Pride Magazine September 2014

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MArKET HArbOrOUgH, KETTErINg, COrbY ANd OUNdLE PrideMagazine

PrideMagazine THE

NUMBER

ONE

MAGAZINE

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 4 £3.70

Covering the whole of Market Harborough, Kettering, Corby and Oundle...

The Lifestyle Magazine for High Quality Homes

NEW LOOK

SAME Q UALITY

SEPTEMBER 2014

Hot Air balloon & Jazz Night Local Food & drink during british Food Fortnight FLOWEr ArrANgINg - FASHION - LOCAL brIdES & grOOMS - SOPHIE ALLPOrT

Pride Magazine September 2014 £3.70

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Welcome to the September issue of Pride Magazine. We are now in our fourth month, and we are delighted with all the great feedback we’ve received and new faces we have met.

Ceri JaCkson Editor, PridE magazinE editor@pridemagazines.co.uk

In this edition we hope you’ll enjoy our dining out suggestion of The Talbot Hotel in Oundle, plus we’ve ten pages of executive properties, and event photographs from Kelmarsh Hall and Gardens recently as the venue hosted its Hot Air Balloon and Jazz Night.

Remaining patriotic, we celebrate all things British in British Food Fortnight where you can get seasonality back into your diet, as well as a British Wine feature and recipes for British meals.

Also this month, members of Market Harborough’s Flower Club, show us how to make some beautiful flower arrangements that you can create in your own home too.

If you’re getting married, or know someone who is, we’ve some great seasonal inspiration and ideas for brides-to-be who are planning their special day.

PrideMagazine MARKET HARBOROUGH, KETTERING, CORBY AND OUNDLE

THE

The Lifestyle Magazine for High Quality Homes

NUMBER

ONE

MAGAZINE

NEW LOOK

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 4 £3.70

SAME QUA LITY

Hot Air Balloon & Jazz Night Local Food & Drink During British Food Fortnight

FLOWER ARRANGING - FASHION - LOCAL BRIDES & GROOMS - SOPHIE ALLPORT

Pride Magazine September 2014 £3.70

This month’s cover: Winwick Manor in Winwick is currently on the market with King West for £1,790,000. www.kingwest.co.uk

Finally, look out for exclusive High Society images in this issue and do please let us know of any special events you’d like our photographers to cover.

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PrideMagazine MARKET HARBOROUGH, KETTERING, CORBY AND OUNDLE

PrideMagazine

THE

Covering the whole of Market Harborough, Kettering, Corby and Oundle...

The Lifestyle Magazine for High Quality Homes

NUMBER

ONE

MAGAZINE

NEW LOOK

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 4 £3.70

SAME QU ALITY

SEPTEMBER 2014

Hot Air Balloon & Jazz Night Local Food & Drink During British Food Fortnight

FLOWER ARRANGING - FASHION - LOCAL BRIDES & GROOMS - SOPHIE ALLPORT

Pride Magazine September 2014 £3.70

With best wishes from the Pride Magazine team Publisher: Julian Wilkinson. General Manager: Ian Bagley.

Editor: Ceri Jackson. Features Editor: Rob Davis.

Graphic Designer and Customer Care: Mandy Bray.

Accounts Manager: Sue Bannister.

Sales Managers: Zoie Wilkinson, Jayne Broughton.

Sales Executives: Elaine Hall, Liz King, Carissa Clay, Emily Brown, Jo Leadbitter, Sami Millard, Andy Taylor, Lauren Chambers, Chloe Griffiths, Emma Barrett, Hayley Scott, Amy Whiley, Abigail Colley.

Sales Support: Emily Rippin.

Distribution Manager: Paul Dixon.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/ Pride-Magazine/303827686431709 Why not follow us on Facebook? You can keep up to date with any news we may have for our lovely magazine!

twitter.com/@pridemagazines Follow us on Twitter so you can read our tweets. We’ll let you know what’s going on and keep you well informed!

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

In the event of an advert or editorial being published incorrectly, where Pride Magazines Ltd admits fault, we will include an advert of equivalent size, or equivalent sized editorial, free of charge to be used in a future edition, at our discretion. This gesture is accepted as full compensation for the error(s) with no refunds available.

Enjoy Pride Magazine, read it cover to cover.

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

Pride Magazines Elm Grange Studios East Heckington, Boston Lincolnshire PE20 3QF Tel: 01529 469977 Fax: 01529 469978

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Contents

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September 2014

Our HOMES pages have the largest selection of executive homes with properties in Market Harborough, Kettering, Corby and Oundle.

We visit KElMarSH Hall and gardEnS for their Hot Air Balloon and Jazz Night enjoy our exclusive photographs.

Enjoy this month’s FOOd and drinK section with our eating out suggestion, and a celebration of British Food Fortnight.

Enjoy our HOME and gardEn section which provides ideas and inspiration for those seeking to create their dream home.

Learn how to make beautiful FlOwEr arrangEMEnTS to brighten up your home, with the local area’s flower clubs.

Look and feel wonderful with this month’s FaSHiOn, featuring Steilmann’s ultra sophisticated Autumn and Winter collection. cOME Fly with us as we take an exciting trip in a hot air balloon over the local area, where we captured stunning photographs.

Learn all about the HiSTOry of the Old Grammar School in Market Harborough which reopens after a £400,000 restoration.

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County News great Bowden recital trust raises the roof with anniversary concert!

Local musicians from the great Bowden recital trust play to an 800 strong audience to celebrate their 10th anniversary, at Leicester grammar School...

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

Market Harborough musicians and singers from music charity The Great Bowden Recital Trust (GBRT) played to a packed house at Leicester Grammar School to celebrate the charity’s 10th anniversary.

The 800 strong audience was treated to a spectacular evening of music, including performances from the GBRT’s jazz and swing band, saxophone choir, chamber ensemble, adult and youth flute choirs, GBRT Junior X Factor competition winners and special guest, renowned concert pianist Roger Owens.

The evening culminated in a performance of the Les Miserables song ‘Do you hear the people sing?’ from the GBRT adult and youth vocal choirs.

The audience donated more than £1,600 on the night which will go towards funding instrumental and vocal tuition for young people in the Harborough area.

Brigstock boosted by success of 2014 horse trials event...

Corby’s economy was given a boost last month thanks to the success of the 2014 Brigstock Horse Trials event.

Around 4,000 people visited in 2013 whilst this year’s event more than doubled that figure, with over 8,000 attending.

In total, 19 countries were represented in the trials, with riders from as far away as Qatar and India competing.

Estate agency King West was the principal sponsor and recently confirmed that the event would be renamed the Rockingham International Horse Trials for 2015.

ice cream parlour open for business in market Harborough Launch event at Symington was a great success

GBRT Chief Executive Andrew Cartwright said: “The evening was a fitting celebration of how far we’ve come since our launch in 2004. Every single one of our performers, from 5 years old to 76, gave their all and showed how music can lift the spirits, and raise the roof ! I’d like to thank everyone who has helped us reach this milestone and make GBRT what it is today.”

The GBRT is a registered charity that aims to get local people, involved in performing and appreciating music. Over the past 10 years, £22,200 has been raised to fund instrumental and vocal lessons for local children, performed at 85 concerts, the Junior X factor competition that has attracted 325 entrants and started nine choirs and ensembles with over 240 members, and are sponsored by 2th Dental, LE16 Communications, MH Music and Gordon Blunt Analytics.

Visit www.gbrecitaltrust.co.uk.

Market Harborough’s new ice cream parlour in the Symington Building celebrated its opening in style with a VIP launch night.

Gallone’s ice cream makers marked the unveiling of their first parlour in Leicestershire with a champagne and ice cream event with over 100 guests.

“It was a great success, offering the chance to sample our ice creams.” says owner Aldo Gallone.

Family run Gallones have been making and selling ice cream since 1895 and have been based in Northampton for 79 years.

“We chose Market Harborough because of its historical charm and reputation for supporting independent businesses,” The parlour will now be open seven days a week.

Visit www.gallonesicecream.com.

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County News tapestry to help teach people the history of a local village

this year’s Kettering By the Sea event was a huge success

Local villagers create tapestry to depict the history of Braybrooke village from the 11th to 20th century...

Families enjoyed a range of activities throughout July and august including a sand-filled market Place...

a Braybrooke Tapestry has been created by a group of local villagers with the talents of local artist, Geoff Tiney.

The tapestry includes a series of 10 needlework panels depicting the history of the village from the 10th to 20th century. Each tapestry has been framed and is on display at the village hall.

Barbara Lynch was involved with the project and says;

“We started the project in 2012, and finished in 2014. We wanted a way to show people the history of the village, and once Geoff came up with the designs, 12 local ladies created the tapestries.”

Each panel represents a century of history in the village, so it’s a great educational tool to teach people about the village’s heritage.

For more information call Barbara on 07918 657771, email barbara.lynch@alumni.ucd.ie or visit www.braybrooke.weebly.com.

kettering by the Sea has taken place for another year, lasting for four weeks, in July and August.

There was a range of activities on offer, including a visit from West Lodge Farm animals, dance performances, arts and crafts and a Punch and Judy Show.

The Market Place was also filled with sand for the occasion.

“This year’s Kettering by the Sea was a great way to get all the family involved and the sun was

As well as enjoying the event in the sun, visitors could also make the most of the town’s award winning museum and gallery.

oundle Festival sees a variety of musical genres perform this year

This year’s programme saw an array of music genres perform at a variety of locations, including jazz, folk and world music alongside classical repertoire, and related programming in other art forms.

oundle’s 30th International Festival, a professional music festival has taken place for another year in Oundle and the surrounding area.

Buster Keaton’s silent film The General and the improvised soundtrack by organist Richard Hills was a particular hit, as well as a performance of Handel’s Acis and Galatea by Conductor Christian Curnyn and the Early Opera Company.

The event attracts a growing audience every year from the local community, and also further afield.

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shining. Everyone had a great time. The wide range of free activities ensured that there was something for everyone. It’s fantastic that we were able to offer such a full programme of free activities for all ages in the summer.” says Kettering Borough Council’s Guy Holloway.

Visit www.oundlefestival.org.uk.

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

Corby pay tribute to torvill and dean with mass Live Bolero as part of the Highland gathering, locals performed a tribute mass participation of the Live Bolero...

Corby recently took part in Live Bolero - a mass participation dance performance that took place across three different locations: Corby, Nottingham and Skegness.

Torvill and Dean won Olympic Gold with the Bolero 30 years ago - and Corby joined in to celebrate and pay tribute to the area’s finest sporting heroes

through dance. Dance4 worked in partnership with The Core at Corby Cube to organise Live Bolero as part of the Highland Gathering.

Groups from local schools also performed a contemporary section of the routine with a Street Dance section to the routine. A Live Bolero event ended the performance.

‘Learn to Play’ music with the great Bowden recital trust Local music charity launches Learn to Play to give local people the opportunity and encouragement to learn to play an instrument for the very first time! great Bowden Recital Trust (GBRT) is launching a ‘Learn to Play’ programme to give local people opportunity to learn a brass, woodwind or string instrument for the very first time.

town’s streets transformed to magical playground at outdoor festival Market Harborough will see the return of its annual outdoor street theatre festival on 14th September.

Once a year, Arts Fresco transforms the streets of Market Harborough to a magical playground of exotic and funny characters, colours and sounds, helping to bring the community together to

share the inspiration of art.

Four stages will deliver original static performances and stunts, and a large walking spectacular act will astound the audience.

The Children Village will entertain the younger audience with professional face-painters, story tellers, drop-in circus school and craft sessions.

There are number of local charities supporting the festival, including Market Harborough and Bowden Charity, Rotary Club and The Late Night Shopping.

For more information visit their website: www.artsfresco.com.

This exciting initiative is backed by Market Harborough’s Waitrose, which has awarded the GBRT £2,000.

Waitrose has a long tradition of support for music dating back to its first Chairman, Spedan Lewis, who recognised the potential for music to enhance people's lives.

The scheme has also received the backing of Harborough music shop MH Music, the national charity Music for All, the international examinations board Trinity Guildhall and Royal Opera House in Covent Garden.

The GBRT Learn to Play programme will support budding musicians of any age over a two year period, with key milestones

along the way to help take them through the journey of learning a new instrument.

It includes three months free instrument hire, a free exam book with CD and half the cost of fortnightly 20 minute lessons for up to six months. There will be workshops, master classes and concerts.

“If you’ve ever yearned to play an instrument but haven’t had the opportunity, now is your chance to give it a try. This new programme will encourage people of all ages to take up an instrument, learn new skills and enjoy making music” says Andrew Cartwright, GBRT chief executive.

The scheme kicks off in September, and is open to anyone living within 10 miles of Market Harborough.

For more information: Visit the Great Bowden Recital Trust website: www.gbrecitaltrust.co.uk.

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County News

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

triathlon event a huge success at £2million restored Wicksteed Park! kettering’s Wicksteed Park hosted it’s first ever Triathlon event following a £2million project to restore the main lake back to its former glory.

Blooming great tea Party to help raise money for charity!

Local business holds Frances Quinn inspired tea party to help raise money for marie Curie Cancer Care...

Market Harborough’s Kitchens & Interior Design showroom held a special charity tea party recently, with cakes created by the British Bake-Off winner, Frances Quinn.

‘The Blooming Great Tea Party’ event was in support of Marie Curie Cancer Care charity. A section of the Kitchens & Interior Design showroom was turned into a fun tea party venue, where visitors could sample delicious cupcakes, professionally baked to recipes provided by Frances.

The showroom was decked out with balloons and yellow flowers to complement the wonderful cakes and promote the charity.

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“People could decorate the cakes following Frances’s designs. We had a fantastic time over the two days, with adults and children taking part. Comments ranged from ‘delicious’ to ‘yummy’ and ‘Mum, can I have another one?’” says Andrea Fawaz.

The event was sponsored by Franke UK Ltd in support of the Marie Curie Cancer Care charity, to raise awareness of the work done by the Marie Curie nurses for people with terminal cancer. Frances tweeted to wish the local business a Blooming Great Tea Party.

They definitely did, with a fantastic turnout! All the money raised will be going to the charity.

completed a bike ride through the park and the nearby Cransley Reservoir.

The event was organised to help raise money for charity.

Wicksteed Park was opened in 1921 by Charles Wicksteed to help inspire and encourage families’ health and well-being through spending time together and play.

On Your Marks Events teamed up with Wicksteed Park to provide the triathlon experience, and entrants could take part in different levels - including the Olympic distance event, a sprint event or novice event.

The restoration project was supported by the Kettering Borough Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund and Northamptonshire County Council. The lake has been deepened and returned to its former glory, and lots of new attractions have also been created.

Each level involved a swim in the recently restored lake. They also ran around the lake, and

For more information about Wicksteed Park you can visit www.wicksteedpark.co.uk.

Clinical expertise in Kettering from over 100 guests

revision joint replacement, and all the way down to feet and toes. There was an update on rheumatology.

Mr Joshi, Consultant Neuro-Surgeon spoke about neck surgery which is now also being performed at Woodland Hospital.

kettering’s Woodland Hospital saw over 100 guests, including doctors, physiotherapists and clinical technicians attend an Orthopaedic Symposium in Kettering.

The event included nine highly experienced Consultants who work in Kettering, giving advice to GPs and other clinical personnel on treating patients with joint problems.

The event was chaired by Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Bhavik Shah, who the Medical Advisory Committee Chairman at Woodland Hospital.

The Consultants covered all aspects of joint surgery, from the neck and spine, shoulders, hips,

The feedback from the event, which was sponsored by Woodland Hospital and other pharmaceutical companies, was exceptional.

Woodland Hospital regularly performs major surgery in its expanded theatre complex.

Call 01536 536854 or visit www.woodlandhospital.co.uk.

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Bay Tree Barn, Naseby

Price Guide ÂŁ435,000

An individual and beautifully appointed detached barn style residence with reception hall, fitted cloakroom/w.c., sitting room, study, spacious living kitchen, utility. 4 bedrooms, with master en-suite shower room. EPC Rating B

Thatch Cottage, Nevill Holt

Price Guide ÂŁ575,000

A Grade II Listed former bakery believed to date back to circa 1700 in a picturesque setting, with spacious drawing room, dining room, cloakroom/w.c., breakfast kitchen, utility and walk-in pantry. 3 bedrooms, Victorian style bathroom. Gardens and detached double garage with studio over.

Phoenix House, 52 High Street, Market Harborough, LE16 7AF

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Church Cottage, Kimcote

ÂŁ725,000

A delightful 19th Century 4 bedroomed detached cottage of immense charm and character with a spectacular extension to the rear housing a luxury indoor heated swimming pool, large studio, gymnasium and 27'0" garden room overlooking landscaped walled gardens lying adjacent to the church in the popular village of Kimcote. EPC Rating E

The Manor House, Newton Harcourt

ÂŁ1,450,000

An historic Grade II Listed country house of character with early 17th Century origins, extensive outbuildings, outdoor swimming pool, set within delightful gardens and paddock land extending to approximately 5.25 acres (2.12 hectares). EPC Rating E

Tel: 01858 431315

www.andrewgranger.co.uk

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41 High Street Market Harborough LE16 7NL

01858 433123

marketharborough@struttandparker.com

www.struttandparker.com

The Porch House, Dingley, Leicestershire

ÂŁPRICE TBC The Porch House forms a prominent part of the magnificent Grade I listed, Dingley Hall in Dingley, Leicestershire. The property has views over its own parkland and the Welland Valley beyond. Further parkland lots are available by separate negotiation.

Quorn House, Quorn, Leicestershire

A classic Grade II listed house surrounded by 127 acres of beautiful gardens and parkland.

Strutt & Parker estate agents and property consultants work in partnership with clients to deliver their goals – whether their interests are in residential, commercial, rural or development property.

ÂŁ3,750,000

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Pipewell Hall, Pipewell, Northamptonshire

ÂŁ2,900,000 An elegant Listed Hall, which has been lovingly refurbished in recent years. It comes with three cottages and 17 acres of delightful gardens and pasture.

The Windmill, Morcott, Rutland

ÂŁ1,450,000 A landmark property, comprising house, adjoining Listed Windmill cottage and almost 15 acres of garden, pasture and woodland.

Strutt & Parker estate agents and property consultants work in partnership with clients to deliver their goals – whether their interests are in residential, commercial, rural or development property.

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Fineshade Newton Harcourt, Leicestershire

Guide Price £3,250,000 Guide price: £1,950,000

A historic superbcountry late 20th century Lutyens house set in 21swimming acres with views across the lake.

An house, listed Grade II withstyle extensive outbuildings, poolopen & grounds of about 5.25 acres.

Entrance Hall, Cloakroom Breakfast Kitchen, 3-Baystudio Open Garage, Tennis Court • • 3 Reception Rooms • •Principal Bedroom Suite Garden Room • •40’ living • • Library • •7 further bedrooms garagesPool, Lake, Paddocks Dining Hall Doors to Loggia Principal Bedroom, Dressing Room • •2 Double Swimming • • Veranda and Wine Cellarand TV Rooms • •3 bath/shower rooms • •Gardens Paddock land Drawing, Games 4 Bedrooms all with En Suites Barn,and Former Wash House, 21 acres

NewtonLeicestershire Harcourt Bushby,

Guide Price £1,450,000 Guide price: £995,000

Historic Grade II country house with 17th Century origins set within delightful gardens and paddock land.

