant or relaxed quality in the Ramblewood Inn. 01733 391111, www.ortonhall.co.uk.

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Fresh local food delivered right to your door Covering the Whole of South Lincolnshire

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QUALITY FOOD FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES MEAT, FISH, BAKERY AND FRUIT & VEG MILK, EGGS, CHEESE AND GROCERIES TOO FREE DELIVERY AND A FREE SERVICE

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WE COVER ALL OF SOUTH LINCOLNSHIRE ORDER ONLINE OR BY PHONE NO-QUIBBLE SATISFACTION GUARANTEE RATED ‘EXCELLENT’ ON TRUSTPILOT

TO ORDER VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR CALL OUR HOTLINE WE’LL THEN TAKE YOUR ORDER AND DELIVER TO YOUR DOOR

WWW.YUMMY.CO.UK - 0800 122 39 39

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LINCOLNSHIRE SMOKEHOUSE

WHOLLY

SMOKE

This month we revisited Highway 61, or at least the A17, to visit a Lincolnshire restauranteur providing phenomenal authentic barbecue products.

Thanks to Yummy – which provides fresh local food, delivered right to your door – the scent of hickorysmoked deliciousness is blowin’ in the wind…

Words: Rob Davis.

FREEWHEELIN’ DAVID BEEVER is cooking up a treat, in his HQ in the beating heart of the Lincolnshire countryside. You’ll know when you’re there… if the scent of slow-cooked, hickory-infused meat, drifting across the misty fields doesn’t give it away, the sound of Bob Dylan playing at full volume will.

So loud is the sound of folk rock that David doesn’t hear me knock, knock, knocking on heaven’s door – or at least the door of his development kitchen – so I decide to take a liberty and just walk in.

The poor guy nearly jumped out of his skin in surprise. “Sorry, it’s his new album…”

David replied.

“I didn’t know he had one out. What’s it like?” I ask.

“It’s pretty good. Here, try this,” he says and hands me a slice of the slow-cooked brisket that, along with Bob Dylan, was commanding his attention prior to my arrival. “What’s it like?

“It’s pretty good too,” I reply. Actually, that was a thoroughly indecent understatement. It was one of the best things I’ve ever tasted, which is great news for the good folk of Lincolnshire who are now able to avail themselves of David’s authentic, slow-cooked, barbecue-smoked 50

brisket, ribs, pulled pork and chicken for themselves… all from the comfort of our homes.

Alas, the term barbecue has, in the UK, been disgraced to express undercooked sausages with burned exteriors, or fatty mass-market burgers dripping with grease and tainted by the whiff of white spirit or some other nefarious accelerant.

The good old US-of-A, meanwhile, has a more devout adherence to barbecue conventions, as David himself knows, having embarked, in his youth, on a coast-to-coast road trip where he fell in love with barbecue food all the way from Texas to Tennessee, Memphis to Mississippi and from Oklahoma to Arcansas... ‘yee-haw!’

“Barbecue meat is much maligned,” he says. “Forget cloying sauces or overly sweet flavours. Our products adhere to proper barbecue practices. Namely the cooking of good-quality meat, slowly, over a long, low, consistent heat to break down the collagen and fats whilst infusing a sweet hickory smokiness.”

A different ‘rub’ is applied to each product post-butchery; a process which happens on site, prior to smoking. >>

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THE LINCOLNSHIRE SMOKEHOUSE

>> Most products David prepares utilise salt, sugar, spices and paprika in their rub but the exact composition is, naturally, a trade secret.

“Our ribs meanwhile are known as St Louis Ribs, and they come from the belly side of the rib cage, below the section of back ribs and above the breast bone.”

David’s delicious smoked barbecue meats are slow-cooked, for up to 24-hours, in his 200-litre Oklahoma-made hot smoking vessel, which allows warm smoke-infused air to drift lazily through the cavity.

Sometimes restaurants can take a St Louiscut of ribs and cut them down in length to obtain a couple of servings out of one rack.

Not here, thankfully. These are rather more substantial, and are a more carefully considered version of what you think you’ve had before.

My visit coincides with the completion of a cycle, and David pauses our interview partly to remove seven racks of assorted barbecue meat from the smoker, and partly to whet my appetite. I should at this point declare an element of bias, for I am a devout carnivore.

Food is meat, and anything else on the plate is a mere fashion accessory. The brisket I tried earlier was delicious enough, with muscovado sugar and – believe it or not – a decent grade of instant coffee added to the basic rub. It couldn’t get better than that… could it?

To test that assertion, David rips me up a juicy chunk of pulled pork. Ostensibly it’s a favourite of mine, but frustratingly, even in decent restaurants it often disappoints. And as for what the supermarkets purport to be pulled pork… forget it. Happily, David’s pulled pork is a world away and a league above the usual flaccid syrupy offering and stringy sinews. Instead, it has a tender, effortless texture and sweet, sugary notes.

And then of course, there are David’s barbecue ribs. Oregano and a hint of chilli provide an excitement of flavour. But even before that hit, you’ll notice that they’re far more substantial than those served in restaurants, huge in fact. And there’s a reason for that.

“Chefs, when writing restaurant menus, almost automatically – but sometimes incorrectly – use the description ‘full rack of ribs,” says David.

“UK restaurant-goers expect their ribs to look like what those au fait with authentic barbecue cuisine know more correctly as babyback ribs.”

“They’re flatter which makes them easier to brown and they have a higher amount of fat which also makes them more flavoursome.

Because they’re larger and more substantial, they’re much more satisfying, more authentic and a real people-pleaser whenever you serve them up!”

“The way we produce them also ensures that they’re given the time to absorb the rub, time to develop the perfect flavour and time to adopt a texture which makes them a pleasure to savour.”

David’s other offerings are a lovely barbecue chicken – smoked, with garlic and pepper added to the rub – plus his own homemade, mac ‘n’ cheese and coleslaw.

For the ardent grazer, David also offers Burnt Ends – ‘nuggets of BBQ gold,’ produced from the brisket ends – and Rib Tips; meaty jelly bones, diced and served in his house barbecue sauce.

Think of these as being, to the authentic barbecue experience, what ‘scraps’ or batter bits are to takeaway fish ‘n’ chips; a sort of guilty pleasure too pleasurable to induce guilt.

David comes from Lincolnshire farming stock going back six generations, at least, in the countryside surrounding Heckington and Sleaford.

After completing his marketing degree, David bypassed agriculture and spent a decade working in the fashion industry in London before coming to the conclusion that fashion is for young folk in silly hats, and returning to the area in 2004 to set up his own restaurant in Peterborough. >>

DISCOVER YUMMY

Bringing fresh local food – including The Lincolnshire Smokehouse’s products – right to your door...

The Lincolnshire Smokehouse is just one of a number of local suppliers you can buy from using Yummy.

Yummy is a new food delivery service which delivers produce from local butchers, bakers, fruit & veg suppliers, fishmongers and other local food businesses, with shopping delivered straight to your door.

How does it work? Simply visit www.yummy.co.uk and browse through the different products available.

Once you’ve chosen your products from each of our different Yummy partners, you complete one single secure checkout.

Next, we visit each of our partners in turn, collect each of the different products in your order, then pack them safely and delivery them using our fleet of our refrigerated vehicles.

We’ll deliver your Yummy box to your doorstep which means you can enjoy local food, from local suppliers, delivered to your door for maximum convenience.

As well as local produce, Yummy has lots of practical groceries too such as milk, butter, honey, and sliced bread. n Discover Yummy now by visiting www.yummy.co.uk... you won’t be disappointed!

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THE LINCOLNSHIRE SMOKEHOUSE

>> That was 16 years ago and the place still trades today under David’s management as Sundays and later traded as Barbecue Nights too; two restaurant concepts working from the same premises, inside Peterborough Cathedral’s Precinct.

Throughout the year, David, his father Keith and the rest of the family also provided hog roasts for weddings and other functions. They also renovated and ran Bicker’s Red Lion prior to the millennium, and so had collective good form when it came to decent food.

“Sundays began as a predominantly daytime operation,” says David. “I was keen to find a night-time concept that would work well and always remembered with fondness the flavour and almost messianic culture of barbecue food from my time in the states.”

“Sundays offers really good lunchtime roasts, with good quality meat, lots of fresh vegetables... and of course, there’s that social element to the Sunday lunch ritual too.

The same applies to barbecue cuisine, but it’s a less convenient type of cooking for a restaurant because you have to prepare and smoke in advance and if you’re not sure how many covers you’ll have in the restaurant the following day that’s problematic.”

“My solution was to offer ad hoc barbecue nights – as a sort of pop-up restaurant – which went down a storm. Later I began to offer lockdown barbecue boxes and would sell these in quantities of up to a hundred units each week, keeping the smoker – and our fans’ tummies – full up.”

