Rutland Pride Magazine November 2019

PRIDE

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RUTLAND

RUTLAND’S FINEST MAGAZINE

£4.50

Country Clothing in Rutland

Wrap up warm and enjoy Autumn in Rutland...

Happy Birthday to Rutland’s D-Day Hero

Former Desert Rat Wilf Hamit celebrates his 101st birthday...

Photographing the County at Night

Rutland Pride photographer Dean Fisher’s twilight shoot...

COVER IMAGE: JOCELYN LAWMAN.

READ

FREE ONLINE

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WELCOME

T

he bright sunshine of Burghley seems like a distant memory, but this month we’re delighted to bring you our exclusive images from 2019’s event, in which Pippa Funnell rode to victory of Grafton Street in a thoroughly satisfying event dominated by British riders.

Also in this edition we’re revealing the Face of Burghley for the 2020 Stamford event, as chosen by a panel of judges including myself and organiser Sam Wescott.

This month we’re also meeting former Rutland veteran and former Desert Rat, 101 year old Wilf Hamit, we’re exploring the work of Oakham’s ceramic artist Connie Taylor and we’re dropping in on the Cottesmore Pony Club to celebrate an impressive 90th anniversary.

Finally, a polite reminder to cast your vote in our Restaurant of the Year competition. In addition to giving your recognition to the county’s most committed chefs and venues, you could win free dining out throughout 2020 courtesy of our partner restaurants - see later in this edition.

Best wishes for a great month!

Executive Editor rob@pridemagazines.co.uk 3

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COnTenTS neWS & evenTS 06 44

NEWS Our roundup of news in

and around the county for November.

WHAT’S ON The best autumn events in Rutland & Stamford.

HIGHlIGHTS 18 28

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NIGHT VISION Pride’s photographer

Dean Fisher’s nocturnal study of Stamford, Rutland & Peterborough.

CERAMICS A spin around the potter’s

HOmeS & GARDenS 78

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WELCOME HOME A pretty barn conversion with Scandi chic.

THE BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE

Bespoke sofas and chairs with Delcor.

104 WREATH MAKING Beautiful bespoke decorations for the festive season.

lADIeS & GenTlemen 110

WEDDING Oakham Castle was the perfect backdrop for Bethan & Chris.

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wheel with local ceramicist Connie.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WILF Celebrating veteran Wilf’s recent 101st birthday.

125 FASHION Winter outfits to keep

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DINING OUT Enjoying November dining at Ufford’s White Hart.

THe HIGH lIFe

FOOD & DRInk 66

GOOD FOOD AWARDS 2019

Cast your vote in our 2019 competition and win free dining out in 2020.

you warm all season long!

137 COSMETICS Vert de Terre.

147 HIGH LIFE Cottesmore Pony Club

Anniversary & Burghley’s Horse Trials.

154 MOTORS Ferrari’s F8 Tributo.

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THE WEALTHIEST PEOPLE IN THE AREA READ PRIDE MAGAZINE

READ

FREE ONLINE

Pride Magazine is delivered free of charge, via Royal Mail, to high value homes in the county.

Our circulation is to properties in the top three council tax bands - homes which are predominantly worth over ÂŁ300,000. This guarantees the magazine has an affluent readership commensurate with our content. In addition the magazine is also sold in supermarkets and newsagents including Waitrose, Marks & Spencer, WHSmith, Tesco, Asda, Co-Op and Morrisons.

Our in-house distribution team also works hard to hand-deliver the magazine to selected hotels and restaurants, doctors, dentists, executive motor dealerships and golf clubs.

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

Our magazines also have more social media fans than any other local magazine, and we are available to read free of charge, online on your tablet, computer, laptop or mobile phone via our website and via the Readly and Issuu platforms.

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

This month’s cover artwork has been created by artist Jocelyn Lawman.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

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

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

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

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

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

THE PRIDE TEAM

Managing Director: Julian Wilkinson.

Production Director: Ian Bagley.

Sales Director: Zoie Wilkinson.

Sales Manager: Charlotte Aiken.

Executive Editor: Rob Davis.

Chief Photographer: Dean Fisher.

Resident Artist: Jocelyn Lawman.

Features: Laurin Dempsey, Carissa Smith.

Customer Care Manager: Mandy Bray.

Distribution: Joe Proctor.

Office Managers: Sue Bannister and Melissa Trestrail.

Sales Supervisor: Cydney Dyson.

Sales Executives: Cassy Ayton, Emily Brown, Jade Cox.

Tel: 01529 469977 Fax: 01529 469978

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

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NEWS & EVENTS

Dining Pub of the Year 2020 named

GOOD PUB GUIDE NAMES CLIPSHAM’S OLIVE BRANCH ITS 2020 DINING PUB CLIPSHAM The Good Pub Guide 2020 has named The Olive Branch in Clipsham ‘leicestershire & Rutland Dining Pub of the Year’ for the fourth consecutive year.

The 2020 guide, which was published in September, praises The Olive Branch for its ‘delicious breakfasts,’ ‘carefully chosen drinks range,’ its ‘efficient and genuinely friendly service,’ and ‘exceptional food.’

Ben Jones, joint-proprietor, said: “It’s fantastic to win this award again. The whole team works hard day-in-day-out to deliver the perfect pub experience.”

“We love what we do and the excitement and joy of running a great pub has always been central to life here. That’s what inspired us when we bought the pub in 1999 and that’s what drives the team today.”

This year The Olive Branch celebrates its 20th birthday. Co-founders Ben Jones, Sean Hope and marcus Welford bought it, along with the help of friends, family and

Café Culture in Stamford with Scandimania opening UPPINGHAM CAFÉ COUPLE JOSH THIRLWELL AND JULIA FALK OPENS SECOND PREMISES IN STAMFORD

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villagers, for £140,000 in 1999 following its three-year closure. In 2005 they purchased Beech House, a private Georgian dwelling opposite The Olive Branch, and STAMFORD Come on in... the kettle’s on! That’s the message from local café owners Josh Thirlwell and Julia Falk of Scandimania. Having established their business in Uppingham in 2017, the two have now opened a second premises in Stamford.

Julia is from Sweden and studied nutritional health before working in restaurants then decided to open a café which promised to be a little different, offering both healthy and delicious food.

“We offer healthy Scandinavian light bites like mashed avocado on toast, smokes salmon, freshly

converted it into accommodation with six luxurious bedrooms.

Other Rutland pubs honoured include lyddington’s marquess of exeter, and the Finches Arms in Hambleton. n squeezed juices and a lot of vegan baking,” says Julia.

“We are probably most famous for our coffee and home-baked cinnamon buns.”

The High Street premises opened in place of the former Tinc store which closed in January.

The shop’s original date was put back slightly by a last-minute glitch with an iffy water heater, but when it did open, locals found that the best things come to those who wait and began tucking into fresh coffee, homemade cakes and cinnamon buns almost immediately. n

CHURCH FINALLY FREE OF MESSY MAMMALS

Big man Dan to be honoured by plaque in Stamford...

larger than life Daniel lambert will be honoured this month as SkDC has given permission for the Daniel lambert Society to erect a plaque honouring Britain’s heaviest man at 50 High Street St martins where he died in 1809. The plaque will be erected in november. n STAMFORD

BRAUNSTON Parishioners at Rutland’s oldest church, driven batty by the mess and smell left behind by bats in the belfry, have finally celebrated the creatures’ departure.

All Saints Church in Braunston blocked up certain holes in the fabric of the building has ensured that the bats - which are a protected species and can’t be removed were able to relocate to a less problematic roosting place around the church’s grounds.

The stench and mess left behind by the bats has plagued parishioners, being called ‘absolutely intolerable’ by mP Sir Alan Duncan.

Their departure from the 1,000 year old church was celebrated by a Beer & Bats night hosted by the church and local pub the Blue Bell.

Attended by 120 people, a talk on the creatures was hosted by the leicester and Rutland Wildlife Trust’s engagement officer Rose Riddell. n

Raised flag honours navy

MERCHANT NAVY’S ICONIC RED FLAG HAS BEEN RAISED OUTSIDE LIBRARY TO MARK MERCHANT NAVY DAY...

OAKHAM The British merchant navy’s iconic red flag has been raised outside Oakham library to mark merchant navy Day 2019. merchant navy Day is celebrated throughout the Uk on 3rd September each year – the day that marked the start of the Second World in 1939 and which saw the first British maritime casualty of the conflict.

Rutland is one of more than 1,000 local areas listed on a ‘Roll of Honour’ as proud participants in merchant navy Day and joined local councils around the Uk in flying the merchant navy’s Red ensign or ‘Red Duster.’ Rutland’s merchant navy flag was raised

by Captain Robert Strick. n

50 Years for Jeff

Bats in the Belfry

Oakham auctiOneer Jeff Dale is celebrating 50 years in the business. The Uppingham-born 68-year-old left school at the age of 18 and in 1983, he and wife margaret set up Oakham Auction Centre in Pillings Road. During his time, Jeff has sold more than 2m lots and has never missed a sale. n

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LOCAL

NEWS In Brief RUTLAND

BUSINESS LEADER GRANTS Two Rutland businesses have modernised and expanded their operations after they received £52,700 of grants from the leader programme.

Simmons Optometrists in Burley road, Oakham, received £40,100 towards a building extension that created more private consultation areas for customers and more modern displays units for the store.

Practice director James Alexander says the improvements funded by the grant has allowed the business to extend it premises and improve its customer care. meanwhile ceramic artist katherine Staples of Whissendine has finished a studio with industrial kilns thanks to a £12,600 grant.

With her children starting school, she is getting back to producing large scale pieces. n

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NEWS & EVENTS

Charity stars in The Dog House...

WOOD GREEN STEALS NATION’S HEART IN CHANNEL 4 SERIES ‘THE DOG HOUSE’ STAMFORD AND RUTLAND

Wood Green, The Animals Charity in Cambridgeshire has hit the small screen as the location of a primetime television show. Set at one of the largest rehoming centres in europe, ‘The Dog House’ followed as homeless dogs were matched with hopeful new owners by Wood Green’s team of expert handlers and advisors.

It was an amazing opportunity for Wood Green to share their story with the nation. Whilst the programme focusses on the incredible bond between people and their pets, it’s merely a glimpse into the charity’s work. Behind the scenes, all dogs are treated for any medical or behavioural needs.

The team assesses both the dogs and rehomers to find a match based on personality, lifestyle and much more.

LOCAL NEWS In Brief

rutland gOlfer enJOYs fish fOr ‘tee’ after it rains trOut On the fairwaY...

“Fore!” is the traditional shout on the golf course to warn others of low-flying golf balls. No such warning exists though, for raining fish.

Golfer Tony Wright was perfecting his swing when a 2lb trout fell on him, dropped from a red kite’s mouth at Rutland Water Golf Course. n

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Wood Green rehomes thousands of dogs, cats and small animals each year whilst supporting thousands of people through a free pet advice service.

Anyone looking to rehome a pet is advised to visit the Wood Green website. Whilst there are a limited number of pets available, the charity provides expert advice to

Sky’s the limit for photos...

STAMFORD AND RUTLAND PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY’S RECENT COMPETITION SAW THE GROUP CAPTURING SKIES

guide pet owners through every step of their journey. n To support this worthy organisation, visit www.woodgreen.org.uk To watch ‘The Dog House,’ see Channel 4; www.channel4.com.

STAMFORD AND RUTLAND The sky was the limit for the Stamford and Rutland Photographic Society recently as the group’s competition set the challenge of capturing a beautiful sky.

Andy Hunting was first in the individual competition class with his sunset and sunrise images, veronica Watson was first in the group, and second in the individual competition, with photographs of Iceland’s northern lights, Gordon Brown took third place in the individual competition with his english coastline image. n New member are welcome, the group meets at Casterton Village Hall, see www.stamford-photosoc.org.uk.

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Bitchfield, South lincolnShire Guide Price £800,000

With lovely rural views over the surrounding countryside, Mount Farm is an attractive period home dating back some 200 years and built of attractive local stone. Previously a dairy farm, the house retains its historic character, from the lovely stone façade to the charming details that feature throughout the interior such as exposed original beams and open fireplaces. Along with excellent reception space, the house has an extremely light and airy kitchen breakfast room that forms the natural centre for day-to-day life. The property has extensive outbuildings which include a stone built annex which has been used most recently as a home office, three bay car port, three stables and a store. The current owners have also converted one of the barns to an open fronted garden room. Mount Farm is set in gardens of approximately one acre which have been carefully landscaped to create unique areas to relax and enjoy the surrounding countryside. In addition to this there is a fenced paddock of approximately Five acres. With its quiet rural location, and private setting in mature gardens, Mount Farm is a practical and welcoming family home.

tel: +44(0)1780 750200 email: stamford@fineandcounty.com

tel: +44( 0)1572 335145 email: rutland@fineandcounty.com

fineandcountry.com

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SIMILAR PROPERTIES URGENTLY REQUIRED FOR WAITING BUYERS eaSton on the hill, nr. Stamford Guide Price £1,350,000

SOLD 225 offices across Great Britain Plus 75 offices globally

Set in an elevated position, backing on to open countryside with stunning views over Stamford, Hidcote House is an amazing contemporary family home finished to the highest standard, set in the desirable village of Easton on the Hill. The current owners have vastly improved the property thoughout but most notable is the impressive 48 ft kitchen/family room which has been designed by a local firm NGI Design who have created a real centre piece to the home, where a family can enjoy all aspects of day to day living. The remainder of the accommodation is spread over three floors and includes a sitting room, gym/games room/snug, utility and cloakroom, master bedroom suite with en suite shower room and dressing room, four further double bedrooms, Jacuzzi, sauna, shower room family bathroom.

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BARN OWL HOUSE, MANTON

A stone, barn conversion with flexible living accommodation, sitting within approximately six-acres of its own land with phenomenal views over Rutland Water and beyond.

GUIDE PRICE £1,500,000

• Kitchen Breakfast Room

• Phenomenal Views Over Rutland Water

• Two Reception Rooms • Ample Parking & Garaging • Utility & Boot Room • Sitting in 6 Acres Approx • Downstairs WC • EPC - E • Four En-suite Bedrooms

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facebook.com/struttandparker twitter.com/struttandparker

struttandparker.com

South Wing, Glendon Hall, Glendon, Northamptonshire Guide Price £995,000

The principal part of Glendon Hall, Listed Grade II* with elegant original features, private gardens and grounds and far reaching southerly views.

BREAKFAST KITCHEN | DRAWING ROOM | DINING ROOM ANTEROOM | STUDY | UTILITY | CLOAKROOM | CELLAR PRINCIPAL BEDROOM WITH EN SUITE BATHROOM & SEPARATE WC 4 FURTHER BEDROOMS | 2 BATHROOMS

Edward Brassey 01858 433 123

MUSIC ROOM | CRAFT ROOM | GREENHOUSE

Edward.brassey@struttandparker.com

GARDENS AND GROUNDS | IN ALL ABOUT 1 ACRE

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NEW

Langham

NEW

Prices from £850,000

A brand new, exclusive, gated development of three executive, detached, contemporary homes currently under construction in the popular Rutland village of Langham, one mile away from the county town of Oakham. The three properties on the development will be finished to a very high standard and offer spacious, well- proportioned and energy-efficient family accommodation in a pleasant village setting. Energy Rating: TBC.

NEW

Laxton

£675,000

A beautiful large, detached period property with south-facing garden situated close to town centre. The property is built of local stone under slate roof and offers spacious and well laid out accommodation sympathetically refurbished to a high standard throughout whilst retaining much of its period charm. 3 Rec. Rooms, Study, bespoke Kitchen/Diner, Utility, Clkrm, 5 Bedrooms, 3 of them with en-suite facilities; Garage, parking. Energy Rating: E.

NEW

£595,000

Stunning stone-built detached character cottage occupying exceptionally large grounds with potential to provide a separate building plot, STPP, whilst enjoying views over the adjacent Laxton parkland. The property has a valid Planning Permission for an extension to provide an additional bedroom and garage. 2 Rec. Rooms, Kitchen/Diner, Utility, 3 dbl Bedrooms, Shower Room, Bathroom; delightful Gardens. Energy Rating: F.

NEW

Wardley

Uppingham

Gretton

Prices from £525,000

Welland Heights is a new gated development of just five substantial detached dwellings sitting in an elevated position adjacent to the Gretton Conservation Area and enjoys views over the Welland Valley and surrounding countryside. The properties on the development have been thoughtfully designed to offer spacious family accommodation and are being constructed to a demanding specification by a long established local building firm. Energy Rating: TBC.

NEW

£495,000

A beautifully maintained picture-postcard Grade II listed thatched cottage set on a large plot enjoying delightful views of the village church and adjoining paddock land. 2 Rec. Rooms, open-plan Kitchen/Diner, Utility, Cloakroom, 3 Large Double Bedrooms, Bathroom; gorgeous Gardens, Garage, ample parking. EPC Exempt.

Ketton

£489,000

Attractive individually designed stone-built detached single-storey property featuring high quality fittings throughout and offering spacious beautifully appointed character accommodation in a sought-after village close to Stamford. Sitting Room, Kitchen/Diner, Study, 3 Double Bedrooms, 3 Bath/Shower Rooms; single Garage, parking. Energy Rating: TBC.

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The George of Stamford’s presence is still acknowledged by a sign over High Street St Martin’s, which takes the form of gallows.

At the peak of its coaching inn role, in the C18th, the hotel would see over 40 coaches as day pass through the town. It’s thought that the presence of gallows would deter would-be highwaymen like Dick Turpin, and Tom King, who menaced travellers and declared ‘your money or your life!’ At that time, travelling from York to London took no fewer than four days. The fare was 25 shillings, and travellers were permitted 14.5lbs of baggage!

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S TA M F O R D

&

R U T L A N D

B Y

N I G H T

NIGHT THINGS THAT GO ‘CLICK’ IN THE

Take another look at the area’s most photographed scenes at twilight and you’ll see our otherwise most familiar landmarks in a whole different light. We cast our photographer, Dean Fisher into the night with a camera, tripod - and flask of strong coffee - to conduct a nocturnal study of the area...

Images: Dean Fisher. Images: Pride’s Chief Photographer Dean Fishers.

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Being a photographer for this magazine necessitates being somewhat hardy. Neither rain nor thunder and lightning deters us from capturing images like Normanton Church in an epic thunderstorm in late August.

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Oakham Castle’s gateway was rebuilt in the 17th century by George Villiers, who was Lord of the Manor of Oakham at the time. The gates are a later addition, added in the Victorian era.

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Our photographer Dean Fisher captured this images of Oakham Market Place at twilight. The town’s All Saints Church is beautifully illuminated and we love the shimmer of light from the old Post Office.

Peterborough’s Guildhall in Cathedral Square was built in 1669 by John Lovin and was used as the city’s town hall until 1933. Restored in 1929, it carries a Grade II* listing. Adjacent is St John the Baptist Church, built in 1402.

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Red Lion Square was the subject of rather a lot of controversy earlier in 2019 with plans to replace the cobbles - Yorkshire Setts - with a modern conventional surface (like tarmac).

Light trails indicate the volume of traffic on the A1 at Stamford even at night. The A1 is located roughly on the site of the Roman Great North Road. It’s 410 miles long in total, 73 miles from Cambridgeshire to Nottinghamshire.

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Another view of Peterborough, showing the Cathedral and Peterborough Guild Hall in the foreground.

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Truly Independent Financial Planning • Efficient Portfolio’s Charlie Reading • Author of The Dream Retirement

Why Financial Advice Is Bad for You From ‘e Wolf of Wall Street’ right back to Shakespeare’s ‘Merchant of Venice’, those in finance have always been portrayed as money-grabbing fat-cats, skimming the cream off your hard-earned money and pushing you into products for their own personal gain.

B

UT IS THERE ANY TRUTH in these commission-hungry, salesdriven stereotypes? Well, frankly, yes!