Drawing Room, Dining Room • 4 Reception Rooms • Garden Room, Living Kitchen • Conservatory • Utility, Cloakroom, Library • Kitchen

Veranda, Wine and Main Cellars • Swimming LivingPool Studio, 2 Double Garages • 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms • • Principal bedroom & 7 Bedrooms Gardens • 2nd floor bedroom, study • Outbuildings and Paddock Land • • Bathroom, Shower Room In gardens all about 5.25 acresland • Tennis Court • Mature and Paddock

A substantial Edwardian country house with swimming pool, tennis court, mature gardens and paddock land of about 9 acres.

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MARKET HARBOROUGH

Tel: 01858 435970 Offices – LONDON • MARKET HARBOROUGH • STAMFORD

www.kingwest.co.uk

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13 Church Street Market Harborough LE16 7AA

01858 410008

www.jamessellicks.com

Cotton House, South Kilworth

Guide Price £1,350,000

Beautifully renovated former Georgian farm house in a commanding position overlooking the countryside.

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Reception Hall, Dining Room Open Plan Kitchen, Sitting Room Family Room, Music Room

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Study, Cloakroom 4 Double Bedrooms, Bathroom Master Bedroom, En Suite

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Helmsley House, Market Harborough

Converted Cellar to Games Room Stables and Mènage Grounds, Paddocks, EPC-C

Guide Price £950,000

Contemporary house designed for style and entertaining inside and out, with high quality finish throughout.

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Reception Hall, Sitting Room Family Room, Breakfast Kitchen Utility, Downstairs Shower Room

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4 Bedrooms, Study Master Suite with En Suite Dressing Room

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Family Bathroom Landscaped Gardens, Lighting Bose Surround Sound, EPC-D

Estate Agents, Chartered Surveyors & Letting Agents

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High Street, Market Harborough LE16 7NX 01858 410200 harborough@fishergerman.co.uk

www.fishergerman.co.uk

Hornhill Farmhouse, Clipston, Leicestershire

£1,200,000 Hornhill Farmhouse is a wonderful property of enormous character in a sought after village. The property dates from the 16th century or earlier, it is Grade II Listed and is beautifully positioned in its own gardens and grounds extending to about 2.53 acres.

Keythorpe House, Keythorpe, Leicestershire

Keythorpe House is well designed and superbly presented property standing in very good grounds and gardens extending to about 5.6 acres and with excellent equestrian facilities including manège.

£895,000

Our regional teams advise on the sale, purchase and letting of residential, agricultural, commercial and development property...

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Savills Nottingham 9 Fletcher Gate, NG1 1QQ

0115 934 8020

nottingham@savills.com

savills.co.uk

The Grange, Hoby, Melton Mowbray

£1,100,000

A large period country house, set in the heart of the desirable unspoilt village of Hoby. Dating from mid 19th century, it offers 9 bedrooms with a further 3 in the linked annexe and two storey Coach House. Set in approx. 2 acres, paddock with tennis court.

The Old Vicarage, Ab Kettleby

£745,000

A glorious Grade II listed former vicarage dating from 1759. It has been extremely well renovated to create a substantial property enjoying a private setting within this attractive popular village. Offering 5 bedrooms, 3 reception rooms and an orangery.

Delivering best professionalon advice, andYours.

Savills only the concentrates oneexceptional type of service house. communication, to make yourto next stress free as possible...

If it’s time sell,move talk toasSavills.

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Market Place. Kettering Northamptonshire. NN16 OAJ

01536 417888

sales@hendersonconnellan.co.uk

St Mary’s Road, Market Harborough LE16 7DS

01858 410400

sales@hendersonconnellanmh.co.uk

www.hendersonconnellan.co.uk

Brumby Barn, North Kilworth £599,000 Part of a select development, this fantastic unique barn conversion offers generous and beautifully renovated accommodation with extensive plot and paddock land. The plot exceeds two acres, located along a rural single track with excellent travel links.

Bakehouse Rise, Naseby

£375,000 Looking for a great family home in a fantastic location? This well presented four bedroom detached home built by Francis Jackson Messrs in the popular village Naseby is within walking distance to the school, shop and pub. Boasts excellent travel links close by.

“We wanted a company that would be both exciting and stylish in how it sold property and one that was founded upon an ethic of hard work and an unyielding commitment to our clients”

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45 High Street Market Harborough LE16 7AF

01858 431635

marketharborough@harrisonmurray.co.uk

www.harrisonmurray.co.uk

Griffin Road, Braybrooke ÂŁ499,950 Enjoying an elevated position behind mature trees this detached bungalow is superbly presented and enjoys a sizable driveway with front garden and double garage. The property has been extended and improved, offering flexible and comfortable accommodation.

Springfield Crescent, Kibworth ÂŁ350,000 Located in a sought after residential part of Kibworth is this five bedroom detached house that has been extended and improved to create a substantial family home. Benefits include an in out driveway, two reception rooms and a stunning landscaped garden.

Estate Agent, Lettings, Conveyancing, Auction, Mortgages

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PLanning For SUCCESS the media is full of positive stories about growth in the property market and improved confidence in the economy. Combine these positive factors with the country’s need for more housing and it creates a very encouraging picture for the planning industry. this optimistic picture is particularly positive at Berrys where the planning team has gone from strength to strength over the last year.

Ian Smith

July brings the launch of the new kettering planning team, with the arrival a larger resident team with experts in all aspects of planning. Ian Smith has joined the team as a partner, and is joined by planning consultant Val Coleby, both of whom have extensive experience in a wide range of residential, commercial, recreational and rural projects and also the promotion of clients’ interests through the development plan system. They have particular experience in rural planning matters including estate-wide planning appraisals, barn conversions, farm diversification, agricultural development, occupancy conditions and lawful development certificates. They are also familiar with planning aspects of property sales, purchases, options and due diligence exercises.

Jon Stables, managing partner of the Kettering office said: ‘We are delighted to welcome the new members to the team,” said Jon. “We know that the demand for planning services in the county continues to increase and we’re eager to ensure that we can provide as wide a breadth of services to our clients as possible. The continued expansion of our team will ensure that we can do that.”

In addition to the strengthening of the Kettering team, our Cheshire and Herefordshire offices have also seen growth with the appointment of two specialist planning consultants. Peter Miller in Cheshire and Graham Clarke in Herefordshire both provide many years of experience in all types of planning applications and appeals and their appointment allows us to provide a comprehensive planning service across England and Wales.

Val Coleby

One area of planning which has received national attention for the opportunities it can provide landowners is affordable housing; local councils have an obligation to provide a plan to build the necessary housing required for the ever-growing population. In order to provide the best possible advice on this, we have appointed Helen Howie who is a strategic planning expert, with 14 years’ experience in Local and Neighbourhood plans. Her expertise lies in promoting sites through emerging Local and Neighbourhood Plans across the West Midlands and Wales, bringing landowners, developers and local communities together to create winning proposals. Helen joins the existing team in Shrewsbury which has a wealth of existing experience across all sectors of planning and houses its own architectural services department.

Now is a great time to think about a planning project and with our team of 15 planners making us one of the biggest and most experienced planning departments in the Midlands, Berrys can help with your project no matter the type. We have a proven success rate in all types of projects, across the following sectors: • Renewables • Architectural Services • Agricultural • Appeals

• Affordable Housing • Residential • Poultry • Commercial

• Development & Land Promotion Give us a call today to see how we could help make your project a reality.

42 HEADLANDS, KETTERING, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE NN15 7HR 01536 412464|kettering@berrybros.com | www.berrybros.com 22

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

Hot Air Balloon and Jazz Night at Kelmarsh Hall kelmarsh Hall recently welcomed hot air balloons and a jazz band to the venue for a thrilling lakeside event.

Located between Market Harborough and Kettering, the evening allowed visitors to bring along a picnic and enjoy live music and the sight of beautiful hot air balloons taking off over the lake.

The 3,000 acre Kelmarsh estate consists of parkland, farms and woodland. The hall itself was built in the 1730s by virtuoso architect James Gibb for the Hanbury family and was described by Pevsner as ‘impeccably tasteful.’

The 7th September will see the hall host its Dahlia Festival with 20 new varieties on display in the kitchen garden.

Entry is £7.50/adults, with afternoon teas available for two at £19.95. Call 01604 686543 or see www.kelmarsh.com.

images by Ceri Jackson.

Let us know about your event!

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

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Purchase photographs from this event online.

Visit www.pridemagazines.co.uk.

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- Food -

A Season of

Great Food

as summer turns to autumn, you’ll love the array of new season dishes and the patisserie cabinet at oundle’s beautifully refurbished talbot Hotel....

Words: Ceri Jackson.

Historic dining in quality surroundings.

Whether you find your stomach begin to grumble or you’re feeling a little parched after a shopping trip or a stroll around the historic town of Oundle, be sure to visit the incredibly welcoming Talbot Hotel.

Full of character, with oak beams, open fires and a wealth of Elizabethan history, the former coaching inn has been welcoming guests through the doors since 1623.

Don’t be fooled by the historic exterior of the place though. Although it has seen guests come through the doors or centuries, The Talbot Hotel has also been treated to a complete makeover costing over £1.3m, creating a stylish and chic place to enjoy a drink, a spot of lunch or dinner.

Head Chef David Simms, along with his brigade of chefs, creates modern, á la carte and traditional English pub classics that taste as delicious as they look.

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Right: Fillet of sea bass with crushed potatoes.

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- Food -

Above: The Grade I listed Talbot Hotel’s comfortable lounge area.

beef rib-eye, Stilton pie and fish ‘n’ chips you’ll definitely find something you’ll enjoy!

Right: The hotel’s charcuterie platter.

There’s also a breakfast and brunch menu until midday, serving anything up to The Grande Talbot; two Oundle sausages and smoked bacon, stone-baked bread, flat cap mushrooms, grilled tomato, black pudding and two eggs on the side... the perfect fuel for a day spent exploring the area.

Below: Enjoy al fresco dining after a walk around pretty Oundle.

The hotel’s local ingredients not only make for an exciting menu at The Eatery but during the day, it also doubles up as a coffee shop serving freshly ground Grumpy Mule coffee.

“There’s an impressive selection of starters, platters and traditional English classics...”

“At the Talbot, we pride ourselves on using the finest, high quality local fresh ingredients and seasonal produce to create the menus Mytton Meats and Severn Wells Butchers, for instance.” says David.

“We also make everything in our kitchen from ice creams and sorbets, to our bread except for the multiseed bloomer which we source from Kingscliffe Bakery, at the special request of our customers.”

There are three areas in which to dine: the Snug Bar, Lounge or Courtyard Restaurant.

You can also enjoy al fresco dining if the sun is out.

The main menu is available all day, every day, with an array of well-conceived dishes.

These include light bites such as olives or toasted rosemary focaccia; perfect with a glass of wine or local ale.

There’s an impressive selection of starters and platters, mains and traditional English classics like the Lincolnshire Black Angus 28

The Talbot Hotel’s patisserie cabinet is every sweet-toothed diner’s paradise - with a selection of homemade cakes and sweet treats all prepared in house by the kitchen’s pastry chefs. The selection is updated daily, so we recommend you pay a regular visit to see what’s on offer. Some of the more recent crowd pleasers are the chocolate & marshmallow brownie, carrot cake and coffee & walnut cake.

There’s also a menu of platters to share, hot or cold sandwiches and afternoon tea - we recommend the famous Talbot Afternoon Tea Royale which includes a glass of champagne or speciality cocktail.

David has worked in the industry for 18 years, since he left school at the age of 16.

In total his menu offers seven starters and 14 main courses as well as sharing boards, and seven desserts. Using his artistic flair, David crafts each of his menus, making sure diners always enjoy only the most imaginative dishes.

To start, we were excited to try a new addition to the menu; the grilled asparagus and crispy egg with Farrington’s Gold aioli and Parmesan.

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- Food -

“We also sampled the hotel’s impressive afternoon tea - three tiers of home made perfection with finger sandwiches, and sweet treats!” butter, popcorn ice cream and chocolate fudge sauce.

We also sampled the hotel’s impressive afternoon tea - three tiers of perfection with finger sandwiches, raspberry jam, cookies, cakes and other sweets, which was impressive and beautifully presented too.

As we pierced the egg it was perfectly runny, complementing the crunchy outer layer.

Our second starter was the hot and cold goat’s cheese with chutney and leaves.

For main course, we tried another new addition: slow-braised shoulder of lamb on a colourful mound of smashed minted peas, with white and orange Chantenay carrots, fondant potato and red wine sauce.

We then tried the fillet of cod with peas, broad beans, chorizo, rösti potato and a tomato salsa.

Our lamb was exquisitely cooked, tender and well presented. For dessert, we enjoyed the white chocolate iced parfait with peanut 30

The restaurant has an AA Rosette, and a 9 out of 10 rating from the Peterborough Telegraph’s Joni Ager; another good reason that you’re assured of a comfortable stay.

With its makeover yielding a great environment to dine in, and with its new menus, The Talbot is ideal for enjoying high quality food and drink, whether summer remains with us for a little longer, or turns into autumn sooner than we’d prefer.

From à la carte to a patisserie treat, no matter what you’re seeking from a dining establishment this month, the historic Talbot Hotel with doubtless surpass your expectations, as much as it did ours, making it this month’s recommendation for September dining.

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Sample Menu StartErS Focaccia

£5.00

Toasted rosemary focaccia with chorizo and olives.

Chef’s daily terrine

£7.00

Made using the best local game and meat. asparagus

£7.50

Grilled asparagus and crispy egg with Farrington’s Gold aioli and parmesan.

Camembert

£12.00

Whole smoked camembert with oven-baked with rosemary focaccia, red onion chutney and green bean salad.

mainS Lamb

£17.00

Slow braised shoulder of lamb with smashed minted peas, white and orange Chantenay carrots, fondant potato and red wine sauce. the talbot Burger

£12.00

Angus beef burger with treacle cured black bacon, Colston Basset Stilton, hand cut chips and cheesy coleslaw.

Falafel

£12.00

Sweet potato and coriander falafel with a spiced quinoa salad.

Steak

£20.00

Black Angus beef ribeye/sirloin with grilled flat mushroom, tomato, hand cut chips and beer battered onion rings.

PUdding Parfait

£6.00

White chocolate iced parfait with peanut butter and popcorn ice cream and chocolate fudge sauce.

Frangipane

£6.00

Pear and almond frangipane Tart with crème fraîche.

Cheese

£7.00

Selection of three Handcrafted English cheeses with chutney & biscuits.

Find out more: The Talbot inn, new street, oundle, Peterborough Pe8 4ea Tel: 01832 273621 www.thetalbot-oundle.com 31

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- SEaSonaL EntErtainmEnt -

The Christmas Party Season if you’re charged with the responsibility of organising the annual office party, or you’re seeking a festive get-together with friends, look no further than our local, seasonal suggestions for planning your Christmas Celebrations... don’t let the warm weather fool you... the festive season is most definitely on its way. If you’re charged with the responsibility of organising the office get-together, now is the time to book, and we’ve superb suggestions courtesy of the area’s best restaurants and hotels who are advertising in this edition.

When planning your Christmas party, the overriding advice is to book early to secure your preferred date.

Local restaurants and hotels are already taking bookings and many will have few places left close to Christmas if you leave your booking later than mid-September.

When you’re booking, now is the time to book your transport too. Some companies book their Christmas party early yet leave organising their taxi or minibus until later in the season only to be disappointed!

Ensure you can give your chosen venue a firm number and book a space or two as ‘spares.’ Pass menus to staff and pre-order your meals to ensure prompt service and avoid chaos on the day.

Booking the annual office party is tricky if your company comprises a mix of more senior staff and youngsters. In this case, a tip is to follow the format of a sit-down meal with the option of going into the town or

city in which your event is taking place, for further drinks. Those of a more reserved disposition can politely decline, leaving the younger or more vibrant contingent of the workforce to continue the evening.

Opting for a formal meal with a glass of champagne upon arrival - rather than a buffet/disco event with a free bar - will allow

“Restaurants and hotels are taking bookings already and many will soon have few places left closer to Christmas.” for easier budgeting and often prove less expensive... and perhaps more civilised.

Finally, if you’ve a smaller firm, many venues now offer party nights where small groups can join other groups to bring more atmosphere to the party season - these often include live entertainment, too. opposite: The spectacular orangery at Kilworth House. It’s the perfect venue for Christmas parties, with five separate private dining rooms, its Orangery room and Wordsworth restaurant.

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- recipes -

Great

BRITISH MeaLS

This month we present our Best of British recipe selection to celebrate British Food Fortnight, which coincides with red Tractor Week too. red Tractor is a not-for-proďŹ t organisation designed to educate the public as to how our food is produced - look for the logo on the food you buy, for farm assured quality.

Images: Steve Baxter.

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Lamb Mini roast with rosemary Butter (Previous Spread) Serves 2-3 Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 35-40 minutes (for medium) • 1 x 350-400g (12-14oz) red Tractor lean lamb mini roasting joint (we used lamb thick flank) • salt and black pepper • For the rosemary Butter: 50g/2oz unsalted butter, softened • 30ml/2tbsp freshly chopped rosemary leaves or 10ml/2tsp dried rosemary leaves

Preheat the oven to Gas mark 5, 190°c, 375°F. To prepare the rosemary butter; in a small bowl mix all the ingredients together.

Place the joint on a chopping board, make several slits over the surface and season.

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Spread with the rosemary butter. Transfer to a roasting rack in a medium roasting tin and roast for 35-40 minutes (for medium).

Preheat the oven to Gas mark 5, 190°c, 375°F. In a small bowl mix together the mustard, garlic purée and oil.

Remove the lamb from the oven, transfer to a warm plate, cover with foil and leave to rest for 5-10 minutes. Carve and serve with creamy sliced potatoes and seasonal vegetables.

Place the joint on a chopping board, make several slashes over the surface, season and spread with the mustard mixture. Transfer to a roasting rack in a medium non-stick roasting tin and roast for 40-50 minutes (for medium).

Beef Mini roast with Mustard (Pictured Above) Serves: 2-3, Preparation time: 5-10 minutes Cooking time: 40-50 minutes (for medium) •1 x 400-450g/14oz-1lb lean beef mini roast (we used a mini topside joint) • salt and freshly milled black pepper • 30ml/2tbsp Dijon mustard or similar •10ml/2tsp garlic purée •15ml/1tbsp rapeseed or olive oil

Cover with foil if browning too quickly.

Remove the joint from the oven, transfer to a warm plate, cover and leave to rest for 5-10 minutes, 20 if time allows. Slice the roast and serve with gravy, mini sauté potatoes and seasonal vegetables.