“We’re offering all of our briskets, pork shoulders and rubs individually but we’ve also packaged them up into our small and large Lincolnshire Smokehouse selections which are intended to provide a single box dining experience that’s akin to going out for a meal in terms of quality, but with a twist; you can enjoy them at home.”

“We’ve been delighted with the feedback we’ve had so far, and we’re delighted to be bringing our range to a county that respects and appreciates food with real provenance.

It’s a really exciting prospect!”

“We hope that many happy nights with family and friends will be had, featuring our food right at the centre of the experience!”

“We’re really well-known in Peterborough, but less so here in Lincolnshire. So, when I heard about Yummy, it seemed like the ideal place to offer barbecue food options.

Our Development Chef, Carl Blackstock, and I work brilliantly together. He’s a great talent and together we’re able to make sure that each item we’re offering for sale is as authentic and as enjoyable as possible.”

Like the development of Yummy itself, thought up because of lockdown, David’s Lincolnshire Smokehouse range is a reflection of the fact that whereas in previous years we’d all be enjoying dining out at the weekend, we’re instead likely to be more conservative about visiting restaurants at least in the early months of 2021, which is a shame for the county’s restauranteurs, certainly, but hopefully a temporary adversity for the industry.

“Our Lincolnshire farmers and butchers can guarantee the provenance and quality of our meat, whilst we can ensure we’re faithful to authentic American barbecue practices.”

Like the man said; ‘the times they are a-changin,’ and David is one restaurateur who’s changing his business accordingly… happily, with some quite spectacular results. n

Find Out More: David Beever is the owner of The Lincolnshire Smokehouse, based between Sleaford and Heckington.

Find out more and order for home delivery at www.yummy.co.uk or call 0800 122 39 39. David’s restaurant, Sundays & BBQ Nights, is based on Becketts Chapel, Cathedral Precincts, Peterborough; www.sundaysroast.com.

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TASTING

NOTES BARBECUE DELICIOUSNESS TO ENJOY AT HOME VIA YUMMY, FOR FRESH LOCAL FOOD DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR n Lincolnshire Smokehouse Small BBQ Box Mini brisket; pulled pork; rib tips; BBQ beans; pickles, £19.95. n Lincolnshire Smokehouse Large BBQ Box Beef brisket; full rack of ribs; whole chicken; Burnt Ends; sides and pickles, £49.95. n Beef Brisket 300g, £9.95; 700g, £19.95; 1kg, £29.95. n St Louis Cut Ribs Smoked until tender and finished with a sweet glaze, £14.95/full rack. n Pulled Pork Whole smoked shoulder of dry-rubbed pork, £6.95. n Whole Hot-Smoked Chicken Brined, dry rub seasoned and smoked with barbecue glaze >1kg, £8.95. n Rip Tips 12-hour smoked meaty ‘jelly bones’ diced and served in house BBQ sauce £5.25. n Burnt Ends ‘Nuggets of BBQ gold,’ rubbed slow-smoked brisket edges cubed and served in house BBQ sauce £7.95. n BBQ Beans £3.75; House Coleslaw £3.75; BBQ Sauce 95p; Pickles £3.

Above products available to purchase at www.yummy.co.uk.

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THE BLACK HORSE GOSBERTON RISEGATE

HOMEMADE, BEAUTIFUL, CLASSICAL DISHES

Open for quality pub dining in a warm and welcoming Covid-save environment... sample dishes from our new award-winning head chef, Michael Henry Burgoyne...

01775 840 995

www.theblackhorse-gr.co.uk

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THE GENTLEMEN DISTILLERS

Lift Your

SPIRIT If you’re looking for something to lift your spirit this winter, Bandsman and Bandmaster will be music to your ears. The creation of Lincoln’s James Wood, this sublime duo of gins feature a range of botanicals that are perfectly in tune with what an aficionado loves…

Words: Rob Davis.

COMEDY and the creation of a really good tipple have something in common: timing. During our visit, James Wood’s chubby stainless-steel vessel, Bertha, is currently full of 1,000 litres of some of the finest gin you’re ever likely enjoy.

But not yet.

First, it has to rest for about a month to let the botanicals really stretch their legs and pervade perfuse and permeate the neutral grain spirit in which they rest.

It’s time well invested, unlike three years spent at university, it seems.

Speaking of comedy, James was given an irritatingly trenchant, though slightly amusing, lesson about crap timing when he completed his degree in European Studies in 2016 – hoping to pursue a career in the civil service – just before the country experienced collective delirium and decided to vote for Brexit.

was to create a product, one that he could be proud of, one that people could enjoy.

Something like…

“Trial and error,” says James. “I enjoy spirits, rather than real ale or wine, and though I like whisky, that’s a product which typically takes five to eight years in casks to mature. A vodka or gin-based product could be brought to market faster and gin is a spirit that provides the potential for great versatility.”

“There are many flavoured gins on the market, some of which work better than others. Gin, I knew, would provide creative scope after I’d mastered the mastery of an ability to produce a really good halo product on which to base future products.”

Bang goes that career, so all that was left was to clear off down the pub. So he did.

James’s trial and error saw him experimenting with different flavours and gradually developing a canny sense of what will and won’t work in the context of his method of gin production, known as compounding.

And whilst there, enjoying a gin and tonic with his old University chum, contemplating alternative careers, James deduced that his ideal career

His eureka moment came with the hunch that the oleic qualities of tomato and basil would work well alongside a few other botanicals. >> 59

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BANDSMAN GIN FROM THE GENTLEMEN DISTILLERS

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>> The first of his two ‘halo product’ gins – Bandsman – was born, with a second product, Bandsmaster, following a little later.

At this point, it’d be a good idea to take a short digression to consider the science of gin production.

Broadly speaking, there are two ways to make gin. The first is the creation of compound gin, which was always known colloquially as bathtub gin, inspired in part by the prohibition era.

Here, 97% proof grain neutral (i.e.: flavour inert) spirit is combined with distilled water to ensure its eventual potency remains at the preferred 40% ABV. Flavouring ingredients – the botanicals – are placed in a sterilised hessian sack and soak in the spirit for anywhere from 48-hours to a month. It’s a sort of steeping process, the longer the better.

Thereafter it’s filtered twice before James uses a vacuum filling process to fill his bottles before corking them and dunking them in hot wax to create his trademark seal.

An alternative method of gin production is the London Dry Gin method, whereby spirit is added to the still and boiled with water to stabilise it. The botanicals are located above the boiling vessel and infuse the steam that rises. The ‘alcoholic steam’ is then condensed and collected as the final product.

James’s Bandsman Gin is made using the compound method. Whilst it utilises tomato, basil and elderflower, its flavour profile isn’t one which explicitly reflects the botanicals, but it does have a sort of sweet, creamy flavour, and once you’re aware of exactly what botanicals have been used, you’ll probably nod in acknowledgement of their faintest presence.

Meanwhile, James’s newer Bandsmaster gin is made using his copper still and utilises the London Dry method just like the mainstream gins you’ll know; Gordon’s, Sipsmith and Beefeeter. With its crisp herbaceous flavour profile, it’s more likely to appeal to those seeking a traditional gin to enjoy with tonic.

During our visit, James was just bottling the first of his special edition gin, Caroller’s Reserve, a winter edition which uses Bandmaster (i.e.: a London Dry-style gin) as its base with sloes and damsons, plus honey to sweeten it as a natural alternative to refined sugar. Ostensibly a Christmas gin, the limited run of bottles is likely to remain available as Pride goes to press and into February, but if you’d like to secure ownership of one of the remaining bottles in this first batch, we’d suggest you make contact with James tout de suite.

“I really love the creative scope that producing spirits provides,” says James. “I’ve called the company Gentlemen Distillers rather than naming it Bandsman, because it’s my hope to eventually diversify into providing whisky and vodka-based spirits, and perhaps wine or beer.”

“For the same reason I’ve not branded Bandsman or Bandmaster specifically for Lincolnshire. There are already some great gins produced by Pin Gin – Bottomley Distillers – based in Louth and the Lincoln Distillery in Saxilby. Both companies are run by really excellent people and I didn’t want to tread on their toes, but it’s my intention to broaden the reach of our two gins and to take them out of the county. I’m also hoping to work with one or both companies to collectively host a Lincoln Drinks Festival in 2021 or 2022.”

“I’m a keen brass bander and play the tuba, whilst my fiancée Shelby plays the Euphonium. I’m a member of the Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue Band and the Newark and Sherwood Concert Band, so whilst playing around with branding ideas I realised that would give us a great identity.”

“There are a number of craft beers already attributed to brass or concert bands, but there we no craft gin products, and the response and support we’ve had from the musical community already has been lovely.”

“We first released Bandsman in July 2019 so we’ve yet to have a year of trading in normal conditions, but I’ve been delighted by the response of the farm shops and bars that have taken on the product.

