Rutland Pride August 2025

IDE RUTLAND

Rutland Flower Show

Gardener Adam Frost on gardening as therapy

BBC PRESENTER ANNE DAVIES – FOUR DECADES ON SCREEN

CELEBRATING 45 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE AT HAMBLETON HALL

ENJOY OUR IMAGES FROM THE 2025 RUTLAND SHOW PLUS: THE FINEST SELECTION OF LUXURY HOMES IN AND AROUND RUTLAND AUGUST 2025 ­ £5.99

We create unique buildings for discerning clients using traditional French oak alongside bespoke designs that can include glass, stone and steel. Our design and build service can cover every aspect of your project from initial concept to completion. Our passionate staff specialise in design led architecture, planning applications through to full working drawings, allowing our projects to seamlessly develop from concepts to full build construction.

FREE DESIGN & PLANNING

Rutland’s cover this month shows Adam Frost (image by Sarah Cuttle). He’s guest of honour at the Rutland Flower Show this month, and Burghley House’s Bottle Lodges by Pajor Pawel. Think your photography has what it takes? Send your high­quality images to our editor and get the chance to enjoy the ultimate bragging rights: your work on our front cover!

Send your very best photos to our editor Rob Davis, robin@pridemagazines.co.uk

Julian Wilkinson CEO & Publisher julian@pridemagazines.co.uk

T his month we’re enjoying a chat with the BBC’s Anne Davies, someone we all recognise as the poised and professional presenter of the BBC’s flagship regional East Midlands Today broadcast.

Anne is marking 40 years in broadcasting and reflecting on how things have changed. A career in the media, she reckons, is getting tougher. For despite all of the technology that she and her team can use to gather and present the news to audiences, fewer people in the newsroom, tighter deadlines and more ways to consume news means the pressure is really on these days.

This month, Anne reflects not just on the technological changes she’s witnessed, but cultural changes that are finally helping to ensure women are seen and heard in broadcasting, boardrooms and beyond.

Elsewhere we’re meeting Emily Carter who has established her own luxury brand of textiles, stationery and accessories, and we catch up with another local, broadcaster, author and gardener Adam Frost, who is a guest of honour at this month’s Rutland Flower Show at the Rutland Showground.

We’re also enjoying dining out at Hambleton Hall, celebrating its 45th anniversary as Pride goes to press, and, with the help of historian Martin Smith, we’re investigating the history of pubs, and specifically Stamford’s pubs, with a look at bygone boozers and traditional taverns plus some miscellany and consideration of our favourite modern pubs around the town too.

Our very best wishes for a wonderful month!

Stamford Pride

Rutland Pride

August Features

30 THE ART OF SILK Luxury fashion & fine art prints with Emily Carter. 42 ANNE DAVIES Presenter of the BBC’s East Midlands Today.

48 PUBS IN STAMFORD Exploring the history of Stamford’s pubs, plus trivia and a word from landlord Michael Thurlby on the trade today.

Homes & Gardens

62 WELCOME HOME Nash’s pretty property at Burley on the Hill.

78 ADAM FROST VIP guest previews Rutland’s Flower Show.

105 FASHION & BEAUTY Cool linen and August cosmetics.

120 TRAVEL Discovering Dubrovnik. 128 AND FINALLY... Almanac, fiction. AUGUST 2025

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Local News

Taking to the road to promote Rutland

Birthday honours recognition

HM King Charles III’s birthday honours have seen several locals recognised for their contributions

A number of local heroes have been recognised in HM King Charles III’s birthday honours, including Paul Livingston from Rutland who was made a CBE for his services to the defence industry in his role as Chief Executive of Lockheed Martin. Fellow aeronautical professional Rory O’Connor also received a CBE for services to the RAF as its Director of Welfare and Wellbeing.

Healthcare manager Professor Steve Barnett has been made an OBE for services to Northwest Anglia Foundation Trust, of which he is Chairman. The Trust includes Stamford & Rutland Hospital. Anne Cowan is awarded a British Empire Medal for services to her community in Manton and Dr Sheila Halliday-Pegg, a retired GP and magistrate, is awarded a British Empire Medal for her services to the community in Bourne.