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- recipes -

pork Fillet stuffed with Black pudding, Apple & sage Serves: 3-4. Cooking time: About 30 minutes •350g (12oz) pork fillet •50g (2oz) Black pudding, roughly chopped • Apple, cored and sliced • 8-10 x lean dry-cured rashers of streaky bacon • 15mlsp (1tbsp) rapeseed oil. For the sage and Apple sauce: 2 x cooking apples, peeled, cored and thickly sliced • 15mlsp (1tbsp) silver spoon sugar • 2 x 15mlsp (2tbsp) Water • 4 x Fresh sage leaves, roughly chopped • small knob of butter

Preheat the oven and a baking tray. Place the fillet on a chopping board, with a sharp knife make a horizontal slit along the length of the fillet to make a pocket.

Take five apple slices and arrange in a single layer along the length of the pocket. Arrange the black pudding on top of the apple slices and cover with a layer of the sage leaves.

roast Duck Breast with Autumn root Vegetables and Balsamic syrup

Hold together the cut edges of the fillet.

Wrap with the bacon rashers around the fillet until it is completely covered.

Serves 2. Prep time: 5 minutes.

Cooking time: 45 minutes

Place the fillet on the preheated tray and drizzle with olive oil. Roast for about 30 minutes until the bacon is crispy and the juices from the meat run clear.

To make the sauce; place all the sauce ingredients and remaining eating apple slices into a small saucepan. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes, to soften the ingredients.

Stir well and put to one side, with the lid on, until ready to serve. Serve the fillet sliced with the apple sauce and your favourite accompaniments. Also tastes good cold with a salad, if you have any leftover!

• 2 Gressingham duck breasts •1 red onion, peeled and cut in half • 1 large beetroot, peeled and cut into 2cm chunks •1 large carrot, peeled and cut into 2 cm chunks • 1 large potato, peeled and cut into 2cm chunks • 1 bulb garlic, cut in half widthways • Few sprigs rosemary and thyme •2 tbsp of balsamic syrup • 4 tbsp of rapeseed oil • Handful of spinach leaves, washed • salt and pepper

Red Tractor Week: Celebrate Red Tractor Week this September 15th with these delicious recipes provided by some of the Red Tractor Farmers who are part of the scheme. Visit www.redtractor.org.uk for more information.

Pre-heat oven 200°c, Fan 180°c, Gas Mark 6. Put the vegetables and herbs into a roasting tray and season them well with salt and pepper and add olive oil. Mix well so that all the vegetables are covered in oil.

Cook for approx 40-50 mins, stirring once halfway through cooking. The spinach will need to be added 5 mins from completion of cooking time. When the vegetables have been in for 20 minutes, start cooking the Gressingham duck breasts.

Take the breasts and lightly score the skin and pat dry. Place the breasts skin side down in a frying pan on a low to medium heat with no oil. Cook for 6-8 minutes until the skin is golden and crispy. Be sure to carefully pour off any excess fat as it is cooking.

Once the skin is crispy, flip the duck over and sear the meat for 30 seconds. Transfer to the warm baking tray and place in the oven to cook for 12 mins for a medium rare result.

Remove from the oven and allow to rest until the vegetables are cooked. Once the spinach has been added and cooked through, remove from the oven, pour over the balsamic syrup, mix well with the vegetables and serve.

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pan-Fried chicken with Lettuce, peas & smoked Bacon Serves 4.

Preparation time: 5 minutes.

Cooking time: 25 minutes • 1 free-range chicken, cut into eight pieces – or use thigh or breast portions • 1 tbsp rapeseed oil • 4 thick smoked back bacon slices • Bunch of spring onions, chopped to 2cm lengths (white and green parts) • 2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced • 450ml chicken stock, hot • 200g shelled peas • 3 little gem lettuces, roughly chopped • 15g salted butter • squeeze of lemon juice from half a lemon • salt and pepper

Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Set a large frying pan over a medium-high heat.

Add the rapeseed oil and fry the chicken pieces, skin-side down, for five minutes, until the skin is beginning to turn golden brown.

Then turn the heat down and cook for a further 20 minutes.

By now the skin should be quite crispy and there should be a lot of fat in the pan.

Carefully remove the chicken from the pan and place it on a baking sheet or in a bowl.

Cover and keep warm.

Remove and discard most of the fat from the pan. Cut the bacon into small pieces and fry it until it begins to colour.

Turn the heat right down and add the spring onions. After two minutes, add the garlic. Stir for 30 seconds as the onions and garlic cook, then pour in the stock.

Bring to the boil and scrape the bottom of the pan - those crusty brown bits will make your sauce delicious!

Cook for a few minutes, until the sauce starts to thicken slightly, then add the peas and lettuce and the chicken pieces. Return to the boil and simmer until the peas are cooked and the chicken is piping hot. Just before serving, add the butter and a squeeze of lemon juice. Season to taste and serve.

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- recipes -

Bramley and Blackberry Tray Bake with Vanilla custard

plum and Almond Frangipane

Serves: 8. Preparation time: 15 minutes.

Cooking time: 35 minutes

• 375g plain flour, plus extra for dusting • 15g sugar • 225g unsalted butter, cut into cubes, plus extra for greasing • 1 egg • 4 tbsp ice-cold water • For the almond filling: 200g unsalted butter • 200g/7¼oz caster sugar • 2 free-range eggs • 200g ground almonds • For the tart: 5-6 ripe plums, each cut into eighths, de-stoned

• 150g butter, at room temperature • 200g silver spoon sugar • 2 eggs • 1 tsp vanilla extract • zest of one lemon • 175g self-raising flour • ½ tsp baking powder • 1 large or two medium Bramley apples, peeled, cored and diced • juice of half a lemon • 200g (5oz) blackberries • 2 tablespoons Demerara sugar

Preheat the oven to 190°c. Line a shallow 20cm (8in) square cake tin or brownie tin with baking parchment.

Cream the butter and sugar together until mousse-like and doubled in volume.

Add the eggs, one at a time, beating between additions. Add the vanilla extract and lemon zest. Mix in the flour and baking powder.

Toss the apple pieces in the lemon juice. Add half the apple to the cake batter and mix in.

Gently mix in half the blackberries.

Pour into the prepared cake tin.

Serves: Six. Prep time: 30 minutes. Cooking time: 60 minutes.

Preheat your oven to 180°c. Create the pastry for your tart using the rubbing-in method, and refrigerate until you’re ready to use it. Create the frangipane filling by creaming together in a bowl sugar, and butter. The mixture should be light and fluffy, like cake batter. Add the egg, beating well. Add the ground almonds for flavouring.

Roll out the flour to line a 10” tart tin and neaten up the edges. Spoon your frangipane mixture into the tin to half-way up the sides and smooth. the surface with a spatula then cover with the plums. Bake for 30-40 minutes until the pastry is brown and the fruit is tender. Dust with icing sugar before serving with crème fraîche.

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- GreAT BriTisH FooD ForTniGHT 20th september - 5th october 2014

Celebrating British

Food & Drink Great British Food Fortnight this month coincides with harvest time, and nowhere will it be more anticipated than in our area with its wealth of farmers, farm shops, markets and keen foodies. This month we’ve spoken to farmers, industry spokespeople and food and drink producers to allow us to create a sort of manifesto for how to enjoy good food.

The food and farming industry is absolutely vital to our part of the world; the UK is 60% self-sufficient in terms of food production, growing the majority of what we eat. The East Midlands region produces over a third of the UK’s vegetables, nearly 20% of its sugar, and 17% of its meat chickens. Farming in the area is equivalent to over 10% of the UK’s total farming output - valued at over £2.7bn - and the industry employs over 56,000 in our area.

For every £1 that our farmers contribute to the UK economy, food producers contribute a further £5.

In an age of supermarkets and the international availability of food, it’s important, therefore, that we support our local food economy. With that in mind, we’ve prepared a six point mini-manifesto with suggestions as to how you can enjoy better food whilst supporting local farmers, food producers and our local economy.

This month is Great British Food Fortnight.

There’s nobody keener than us to promote local food, so this month we present our mini-manifesto for championing the best of British, a guide to making sure you make the most of local produce and support our local farmers.

Words: Rob Davis.

1. Enjoy a traditional Sunday roast...

The Great British sunday roast, with all the trimmings, is well worth the effort, says local beef farmer and member of Ladies in Beef, Millie Wastie. Her work with red Tractor is aimed at producing the best quality roast...

A Sunday roast with all of the trimmings can be a bit of a chore, but what meal delivers greater satisfaction? Certainly none that we can think of !

“No other meal gives us a chance to enjoy fresh vegetables, locally reared meat, and the experience of dining together as a family, quite like a Sunday roast.” says Mille Wastie, who, with fiancé Andrew, values the Red Tractor logo as a way of ensuring quality and traceability.

“The best thing about a roast is that it can’t be rushed, so our recommendation is to put your meat on early, and cook it slowly in an Aga.” Meanwhile, take the family out for a walk and enjoy the working up an appetite in the county. You’ll return home to one of the most rewarding meals we think there is, and enjoy a leisurely lunch together as a family, something there isn’t necessarily time for mid-week.” says Millie.

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- GreAT BriTisH FooD ForTniGHT 20th september - 5th october 2014

3. Put seasonality and freshness into your diet The nFU’s sarah Dawson says that in our part of the country, we should embrace the joy of seasonal food NFU Advisor, local farmer and mum Sarah Dawson grows brassicas on her family farm, but whilst she recognises the power and consistency of supermarket’s supply chains, she also wants to pose the following question; when was the last you time you waited in anticipation for your favourite berry or vegetable to come back into season?

When summer or autumn arrives there’s a temptation to carry on picking up imported asparagus and strawberries, or plums and blackberries... we say wait, and buy British!

“Eating the seasons reduces the energy we need to grow and transport our food.” says Sarah. “We can also avoid paying a premium for food that’s scarcer, support our local economy and our farmers, and reconnect with nature’s cycle.”

Eating British fruits and vegetables in season is good for you. Foods in season contain the nutrients, minerals and trace elements that our bodies need at particular times of the year.

Feeding your kids fresh, nutritious food doesn’t have to mean spending a fortune on expensive products or hours slaving away in the kitchen. To be sure what you are buying is in season and British, the next time you're out shopping, look out for the Red Tractor logo on a wide range of everyday products and you’ll know that your family is enjoying fresh nutritious seasonal British food!

2. Grow your own, pick your own, enjoy your own...

The charity Master Gardener offers both novice and knowledgeable gardeners free advice on creating and maintaining kitchen gardens.

“There’s nothing like growing your own produce.” says rick Aron

“The charity offers help for novices and expert gardeners alike. Topics include setup of gardens, what, where and when to plant in your kitchen garden, how to tackle pests and diseases, fruit tree maintenance and composting.” says the charity’s Rick Aron.

“We work with private households, community groups and businesses and ‘matchmake’ them with our experts. The expert makes contact and can give advice by telephone or email, or in person with a site visit.”

The charity has had some great friendships formed as a result of the project, and there 42

“Master Gardeners offers help to novice and expert gardeners with their kitchen gardens.” says the Rick Aron. have been all sorts of people and gardens taking advantage of the scheme, from modest plots to large gardens and orchards and gardens managed by communities.

“Kitchen gardening is really satisfying.” says Rick. “It’s a physical workout, it’s mentally therapeutic and it results in the great pleasure of eating what you’ve grown.”

For free advice and support to establish or maintain your kitchen garden, get in touch with the project via www.mastergardeners.org.uk.

Image: Sarah Dawson, Tim Scrivener/NFU.

Grow your own and love your food.

That’s the message behind The Master Gardener charity. Established in 2011, and active in eight counties in the UK, it has 700 volunteers in our area alone, helping around the same number of people to get their growing going with free advice and support.

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4. Rediscover the pure joy of baking real bread...

The real Bread campaign is one that our bakers are all keen to support, so use your loaf in British Food Fortnight

Bread is nothing more than flour, yeast, water and salt. Take a look at a loaf of mass produced bread through, and there’s a dizzying number of scary sounding chemicals in addition to its four basic ingredients, all of which are designed to make breadmaking on a mass scale possible.

That’s why The Real Bread Campaign is encouraging the public to buy bread made without the use of processing aids or any other artificial additives - or better still, bake your own. Making your own bread isn’t that time-consuming (most of the time is spent waiting for it to prove or rise) and it certainly isn’t complicated.

Fresh home-made bread is a great weekend treat, and that’s why rediscovering the lost art of baking is our fourth manifesto pledge.

As you’d expect, Frances Quinn, the area’s Great British Bakeoff winner for 2014 is keen to encourage everyone to rediscover baking; “Making your own bread is so quick, especially if you’ve a food processor or mixer with a dough hook.”

“It’s really easy, and by putting the dough into the fridge to rise overnight, instead of leaving it in a warm place for two hours, you get a much better flavour. One of the simplest forms of bread is soda bread; it takes less than hour, it’s easy and doesn’t even require yeast. If you’ve not baked your own for a while, try it and rediscover the joy for yourself !”

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- GreAT BriTisH FooD ForTniGHT 20th september - 5th october 2014

5. Make grocery shopping more convenient...

Boxed vegetable schemes, farm shops and farmers’ markets mean greater convenience than a trip to the supermarket We’re not averse to supermarkets - honest!

After all, they’ve given us more choice, greater convenience and arguably, they keep prices lower for consumers.

“Often with bread and deli counters, they’ve greater ranges and better choice than ever before and they help to reduce the food miles that your produce travels.”

However, they’re sometimes blamed for an increase in food miles, the loss of seasonality and for squeezing profit margins and adversely affecting farmers.

Meanwhile boxed vegetable schemes deliver a week’s worth of fruit, veg, meat and even groceries to your door. Customers can order a ‘set’ box of mix or create their own. Woodlands and Riverford deliver their boxes anywhere in Lincolnshire, Rutland, Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire or Northamptonshire with prices from £10.50 for a small box, to around £35 for one with fruit and meat in, too.

A regular trip to your local supermarket can also be a pain, so our fifth manifesto pledge is designed to make shopping even more convenient. Take advantage of your local farm shop, or a farmer’s market or take delivery of fruit, vegetables and even meat from a boxed scheme once a week.

“Farm shops improve the relationship between farmer and consumer.” says the area’s Sophie Loweth. “They purchase fresh produce in smaller quantities so it doesn’t hang about in cold stores and reaches the consumer from the field in a much shorter amount of time.”

Below: Guy Watson started growing organic veg in 1986 and launched his boxed scheme in 1993. The company believes they’re an average of 20% cheaper than supermarkets for fruit and vegetables.

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“Boxed schemes offer real convenience.” says Rachel Lovell of Riverford. “We’ve four farms of our own plus a network of family farms, so you’re still buying from a farmer, but we also have the scale to remain competitive with supermarkets. Using a scheme like ours is convenient and it also avoids a trip to the supermarket - that saves fuel so it’s better for the environment, and customers report that they avoid being tempted by impulse buys which in turn reduces food waste.” www.woodlandsfarm.co.uk, www.riverford.co.uk

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6. Don’t forget local drinks producers, too... it’s one thing to eat local, but we think you should drink local too, with real ales, ciders, english wine and locally produced cordials Microbreweries like The Langton Brewery, whose output stands at around 250 nine gallon casks a month, are more adaptable by virtue of their size, making them much more exciting for consumers and providing new ranges all the time... so think local, and drink local as part of Great British Food Fortnight.

“We bring new beers to the market every couple of months.” says its Director David Dyson. “Our local ales - like Inclined Plane and Caudle - cater for local tastes and trends. Over 80% of our local ales are consumed within a 10 mile radius making us a real local product.”

Meanwhile, Belvoir Fruit Farms has recently announced plans for a new £3m factory to take its output from its current 20m bottles to 100m.

“People tend to think of local produce as concerning food, but we’ve just celebrated our 30th year, making our local drinks from my mother’s family recipe, with our annual Elderflower Festival.”

“People tend to think of local produce as just food, but we’ve just celebrated our 30th year making our local drinks.”

“Our customers tell us the Belvoir drinks are an important part of their summer. We’ve Pressés, cordials and now cans too, each of which make great mixers or refreshing soft drinks. We grow 80 acres of elderflowers alone on our farm, and our current products include Rhubarb and Strawberry, Lime & Lemongrass, Raspberry & Lemon and lots of other flavours over 30 in total!” www.langtonbrewery.co.uk, www.belvoirfruitfarms.co.uk 45

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- enGLisH Wine -

Popping the Cork for

British Wine As the saying goes, in wine there is truth and with english ‘appellations’ of geographical protection now in place, and stunning weather due to help our region’s vineyards harvest their best crop ever, it’s true to say that there’s never been a better time to toast the best of British wine...

Words and Images: Rob Davis.

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- enGLisH Wine -

We’ve heard it through the grapevine that the UK’s wine industry is booming. There are 452 vineyards in the UK, 124 wineries, 2.5m bottles produced annually and 3,552 acres now under vine with over 3,200 in active production.

The UK’s wine industry is expected to be worth £100m in 2015, so there’s never been a better time to buy English - especially to partner British Food Fortnight.

60% of all UK wine is sparkling, whilst 30% is white and 10% red or rosé. Meanwhile our sparkling wine is champagne in all but name - Champagne has geographically protected status - and one of the best examples is Bill and Flora Hulme’s Fleur Fields white and rosé sparkling wines.

The UK is divided into seven wine producing regions, with our region, Mercia, home to Fleur Fields. Their Champs D’amour rosé sparkling, took the Mercian Vineyards Association’s silver, bronze and gold awards in 2010, 2011 and 2012, winning the Vine House Best Vintage Wine trophy in 2010 48

and the Best Sparkling Wine award in both 2010 and 2012. Its white sibling has also won four awards with a bronze medal in 2013.

Astonishingly though, some prejudice still surrounds English wine. Flora recounts how she gave a bottle to a friend only for her wine-savvy husband to instantly dismiss it.

“The UK’s wine industry will be worth £100m in 2015, so buy English during British Food Fortnight...”

The friend kept the bottle in her cellar and served it surreptitiously at her next dinner party. Each of her diners - including her husband - declared it was the most delicious champagne they had ever tasted, with a vibrant mousse and balanced, refreshing flavour that can beat any French sparkling wine hands down. It’s telling, too, that the French are now importing our wines...

but in this country, English wine still accounts for just 0.25% of the UK market something Bill & Flora, the English Wine Producers’ Association and the UK Vineyard Association are all determined to change.

Bill and Flora moved to the area 35 years ago, and were holidaying in Tuscany, touring vineyards when Flora announced she’d love to have a vineyard of her own.

“We first researched which varieties to grow and planted our first vines in 1998 having ordered from the National Vine Collection.” says Bill. “We had two thirds of an acre on a south-facing slope with ironstone loam soil; terroir which proved perfect for our crop.

We put in 33 rows with 235 posts and a mile and a half of wire, for our 1,000 vines.”

The couple harvested their first crop in 2004 - around 700kg of grapes, which is enough for 700 bottles. From 2013’s crop, and with son Justin’s 4,000 vines contributing, their output totalled 12,500 bottles, with around 100 bottles their highly sought after £38.50 Solaris sparkling white, and with their still

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our region’s Best Wines

Five to Try each of our recommended wines are produced in our area, proving that provenance isn’t limited to food during British Food Fortnight... n Fleur Fields champs d’Amour, £28.50/bottle www.fleurfields.co.uk.