I have a sort of ‘secret shopper’ role when I’m out, ordering my own product to see how it’s served. Happily I’m never disappointed.”

“One of the nicest things about Bandsman and Bandmaster is that they can be enjoyed however you wish. It’s also an important characteristic if they’re to be our halo products on which future releases are based. There’s a lot of nonsense spoken about which gins you should and shouldn’t pair with particular tonics, and a rather too healthy market for very expensive tonics, some of which have their own flavours which will end up being more – or less – compatible with the gin they accompany.”

“Our gin, meanwhile, can be served very nicely with ordinary Schweppes tonic or enjoyed just over ice or however you wish.

We don’t prescribe how someone should consume it… we’re just happy that they do so, and that they really enjoy it!” n The Gentleman Distillers is based in central Lincoln and its flagship gins, Bandsman and Bandmaster London Dry Gin, can be found in farm shops across the county or purchased online, direct from the company’s website. See www.bandsmangin.co.uk or call 01522 695 893.

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SAVING LIVES ONE DISH AT A TIME

Darren Rogan’s Poacher Cheese Soufflé Preparation Time: 20 minutes. Cooking Time: 30 minutes. Makes Four.

30g Lincolnshire Poacher butter, 35g flour, 150ml milk, 70g Lincolnshire Poacher cheese (grated), 2 eggs, 1 tsp English mustard, Salt & pepper 1. Heat oven to 190°c and place a baking tray, filled with 1cm of water, on the middle shelf. Butter four dariole moulds in preparation for the bain marie.

2. In a pan, melt the butter over medium heat; stir in the flour. Cook, stirring, for one minute. Take off the heat and gradually stir in the milk, mixing it in thoroughly before adding more. Return to the heat and stir continuously until thick (around five minutes).

3. Crack the eggs, placing the whites into a bowl and stirring the yolks into the sauce.

Stir in the cheese and mustard, season well. Transfer to a bowl and allow to cool.

4. Use a whisk to beat the egg whites until peaks form that just hold their shape (electric will make the job much quicker). Gently stir the whipped whites into the white sauce in a figure of eight.

5. Spoon the mixture into the dish. Run a cutlery knife around the edge to create a ‘top hat’ effect; this ensures the soufflé rises above the rim and doesn’t stick.

6. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 15–20 minutes until the top is golden and risen and has a slight wobble. Leave to cool and turn out of moulds. When ready to eat, bake on a lined baking tray for 10 minutes. n

Find Out More: Lincolnshire’s Emergency First Response charity, LIVES, has partnered with local chef Darren Rogan to create a new 50-page cookbook, The Lincolnshire Kitchen, celebrating some of our best suppliers, our best produce... and of course, the heroes who help to attend over 14,000 incidents a year, ensuring casualties receive treatment when they desperately need it... it’s just £9.99, and to obtain your copy, all you have to do is call 01507 525999 or visit www.lives.org.uk/lincolnshire-kitchen-book.

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Wine of the Month

A local whisky that even Robert Burns would be proud of!

Château Calon Ségur, Bordeaux, France, 2011

What do the English know about producing good whisky? Apparently quite a bit. This month we’ve a local Sassenach superstar that pioneers a ‘rapid aged’ technique...

Lincoln’s Unconventional Distillery takes a virgin whisky spirit, and with a carefully calculated combination of heat, sound, light, some secret ingredients and a little magic, transformed it into blended whiskey, that even connoisseurs would think has been resting in an oak barrel for years. www.unconventional distillery.co.uk

£70 / 75cl / 13% ABV

The Wine Cellar THIS MONTH WE’VE A TRIO OF LIGHT AND LOVELY ROSÉ WINES PLUS A RAPID-AGED LOCAL WHISKY FOR BURN’S NIGHT AND A BELTING BORDEAUX TO ENJOY BY THE FIRE...

LA VIE EN ROSÉ: Romantic rosés for those enjoying the first flush of blush...

1. Chêne Bleu is a beautiful Rhône wine combining Syrah and Grenache grapes to create a raspberry-scented wine with grapefruit and floral hints plus long citrus notes to finish. £22.99 / 75cl / 13% ABV.

2. From our very own shores comes the idyllic-sounding Bluebell Vineyards’ Hindleap Rosé. Exceptionally dry, with strawberries, rose and cranberries on the palate and peach on the nose, plus a gentle fizzy mousse. £27.99 / 75cl / 11.5% ABV.

3. Lively, dry and bright with pink grapefruit, and complex finish, Domaines Ott’s Rosé Château Romassan is a super premium rosé option £34.99 / 75cl / 13% ABV.

For a belting Bordeaux to enjoy by the fire, we’ll reach for this rock ‘n’ roll superstar, with its full body, and its Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blend of grapes.

Calon Ségur harvested only 50% of the normal crop this year. Taut and pure, with lovely fresh acidity, this is an interesting wine with an intense blackcurrant character and some savoury and floral notes adding complexity.

This Grand Cru Classic has a dense ruby purple colour, sweet cassis and lots of spice.

Available from Waitrose Cellar, www.waitrose cellar.com.

Enjoy a Bit of Covert Surveillance

If this isn’t a winter warmer we don’t know what is!

Covert Liqueur is a sort of hybrid mead and cognac with fig leaves, and honey... a proper taste of medieval England!

You can enjoy it as an alternative to dessert wine, in place of cognac, or over ice in front of the fire with the dog at your feet.

Flavour-wise, think honey, floral tones, and walnut... it’s absolutely delicious! £37 / 70cl / 33% ABV.

n Our featured wines are available from

the best local independent wine merchants, supermarkets and online, prices are RRP and may vary from those stated.

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HOMES & INTERIORS

A FAMILY HOME Back in 2002, Boston’s Katie Hopper and husband James moved back into the family home in which she’d so enjoyed growing up. The couple’s three daughters are enjoying growing up in the property too, but the family home is now on the market, seeking new custodians... but only after one last family Christmas there!

Words: Rob Davis. Images: Matte Black Media.

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Tradition is good. Heritage is good, too.

There’s nothing wrong with a bit of nostalgia, as Katie Hopper discovered when she and husband James were seeking a property in which to raise their family back in 2002.

“I grew up here but spent a number of years working as a teacher in London. So, whilst returning to the area and looking for property, I was surprised to see our old family home was on the market. We went to have a look round and we were delighted that The Elms had still the lovely warm feel I remembered.”

Katie says that the house was in good order and they could move in immediately, just before Christmas. That first festive season was lovely and nostalgic, but despite being in sound condition the couple still wanted to put their own mark on the place, which they’ve done with unimpeachable taste and an eye for quality and detail.

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The kitchen was considerably smaller back then, so Katie and James opened it up to create a lighter and more practical space – better suited to entertaining – adding a dining area and Inglenook fireplace with oak beam plus a Clearview stove.

“The Elms’ next owners will benefit from an outdoor kitchen, which has seating for ten and a wood-fired pizza oven...”

The couple enlisted Lisa Collins of Market Rasen-based Habit Kitchens to create a farmhouse kitchen in solid timber with its in-frame shaker doors, granite worktops and two-tone Farrow & Ball paint finish.

Complementing the Neff appliances, Belfast sink and built-in wine cooler is a cheerful red two-oven Aga.

The Elms has two sitting rooms; a ‘sunken’ lounge with Clearview stove and a drawing room with open fire and tiled surround, plus a dining room with a further wood burning stove and views over the parkland.

A separate utility room helps to keep those potential mountains of laundry and other family clutter out of sight and mind. Helpful, when you’re trying to relax during the festive season. And speaking of relaxing...

Whilst it’s a little chilly right now, spring and summer are just around the corner for The Elms’s new owners and so, for entertaining during the warmer months you’ll reap the benefits of the garden kitchen, which has seating for ten arranged around a really big wood-fired pizza oven.

“We love to cook, whether we’re entertaining friends or just spending time as a family.

And one of the benefits of the kitchen being configured the way we’ve chosen is that you can be cooking or plating up and entertaining at the same time.”

“Likewise, the outdoor kitchen has proven to be a really sociable space with the children able to play under supervision whilst the grown-ups enjoy cooking proper pizzas and a glass of wine. There are work surfaces and space for refrigeration too, so you don’t have to keep going back into the house. And when it gets a bit chilly the lovely warmth from the pizza oven ensures it remains nice and cosy.”

As part of their work, the couple employed local tradespeople such as builder David Pitfield to create the garden kitchen, and grow the upstairs space, creating a new bedroom.

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>> The master bedroom suite features a walk-in storage area and en suite bathroom which includes a phenomenal looking copper bath with brushed nickel interior, pitched roof and natural light raining down through Velux windows. It’s probably the most stylish and romantic bathroom I’ve seen for a while; just add scented candles and wine, then delete kids and husband... for an hour, at last.