Financial Advisers, and the service they provide, often get a bad name - and rightly so! e traditional model of financial advice saw products being thrust upon clients, which lined the pockets of the advisers more than meeting the needs of their clients.

and commitment is infectious. We want you to feel as passionately about your future as we do.

One way that we help people with this is through education. We understand that your finances can often feel like your enemy: they’re confusing, complicated and sometimes even chaotic! We all want future financial security and to lead a life full of everything we love, but where do you start? And what exactly do you need to know to get ahead?

Financial Advisers, especially those tied to just one company, rarely had your best interests at heart. How can they, when they are restricted to offering you a limited range of solutions?

Sadly, prehistoric financial advice hasn’t completely gone extinct. e high charges, limited service and lack of understanding that old-school financial advice often provides is still leaving people unprepared for the future.

Underhand sales tactics are still at play, where pressurised selling and cold calling are still evident. When was the last time another professional like an accountant, solicitor or doctor cold called you for business, or even worse approached you cold at your home?

Personally, I wouldn’t buy rubber gloves from my doorstep, and definitely not advice on my financial future! ankfully, into this landscape has come a new kid on the block, in the form of Financial Planning. Financial Planning has changed the face of advice and does things a little differently to others. Financial Planners, especially those who are independent, take the time to understand your unique goals and learn what matters most to you. ey don’t just look at what products will pay them the most - they look at what solutions and strategies from the whole of the market will best help you to achieve your goals.

At Efficient Portfolio, we pride ourselves on taking a revolutionary

Our free book, ‘Dream Retirement’ is a great starting point for anyone who wants to understand more about their finances and their opportunities. You can download a copy on www.efficientportfolio.co.uk.

“

n If, after reading the book, you would like some professional guidance, please contact us on hello@efficientportfolio.co.uk or 01572 898060.

We’d be delighted to help.

Financial Planning has changed the face of advice and does things a little differently to others

”

stance when it comes to Financial Planning.

We don’t focus on products or pigeon-hole people into strategies, we talk about individuals and their needs, so that we can build unique planning that evolves and changes throughout a lifetime.

More importantly, we’re normal people!

Actually, I think we’re extraordinary, but what I mean is that we communicate on your level and explain Financial Planning in terms you can understand.

We love what we do, and our enthusiasm

Charlie Reading created Efficient Portfolio to offer entirely independent financial advice and helping people clarify and realise their dreams and goals through financial planning.

Call 01572 898060, see www.efficientportfolio.co.uk or visit Portfolian House, 30 Melton Road, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6AY

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THE RUTLAND POTTER

AT THe POTTeR’S WHeel

For Oakham ceramicist Connie Taylor, the gentle hum of a potter’s wheel is the best form of meditation, and for visitors to this month’s exhibition of her work in the town’s Victoria Hall, it’s a great opportunity to find some beautiful, locally made gifts…

Words: Rob Davis. Images: Pride’s Chief Photographer, Dean Fisher.

This will be Connie’s fifth exhibition at victoria Hall when she takes over the hall’s ground floor space from 30th October to 6th november.

lIFe IS TOO FAST OF PACe. Too frenetic.

Too mass-produced and homogenous.

Though it would be foolhardy to suggest there exists a panacea for our busy lives, the closest thing that Oakham’s Connie Taylor can advocate is a spin on the potter’s wheel.

Using clay forces an artist to slow down, as the medium is rather stubborn about such things as the speed it will allow itself to be worked. There’s something about its ‘won’t be rushed’ nature which forces a sense of discipline and consideration when an artist works with it. And of course, the wet, cool, squidgy clay itself is tactile and meditative, especially with the soundtrack of a gently humming potter’s wheel in the background.

“It’s impossible to simply try pottery, or to just dabble in it,” says Connie. “If you try it once you’ll instantly be smitten. I was hooked right from the start. It’s just so hands-on and it connects you to the piece you’re creating really closely.”

Born and raised close to the border of east Germany and Poland, Connie received what she describes as a communist education before completing a business studies degree at the University of ludwigshafen and pursuing a career in Human Resources.

Having met her husband, the head of sales for German engineering firm Siemens 19 years ago, Connie relocated to the Uk and started a family, continuing her HR career at Corus Steelworks, latterly Tata Steel.

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like last year she’ll be joined by Somerby’s kerstin Hartmann who creates her own range of homemade soaps and basketry.

leaving work to become a full-time mum to a toddler and twins who are now 12 and nine years of age, Connie found a knack for face-painting at her children’s birthday parties, then other children’s parties and eventually she turned to painting ceramics.

“I really enjoyed it and in 2014, I held my first exhibition in Oakham’s victoria Hall, filling the space with her painted pieces.”

“They sold well and proved popular but I found myself feeling a slight sense of fraudulence because I wasn’t making my own pieces. I signed up to the local pottery class and it became a complete obsession.”

“I showed my hand-built ceramics at victoria Hall again in 2016 and from the proceeds purchased my first wheel. Despite the learning curve it has taken my ceramics to a different level, it was like a creative lightning bolt!”

During our visit, both craftspeople were busily creating their stock. In Connie’s case that means a range of stoneware mugs, vases, bowls and dishes which she says are designed for daily use.

“The clay and the glazes I use are dictated by the purpose of the final piece, so I prefer stoneware clay for crockery and tableware because it’s denser, tough enough to be used daily then to survive a microwave or dishwasher cycle.”

“One of the nicer aspects of working with clay is the ability to create not just nice-looking products, but ones which are useful, too.

I’ve a few key ranges which I’ve tried to rationalise according to which ones have proved most popular.”

“kalami is inspired by the Greek village of the same name on the island of Corfu, where we got married 15 years ago. The crystal-clear Ionian waters make me smile, and it’s a cheerful, textural range which draws inspiration from the colour of the sea, the skye and the pebbly beach. Salamander is my spotty collection, quite playful, making use of my favourite glaze combinations.” >>

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THE RUTLAND POTTER

Top/Left: Skye is a range of Stoneware pots which is inspired by the Isle of Skye, where, according to the legend, the sky meets the earth.

Bottom/Left: When carving trees Connie particularly focuses on the branches of the trees to create a network of lines and spaces. The trees are sketched onto the pot free-hand, so that no two pots are the same.

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“Skye is inspired by the rugged landscape of the island north west of Scotland, with an earthy look and a rich blue hue from cobalt oxide mimicking the rain pouring from the sky onto a dramatic landscape.”

“And finally, Three Rings is a Japanesethemed collection which I created after attending a friend’s wedding. It features engraved ridges which signify eternal love, health and prosperity.”

“Inspiration can come from anywhere but I’m trying to be a bit more disciplined in what I produce so that people can buy different pieces that can sit beautifully together.

As I’ve become more popular as a ceramicist, I feel my work should have a cohesive look.”

Half of Connie’s work comprises the above ranges, whilst the remaining half of her ceramic work is her carved pieces. These are bowls and pots into which crochet-like patterns are hand cut. Created in earthenware clay, Connie throws a piece in the conventional way, before waiting for it to achieve what’s known

as leather-hard state, reducing moisture to about 15%, before using scalpels to incorporate hand-cut roses, trees and other usually botanically-inspired – designs.

especially popular are the artist’s luminaries particularly in the winter. With a simple tealight placed inside, the shadows cast by the design spill onto the surface behind it, creating a beautiful projection.

“It’s virtually impossible to create ceramic pieces that are consistent, so one of my favourite features of my luminaries are the fact that each one is completely hand-cut and completely unique. I take a huge amount of pleasure looking at a burning candle, and because tealights flicker there’s a really subtle movement from the shadow, it’s sort of alive… it’s really quite comforting.”

Connie is a keen advocate of passing on the pleasure of working with ceramics and believes it’s a great skill to teach youngsters in particular, especially in an age when they’re so used to working on screens instead of with their hands.

She’s available to give talks and demonstrations to community groups or schools, and has already enjoyed success working with children who adore the almost meditative tactile messiness of it all, saying that it really engages their interest.

“I’m a creative soul and a compulsive maker,” she says. “But I’m also incredibly lucky. To have found quite by chance a medium which engages me as an artist and really connects me to my work in a way that pencils or paintbrushes just can’t manage is really rewarding.”

“To take something I enjoy a great deal and to also end up with objects which people take home and treasure, too, helps to make something that already give me a great deal of pleasure even better!” n Connie Taylor and Kerstin Hartmann will be exhibiting their locally made ceramics, soaps and basketry at Oakham’s Victoria Hall from 30th October to 6th November.

Admission is free, for more information call 07985 600063 or see www.connietaylor.co.uk.

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Christmas is Coming... (...and so are your ‘year end’ accounts!)

Barnstone here’s looking forward to his office party, a glass of fizz and the chance to put his paws up over the festive season, safe in the knowledge that his year end accounts are all sorted... but can you say the same?

We all deserve a festive season free of stress, so don’t spoil your Christmas worrying about your end of year accounts.

Let us help with our accountancy, tax, business advice, payroll and bookkeeping services for any size business...

We’re human (well, apart from Barnstone), so we promise to talk to you like a human; you know, in a jargon-free, no waffle way! We’re available during evenings and weekends too - even over the festive season and promise to respond to our client’s queries within 24 hours...!

We’re the approachable accountants that make your life easier... so give us a call!

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Interior Design

Curtain Making Reupholstery Bespoke Furniture

Buy online @ www.elizabethstanhope.co.uk www.elizabethstanhope.co.uk showroom@elizabethstanhope.co.uk 17a & 27 Mill St Oakham Rutland LE15 6EA 01572 722 345

Colefax and Fowler Crucial Trading Charlotte Gaisford Christopher Farr Designers Guild Fermoie G P and J Baker Jacaranda Jane Churchill Kate Foreman Larsen

Nina Campbell Osborne and Little Pierre Frey Porta Romana Ralph Lauren Roger Oates Romo Sahco Thibaut Vanessa Arbuthnott Villa Nova Voyage William Yeoward Zoffany

Alternative Flooring Andrew Martin Anna French Arte

Linwood Manuel Canovas Mark Alexander Mulberry

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RUTLAND VETERAN WILF HAMIT

veteran Wilf

Happy 101st Birthday to

This month Pride’s Carissa Smith meets a grand old gentleman whose achievements have been celebrated with a very special reunion to celebrate Collyweston man Wilf ’s 101st birthday last month...

Words: Carissa Smith. Image: Dean Fisher.

He’s the Desert Rat. Apparently a rat with nine lives, but this month Rutland’s Wilf Hamit, former Desert Rat, celebrated his birthday with a visit from his old colleagues. The D-Day veteran is receiving support from Rutland’s County Council, who marked a recent landmark by organising a special reunion between the veteran and his iconic former regiment, which is currently based at kendrew Barracks.

last month saw the 101st birthday of Wilf, a Second World War hero of the British Army’s 7th Armoured Division, rather better known as The Desert Rats. When deciding what to do to celebrate this occasion, Rutland Care village alongside Rutland County Council decided to organise a meeting between the D-Day veteran and serving officers from the modern-day regiment, where Wilf served in a driving and mechanic’s role, driving all sorts of army transport vehicles.

Pride spoke to Wilf ’s daughter Barbara Whitworth to chat about this special reunion and to find out more about the veteran’s time with his old chums.

The distinguished 7th Armoured Division, gained its nickname from its exploits in the Western Desert Campaign. From 1944 onwards the shoulder sleeve insignia of the 7th Armoured Division is the Jerboa, a desert rat.

The Desert Rats, led by General Allen Francis Harding, were especially noted for a hard-fought three-month campaign against the more-experienced German Afrika korps, led by erwin Rommel, known as The Desert Fox.

Wilf Hamit was born on the 16th October 1918. He grew up in Collyweston with his father and his four siblings...

Wilf Hamit was born on the 16th October 1918. He grew up in Collyweston with his father and his four siblings. Wilf had a tough childhood and lost his mother at the age of 11. At the age of 21 Wilf joined the war like many youngsters, believing the war to be noble, and anticipating a brief skirmish.

Wilf was in active service for six years and served in Germany, France, Italy and north Africa. Wilf served as part of the 8th 34

Army’s 7th Armoured Division. He was in mechanical Transport and served under Field marshal montgomery. Wilf was also awarded several military medals and decorations to mark his military heroism.

“The Division was disbanded in 1947 but reformed two years later to serve with the British Army on the Rhine (BAOR) before being disbanded for good in 1958,” says military expert Tom Whitehead.

“However, the 7th Armoured Brigade, which had originally been the light Armoured Brigade of the 1938 mobile Division, and also used the jerboa as its emblem and so they adopted the nickname to ensure the legacy of the Desert Rats lived on.”

“The Brigade also served with the BAOR as part of the British 1st Armoured Division and would later help liberate kuwait in the first Gulf War with Iraq in 1990.”

In 2003, it was back in Iraq to play a key role in the second Gulf War and was part of the British force that stormed the southern city of Basra, wresting control from Saddam Hussein’s forces. >>

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THE RUTLAND VETERAN

“When the ladies who look after dad first suggested the visit, I did think it would be nice. He’s got a lot of stories to tell and I hoped people would be interested.”

>> Barbara describes her dad as a cat (rat?) with nine lives as he survived six years in the army including the D- Day landings at Arromanches Beach and the horrendous battle of el Alamein, according to Barbara.

“Dad doesn’t speak too much about his time in the army apart from that he has seen some awful things. However, we know he did his duty and he is proud.”

“He was shot a few times - I think he said in the leg - and was also machine gunned down a few times too.”

“He did tell me snippets of information and I remember him telling me he was part of 40 minutes of gunfire in el Alamein which is why he is so deaf now.”

“There is one story I will always remember too. Dad told me he was driving though the desert as part of a mission and they stopped to have a cup of tea but within minutes were machine gunned down. Dad and one other soldier were the only survivors.”

After the war Wilf married Barbara’s mother, Joyce. Wilf worked as a builder with his brother Ray, his other brother, marcus was killed in active service with the army in Tunisia.

Prior to moving into Rutland Care village in June 2019, Wilf had lived in ketton for 40 years and had been receiving support from Adult Social Care services to maintain his independence. He eventually made the decision to move in to residential care as he felt that he was becoming isolated and wanted to be somewhere with more people around him.

“Dad has always been a strong and active man. He was even driving until the age of 92 and never had an accident in his life.He also built my fishpond at the grand old age of 86!”

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One of the core aims of Rutland’s Adult Social Care services is to provide personalised support for its residents. From speaking to Wilf and his family the care staff at Rutland Care village knew Wilf was incredibly proud of his military career and his service in the Desert Rats who are based at kendrew Barracks in Cottesmore.

The team had the idea of reconnecting Wilf with his former regiment as a way to recognise his important contribution to our military service.

“When the ladies who look after dad first suggested the visit, I did think it would be nice. He’s got a lot of stories to tell and I hoped people would be interested.”

After careful planning, on Friday the 26th July Wilf was met by lieutenant Colonel Andy mcCombe, Joint Regional liaison Officer for 7th Infantry Brigade and Headquarters east.

lieutenant Colonel Andy mcCombe spoke to Wilf about his service memorabilia and swapped stories. Barbara had kept some memorabilia including his medals, his brass cap and driving licence. lt Col mcCombe said: “It has been a great privilege to meet Wilf. He is one of a group of extraordinary people that played a pivotal part in World War Two. They’re our forefathers who laid the foundations for today’s modern-day infantryman – who continue to serve all over the world, with the same commitment and professionalism.

I’ve got a copy of his memoirs that I’m looking forward to reading and sharing with the younger members of the regiment.”

The day had been very special for Wilf and his family. Barbara tell us: “This has been a really special day for dad. It’s not easy for him because of his sight and his hearing but I know he was touched, despite being a little bit overwhelmed” n

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sending 115,473 BirthdaY wishes tO wilf!

We’ve called upon the wonderful readers of Pride to send birthday wishes to Wilf Hamit via our Facebook page. The post reached thousands of people with readers sending their best wishes... here are just a few of them!

A very Happy Birthday thank you for your service to your country! Anna Brennan Happy Birthday Wilf and great respect for you Sir! John Hockton

Happy Birthday to you Sir! Forever grateful.

Kate Bradshaw-King

I still carry my Desert Rat shoulder flash in my wallet.

You carry it in your heart.

Happy Birthday brother!

David Fryer

Happy Birthday Wilf ! Have a great day with your family & thank you, Sir, we owe you a great gratitude for what you & your comrades did for us and for the freedom we have today! Gillian Roberts

Our social media post invited readers to wish Wilf a happy birthday, and you didn’t disappoint... we were overwhelmed by birthday wishes which we’re happy to pass on to the area’s D-Day veteran on these pages!

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Happy Birthday my father was a Desert Rat and in the same division. He was very proud to have been part of being a rat. I used to listen to all his stories and photos that he brought back.

Sadly he is no longer here but the memory still lingers and makes me proud.

His name was Dennis Cox! Denise Pope

I just hope as a country we are supporting legends like this with health and social care.

Would love to go for a drink with this gent... bet he would have some stories to tell!

Alex Walker Wilf is one of our national treasurers and if it wasn't for men and women like him, the world we live in would be a lot different. God bless him.

Omar Ashton Thank you so much, Wilf for the life we have.

Gavin Lambert

Thanks for everything your generation did. Both of my grandfathers would have been 109 now had they been alive and fought in europe for the freedom. We owe so much to them!

Nigel Spencer Happy Birthday, from a former modern day. Desert Rat, Jeboa. Two transport Squadron. my grandad was also in the war. Arthur Button. Served Africa and Italy. He was also in the transport division.

Ken Cowly

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THE RUTLAND VETERAN

Happy Birthday Wilf, I hope you had a fantastic day. my father who is not with us now was also in the 8th Army with monty, a Desert Rat (The Devonshire Regt) he was 89 when he left, and went to his final posting.

Wilf I salute you and thank you for your service!

Gordon Harris Happy Birthday Sir and many thanks for your service to our beloved union.

Paul Williams Good man you make me feel so proud. God bless you.

James Goode Happy Birthday! Have a lovely day and many thanks or all your service to our country a true hero!

Shirley Robinson

Happy Birthday Sir, thank you for your service and your help in making us free. enjoy your day may it be the best ever, I salute you Sir! Catherine Dorrington A wonderful chap, and a good friend. Always has a good selection of wine when I visit him! John Dracup

Happy Birthday Sir from all Royal Tank Regiment veterans. Thank you for your service to Britain!

Mick Wilby A very Happy Birthday.

Wish you well and thank you for your years of service!

Zena Doyle

What an amazing man Happy Birthday, hope you had a wonderful day!

Anita Jarvis

Thank you Sir for ‘our todays’ which you and your colleagues gave us.

Have a wonderful birthday.

Allan Westray

Brave, brave, brave… we’ve so much to thank you for!

Gwyn Andrews

Huge respect to you Wilf, were it not for you and your comrades’ selfless actions, who knows what or where we would be now. I salute you brave Soldier!

Stewart King A very Happy Birthday to you mr Hamit. Great Achievement for you and a proud moment for his daughter Barbara!

Wendy and Geordie Thompson Thank you for your brave service to our country.

Respect. Steve Linton

Happy Birthday Sir, keep soldiering on… great respect!

James Welsh

Thank you for your service to our country. God Bless You! Marilyn Cook Happy Birthday to you Sir! Forever grateful!

Kate Bradshaw-King

Happy Birthday Sir, my dad was a Desert Rat with the Royal northumberland Fusiliers in WWII! Andy Hardwick Wilf thank you so much for your bravery.

Jason Spriggs

Happy Birthday from a Cold War desert rat, 7th armoured division, Germany 1955!

Ronald Armstrong

Happy Birthday Wilf from all members of the Royal Artillery both past and present. Thank you for all you did keeping us all safe during your time in conflict!

Syd Douglas

Hearty Congratulations Wilf, many Happy Returns for your Birthday Sir. With the utmost Respect from all Royal Corps of Transport veterans.