As referenced in our main article. A superb sparkling rosé with a glorious fruity nose, longevity of fizz and long fruity finish.

Definitely one of the best wines we’ve tasted in a long while - hugely, highly, sincerely recommended! n Abbey Vineyards £call www.abbeyvineyards.co.uk

Vineyard and winemaker with nine vineyards in Lincolnshire Leicestershire, Rutland and Norfolk. Producers of Bacchus dry white, Rosé table wine and sparkling white demi sec. n somerby Vineyards Monument Dry red £100/12 case www.somerbyvineyards.com

wines priced from £12.50 utilising Seyval blanc grapes, blended with a little Phoenix and Triumph vines, and its sparkling white and rosé wines available directly from Fleur Fields for £18.50 and £28.50 respectively.

With qualifications in vineyard management and a wine making course under their belt, Bill and Flora opt to delegate their wine production to the Three Choirs winery, which makes wine for over 60 English vineyards.

During our visit in mid-July, Bill showed us the flowers on his vines beginning to yield the tiny grapes which, over the next month or two, will swell then achieve bunch hang around six weeks before the task of harvesting 1,000,000 grapes from the 15,000 bunches as soon as the sugar content in the grapes is just right - at around 18%.

The couple are justifiably proud of their wine and confidently declare that it can compare to any old world offering. “There’s a perception that the French are antiEnglish wines, but that’s just not true.” says Bill. “The fact is they’re just discerning, and

“There’s a perception that the French are anti-English wines.

That’s just not true; they’re just discerning.” the fact that they are now importing our wines proves that as a country, and as a region, our ability to produce high quality wine is now provable. When they taste it, they buy it, because they recognise quality.”

Likewise, when anyone in our country dismisses English wine production as folly, we implore them to visit an English vineyard (Bill and Flora host free tours and tastings) and challenge their perception. After trying the couple’s award-winning and absolutely magnificent Champs D’amour rosé, that’s definitely the place to start!

Bill and Flora’s wines are priced from £12.50.

Call 01604 882902 or see www.fleurfields.co.uk.

Made with baked Rondo grape, a dry red with vanilla and red berry flavours.

Likened to a Tempranillo/Syrah.

Bronze award winner in The Mercian Vineyards Association’s Annual Wine Challenge. n new Lodge earls Baron nectar 2010, £24.50/bottle www.newlodgevineyard.co.uk or www.tilleys-wines.com

Family run boutique vineyard producing still and sparkling wines from Bacchus Phoenix, Seyval, Solaris and Pinot Noir grapes. n Three sisters Vineyard regent Dry red £8.95/bottle, £100/12 case www.three-sistersvineyard.co.uk

David Lofthouse’s 2013 crop yielded 600 litres of Siegrerrebe, Reichensteiner and Regent. This year’s suggestion is Regent, a dry red.

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LincolnshirePride ARK E AND NEW LINCOLNSHIR

Magazine The Lifestyle Homes for High Quality

THE

R NUMBE

ONE

INE MAGAZ

B SEPTEM

NEW LOOK

£3.70 ER 2014

RutlandPride STAMFORD AND RUTLAND

THE

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NEW LOOK

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 4 £3.70

The Lifestyle Magazine for High Quality Homes NUMBER

SAME QUALITY

SAME QUAL ITY

PrideMagazin e MARKET HARB OROUGH, KETT ERING, CORB Y AND

The Lifestyle Magazine for High Quality Homes

THE NU MBER O NE MA GAZINE

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SAM E QU ALITY

Prince Charles in Rutland

Hot Air Balloon Flights: An Adventure at 2,000ft!

WEDDING VENUES - ARTISAN SOAP - SOPHIE ALLPORT - HISTORY OF FLORE’S HOUSE

al Visitor Lincoln’s Roy ning

Enjoy the view

BRITISH

from 2,000ft -

T - SOPHIE FOOD FORTNIGH

Hot Air Balloo

ALLPORT -

HISTORY HARVESTING

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Hot Air Balloon Local Food &

Drink During

FLOWER ARRANGIN G - FASHION

& Jazz Night

British Food Fortnig ht & GROOMS

- LOCAL BRIDES

- SOPHIE ALLPORT

Pride Magazine

September

2014 £3.70

The Lifestyle Magazine for High Quality Homes Sold in Newsagents and Supermarkets, and delivered directly,

by Royal Mail, free of charge, to homes of distinction.

Subscribe today! Visit www.pridemagazines.co.uk.

To advertise your business to our high quality readership call our friendly team on 01529 46 99 77.

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OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK FOR HIGH QUALITY PUB RESTAURANT DINING Main Street, Great Bowden LE16 7HB For table reservations call 01858 463571 www.redlion-greatbowden.co.uk

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- homes -

A Home Fit for a King since it was first built back in 1878, Wartnaby house has been improved significantly over the 1900s and 2000s.

Its latest owners, however, have spent £1.5million on a the ultimate renovation project, rebuilding the house from the inside to create an elegant, country home with its beautiful bespoke dècor...

Words: Ceri Jackson.

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Below: Wartnaby House, formerly known as Friars Well has four reception rooms including this impressive drawing room with hand woven carpet.

Nestled in the peaceful, quiet village of Wartnaby you’ll find a home that is full of character and historic charm. Built in 1878 of brick and ironstone, Wartnaby House and its 60 acres sits in the middle of Friars Well Estate, a working farm.

Over three periods, the house has been extended significantly and thanks to its current owners, has now enjoyed a £1.5 million renovation throughout.

“We purchased Wartnaby back in January 2007 from the Estate of the late Lord John King, ex Chairman of British Airways. The property itself, whilst structurally sound, was in poor condition internally and externally.

Over 16 months, we carried out extensive renovation working to plans designed by architect and interior designer, Janine Stone.”

Main: Enlisting the help of Philip Dowse of Leicester, the couple have created a spacious kitchen and breakfast room with a traditional country style.

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“The property was in a poor condition, so we carried out a renovation, investing £1.5million.”

The renovation project included completely rebuilding the house from the inside.

Although the exterior of the house was left unchanged, the interior layout was significantly altered to include six en suite bedrooms, a much larger kitchen and utility room, and well-proportioned accommodation.

“We re-roofed the whole house and the Clock House, which is adjacent to the main building. We also installed new roof trusses and completely rewired both properties, fitted a new gas central heating system and installed antique style radiators and underfloor heating throughout the main house.

We also built a five car garage, and above that a gym, sauna, steam room and changing room and shower room. The whole of the main house also has a Bang & Olufsen sound & TV system throughout.”

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- homes -

The house has a fantastic historic background, and was originally called Friars Well and the home of the Player family, founders of the famous cigarette manufacturing company in Nottingham.

Lord King bought the property in the early 1950’s, and added a large wing in 1959 where you can now find a stone plaque.

Many pheasant shoots were hosted by Lord King, with famous guests including members of Parliament, Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana who all stayed at the house.

The couple enlisted the help of Philip Dowse of Leicester to update and install the new kitchen and breakfast room, which has a traditional country style and is a superb feature of the property. It features bespoke wooden cabinetry and marble floors, plus a suite of Miele and Gaggenau accessories, a boiling water tap, a six ring Britannia Range cooker, and a double oven. There is also an

Left: The couple enlisted the help of interior designers to create the elegant dècor.

There are five reception rooms in the property.

“For us, we fell in love with the historical charm and character of Wartnaby Hall...” island and extensive dining area space.

“As a family, we wanted to create a large space when we came to renovate the kitchen. Using the space wisely, it is a great feature and has an extensive adjacent breakfast room perfect for entertaining.”

The property has five principal reception rooms, and with the help of interior designers Janine Stone in London and Liz Millington in Leicester, the couple have given the property an essence of elegant grandeur.

All of the rooms face south with wonderful views over the lawn and parkland beyond and include a large drawing room with hand woven carpet, dining room with concertina doors onto the entrance hall, a library with bespoke oak book cases covering the walls and a sitting room.

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- homes -

Upstairs there are six bedrooms, each of which have an en suite bathroom and underfloor heating. The beautiful master bedroom has views over the parkland and individual ‘his and hers’ dressing rooms plus a large bathroom and shower room.

The bathrooms were fitted by Ian Moreland Plumbing, with some featuring Fired Earth baths. Most of the fittings are from Lefroy Brooks, and the tiles from Bisazza. Each bathroom also comes with a fitted shower.

Wartnaby House is renowned for its gardens.

With 60 acres of land, it includes parkland and landscaped gardens which the late Lady King used to open to the public. There’s a tennis court, private cricket pitch fully maintained by the cricket club known as

Above: The master bedroom has views over the parkland to the south and also has ‘his and hers’ dressing rooms.

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Lord King’s XI, a series of outbuildings and garden rooms.

These include a Rose Garden with an impressive collection of old and new roses, croquet lawn and a garden with fountain.

Adjacent to the main house is the two story Clock House, with four bedrooms, study, living room, kitchen/diner and garden.

There’s also a former potting shed which could be used as a separate play room Within the grounds is a Hornbeam Tunnel leading to an orchard, fruit cages, vegetable gardens and fountain. For a spot of relaxing, visit the Japanese water garden and ponds complete with waterfalls and wooden bridges.

Although this home is the family’s dream home, the current owners are now looking to downsize. “Our children are moving on the university, and although we absolutely love Wartnaby House, we have decided we don’t need such a large property.”

Wartnaby house Location: Melton Mowbray 5 miles, Oakham 14 miles, Leicester 16 miles.

Style: Elegant and stylish with considerable character, panoramic views over some of Leicestershire’s best countryside.

Receptions: Five; drawing room, sitting room, snug, dining room, and library.

Bedrooms: Six bedrooms, master bedroom with dressing rooms, four bedroom clock house.

Price: £3,700,000

Find out more: Estate Agency: King West, 10 Church Square, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, LE16 7NB. Tel: 01858 435970.

Web: www.kingwest.co.uk.

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- home -

An Interior Design Gem It’s the month to uncover a high street hidden gem in the form of Sarah Harding Interiors. With a warm welcome and knowledgable staff, you are guarantee to find divine inspiration for your home.

Words and Photograph: Ceri Jackson.

When Sarah Harding rented her first showroom above an antique shop back in 2001, she began a business that has seen her move premises twice, all whilst she became a well-respected, and successful home interior furnishing business with a high reputation for quality, reliability and above all - great customer satisfaction.

Vivienne Jackson joined the business in 2002, with the help of Sarah’s husband John, they have been able to establish a large customer base. The company continues to expand even now, which saw their latest move to their new, spacious premises in 2012, in the local area which is a real gem of a store! When we spoke with Sarah, the main thing she thanked for her success?

Good old fashioned customer service.

“Despite modern technology it is difficult to buy curtains and soft furnishing over the internet. We offer a great service where we can come into your home and help you decide the right fabric for you. Personal service is the key to our success.” says Sarah.

Sarah Harding Interiors Ltd is delightfully different from the run of the mill High Street shops that you often find, with professional and warm welcoming staff.

Although her main business is soft furnishings and furniture, Sarah also has an extensive range of Emma Bridgewater and Cath Kidston on offer, and her shop is well worth a browse!

“As well as the shop downstairs, there is an intimate showroom upstairs, with a wide range of materials for customers to look at and feel - it’s a great way for them to get ideas and inspiration. Our customers have our undivided attention and knowledge which they can utilise, and we also offer a great home service where we can come to your home and help you decide what is right for you,” continued Sarah.

It’s fantastic news that despite the recession, Sarah Harding Interiors have continued to go from strength to strength, mainly through the hard work and dedication from Sarah and her staff. They have also been involved in much larger interior design projects, including a large refurbishment at The Falcon Hotel in Uppingham.

“We were privileged to be able to supply all of the soft furnishings in the restoration project at The Falcon Hotel in Uppingham, and we have also supplied the curtains and blinds to other establishments within the local area, Norfolk, London - even Europe!” continued Sarah.

Looking to the future, the independent interior design shop have lots to look forward to. More and more people are becoming increasingly interested in updating their homes with new and exciting fabrics, and Sarah Harding Interiors are there to help every step of the way.

Sarah Harding Interiors is based at 6 Market Place, Uppingham.

For more information 01572 823389 or see www.sarahhardinginteriors.co.uk.

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- homes -

Your dream home with

Martins of Harborough With the imminent launch of their brand new showroom, family run martins of harborough is the answer to designing and creating your dream home with their comprehensive project management service.

Quite often the kitchen is seen as the heart of the home, and Glen at Martins of Harborough believes that offering a high quality comprehensive project management service with the most up-to-date ranges is key to creating your dream home.

Although their showroom suffered a flood a few months ago, the family run business has bounced back, with their imminent move to a new showroom.

With 20 years experience working within the industry, Glen can create high quality, fantastic looking kitchens and bathrooms as well as organising everything else, from the flooring and plumbing, to the electricals and plastering.

“When I first set up the company in 2006, we wanted to concentrated on a range of areas - we initially offered high-end kitchens and bathrooms from leading manufacturers.”

“We can also create and build our own designs depending on the customer’s needs and specifications. We make the cabinets, units, some doors and can source the worktops - allowing you to create a truly bespoke kitchen.”

“I also offer a full project management service, and work with a group of trades people who can do everything from the floors and walls right up to the ceiling. I also source different appliances for customers.”

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Glen spent a lot of time working in showrooms and designing kitchens. It was then he realised he had a flair for design, and understands how to create a bathroom or kitchen that is functional, yet looks good.

A lot of the work they do is predominantly renovation; knocking down walls to extend and update kitchens.

“I tend to find people seem to plan an extension, but the kitchen is often an after thought. As a designer, I like to get involved right from the planning stage, making sure the extension fits with creating their dream kitchen. This is the same for bathrooms.”

Although a small business, Glen’s attention to detail and impressive delivery is second to none. A general kitchen replacement can take as little as one week, with a kitchen renovation as little as two, always aiming to ensure the customer is without a kitchen for as little length of time as possible. They can cater for any budget type, from around £2,500 up to £40,000 for large and small rooms.

Although they tend to design and manufacture their own kitchens, using high quality brands is important to Glen. He only uses approved retailers for his kitchens and bathrooms such as Kuhlman and Ideal Standard. For those finishing touches, he uses a range of appliance retailers like Fisker and Paykel,

Above: Glen designs and installs kitchens from around £2,500 to £40,000. He can come up with a series of designs until the customer is 100% happy. He can also provide a complete project management service for most rooms.

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who offer award-winning home appliances like the cool drawer and drawer dishwasher.

They are also an approved Siemens and Blanco retailer, and they have a range of work surfaces to choose from like stone granite and quartz, corian acrylic, and sile stone.

For every customer, Glen will carry out a site visit where he will measure the space and the area he has to work with. He will always have a consultation, bottoming out the details and requirements of what the customer wants.

“I always make sure I meet with customers so I know exactly what they envision and the purpose behind the project - whether that’s to use their space more wisely, an extension, kitchen update. I also ask how they cook so I know what types of appliances they might benefit from.”

Glen will come up with two or three designs with different ideas and options, which are discussed and evolve into a final design.

“We understand that certain things can have an impact on the design of a kitchen, like building work for example. This is why I started to design and manufacture my own kitchens - so we have the flexibility to change the design if needed.”

Glen’s next big project is a complete renovation at a local period property. Glen and his team of trade people will be replacing windows and installing byfold doors, converting the utility, changing the oil fired heating to gas heating, new ceilings and plastering, installing a downstairs toilet, new floors, an electrical upgrade, and creating a bespoke large kitchen and dining room.

Using the latest innovative 3D design, Martins of Harborough can design different

“Designing and manufacturing our own kitchens gives us a greater level of flexibility...” rooms and kitchens to cater for all types of budget.

Built to the highest of quality, and designed with the customer in mind, Glen at Martins of Harborough values great attention to detail and offers a top quality service.

For more information please call Martins of Harborough’s on 01858 468683/07973 463293.

Alternatively, please visit their website at www.martinsofharborough.co.uk.

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- HOME -

Flying High Sophie Allport’s work is quintessentially English, country-influenced gift and homeware with motifs created using a pen and watercolours. This month sees the launch of her brand new collection, The Flying Pheasant, so we discover what motivates the British designer.

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S

ophie Allport is a mother of three, a painter and an illustrative genius - so it’s no wonder that her gift and homeware company is one that most people recognise in their home.

Using mainly pen and just five watercolour paints, Sophie creates beautifully intricate, timeless and quintessentially English designs that are greatly influenced by the country, nature and her childhood memories.

Every year, in her studio at her family home in Oundle, Sophie conjures up two new designs for her fine bone china collection and this September sees the exciting launch of the latest creation, The Flying Pheasant.

With the imminent launch taking place at this year’s Burghley Horse Trials in September, we decided to pay Sophie a visit at her new showroom in Stamford to find out all about her business, The Flying Pheasant collection and the inspiration behind the range.

“I am so excited about launching this new collection. I absolutely love pheasants, or pheasies as I call them. I used to see them all the time in my family garden when I was growing up. They’re such magnificent birds and so lovely to draw.”

“When you live in a city you don’t get to see them, but now I’m living in the countryside near to Stamford it made sense to paint them, being such a prominent childhood memory. And it’s great now others can have them featured in their home too,” says Sophie.

This year also saw the creation of the Boys’ Sports Collection, which features football, rugby and cricket designs, and Winter Woodland which will be available from October ready for Christmas. It features a staple dusty blue with reindeer, Christmas trees and squirrels and other woodland animals.

“As a mother to three boys, I quickly realised there wasn’t really any designs available for boys in my range when they asked for a mug.

“I discovered what I was good at early on. I grew up in the country, so it made sense to use my childhood memories.”

There’s a lot of designs like the Rose, Busy Bee and Cat for girls so I wanted to create the sports collection which features sports references like football, rugby and cricket, especially since my boys love playing different sports.”

As well as featuring the painted designs on staple products like the Fine Bone China collections and fabrics - Sophie has introduced a range of new products including door stops, stationery, wrapping paper and ribbon and little wash bags which she is very excited about.

“I’ve always been conscious of my memories from when I was growing up, and I find my designs are very personal to me. For me it’s about making a house a home, and that’s what I want to achieve,” says Sophie.

Now a roaring success, Sophie Allport has come a long way since the fruition of the

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company, originally painting and designing in her spare room and on the streets of London.

“I studied Graphic Art and Design at Leeds Metropolitan University, where I specialised in illustration. I had a reportage style project at university which I really enjoyed. In all honestly - it was pot luck that I realised very early on what I enjoyed and was good at in regards to drawing and painting. I used to get my watercolour box and sit on the street painting different things.”

After university, Sophie moved to London where she started working as a freelance illustrator for many famous names ranging from wine bottle label design to book and magazine illustrations. It was then she realised she needed a change from just painting on the streets. She was invited to demonstrate her skills at the Country Living Fair in 1996, and so she began to brainstorm exactly what she wanted to draw and paint.

Growing up in the village of Potterhanworth, Sophie has always been intrigued by nature and the countryside. It was this that made her decide to design a series of flowers that she made into prints and cards to sell at the fair. This was a huge success, and it saw the birth of Sophie Allport Limited.’