Elsewhere in the house there’s another en suite to the guest bedroom, making a total of five bedrooms. A family bathroom and separate shower room – also on the first floor – means fewer frustrations over the availability of a bathroom, which is handy with three teenage daughters kicking around.

And with three daughters, the gentleman of the house we guess, will probably avail himself Left: The property features five bedrooms, two of which feature en suite bathrooms.

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regularly of the property’s ‘man den,’ perhaps more properly referred to as a study on the house’s particulars.

With its antique furniture, two-tone tiled floor and old-fashioned wood burner, it’s a great place to run a business, read a book in peace or listen to music. During our visit James was tackling the big job of digitising his large collection of records into a more modern format.

The vinyl record enjoying a 21st century conversion during our call was a Talking Heads album from 1984; Stop Making Sense. But with plenty of space for the family, pretty views over local parkland, tasteful decoration, and an overall sense that The Elms offers great accommodation for its next custodians... well, if you’re waiting for this particular property to stop making sense, you could be here for some time.

A move nearer to family has meant the family is, at the time of writing, currently preparing to enjoy one last Christmas and New Year in the property. In 2021 though, someone else will enjoy The Elms, and for that family, it’ll be a very happy new year indeed. n

THE ELMS, NEAR BOSTON Location: Boston two miles.

Style: Mid-Victorian era property with five bedrooms and four reception rooms; sitting room, lounge, dining room, living kitchen.

Guide Price: OIEO £650,000 Find Out More: Poyntons, South Street, Boston PE21 6HT. Call 01205 361694 or see www.poyntons.com.

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Carefully selected artists from the Royal Academy, Royal Institutes, Federations and Societies

Linda Alexander ROI | Silver Jug and Greengages | Oil on Linen 8.25 x 8.25 inches

New Fine Art Gallery Now Open in Stamford 5-8 The Mews • The George Hotel • Stamford • PE9 2LB Tuesday - Sunday from 11am to 5pm | 01780 480800

Also at Lees Yard • Holt • Norfolk | Monday - Saturday 10am - 4pm | 01263 713883 Please visit the website to view and purchase our artworks

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HOME FURNISHINGS

A Whiter Shade of

STYLE This month we’re enjoying the cool, calm simplicity of white with – who else? – The White Company.

The firm’s spring 2021 range reflects the retailer’s commitment to timeless style and quality...

This Spread: Savoy double duvet cover £100; Halden quilt from £180, Garth collection throw from £60; Tibetan sheepskin rug from £125; Faro bench £275; Thurloe bed – king £1,595.

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Top: Wildflower hand-tied bunch, £60; Parham large ceramic vase £35; Burnham stool £185.

Above/Right: Etienne collection £35; Avignon print double duvet cover £70; Adeline double duvet cover £100; Camille double duvet cover £70; Avignon double duvet cover £70; Garth throw £150.

Right: Symons double-row cord double duvet cover £220; Amara collection £35; Hanson throw £100; Burnham stool £185; Mini domed cloche with tray £15; Sleep candle £20 Henley rug – medium £395.

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Kara Hemp Linen Double Duvet £120, Brittany Collection from £35, Southwold Table Lamp- mini £75, Holkham side table £150, Round Jute Rug £125 & Melbury Bed- King £1,695.

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Single-row cord double duvet cover £60; Wilton collection £35; Garth throw £150; Faro woven bench £275; White lacquer trays – set of 3 £75; Sleep collection from £10; Brampton rug – large £695 Richmond bed – king £1,795; Burford vase £40; Holkham table £150; Flowers, hand-tied bunch – medium £60.

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The use of white to furnish those rooms you wish to be most peaceful and serene – like the bedroom – can create a sense of subtle, calm, timeless style for all four seasons...

Above: Hanson throw £100; Electronic diffuser £65; Churwell table lamp £135.

Above/Right: Cavendish bed linen collection, white/black, from £45.00.

Sleep collection, candles, room sprays and diffusers, from £10; Round marble board £40.

Right: Freya double duvet cover £100; Thea collection from £35; Tibetan sheepskin rug – ivory £225; Burnham bench £325.

Products features are available from The White Company, High Street, Stamford PE9 2AL, call 01780 769192 or see www.thewhitecompany.com.

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NATURAL STONE Home Interiors Studio

S U R F A C I N G TRADITIONAL TAR & CHIP SURFACING RESURFACE YOUR DRIVEWAY, ENTRANCE ROAD OR CARPARK WITH A DURABLE BONDED STONE

INSTANTLY ADD CURB APPEAL • INCREASE SALEABILITY AND VALUE RESTORE & PREVENT FUTURE WEAR • COST EFFECTIVE FOR LARGE AREAS

Interior design for reception rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and bathrooms Plus: Finishing touches from lighting to mirrors to bedding & home decor

New installation and resurfacing of driveways, roads, tracks and carparks.

Call now for a FREE, strictly no obligation quote on:

Anelise Home, 140 Burton Road, Lincoln, LN1 3LW

01522 530400 • www.anelisehome.co.uk

08000 141452 or see lincs-surfacing.co.uk

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Sofa, so good...

Discover the Delcor Dierence with sofas and chairs designed exclusively for you from frame to fabric, leather to legs, padding to piping...

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Words: Rob Davis.

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DELCOR’S BESPOKE SOFAS

You’ll be sitting pretty this season when you create a completely one-off, totally bespoke chair or suite from Delcor. The Stamford retailer allows you to create your perfect sofa, compromise free, and with a remarkable 50 year guarantee!

IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO OVERSTATE just how great Stamford sofa retailer Delcor is. Whether you’re looking for a sofa or chair that’s beautifully made, one that’s completely unique, one that’s great value or one that comes with a best-inindustry 50-year guarantee, you’ll be impressed with Delcor, and delighted with the service the company offers.

The Delcor Difference is that all of its sofas are designed exclusively for you. Choose from over 50 different sofa or chair styles, then choose from over 10,000 different fabrics and leathers from designers like Osborne & Little, Colefax & Fowler, GP&J Baker, Harlequin and many more. You can change the filling of your sofa and chair – firmer or softer – and make centimetre-accurate adjustments to its overall dimensions too. >>

Opposite: Soho corner unit in red weave fabric with contemporary chrome feet.

Top: Victorian sofa in plaid. Above: Chelsea fixed-back in Chartreuse fabric.

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>> Next, customise your sofa or chair with cushion buttons, eight different colours of timber for its legs, castors in your chosen material, arm covers, scatter cushions and so on.

Beyond choice though, Delcor’s products are made in England by proper old-school craftsmen and women. Solid timber frames are selected and cut at the firm’s own sawmills and each piece is guaranteed to last a lifetime, with a refurbishment service available should you wish to give your sofa a mid-life refresh.

Delcor was established in 1967 and was taken over by its current owners Rick and Janet Petini following a management buyout in 2009. The company has five showrooms in London, Oxfordshire, Northumberland, 84

In Stamford, Kathleen Wilkinson and the team help to design a completely one-off sofa and have over 50 different designs in store to help you create the sofa or chair that suits your lifestyle.

Delcor’s ethos is better for the consumer than the ‘fast furniture’ ethos of furniture warehouses, with ‘built to last’ and ‘made in England’ qualities at the brand’s heart...

The firm helps customers to create dining chairs, divans, bed frames and blanket boxes, ensuring that your sitting rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms can all enjoy the pleasure and peace of mind that comes from a brands like Delcor and its philosophy of quality. n

Above: Delcor Chesterfield in velvet fabric.

Opposite: Eton sofa in pink fabric, Pavilion in grey, Natasha snuggler chair, Ridley suite in white and lemon.

Cheshire and Stamford, each sharing an ethos that’s better for the consumer than the ‘fast furniture’ ethos of furniture warehouses, with ‘built to last’ and ‘made in England’ qualities at the brand’s heart.

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The Delcor

Difference Each of Delcor’s products are crafted in the company’s own Northumberland workshops.

Choose your frame style,filling, fabric or leather and the finer details to create a bespoke sofa or chair.

Find Out More: Delcor creates bespoke sofas, chairs, divans and upholstered beds, and has a showroom on Bath Row, Stamford PE9 2QX. Call 01780 762579 or see delcor.co.uk/Delcor/Stamford.

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Bring Richwood into the Heart of your Home

KITCHENS • BEDROOMS • BOOT ROOMS • STUDIES INDIVIDUALLY MADE FREE STANDING FURNITURE

Call 07534 808903 richwood-cabinetmakers@hotmail.com

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HARDWICK WINDOWS

SPRING INTO

ACTION

If you’ve suffered drafty windows and rickety, stiff sashes, now might be the time to leave behind a winter of discontent and spring into action, commissioning new windows and doors for your home.

Hardwick Windows & Doors provides great advice, hard-working, energy efficient products and the promise of a great experience with non-commission sales staff giving great advice...