Trevor Hayden n

Thank you for your service & loyalty to this country throughout your life!

Gloria Jarvis

Happy Birthday Sir from all Royal Tank Regiment veterans. Thank you for your service to Britain.

Fear naught. Mick Wilby

Happy Birthday Sir. I thank you on behalf of everyone living in Freedom today because of your brave actions.

Geordie Kirkcaldy Have a wonderful birthday Wilf and best wishes from an ex 16th/5th lancer!

Maurice Ridgway One of the very best, bless you Sir.... makes me proud to say I’m British!

Elizabeth Jansen

From a younger veteran to a veteran Sir your generation set the standard.

Chris McGinley

Thank you for defending our country Sir… may God Bless You and keep You! Graham Ponton

You can still send your birthday messages to Wilf via our Facebook page - we’ll pass them on! Search online for Rutland Pride.

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lOOk THe BURGHleY

Pride’s Executive Editor Rob Davis was part of the panel choosing three amateur models - Morgan Ford-Osborne, Chris Almond and Hannah Allen to represent next year’s Horse Trials... words: sam westcott. exclusive images by Pride magazines’ chief Photographer dean fisher.

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THE FACE OF BURGHLEY 2020

lAnD ROveR BURGHleY HORSe TRIAlS crowned its Face of Burghley winners for 2019 recently at a judging event at The George Hotel in Stamford.

On the panel was Rob Davis, executive editor of Pride magazines.

The successful winners were morgan FordOsborne, Chris Almond and runner up Hannah Allen. The winners took part in a professional photoshoot on the first day of the event and will star in next year’s land Rover Burghley Horse Trials marketing campaign.

The winners also received prizes worth a total of over £2,500 courtesy of the competition partners - luxury fashion and lifestyle brands HiHo Silver, Holland Cooper, Fairfax & Favor and Pol Roger.

Over 100 amateur models applied to the competition and our shortlisted candidates were invited to the judging event, where the expert judging panel included Oakham based emG management, Stamford photographer Ruthie Deane, and Stamford salon Gerards Hair.

morgan said: “I am absolutely over the moon!

When I entered the competition I didn’t think for a second I would win – this really is a dream come true for me!”

land Rover Burghley Horse Trials has been taking place in the grounds of Burghley House since 1961 and is widely recognised as one of the Uk’s leading televised sporting events, attracting over 160,000 visitors in recent years. elizabeth Inman, event Director of land Rover Burghley Horse Trials says: “The standard of entrants to the competition was extremely high and it was a difficult choice but morgan, Chris and Hannah stood out from the start. We are delighted that they will be our official Face of Burghley.”

The Face of Burghley 2019 competition was open to open to all from the age of 17 upwards - there was no upper age limit. n

Top: The panel of judges included Pride’s Executive Editor Rob Davis. Above: Our 11 finalists.

Next year’s Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials will take place from 2nd to 6th September 2020.

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EVENTS

What’s On...

UPPINGHAM

STAMFORD

fridaY 8th nOvemBer

saturdaY 2nd - sundaY 3rd nOvemBer

mercurY: the ultimate Queen triBute

uPPingham fOOd & drink festival

Mercury is back! Established as one of the world’s most authentic tributes to Freddie Mercury and Queen don’t miss them faithfully recreate the distinctive Queen experience. With a dynamic stage show that fully emulates the true charismatic appeal of rock’s most flamboyant front man backed up by superbly crafted harmonies and intricate guitar work this is a night not to be missed. Includes the most popular Queen hits, such as Bohemian Rhapsody, Radio Ga Ga, We Are The Champions, We Will Rock You and many more.

A brand new event for Uppingham to end the Discover Rutland Food and Drink Week. With hot and cold food stalls available to buy and browse.

n Market Place, Uppingham, Rutland, LE15 9QH. STAMFORD

sundaY 10th nOv

ceremOnY Of rememBrance Recognise Remembrance Sunday with Stamford Corn Exchange’s event, with songs from yesteryear and a rousing patriotic finale.

n Tickets £22/adults. Stamford Corn Exchange Theatre, Broad Street, Stamford, PE9 1PX. Call 01780 766455 or see stamfordcornexchange.co.uk.

Burghley Christmas Fair

FESTIVE FOOD, GIFTS AND DECORATIONS IN THE BEAUTIFUL SETTING OF STAMFORD’S ELIZABETHAN STATELY HOME...

n Suggested ticket donation £8-10, 2.30pm start.

Call 01780 766455 or see stamfordcornexchange.co.uk.

LEICESTER

STAMFORD

thursdaY 28th nOvemBer - sundaY 1st decemBer

BurghleY hOuse christmas fair

Burghley House’s biggest ever Christmas Fair. Wander amongst the elizabethan surrounding of the Chestnut Courtyard and Brewhouse, heated marquees and Fine Food market and enjoy a perfect Christmas shopping opportunity in the festive surroundings of lincolnshire’s elizabethan stately home. During the Christmas Fair the estate’s Christmas Shop will once again offer Christmas bargains and decorations. n 9.30am-4pm (3.30pm on Sunday).

To find out more visit burghley.co.uk.

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saturdaY 9th nOvemBer

genius An inspirational performance of extraordinary talent and creative power. Gary Clarke’s Beethoven takes a touching and darkly humorous look at the extraordinary personal life and musical works of Ludwig van Beethoven.

n Curve Theatre, Leicester.

Tickets £10-£14. Call 0116 2423595 or see www.curveonline.co.uk.

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

UPPINGHAM

GRANTHAM

saturdaY 2nd nOvemBer

BOnfire and firewOrks at the engine Yard With the Engine Yard as the perfect location for great fireworks and bonfire, the Belvoir Estate’s Duchess of Rutland has been working hard to perfect this event after identifying ways to improve it from last year.

Expect a great selection of food outlets including the Fuel Tank and external Street Food Vendors. Performances from brilliant bands and fireworks to blow your socks off from MLE Pyrotechnics.

Tickets will be available to purchase soon, and of course, there’s a great opportunity to begin your festive shopping with 15 different luxury retailers.

n Belvoir Castle, Woolsthorpe Road, Grantham NG32 1PA. Call 01476 871001 or see engineyardbelvoir.com.

Delicious! It’s Rutland Food & Drink Week...!

THIS MONTH DISCOVER WHY RUTLAND OFFERS MULTUM IN PARVO FOR FANS OF GOOD FOOD

HUNTINGDON

wednesdaY 27th nOvemBer

saturdaY 23th nOvemBer - sundaY 17th nOvemBer

uPPingham fatstOck

ladies’ daY at huntingdOn

Champion pigs, sheep and cattle are primped and preened for this event held in the market Square.

Taking place on Wednesday morning on Uppingham market Place, there will be pens full of livestock arriving at 7am, judging commences at 10am and the prize-giving will be at 11.30am.

Cancelled only by war and the two national out-breaks of the foot and mouth epidemic this is a unique show being the only event of its kind in the Uk still held in temporary penning in a town market square. The regular weekly fatstock market finished in 1954, but the annual Fatstock Show has continued and remains one of the most prestigious events in the town’s calendar.

n Market Place, Uppingham, Rutland, LE15 9QH or call 01572 822681.

OAKHAM

saturdaY 26th OctOBer - sundaY 3rd nOvemBer

rutland fOOd & drink festival Rutland is known as being ‘The County of Good Taste,’ and you can find out why for yourself at this year’s annual celebration of produce, producers and food & drink establishments across Rutland.

Discover Rutland Food & Drink Week highlights a variety of events and special promotions around the county from across the food and hospitality sector, including food markets, beers festival, themed menus and a chance to meet some of the local food & drink producers.

Brighten up november with a Gin and Jazz Festival, The Style Awards and live music. One of Huntingdon’s most stylish and established fixtures of the season - Winter ladies Day welcomes over 4,000 racegoers for exciting racing with fashion and live music.

n Based at Huntingdon Racecourse, Thrapston Rd, Huntingdon, PE28 4NL. Tickets from £17. Call 01480 453373, or see thejockeyclub.co.uk.

SANDRINGHAM

fridaY 15th nOvemBer sundaY 17th nOvemBer

craft, fOOd & gift fair 2019

living Heritage presents a festive shopping opportunity on the Royal Sandringham estate.

n Based on the Sandringham Estate, Kings Lynn Norfolk PE35 6EN. Call 01283 820548 or see www.livingheritagecraftshows.com.

With the popular Rutland Food & Drink Festival on Sunday 27th October (organised by Oakham Town Partnership) and the brand new Uppingham Food & Drink Festival, the week promised to deliver a host and exciting programme of events and promotions, which will be added on this page when details are known. Taking place predominantly throughout Market Place and Oakham Castle, it always features great stalls and a fantastic atmosphere.

We know that the quality food & drink providers and producers we have here in Rutland are a major reason why people love this county, and keep coming back for more!

n See www.discover-rutland.co.uk.

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EVENTS

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

Walk like a man to kilworth House ENJOY A LIVE PERFORMANCE OF THIS TRIBUTE ACT CELEBRATING THE MUSIC OF FRANKIE VALLEY AND THE FOUR SEASONS...

KILWORTH

thursdaY 21st nOvemBer mOndaY 30th decemBer

walk like a man

Following their amazing shows in country house hotel kilworth House’s Orangery last Christmas, playing to sold out audiences night after night, the hotel is delighted to welcome back ‘Walk like A man’ to start the Festive season with a flourish!

Winners of the national Tribute Awards 2016 for Best Four Seasons Tribute and pumping out classics such as ‘Big Girls Don’t Cry,’ ‘Sherry,’ ‘Can’t Take my eyes Off You,’ and many many more.

‘Walk like A man’ is the ultimate celebration of Frankie valli and the Four Seasons!

Walk like A man, is the multi Ultimate Award winning tribute Show to the group, bringing to life the true-life musical phenomenon, Jersey Boys.

This show combines infectious personalities, amazing vocals, slick harmonies and even slicker dance moves to deliver a show full of energy and nostalgia which will leave you wanting more! Don’t miss the ultimate celebration of one of the world’s greatest Rock & Roll bands!

The hotel is also welcoming The Rat Pack on 3rd november, with some of the world’s finest

interpreters of Frank Sinatra, Dean martin and Sammy Davis Jr. With a new show for the Autumn, ‘The Boys’ will swing you back to a time when ‘The Rat Pack’ ruled las vegas and Hollywood where their impromptu sell out shows caused a stir and attracted the rich and famous! naturally both acts benefit from the backdrop of this stunning Grade II listed victorian country house hotel.

n Performances at 6.30pm, matinée performances 1.30pm, on 14th, 15th, 21st & 22nd December. £63-£74/person.

Theatre break packages with dinner and overnight stay available. Call 01858 881805 or see www.kilworthhouse theatre.co.uk.

RUTLAND

saturdaY 16th nOvemBer

rutland night run Take on the Night Run at the stunning Rutland Water for St Barnabas Hospice.

The Night Run is an exciting 10k run for everyone to enjoy – no matter what their ability. The evening will be very social and fun and the course will have some special sights along the way.

The run starts and finishes at Normanton Church and the route is completely traffic free and on well maintained footpaths.

Feel free to run or walk the route, you don’t always need to race, you can come and simply enjoy the atmosphere.

The iconic Normanton Church will be beautifully illuminated and will act as a beacon whilst you run the 10k course. The route will be subtly lit throughout.

“For this fantastic and unique experience, it will cost you only £10 to take part! All we ask is that you raise £50 for the Hospice,” say organisers.

n For more information, contact Challenge Events Fundraiser, Mike Pastor, on 01522 540300 or see www.stbarnabas hospice.co.uk.

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SUPERNATURAL STAMFORD & RUTLAND

SPOOkY HISTORY

In an age of science and sceptics, it’s easy to forget that once upon a time, spines were chilled with tales of the supernatural.

Of course, there are still some believers, like local author Daniel Codd, who brings us the following bedtime stories from his book, Secret Rutland, which reveals the folklore that for centuries past has gone bump in the night...

Words: Daniel Codd, Laurin Dempsey.

In An AgE OF SCIEnCE, the supernatural seems quite anachronistic, quaint and perhaps a bit silly. But folklore often has origins in real life events. Daniel Codd’s book, Secret Rutland, contains heaps of local trivia, including the following spooky tales, which we’ve abridged here...

e Langham Witches...

The story of ‘The Witches of Belvoir’ is a notorious one from the era of superstition.

A purge on witchcraft was enacted in the east midlands around Christmas 1618 when Joan Flower and her two daughters, margaret and Philippa along with three others; Anne, Joan and ellen were accused of using curses and enchantments to remotely murder two young nobles, Henry and Francis, the heirs to Francis manners 6th earl of Rutland. Joan Flower died on the way to her trial from Rutland to lincoln and her two daughters were both hanged at lincoln on 11th march 1619.

However, what is not commonly known is that the three co-accused were leicestershire women and Joan Flower along with her two daughters all lived in langham. margaret and Philippa had been employed by the earl at Belvoir Castle but were dismissed. It was in their house in langham that they plotted their revenge using curses and spells. After the sisters were dismissed, the earl and Countess fell ill, suffering from ‘vomiting and convulsions.’

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One of the rituals involved stealing one of little lord Henry’s gloves, which margaret found on the rushes in the nursery at Belvoir. The daughter presented it to her mother who subsequently rubbed it on the back of her ‘familiar’ (spirit) named Rutterkin, bidding him ‘height and goe and doe some hurt to Henry lord Rosse.’

This spirit was reported at the time to have been in the likeness of a big cat, while the two daughters had their own familiars: a white rat and a white and black spotted entity.

Although the fate of the Flower trio is known, it is not recorded what became of Anne, Joan and ellen. Francis manners 6th earl of Rutland, died in 1632 and was buried in St mary’s Church, Bottesford, nottingham. Beside his tomb are effigies of his two daintily dressed little boys. n

e Stoke Dry Witch...

Stoke Dry, a quiet village in Rutland, is the home to a mediaeval church dedicated to Saint Andrew. In a room, above the church porch a former vicar is believed to have imprisoned a local woman parishioner during the witch purges of the 1640s.

The witch notoriously ended up imprisoned in the parvis on the orders of the rector of the time, who allowed her to starve to death.

It is the ghostly laughter of this unfortunate wretch, driven to insanity, which is said to still haunt and echo throughout the church. >>

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Stocken Hall’s attic floor is supposedly haunted by a ghost taking the form of a white lady...

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SUPERNATURAL STAMFORD & RUTLAND

e ghosts of Stocken Hall...

Stocken Hall is a Grade II* listed mansion and dates principally from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. It was used as the HmP Stocken prison farm from the 1950s until the 1980s. In its present incarnation the old hall is said to be plagued by tormented souls, and those now residing in the converted apartments may not be aware that they are living in one of the most haunted places in Rutland.

According to J & A e Stokes’s Just Rutland 1953, there are three ghosts associated with the Hall. These include a girl who was strangled in the attic area; a White lady; and the grisly phantom of a hanging man on the branches of an oak tree.

One of Stocken Hall’s eighteenth-century tenants was General Grosvenor, whose favourite horse Black Butcher, fell dead underneath him near the Stone Ride in morkery Wood and was buried on the spot.

A small marker over the animal surmounted by an obelisk was erected by Grosvenor.

It has been said that Black Butcher’s ghost haunts the obelisk which is just on the Rutland-lincolnshire border.

Stone Ride is a favourite place for dog walkers, and it has been said from dog walkers that their pet has ‘acted up’ near the obelisk. The horse’s ghost is also said to be seen galloping up to the hall and is sometimes seen as appearing white – perhaps something to do with the transparency of the alleged apparition. n

e Edith Weston Poltergeist...

Widely reported in December 1896, great numbers of curious people had flocked from surrounding districts to edith Weston following allegations that the house occupied by a mr and mrs Gray was troubled by a poltergeist.

For a whole week on the run up to Christmas the premises was invaded, by something which is still today unknown, with no logical explanation discernable. loud and repeated knocking on the doors and windows throughout the day and night meant that hundreds of people heard.

A fifteen-year-old servant girl was blamed by some parishioners however as they continued in her absence others began to suspect she was in league with the Devil. n 52

ghostly Uppingham...

In the late 1800s and early 1900s some schoolboys encountered a ghoulish event.

A group of schoolboys gained admittance through a window into the ruinous Glaston Hall, which is locally said to be haunted by ghosts.

Whilst trying to locate the haunted room the boys discovered the body of a man hanging from a lintel, later identified as a sixty-nine-year-old groom who had been missing for a week.

Another urban legend claims that a group of schoolboys were also seen to be playing football with a human head on Red Hill.

Due to recent flooding, human remains had been washed out of the nearby cemetery where the boys discovered them. n

Daniel Codd is the author of Secret Rutland, which tells lesser-known stories from the county’s illustrious past. It’s published by Amberley (www.amberley-books.com). 96 pages, £14.99 from good local bookshops.

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RUSHTON HALL HOTEL

Fulfilling Your Great

exPeCTATIOnS

It’s the property which inspired Dickens during one of his many visits, and was home to one of the treacherous masterminds of the Gunpowder Plot. Today though, Rushton Hall provides a rather more tranquil experience for visitors seeking to escape festive frustrations and enjoy a bit of rest and relaxation without venturing too far from Stamford & Rutland...

Words: Rob Davis.

TEMPERATURES ARE PLUMMETIng. Christmas is approaching. e summer is a distant memory and your most recent holiday seems a work of fiction. Fortunately, we have the answer in the form of an autumn/winter pick me up with no departure lounges – no airports, in fact – minimal packing and most of all, unabashed relaxation in one of the area’s most luxurious hotels, spas and dining rooms.

Those flagging betwixt summer holidays and their Christmas break would do well to remember that Rushton Hall near kettering is the ideal place to take rest and enjoy fourstar luxury accommodation in 51 individually styled rooms, as well as three Rosette dining and the hotel’s luxury spa.

You wouldn’t be the first guest to have Great expectations, as the hotel was the inspiration for miss Havisham’s Satis House when Dickens visited the place prior to writing his novel of the same name. Grade I listed, and nestling within 25 beautifully landscaped acres, Rushton Hall is privately-owned and offers both day guests and overnighters the ability to relax in style and comfort, taking in the stunning surroundings.

chapter One: arrival

Crunching along the gravel driveway, the building’s architecture impresses immediately.

Arranged in a square, the property was the ancestral home of the Tresham family from 1438, passing via Hope and Cockayne into the Clarke Thornhill family before serving as a school for the blind in the late 1950s prior to its purchase by the Hazelton family in 2003.

The family completed a full restoration and transformed Rushton Hall into a four redstar country hotel and spa.

chapter two: checking in

With five grades of rooms, Classic; Superior; luxury and State Bedrooms, plus the availability of four poster suites, Rushton Hall is the quintessential english country house. each room is unique and individual, many with large bathrooms, lounge areas, wood panelling and tasteful decorations.

Rushton Hall is the antithesis of the corporate-looking hotel instead providing character and style.

Penhaligon toiletries in victorian bathroom suites, original features like historic fireplaces and king-sized beds provide a place to rest that’s unmatched in the area.

chapter ree: e spa

One of the nicest ways to relax is to spend a day in a spa. no makeup, hair scrunched back, in a cosy dressing gown. Fortunately, Rushton Hall’s spa caters for those inclined towards omphaloskepsis* with indoor lounges

and terraces, indoor and outdoor spa pools, steam room and sauna, five single and one double treatment room.

Treatments are powered by luxurious leighton Denny, Ren and elemis, with the Stableyard Café providing light snacks and drinks throughout the day.

For the more energetic, there’s a state-of-theart Cybex fitness suite, and classes like ‘legs bums & tums,’ flexercise, circuits and what’s described as one of the best yoga classes in the area.

chapter four: afternoon tea

After a visit to the spa, complete your relaxation by taking afternoon tea in miss Havisham’s state room; Rushton Hall’s Great Hall. With traditional and champagne variants, you’ll enjoy an entirely decadent home-made traditional experience created by the hotel’s pastry chefs. >> 55

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“The hotel also has a beautiful new orangery, Grade I listed and completed in 2017...”