“I made a few prints and cards with these flowers, and it went from there. It wasn’t until my brother Jem stumbled upon an old diary from his rally in Chile that we decided to set up the business together. An entry in his diary said he always wanted to work with me, so he said ‘lets do it’ - and we did.

We started selling from his garage before moving to where we are now.”

Jem is a qualified chartered accountant and since the siblings joined forces, he has enabled Sophie to focus on creating new designs and products whilst Jem expands marketing and sales.

As we spoke with Sophie about how her fine bone china collections are created - we quickly realised what a fascinating process it is. Sourcing the right white ware is very important, and Sophie and her team work hard to find the right products. Their current mission is the find the perfect butter dish.

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- HOME -

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- HOME -

Sophie buys in her white ware and it is hand decorated and finished in Stoke on Trent.

When she is completely happy with her painted creations they are made into decals.

These are then cut into strips before being hand applied on every single china item in batches before being fired in a kiln.

“It is quite a long process, but it’s worth it when you get the finished product and it’s exactly what we want to achieve.”

“Getting the colour right can be also be tricky as there are so many opportunities for it to change.”

Achieving this is key for Sophie, as she wants the finished product to match her designs perfectly. This is a highly specialised way of printing, and there’s very few companies versed in the art still in existance today.

Over the last seven years, Sophie has designed a selection of fine bone china collections featuring country and nature designs including the Chicken, Busy Bee, Rose, Terrier and Butterfly.

Each range includes dinner plates, side plates, pasta bowls, cereal bowls, two different mugs, four different jugs, egg cups, tea cups and saucers, jam jars, espresso cups and saucers, teapots and tea tidies.

“I am excited to launch The Flying Pheasant collection. They’re such magnificent birds.”

Her designs have become somewhat of a collector’s item over the years, both with tourists who want to return home for a little piece of England, as well as Sophie’s more local fans, too.

“Since establishing my company, an old work colleague has approached me to ask if I would come up with an exclusive design, which I have continued to do over the past five years.”

Another spectacular opportunity for Sophie arose five years ago, when she was asked to design an exclusive collection for Wimbledon by The All England Lawn Tennis Association.

Another big influence is Sophie’s love of cooking and baking when she’s at home spending time with her family. It’s this passion that has fuelled some of her designs over the years, such as the best selling Chicken range.

This year saw the launch of The Perfect Match with strawberries, Henman’s Hill view of Wimbledon, the Clubhouse and classic racquet design. The collection includes different items such as oven gloves, tea towels, mugs, jugs, notelets and more.

Another new addition that is proving popular are candles, a product launch upon which Sophie worked closely with her manufacturers, re-creating the scents and fragrances reminiscent of her childhood.

“It was an honour when I was asked to design a collection exclusively for Wimbledon. I used to work there when I was a student, and I took every opportunity I could to paint whilst I was there.”

And Sophie isn’t stopping there - with her spring and summer collections already in motion for next year, we’re excited to see what other designs she has up her quintessentially English sleeves!

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The

Art

of Compromise

Di and Pete Ablewhite have created a beautiful property in the area whilst also managing to engineer a successful compromise; creating both a clean modern property and a cosy riverside home with warmth and character...

Words: Anne Armstrong.

Photographs: David Parmiter.

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Di and Pete Ablewhite mastered the art of compromise when they built their light drenched riverside house.

“I love old architecture and Pete loves new, so this house is the ideal solution,” enthuses Di. While the design of their 21st century home was inspired by the symmetrical Georgian architecture which Di so much admires, it comes with all the modern practicalities demanded by Pete.

The couple demolished an existing 1970s home, which stood on the site, and lived in rented accommodation for more than a year while the new house - built closer to the water than its predecessor - took shape.

“The design of Di’s 21st century home was inspired by symmetrical Georgian architecture.”

“This house is a bit unusual in that the back was designed to be every bit as important as the front.

At the back, we have our own 140 foot stretch of riverbank complete with fishing rights, as well as lovely views stretching across the fields,” explains Di. “Being by water evokes childhood memories. Around here, it does really feel as if we are living out of the pages of The Wind 76

in the Willows,” she says.

“We see plenty of wildlife; badgers, moles, kingfishers, mallards, and a lot of swans I have a favourite swan, called Syd - as well as the occasional deer.”

To capitalise on the location, Di and Pete installed an atrium, and full length windows in the principal rooms - some of which will forever remain curtainless, so that the rural views can be enjoyed to the full. “I have long been obsessed with the need to find ways of

Top: The formal sitting room is the epitome of contemporary gracious living where walls have been painted in Linen Wash by the Little Greene Paint Company, and the couple installed espresso-coloured engineered oak flooring.

Above: A console table made

by Hill Farm Furniture stands on the galleried landing below an old French mirror with a frame rejuvenated with a coat of Farrow and Ball’s Lamp Room Grey paint.

Right: Swans regularly congregate along the private riverbank at the back of the house, which Di and Pete designed and built two years ago.

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- HOMES -

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- HOMES -

Di takes some of her ideas from designers such as Kelly Hoppen.

“I like her style,” she says. bringing the maximum amount of natural light into a house, so much so, I was worried about the lack of light in the internal bathroom until I visited a house building show, and saw how well light pipes can work. Even on a dull day, you don’t need to put the light on to use the bathroom,” explains Di, a former chiropodist- turned interior designer.

The house has been constructed from warm red brick with a slate roof – the couple researched building materials very carefully before choosing bricks and slates which are manufacturers predict will age gracefully.

“I didn’t realise how long it can take to source building materials. Giles at my local building centre helped us a lot, by bringing samples to the site for us to inspect, and on one occasion, he even brought a complete sash window for me to see,” recalls Di. Inside, the architectural details have been installed with a deft touch. There is an elegant, sandstone-floored hallway with a ceiling soaring eight metres high.

The discreetly sweeping staircase climbs to a galleried landing. High ceilings, a pair of columns, sashed windows, ceiling mouldings, and deep skirting boards are distinctive ‘traditional’ elements while the décor is stylishly neutral amid a relaxed contemporary atmosphere. Di, who studied interior design at the National Design, was determined to avoid creating a faux Georgian home.

“I wanted a tasteful result,” she stresses.

Though she appreciates antique or traditional, furnishings when she sees them in the 78

homes of others, she isn’t a personal fan of the conventional trappings of period living.

“I don’t want to live in a museum with knickknacks all over the place,” she says. The pale palette - walls have mostly been painted in a Little Greene Company shade called Linen Wash - has been strengthened by accessories in sophisticated hues such as chocolate and black. Di takes some of her inspiration from designers such as Kelly Hoppen. “I like her style,” she says, throwing open the door to the Hoppen-esque formal sitting room, infused with Zen-like calm. Its walls contrast with a dark stained oak floor, and a low slung coffee table, while comfortable sofas, upholstered in textured cream linen, are arranged around a classically styled fireplace.

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Top: The impressive, room-sized hall has Indian sandstone flooring. For similar flooring, try Classical Flagstones.

Above: Full length glass windows in the master bedroom are filled with views of the surrounding countryside. The sleigh bed was bought long ago; for similar models try And So to Bed.

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- HOMES -

“I did see a marble surround which I would have liked to put in here, but I was dismayed by the price, so I looked for an alternative, and decided on this one, which is made from re-constituted stone,” explains Di. Beyond the dining room, installed with glass doors which supply vistas of the full depth of the house, is the open plan multi functional kitchen - a much loved living space, where the family regularly socialises.

The same firm also created the bespoke joinery for other rooms, like the extra high skirting boards.

Upstairs, off the galleried landing, the various bedrooms - and sparkling white bathrooms, decorated with effortless style, and the master bedroom is nothing sort of spectacular due to the ceiling-to-floor windows, designed, Di says, to ‘let the outside in.’

“The master bedroom is spectacular, with full-height windows, ‘to let the outside in.’”

“The kitchen was designed before we starting building the house,” laughs Di, who commissioned a local specialist joinery company to provide the classically styled cabinetry, with a duo of complementary Farrow & Ball colours.

Main: Cabinets and the island unit in the spacious kitchen, were hand-built by a local company, and painted in a combination of Farrow and Ball’s Lamp Room Grey and Cornforth White. Words and Photographs by Narratives.

For Di, being so close to nature is a wonderful thing.

The location really is fabulous,” she concludes. “We are so lucky living here, in a dream of a house, waking up every morning to the gentle sound of the weir, which is just a little further upstream.

It is so soothing it can be difficult to get out of bed. We struck gold when we found this plot!”

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Futureproof your Business Your Business Will Running your own business may leave you little time to consider your financial future but what would you do if a critical illness such as a heart attack or stroke, forced you, or a key employee, to be absent from work for a period of weeks or months?

We all know the benefits of making a will. It ensures the right assets reach the right people at the right time, but have you done the same for your business?

Could your business continue?

Which of the following priorities have you insured against?

Which would be most damaging to your business?

• Company car is stolen • Someone steals the computers • The photocopier breaks down • The courier lets you down • A window is broken by vandals • A Director/Partner dies If the worst should happen and your business is not fully protected, your business could be left without enough money to pay your running costs. You may have covered the tangible assets of your business, but have you protected yourself, your share in the business or those key individuals who may contribute heavily to profits?

What impact would a death or critical illness of a key individual or business owner have on the business?

How long would the business survive without those key individuals? The loss of a key person may result in: • Reduced sales • Loss of profit • Recruitment costs • Increased workloads for the remaining staff How much debt does your business have and is it protected?

Have you heard about Relevant Life Plan’s and the tax efficient way it can provide life cover?

Many partnerships and limited companies overlook protecting the business from the financial impact of losing a shareholder through death or critical illness, but this should be a priority for any business.

At Castlegate Financial Management we are working with other businesses like yours to help to make sure there are effective solutions in place to protect your business, and your family, should the worst happen.

Castlegate Financial Management, premier Chartered Financial Planners, offering local face to face independent financial advice, is particularly well placed to help you and can be contacted on 01476 591022. Ask for Heather Lamin.

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- education -

Colleges and

schools

this month we’ve a round-up of the best schools and colleges in the area for those seeking high quality education for children, and teenagers or for those seeking adult learning opportunities...

Image: The Peterborough School.

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- education -

Pitsford School, Pitsford...

Pitsford school is the county’s leading co-educational day school for children aged three18 years. The Trustees purchased Pitsford hall, set in a 26 acre park in Pitsford for the school in 1989. The first pupils, who were boys, were admitted in september 1989. located in the lovely village of Pitsford, just four miles north of Northampton on the A508, the school’s small class sizes and family ethos ensure that every child is able to fulfill their potential, and our excellent examination results reflect this.

Nursery to Year six are located in the two year old Junior school building, which provides lots of indoor space for the varied 84

activities the children take part in daily. In addition to their classroom learning, the children have lots of opportunities to make use of the school’s grounds, which is why wellies are an important part of our uniform!

In the senior school, pupils are encouraged to work hard, whilst enjoying the many opportunities on offer to them; these range from performing in the school’s annual musical to taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

A number of our pupils have achieve their Gold Award, whilst still at school.

In the sixth Form, pupils study the key facilitating subjects which Universities look for and most of our school leavers are able to go on to the University of their choice.

To fully appreciate life at Pitsford School, please contact Karen Cannon, our Registrar to arrange a tour, or to book a place at our Open Day on 4th October 2014.

Spratton Hall, Spratton, northants...

Spratton Hall School is based in 50 acres of Northamptonshire countryside and offers boys and girls aged between four and 13 a fully rounded education in academia, sport, drama, music and art.

The facilities at spratton hall incorporate old and new exceptionally well.

The Georgian Manor house has kept its beautiful charm whilst the school’s structure and ethos is contemporary and dynamic with technology kept up to date to reflect current society.

The sports grounds include the sports Dome, the floodlit Astroturf, two hard courts for netball and tennis, 400m

running track, cricket nets, pavilions, cross-country circuit and multiple sports pitches. spratton hall also enjoys a Performing Arts centre which is used constantly for drama, music and assemblies. spratton hall pupils flourish in an environment where politeness, courtesy and consideration for others is paramount.

The pupils are independent, self-motivated, enthusiastic and organised learners. senior schools enjoy spratton hall pupils as they have been able to achieve, thrive and blossom into confident and capable young people.

Entry to spratton hall is in Reception for the Pre-Prep and Year Three for the Prep although opportunities to join the school in other years can become available.

To visit the school or see a prospectus please call 01604 847292 or email afj@sprattonhall.com.

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Image: The Peterborough School.

St Peter’s School, Kettering...

National curriculum, with the development of reading and writing skills given high priority, strong emphasis on mathematics, English, and science, and the introduction of French at an early age.

the Peterborough School...

Every parent wants to give their child a perfect start in life in the form of the best possible education.

small classes ensure that teachers know every child’s ability and learning style and the atmosphere is bubbling and happy.

The Peterborough School is the city’s only independent school with a nursery for boys and girls from six weeks to 18 years.

our intention is to build children up, to retain their sense of joy and wonder, and to instill social and academic confidence.

Founded in 1946, st Peter’s school has an established reputation as a warm and friendly school with a strong family atmosphere.

Every child receives close individual care and attention on a safe and secure campus that offers plenty of scope for exciting and adventurous play, and sporting activity.

The curriculum at st Peter’s school offers more than just the

The result is that st. Peter’s school has an excellent academic record, with children leaving well prepared to go on to the schools of their parents’ choice.

Whether that choice falls in the state or independent sector, children are well equipped with academic and social skills and ready to meet the new challenges of secondary education.

You are most welcomed to make an appointment to visit us call 01536 512066 or see www.st-peters.org.uk.

situated on one campus in the centre of Peterborough, the school and ‘outstanding’ Nursery enjoy beautiful, extensive grounds and have access to excellent road, rail and other transport links.

The school is a vibrant place, with small classes providing boys and girls with the individual attention, opportunities, confidence and ability to exploit fully their natural potential within a happy, caring and friendly community.

In the Preparatory school (four to 11 years) the children are

encouraged to be independent and inquisitive learners and develop many important skills through the extended curriculum and many extra curricular clubs and activities available. senior school is for boys and girls from 11 to 16 and sixth Form for post 16 education. students’ unique talents are identified and developed, whether they be in the classroom, in the creative arts or on the sports field.

Given the small numbers, academic performance can be closely monitored, enabling students to achieve levels higher than those originally expected. our pastoral support is second to none and we passionately believe that children cannot learn well unless they are happy.

We would be delighted to welcome visitors, either during our open Day on saturday 11th october 2014 or at an alternative time by appointment.

More information can be found at www.thepeterboroughschool.co.uk.

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- LiFeStYLe -

The Flower Garden With an abundance of flowers and foliage available, there’s no reason why you can’t create your very own flower arrangements at home. We ask for a few tips from the Flower club of Market Harborough on how to create professional but technically easy arrangements.

Words and Photographs: Ceri Jackson.

Flower arranging is a lovely hobby that anyone can try at home, whether you have a dinner party coming up and want to spruce up your table, or brighten up your home. This month, we visited members of The Flower club in Market harborough, who showed us a trick or two when it comes to creating beautiful flower arrangements.

“Flower arranging is very rewarding, and anyone can get involved. Equipment and materials can be bought from florist shops, garden centres and hardware stores or ordered online. some flower clubs also have a sales table where you can buy items,” says linda Marshall, club chairman.

many supermarkets offer a good selection of flowers. A visit to a flower wholesaler is great fun too but make sure that any flowers you buy are fresh and in good condition.

Always condition your flowers and foliage by trimming the stems and placing them in water for at least two hours, or preferably overnight, before arranging them. Green floral foam should be thoroughly soaked in cold water and not allowed to dry out.

With these eight simple arrangements, you can also create visually striking additions with flowers into your home.

“There’s such a wonderful choice of flowers and you don’t have to spend a fortune – you can even grow your own plants and flowers to create your beautiful arrangements which will cost very little. You can also ask friends or family if you can use different foliage from their garden.”

In the Pink: Arranged

by Vicki Tuffen from The Flower Club of Market Harborough.

cut flowers and foliage are also available from your local florists, who can give you advice and help choosing your flowers, and

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a Summer Garden

by Sharon Badger Long-stemmed Campanula • Spray Roses • Alchemilla Mollis • Lavender • Hydrangea • Valerian • Hosta leaves • Everlasting Sweet Peas Hazel stems

sharon’s arrangement is a natural contemporary design, using a selection of garden flowers and foliage including long-stemmed campanula, spray roses, Alchemilla Mollis, lavender, hydrangea, Valerian, Everlasting sweet Peas, hosta leaves and hazel stems.

Using a square wicker basket, line it to make it waterproof and fill with blocks of soaked floral foam which have been trimmed just above the top of the basket.

Remember that this arrangement is intended to be viewed from all the way round so concentrate on all sides and include flowers all the way round.

Place the tall hazel twigs and campanula at the centre of the design to give height.

Next, place the hosta leaves around the base of the design to cover the edge of the container.

Group the other flowers vertically together all around the design in varying heights, with the hydrangea heads placed low to give weight to the design.

You can then use Alchemilla mollis to fill spaces and to give added texture.

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- LiFeStYLe -

a Stroll in the Summer

by Polly unwin Shallow pottery dish • Floral Foam • Moss • Slim sticks of silver birch • Blue Sacbious or Gerberas • Fine seed heads • Small fir cones or pebbles

Polly has created a woodland landscape for her arrangement.

Place the sticks of silver birch upright into the floral foam, with varying lengths between 10 to 12 inches and from one to 1/2 inch in diameter. cover the floral foam with a layer of moss and add stems of scabious flowers or your gerberas to the design, with one or two taller than the sticks to create a canopy.

Add the seed heads and some scabious buds low down in the arrangement.

Finally, add some small fir cones or pebbles as a pretty finishing touch.

Please remember that it is illegal to gather moss from the wild.

a Red Rose by Linda Marshall 12 Virginia creeper leaves • Alchemilla mollis • Red Roses or other coloured roses • Green midelino sticks

Use a small round plastic dish containing half a block of soaked floral foam, fixed securely in place with florist’s tape. Trim the corners of the floral foam diagonally to give a softer shape to work in.

Place the Virginia creeper leaves to form a skirt around the design, about half way up the floral foam, slightly overlapping. Remove some of the foliage from the roses and trim the stems to varying lengths. Place in an upright group on the top of the floral foam.

Fill the space between the roses and Virginia creeper with short stems of alchemilla mollis and leaves. curl the midelino sticks round the display to add movement and space.

Use coloured roses, large leaves such as hosta, variegated ivy or bergenia, and white gypsophila to create different looks.

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- LIFESTYLE -

What Comes Naturally

by Richard Twiselton Mixture of garden flowers • Foliage • Mixture of seed heads and grasses

Richard created three different designs using some shallow glass containers and home-grown garden flowers and foliage.

His first arrangement featured a country cottage-style design using a mixture of garden flowers, foliage, seed heads and grasses grouped together and placed in water in a round glass vase.

By using the neck of the vase as a guide, make sure you place the flowers and stems in a spiral to give a natural design.

“Choose flowers and foliage that complement each other. A simple design with one flower type can also work really well.”