Words: Rob Davis.

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Biting winds, lashing around your home, old windows letting in the draft, and rickety sashes that are infuriatingly awkward to open.

If you’ve an older property, there are many reasons to hate winter, but window and door specialists Martin & Callum of Hardwick Windows love the winter... and specifically, they enjoy making their clients’ homes cosier during even the most inclement weather, even in conservation areas or for listed buildings.

“We work in every different style of house you can imagine,” says Martin. “From modern properties in the city to period properties in the country, we enjoy finding windows, doors, bi-folds and conservatories or orangeries that suit our clients’ homes and their budgets.”

“As we’re located close to the border of Lincolnshire, Rutland & Stamford, we pick up quite a bit of work in this area, especially since we’re able to provide a range of materials for our products, from hardwood to heritage uPVC units, to aluminium products.”

“Regardless of whether your property is in a conservation area or carries listed building status, we create products engineered to millimetre accuracy, with glazing that provides up to A+ rated energy efficiency.”

“The benefits for your home include greater resistance to drafts, lower energy bills, a more comfortable environment, a better looking property and greater security too.”

“We all love the look and feel of a period home, but modern windows and doors can overcome some of the frustrations of them being costly to heat and looking tired over time. With a range of door furniture in different materials plus the availability of windows and doors matched to any colour, our products are modern, well-made and unsurpassed in terms of their technical quality.” >> Left: Hardwick Windows can fit windows, doors, orangeries and conservatories to any property, even those in conservation areas or those which carry listed building status.

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HARDWICK WINDOWS

“We can advise any home owner, regardless of their property’s style, size or location and help them to find products that suit, whether they’re looking to replace a single window or door, or an entire property...” >> “What really sets us apart, though, is the way we conduct ourselves as a company.

Sadly, in previous decades there was a sector of the industry which practiced pressureselling and was very commission led.”

“We were always opposed to such practices which is why, for many years now, we’ve done away with commission for our staff and instead earn long-term approval by our customers thanks to good advice, pressurefree selling and a better overall experience.”

“At installation stage, too, there are no time limits imposed. If a job needs two days rather than one, it’s afforded that time.

The right products and good practices when installing are inextricably linked, both essential in ensuring that our products do what they’re supposed to do.”

“We’ve found that reports of a good customer experience travel far and they help to keep new enquiries coming in. For that reason, we look after our current customers and in doing so, we secure future ones too.”

“At this time of year people find themselves frustrated with the quality of their current windows and doors; a mix, really, of those who are in older properties with poorer quality windows, but also those in newer properties whose modern installations are less than satisfactory.”

“We can advise anyone, regardless of their property’s style, size or location and help them to find products that suit, whether they’re looking to replace a single window or door, or refenestrate an entire property.”

“With great products, a great customer experience and the benefits of brilliant engineering and installation, anyone can make their home warmer, more energy efficient and give it greater kerb appeal.”

“So if this has been a winter of discontent, there’s no need to move home or live in the draft... we can help to improve your home and at the same time dispel myths about the industry!” n

Find Out More: No obligation. No pressure-selling. No property too challenging. For a discussion about your property and your requirements, call 0115 855 6010, or see www.hardwickwindows.co.uk.

The company is based at Criftin Enterprise Centre, The Mophreys, Oxton Road, Epperstone, NG14 6AT.

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Sh Sh and ow op C roo op offe m en e ...

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You can enhance the style of any room with striking soft furnishings This month we are showcasing the sumptuous Omega II collection of velvet fabrics from Linwood which drape beautifully as curtains or upholstery.

We will work with you to find the perfect fabrics and textures to suit your home, we can rejuvenate a loved piece of family furniture or you can select a new sofa or chair.

Visit our Showroom where you are welcome to browse sample books and view some of our furniture.

The Stables, Copthill Farm, Uffington, Stamford PE9 4TD

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Call 01780 757946 or pop in for a visit, we would love to see you www.huntersinteriorsofstamford.co.uk

Showroom and Coffee Shop Open Monday - Saturday 9.30 am - 4.00 pm

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UNSURPASSED QUALITY, AFFORDABLE CRAFTSMANSHIP Bespoke Kitchens, Bedrooms and Bathrooms - full project management and free quotations

Peter Jackson Cabinet Makers Ltd Devereux Way, Horncastle LN9 6AU

Tel: 01507 527113

W: www.peterjacksoncabinets.co.uk E: info@peterjacksoncabinets.co.uk

PJCabinetMakers

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STAMFORD STONE

STONE is where the heart is!

Words: Kate Cadman

Leading Lincolnshire & Rutland stone specialist, Stamford Stone at Home, has recently launched a new e-commerce website which allows visitors to browse and buy all their stone products online.

bold colours - all inspired by the beauty of nature.

Stamford Stone at Home supplies stunning natural stone flooring, paving and fireplaces, plus they’ve recently extended their range to include on-trend decorative natural stone, ceramic and porcelain wall and floor tiles from tiling specialists, Ca’ Pietra. All of these products are now available to buy online from www.ssathome.co.uk.

“We’re excited to be part of Ca’ Pietra’s trusted network of hand-picked retailers,” explains Luciana Ciarla, Stamford Stone at Home’s Showroom Sales Manager.

The new tiling collection has been carefully chosen to complement Stamford Stone at Home’s natural stone flooring range.

The handpicked edit includes over 70 handcrafted designs in exquisite bright and

“It’s exciting to watch our product range grow and to work with other family-owned British businesses.”

“Customers wanting to buy our products no longer have to make a trip to our showroom, with the option of ordering free samples and buying online, they can now make their purchases from the comfort of their own home.”

“Of course, if any customers would rather view our products in person, they can ring to book a showroom appointment on 01780 740970,” added Luciana. n

n To browse and buy the company’s stone products visit www.ssathome.co.uk. For all your Stamford Stone or Stamford Stone at Home enquiries or to book a showroom visit, call 01780 740970, or email info@ssathome.co.uk.

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Stone and Masonry Perfection...

In the heart of Rutland there’s an exquisite self-build project that showcases stone at its finest. The stunning Ashlar stone, supplied by Stamford Stone, can be seen in both spun and raked finishes.

The stone masonry skills and attention to detail have been extremely important to the owners, who have chosen to include many traditional masonry details, including a solid entrance portico, all in beautiful, local Clipsham Limestone.

One of the many impressive features in the property is the barrel-vaulted ceiling in the courtyard entrance - it’s a work of architectural and masonry perfection!

“It’s been a delight to watch this project progress and one which we are very proud of having been chosen as the stone supplier for,” explains Dan Wilson, Director, Stamford Stone.

Indoors the house portrays a wonderful sense of luxury; the ocean-inspired colour palette and sleek architectural detail all deliver a calming, high-end spa-like perfection in the swimming pool area.

Charlbury Grey English Limestone tiles, supplied by Stamford Stone at Home, have been used for the flooring, pool coping, steps and drains.

Since its completion, this magnificent stone residence, which combines the beauty of both traditional and contemporary design, has already become part of Rutland’s heritage and will be loved and admired for centuries to come. n

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Crafting bespoke hardwood conservatories and orangeries, roof lights & timber windows...

MORRISS & SHAW LUXURY GARDEN HOUSES

Based in Sleaford, so for a free, no obligation design consultation and an initial discussion of your project call 01529 300609

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ELECTRIC & MANUAL GATES, AND BESPOKE METALWORK FABRICATION SPECIALISTS 30 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE, FREE, NO OBLIGATION QUOTES

01522 688285 • 07748 187801 www.mjbmetalwork.co.uk

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SNOWDROPS IN LINCOLNSHIRE

IN SEARCH of

SNOWDROPS The sight of the diminutive snowdrop is always a welcome one as it signals that spring is just around the corner. This year the presence of these little white gems will be especially wellreceived as the sign of a new season, warmer weather and hopefully an end to lockdown!

Words: Rob Davis.

THE BEST LAID PLANS of mice and men gang aft a-gley, said the poet Robert Burns, who will be celebrated at (private) Burn’s Night suppers as Pride goes to press. Also due to be celebrated at this time of year is the snowdrop, that diminutive white flower that heralds the end of winter and the coming of spring.

This year, the flower was also due to herald the end of Covid, and of social distancing, lockdowns and so on, but alas, with this edition written and completed prior to Christmas – complete with a guide to where you could see blankets of snowdrops locally throughout February – a fresh set of measures to curb the virus, including lockdown, has necessitated a hasty rewrite of these pages from the Editor’s dining room table.

In Search of Snowdrops...

Happily, we rarely need to do little more than look out of the window of our domestic prison cells to appreciate the snowdrop; it’s prolific and can be seen in our gardens, on verges and in woodland during even the most local of dog walks.