Right: Rushton Hall’s swimming pool and (above) treatment room and gym.

Main Image: The spa is based in the former stableyard.

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>> It’s an enjoyable and quintessentially english experience predicated on indulgence.

chapter five: evening dining

Alternatively, you might wish to spend a little longer in the spa, forgo afternoon tea and instead enjoy the talents of Head Chef Adrian Coulthard and his brigade in the hotel’s Tresham Restaurant.

Overhead chandeliers, an inviting wood burner and prix fixe menu, this is a fine dining experience unsurpassed in terms of elegance and presentation.

epilogue

With a good nights sleep and traditional full english or continental breakfast the following morning, Rushton Hall remains a truly unique experience not too far from home providing minimal travel, and maximum relaxation.

Whether you’re seeking to escape festive frustration or gift an experience to a loved one with a ‘voucher,’ the hotel provides a memorable experience and the ultimate in comfort and relaxation. n

* Omphaloskepsis, incidentally, is the act of staring into the middle distance or ‘navel-gazing’ - the contemplation of one’s navel as an aid to meditation.

Find Out More: Rushton Hall offers dining, afternoon tea and spa half days/full days for non-residents, as well as those staying in the Grade I listed 51-bedroom country house hotel. Gift vouchers are also available.

For more information visit Rushton Hall, Rushton, Northamptonshire NN14 1RR. Call 01536 713001 or see www.rushtonhall.com.

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Take out one of our Christmas

Gift Subscriptions It’s the perfect gift idea for your loved one You can choose to have a six month subscription for £18 or a twelve month subscription for £36 We’ll deliver Pride free of charge to your friend or loved one’s doorstep - every month!

They’ll never miss a single issue!

01529 469977 SIMPLY CALL US ON

Alternatively, visit our website at www.pridemagazines.co.uk 59

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FOOD & DRINK

The White Hart

UFFORD, STAmFORD

With a chill in the air and leaves turning from green to gold, now’s the time to seek out a country pub restaurant which offers stunning quality dining and a wonderfully rustic environment. Our recommendation is Ufford’s White Hart...

Words: Rob Davis. Images: Pride’s Chief Photographer Dean Fisher.

Four seasons in one day. Autumn brings with it a palette of rich colours, a roulette wheel of climatic uncertainty and of course those rich, meaty dishes that are as satisfying as dining in front of an open fire.

This month we wanted to recommend a pub restaurant for those hedging their bets against the weather... so where better than Ufford’s White Hart, with a pretty restaurant and bar area with open fire, flagstones, beams and chunky furniture.

A pleasant environment in which to dine is only half the White Hart’s appeal, though, because a new chef in the form of Chris Huggett is taking an already great dining room to the next level in terms of quality.

The White Hart has been a village inn since the 17th century and now carries a Grade II listing. The restaurant and inn has been in the hands of the Olver family since 2014, now managed by Paul Burke. The aim has always been to run a welcoming village pub

“A NEW CHEF IN THE FORM OF CHRIS HUGGETT IS TAKING AN ALREADY GREAT PUB RESTAURANT TO THE NEXT LEVEL IN TERMS OF QUALITY...”

meet the CHEF

CHRIS HUGGETT HEAD CHEF

that is able to offer good food and comfortable accommodation in one of the most picturesque villages in the area.

Since Chris, who’s a great believer in using seasonal produce, came on board he has changed and simplified the menu to reflect the seasonality of the restaurant’s local produce.

Tasty homemade meals are created using meat sourced from nearby farm – Willowbrook Farm – as well as mushrooms, apples, blackberries and damsons and sloes which are collected by expert local foragers, while the restaurant’s own five beehives produce its supply of honey.

“Creating delicious food has always been a passion of mine but one that was confined to entertaining family and friends until the age of 44,” says Chris. >>

Food History: Chris began working at Oundle’s Talbot before a spell at the Olive Branch at Clipsham and Peterborough’s Chubby Castor, joining the White Hart in summer 2019.

Food Wisdom: “I’m happiest when I’m providing a great dining experience for people who appreciate good food, prepared with care and attention.”

Food Heaven: “A dish that makes me think, one which inspires me!” n

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>> “I decided to find out once and for all if a ‘foodie’ could make it in a professional kitchen. I managed to persuade Adam Charity, then manager at The Talbot in Oundle, to give a complete novice the chance to work in a professional kitchen.

And there it all began.”

“I quickly moved on to the well-established Olive Branch at Clipsham, and an initiation into the world of high-end cooking.”

“Then came the chance to join a brand new restaurant The Chubby, at Castor, near Peterborough, opened by Gordon Ramsay protégée Ade Adesina.”

OPEN FOR FOOD Monday to Friday: 12 noon to 2.30pm, 6pm to 9pm.

Saturday: 12 noon to 9pm.

Sunday: 12 noon to 8pm.

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on the MENU OPTIONS FROM THE MAIN MENU OF THE WHITE HART, UFFORD Starters

Sliced duck breast with crumbled blue cheese, pear and candy walnuts, maple syrup £7.25.

Salmon, prawn and chive mousse with a watercress and cucumber sauce dressing £6.95.

Main Courses

lamb shank slow braised in a rosemary, garlic, redcurrant and port sauce with seasonal vegetables, mashed potato£19.95.

“At the same time I began to host a monthly pop-up restaurant in Oundle, featuring finedining six-course taster menus. I have also worked in various gastropubs around the area, while keeping my eye out for a head chef ’s role, and I am absolutely delighted to be now be here at The White Hart.”

The pub restaurant has a single menu, which provides à la carte dining during both daytime and evening service, with a separate Sunday lunch menu. There’s a choice of around seven starters, nine main courses and six pudding options.

All of the elements of your meal are created in house by Chris and his team, and Sunday lunches are satisfyingly authentic, with 28-day matured sirloin of beef, cooked medium rare, with roasties cooked in dripping and thick, unctuous pan gravy.

Diners can choose from five areas in which to enjoy the mouthwatering dishes prepared by the chefs. The bar has a wide range of tables available for couples or larger parties and provides a relaxed, pub atmosphere.

meanwhile, old kitchen-style dining tables and chairs in an array of styles lend the restaurant a more country, shabby-chic feel, in a slightly more formal setting.

An Orangery was added to The White Hart to link the original two main parts of the building together. It offers a wonderful light area for dining all year round - even in the greyest of winters.

Since its purchase, six more bedrooms have been created in a lovely stone outbuilding, bringing the total to 12. The White Hart, which is licensed for civil wedding ceremonies and also features a private function room, provides top notch facilities for larger events in a beautiful, picturesque setting.

The White Hart is as authentic as country pub as you’re likely to find, with masses of character, great service and perhaps most importantly, consistently great quality dining.

“For a true chef, their work is not simply a job, but a passion!” says Chris. And that’s exactly the impression we get from a pub restaurant that’s authentic, determined to provide quality and comes with masses of character! n

local blade of beef in a rich red wine gravy with creamy mashed potato, buttered kale and chantenay carrots £15.95.

Pan roasted sea bass with crushed new potatoes, tenderstem broccoli, king prawns and a lemon butter sauce £16.25.

Chargrilled chicken breast in pearl onions, bacon, pea and brandy cream sauce with dauphinoise potatoes £15.20.

Dessert

locally picked apple and blackberry crumble with homemade custard £6.95.

Sticky toffee pudding with a butterscotch sauce and vanilla ice cream £6.95.

NB: Featured dishes are subject to change.

n The White Hart, Main Street, Ufford, Stamford PE9 3BH. Call 01780 740250 or see www.whitehartufford.co.uk.

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GOOD FOOD AWARDS 2019

Dine Out for Free in 2020

Just by naming your favourite pubs and restaurants across Rutland & Stamford Above: Last year’s winners of our Best Fish Dish award was Brian Baker, owner of The Marquess of Exeter, Lyddington.

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It’s once again time to celebrate the finest food and drink across Rutland & Stamford with our 2019 Good Food Awards.

We’re asking our readers to vote their favourite restaurants and we’ll enter everyone who does so into a free draw to win complimentary dining out at our partner restaurants throughout 2020...

Words: Rob Davis.

Rutland and Stamford are synonymous with good food, and that’s why, each year, we like to celebrate those who value local ingredients, using them with care and attention for the unabashed pleasure of local diners. However we need your help.

Rather than naming the places we think represent the best restaurants and pubs across the area, we’re asking for your votes to ensure that our awards are the most unbiased and comprehensive in the county.

What’s in it for you? Well, we’ve partnered with some great Rutland & Stamford restaurants, each of whom will provide a free meal for two in 2020, so you’ll enjoy quality dining and get to try some great dining rooms all through the year.

last year we changed our categories to better reflect the diversity of dining in the area, so we’re asking for your six nominations in the following food award categories: Best Steak

mouthwatering, juicy, aged for 28 days and served with thick cut, triple cooked chips...

there’s no doubting the pleasure of a beautifully-cooked steak but where do you recommend for a silky sirloin or robust rib-eye? We’d love to know!

Best Fish Dish

Whether your preferred dish is delicately pan-fried scallops served with samphire or traditional fish and chips, tell us about your Friday night favourite.

Best Sunday Lunch

A great British institution, we want you to nominate your favourite restaurant for a really good Sunday lunch.

Best Dessert

naturally everyone loves a pudding. laden with fruit or rich in chocolate, the county’s chefs use dessert courses to show off their presentation skills and tempt us when we falsely protest about not being able to manage another bite.

Best Afternoon Tea

In recent years there has been somewhat of a resurgence in the popularity of afternoon tea. Tiers of joy, heaving with freshly cut sandwiches and homemade cakes, but tell us where to go for an afternoon treat. >> 67

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Clipsham’s Olive Branch won last year’s Restaurant of the Year title.

>> Restaurant of the Year And last but certainly not least is our 2020 Restaurant of the Year title. This is available to the pub, pub restaurant or fine dining establishment which you think is worthy of receiving the coveted title of Rutland and Stamford’s best restaurant.

By casting your vote in each of our six categories, you’ll be entered into our prize draw to win dining out at our partner restaurants in 2020.

You can vote for whoever you wish, regardless of whether they’re an advertiser in Pride magazine, which means our awards are the most objective and unbiased, with opinions sought from all over Rutland.

We’ll announce the winners in our January edition and could be giving you a call to thank you for our votes and invite you to enjoy to free restaurant dining in 2020. n To vote, simply fill in the form opposite and post it to us, or vote online at www.pridemagazines.co.uk.

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Free Dining at Our Partner Restaurants...

vote for your favourite restaurants, pubs and hotels using our form opposite - or vote online - and we’ll choose one lucky reader to enjoy free dining out throughout 2020 at the following restaurants...

1. The Olive Branch, Clipsham Last year’s Restaurant of the year winner Clipsham’s pretty pub restaurant is the epitome of relaxed, high quality dining. Sublime!

2. The Falcon Hotel, Uppingham Wonderful dining in the heart of Uppingham, at this 16th century coaching inn with excellent grill and fish options!

3. Rushton Hall, Kettering Enjoy the peerless luxury of fine dining in this beautiful Grade I country mansion with its adjacent spa and hotel.

4. The Fuel Tank, Engine Yard, Belvoir Castle Enjoy exceptional dining in this quirky restaurant on Belvoir Castle’s new luxury shopping and lifestyle development.

5. Dog in a Doublet, Thorney John McGinn left the rat race and instead pursued a career as chef patron of this relaxed, family run gastropub on the outskirts of Peterborough.

6. The Petwood Hotel, Woodhall Spa Enjoy quality dining in the former home of The Dambusters. Take in the elegance of this Edwardian hotel in the summer months and a walk around pretty Woodhall Spa.

7. Stapleford Park, Melton Mowbray The Grinling Gibbons dining room of Stapleford Park is one of its most impressive features. With 500 acres of parkland and stunning dining, a meal here will be a treat! n

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ENTRY FORM

(Cut out and send to us at the address below)

Best Steak

Restaurant of the Year

Best Fish Dish

Where is the best place in the area you have visited for a classic steak dish?

Vote for your absolute favourite place to dine in and visit in Rutland & Stamford

This can be shellfish, fish dishes or even your favourite fish and chips.

Best Sunday Lunch

Best Dessert

Best Afternoon Tea

A Great British favourite, but where do you enjoy Sunday Lunch the most?

Whether your tastes are chocolate or fruit-inclined, where’s best for pudding?

Please provide your name, address, and number (we will need to contact you if you’re our lucky winner!): Name:..................................................................................

Address: ............................................................................... ............................................................................................

Postcode: .............................................................................

Telephone: ...........................................................................

There are many places to enjoy tea and cake, but which one is the best?

Alternatively, you can vote in the Restaurant of the Year Competition on our website by visiting www.pridemagazines.co.uk.

Closing Date: Friday 1st November 2019 Send your entry to Pride magazines Restaurant of the Year Awards 2019, Pride magazines, elm Grange Studios, east Heckington, Boston Pe20 3QF.

Terms & Conditions: One entry per household. Photocopies/multiple entries will not be counted.

Competition is available to anyone in the county or surrounding area. You must not be personally or professionally allied with nominations. votes received for each venue will be counted up to determine the eventual three winners for each category and seven runners-up. The editor’s decision as to our competition winners is final and further terms and conditions may apply.

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call 01780 740250 Main Street, Ufford Stamford PE9 3BH info@whitehartufford.co.uk www.whitehartufford.co.uk @WhiteHartUfford The White Hart, Ufford 70

Accommodation at The White Hart, Ufford

The White Hart has 12 beautifully appointed bedrooms, all of which are individually designed and well positioned for both leisure and corporate guests.

All rooms have complimentary WiFi, tea and coffee making facilities, televisions, hairdryer and a working space for our business guests.

There are two dog friendly rooms and we can put and extra bed in some of our large rooms.

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Evening Dinner Menu

STARTERS

Our chef’s soup of the day with Griffin Bread £5.95 Carpaccio of Irnham Estate Venison, Liquorish and pickles £6.95 Confit Duck Leg, Roasted Vegetables, Sweet Potato, Port £7.25 Whipped Goats cheese, Tomato Gazpacho, Salt and Basil £6.25 Lemon and Ginger Tea cured salmon with Cucumber and Horseradish £6.95

MAINS

Glazed pork belly, Champ mash, Apple Chutney, Crackling and Sage £15.95 Duo of Estate Pheasant Breasts, Fondant potato, Cauliflower textures and Blackberries £15.95 10oz Sirloin steak, (cooked to your liking) Roast Vine tomatoes, field mushroom, Black Garlic Butter £19.95

Fresh catch of the day (please feel free to ask) Wild Mushroom and truffle Risotto, Crumbled feta and Herbs (vg) £14.95 Beetroot Falafel Salad, (Leilas salad) Pea shoots and mustard(vg) £ 13.95

DESSERTS

Cherry and Almond Tart, Cherry compote, Amaretto Ice Cream Chocolate ganache with pistachio & honeycomb, Blood Orange Sorbet 6.25 Orange and Cointreau Creme Brûlée, Butter Shortbread £5.95 Chefs homemade Ice Creams and sorbet (please ask for flavours) £6.25 Selection of local Fine cheeses, fresh fruit chutney and crackers £7.25

EXTRAS (£2.95)

Peppercorn Sauce. Mushroom Sauce.

Stilton Sauce. Vegetable bowl.

Onion rings. House salad. Pub Chips.

15 BULBY ROAD, IRNHAM, NR GRANTHAM NG33 4JG

01476 550201 | griffininn@irnhamhall.co.uk | www.thegriffinirnham.co.uk

Look forward to seeing you at The Griffin Inn Irnham

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In the kITCHen

Satisfy your every indulgence with this dreamy chocolate cake recipe.

You will of course need to leave someone in charge of licking the bowl...

CHOCOlATe TORTe with Raspberries & Cocoa Powder

Preparation time: 25 minutes. Cooking time: 50 minutes. Serves: Ten. 200g frozen raspberries • 150g golden caster sugar • 270g of Divine dark chocolate with raspberries, broken into chunks • 100g unsalted butter, softened • 3 medium free range eggs • 100g ground almonds • 50g self-raising flour • 50g cocoa powder, plus extra for dusting • 150ml soured cream • 1 tsp freeze-dried raspberries, to decorate

Preheat the oven to 180°C. line a deep 20cm cake tin with baking parchment. Heat the raspberries and 50g of the sugar in a small pan with one tablespoon of water until broken down, then simmer for six to seven minutes until jammy. Set aside to cool. meanwhile, melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water. Set this aside to cool too.

Beat the butter and remaining 100g sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, then the almonds, flour and cocoa, followed by the soured cream. Fold in the chocolate until everything is combined. Pour half the mixture into the prepared tin, then pour the raspberry compote into the middle, spreading it out but leaving a 2cm border clear around the edge. Cover with the remaining chocolate mixture and bake for 35-40 minutes until cooked.

Cool completely in the tin. Dust with cocoa powder and sprinkle with freeze-dried raspberries before serving with crème fraîche, if liked. This deliciously indulgent cake can be made a day in advance, and is great served chilled.

Recipes & Dishes: www.waitrose.com.

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CHOCOlATe HOneYCOmB CAke Preparation time: 15 Mins.

200g dark chocolate • 50g salted butter, diced • 4tbsp golden syrup • 150g shortbread, broken into small pieces • 100g whole almonds, roughly chopped • 45g honeycomb niblets • 150g soft dried apricots, diced

Break the chocolate into a small pan, then add the diced butter and golden syrup. Heat the ingredients very gently, stirring slowly from time to time, until the mixture is melted, smooth and glossy.

Place the shortbread in a large bowl and stir in the almonds, honeycomb and chopped apricots. Pour in the chocolate mixture and stir until evenly coated.

Tip the mixture into a 20cm loose-bottomed cake tin, patting down carefully to get it right into the corners. Chill for at least two hours until it’s set.

Slice into wedges to serve. mix things up by adding your favourite fruit, nuts or sweet treats. Try scattering pumpkin seeds over the top, dusting with freeze-dried raspberries, or stirring fudge chunks through before chilling.

DelICIOUS TOBleROne CHOCOlATe BROWnIeS Preparation time: 15 Mins.

200g dark chocolate, broken into chunks • 200g unsalted butter • Three free range eggs • 250g golden caster sugar • 1tsp vanilla extract • 125g plain flour • 1⁄2tsp salt • 100g bar of Toblerone

Preheat the oven to 180°C. line a 20cm square cake tin with baking parchment. melt the chocolate and butter together in a small saucepan set over a low heat. Stir to combine, then set aside to cool for five minutes.

In a large mixing bowl, gently whisk the eggs and sugar together. Whisk in the chocolate-butter mixture and vanilla, followed by the flour and salt, until just combined, then tip into the cake tin.

Break the Toblerone into chunks and arrange over the mixture. Bake for 30 minutes until set on top. Allow to cool in the tin before cutting into 12 pieces. Any variety of Toblerone - white, dark, milk or coconut - would work brilliantly in these brownies.

Recipes & Dishes: www.waitrose.com/recipes.

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Enjoy a seasonal tipple: sloe, sloe, quick quick sloe...

Wine of the Month

Perfect for your hip flask, this month we recommend this traditional English winter warmer!

Burlesque Old Vine Zinfandel, California, USA £10.36 / 75cl / 14%

Here’s a winter warmer perfect for bonfire night, dog walks and a tipple in front of the fire. Wild hedgerow sloe berries and the ultimate forgotten fruit, mulberries, are gently macerated in British Gin and then oak aged in Rhône valley red wine casks. Sweet notes of ripe blackcurrants, redcurrants, stone fruit and rich botanical complexity, balanced with a touch of tartness.

It’s gloriously warming, combining two native hedgerow fruits that we think are traditional and underutilised!