In The Pink by Vicki Tuffen Pink gerbera • Ting-Ting • Sedum • Lavender • Pink Achillea • Lathyrus latifolius • Poppy Seed heads • Cotinus foliage • Smoke Bush • Grey Abies Conifer • Hosta Leaves

This is a hand-tied arrangement design using pink gerbera and ting-ting from a local florist - all the other flowers, foliage and plant materials were picked from Vicki’s garden.

Firstly, sort the flowers and foliage into separate piles and lay on a table with raffia and scissors close to hand.

To begin, place a few lengths of ting-ting in your left hand and add alternate stems of gerbera, lavender, cotinus and poppy seed heads, turning the bunch slightly in the same 92

direction each time you add a stem. When all the flowers and foliage have been added, place large hosta leaves around the base of the design.

Still holding the bunch in your left hand, tie it firmly with garden raffia just above the holding point. Trim the stems slightly before placing the arrangement into a tall vase.

Gerbera have very soft hairy stems which tend to breakdown in water, so only put about two inches of water in the vase and remember to keep that level topped up.

If you are left-handed, make sure you hold the bunch in your right hand. You can also use string instead of raffia to tie the bunch.

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What comes naturally

by Richard twiselton Small hosta leaves • Two phlomis heads • Alchemilla mollis • Lavender

In Richard’s second design, curl small hosta leaves and two phlomis heads into an empty glass bowl and fill with water.

Place short stems of alchemilla mollis and lavender to complete the arrangement.

Square shallow dish • Lovage plant stems • Alchemilla mollis • 6 pink roses and lily buds

For Richard’s final design use a shallow square dish, and cut hollow stems of the lovage plant into short tubes of equal length.

Pack the hollow lovage plant stems tightly into the dish to create a frame for the flower - in this instance, roses.

Add water to the dish and place short stems of alchemilla mollis throughout the design to add texture and colour.

Finally, trim six pink roses and lily buds and place them in a regular pattern.

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- LiFeStYLe -

Local Flower clubs...

Corby Formed in 2012, the corby group meets on the last Thursday of each month at the corby silver Band club hall. Annual membership is £30 and the club welcomes visitors at £5. You can attend the Fantasia demonstration by lynda stamp on 25th september. contact the club chairman Amanda Punter on 01536 460511 or 07791 030195.

Kettering

Summer abundance by Shirley Henderson Square shallow dish • Container 8 inches tall • Soaked floral foam • Phormium Tricolour leaves • Photinia ‘Red Robin’ Pittosporum ‘Tom Thumb’ • Alchemilla mollis • Marigolds

Using your shallow square dish, place this into the neck of a pretty container eight inches tall with a block of soaked floral foam taped into the square dish.

All the flowers and foliage were picked from shirley’s garden and include Phormium tricolour leaves, Photinia ‘Red Robin,’ Pittosporum ‘Tom Thumb,’ Alchemilla mollis (lady’s Mantle) and Marigolds.

Place the phormium leaves at the back of the design to give height, and cut and arrange the other foliage to form a soft triangular shape.

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Make sure you vary the colour and texture of the foliage to help add interest, and overlap the flowers and foliage over the edge of the container.

Next, place the marigolds, varying the length of the stems to give height at the back and bringing the eye down through the arrangement.

“Make sure you condition the flowers, by adding flower food, a few drops of household bleach or a teaspoon of sugar to the water.”

Kettering Flower club meetings are held on the first Wednesday of every month at 7.30pm. Annual membership is £27 and the club welcomes visitors at £5. You can attend the Mix and Match demonstration by carol Farmer on 3rd september. contact the club chairman Joan spencer on 01536 513951.

Oundle The Peterborough Floral Decoration society meet at st Andrews church in Netherton on the first Thursday of every month at 7.30pm. Annual membership is £25 and the club welcomes visitors at £5. They also hold demonstrations. contact the club secretary Rosemary Gadsby on 01733 234694.

A

Th fr e om ga

Formed in 1963, Market harborough’s group celebrated its Golden Anniversary in 2013 and currently have 135 members. They meet on the second Wednesday every month at The congregational church centre, Market harborough at 7pm. Demonstrations start at 7.30pm. Annual Membership is £26, and the new membership year begins on 1st November 2014. Guests are welcome at several meetings at £5 per person. You can go along on 10th september at 7.30pm for their ‘Tis a Gift demonstration with Diane Fair. contact club chairman linda Marshall on 0116 2404317 or 07828 151317.

F

Market Harborough

AF T

ER

T fr he om ga r M de ar n ke of tH M ar rs R bo a ro yn ug or h

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E

R FO E B

E

R O F BE

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Creating

your

Retreat

Green

Home made mulch and the odd garden folly - like a gypsy caravan - is the secret to creating a green retreat that is the product of 20 years of hard work for Linda and Neil Holdaway. Here, we enjoy a tour around their garden...

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- gardens -

Linda and Neil - an insurance broker - had been keen sailors, but longed to replace their small town garden with a larger one in the country. “You can’t sail and garden, so we had to choose!” explains Linda, a retired health visitor. Gardening won and, faced with a virtually blank canvas, Linda sought advice from the respected gardener, the late Jill Cowley. “She suggested I first create something worth looking out on, and then add a path that leads somewhere worth walking to. After that, never bite off more than you can cope with.”

“You can’t sail and garden, so we had to choose!” says Linda. Gardening won, and work began on their blank canvas.

Far Left: For weeks of flowers, grow Aster x frikartii ‘Monch,’ a mildew-resistant aster adored by bees and butterflies.

Left: Stake taller plants — you can never stake too early or too much, but use natural hazel sticks to ensure supports are barely visible once plants mature. For maximum impact, minimise the number of different varieties, planting in bold clumps of seven or nine plants.

A garden as beautifully conceived as Woodpeckers suggests a masterplan, but in fact the owners’ approach was less structured. “We started at the house and worked outwards,” explains Linda Holdaway who, with her husband Neil, moved 20 years ago to their 1959 house enclosed by the 1.5-acre plot. “It was August, and the garden had scorched lawns and grassed-over borders, but there were wonderful mature copper beeches, an amelanchier and tulip tree,” she recalls.

Linda started in the south-facing back garden, installing an elegant Amdega summerhouse at the end of two mixed borders separated by a wide, grassy path.

“This is the view from my kitchen window,” she adds. The borders are planted for year round interest, with snowdrops and hellebores for winter: tulips for spring followed by heucheras, cleomes, sedums, dahlias, grasses and self-seeding Verbena bonariensis. “I find self-seeding plants very useful because I have a lot of space to fill, and they pop up everywhere.”

It’s a similar story in the adjacent ‘room’ where twin herbaceous borders form an unrivalled ebb and flow of colour and texture make up from repeated clumps of sedum, Japanese anemone, salvias, cosmos and asters. “I love colour, but I can’t paint, so this is as close as I can get.” Unbroken lines of catmint edge a wide grassy path that leads past a modern Shepherd’s Hut “It’s got four bunks, one for each of my grandchildren,” - to the kitchen potager.

At the far end of the borders lies the potager, a formal arrangement of four square raised beds in which cutting flowers - chrysanthemums, dahlias and zinnias - vie with leeks, runner beans, peas, squashes and herbs.

“My 87-year-old mother grows all the vegetables from seed in the greenhouse, and does all the propagating - she keeps me in young plants all summer long,” adds Linda.

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drought-resistant grey-leaved plants and undemanding self-seeders such as gaura, fleabane, valerian and sedums. “By August, the lawns are baked yellow but, once rain returns, the grass revives, and the late herbaceous borders came into their own,” she explains, adding: “As a gardener, you have to go with whatever nature hands out.”

“The poor soil has been steadily improved over 20 years as a result of regular doses of Neil’s homemade compost.” Linda notes.

Wildlife, too, can be a trial, with foxes rearing cubs, muntjac deer grazing the lawn and badgers passing through. “But we’re also home to a huge variety of insects, butterflies and birds.” Bees and butterflies are drawn by many pollen-rich plants - buddleija, poached egg plant, marigolds and catmint, amongst others.

“My 87-year-old mother grows all the vegetables from seed in the greenhouse, and does all the propagating - she keeps me in young plants all summer long!”

Top: Plant trees to create shade over garden buildings and lawn that bears the full brunt of baking sunshine during drought.

Opposite: Linda tends to her borders, insisting that the secret is to mulch them deeply with compost, to both suppress weeds and retain moisture.

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Neil, too, comes from a family of keen gardeners. “His was a large family and, needing to feed themselves, grew a lot of vegetables.”

The potager at Woodpeckers is sheltered within high hedges, but it was not always so.

“When we first moved here, a drying wind regularly whistled through, so we had to plant dense hedges, creating a micro-climate in which plants could thrive,” explains Linda. It was also the start of two decades of drought which dictated her planting.

The year starts with an early climax of bulbs in May, with summer dominated by

A small grass garden leads from a terrace on the westerly side of the house, a froth of fleabane (Erigeron karvinskianus) overflowing from cracks in the stone paving. “I briefly had a gardener who mistook it for a weed, and sprayed it with weedkiller - it all but died, but soon recovered.” The Alchemilla mollis was untouched, and forms pretty clumps of silvery leaves in the gravel beside pots of feather grass.

The less demanding a plant, the warmer a welcome it has in this lovely garden. It takes such a lot of work, that it’s hard for Linda and Neil to find time to relax and enjoy it themselves. “All I see is what needs doing,” says Linda. However, the one time they truly relax is after a charity opening, when the lawns are cut, edges trimmed, weeds blitzed and hedges are immaculate. “On a warm day when the bees are buzzing, the light is good, and there’s nothing needs doing, there’s no lovelier place I’d rather be!” Linda adds.

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- gardens -

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- weddings -

The Four

SEASONS

Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, so you want it to be just perfect. whether you marry in spring or summer, autumn or winter bride, we’ve some great ideas to give you some seasonal inspiration...

Image above courtesy of www.kelseyrose.co.uk.

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www.ďŹ retreephoto.co.uk

www.jakabiphotography.com

- weddings -

Spring Spring weddings are all about bright, light wedding themes. And lots of flowers! With the sun shining, the start of spring brings a fresh start for nature and it is when everything comes to life once again.

Seasonal spring flowers include tulips, anemones, daffodils, roses, sweet peas and hyacinths. You can also use bright flowers to add a splash of colour with pastel, like with Kelsey Rose bridesmaid dresses.

Incorporate nature into different areas of your wedding; use leaves and twigs in your hair or sugarcraft flowers on your wedding cake. It’s the time for Easter too, so you could make wedding favours for guests or children, using easter eggs, in pretty tin containers.

Light up your wedding with lanterns, great for a gentle golden glow at your reception - very romantic! Another option is layering fairy lights inside and out, as well as spring-scented candles on your tables.

www.bohemiandreams.co.uk.

www.dottiephotography.co.uk.

www.kelseyrose.co.uk

www.cakesbykrishanthi.co.uk.

Bridal umbrellas will wipe away the fear of April showers. Wedding day rain is meant to bring good luck but be prepared with pretty umbrellas or parasols.

Think delicate lace for your wedding dress.

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- weddings -

Summer

www.cakesbykrishanthi.co.uk.

www.bohemiandreams.co.uk.

Summer weddings have it all. Perfect weather, long days, warmer temperatures, lush greenery and bright vivid colours galore.

Summer brides have an array of flowers to choose from, and a long list of colour and hues making the possibilities really endless. Popular choices for summer weddings are roses; as shown below you can use red, yellow, pink or white together to create a Summer Garden effect. Other popular flowers are peonies, gerberas and the beautifully bright yellow sunflowers.

This colour mash-up doesn’t have to stop there. You can also include different flowers and colours on your wedding cake too. The brighter, the better!

With the warmer weather, opt for an outdoor wedding and reception in a large tent or teepee, and make sure your guests can find you with wooden signs, a trend that is still proving very popular.

www.binkynixon.com.

www.jakabiphotography.com

Give wedding favours guests will love, like jars of sweets, or conserves with a flower matching your theme or popcorn. You can also embrace the boho-bride trend by wearing a light, flowing wedding dress or hair crown.

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- weddings -

Autumn Autumn weddings have such a colourful palette to offer their brides. Rustling leaves, and beautiful hues of glowing gold, red and browns. Add flashes of alternative colours that really stand out, like purple or blue to add that wow factor to your autumn wedding.

There are many seasonal decorations and finishing touches that brides-to-be have on offer, like leaves and flower petals. You can also use seasonal fruits such as pears and apples instead of name cards on your tables.

www.laylamayphotography.co.uk

www.dottiephotography.co.uk.

Opt for a long wedding dress, as the autumn months can start to be a bit cooler, and think bright colourful wellies which will look fantastic in your photographs.

When it comes to choosing the perfect flowers for you - don’t think for a second that all the pretty spring and summer flowers will make life difficult; there are still plenty to choose from! Dahlias and Hydrangeas are a great option, and can add a splash of colour to your theme. Don’t forget to add a bit of foliage - a great way to achieve the indoor/outdoor wedding theme.

www.bohemiandreams.co.uk.

www.donlambert.co.uk.

www.dottiephotography.co.uk.

www.bohemiandreams.co.uk.

Create autumn themed favours, such as Meant to Bee honey pots, a quirky yet tasty alternative!

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- weddings -

Winter Winter weddings are the perfect time to over indulge in the creation of a magical winter wonderland; glimmering gold and silver and splashes of red, candles and roaring fires, and falling snowflakes.

www.donlambert.co.uk.

www.bohemiandreams.co.uk.

www.cakesbykrishanthi.co.uk.

The key to a winter wedding is using lots of light, not forgetting to include your outdoor space too. There is a lot less natural light during the winter months, so make sure you remember to factor this in.

Winter is all about sparkles and a great way to achieve this is with your wedding dress and cake! Jewels can create texture on your cake, and you can add a strip of colour to tie in with your chosen theme.

Use holly and red berries on wreaths with candles on your tables - roses can also look beautiful. The robin is seen as the winter bird, so give your guests favour boxes with these birds sitting on top. You could also use other winter birds. Another idea is favour stockings, or personalised Christmas bauble as a keepsake for your guests.

You can also add a splash of colour with your shoes to match your wedding day theme, such as these plum red peep toe shoes.

www.jakabiphotography.com

www.donlambert.co.uk.

www.binkynixon.com.

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

Andrew J Musson Bespoke Tailor of Lincoln

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

Tel: (01522) 520142 info@andrewjmusson.com www.andrewjmusson.com 112

2

Visiting Tailor Service at The George Hotel of Stamford on Sunday 14th September, 12th October & 9th November, 10am – 4pm

PROUD TO BE OFFERING HIS RENOWNED BESPOKE TAILORED GARMENTS. SELECTING FROM THE FINEST ENGLISH WOOLLEN CLOTHS & SCOTTISH TWEEDS.

INTRODUCTORY OFFER

£100 Off Your First Order!

Andrew J Musson Bespoke Tailor of Lincoln

For prior appointments, please contact Andrew

3

Tel: (01522) 520142 Mob: 07961 157119

info@andrewjmusson.com www.andrewjmusson.com

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- wEDDINGs -

WeddingVenues Finding the perfect wedding venue in Rutland doesn’t have to be hard. To help brides-to-be we take a look at some of the best venues in the area that can help to create your special wedding day...

BARNSdALE HALL HOTEL

KILWORTH HOUSE HOTEL

THREE SWANS HOTEL

Set in conservation parkland overlooking Rutland Water with magnificent views, making it the ideal venue. Unique setting and elegant surroundings provide the perfect backdrop to your day. Whether it’s a small intimate gathering or large celebration each aspect of your wedding is built around you. Dedicated wedding co-ordinators advise on every aspect with attention to detail and flexibility. Licensed for civil ceremonies, allowing your wedding day to unfold under one roof. There’s a selection of rooms available, each with their own ceremony room and outside facilities for a drinks reception or evening BBQ. Allocation of rooms can be reserved for your wedding day guests, with discounts available for those wishing to make it a weekend away. They have excellent leisure facilities including tennis, golf, bowling, squash sate of the art techno gym and a 22m pool, they have everything covered for you and your guests.

Situated in extensive grounds with impressive building and a variety of rooms to choose from, Kilworth House Hotel set in 30 acres of parkland is the perfect place.

The bedrooms are palatial and the food is superb, while the attentive staff understand what makes a guest feel special. Whether it is a small and intimate or you invite over a 100 friends and family, Kilworth House has the facilities and choice to help tailor for your individual needs. They pride themselves in offering a bespoke service to every

The Three Swans Hotel is a 16th Century Coaching Inn with charm and character coupled with modern facilities. The hotel boasts a number of function rooms for intimate of celebrations to large events. For civil ceremonies, civil partnerships, renewing of vows and naming ceremonies the hotel has a number of licensed rooms. They’re more than happy to meet you and provide a bespoke package. They have different packages, including The Cromwell Suite Package catering for 60 daytime guests and 80 evening guests. It includes everything from the meal, evening and reception plus a room for the Bride and Groom.

www.threeswans.co.uk, 01858 466644.

THE TALBOT HOTEL

This is a wonderful setting for a country wedding. They have a romance and grace that will colour every aspect of your wedding day. Their experienced wedding team are here to support your plans and ensure your day runs smoothly. Licensed for civil ceremonies, they offer flexible wedding packages: from a simple ceremony and informal drinks reception, to a wedding breakfast for up to 100 with an evening reception for 150. Larger wedding parties can be accommodated in a luxury marquee on the South Lawn. The wonderful Orangery will prove a perfect venue for an intimate occasion.

bride and groom. The ornate Victorian Orangery is an awe inspiring wedding venue. With glorious views and vibrant glow of natural light, the Orangery is ideal for the larger celebration. The Wordsworth room, with domed ceiling and chandeliers, is perfect for more intimate wedding ceremonies. The cellar bar is ideal for evening receptions. Their civil wedding licence means you can choose from a variety of rooms to hold your marriage ceremony as well as wedding celebrations.

A great atmospheric alternative to modern hotels, this Grade I listed, 17th century building is full of character and history.

Situated in the heart of Oundle it is conveniently located just a short stroll from two churches. Or have your wedding ceremony at the hotel as they are licensed as a venue for marriages. Catering for one wedding per day they have two beautiful function rooms, The Whitwell Room and The Westgate Suite. Their staff have a wealth of professional knowledge and experience. Their sample menus are designed to provide initial ideas - and they can tailor the wedding breakfast to your requirements.

The Talbot Wedding Day Package caters for 50 daytime guests and 80 evening guests, including arrival drinks, a three course meal, wine with the meal, white table linen, chair covers and sashes, disco, evening buffet, complimentary room for the bride and groom.

www.kelmarsh.com, 01604 686543.

www.kilworthhouse.co.uk, 01858 880058.

www.thetalbot-oundle.com, 01832 273621.

www.barnsdalehotel.co.uk, 01572 757901.

KELMARSH HALL & GARdENS

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- wEDDINGs -

The Bridal Showcase This month, we take a look at some of the area’s Brides and Grooms who married recently in the area.

Paul and Leah married on 14th June at Hallaton Church, and they held their reception at Hothorpe Hall in Theddingworth.