And so, the snowdrop – which will make its appearance as Pride goes to press and remain a feature of our outside spaces at least until mid-March, could still usher in an era when Covid restrictions are lifted, when spring comes along and when life begins to return to normality.

The Basics...

One man who knows all about snowdrops of Keith Weed, who, despite his amusingly ironic name, is president of the RHS and thus responsible for championing all of the stuff that should be in your garden, not the stuff that shouldn’t... >> Main: Snowdrop taken by Fred Cholmeley of Easton Walled Gardens... a great recommendation as a place to see snowdrops, we highly recommend visiting the garden once lockdown is lifted!

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“For welcome assurance that the brighter days of spring are on their way, we need look no further than snowdrops,” Keith says.

“They’re surprisingly varied in height, flower size, shape and even colouring. Any garden can accommodate snowdrops; they just need to be planted, freshly lifted, when the foliage is just dying back in late spring.”

“Snowdrops typically flower between January and March, and should be planted from late April into May.” “Plant them in a partly-shaded position in a moist, but well-drained soil with some leafmould or garden compost incorporated.

It’s important that the soil does not dry out in summer, but otherwise they’re fairly hardy and easy to encourage.”

Snowdrop Varieties...

“Galanthus nivalis is the familiar naturalised snowdrop of our February woods and gardens.

The narrow foliage is grey-green, the edges should touch at the base (not be ‘reflexed’ or overlapping). The flowers have outer petals about 2.5cm (1in) long and the inner petals have a small neat green inverted ‘V’ at the tip.

Often thought of as a British native, the variety was probably brought to Britain in the 16th century.” “‘Atkinsii’ is a very early, vigorous and slightly honey-scented variety with long, slender petals and a green heart-shaped mark at the tips of the inner petals.” “‘Magnet’ is perhaps the most elegant of all snowdrops, flowering in February and March, and noted for the unusually long

stalk which holds the flower away from the stem so it dances in the slightest whisper of breeze.” “‘Reginae-olgae’ is the best known of the autumn-flowering snowdrops, and is generally similar in appearance to G. nivalis. It may flower in early September, but usually opens in October or sometimes later.”

Propagating Snowdrops...

The four main ways to propagate snowdrops are to lift and divide them as the foliage turns yellow in spring; to sow seeds around June; or the rather more involved processes

Snowdrops Facts for Budding Galanthophiles...

n Fans of these Amaryllidaceae are known as galanthophiles.

n Traditionally snowdrops wouldn’t flower until late February, but since the 1950s, it has been noted that they’re making an earlier appearance in gardens. This has been attributed to global warming.

n The name translates as ‘milk flower’ and as they’re the first flower to appear in the calendar, they were traditionally a sign of purity and religious faith.

n There are more than 2,500 species of snowdrop, with Galanthus nivalis or the ‘common snowdrop’ the most commonly seen.

n Snowdrops are more formally known as Galanthus, a genus of over 20 herbaceous plants similar in appearance.

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n Snowdrops tend to prefer well-drained soil in light shade; a woodland habitat is ideal.

Late spring is the ideal time to divide and plant snowdrops just as the foliage is dying off. n Snowdrops should be divided up into three or five smaller clumps, and snowdrop bulbs rising to the surface of the soil is a sign they’re keen to be split up!

of twin-scaling and chipping – essentially cutting into the bulbs to producing many more in a short space of time.

Potential Problems...

“Squirrels digging up snowdrops planted as dry bulbs may be a problem,” says Keith.

“Sometimes seedlings are also lost through ‘damping off ’ which is caused by fungi and results in their collapse.”

In search of snowdrops...

At the time of writing, lockdown looks set to put paid to a visit to local snowdrop gardens.

However, as soon as restrictions ease – hopefully we’ll still be in spring – we must recommend a visit to Easton Walled Gardens, just off the A1 on the border of Lincolnshire and Rutland.

The 12-acre gardens have been restored by its owners Fred & Ursula Cholmeley, whose spring displays are a particular highlight, along with its sweet peas later in the year (Easton, NG33 5AP. Call 01476 530063, www.visiteaston.co.uk).

Elsewhere in Lincolnshire, Grantham’s 1,300 acre National Trust-owned Belton House (NG32 2LW, 01476 566116) or Gunby Hall (www.nationaltrust.org.uk) also have spectacular displays of snowdrops and other spring flowers to enjoy. n

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This Page: Closeup of an Easton Walled Garden snowdrop

by Fred Cholmeley.

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FLAT ROOFS?

WE’VE GOT THEM COVERED

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Call 07825 381878

or see www.firstrateflatroofing.co.uk No Pressure Selling • Free, No Obligation Quotes • 25 Year Guarantee

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Tel: 01652 653595. Web: www.obriensopticians.co.uk Call for an appointment or pop in to view our latest designer eyewear.

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ACCEPTABLE in the 80s Hard to believe that the era of big music, big shoulder pads and big fashion was 40 years ago, but what was acceptable in the 80s is once again making a return to your wardrobe...

This Page: Desiguel Chunky knit jumper, ÂŁ94.

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Slim midi-dress with Be You typographic print ÂŁ129.

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Desiguel plush floral jumper in shaggy knit ÂŁ119.

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Soft touch slim-knit floral dress, with boho floral print, £84.

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- FASHION -

Top/Left: Tricot fleece jacket in faux sheepskin, £159. Top/Right: Long tricot coat with friezes in red and black, £194.

Bottom/Left: Slim padded jacket, £169. Bottom/Right: Knitted high neck jacket, £139.

For local stockists see www.desigual.com.

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PLAN YOUR WEDDING PROPERLY WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM OUR 900,000 MEMBERS

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Strike me Pink ACHIEVE A ROSY AND BEAUTIFUL COMPLEXION THIS MONTH AND TREAT YOURSELF TO A TOUCH OF LUXURY WITH OUR SOFT PINK-THEMED COLLECTION OF WINTER COSMETICS...

1. Be comfortable in your own skin with Dior...

Dreamskin by Dior aims to deliver on a promise of making the most of your own natural radiance. Its Moist & Perfect Cushion acts on the appearance of pores, minor redness and shine for naturally more beautiful skin in every circumstance.

The complexion is fresh, matte and luminous with SPF50 protection from harsh winter sun. £65/15g.

2. Frost in translation...

Top tips for your lips from Mac in the form of its special edition lip colours. Shown here is the white pearl ‘Once Bitten, Twice Shy,’ one of five shades available in lustre, pearlescent frost, matte or amplified finishes. The company promises eight hours of wear, £14/3g.

3. On Primer Facie...

Too Faced has created this excellent lightweight primer designed to visibly fill and volumise skin. The company promises a ‘lifted’ look for cheeks and jawline in three days, and greater texture and smoothness, £32/30ml.

5. A welcome way to warm up your winter...

Ascent’s Himalayan Bath Salts are rich in 84 precious minerals designed to enhance the pleasure of a long hot soak in the bath and to re-centre your spirit. A bright and invigorating hit of lavender, geranium rose, and ho leaf (cinnamomum Camphora) uplifts mind, body and soul.

With warming cedarwood, it’s a winter treat. £10.20/100g.

6. Look scent-sational with cookie cosmetics...

Too Faced has launched a brand new palette of sparkly, glamorous colours.

Enchanted Beauty Fox comprises an exclusive palette of 12 eye shadows, plus a highlighted and blush duo palette and its Damn Girl mascara... and did we mention that each product smells like cookies? £28.

4. Mascara Magic...

Too Faced’s mascara claims to be the number one best-selling premium mascara in the US and now it’s available here, too.

Thickens, lengthens and curls whilst delivering a deep, lustrous black colour. £22/8ml.

n All our beauty products are available from local independent stockists unless otherwise stated, please note that prices stated are RRP and may vary according to retailer.

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FITZWILLIAM HOSPITAL

HELPING

HEROES Everyone needs support especially during a crisis. Helping to back up the NHS during Covid-19 is the area’s independent healthcare sector. Ramsay Health Care’s Fitzwilliam Hospital has been supporting its state sector colleagues by assisting the local Trust with patients on waiting lists and ensuring everyone receives prompt, high-quality care even during a major pandemic…

Words: Rob Davis.

It’s difficult to find positives during a global pandemic. Economically, socially and emotionally, Covid-19 has impacted us all in a number of ways.

for our local trusts NW Anglia Healthcare Trust. With facilities like our MRI and CT imaging suites we have been able to provide these services to NHS Trusts.

But if this year has proven one thing across the healthcare sector, it’s that independent and state healthcare sectors can work brilliantly together to provide access to prompt, high quality support to patients.

“As part of our commitment to a safe and clean environment both for our patients and our staff, we’ve had to adapt our hospitals, and I’m really proud of the way that everyone has cooperated to ensure our facilities remain exceptionally safe.”

“In ordinary circumstances the Fitzwilliam Hospital provides independent healthcare through self-pay, insurance and NHS pathways,” says the Fitzwilliam’s Hospital Director Carl Cottam.