At home in the Lodi region of California, the Zinfandel grape thrives in the Mediterranean style climate and loam soils, producing what some say is the best Zinfandel in the world.

This robust red wine is packed with fruit flavours, including cherries and damson, and has just a hint of spice and smoke to finish. At 14.5% it’s a serious wine with lots to offer and is a perfect companion for those spicy sausage casseroles and hot dogs by the bonfire. n

n £30 / 50cl / 21.9%.

The Wine Cellar WHETHER YOU’RE OUT AND ABOUT ENJOYING FIREWORKS BURNING A PILE OF SHAGGY GARDEN PRUNINGS OR SITTING BY THE FIRESIDE, WE’VE PLENTY TO KEEP YOU WARM THIS MONTH BONFIRE NIGHT SPARKLERS: Sparkling wines make bonfire night go with a bang...

1. Somerset’s Smith & Evans Higher Plot Sparkling has rich aromas of lemon and spice.

It is 60% Chardonnay with the remainder split between Pinot Noir and Meunier. £28.99 RRP / 75cl / 11.5% ABV 2. Montresor Rosé Royal Pinot Noir Spumante is a vivacious Italian pink sparkler. A delicate pale pink colour.

Subtle and persistent bubbles. Rich toasty aromas of bread, mingle with flower blossom, ripe apples and cherries. £9.99 RRP / 75cl / 12% ABV 3. Hambledon Première Cuvée NV is explosive, with mouthwatering acidity and dried apricot and citrus.

Rich nose exuding Seville orange and brioche aromas. £42 RRP / 75cl / 12% ABV

Available from www.wriggly tinwine.co.uk.

Join as a King’s member to get this wine for just £8.28.

Beaujolais Nouveau Day

Thursday 21st November This month sees Beaujolais nouveau Day taking place in the region - the world’s biggest wine festival! The 10,500 hectare region’s 4,000 vineyard owners produce 110,000,000 bottles a year, 32.9m Beaujolais; 24.7m Villages; 42.2m Crus.

Demand fell through the floor in 2001 when the wine became unfashionable - 1.1m cases were destroyed due to poor sales - but it’s since regained respect and rocketed in quality. Try this example from the region’s Gamay grapes - floral and mineral. n £20 / 750ml / 13%

n Our featured wines are available from the best local independent wine merchants, supermarkets and online, prices are RRP and may vary from those stated.

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HOMES & INTERIORS

SCAnDI CHIC

If you’re seeking a sleek new home with which embodies the Scandinavian values of modern design, clean lines & surfaces and open plan living, look no further than the home of Mark Saggers and family, close to Stamford!

Words: Laurin Dempsey.

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Tune in to this beautifully crafted house, six miles from Stamford. It’s home to mark Saggers’ family and was constructed about six years ago by the locally renowned elton Homes.

Combing traditional materials and methods with modern fittings and systems, the place has a sleekness to it, with lots of natural light and space yielding a desirable, functional and energy efficient property. mark and Jane have owned their four bedroom stone barn for the past six years.

Built in the grounds of the old manor’s farmhouse, the barn first tempted the family with its glorious views that stretch across the nene valley to Wansford.

Main: Masses of space and open plan living from breakfast kitchen to dining room and sitting room to garden room assures lots of useful, light space in this family home

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The barn’s accommodation is arranged over two floors and offers versatility in how the rooms can be used. An economical and environmentally friendly air source heat pump serves the underfloor heating across the ground floor and radiators to the first floor.

The main entrance hall is flooded with light from the full height glazing. There are oak doors and stairs off, providing access to the rest of the house. The oak flooring leads through to the kitchen and breakfast room.

This has been beautifully fitted with an extensive range of wall and base units with granite work-surfaces. There is space for daily dining at the fitted, hardwood table.

Integrated appliances include induction hob with extractor above, split level ovens with warming drawers, microwave, dishwasher, fridge and freezer.

“For the whole family the kitchen is the main hub of the house, where they dine & socialise...”

A door leads the useful utility room which is fitted with a sink, granite work-surfaces and cupboards matching those within the kitchen, then a door leads through to the integral garage.

The oven features two warming drawers which Jane tells us she couldn’t live without.

For the whole family the kitchen is the main hub of the house and they dine and socialise around the fitted hardwood table attached to the kitchen’s island.

The bi-fold doors that open to the kitchen also creates a vast, sociable entertaining

space which is the perfect place for a party.

As a sports journalist with over 30 years of experience though, mark has covered top sporting events from around the world.

Pride of place in the spacious modern hall is a bespoke set of shelving, built by Rutland craftsmen, which is home to mark’s favourite books from the world of sport.

In contrast, the sumptuous sitting room with Scandinavian style wood burner mixes traditional comfortable furniture and antiques.

The contemporary wood burner is the focal point of the living room and is fabulous on cold days creating a very toasty room.

A white Italian glass table and leather chairs from contemporary furniture specialists nGI Design. >> 81

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The first floor is reached via an oak staircase with glass balustrading that continues along a galleried landing.

The master bedroom has two sets of double wardrobes, an additional storage cupboard and there is a well-appointed en-suite shower room. The guest bedroom also has an en suite whilst bedrooms three and four share a stylish Jack & Jill Bathroom. All four bedrooms enjoy the property’s panoramic countryside views.

“As you look outside the kitchen window you have the unspoilt views of the nene valley meandering and sometimes you can see canal boats and cruisers gliding along the nene, with the historic stone bridge in the background and the village of Wansford. It’s an idyllic setting offering true countryside living.”

Above: The heart of the kitchen is this sleek, clean looking kitchen, characteristic of the property’s airy, light feel.

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The back garden was designed by Gardener’s World presenter and RHS Chelsea gold medal winning garden designer Adam Frost… it’s another favourite place for the family in both the summer and the winter, with Clipsham stone landscaping, a water feature trickling over one of the boulders, plus a fire pit for cooler evenings and silver birch trees.

The couple say that the house has been a great property for entertaining family and friends but they’re now looking ahead towards retirement and downsizing.

One thing’s for sure, with sleek, clean style and lots of space, Yarwell’s modern barn is right at the top of the league as a family home for its next owners. n

MAIN STREET, YARWELL, STAMFORD location: Stamford six miles; Oundle seven miles; P’Boro 10 miles. style: modern barn created by elton Homes on small development.

Bedrooms: Four double bedrooms, with generous built-in storage. Two en suites and Jack & Jill bathroom. receptions: Four, currently arranged as breakfast kitchen, dining room, garden room and main sitting room.

Other features: low maintenance garden landscaped by RHS and Chelsea designer Adam Frost. guide Price: £850,000. find Out more: king West, St mary’s Street, Stamford Pe9 2De. Call 01780 484520 or see www.kingwest.co.uk. n

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This spread: Classic Chesterfield in Designers Guild Varese velvet in a dark & moody aubergine colour.

Large (240cm), ÂŁ2,914.

Classic stool ÂŁ556.

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DELCOR

The Best Seat in

the HOUSe

Finding the perfect sofa can be tricky. So don’t bother. Create one instead.

Enlist Stamford’s Delcor to design your own, specifying the shape and size to suit you and choosing the filling, fabric and finishing touches to create not just the best seat in the house, but the best seat in your house...

Words: Rob Davis.

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“Instead of struggling to find your perfect sofa or chair, it’s easier to simply commission one from Delcor...”

Top: Florence Parisian Chesterfield with scooped back, £2,600 in Modena Prussian velvet.

Above/Right: Milan from £2,047, shown here in blue Jonathan Adler fabric by Kravet.

Right: Boxer corner group from £4,780, shown here in Lynton navy chenille.

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Magnum sofa inspired by classic Elizabethan Knoll sofa, ÂŁ2,536 in large (208cm) in Designers Guild fabric.

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Ridley Victorian style sofa in Lindale weave fabric £2,149 in large (203cm).

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B E S P O K E

S O FA S

&

C H A I R S

Above: Duke chair in two designer fabrics, £1,036.

Right: 1940s style Montrose sofa with undulating arms in mustard coloured weave fabric, £1,958 large (209cm).

THe SOFA OR CHAIR YOU WAnT, designed just for you, and delivered in time for a cosy winter.

Stamford’s Delcor is a furniture retailer unlike any other, crafting its products to every single customer’s individual preference and creating them in its Uk workshops.

Choose the shape of your sofa from around 50 designs, choose your preferred dimensions, filling, choose from a range of fabrics from leading designer names, then choose your piping, feet, scatter cushions, foot stool and accent chair according to your every whim.

Gloriously bespoke, beautifully made and completely one-off in nature, partnering with Delcor will ensure you can enjoy having not just the best seat in the house, but the best seat in your house.

Based on Bath Row, the company’s studio has a range of over 100 exemplar sofas, but kathleen Wilkinson and her team make an effort to work alongside each customer to design their perfect sofa, so you’ll never compromise on achieving exactly what you’re looking for in a comfortable, functional and beautiful piece of furniture.

With craftsmanship that lasts a lifetime, Delcor even offers a refurbishment service to take decades old sofas and give them a mid-life refresh, meaning an investment in a Delcor sofa is an investment in quality. n

Find Out More: Design your sofa, armchair, dining or bed divan and achieve the perfect piece of furniture for your home. For an initial consultation, visit the company’s showroom to view over 100 examples of the company’s products and arrange a design consultation.

Delcor Furniture Stamford, Bath Row, Stamford PE9 2QX. Call 01780 762579 or see www.delcor.co.uk.

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Archibald Thorburn It was almost inevitable that Archibald Thorburn (31st May 1860 – 7th October 1935) would become an artist of the highest repute; what with his father Robert Thorburn, the great portrait miniaturist and favourite of Queen Victoria aiding his study along with the tutorage from the esteemed Joseph Wolf, but few would have expected the rise and sustained success of this household name and artistic legend.

Born in Laaswade near Edinburgh, the young Thorburn was prompted and encouraged to paint. He quickly became a master of animal and especially bird subjects, mainly in watercolour and mainly showing the beauty of the surrounding area and the creatures themselves in an accurate textbook manner. He has become synonymous with natural works and was as well known throughout his life as he is today not just through the prolific amount he produced, but the attention to detail and mechanical representation of the subject.

The other obvious feature of his works which has created a legacy in today’s market was his association with both aiding the collaboration and illustrating books on nature in great number, culminating with his masterpiece of over 200 illustrations in the work Coloured Figures Of The Birds Of The British Islands.

The watercolour illustrated was sold at our record breaking Lincoln Art Sale in August for £9000. This result is testament to the quality of the work which amply shows the skill of the artist in producing a scientific representation of in this case the grouse in a wonderful naturalistic setting. Similarly to many of his works, the birds from eagles to peacocks, grouse and pheasants or other animals were drawn from sight, either in the leafy Hascombe where he moved in 1902 or in his yearly returns to Scotland specifically to paint in Kingussie or the surrounding areas.

Archibald Thorburn

Thorburn’s early life was often spent close to nature; if he wasn’t painting animals he was hunting them. Usually he could be found with the high society at shoots in Sandringham or the like and it was not until a highly remorseful event when he fatally wounded an animal whose painful demise led to him replacing the shotgun exclusively with the paint brush.

His rehabilitation was complete when he was made vice president of The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in 1927, he even designed their first Christmas card in 1899.

Archibald Thorburn is a true great and household name. He can me mentioned in the same breath as other famed animal painters such as Stubbs, Marshall, Munnings and Lodge and his works continued to be enjoyed as great investments and true representations of the natural world today. n Find Out More: Craig Bewick is an antiques specialist with Golding, Young & Mawer: The Bourne Auction Rooms, Spalding Road, Bourne PE10 9LE, 01778 422686; The Grantham Auction Rooms, Old Wharf Road, Grantham NG31 7AA, 01476 565118; The Stamford Valuation Office, The George Mews, Station Road, Stamford PE9 2LB, 01780 751666 or The Lincoln Auction Rooms, Thos Mawer House Station Road, North Hykeham, Lincoln, LN6 3QY, 01522 524984. Alternatively, see www.goldingyoung.com.

Here for all your needs...

Free Auction Appraisals We offer free professional advice on items you wish to sell.

Free Home Visits Our valuers will help with house clearance advice or large collection dispersal.

Advisory Days We have regular days at our Bourne, Grantham, Lincoln, Louth & Stamford offices.

Do not hesitate & contact us now!

The hallmark of a professional auction house offering executor client advice & The Grantham Auction Rooms The Bourne Auction Rooms The Lincoln Auction Rooms & private services for valuation, auction sale &01522 property clearance 01476 565118 01778 422686 524984

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• Contemporary, modern, traditional & handmade bespoke kitchens • Affordable, quality kitchens and the latest designs on display • Over 60 appliances on show

• Review our recent jobs on our website www.qksstamford.co.uk or visit our Facebook page • 25 large room settings in our extensive showroom

The best quality, best value and best service from a company fitting kitchens since 1981

Your local appointed Sheraton dealer and Neff Master Partner

THE AREA’S LARGEST INDEPENDENT KITCHEN SHOWROOM The Maltings, Barnack Road, Stamford PE9 2NA T: 01780 756514 or 755855

E: sales@qksstamford.co.uk

www.qksstamford.co.uk

Open Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm. Sat, 9am-3pm, closed all day Sunday

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NATURAL STRUCTURES

nATURAl Add Space, Style & value with

STRUCTUReS You can add space, style and value to your existing property or embark on a full-built construction project with the versatile, all-natural, energy efficient extensions and buildings created by family-run Tur Langton based Natural Structures...

Words: Rob Davis.

A design-led way to add space to your home, working with natural Structures is a win/win situation. The firm is an individual, bespoke, one-stop shop for creating a new, fit for purpose, bespoke space in which to live, or complete new structures as full-built projects. Then, when you come to sell your property, an space designed by family-run Tur langton based natural Structures will add intrinsic and financial value to your home, making it more salable. extending period properties or those in conservation areas is often tricky, but with natural oak, plus glass, stone and steel, these spaces are designed to blend with sensitive buildings.

natural Structures can provide a totally bespoke solution for creating completely new builds or extensions to add more space to your home providing, for example, a new living kitchen on an older property, or a master bedroom extension with pool house as shown opposite.

managing Director of natural Structures Simon lewington says: “We begin work with our clients over a coffee to informally discuss what they’re seeking. Our architects can create a 3D concept design as well as full working drawings to help clients with the design direction and liaise with all building consent and listed building contacts, taking the hassle away from the client.”

“If the space is feasible we create a formal plan and from there, we create the extension 96

in house, fabricating as much as possible in our workshops and then completing final assembly on the client’s property.”

“That means less disruption on the client’s property, and a turnkey solution with the minimum of hassle.”

“Our service extends not only to designing, gaining consent and creating the structure, but also to fitting it out, working with kitchen partners, flooring contactors and so on.”

“We combine the latest technology in design and manufacture with age-old materials like oak, glass, stone and steel, then we employ and train our own craftsmen to ensure they work with us to deliver on our reputation for excellence.”

“Our designs have covered everything from complete house framing to simple outbuildings, from cladding, floors and fixtures to porches, even simple replacement beams in listed buildings - nearly every one of our projects is unique.” >>

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“Working with timber also offers a form of construction that’s sensitive to the environment as well as beautiful...”

Top: As well as providing more space, a Natural Structures timber framed extensions can provide new rooms and new living spaces, from kitchens to pool houses.

Right: A first floor bedroom and dressing room extension with pool house underneath.

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>> “We’re a sustainably-focused responsible company which complies with the 1990 environmental Protection Act and we have a full sustainability statement on our website, ensuring that our beautiful structures don’t cost the earth - in any respect.”

“One look at our website will demonstrate the enormous variety of projects that the company can produce,” says Simon.

“And our manufacturing processes are as meticulous as the planning stages, with time-honoured ‘hands-on’ skills and age-old building methods like hand-cut variations of mortice & tenon, and scarf joints.”

“We like our clients to visit the workshop at this stage because this really is where the magic happens. Our aim is to complete 80% of the work prior to setting foot on the site, meaning less disruption and less weatherdependent downtime.”

“Satisfied customers are the most important measure of success to us, so we’re always happy to provide a free initial consultation with a no pressure-selling guarantee.”

“It could be the first step to discovering what natural Structures can provide for you, your family and for your home.” n

Find Out More: A family-run business, Natural Structures can create oak-framed extensions and full-build constructions which blend beautifully with period properties. Contact Simon Lewington for a free, no pressure-selling discussion.

Natural Structures is based at The Manor, Main Street, Tur Langton, Leicester LE8 0PJ. Call 01858 545518 or see www.natural-structures.co.uk

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MAKING A WREATH

CIRCle THe OUTeR

Instead of buying a wreath for your home, it’s easy and rather fun to create your own. is month we speak to craftswoman Jade Hemmings, who enjoys raiding her autumn garden to create a beautiful and traditional decoration...

Words: Rob Davis. Images: Dean Fisher.

At this time of year, it’s usual to hack back the foliage and put the garden to bed for the winter. Autumn is a time of bonfires and compost heaps, but before you start creating a pile of garden waste, you may want to set aside some of the spoils of autumn to create your own festive wreath.

Wreaths were originally created by lutherans in the 16th Century from evergreen foliage and an endless circular design to symbolise eternal life and fertility.

Traditionally hung up on the first Sunday of Advent. The term itself wreath actually derives from writhen, meaning to writhe or twist. more latterly though, the act of hanging a wreath has simply become a show of one-upmanship as householders engage in friendly(-ish) neighbourly competition to see who can hang the smarter, more imaginative decoration on their door.

You can, of course, search for the smartest wreath from the area’s garden centres, but for true bragging rights, you can make your own really easily.

The secret is to use a decent wire frame which you’ll find at an independent florist, craft shop or larger garden centre.

Two essential ingredients are floristry wire which is thick enough to hold your material

securely, whilst being flexible enough to be easy to work with and to cut. Right from the start it’s a good idea to decide where the top of your wreath will be. You might want to secure a piece of wire as a hanging loop at this stage. next, the bulk of your wreath should be stringy sphagnum moss - as opposed to the sheet moss you’ll find on the ground and on walls. less crumbly and with good waterretaining properties, the thicker the better.

Work around the circumference of your wreath, trying to achieve a uniform width of moss all round. Use wire to secure your moss and try to secure it as tightly as possible.>>

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F E S T I V E

>> next, populate your wreath, initially using bulkier filler foliage. You can use pretty much any evergreen foliage from pine to holly, ivy and cupressus to spruce and eucalyptus.

Push your filler foliage into place, trying to use evenly-sized foliage and to disguise the direction you’re working in. Smaller pieces will give a dense, less uniform look, but are more of a pain to wire in, so use secateurs to trim each piece to suit, working around the circumference systematically.

Once you’ve a thick, shaggy circle of foliage, use smarter looking elements as your ‘best’ foliage and decorations.

Whilst silver baubles, spray-painted cones or artificial flowers and foliage can yield a more contemporary look and colour scheme - a silver/white ‘frosted’ look, for example, you can achieve a more natural looking colour scheme with berried foliage like holly, hawthorne and crab apples.

W R E AT H

Traditionally, scented elements like sage, rosemary and dried citrus peels would be used to ward away evil spirits. Alongside seed heads, cinnamon quills and pine cones, anything is fair game as long as it can be wired in.

A good rule of thumb is to imagine your wreath as a clock face, and use the clock positions of noon, three, six and nine o’clock as key points in your design, then build your decoration up symmetrically from there.

Smaller decorations look good when clustered in threes, and bows of raffia or ribbons can help to add extra luxury to its overall look. keep your wreath moist and if you’ve dried elements like seed heads, a quick blast of hairspray can help to prevent them disintegrating. enlist an extra pair of hands when hanging your wreath and secure to your door with floristry wire. n

TRADITIONALLY, SCENTED ELEMENTS LIKE SAGE, ROSEMARY AND DRIED CITRUS PEELS WOULD BE USED TO WARD AWAY EVIL SPIRITS...”