Fire Tree Photo; www.firetreephoto.co.uk, 01858 810038.

Trevor and Sarah were married at Fotheringhay Church on 5th July followed by a wedding reception at the Falcon in Fotheringhay.

Dinky Pics; www.dinkypics.co.uk, 01832 272812.

Elizabeth and Phil were married at The Courtyard Hotel located in Stanwick on 10th April 2014.

Dan Waters Creative; www.danwaterscreative.com, 07923 583658.

Martin and Kaileigh were married at St Andrews Church in Kettering on 24th June, followed by a reception at Wicksteed Park.

Layla-May Photography; www.laylamayphotography.co.uk, 07771 394898.

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- FAshIoN -

A Change Of

Appearance Everyone loves a change of appearance now and then, and that’s exactly what the retailer formerly known as T&C Robinson has achieved. Now known as Robinson’s of Stamford, mother and daughter team, Anne and Becca have created a new look and logo whilst retaining quality products and service Words: Ceri Jackson.

When it comes to fashion, most people seem to have a reinvention or rebrand at some point in their life. There’s nothing wrong with a change of appearance, and it doesn’t have to stop at the wardrobe!

So if you visit St Mary’s Street in Stamford this Autumn, you will notice something rather different about a certain long established retailer that was formerly known as T&C Robinson.

A family run business which goes back over 100 years - T&C Robinson has had its very own makeover - and is now known as Robinson’s of Stamford.

The country clothing shop is enjoying a fresher, cleaner look, a new logo along with a complete rebrand.

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- FAshIoN -

Robinson’s of Stamford is run by mother and daughter team Anne and Becca Brown.

Tom Robinson established the business in 1905 making Becca the fourth generation involved in running the firm.

Tom went into partnership with his son Charles after the Second World War and T&C Robinson was born.

from that so we can specialise in country clothing, leather goods and gifts. This rebrand will help us to reinforce this message,” says Anne.

A new logo and fresh look is coupled with this rebrand, and Anne and Becca have significantly increased the country clothing range that they stock over the last ten years.

Charles and his wife Clarice expanded the business over the years, adapting their services to accommodate modern equestrian requirements for all types of riding, making the company what it is today. This saddlery side of the business still flourishes in Billinghay.

They offer well known, prestigious clothing names such as Barbour, Musto, Aigle and Alan Paine. They also provide a wide range of footwear, including Dubarry, Le Chameau, Aigle, Chatham, Gumleaf and Zoo Boots.

“We have had our shop in Stamford for 35 years now, and it felt like it was time for a change. We’ve always been known as ‘the saddlers of Stamford’ by people who live in and visit the town, but we have moved away

“Over the past few years we have also extended our range of leather bags and luggage to include handbags, briefcases, leather holdalls, messenger bags, suitcases and small leather goods such as purses,

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wallets, iPad covers and travel document holders.”

“Our brand selection now includes Samsonite, Briggs and Riley, Radley, Mywalit, Troop and many more. We pride ourselves on providing a wide variety of products, of which our customers find it difficult to source elsewhere.” says Becca.

Alongside outdoor country clothing and leather goods Robinson’s also offer an extensive selection of accessories, favourites of which are hats from Tilley Endurables and more recently Olney.

To complete the look, also available are gloves by Dents, belts, shooting sticks, umbrellas and a wide array of country headwear. Robinson’s is a great place to seek out that elusive gift for someone that already has everything!

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“Even though our appearance is changing our longstanding principles of providing excellent customer service will remain the same. If we don’t have a particular product in stock from one of our suppliers that a customer would like, we are more than happy to source it” says Anne.

As well as offering an entire range of equestrian products John also offers a saddle fitting service throughout Lincolnshire and adjoining counties.

They are also still offering their full repair service for leather goods, including repairing handbags, briefcases, holdalls - pretty much anything and everything leather!

Great customer service remains top of their agenda, along with high quality outdoor country clothing, accessories and leather goods.

Although Robinson’s of Stamford have updated their look and moved away from equestrian and saddlery services, - their other shop located in Billinghay is classed as Lincolnshire’s premier equestrian store.

They’ve modernised the look and feel of their shop on St Mary’s Street in Stamford to appeal to every kind of customer.

It is run by Anne’s brother and Master Saddler, John Robinson with his son Peter who is training to become a saddler.

Everyone enjoys a change of appearance now and then, and that’s exactly what Robinson’s of Stamford have done.

Anne & Becca are based at Robinson’s of Stamford, 4 St Mary’s Street. You can visit their website www.robinsonsofstamford.com, or call 01780 755378. You can call their Billinghay branch on 01526 860436 or visit www.tandcrobinson.co.uk.

“We’ve had a makeover at our shop in Stamford, moving from saddlery to high quality products that every customer can enjoy.”

This page: There’s a range of high quality outdoor country clothing for men and women at Robinson’s of Stamford including Alan Paine’s stylish Duchess Tulip Jacket; £289. There’s also a range of Dubarry boots available from £265. Aigle Cuckmere Coat;£300 and Satchels from £39.95.

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- FAshIoN -

look & FEEl WONdERfUL Find a wardrobe full of inspiration this month, with steilmann’s latest autumn and winter collection.

Full of staple fashion garments that are tailored to suit the needs of the fashion-conscious and sophisticated lady Words: Ceri Jackson

Steilmann’s Autumn and Winter 2014 collection is sophisticated, and features classic leather garments and coats that are guarantee to keep you warm throughout the colder months.

Remaining true to yourself, poised and authentic yet continually breaking new ground. This is the ethos behind every Steilmann collection and their development.

Steilmann fashion is tailored to suit the needs of the fashionconscious and sophisticated lady.

With the multifaceted nature of the Steilmann collection, it is made possible for today’s modern woman to be appropriately dressed for every occasion.

Steilmann stands for excellent quality, fashionable clothing at an outstanding value. Their aim: to make you look and feel wonderful.

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Opposite: Green tribal skirt, green blouse and black leather jacket from the ďŹ rm’s new collection.

This Page: Black skirt with grey and mint green cardigan and mint green shirt.

Inset: Green shirt paired with vest.

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- FAshIoN -

Main Photo: Leather jacket paired with striped shirt and black trousers.

Above/Left: Grey trousers with silver sweater and white blouse and jacket.

Above/Right: Grey skirt and coat worn with white blouse.

Left: Black trousers with leopard sweater and yellow vest.

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- beauty -

Into Autumn During the autumn months, wear your hair in a pretty Ballerina Bun and compliment the look with shades of nude, lilac and taupe

Yves Saint Laurent’s Rouge Pur Couture Vernis à Lèvres Rebel Nudes creates bolder, more radiant and vibrant nudes. £25.

Chanel’s Lumières Facettes eyeshadow in lavender grey, golden ivory and rosy apricot are united, accentuated by intense brown, £42.

Use the Elizabeth Arden creamy highlighter to illuminate your skin with a soft, pink opalescence that looks and feels naturally radiant. £25.

Giorgio Armani’s Luminous Skin Foundation has a lightweight, silky texture that glides on seamlessly. 21 available shades for all skin types, £35.50.

The Khol Me Kajal eye liner from Guerlain has a creamy texture that glides on perfectly, enhancing the eyes, adds modern sophistication and widens the eyes. It can also create a simple smokey eye. £23.50 Use OPI Nail Lacquer in Over the Taupe to finish the look. £11.95.

Smell enchanting with Flora by Gucci Gorgeous Gardenia, £76.

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- local crafts -

Soap Opera life is like a soap opera for local businesswoman caroline coram. she’s enjoyed a successful career in high-end fashion and a career in corporate marketing.

Now, she’s created a brand new career for herself, designing and making artisan soaps, candles and scented cushions Words & Photos: Rob Davis.

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- local crafts -

Caroline Coram’s story is one of both soap, and glory. Imagine a local artisan producer and you’ll most likely have in mind somebody who creates, grows or makes food or drink.

Caroline’s products may contain herbs, and more than a dash of olive oil, but she’s not in the food industry; she’s the designer and producer of a number of beautiful herbal and essential oil-based soaps, candles and cushions designed to bring a rich lather of luxury to your bathroom, kitchen, or cloakroom.

November will mark the second anniversary of Caroline’s business, Virginia’s Artisan Soap. The businesswoman’s unique products are now stocked by Fortnum & Mason and this month, Caroline will also launch a range of candles in matching fragrances, too.

“I’m originally from Ely, but travelled quite a bit as my father was in the forces.” says Caroline. “I’ve lived in Italy and Amsterdam - all over - but settled in the area in 2007.”

Caroline’s career has seen her working in the high-end fashion sector, working in sales, marketing and PR for brands like Pringle, Kenzo and Cashmere Studio. After a career in fashion, Caroline joined a firm of venture capitalists and later worked as a freelance business consultant before deciding that she’d like to once again exercise her sense of creativity.

there was a gap in the market for artisan cosmetics and scented goods too. With some experience of herbal medicine, Caroline already had an understanding of how she could harness the power of aromatherapeutic herbs & essential oils.

In November 2012 she created the first product in her range, which now comprises seven soaps priced at around £5 each, plus a new range of scented candles at around £18 each, as well as a range of scented cushions which utilise spare from the soap-making process. Caroline now makes more than 1,000 soaps each year, supplying to local farm shops and stately homes.

“Having used to soaps we’re impressed with their rich lather and nice, old-fashioned feel...”

Having always enjoyed growing herbs in her garden, Caroline decided that a range of herbal marinades and syrups for use in cooking would make a nice artisan product that would create a cottage industry to fit around her two children and dogs.

It was at this point she realised that whilst artisan food and drink is more common,

Artisan was the original soap; it has now become a signature blend, with neroli, sandalwood and citrus.

Designed to emulate 19th century household products it’s a luxurious, pungent product wrapped in Italian Tassotti paper.

Top: Caroline’s soaps’ nomenclature are based on her middle name and the intended purpose of each one.

Above: The products lather up beautifully!

Opposite: Caroline this month launches a range of matching candles.

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- local crafts -

Unlike some artisan soap makers, who create their product in big blocks and use cheese wire to trim each one, Caroline’s are produced individually in bespoke moulds.

The soaps’ base includes hard oils - for instance, coconut oil - and soft oils like olive oil. These are prepared in separate pans and heated before adding the lye, which saponifies the oils in a chemical reaction which causes them to separate into both sodium versionse and glycerol.

The result is a slightly alkaline product which provides the soaps’ ability to clean, without the use of ingredients in mainstream products like sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS; a synthetic cleaning agent which can irritate the skin and cause dryness), or parabens, which are added to inhibit bacterial growth.

“Unlike some artisan soap makers, Caroline’s soaps are produced in individual moulds...”

Essential oils and herb extracts are added to each soap to give them their characteristic scents and ensure each suits its purpose.

The names of each of Caroline’s soaps allude to their intended purpose; Bathtub is more feminine; nice for a long, luxurious soak. Butler is intended for gents, and has a masculine scent of sandalwood and ginger.

Bootroom has juniper for antiseptic properties; ideal when you return home from walking the dog or tending to horses.

Potting Shed contains pumice to act as an exfoliant for gardeners’ hands, with rosemary to heal them, too.

Governess, meanwhile, is suited to children with its delicate orange and vanilla fragrance. “There’s a real sense of satisfaction when I pour the soaps into their pre-heated moulds. After they’re hardened a little, I put cling film over the top to prevent ashing.”

Having used the soaps ourselves we’re impressed with the richness of the lather, and nice, old-fashioned feel of the products.

“I’m really glad the soaps are so popular.” says Caroline. “We’ve been getting some great feedback and repeat orders which I hope shows people really can get into a lather about the area’s own artisan soaps!”

For more information or to purchase Caroline’s range of artisan soaps, see www.virginiasartisansoap.co.uk.

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- motors -

A Winning

Formula

If proof were ever needed that the British can still manufacture the world’s best sports cars, look no further than McLaren’s new 650S, which is on sale this month Words: Rob Davis

McLaren is one of the world’s Formula One champions, and since 1989, have built a name on the racetrack with British-engineered cars. The company has an annual turnover of around £285,000,000 and employs 1,500 people, mostly at its Woking headquarters.

In a brave move for the company, McLaren began trying to make the transition from racetrack to forecourt, back in 1992, with the production of the McLaren F1 car, which was in production until 1998.

Since then, it has also partnered with Mercedes to license its expertise for their AMG cars, and it has launched the 12C car and special edition P1 car. Now though, it’s back with a new model, the 650S - essentially a replacement for the 12C - which will be on sale from next month in coupé or convertible (Spider) form, with prices starting from around £200,000.

Right from the start, it’s obvious that the 650S will not prove a replacement for your seven seater off-roader. It’s not a car to do the weekly shopping, it’s not a car for the school run... and it’s perhaps not the car to choose for our part of the country, if you happen to live down a bumpy farm track. Nonetheless, it may appeal if you’re looking for a special ‘something for the weekend’ motor which will blast happily up the motorway towards London, and provide thrills on the area’s better roads.

The 650S certainly looks fast, but with 60mph approaching in three seconds and a track-day top speed of 207mph, the car’s performance belies even its aggressive looks; carbon-fibre front air intakes, glaring headlights and monstrous rear exhaust pipes.

The car’s engine is just 3.8 litres, displaced over eight cylinders. That’s modest compared to the 5.0V8 or 6.0V12 engines put to task

by Mercedes, Bentley or Aston Martin.

Honed on the Race Track: The £200,000 McLaren 650S is a car designed to showcase the very best of British engineering excellence. It won’t be a volume seller, but it’ll certainly make a noise thanks to its 3.8V8 engine and potential 207mph top speed.

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- motors -

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“The Germans can make cars go fast, but it takes a team of British engineers to make one that’s beautiful, too.”

In fact, much of the car’s performance is down to its featherweight construction.

It weighs just 1,300kg - which is less than most models in Ford’s Focus range - and is created in light but strong carbon fibre and aluminium. It’ll even do 25mpg.

It’s also very slippery, with aerodynamics honed in the company’s specially constructed 147m wind tunnel with its four metre fan and 400 tonnes of steel, based at the company’s £300m Bond villain’s lair-like headquarters. Active aerodynamics means the car actually alters its shape on the move and it has an airbrake and ceramic brakes to improve stopping force.

Whilst the Germans and Japanese can both make cars that go fast, it takes a team of British engineers to make one that’s beautiful, too. The 650S is hand-crafted, hand-built and engineered to the Nth degree. It’s not just fast, like a stodgy US muscle car, it’s civilised too, with an Alcantara interior and automatic gearbox. Even the ride is fairly tolerable over uneven surfaces.

If you’re looking for utilitarian school-run transport, look elsewhere. But if you’re looking to drive the product of true, obsessive, beautiful British engineering, McLaren’s new offering is both state of the art, and a work of art, too.

Left: The car’s 1,300kg weight allows it to achieve 25mpg - not too bad... for a supercar!

Above: There’s an iPad-style touch screen to consolidate controls, and suede seats.

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- lIfestyle -

Come Fly

With Me

Drift away and enjoy some spectacular sights with this once-in-a-lifetime experience. We enjoyed the serenity and stillness of a hot air balloon flight around 2,500 feet above the county, with pilot rebecca cains Words & Photos: Rob Davis Balloon Pilot Rebecca Cains is by no means full of hot air when she says that taking one of her flights is something everyone deserves to experience at least once in their lives.

“Everyone should fly.” she says adamantly.

“And flying by balloon is the gentlest, most serene way to travel. It’s tranquil, so unique.”

She’s quite right. In the name of magazine journalism I’ve completed skydives, glider trips, microlight and helicopter rides, and none of the above have offered quite the serenity that a balloon ride offers.

Each of the above offer stunning views, but with no windows, no engine noise and just the occasional rumble from the burners, ballooning is a surreal experience in terms of its calmness and silence.

“I’ve got the best job in the world really.” says Rebecca. “I get to introduce people who have never flown by balloon before to an experience that many describe as a dream come true. Often they’re celebrating birthdays, anniversaries or wanting to cross off one of their bucket list experiences.”

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to be down here wishing we were up there, rather than up there wishing we were down here!” says Rebecca, wisely.

On this occasion though, the weather behaved itself and at 6am the crew arrived with their balloon and began to set up, with a little help from its 16 passengers who are encouraged to join in the fun.

The balloon is a Cameron 375, measuring just shy of 100ft. With a capacity of 375,000 cubic feet of hot air, it’s the largest permissible balloon in the UK and has four LPG burners.

Top/Above: The balloon is laid out, then filled with cool air by two huge fans.

Above/Right: Our pilot Rebecca Cains was lovely!

Right: Rebecca filled the hot air balloon with 375,000 cubic foot of hot air.

To find out for ourselves what a trip in a hot air balloon was like, we met Rebecca at one of several sites in our area and took a flight ourselves.

“Flying at between 1,500-2,500ft the view is beautiful: a spectacular patchwork of fields!”

Rebecca and her crew, Chris Johnston and Steve Mohammed, are available seven days a week and aim to fly twice a day, at 6am and 6pm, subject to weather conditions.

The crew can’t fly in rain or wind over 10 knots. Sometimes flights are cancelled a couple of times before passengers are able to fly, with a final notification that the flight will take place given the night before. “It can sometimes lead to disappointment, but safety comes first and I always say it’s better 144

The crew lay the balloon’s envelope out and attach it to the basket, which is also, at that stage, on its side.

They use two huge 13hp fans to fill it with air - a process that takes around 15 minutes. Next, Rebecca fires up the burners and blasts hot air into the balloon for the final part of its erection, and five minutes or so later, it’s ready to fly, grounded only because it’s tethered to the crew’s Land Rover.

Passengers climb aboard and remain seated for a take-off that’s so smooth and gentle that it comes as quite a surprise when you stand up and see the landscape gently blossom beneath you. Flying at around 1,500-2,500ft - well below the height of commercial aeroplanes - the view is astonishing; a spectacular patchwork of golden brown and

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- lIfestyle -

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- LIFESTYLE -

An hour long flight gave me ample opportunity to talk to fellow passengers, and it’s amazing how quickly a rapport develops.

Daredevil pensioner and fellow passenger Maureen Broad is in her mid-70s, and has previously embarked upon paragliding, parasailing, and boogie-board riding as part of a desire to fulfil her own bucket list. Anyone from eight years of age upwards can fly, and Rebecca’s oldest passenger was a spritely 96 years old age!

Drifting anything from a couple of miles to 20 miles on a flight, there’s no way to steer the balloon as such, but by using the burners to fly at different heights, Rebecca can navigate to a certain degree, by listing into different winds.

Our flight was actually half an hour longer than we expected, with the breeze we needed to navigate into a field that was unharvested and free from livestock dissipating. The Land Rover and a minibus, meet the balloon where it lands and returns passengers to the take-off site.

“How do the crew know where to find us?

Do they use GPS?” I asked Rebecca. “Yes.” she replied. “Also, if they can look up in the sky they’ll see a bright red 100ft balloon coming in to land!” We all giggled at the Editor’s silly question, and began our descent, passing around each other’s cameras to ensure everyone had a record of their flight.