“During the Covid-19 crisis though, we’ve provided additional capacity to the NHS to ensure that procedures in areas like breast care, urology, gynaecology, orthopaedics - or diagnostic procedures such as endoscopy – that can be performed promptly and in a safe environment.”

“We’ve worked alongside our NHS partners particularly closely this year, and have seen many hundreds of patients come through the door, which has meant we can help people to access a range of services, which also helps efforts to keep the NHS’s waiting lists down.”

“Whilst we’ve been open as usual for our own patients, much of the throughput of our five operating theatres have been work 118

“Patients have been screened upon arrival, systems have been introduced around the hospital, we have created two more entrances, and we’ve been offering ‘virtual’ consultations to reduce the number of people who need to physically enter the building.”

“The feedback has been really great. With around 200 members of staff and a throughput of patients - sometimes for complex procedures - it’s really rewarding that all those coming into the hospital to work or for treatment report that they feel safe and confident with our procedures.”

“We’ve also been providing support for patients via our sister hospital, Boston West, which is a purpose-built day case Hospital which provides services for assessment, diagnosis and treatment of common medical conditions.”

“With a well-equipped modern theatre, we can also undertake a range of surgical

procedures and endoscopic investigations at the facility too.”

“It’s also been interesting to note that some patients didn’t realise our facilities can be accessed via the NHS and were not aware of the facilities that we had.”

“We believe that in the course of working even closer with our NHS colleagues than we ordinarily do, we’ve been able to help keep local NHS hospital beds free, introduce more people to our facilities and generally support all those helping to provide excellent healthcare across the region.”

The hospital offers consultant-led care from diagnosis services, to services like physiotherapy plus treatment across a range of disciplines from orthopaedics, general surgical, spinal surgery, ophthalmological and cardiac disciplines, as well as access to pain relief, weight loss and cosmetic procedures.

“We’re really grateful for all the feedback we’ve received and recognise the hard work and dedication of all those in the healthcare profession, both in the state and the independent sectors,” adds Carl Cottam.

Find Out More: Ramsay Healthcare’s network of hospitals include Peterborough’s Fitzwilliam and Boston West. For a no-obligation consultation call 01733 842304 or find out more at www.fitzwilliamhospital.co.uk

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DEXTER & SHARPE

It’s not just business. It’s personal.

Tristran Russell is your accountant in the field... literally, sometimes.

With a determination to build your business beyond the numbers, he’s one of the faces behind Lincolnshire’s long-established accountancy firms, Dexter & Sharpe... and he’s a part-time dairy farmer, too!

TRISTRAN RUSSELL is your accountant in the field. literally, sometimes. His family still farms land at Mareham Le Fen, and on the odd weekend, when his brother needs a hand Tristran can still be found attempting to wrestle with an impatient heifer at one of the few remaining dairy operations in Lincolnshire.

“It’s a world away from accountancy, but the two are so different that it’s refreshing to help out on the family farm,” he says.

“Even though I’m not a farmer it’s nice to be on a tractor at the weekend, and it serves as quite an important reminder than even though I’m not in the industry, the changing fortunes of farming are still relevant to me, since they have a sort of ripple effect that should matter to the whole community.”

“We’ve clients in lots of different sectors like farming, so understanding what’s going on in the arable and livestock sectors, as well as in the haulage industry, in retail and in hospitality... all helps us to put thought and context into the advice we offer, and to ensure we have a better understanding of our clients’ needs.”

“Our founder company can trace its heritage back to 1883, perhaps even earlier than that, but with the amalgamation of several practices we’ve grown to become a company with over a hundred members of staff and seven offices.”

“It presented its own challenges not least in accountancy, with practical problems like furlough payments and the opportunity to apply for grants, but scope for broader advice too like business continuity planning and resilience.”

“As someone close to the farming community, I know, for instance, that the sector has also been effected by average crop yields which has had a knock-on effect on the planting of the arable sector’s spring grain crops.”

“Understanding not just broader problems like Covid and Brexit, but sector-specific problems, like these and being able to form long-term partnerships with our clients allows us to offer advice proactively as well as reactively, and to establish systems which enable them keep on top of things like PAYE and VAT returns, taking the stress out of running at least that element of the business.”

“That’s especially important at this time of year.

The end of the tax year shouldn’t give you stress; everything should be under control... and it can be, we can work with you to make sure of it.”

“As well as being a company with a traditional approach to looking after our clients, though, we also pride ourselves in utilising technology to help make business less daunting.”

“Happily though, we haven’t outgrown our remit of building a business beyond the numbers. We’re known for offering a range of services from accountancy, income and corporate tax advice, to business planning and audit services.”

“We have a wealth of software from Xero and Sage to Quickbooks and Receipt Bank as well as sector-specific packages like Farmplan. These are designed to ensure you stay on top of your business from your smartphone even when you’re manhandling a Holstein into a milking parlour.”

“But what we’re really renowned for is getting to know our clients and providing the trust and continuity that takes the anxiety and stress out of running a business. 2020 was an unprecedented year for businesses in every sector and of every size.”

“We work with everyone from sole traders and new businesses to companies with turnover figures in the hundreds of millions, and yet our approach is the same; provide good advice, continuity of contact and continue to justify the great reputation we have in the county.” n

Find Out More: Dexter & Sharpe has offices in Horncastle, Boston, Bourne, Lincoln, Louth, Skegness and Spilsby. The company provides a range of services from accountancy and payroll to tax and wealth management.

For more information call 01507 526071 or see www.dextersharpe.co.uk.

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MOTORS

YOUR VOYAGE of

DISCOVERY Luxurious. Capable. Practical of course. Posh, too.

There’s nothing to dislike about Land Rover’s Discovery, but as the car enters its mid-30s, the poor thing is facing a bit of a mid-life crisis. Happens to the best of us, I suppose...

Words: Rob Davis.

THINGS WERE SIMPLER ‘back then,’ we tend to say, with soporific nostalgia. Close your eyes and think back to 1990, before Britpop, or Blair, prior to the opening of the Channel Tunnel or mobile phones and Instafacegram.

Little wonder that Land Rover wanted to capitalise on its bright idea seven years later with the smaller but more affordable Freelander, a car that was also enormously well-thought of.

In those simpler times, if you wanted a Land Rover, it was a simple choice; for capability, choose a Defender. For luxury and capability choose a Range Rover.

But too much of a good thing isn’t always great, and today’s Jaguar Land Rover lineup is complex. The brand is split in three, for a start, with Land Rover & Range Rover as well as Jaguar all producing models that occupy the same price point in the market.

Land Rover in 1989 saw fit to introduce the Discovery, and it went on sale the following year, as a sort of half-way house between outright utilitarianism and comfort.

Suffice to say it was a roaring success; a car that could provide on-road comfort, huge offroad ability, and once that would eventually enable you to take the whole family along too, thanks to the option of seven seats.

If you’ve £55k to spend on a 4x4, Land Rover’s Discovery, Discovery Sport and Defender, plus Range Rover’s Evoque and Velar, and Jaguar’s F-Pace will all fit the bill, despite sharing the same engines and interior technology. So how on earth is a consumer supposed to choose? >>

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Sibling Rivalry: A Trio of Alternative Land Rovers...

Range Rover Velar D240SE £57,660: You’ll choose this Range Rover if you value a stylish looking car and on-road dynamics. A Discovery-matching budget will see you drive off the forecourt with a D240 engine designation, a 2.0 four cylinder engine good for 135mph, 60mph in 6.8 seconds and a fuel economy figure of 48.7mpg. It’s a five seater – not a seven seater like the Discovery. In SE trim you’ll enjoy powered heated leather seats, navigation and a 360° camera. It’s sprung on coil suspension and doesn’t have low-range gears. n

Range Rover Evoque Autobiography P300e £52,110: You’ll choose this Range Rover if you spend more time in urban settings than off-road; if space isn’t a priority; if you appreciate technology; or you’re a company car driver. Smaller than the Discovery, with styling cues taken from the Velar – e.g. pop out door handles – a flagship P300e is in budget. Plug it in and you’ll enjoy 34 miles of electric-only driving. It’ll do 132mph, reach 60mph in 6.1 seconds and achieve 143mpg. Autobiography trim means adaptive cruise, 360° camera, heated and cooled seats, heated steering wheel, power tailgate and automatic parking assist are all standard. n

>> The dilemma leaves the newly facelifted 2021 Discovery with a bit of an identity crisis – or rather, a lack of identity crisis.

It has seven seats; but so does the Discovery Sport. It’s sporty, in some trims; but so is the F-Pace. It’s posh; but so is the Velar.

Perhaps the best thing you can say about the Discovery, though, is that the car’s breadth of talent is fairly evenly spread. It’s perhaps the sweet spot in the company’s entire portfolio between value, luxury and practicality.