Finally, Colin Magee, co-founder of Leicestershire and Rutland Youth Sailing Association, receives an MBE for his work with both youngsters and those with disabilities.

As part of a ‘drive’ to encourage more overnight visitors to Rutland, the Discover Rutland Tourism Committee are taking their brand new exhibition van, funded by UK Government, on the road to events throughout 2025.

Visitors to the Rutland Show will already have noticed the blue van, decorated in imagery of the county and showing video footage featuring some of Rutland’s key tourism assets. Manned by volunteers from Discover Rutland the unit features a series of 360° videos showing off Rutland via its VR headsets.

The unit has attended The Game Fair, Royal Norfolk Show and Lincolnshire Show and it will at be at Global Birdfair as Pride goes to press to help boost local tourism, which is worth £170m annually, attracting 1.5m visitors to discover Rutland for themselves.

File Photo.

Ride and stride for churches

Choose your preferred method of visiting local churches to preserve historic ecclesiastical buildings

Ride & Stride Rutland will be taking place on Saturday 13th September as part of a national event to help preserve historic churches and chapels. In 2023 a similar event managed to raise over £21,000 for local buildings. Participants are encouraged to

visit as many churches as possible using their chosen mode of transport. Participants usually walk or cycle but some utilise other forms of transport including horse riders, unicycle riders and three-legged teams. www.rhcpt.co.uk/ride-and-stride

Meet Stamford’s new mayor

Congratulations to the town’s new mayor, Amanda Wheeler and new Deputy Mayor Jane Kingman

Councillor Amanda Wheeler has become Mayor of Stamford, after previously serving as the Deputy Mayor. Councillor Jane Kingman was voted in as her Deputy. Amanda will be the 564th person to hold the title, with the names of all of her forebears recorded on six boards in Stamford Town Hall from 1462 to the present day. The boards were professionally restored in May 2024.

Send your press releases & business news to us via editor@pridemagazines.co.uk.

Experience Wild Rutland

Summer events calendar announced giving visitors exclusive first access to brand new Wild Rutland site

From guided nature safaris to foraging walks and dawn chorus experiences, Wild Rutland has announced its events calendar which all take place on the grassland and wooded landscape which stretches from Oakham bypass to Burley woods.

Wild Rutland wants to create a place that immerses you into the natural environment, giving people the opportunity to connect with nature. The full planning application for the nature reserve and wildlife park is currently being completed for submission to Rutland County Council later this year.

Following an exhibition in March last year, in which the ambition of the project was presented to local people, the team behind Wild Rutland has been working hard on its masterplan designs following local feedback.

A mini calendar of events this summer will be a precursor to when Wild Rutland opens fully, see www.wildrutland.com for details.

And Finally... Roll up, roll up for the Greatest Show on Earth, and certainly in Rutland. Cirquoise returns to Gates Garden Centre at Cold Overton with traditional circus talent. Tickets £10.99, the shows will run from 18th July - 10th August 2025 with shows at 11am/3pm weekdays and Sun, 11am/2pm/4.30pm on Sat.

High Life

The 2025 Rutland Show

A celebration of the countryside enjoyed by over 15,000 people, this year’s Rutland Show was a triumph with its extended funfair, circus and programme of main ring events

Images: Rob Davis.

This year’s Rutland Show has been heralded a success by organisers who welcomed a record 15,000 people the the gates. “It was a really good day with the biggest turnout we have ever had,” says Sophie Howsam, show manager. “Fifteen-thousand people is a lot more than there have been previously, and this year’s event was a showcase of everything fantastic about Rutland. There was also a huge number of local businesses and community groups, as well as people from Rutland, ensuring a really well-rounded show that was – with the help of some bright sunshine too – a great day out for a local audience!”

See www.rutlandshowground.com.