“It’s the best way to cure nervous fliers; peaceful, enjoyable and gentle... especially the landing!” lush green fields with tiny roads, buildings and farms below, like a model village.

Rebecca fires up the burner from time to time, filling the basket with a really cosy warmth on cooler trips. The temperature was definitely not something we needed to worry about during our flight though. Bright sunshine provided us with balmy flying conditions whilst a lack of breeze created an eerily quiet flight.

Main: The Land Rover followed the balloon and took us back to the launch site.

Above: Pride’s Editor Rob Davis... at 2,000ft!

Left: The countryside soon becomes a pretty patchwork of gold and green.

I would, perhaps, opt to wear a hat next time, though, as my increasingly receding hairline did feel the heat from both the burners and the July heatwave’s sunshine.

Alighting in a farmer’s field - having first obtained consent - all of the passengers were overwhelmed and delighted by the tranquility of the flight, the vast panoramic views and the gentle landing.

“It’s the best way to cure nervous fliers.

It’s so peaceful, so enjoyable, so serene.

Especially the landing.” says Rebecca.”

Returning to the launch site, Rebecca’s passengers all received certificates of their experience and the crew opened a coolbox full of champagne. We toasted the trip, our crew, and the various anniversaries and birthdays the passengers were celebrating, but most of all, an incredible experience courtesy of an equally incredible pilot!

We flew with Virgin Balloon Flights, prices from £102 (weekday mornings) to £179 (with a choice of day and launch sites). Rebecca flies from Houghton Crossing near Market Harborough, and Stanford Hall, Lutterworth,Sywell Aerodrome near Kettering and the East of England Showground on Oundle Road near Peterborough. For more information call 01952 212750 or see www.virginballoonflights.co.uk.

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What’s On Your September will be full of theatrical delight with musical theatre, festivals, comedy and charity runs across Harborough, Corby, Kettering and Oundle...

BIG CHRIS BARBER BAND Europe’s Finest Traditional Jazz & Blues Band, this band stand out as one of the finest of its kind anywhere in the world.

The Big Chris Barber Band features everything from New Orleans to blues to late 20’s Ellington, played with extraordinary panache and skill. You can count on an exciting evening of high quality jazz and blues. Saturday 13th September, £19.50. www.lighthousetheatre.co.uk 01536 414141

BILLY ELLIOT

Top: Billy Elliot will be broadcast live from the Victoria Palace Theatre in London’s West End at The Core in Corby.

Above: Take part in the Walk Ten at Boughton House in Northamptonshire to help raise money for Marie Curie.

Top/Right: Aida is a timeless love story by Sir Elton John and Tim Rice, which is being shown at The Masque Theatre.

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Broadcast live from the Victoria Palace Theatre in London’s West End - Billy Elliot is based on the Oscar nominated film, and has been dazzling London's West End since 2005. Set in a northern mining town against the backdrop of the 1984-85 miners’ strike, it is the inspirational story of a young boy's struggle against the odds to

make his dream come true. Follow Billy’s journey as he stumbles out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class, where he discovers a passion for dance that inspires his family and the whole community, and changes his life forever. With sensational dance and a powerful storyline, this is an astonishing and unforgettable theatre experience. Sunday 28th September, £13. www.thecorecorby.com 01536 470472

AIDA A timeless love story retold by Sir Elton John and Tim Rice, following the trail of true love in ancient Egypt, between Aida and Radames from their chance encounter, to their ultimate ends - mixed with a Princess scorned and a plot to overthrow the Pharaoh. Showing from Wednesday 3rd to Saturday 6th September, £12. www.masquekettering.co.uk 01536 414141

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WALK TEN

THINK FLOYD

Join the twilight 10k walk at Boughton House in Northamptonshire on 13th September to help raise money to support the work of Marie Curie Nurses. Have exclusive access to the Grade I listed Estate of Boughton House, which is home to the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch and Queensbury. Take part in the walk and admire the magnificent woodlands, grand avenues and beautiful landscaped gardens.

Marvel at ‘Orpheus’ and the restored lake as the sun sets over this stunning estate. There will be a fireworks display at 10pm - this is when many nurses begin their night shift, providing care and support to people with terminal illnesses and their families in their own homes. Walk Ten at Boughton House is a charity event to raise money to care for people with terminal illnesses and provide support for their families. Dogs are also welcome. www.mariecurie.org.uk

This extraordinary show, dubbed The Definitive Pink Floyd Experience, is renowned for its stunning celebration of one of the world’s greatest musical phenomena.

In their 20th year, Think Floyd have managed to faithfully recreate all the atmosphere, visual magnitude and musical excellence of Pink Floyd live on stage. So it’s no wonder they have long been regarded as the UK’s finest tribute to Pink Floyd.

The brand new Think Floyd production for 2014 features the whole range of classic Pink Floyd from early Syd Barrett, through Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here to The Division Bell. Complete with an impressive laser light show, this is a must-see for all Pink Floyd fans! At The Key Theatre in Peterborough on Sunday 14th September at 7.30pm. Tickets are £19.

Top: The Big Chris Barber Band at The Lighthouse Theatre.

Above: Think Floyd who are performing at The Key Theatre this September.

www.vivacity-peterborough.com 01733 207239

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- wHAT’S On -

Blooming Fantastic!

Throughout September, take part in Kelmarsh Hall’s Dahlia Month, a special event recognising the role of the beautiful flower in the gardens of the estate

A colourful, vibrant celebration of all things dahlia will take place at Kelmarsh Hall in Northamptonshire this September, in the first event of its kind.

Dahlia Month will see every Sunday in September have a special theme in recognition of the collection of dahlias on display in Kelmarsh Hall’s historic kitchen garden. Along with workshops, storytelling, talks and competitions, Dahlia Month will also celebrate the heritage of these flowers, which originate from South America, so there are also plans for salsa dancing and music.

“This is the first time we have done something like this and we’re hoping it will be the start of a celebration that will take place every year.” continued Fiona.

“Kelmarsh Hall has an extensive collection of dahlias and Dahlia Month is a special event.”

Aimed at enthusiastic gardeners who are just starting out in dahlia growing as well as more experienced growers, the emphasis will be on having fun while discovering more about these wonderful flowers.

Kelmarsh Hall extensive collection of dahlias includes some of the more unusual varieties. The collection is magnificently displayed in a striking double border and this year 20 new varieties have been added.

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Local gardener Fiona Alexander said “Our dahlias are always a delight in late summer and so we decided that we needed to celebrate them and make enthusiasts aware of Kelmarsh as a dahlia venue. Dahlia Month is a fantastic way for us to achieve this at Kelmarsh.”

Dahlia Month will take place on the four Sundays through September (the 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th.)

There will be a single entry fee to the hall, gardens and all the events.

Entry is £7.50 for adults, £4.50 for concessions and free entry for under 5s.

You can find more information on Kelmarsh Hall and Gardens’ website: www.kelmarsh.com.

Kelmarsh Hall and Gardens is located on the Northamptonshire and Leicestershire border, close to Market Harborough.

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The ULTIMATE Combat Gaming Experience Airsoft is a military simulation game similar to paintball. It costs a lot less to play, it hurts less and uses realistic looking replica weapons.

Two unique sites and different styles of gaming.

Fight in and around buildings or in the woods and undergrowth.

The games run with two teams, each are given objectives which they have to try and achieve.

Competitive Prices Private, corporate and open days catered for.

01733 247171 www.urbanassault.org.uk www.freefirezone.co.uk Designed by email: games@urbanassault.org.uk Airsoft Shop www.fire-support.co.uk

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- HISTORY -

School’s Out For Summer An instantly recognisable local landmark, Market Harborough’s Grade I listed Old Grammar School dates back to 1614, built through the generosity of a poor native. The landmark, situated on the town’s High Street, has enjoyed a £400,000 restoration thanks to a local charity, due to be completed next month.

Words: Ceri Jackson.

Market Harborough’s Old Grammar School is considered by many to be the town’s most iconic building. Constructed in the early 17th century and set on distinctive wooden ‘legs,’ the Grade I listed building is used as a community meeting place and is an instantly recognisable local landmark.

The school has a strong sense of history, built in 1614 through the generosity of Robert Smyth, a poor native of Market Harborough who eventually became Comptroller of the Lord Mayor’s Court in the City of London.

As part of Smyth’s specification, the school was built on wooden stilts so that the butter market could take place on the street underneath. A plaque on the building states that the stilts were there “to keepe the markett people drye in tyme of foule wether”. People are known to use its shelter for small craft markets and charity stalls today.

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that was short lived. The 1836 opening of the National School was the final blow and the following year, the school had just four pupils.

“Renovating an important building has been challenging and exciting. Unveiled in October, the Old Grammar School will be returned to its former glory.”

Top: Seven local primary schools created slates for the roof, forming a ‘time capsule’ that could last for a century, creating a legacy for the town.

Above: Mark Brown of WW Brown and Sons being interviewed about the £400,000 restoration project by a local radio station.

Opposite: Concrete render has been replaced with breathable lime mortar, and the roof reslated with Welsh slates.

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15 poor students and for the upkeep of the school building.

The school originally taught Latin, Greek and Hebrew, with many students going to study at Cambridge and Oxford Universities.

Little is known about the school’s daily running, however in 1755, Robert Dexter of Desborough recalled 83 boys were at the school but throughout the 17th and 18th century, these numbers started to decline.

The school tried to increase numbers by opening up to all denominations during the 1820s, achieving a relatively minor increase

The school closed, and during the 1860s the local vicar and churchwardens began to negotiate the original foundation of the Grammar School to be connected with a private school. After a public debate, a new scheme for running the school was set up by the Charity Commission and a major renovation of the building carried out.

The school became fee-paying, and the three best students were awarded scholarships.

This restoration offered a new lease of life, that was until 1909 when the Market Harborough County Grammar School, now known as the Robert Smyth Academy, was opened. Francis Hammond moved to become headmaster and the remaining funds were used to provide free scholarships to the county grammar school, with all pupils from the old school being transferred.

If we fast forward to the 21st Century - the Old Grammar School is now owned by The Market Harborough & The Bowdens

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Charity who took over the school in 2004.

The charity was concerned that the much loved building was slowly falling into disrepair, and had remained largely untouched since its Victorian renovation 150 years earlier. The charity was determined to return the building to its former glory, and commissioned one of the longest established builders WW Brown and Sons in the area to carry out the renovation. The £400,000 project, which is being funded by the charity and by public donations, began in March and is due to conclude in autumn this year.

The renovation by WW Brown includes removing concrete render which was added in the 1860s and replacing it with breathable lime mortar. The original oak window frames are being reformed and reglazed to resemble their original form. The Victorian glass has been removed, and works to the bell turret include re-hanging the bronze bell which was made in 1808.

The roof is being re-slated with new Welsh slates. The roof has eight parts and there are seven primary schools in the area - so they all took part in creating their own personalised slates, leaving one for the charity.

The idea is that the children’s artwork will form a time capsule that could last for a century, creating a legacy for the town.

“Renovating such an important building has been challenging and exciting. There have been some issues along the way, but we have managed to keep to our timescale. I know many people in the town are excited to see the sheeting removed and the restored exterior revealed. We are confident that the building will have been sympathetically and carefully restored.” says Jim Jacobs from the charity.

The renovations to the exterior of the building will be unveiled in October.

Behind the Scenes Project manager Mark Brown of WW Brown & Sons explains some of the renovation work that is going on behind the plastic sheeting that is covering the building’s exterior.

“Despite what many people think, the building originally looked a little different. The timber cladding above the legs which gives the exterior its traditional Tudor appearance didn’t exist when the school was built.

In fact, it was a completely rendered building.

Whilst the works are in keeping with the original building, it was decided to keep and renovate the oak cladding as it is such an attractive and recognisable feature of the building’s exterior. The new oak woodwork will be long lasting and more resistant to a variety of weather conditions.

The concrete render will be removed and replaced with breathable lime mortar, and the oak window frames reformed and reglazed. The roof is also being reslated and the Victorian glass replaced with new glass including triangular lead lights.”

For more information about the project, please see www.mhbcharity.co.uk.

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- nATURE -

Bird of the Month: The Common Swift prefers to be ‘on the wing,’ often landing only to nest.

In fact its scientific name ‘Apus Apus’ means ‘no feet!’ It doesn’t need any as it feeds, mates and even sleeps in flight. The final Swifts will leave the UK early this month.

On The Wing in

September Introducing our new nature writer Richard Owens. Find out what you can enjoy in terms of flora and fauna throughout September...

This month heralds the movement of our migrant birds, the most noticeable being the Swallows, Swifts and Martins, whom we marvel over throughout the summer with their aerial antics. Indeed, you may have been fortunate enough to have them nesting in your garage, or under the eaves of your house.

However as days get shorter and their favoured diet of insects becomes scarcer, September sees a steady migration towards the coast before a final push towards southern countries, a journey also made by other summer visitors including the Blackcap, although some now overwinter in the UK. Out in the woodlands, you may notice the leaves of the Horse Chestnut starting to ‘brown off ’ and then shed before most other species. Fungal activity should be increasing, with the Stinkhorn Fungus being particularly prominent this month.

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There’s certainly no need to look for this one... you will probably smell it first!

Elsewhere, many animals will be thinking of the long winter ahead and will be building up their fat reserves, particularly in the case of our hibernating mammals, Dormice, Hedgehogs and Bats, the latter occasionally venturing out on mild winter nights, a risky strategy if food is not available as valuable energy reserves are used up.

Other species such as Field Voles and even Jays will store nuts until required.

Out in the garden, it’s time to start filling those feeders again. Remember to feed a variety of foods, not only to cater for the birds, but also to attract a variety for you to look at. It’s a two way thing!

It’s also worth situating your feeders over some slabs so that the inevitable dropped seed can be easily swept up and either disposed of or reused, discouraging less desirable wildlife.

“Many animals will be building up fat reserves particularly hibernating mammals - anticipating the winter months...”

Amphibians, too, will also be gaining weight ready for hibernation, often under logs or in the case of the Frog occasionally at the bottom of the pond breathing through their skin using sub-cutaneous gas exchange.

Our summer flowers will be ending late September with any remaining Butterflies and Bees using flowering Ivy as a vital late nectar source, so avoid cutting any back for a few weeks if possible. Common Fleabane will also be in flower in September preferring a damp habitat.

September is also a great month to look up your local wildlife groups since many will this month start their winter programme of talks, enabling you to engage with like minded people and carry on enjoying the wonderful world of wildlife, even on those dark cold nights.

Richard is a local environmentalist keen to introduce both adults and children to nature.

His interests include bird-ringing for the RSPB.

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On The Farm in

September The late summer weather is being kind to farmers, and with low feed costs for animals, the consumer is set to benefit from the climate too!

The weather in late summer was reasonably warm and sunny and most crops continued to grow well, albeit a little slowly.

The weather was good for the Show as well as the ‘Cereals’ event which this year was being held south of Cambridge. With its proximity to the M11 there were considerable traffic hold ups. I am very pleased to hear that it is likely to return to the area on a previous site and, no doubt, all local farmers will be very pleased too.

Possibly the biggest challenge most heavy land farmers have met this year, is the vast increase in the dreaded blackgrass, which is now showing above the crops of wheat and will considerably reduce the yields, besides slowing the harvesting operation by the combine. This weed was previously held in check by chemical sprays but now has built

up a resistance to them. Many farmers will have to alter their rotations (to spring sown crops) and carefully consider their cultivation and spraying techniques over the next few years. Pea and Bean crops, which are nitrogen-fixing, will be in greater demand especially as recent Defra regulations have meant that these crops can be grown and included in ecological focus areas (EFA) which will aid their grant application.

kind weather in March and April. Lamb prices have consequently dipped with the good supply of grass. Pig prices have been maintained mainly in the extra export of pig meat to China and other Eastern countries.

Several large growers of potatoes were left with tonnage in store after the earlier arrival of the new potatoes and will probably have to send most of the remainder for animal feeding. With this years potato crop looking promising there could be an oversupply and consequent lower prices. It is to be hoped that large buyers like the processors and supermarkets are fair with their pricing for the 2014 crop.

This is where the soil had been consolidated and consequent poor growth ensued.

With many areas in fields showing yellow and poorer crops it is an ideal time to consider remedial drainage in these fields. On inspecting a series of pea fields I found several crops showing foot rot in various patches.

“The biggest challenge most farmers have met this year, is the vast increase in the dreaded blackgrass.”

Prices for beef cattle have been steadily declining, this no doubt being due to ample growth of grass during May and June.

Sheep lambing went well this year due to the

Now is a good time to inspect these patches and to consider remedial action during the drier late summer period.

Barry Poston is the area’s foremost farming expert with a long history working in both arable and livestock environments. During his career he has seen a great many changes in the industry!

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Crosswords CRYPTIC CROSSWORD Test your lateral thinking skills with this month’s Cryptic Crossword. Each puzzle has a set of perplexing clues to unravel, and as every lover of logic knows, the frustration is all part of the fun!

ACROSS 1. Quite vain, to be blunt (9) 6. Work in church and you may wear it (4) 8. Giant firm states no profit is taken (8) 9. WWII field marshal gains military medal in new role (6) 10. A tense assembly of university governors (6) 11. Thumbs up for it! (8) 12. Beat nervous tension (6) 15. A compulsory turnout (8) 16. Equestrian discipline is a habit that comes with time (8) 19. Decorate without a central point and it becomes gaudy (6) 21. Run caused by panic in the stock market? (8) 22. Judge gives fools direction (6) 24. Burning a mark on a horse (6) 25. Current keeping river very warm (8) 26. Tax it out of frivolity (4) 27. Blow makes market reel (5,4)

DOWN 1. Be under professional scrutiny (5) 2. One extremely behind schedule in divorce (7) 3. Head of state moves to centre, showing discrimination (5) 4. Trap seen, ran off ! (7) 5. Young lad subtracting initially, then multiplying (9) 6. Behave well — or have romp around in bed! (7) 7. Teardrops shed for hungry animals (9) 13. Go on board deck (9) 14. What the bank has to say of your account? (9) 17. Survey the whole lot with a girl (7) 18. Let care be arranged for tragic female (7) 20. A cross in Italy shows where a composer is buried (7) 22. Left in a unit entirely without support (5) 23. Said to have remained sober (5)

DOWN

1. University chair (13) 8. Opposed (4) 9. Clothes worn by members of a group (8) 10. Old style boxing match for money (10) 12. Negotiate (6) 14. Neat — fir (6) 15. Conflict — argument (10) 19. Revenge — quartile (anag) (8) 20. Swearword (4) 21. "You can argue till you're ____" (4,2,3,4)

2. Bypass round urban area (4,4) 3. German name (5) 4. Mildly intoxicated (7) 5. Due (5) 6. To score (anag) (7) 7,13. 1963 Lemmon and MacLaine film (4,2,5) 11. Verse where eg the first letters in each line form a word or message (8) 13. See 7 14. Unseen machination (7) 16. Rich cloth (5) 17 Parody — prank (5) 18 Raised mark on the skin caused eg by a whip (4)

CRYPTIC ANSWERS

QUICK ANSWERS

QUICK CROSSWORD

ACROSS

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