Land Rover Defender 110 HSE D250 £61,180: This is the Land Rover you’ll choose if you’re looking for off-road performance that’s beyond peerless, practicality and the option of five, six or seven seats. It’s a bit more expensive in HSE trim but strong residuals should level the playing field when you receive the finance quote. Low-range gears and air suspension, 3.0V6 engine for lots of grunt. Top speed of 117mph and 60mph reached in 7.9 seconds. Fuel economy of 32mpg. HSE trims brings adaptive cruise, and panoramic roof. n

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As standard the Discovery has seven seats all trimmed in leather, four wheel drive, Terrain Response electronics, a 3D surround camera, power tailgate, sat nav and heated front screen and front seats. You’re lacking in little, though we’d be inclined to add the optional Driver Assistance pack.

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“Land Rover’s Discovery is practical, well-equipped and spacious. It may be a great car, but next to the Defender, and not quite a Range Rover, it’s increasingly tricky to justify...”

In terms of engines, the base D250 is a three litre six cylinder unit good for a GTi-matching seven second 60mph dash and 120mph top speed.

Perhaps more relevant is the 570nm of torque you can put to good use towing and off-roading. You’ll still achieve 33mpg on long journeys and you’ll do so in comfort.

So far then it’s all favourable. This is a car that’s practical, offers decent tech, luxury, enough poke and favourable economy for its class.

But... look! A Land Rover Defender, giving me those come-to-bed eyes and a sultry smile from across the dealership. In 110, D240, HSE trim, it’s just £5,000 or so more, probably less on finance since it’s less likely to depreciate, being highly sought after right now. The Defender is also better equipped in this trim and it’s absolutely phenomenal both off-road and on-road too. Discovery may be a great car, but next to the Defender, and not quite a Range Rover, it’s increasingly tricky to justify. n

LAND ROVER DISCOVERY Price: £53,090. (On sale now).

Drivetrain: 3.0V6 MHEV diesel, 250hp, 570Nm torque.

Eight speed automatic gearbox, all wheel drive, low range gears.

Performance: 0-62 mph: 7.6 seconds. Top Speed: 120mph.

Economy: 33.5mpg, 221g/km CO2.

Equipment: Leather upholstery, heated seats, satellite navigation, climate, cruise, seven seats. n 125

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MOTORS

GET ON THE

BLOWER

This is the Bentley Blower. First made in the late 1920s, it’s recreated here using design and engineering techniques as faithful as possible to the original. It’s ‘car zero’ and just 11 more will be made. Each one will sell for £1.5m and if that sounds expensive, consider that a replica of the car is currently on sale in the UK for £700,000, whilst an original Blower sold at Bonhams in 2012 for £4.5m.

2,000 individual parts have been hand-made especially for the cars. Together, they’ve taken 40,000 hours to design and build.

Sir Henry ‘Tim’ Birkin, was one of the 1920s’ original Bentley Boys, born not too far away from here in Nottingham.

He raced in a Bentley Blower, a modified version of Bentley’s four-and-a-half-litre car, the re-engineering of which he was heavily franchised in.

Bentley had increased the original car’s displacement to 6.5 litres, with less success, and Tim himself was a keen advocate of forced induction rather than increased displacement.

Forgive me if that sounds like waffle... but 90 years on, ironically the same trend is evident in motoring. Manufacturers are abandoning 3.0V6 engines in favour of 2.0V4, and 2.0V4 in favour of smaller units.

Indeed, even Ford’s sizable Focus is now powered by a 1.0 engine, relying on forced induction (in that case a turbocharger) just like the Blower did in the 1920s (Tim added an Amherst Villiers supercharger which also helped to give Bourne racing driver Raymond Mays’ cars a big of extra shove).

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There’s retro, and then, there’s this Bentley Blower. It’s a brand new vehicle engineered and designed as faithfully as possible to the original Bentley Blower – on sale 90 years ago – as modern legislation will allow. This was the car that Ian Fleming’s Bond drove in the original novels and the same model raced by Sir Henry ‘Tim’ Birkin in the roaring 1920s. The car pictured is ‘car zero.’ It’s the first of just 12 cars due to made, and with a price of £1.5m exclusivity carries a premium... but what price nostalgia?

Words: Rob Davis.

The car has been crafted from the design drawings and tooling jigs used for the original four Blowers built and raced by Sir Henry ‘Tim’ Birkin in the late 1920s. Specifically, Bentley’s own Team Car (Chassis HB 3403, engine SM 3902, registration UU 5872 Team Car #2) has provided the master model for the Continuation Series, with every single component laser-scanned to ensure sub-millimetre accuracy in their dimensions. The chassis has been created in heavy-gauge steel, hand-formed and hot

riveted by the specialists at Israel Newton & Sons Ltd. Other companies created the Blower’s key components, like the mirrorpolished, solid nickel silver radiator shell and the hand-beaten fuel tank formed in steel and copper, plus the car’s ash frame, and of course, its 4.5 litre engine.

Whilst £1.5m seems like a lot to pay for a vehicle, there’s no doubt that this is more than just a classic car. This is history, recreated lovingly, faithfully, in exquisite – and very British – detail. n

BENTLEY BLOWER Price: £1,500,000.

Drivetrain: 4.5 litre four-cylinder OHC with Amherst Villiers roots-type supercharger.

Interior: Oxblood red Bridge of Weir leather stuffed with 10kg natural horsehair. n

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MOTORS

Three Wheels Good A WHEEL SHORT OF A CAR, BUT THIS MORGAN ISN’T SHORT OF STYLE...

MORGAN Short of a wheel, but not short on thrills, the Morgan Three-Wheeler may look like something Mr Toad would drive in The Wind in the Willows, but it’s proved a success for the firm with 2,500 sold since its launch in 2011.

The current model is not long for this world, but to celebrate its success, this special edition has been launched prior to the car’s official approval of its

S&S V-Twin engine coming to an end in 2021, preventing the model from being produced into 2022. The limited-edition P101 is priced from £45,000 and only 33 will be made.

Production slots have already been allocated to Morgan dealerships in the UK, Europe and USA. Production of the model will continue alongside ‘bespoke’ Three-Wheelers during 2021. n

A luminous Rolls Royce...?!?

GOOD NEWS FOR THOSE WITH AN AVERSION TO SUBTLETY. YOU CAN NOW ORDER A ROLLS WITH LUMINOUS PAINT...

Cut your company’s costs with an electric Ford Transit...

FORD If you run a business, you’ve doubtless been looking for ways to cut costs in 2020. If that business involves making deliveries, this could be on your fleet very soon. Tax friendly and promising fuel efficiency, Ford’s reckons its electric Transit could soon account for a serious number of the 32m vans on British roads. It’s 11.3kW on-board charger promises tax and fuel savings, plus 34 minute charges, providing 217 miles of range which Ford says is three times most drivers’ daily distance. n

MOTORING

NEWS In Brief

WINTER MOTORING

STEER CLEAR OF A WINTER BREAKDOWN WITH SOME SIMPLE CAR MAINTENANCE...

Road Safety organisation GEM Motoring Assist is offering basic tips for drivers to ensure trouble-free journeys in winter. Giving attention now to batteries, tyres, antifreeze, wipers, lights and other vehicle essentials is the best way of ensuring reliability in the months to come, especially if you haven’t been using your car as much as usual this year.

Here are GEM’s five simple steps for reducing the chance of a breakdown or malfunction this winter:

ROLLS ROYCE History is littered with examples of events that shouldn’t have happened but did.

And the latest example – perhaps the best – comes with the news that Rolls Royce has released three ‘special’ editions of its car sporting luminous paint jobs.

The three colours are ‘Lime Rock Green, a near-luminous hue naturally bestowed on the Australian green tree frog;’ ‘Eagle Rock Red whose hue mimics the flowers of ‘Ōhi‘a lehua, an evergreen tree native to Hawaii,’ and ‘Mirabeau Blue, which looked to an exotic butterfly, Rhetus periander for inspiration.’ n

n Get the battery and charging system checked to ensure best performance.

A number of winter calls to GEM’s breakdown control centre relate to flat batteries Cold weather puts a lot of strain on tired batteries, so consider changing it now to avoid the inconvenience of a breakdown. n Ensure your car’s cooling system has the correct levels of anti-freeze, which is vital to prevent the water in your engine’s cooling system from freezing. n Make sure all the lights on your car, are clean and working properly. n Check tyre tread depth and pressure weekly through the winter. Good tread depth will minimise your risk of skidding and losing control. n Check your windscreen wipers, front and rear.

Make sure they are working properly, and top up your screenwash regularly.

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The Directory To advertise here call our friendly team on 01529 469977

DOG TREAT

PUZZLES

My own design of hand made dog puzzles...

07772 491 610 www.jbwoodcraft.biz

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