Below: Dry citrus fruits for an imaginative but still traditional and natural look. Rose hips and pine cones also make good decorations.

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n Our wreaths were made by artisan Jade Hemmings. You can commission her to create a beautiful bespoke wreath for you by calling 07711 679049, or by following Jade on her Instagram account, madebyjade1988.

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Making the most of your garden by creating new “living rooms� for your relaxation & pleasure.

We offer a full design across your entire garden, through to upgrading a bed or part of your outdoor space.

You get the garden you want, an investment in your property and improved well-being through the pleasure of your enhanced outdoor living areas and plants.

Call Soo on 07545 007323 for an initial chat.

Email soo@soospectorgardens.co.uk See our portfolio of work and client testimonials at www.soospectorgardens.co.uk

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WEDDINGS

FAR & AWAY Planning a wedding from the other side of the world would be a unnerving task for many couples... but not Bethan and Chris! From a suprise helicopter ride to last minute wedding dress shopping we speak to bride Beth, to find out about their wedding planning journey!

Photographer: White Stag Wedding Photography, 07593 996068, www.whitestagweddings.com.

Oakham newlyweds Bethan and Chris met through mutual friends at the tender age of just 17. Following 13 years of being together the couple married earlier this year at Oakham Castle, a venue so pretty that even the odd rain shower couldn’t spoil the day.

“Chris and I met through mutual friends,” says Bethan. “Chris lived on the same street as one of my best friends and we both helped to arrange a surprise 17th birthday party for her. The secrecy must have been very romantic That was 13 years ago now and we have been together ever since.”

WEDDING SUPPLIERS BETHAN & CHRIS BENNETT

Therefore, during a brief trip home in October for a friend’s wedding, the couple started looking for their own wedding venue.

Whilst on a surprise helicopter ride around Wanaka in new zealand, Chris popped the question to Bethan, who told us about his cunning and romantic planned proposal.

“I’d never been on a helicopter ride so I was incredibly excited. One of his friends from work was piloting the helicopter and showed us around the sights of Wanaka. The place is a skiing destination and a summer resort town that’s about 1,000ft above sea level, with the kind of breathtaking views you’d imagine.”

“The whole day had been planned months in advance and he was just waiting for the right day with clear skies to propose. The views from the mountain were fantastic and it was the most romantic proposal I could have imagined.”

“We knew we wanted to get married back home. It was important for us to have all our family and friends at the wedding and we knew they wouldn’t all be able to make the trip to new zealand.”

even though the couple both grew up in the area, three years ago they decided to up sticks and relocate to new zealand, where Bethan worked as a primary school teacher and Chris was an Arborist in Queenstown.

“Chris told me his work were organising free helicopter rides for staff and their partners - he had to fly a lot to cut down hard-toreach unruly pine trees! One Saturday he casually told me another couple had dropped out which meant there was a space for us to go on a free helicopter ride over the mountains that day if I wanted.”

“We landed and left the helicopter during the trip to take some photos whereupon Chris then got down on one knee and proposed! It was a complete surprise and I can’t believe he pulled everything off !”

Wedding Photographer: White Stag Photography, 07593 996068 www.whitestagweddings.com.

Wedding Venue: Oakham Castle, castle@rutland.gov.uk, oakhamcastle.org.

Wedding Flowers: Pollen Florist, Oakham, 01572 724404, pollenfloristry.co.uk.

Mosaic Wedding Decorations: Mayimosaic, Peterborough, 01733 264004.

Wedding Cake: Love Life, Eat Cake 07503 412335, lovelifeeatcake.com.

Wedding Dress: Maysie May Bridal, Norfolk, 01692 400966, www.maisiemaybridal.co.uk. n

“We looked around two wedding venues and chose Oakham Castle. We both loved the history of the Castle and it is a stunning building. We then chose the Castle Cottage Café nearby for the wedding reception.”

“We wanted to create a relaxed, informal environment and both venues seemed to suit our numbers. We really liked the outdoor, secret feel to the Café, too.”

The couple planned the rest of the wedding from new zealand. This, for many brides would seem like a daunting task but not for Bethan. “The planning was actually very straightforward and all our suppliers were super helpful, given that we were half way around the world!” >> 111

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- WEDDINGS -

“We used our travels as inspiration for our wedding breakfast tables, which were all named after the different places we’ve visited together!” >> mind you, if you didn’t think planning a wedding from the other side of the world was enough pressure for this loved up couple, Bethan also defered purchasing her dress until just four months prior to the wedding!

“I knew I wanted to go wedding dress shopping with my mum and sister so on a trip to norfolk, just four months before the wedding we went dress shopping.”

“We visited maisie may Bridal in norfolk and I tried on every style of dress they had.

I absolutely loved the experience. In the end I choose a slim fitting dress by Pure Bridal with short, off the shoulder, lace sleeves.”

“I fell in the love with the sleeves of this dress and I knew it was the one. I bought the dress off the rack and with two fittings it was ready in time for the wedding.”

“my most memorable part of the day was walking down the aisle seeing Chris standing there waiting for me. I know it’s cliche but I really did feel the happiest I ever have felt.

It was such a special day and with everyone coming together, it was all we wanted and more. It did rain on the day but it didn’t matter. Our photographer took some amazing umbrella shots which I absolutely love and it made the day even more memorable.”

“For our honeymoon we hired a car and enjoyed a road trip around the West Coast of Scotland... it has some of the best hikes we have completed and some of the best scenery we have seen... the views almost compare with new zealand!” n 112

Photographer: White Stag 07593 996068, or see www.whitestagweddings.com.

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BRIDESMAIDS

Always the Bridesmaid ‘ALWAYS THE BRIDESMAID, NEVER THE BRIDE.’ IT’S OFTEN SEEN AS A NEGATIVE, BUT WITH THE LATEST 2020 COLLECTIONS FROM THE TOP BRANDS, IT’S A GREAT TIME TO BE A BEAUTIFUL BRIDESMAID...

Bridesmaid dresses usually evoke class and simplicity - so as to not upstage the bride and uniformity. While the former requirement is still true, the latter seems to have been entirely forgotten.

Providing bridesmaids with individuality, and giving them a choice in the style or colour of dress they wish to wear, allows them to be more involved in wedding planning and allows them to be much more comfortable on your wedding day.

Right: Multiwrap baby blue dresses by Eliza and Ethan.

Below: Jenny Yoo bridesmaid dresses in colours ‘Fig’ and ‘Whipped Apricot.’ We love the variety of styles; it’s become increasingly popular to mix and match bridesmaid dresses.

While some brides are opting to keep the colours the same with variations in style, other brides are changing everything about the bridesmaids’ gowns.

Of course, uniform bridesmaid dresses are still popular, and it seems that neutral pastel tones are still the favoured theme, but it’s nice to see that this area of weddings is being shaken up.

Often, High Street fashion trends are being incorporated into bridesmaid fashion like pleated skirts, shorter dresses and velvet or alternative textures. multiwrap dresses are still very much in fashion for 2020 too. n

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Top/Left: Hayley Paige bridesmaids in navy blue.

Top: Kelsey Rose dresses in buff.

Left: Jenny Yoo’s Valentina collection including the Valentina wedding dress too.

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T H E

L U X U RY

B R A N D

Diamonds are a girl’s best friend, and Tiffany & Co provide arguably the best examples. Responsible for the world’s most popular engagement ring, the company’s story began with Charles Lewis Tiffany on Broadway...

The 1830s in New York City were a time of dynamic growth and golden opportunity for anyone with a little capital and an abundance of imagination.

In 1837 new York became the proving ground for 25 year old Charles lewis Tiffany and John Young, who opened a ‘stationery and fancy goods’ store with a $1,000 advance from Tiffany’s father.

On their way to the new emporium at 259 Broadway, fashionable ladies in silks, satins and beribboned bonnets faced a gauntlet of narrow streets teeming with horses and carriages.

At Tiffany & Co, they discovered a newly emerging ‘American style’ that departed from european design aesthetic, which was rooted in ceremonial patterns and victorian mannered opulence.

Tiffany first achieved international recognition at the 1867 Paris World’s fair. The company was awarded the grand prize for silver craftsmanship, the first time an American design house had been highly acclaimed on foreign shores.

Tiffany was the first American company to employ the British silver standard - 92% pure. largely through the efforts of Charles lewis Tiffany, this standard was soon adopted by the US Government.

The Tiffany & Co silver studio was the first American school of design. Apprentices were encouraged to observe and sketch nature, and to explore the vast

collections of sketches and artwork assembled by edward C moore, the celebrated silversmith and head of the studio.

By 1870, Tiffany & Co had become America’s premier silversmith and purveyor of jewels and timepieces. At the turn of the 20th century, the company had more than 1,000 employees and branches in london, Paris, and Geneva.

In 1878, Tiffany acquired one of the world’s largest and finest fancy yellow diamonds from the kimberley diamond mines in South Africa. Under the guidance of Tiffany’s gemologist, Dr George Frederick kunz, the diamond was cut from 287.42 carats to 128.54 carats with 82 facets, which gave the stone its legendary fire and brilliance. named the Tiffany Diamond, the stone became an exemplar of Tiffany craftsmanship.

The legacy of Tiffany design is told in the annual Blue Book Collection, featuring Tiffany’s - and the world’s - most spectacular jewels. Initially published in 1845, the Tiffany Blue Book was the first such catalogue to be distributed in the US. Since 1878, the signature Tiffany Blue colour has distinguished the catalogue’s cover, as well as the famous Tiffany Blue Box. There is a rule about the famous Blue Box too; it can only be provided on the purchase of merchandise.

In 1886, Tiffany introduced the engagement ring as we know it today. Previously, diamond rings were set in bezels. But mr

ree ings You Didn’t Know About Tiffany Blue...

ORIGINALLY EMPRESS BLUE Napoleon III’s wife Empress Eugenie de Montijo was the biggest fashion icon of the 19th century.

When Charles Tiffany saw a portrait of her, he knew the shade of blue in her gown would be popular, so made it the official colour of Tiffanys.

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PANTONE NUMBER 1837 The lovely duck egg blue colour that Charles used for the brand’s various advertisements, bags, boxes and catalogues is officially Pantone No. 1837, named after the year Tiffany & Co first went into business.

AN EXCLUSIVE SHADE Pantone provides customised colours and since Tiffany & Co own, and have trademarked, this colour you won’t be able to find the exact shade anywhere else or replicate it legally.

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Tiffany’s ring was designed to highlight brilliantcut diamonds by lifting the stone off the band into the light.

This famous ring was named the Tiffany Setting.

To this day, it is the most sought-after symbol of true love, and the world’s most popular engagement ring.

Having introduced major gemstones to the United States through purchases of the crown jewels of France and Spain, mr Tiffany’s enterprise was now the world’s diamond authority.

At the same time, the world had embarked on the Age of expositions that took place in europe and America, and at every venue, Tiffany won the highest honours. The company’s exhibit at the 1889 Paris fair was heralded as ‘the most extraordinary collection of jewels ever produced by an American jewellery house.’

Tiffany produced an equally praiseworthy collection for the 1900 Paris fair, along with magnificent silver pieces based on native American designs.

This unprecedented number of awards led to Tiffany’s appointment as Royal Jeweller to the crowned heads of europe, as well as the Ottoman emperor and the Czar of Russia.

With the death of Charles lewis Tiffany in 1902, louis Comfort Tiffany, the founder’s son, became Tiffany’s first art director. His position as America’s leading designer was well established by 1882, when President Chester Arthur invited him to redecorate the White House.

By 1900 the younger Tiffany was a world leader in the Art nouveau and Arts and Crafts movements.

The famed artist created a remarkable range of designs, from technically brilliant leaded glass to colourful enameled jewels based on American plants and flowers.

Throughout the jeweller’s history, the most prominent members of American society were Tiffany customers. vanderbilts, Astors, Whitneys and Havemeyers adorned their evening dress in Tiffany diamonds and commissioned gold and silver services.

President lincoln purchased a seed pearl suite for his wife, mary Todd lincoln in 1861, and a young Franklin Roosevelt purchased a Tiffany engagement ring in 1904.

As the 20th century progressed, Tiffany designs captured the spirit of the times, from the extravagance of the 1920s to the modernism of the 1930s and the aerodynamic age of the 1940s and 1950s.

Tiffany china set the stage for White House dinners, and Tiffany jewels accented the elegant

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clothes of the world’s most glamorous women, including Jacqueline kennedy Onassis, elizabeth Taylor and Diana vreeland. very often Jean Schlumberger created their jewels. This great 20th century jewellery designer arrived at Tiffany in 1956. His bejeweled flowers, birds and ocean life remain the pride of Tiffany & Co. Throughout Tiffany’s history, the US Government has called upon the company to create many commemorative designs, including ceremonial swords for Civil War generals, the Congressional medal of Honour which is the nation’s highest military award, and the 1885 redesign of the Great Seal of the United States, which appears on the one dollar bill.

Business and professional organisations have also commissioned Tiffany to create custom designs.

The most well known is the vince lombardi Trophy for the national Football league Super

Bowl Championship. Tiffany has created the trophy since the first Super Bowl in 1967.

Of course, Tiffany & Co has inspired hollywood too. Audrey Hepburn appeared in Breakfast at Tiffany’s in 1961, and it was the first time filming was allowed in the store. During filming, 40 security guards were brought in to the store to make sure none of the precious gems went missing.

Tiffany welcomed other visionary designers, including elsa Peretti, who transformed 1970s jewellery design with an elegant simplicity based on natural forms, and Paloma Picasso, who followed in 1980 with jewellery of bold originality.

Throughout the company’s history, Tiffany designers have drawn on the natural world for inspiration. nature is the source of the metals and gemstones necessary for creating their designs.

Tiffany was an early advocate of obtaining materials in ways that are environmentally responsible.

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T H E

L U X U RY

B R A N D

A Girls’ Best Friend

Facts about diamonds and the engagement ring that made Tiffany and Co so famous...

Classic Engagement Ring: Tiffany and Co actually invented the engagement ring as we know it today. Charles Tiffany decided to lift the diamond up, above the band, whereas before it was set into the band.

The Age of Diamonds: Natural diamonds are roughly one to three billion years old.

The Big Apple: Almost 80% of all diamonds are purchased in Tiffany’s home city; New York.

The Strongest Material: The diamond is 58 times harder than any other natural material. In fact, the word diamond comes from the Greek word ‘adamant’ which literally translates to invincible or steadfast.

One in a million: Diamonds really are one in a million! On average, one million units of mined rock yields just one part diamond.

“Tiffany is commissioned by the government to create designs like the Great Seal of the US, now appearing on every one dollar bill...”

“Our position as a leader in the luxury jewellery market gives us the opportunity and responsibility to conduct our business in a manner that is consistent with our core beliefs,” says As Tiffany & Co Chairman and CEO Michael J. Kowalski.

“They are protection of the environment, respect for human rights and support for the communities in which we do business.”

In 2012 Tiffany marked its 175th anniversary. In honour of this milestone, the Tiffany Diamond

was reset in a magnificent necklace of dazzling white diamonds.

After travelling to gala celebrations in Europe, Asia and the United States, the diamond in its new setting returned to its permanent place of honour on the Main Floor of Tiffany’s Fifth Avenue store and it is free to view.

Diamonds and pencils: They’re more similar than you think. Graphite and diamond is 100% carbon. The crystals are arranged in different ways making diamonds near invincible and graphite crushable.

Digging for diamonds: Most diamonds are formed 87 - 118 miles underground.

This priceless gem is symbolic of a heritage based on the highest standards of quality and design excellence.

These standards have made Tiffany & Co one of America’s greatest institutions, a world renowned jeweller with over 200 stores worldwide, and the trusted maker of gifts that will be treasured for a lifetime.

Above: Lady Gaga at the recent Academy Awards wearing the iconic yellow Tiffany diamond. Left: The famous scene from Breakfast at Tiffany’s, the New York flagship store and Charles Tiffany himself.

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JEWELLERY WITH TIFFANY & CO

TIFFAnY True Love with

1. Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard earrings £1,125.

2. Tiffany East West watch £3,275. 3. Paloma's Graffiti Love Ring £205. 4. Paloma Picasso Olive Leaf Three-Row Bracelet £1,750.

5. Tiffany T Diamond and Turquoise Wire Bracelet £2,525.

6. Paloma's Melody Bangle £1,495. 7. Tiffany True Engagement Ring with a Tiffany True Diamond in Platinum £6,200.

8. Diamonds by the Yard Ring £2,050.

9. Paloma Picasso Loving Heart Pendant £1,800.

10. Elsa Peretti Mesh Fringe Earrings £690.

11. Tiffany Paper Flowers Diamond Cluster Pendant £8,400. n

For more information on featured products see www.tiffany.co.uk

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Blue Spruce 7ft Tree, £499, Garden Retreat Tree Decorations, from £5.

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QUEENSGATE

Faux Fur

Faux fur tiger print coat, £99, Topshop.

Cloche

John lewis Snowscape Pinecone cloche tree decoration £5.

eDIT

Dress

marks & Spencer Collection dress, £69.

Queensgate’s Winter

Cocktail Trolley

John lewis and Swoon Raine bar trolley £449.

Jewellery Calendar

Jewellery calendar from marks & Spencer £19.50.

Enjoy a winter of content with a stylish selection of products selected from the retailers at Peterborough’s Queensgate Shopping Centre...

Handbag

Scarf-wrapped handheld bag from Acessorize £30.

Bar Accessories In polished gold from River Island, £35.

Skirt

marks & Spencer Collection skirt £49.50.

All of our featured products are available from Queensgate Shopping Centre, Peterborough, www.queensgate-shopping.co.uk.

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WRAP UP

WARm FASHION THE COVER STORY

is month’s Cover Story: country clothing that’s as warm and practical as it is stylish.

Available at and modelled on the Doddington Hall Estate, our exclusive fashion shoot has been captured by Pride photographer Dean Fisher...

Images: Pride’s Chief Photographer Dean Fisher.

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Previous Page (left): Dubarry Bracken tweed jacket in sorrel £199; Barbour Essential slim jean £79.95; pheasant scarf in purple

by Peony £15. Jack Murphy Boston hat in olive £39.99, Doddington pheasant feather hat pin £25, Dubarry Cormack polo berry £79, Dubarry Eyrecourt handbag black/brown £149, Aigle Deer gloves brown £65, Dubarry Longford boots black/brown £379.

Previous Page (right): Dubarry Hazelwood poncho in sorrel £199; tweed skirt £169. Le Chameau Chasseur neo £265, Jack Murphy Boston hat burgundy £39.99, Aigle Deer gloves brown £65, Dubarry Cormack Polo pale blue £79. is Page: Mat de Misaine Coventry Shirt in lichen £115, Pacifico trousers £87.50, Barbour Beadnall jacket £199.

Dubarry Schull hat russet £39, Dubarry Buckley gloves russet £39.

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is page: norfolk shirt,

by Schöffel Ptarmigan print, £69.95; Cheltenham cords in plum by Schöffel £99.95; Aigle Saguvi jacket in khaki £200; Mat de Misaine scarf in lichen £42.50. Jack Murphy Boston hat in olive £39.99, Doddington pheasant feather hat pin £25, British Bag Co., Cartridge Flask £19.95.

All of our featured fashions are available Doddington Country Clothing on the Doddington Hall Estate.

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is page: Dubarry Heaney jacket in navy £199; gant turtleneck jumper in red £155; Wale cord skirt in evening blue £95; Dubarry garbally bag in poppy £179 and 100 Stars Robe scarf £27.99

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is page: Schöffel Cheltenham jeans in navy, £79.95; Schöffel polo neck in mink £139.95; Schöffel Mayfair jacket in navy £379.95. Aigle Deer gloves in brown £65, Dubarry garbally bag navy £179, Dubarry Tullynally scarf £65.

All of our featured fashions are available Doddington Country Clothing on the Doddington Hall Estate.

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is page: Dubarry Spindle waistcoat in sorrel, £199; Barbour Essential slim jeans £79.95. Jack Murphy Boston hat in olive £39.99, Doddington Pheasant Feather hat pin £25, Reeves and Reeves necklace Star Silver £47.50, Dubarry Snowdrop shirt £69, Dubarry Longford boots in black/brown £379.

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is page: Aigle Saguvi jacket in khaki £200, Mat de Misaine Turbigo polo neck in grey chenille £105. Schöffel Cheltenham jeans, navy £79.95, Powder Maggie scarf moss mix £29.95, Powder Betty gloves, tangerine £22, Powder Karina hat in cream £27.

All of our featured fashions are available Doddington Country Clothing on the Doddington Hall Estate.

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is page: schöffel lilymere jacket in navy tweed £399.95; schöffel Ptarmigan shirt, £69.95; Schöffel Cheltenham cords in navy £99.95.

Doddington Pheasant Feather brooch £25, Aigle Deer gloves in brown £65, Dubarry Dingle bag, black/brown £179, Reeves and Reeves necklace, Star, in silver £47.50.

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- FASHION -

Top/Left: Harkila/Seeland Woodcock jacket £179.99; Noble v-neck jumper £54.99; Seeland Collin shirt £39.99; Soprano tie, pheasant, in gold £25.

Top/Right: Aigle Cortal three in one jacket £235; Redul gilet £65; Soprano green partridge tie £25; Schöffel Banbury shirt £69.95.

Bottom/Left: Barbour Hereford jacket in olive £199; Gant grey crew neck £95; Gant flannel shirt indigo £90; Gant cords in khaki £120.

Bottom/Right: Schöffel Ptarmigan Buckingham tweed jacket £649.95; plus twos £299.99; Red tie £25; Alan Johnson Deer Antler walking stick in hazel £67.50; Schöffel Tweed Cap Buckingham £49.95; Schöffel Cambridge shirt £69.95; Schöffel Oakham gilet £139.99, Le Chameau Chasseur Neo £265. n

All of our featured fashions are available Doddington Country Clothing on the Doddington Hall Estate.

Stockists of Schöffel, Barbour, Dubarry, Ariat, Seeland, Aigle, Gant, Mat de Misaine, One Hundred Stars, Powder and more. Visit Doddington Hall, Lincolnshire, LN6 4RU, call 01522 812515 or see www.doddingtonhall.com.

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ADVERTORIAL

HOW TO PREVENT ACHES AS THE WEATHER GETS COLDER...

Joint pain can occur anytime throughout the year, but in the cold and wet months of autumn and winter you may find it harder to cope with.

A change in weather will not cause arthritis but it can make the symptoms worse. When we are cold, our body restricts how much blood it sends around extremities so that it can focus on supplying vital organs. This means the joints get less blood and, for some, this can be painful and/or cause tightness or stiffness.

Although arthritis affects all ages, it is more common as we get older. One in five adults in the UK has arthritis. There are many different types, but all cause pain and inflammation of the joints.

The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis. As we age, the cartilage that cushions our joints gradually wastes away, leading to painful rubbing of bone on bone.

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An injury to a joint can also trigger osteoarthritis, even many years later.

Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when your body’s immune system attacks the joints. The joints and inflamed tissues then become stiff, painful and swollen.

Another painful condition that flares up in cold weather is Raynaud’s disease. This affects the fingers and toes, but it is not a problem with the joints. The blood vessels under your skin go into a temporary spasm in reaction to the cold, cutting off normal blood flow.

Although pain is unpleasant, it’s your body’s way of telling your brain that something is wrong. Pain is a protective mechanism to stop further damage but arthritic pain doesn’t mean you should dive for the duvet and quit exercising altogether.

Remaining active is vital. Exercise will help keep your joints supple, which can reduce

pain. There’re plenty of indoor activities available in this area to suit everyones taste.

When you are not exercising wrap up warm, paying special attention to the hands, chest, legs and head.

Listen to your body, paying attention to pain in or around a joint can help prevent a more serious injury. If something hurts, stop and speak to a health professional such as a Physiotherapist. n For early stages Osteoarthritis there is the international award winning MBST technology available in Rutland provided by Physiotherapist, Ann Clare. Please visit www.mbst-therapy.co.uk, facebook page @mbstuk, call 01780 238084, email info@mbst-therapy.co.uk or call in and meet the friendly and helpful team at Cell Regeneration & Clare House Physiotherapy, Casterton Lane, Tinwell PE9 3UQ. TREATING PEOPLE, NOT PATIENTS.

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AUTUMN BEAUTY

vert De Terre

THIS MONTH WE’RE TAKING INSPIRATION FROM MOTHER NATURE AND SPECIFICALLY FROM THE MOSSY BEAUTY OF AUTUMN’S VERT DE TERRE HUE

1. Brand new from Floris, with the scent of the forest...

Founded in 1730, Floris is one of the country’s finest fragrance houses, supplying perfumes and aftershaves to Hm The Queen and historically to Churchill. new from the company is the unisex vert Fougere, with its green mossy foundations, top notes of bergamot and patchouli base notes. £120 / 100ml EDP.

2. verdant eye Palette

Rebel is Charlotte Tilbury’s quartet of rose-gold, olive green & peacock blues for dramatic, unique eye makeup! Highly pigmented shades mean you get long-lasting colour that is buildable throughout the day, with a timeless look perfect for this season’s festive parties. £40.

3. Botanical Power

Aveda’s Botanical kinetics improves daily facial cleansing with a rich creme that removes surface dirt and impurities. extra-mild on skin with plant-derived oils to leave skin soft and smooth. £19 / 150ml.

4. nail Alchemy

Chanel’s le vernis provides a very smooth streak-free shimmer and applies beautifully. It's a mossy olive shimmer with a hint of gold and khaki. long-wearing, extra-fine and ultra-shiny, each coat for an even, lacquered result. £22/13ml.

5. A Show of Hands for Winter

Skog is norwegian and Swedish for ‘forest,’ and the rugged terrain of those countries has been a good proving ground for this 96% natural, Paraben-free aloe and shea butter based hand cream.

Ideal for irritated skin, it’s apricot and almond scented, with aloe vera.

Anti-inflammatory, it’s great for those who work and play outdoors. £20.00/75ml.

6. A fresh woodland scent from Jo Malone...

Sweet, but not overwhelming is the report we’ve received of what to expect when you light Jo malone’s latest candle, with its while delicate lily of the valley and decadent narcissus.

Reminiscent of the pastel gentility of Georgian london, according to the marketing blurb... sparkling cassis and green ivy open this captivating, ethereal fragrance, £48/ 200g.

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

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PETERBOROUGH’S ONLY ONE STOP DIAGNOSTIC & INTERVENTIONAL SERVICE

IN THIS DAY AND AGE OF MEDICINE the biggest frustration can be getting any one to see you and assess why you suddenly have pain. The NHS has finite resources, they cannot respond to everyone who has pain, and often our General Practitioners are encouraged to treat with painkillers for many months before referring on for any investigations or opinions. This is not a criticism, that is the reality of an underfunded NHS. At the Avicenna clinic, we take your pain very seriously, having an assessment is the first stop in deciding where the pain is coming from, it then makes the choice of imaging much clearer and targeted.

Take for instance Mrs LM, with severe pain on the outside of her thigh, she was struggling to mobilise, to help her granddaughter look after her horse (which was probably the start of things as she had to walk uphill in a field for a good half hour to retrieve the horse) to enjoy life, and with an important holiday coming up, she feared she might have to cancel.

Her GP suggested painkillers and whilst there was a bit of relief, it did not agree with her system. The pain was just getting her down, and so she made an appointment at The Avicenna clinic one Monday evening.

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Firstly she had a thorough history taken. It cannot be underestimated how important a history is, because by the time all the questions have been asked and answered, a clinician normally knows what to expect to find on assessment. With Mrs LM although the pain was in an unusual place for hip problems which are normally felt in the groin, all the questions like ease of getting in/out of a car, or stairs, led the way to believing it was a hip joint problem. The examination then ruled out the lower back and ruled in a hip joint problem. Armed with this, the clinician discusses the case with Dr El-Madbouh, Consultant musculo-skeletal Radiologist, who agrees the best investigation would be an MRI of the hip.

Within 45 minutes of arriving at the clinic Mrs LM is in the Open MRI scanner (the only Open scanner in a 100 mile radius) and sure enough it shows damage to the cartilage at the back of the hip joint. A normal x-ray would probably not have picked this up, but the MRI takes images form all direction and it clearly showed the loss of a patch of cartilage and some swelling in the bone as a reaction.

Next stop the operating theatre, kitted out with everything necessary for day surgery

treatment and a special type of x-ray called a fluoroscopy machine, giving an ability to take images in real time, which is very important for the next step of injection some anaesthetic and steroid into the joint. Once set up, the injection took 5 minutes and immediately there was a change in the pain. This means we certainly had the right diagnosis, now to see if over the next 6 weeks if this is enough to stop the pain and give Mrs LM her holiday, most importantly, pain free.

All this took about 2 hours in total.

At Avicenna clinic, we have a range of specialist consultants, operating theatre for surgical procedures, and superior in-house imaging facilities, including state-of-the-art MRI, ultrasound and X-ray scanning equipment. We can assess and diagnose all cases of acute and chronic pain quickly, and deliver comprehensive treatment plans tailored to you.n For more information or to book a consultation or for more information on available services to help you, contact Avicenna Clinic on 0330 202 0597, or visit our website www.avicennaclinic.com.

For more information about the clinic please visit the clinic website www.avicennaclinic.com.

Or visit North Street, Peterborough PE1 2RA.

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HEGARTY SOLICITORS

Starting Out in Business Could 2020 be the year you embark on a bold new career move and start your own business? If so, you’ll need advice from Ashley Sutherland. As a Corporate Associate at Hegarty Solicitors, you can be assured of the best advice for avoiding the pitfalls...

Words: Ashley Sutherland.

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STARTInG UP In BUSIneSS is one of the most exciting and rewarding journeys to embark upon, but it’s a time of great pressure, as well as a time of great pleasure and excitement.

Hegarty Solicitors’ Corporate Associate Solicitor Ashley Sutherland has judged the Rutland and Stamford mercury Business Awards ‘Best new Start Up’ award for the past two years. Here Ashley tells us about judging the award and gives some new business start-up advice.

The ‘Best new Start Up’ award recognises the achievements of new and younger businesses and the successes they have achieved since inception.

Businesses that are up to three years of trading and located within the Rutland and Stamford area can apply.

When judging applicants, I look at turnover and trading history as well as employment engagement particularly within the local area, financial performance and prospects. A successful applicant will demonstrate excellent initial growth and stability.

This is a particularly enjoyable exercise for me as an Associate Solicitor specialising in the Corporate Commercial sector. I regularly advise new business start-ups as well as well-established businesses. From owner-managers to PlC’s the general commercial obstacles that businesses face can be similar.

There are several things to consider prior to starting any new business venture: What Structure Should the Business Take?

From limited companies to partnerships and sole traders, legally and commercially there are many things to consider. The appropriate structure for individual businesses will vary and it will be determined on a risk management and risk allocation basis. At Hegarty we can advise you as to the structure suitable for your business.

How Can I Manage Risk & Liability

A key way to manage risk and liability is to ensure that your business has appropriate policies and contracts in place to cover both internal business management and your trading relationships.

Consideration will need to be given to industry specific requirements. The difference between a successful business could be a properly drafted contract of supply.

What Documentation Will I Need?

It is advisable to have properly drafted supply contracts to cover supply and payment terms, customer default, retention of title, limitation of liability, intellectual property (if appropriate) and disputes. Without a properly drafted contract, businesses will have to rely on the basic statutory principles. If your product or service is particularly sensitive or new to the market, you may want to put in place a non-Disclosure Agreement so that confidentiality is maintained. International relationships will also need to be managed particularly within distribution networks.

Is Insurance Appropriate?

As a new business you should always consider what type of insurance is appropriate. I would always recommend clients speak to an insurance broker as to the relevant insurances. If for example, you are a food manufacturer, then you should consider public liability insurance. For professional services such as architecture or real estate, then professional indemnity insurance is always advisable.

Are There Licences or Consents I Need to Secure?

Some industries require specific consent or authorisations to operate, for example transport services may require an operator’s licences. If you process and handle personal data, your business may also need to be registered with the Information Commissioners Office.

Anything Else I Should Consider?

Other protective measures could include protection of assets and intellectual property. For example, ensuring the appropriate copyright notices are included on your website and literature.

In some cases it may also be appropriate to implement brand protection measures. For example, is it appropriate to consider trademarking the name of a product or service name?

If you are setting up in business with any other party you should consider the actions that you can take to protect your relationship with investor and business partners. There are a number of things that we can put in place to protect you in the event of a partner dispute and exit planning.

This is just a snapshot of the types of things to consider when setting up a business. At Hegarty Solicitors, we can advise you and your business as to what is suitable and appropriate for you. n

Find Out More: Hegarty Solicitors has offices in Oakham, Stamford and Peterborough.

For more information on the practice’s range of legal services including Ashley Sutherland’s advice for business startups, call 01733 295553, see www.hegarty.co.uk or email ashley.sutherland@hegarty.co.uk.

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DUNCAN & TOPLIS

championing the community for 94 years

Supporting charities and groups that are meaningful to our team members, clients and the wider community has never been more important. From raising money for vital community causes to sponsoring dragon boat races, we regularly come together to raise money and support vital charities and organisations in lincolnshire and beyond. last year was a shining example of this.

In April 2018, the International Bomber Command Centre opened after nine years of fundraising.

The £13m centre includes the Uk’s tallest war memorial and an interpretation centre to remember the one million men and women from 62 countries who came together in Bomber Command during World War Two.

From day one of fundraising, Duncan & Toplis helped the organisation make the most of every donation by minimising costs and wastage while making sure the centre’s finance function was fit for purpose and conformed to complex financial regulations and vAT rules.

As members of the community themselves, the team was proud to be working on the project.

The International Bomber Command Centre is now successfully operating commercially to share stories of Britain’s past with generations of people.

We’re lucky to work with people who are all extremely generous and passionate about their community. We sponsored the annual Beaumond House Community Hospice Winter Ball at the start of 2018. It was a fantastic evening of dancing and

delicious food. The cherry on top was finding out that almost £16,000 was raised for the hospice!

The team in newark also raises funds through bake sales, ‘wear it blue’ events and monopoly tournaments throughout the year to help pay for much-needed refurbishments.

We had some fun and did some fundraising last summer with dozens of businesspeople from across lincolnshire at our annual Charity Golf Day, raising £3,500 for the lincolnshire & nottinghamshire Air Ambulance. The event has been a company tradition for 28 years and we’ve raised a total of £85,000 over the years.

The whole company also raised thousands of pounds for macmillan Cancer Support by hosting a series of community Coffee mornings last year, and over the festive period, we celebrated the season of giving with a Christmas present appeal. each of our 11 offices accepted new and unused toys and gifts for children who are supported by lincolnshire County Councils social care teams.

2019 sees us carrying on with our efforts to support our local community. We’re once again hosting our Charity Golf Day this summer and continuing to support our favourite good causes and local groups: We’ll be baking, running, rowing, shaving our heads and playing monopoly for charities and deserving causes. We’re proud to have supported our community over the years, and we’ll continue to dedicate our time and efforts to help make an even bigger difference for many years to come. n

Find Out More: Duncan & Toplis is among the top 30 UK accountants, offering expert accounting services, audits & business advice to individuals & businesses, with 11 offices throughout Lincolnshire Stamford and Rutland. Call 0808 169 1196 or see www.duntop.co.uk for a free, no obligation discussion of your needs.

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Miscellany

Welcome to miscellany. This feature in Pride includes snippets of information you may not have known, book reviews, county history and interesting locals. enjoy!

Edited by: Laurin Dempsey.

going Potty for Ceramics

In this edition we met the truly talented ceramicist Connie Taylor.

If she’s inspired you to go potty, here’s a crash course on the wheel...

Throwing a pot, that is, using a potter’s wheel takes some getting to grips with, but it’s certainly addictive.

Start by placing your clay on a bat or platform to prevent your finished piece from distorting when you remove it - hence the phrase, straight off the bat.

Turn the wheel slowly and tap to centre the clay with dry hands.

Getting your clay right in the centre of the wheel is arguably the most important step.

Next get your hands wet... really wet... and plow or push the clay forward spinning the wheel a little faster. Anchor your elbows tightly against the body and when the clay feels complicit that is, when it feel calm, squeeze it and work the cone of material upwards.

the cone to level it off. The right hand pushes down whilst the left hand pushes forward, and again, the wheel needs to be spinning quite quickly.

Once you’ve a smooth and level surface on the top of your piece, slow the wheel down a bit.

Here’s where the magic happens! Make a decisive hole in the centre of the piece, making sure you leave enough clay for the pot’s bottom.

Pull the clay out, making sure it’s is really wet, smoothing out any unevennesss. When you’ve finished pulling, let go gradually then use a sponge to smooth the bottom of the interior of your pot. Raise the wall squeezing your fingers together and lifting gently, just with the tips of your fingers in order to avoid unnecessary friction.

Smooth the walls of your pot and clean the bottom with a wooden tool before slowing the wheel down and removing with a cutting wire. n

Oakham’s McDonalds Controversy: For & Against

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Francis and his newly inherited wealth came in rather useful to the plotters as they discovered that dynamite isn’t cheap.

Francis’s brother in law was due to be at the State opening of Parliament so Francis had an anonymous letter delivered to him warning him not to be in the house on that day. This letter led to the capture of Guy Fawkes under the Houses Of Parliament.

n Ironically, Rushton Hall will host a Bonfire Celebration with fireworks on 2nd December. See rushtonhall.com.

‘To Beef or not to Beef...’ (that is the question!)

Caroline Aston, Broadcaster.

Poor Guy Fawkes. He pretty much took the rap for that whole blowing up Parliament business, but in reality there were a group of co-conspirators, including Francis Tresham (1567-1605). A hot-headed aristocrat, Tresham’s family home was Rushton Hall, Kettering.

It only took a few days before the rest of the plotters were either captured or killed. Francis was held in the Tower of London where he died before he could be executed in December 1605.

Level the top of your piece using the pressure of your thumbs and place your left hand on top of

“Rutland has changed immensely - when I was a girl, I could have had a picnic sitting in the middle of the High Street.

But it’s the march of time. Oakham remains a lovely place to live and I think the people will take to Big macs.”

FRAnCIS TRESHAM

“People say it’s something for the kids but is that what we're aspiring to?

Our beautiful town doesn't need a mcDonald's.

It will open up the doors [for other chains] and kill it off.”

Jade Smith, Gym Owner.

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MISCELLANY: WASTE SOME TIME

Evenin’ All! ‘Protecting the Community’ for 180 years, the history of our Police force...

The first police force in leicestershire was the leicester Borough Police, formed in 1836 and based in the heart of the city at the Guildhall.

Three years later, in 1839, leicestershire Police came into being as one of the first county forces in Britain.

In 1848, a third force Rutland Constabulary - was formed with one constable and a chief constable!

All three forces ran independently until April 1951 when leicestershire Police and Rutland Constabulary merged into one. Some years prior to this, in 1919, the Borough Police changed its name to leicester City Police.

This organisation continued independently

until 1967 when a new single force - leicester and Rutland Constabulary - was created.

A further change came in April 1974 under the re-organisation of local government. The police force for the entire area took the name leicestershire Constabulary.

In 2012, leicestershire Constabulary changed its name to leicestershire Police. Today the service is responsible for 2,500sq km (965sq m), and has 3,256 employees including 2,089 sworn officers. leicestershire Police has an annual budget of £170m, and protects a over 1,000,000 local people. n For more information see leics.police.uk

Silver Anniversary for Stamford’s Silver Screen Stamford Cinema this month celebrates its 25th anniversary.

Back in 1994, in the year of the cinema’s opening, the Arts Centre screened 97 different films, to an audience of 6,198 people. This past year, they have screened a whopping 185 different films, to a total audience of 46,181 people!

They have come a long way indeed, with various refurbishments over the years, from screening mono, 35mm film in 1994 to digital, 7.1 surround sound today in 2019.

Cinema has certainly come a long way... which got us thinking... what are the most popular films of all time? n

Name of Film, Box Office Takings (£m) and Year Released

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Skyfall Spectre Avatar Avengers: Endgame Star Wars: The Last Jedi Titanic Toy Story 3 The Lion King Harry Potter, Deathly Hallows P.2 Beauty and the Beast Avengers: Infinity War Mamma Mia! Harry Potter, Philosopher's Stone Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

£123.2 £103.2 £95.2 £94.0 £88.7 £82.7 £80.3 £74.0 £73.1 £73.1 £72.4 £70.8 £68.6 £66.1 £66.0

2015 2012 2015 2009 2019 2017 1998 2010 2019 2011 2017 2018 2008 2001 2016

NB: Information is based on films grossing over £50m since 1994.

Uppingham Fatstock 27th november 2019 - Beef Up Your Cow Knowledge!

The English Longhorn: The UK’s most common breed, large, producing a good milk yield typically brown and white in colour, recognisable by its huge horns. n

The Red Poll: An established cross between the Norfolk Red and Suffolk Dun dairy breed. An ideal breed for yielding both milk and beef. n

The Hereford A heavy breed weighing up to 850kg (bulls), but docile.

Now the most common breed of cattle across the globe, popular for meat production. n

Aberdeen Angus: Developed in Forfarshire in the 19th Century, medium sized, lean and easy to calve. Naturally polled (lacking in horns), they are famous meat producers. n

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PRIDE MAGAZINES

PRIDe mAGAzIneS

THe WeAlTHIeST PeOPle In THe AReA ReAD

RUTLAND & STAMFORD PRIDE MAGAZINES ARE DELIVERED FREE OF CHARGE, VIA ROYAL MAIL, TO HIGH VALUE HOMES RIGHT ACROSS THE COUNTY...

PRIDE RUTLAND

This guarantees the magazine has an affluent readership commensurate with our content. In addition the magazine is also sold in supermarkets and newsagents and our in-house distribution team also works hard to hand-deliver the magazine to selected hotels and restaurants, doctors, dentists, executive motor dealerships and golf clubs.

If your business would benefit from being showcased to the wealthiest people in the area, please call our friendly sales team on 01529 469977 or email sales@pridemagazines.co.uk. Alternatively, you can view our media pack online at www.pridemagazines.co.uk.

PRIDE

27/09/2019 12:15 Page 2

Our unique circulation is to properties in the top three council tax banded homes which are predominantly worth over £300,000.

27/09/2019 14:49 Page 3

STAMFORD

READ

FREE ONLINE

RUTLAND’S FINEST MAGAZINE

£4.50

Country Clothing in Rutland

Wrap up warm and enjoy Autumn in Rutland...

Happy Birthday to Rutland’s D-Day Hero

Former Desert Rat Wilf Hamit celebrates his 101st birthday...

Photographing the County at Night

STAMFORD’S FINEST MAGAZINE

£4.50

Country Clothing in Stamford

Wrap up warm and enjoy Autumn in Stamford...

Happy Birthday to Stamford’s D-Day Hero Former Desert Rat Wilf Hamit celebrates his 101st birthday...

Celebrating Stamford’s Best Restaurants

Rutland Pride photographer Dean Fisher’s twilight shoot...

Dining out at Ufford’s White Hart and our Good Food Awards...

COVER IMAGE: JOCELYN LAWMAN.

COVER IMAGE: JOCELYN LAWMAN.

READ

FREE ONLINE

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THIS mONTH: COTTeSmORe pONY CLuB & THe 2019 BuRGHLeY HORSe TRIALS

to feature your event call 01529 469977. Our magazines are free to read online, so you can share the magazine with your friends. visit www.pridemagazines.co.uk.

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The Cottesmore Pony Club

90th Anniversary Ball By kind permission of the Viscount and Viscountess Campden, exton Hall was recently the venue of a celebratory 90th anniversary ball for Rutland’s Cottesmore pony Club.

Over 110 guests attended the event, which was a mixture of the parents of current members and those who have been associated with the pony club over the past 50-60 years. e Cottesmore pony Club was one of the 10 founding branches of ‘e pony Club’ in 1929. membership is open to anyone up to the age of 25; from total novices to those with more experience who aspire to the highest standards of riding and horse care, developed by training, assessment and access to a wide range of equestrian sports. e event included a Champagne reception, supper and dancing in a marquee adjacent to the Hall. n words & Photos: Rob Davis.

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lifestyle & leisure at the

Burghley Horse Trials Congratulations to pippa Funnell, who achieved her first win at the 2019 Burghley Horse Trials since 2003. is year’s event was dominated by the Brits with pippa, her best friend piggy French and Oliver Townend all chasing the top prize. Dominated by British competitors, the competition was more exciting than ever especially in respect of the challenging cross-country course. is year’s competition was also marked by an emotional tribute to retiring five-time Burghley winner mark Todd and with news that Capt., mark phillips’ course will be the last he’ll design before handing over to Derek di Grazia. e event also saw title sponsor Land Rover displaying its new Defender model ahead of an official reveal.

160,000 people attended the event, which contributes around £20m to Stamford’s economy each year. n

words: Rob Davis. Photos: Dean Fisher.

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Boodles Jewellers at the

Burghley Horse Trials Hosting Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials’ annual Business Brunch this year, the local business community were delighted to welcome James Amos of family jeweller Boodles to the president’s marquee.

James joined Boodles nearly 15 years ago, having managed its company’s Harrods concession. He has been established as the brand’s marketing Director for the last decade focusing on the strategic decisions behind the growth of the business. e event was an opportunity to enjoy James’ keynote speech and to enjoy a pre-Horse Trials brunch.

Attendees were especially impressed with the presence of a particularly large and valuable diamond which, regrettably, security protocols prevented our photographer from picturing... but take it from us, this diamond would certainly be a girl’s best friend! n

words: Rob Davis. Photos: Dean Fisher.

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MOTORS

HORSe

POWeR Ferrari F8 Tributo is a celebration of excellence... a mid-rear-engined two-seater berlinetta that pays homage to the most powerful V8 in Ferrari history!

Words: Rob Davis.

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FEW MOTORIng MARqUES are as evocative or as exciting as Ferrari; the prancing horse is enough to send any motor car enthusiast into a spin, and what the company can do with a V8 has to be experienced to be believed. e firm’s latest mode, the F8 Tributo is a love-letter to the eight cylinder engine, the most powerful V8 Ferrari in the firm’s history, setting the market benchmark for performance, driving pleasure and ease of handling. It makes the exhilarating performance of the best eight-cylinder in the world accessible to all drivers, with unprecedented handling and superior ride comfort.

Designed by the Ferrari Styling Centre, the F8 Tributo is essentially a bridge to a new design language that will continue to emphasise Ferrari’s key characteristics of high performance and extreme aerodynamic efficiency. In fact, the F8 Tributo is the most aerodynamically efficient series-production mid-rear-engined berlinetta ever designed. e F8 Tributo replaces the 488 gTB and, in the range, is the model with the highest performance matched by the greatest driver involvement. ere are significant improvements across the board aimed at providing even better control on the limit along with greater on-board comfort.

e V8’s technical specifications are truly exceptional, placing it at the very top of its segment. e F8 Tributo unleashes 720 cv at 8,000 rpm and also has an impressive specific power output of 185 cv/l. Its maximum torque is now higher too at all engine speeds, peaking at 770 nm at 3,250 rpm.

Today, Ferrari V8s sport solutions that are masterpieces of engineering and this engine in particular further enhances the typical traits of all Maranello engines with smoothly progressive, limitless acceleration and zero turbo lag combined with a unique soundtrack courtesy, in part, of a new exhaust system. e new car offers drivers pure emotions.

Instantaneously accessible power is matched by exceptional handling thanks to advanced vehicle dynamics solutions. ese include a new version of the Ferrari Dynamic Enhancer (FDE+) which can be activated in the manettino’s Race position for the first time, a move designed to make performance on the limit easier to reach and control for an even greater number of drivers. e F8 Tributo is also more aerodynamic efficient than the 488 gTB thanks to an increase in downforce which does not impact on its drag coefficient. is means that drivers can exploit to the fullest the exceptional performance the car unleashes. >> 155

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Performance Without Compromise: High end GT sports cars...

Mercedes-AMG GT C £130,880: Inspired by the race track, designed for everyday driving – the Mercedes- AMG GT stirs excitement from the iconic radiator grille to the electrically extending rear aerofoil. Available as a coupé or roadster, this range topping C model uses a 4.0V8 to achieve 60mph in 3.7 seconds, and 196mph flat out on race days. Avoid the loutish yellow paint colour, and opt instead for a tasteful pretty blue or white, as pictured here. Combine with cream nappa leather and you’ve a comfortable GT with plenty of standard equipment and the ability to dispatch in-town errands as well as track days. n

McLAREN GT: SUPERLIGHT GRAND TOURING £163,000: At the end of the year, the first deliveries of McLaren’s GT Superlight are due to take place. Excited owners are anticipating the thrill of the car’s 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged McLaren V8 with 630Nm and broad, flat torque curve to ensure seamless, relentless acceleration. The GT will achieve true hypercar performance, reaching 60mph in 3.2 seconds, with a 202mph top speed. A cockpit with digital screen, navigation, air con and Bluetooth mean it’s not too basic inside! n

>> Inside, the cockpit retains the classic, driver-oriented look typical of Ferrari’s mid-rear-engined berlinettas.

every element of the dash, door panels and tunnel has been completely redesigned specifically for the car. The F8 Tributo also boasts a new generation steering wheel and steering wheel-mounted controls as well as new styling on the standard seats.

ASTON MARTIN DBS SUPERLEGGERA £225,000: Costing an arm and a super-leg-gera, Aston Martin’s flagship GT is available as a coupé or Volanté soft top. At its heart is Aston Martin’s 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 engine.

Set low and as far back in the chassis as possible to optimise the centre-of-gravity and weight distribution, this high-performance engine develops 725PS at 6500rpm and 900Nm from 1800-5000rpm. Maximum speed of 211mph, 60mph in 3.4 seconds and of course, that James Bond feeling of nigh-omnipotence. n

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new round air vents are set in beautifully sculpted aluminium surrounds (also available in optional carbon-fibre) which cleverly underscore the dash structure.

Also to create a sense of visual lightness, a sliver of carbon fibre divides the upper and lower parts, streamlining the whole look.

This section also incorporates the optional

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“With instantly accessible power, exceptional handling and a fine v8 engine, this is very much a Ferrari for the future...”

7” touchscreen passenger-side display which provides an extra sporting touch.

The dash is completed by the classic instrument cluster with its central rev-counter and the new-generation steering wheel and commands.

It features a new bridge, a prominent sculptural creation that seems to float and thus further streamlines the cabin.

The result is a car which not only introduces a new design language for the

exterior future Ferraris, but one that points the way towards the cockpits of future Ferrari GTs too.

With instantly accessible power, exceptional handling finesse and a finely honed v8 engine, plus a brand new, modern cabin and up to the minute styling, this is very much a Ferrari for the future.

Best of all, it’s not a model for enthusiasts alone, but rather one which will bring the brand to a whole new generation of drivers set to fall in love with the marque. n

FERRARI F8 TRIBUTO Price: £203,476.

Engine/Drivetrain: 3.9-litre twin-turbocharged v8.

Performance: 0-62 mph: 2.9 seconds.

Top Speed: 211mph.

Economy: 26.2mpg (unofficial).

Equipment: leather seats, air con, launch control, Ferrari Dynamic enhancer system, Brembo carbon ceramic brakes. n 157

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MOTORS

volvo’s Family Friendly Flagship

We can’t think of a motoring manufacturer with a better reputation for safety and forward-thinking design than Volvo. So, we’re especially excited by the firm’s new family-friendly, plug-in hybrid seven seater 4x4... could this be the most practical car on the market today?

Words: Rob Davis.

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sPOrts u tilitY vehicles or SUVs are enormously popular right now, the best selling style of car in the UK, slaughtering hatchbacks and estates in the sales charts. Land Rovers and Range Rover’s are ubiquitous, BMW has its X5; Audi has its q7; Mercedes has its gLE. For those seeking something a little left field though, Volvo’s XC90 has been a stalwart of the school run and represents one of the best value, most practical and luxurious 4x4s on the market today. newly facelifted, the XC90 is available in Momentum, sporty R-Design or Inscription trim, with prices from £53,000 to £72,000. Every version has adaptive cruise sontrol, leather, parking camera and sensors, heated leather seats, navigation and more.

What’s more, every version has seven seats and all wheel drive, as well as a whopping 1,800 litre boot with its rearmost seats folded, and a 2,700kg towing capability.

Upgrading to Momentum Pro gains nappa leather, ambient lighting and heated steering wheel, whilst Inscription and Inscription Pro add even more toys, but we think Momentum Pro is the sweet spot of the range. Avoid R-Design models with their larger wheels and firmer ride.

A new B5 diesel, T5 or T6 petrol engines. all displace two litres across four cylinders.

However, we’d pay a premium for a T8 plug-in hybrid, which sprints to 60mph in an impressive 5.5 seconds, and will reach 140mph on an autobahn.

With an electric-only range of 28 miles and helping the car to achieve 80mpg to 113mpg. If you charge it up via your household socket, it’s possible that you’ll never need to fill up with conventional fuel again.

the best value cars on the market with the greatest breadth of capabilities. True, it won’t have the raw ability of a Land Rover or Range Rover off the beaten track, but there’s sufficient off-road provision for most motorists plus that lofty view and feeling of safety that only comes from driving a large SUV. XC90 is huge, a fact reflected in its spacious cabin, but it’s also ergonomically exceptional with perhaps the best seats of any car in the UK, as well as a button-free dashboard thanks to a large central touch screen which is intuitive to use.

We’d be inclined to add the Xenium pack, as £1,600, which adds a 360° camera and automatic parallel & perpendicular parking, but there’s little else you’ll want for from one of the best large 4x4s on the market, from a brand renowned for safety and practicality. n

VOLVO XC90 T8 PLUG IN HYBRID Price: £71,945 (on sale now).

Drivetrain: 2.0V4 petrol with 87hp electric motor, eight speed automatic and all-wheel drive.

Performance: 0-60mph 5.5secs, max speed 140mph.

Economy: 80mpg-113mpg (combined).

Equipment: Leather, seven seats, adaptive cruise, parking sensors and camera, navigation. n

Suddenly, the XC90 becomes simultaneously a great people carrier, a capable 4x4, and a car that’s economical enough for your local commutes, as well as a first class executive car, making it perhaps one of 159

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California Dreaming

When is a van not a van? When it’s a £70,000 luxury camper van representing freedom on four wheels and ready to order for summer 2020. Hi-di-hi, campers!

It’s a van. Yes, alright, clever clogs. It is a van. But today, vans are far from the basic workhorses they used to be, with many creature comforts from modern cars being adopted by commercial vehicles.

Either of the grand California models also have a wetroom with toilet, shower, fold out wash basin and storage. ere’s a 110 litre freshwater tank, four 240v power sockets, a combi boiler which runs on gas and electric, a skylight, mosquito screens and space for two 11kg gas bottles. ere’s a folding camping table with chairs stored in the tailgate and electrically deployed step. Also available are optional awning, solar panels and a satellite dish.

And this particular van is unusual in that rather than using a commercial vehicle as a base for a third party coachbuilder to turn into a camper van, Volkswagen has done the job in house. ere’s a standard California camper, and this longer wheelbase grand California version, based on the equivalent Volkswagen Crafter van which, for reference, is about £40,000. So where does the extra £30,000 go?

Well, kitting out the six metre interior with double bed in the rear and optional twin beds in the roof, or a 6.8 metre version with larger longitudinal bed and 80mm thick mattress. e kitchen has a 70 litre fridge, freezer compartment, a twin hob gas cooker, sink and 11 cabinets.

Volkswagen Grand California

Price: From £70,000.

Deliveries: Early 2020.

Engine: 2.0V4.

Dimensions: 6 or 6.8 metres, two or four berths.

It’s powered by a 2.0 engine, with an automatic gearbox and optional four wheel drive. e cabin is also surprisingly car like with navigation, digital dash, heated seats and air con. We’d specify the optional park assist, rear view cameras and adaptive cruise control, though. At £70,000 and 6.8 metres, it’s a bit of a beast, but measure the California not in sterling or millimetres, but in possibilities.

With deliveries from winter 2019, it’ll be on your drive ready for en-spec adventures by the time summer 2020 comes along! n

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Defender of Burghley EVENT SPONSOR LAND ROVER REVEALS DISCOVER AT BURGHLEY HORSE TRIALS

LAND ROVER Title sponsors of land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, the world’s most famous 4x4 brand used this year’s event to reveal its new Defender ahead of an official Frankfurt motorshow launch.

The company is hoping the new version will achieve the same reputation to reliability and ruggedness as its predecessor, which found favour with farmers, landowners

and adventurers the world over, with its boxy, crude but no-nonsense style and go-anywhere reputation.

The new model will be available in four trim levels, with petrol and diesel engines and ‘90,’ ‘110’ and ‘130’ wheelbases, even thought these no longer relate to wheelbase dimensions. Prices will begin at £40,000, with a more civilised driving experience promised. n

PHevs are ‘most Reliable’

HYBRID & ELECTRIC CARS PROVING RELIABLE SAYS WHAT CAR?

MOTORS

Wholesale price reductions not passed on to Uk drivers...

FUEL COSTS Fuel retailers have been criticised for not passing on a drop in the wholesale price of petrol and diesel onto customers. last month the wholesale price of petrol fell by 4.38p, but forecourts dropped their retail prices by just 0.27p.

“By our calculations, retailers ought to be charging around 126p for a litre of unleaded based on a wholesale price of 98p a litre,” says Simon Williams, fuel spokesperson at the RAC. n

Britain’s most and least reliable new and used cars have been revealed, with hybrid models among the most dependable.

What Car? reports Hybrid cars from Japanese brands topped the reliability charts, with the lexus CT and Toyota Yaris Hybrid receiving a 100% reliability rating from owners. electric vehicles and hybrids have the best average reliability rating (96.1%) of the 10 car classes in the survey. What Car?, conducted in association with motoreasy, used reader feedback from more than 18,000 drivers to find the country’s most dependable cars. n ELECTRIC

MOTORING

NEWS In Brief

BEST SELLING CARS

SMMT REVEALS THE UK’S BEST SELLING CARS IN 2019...

The IAm has released a list of the Uk’s best selling cars in the Uk in 2019.

Over 92,000 new cars are purchased each month on average, for which the Ford Fiesta is responsible for around 4,000.

Petrol car sales are up by 1% compared to 2018, but sales of hybrid and plug-in models have soared by 377.5% compared to the previous year. Diesel sales have fallen by around 20% due to tax penalties for company car drivers.

The Uk motor industry remains sluggish thanks to Brexit uncertainty, although 660,000 cars were assembled in the Uk in the first half of 2019, with 80% of those manufactured exported and 57% of those export to the eU. Best Selling Cars, Jan-August 2019: 1. Ford Fiesta 52,921 registrations.

2. volkswagen Golf 39,220 registrations.

3. Ford Focus 37,988 registrations.

4. vauxhall Corsa 34,653 registrations.

5. nissan Qashqai 34,498 registrations.

6. mercedes A Class 33,486 registrations.

7. volkswagen Polo 27,455 registrations.

8. Ford kuga 25,116 registrations.

9. mInI 24,125 registrations.

10. kia Sportage 22,367 registrations. n

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