Eat Drink & Enjoy

FIND JOY IN THE ART OF EATING WELL

CELEBRATING 45 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE AT HAMBLETON HALL

A DELICIOUS SUMMERTIME PATISSERIE TREAT: RASPBERRY ÉCLAIRS

PLUS: RESTAURANT LISTINGS: OUR LOCAL SUGGESTIONS WITH OLD FAVOURITES AND NEW DISCOVERIES

Dining Out

Hambleton Hall 45 Years of Excellence at

Enjoying a formidable reputation as Rutland’s Michelin-starred dining room, Hambleton Hall this month celebrates 45 years of exceptional service, enjoyable dishes and lovely accommodation. It remains a great example of what a luxurious country house hotel should offer

Words: Rob Davis. Images: Dorte Kjaerulff.

Hambleton Hall is certainly excellent, but excellence is nothing without consistency, too. Happily, the country house hotel possesses both qualities, in abundance.

As Pride goes to press, Hambleton Hall celebrates its 45th anniversary and it certainly deserves to mark the milestone since celebrations to recognise its 40 years as the area’s most esteemed country house hotel were curtailed by lockdown.

Five years on though, and there’s nothing to stop the team raising a glass to Tim & Stefa Hart who transformed Walter Gore Marshall’s 19th century hunting lodge into one of the country’s most respected country house hotels, inviting in guests to join them for dinner and providing comfortable accommodation from 1st July 1980.

Tim & Stefa had fallen in love with Michel Guerard’s Les Prés d’Eugénie in France which inspired them to appoint maverick chef Nick Gill (brother of late Sunday Times restaurant critic AA Gill) to develop a fine dining restaurant that would draw the crowds. It also inspired them to join Relais & Chateâux as one of its first UK member hotels.

Also working in the kitchen was Aaron Patterson who, after a few years working with Raymond Blanc at Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons, returned in 1992 to Hambleton Hall, this time as its Head Chef. He still leads a brigade of 16 chefs and provides one of the most sought-after places in the country for up and coming talent to train.

Hambleton Hall was first awarded a Michelin Star in 1982 and proudly holds the record as the longest retained star in the UK. It has also retained 4 AA Rosettes for decades as well as winning almost every accolade there is, including two Michelin keys for the quality of its accommodation.

Other awards include recognition in the Good Hotel Guide, awards from the AA for Hambleton Hall’s Notable Wine List and its Housekeeper of the Year award, plus annual placement in Harden’s Top 100 Restaurants.

Hambleton Hall has been led by an exceptional General Manager, Chris Hurst, for the past 23 years. As Pride goes to press Chris retires, but will return, we hope, as a guest... Tim & Stefa praise him warmly as ‘cheery and immaculate,’ and everyone wishes him the very best for his retirement!

ON THE MENU

Hambleton Hall Hotel

STARTERS

A taste of heritage tomatoes with tomato essence, mozzarella & basil.

Paté of foie gras, with celery, walnut, grapes, foie gras ice cream.

Seared Orkney scallop with hazelnut velouté, onion soubise.

MAIN COURSES

Roast loin of lamb with dauphinoise potato, braised leeks, redcurrant, rosemary & garlic infused sauce.

Loin of rabbit with baby garden vegetables, pearl barley, liquorice flavoured sauce.

Presa of Iberico pork with braised fennel, kimchi, fennel gel, crackling.

Pan fried fillet of seabass with seaweed potato purée, sea spaghetti, clams, garden sorrel sauce.

DESSERTS

Hambleton’s tiramisu with roast caramelised pineapple, pecan, rum, coconut sorbet.

Rutland Water strawberries with vanilla panna cotta, elderflower, crispy meringue.

Passion fruit soufflé, with passion fruit & banana sorbet.

Mille-feuille of raspberry, white chocolate & yuzu.

Farmhouse Cheeses, Hambleton Bakery bread, grapes and celery.

NB: Sample menu and featured dishes, subject to availability and change.

Dining Out

Chris, and other long-standing members of the team, have collectively worked at Hambleton Hall for over 125 years. This has provided a stability of leadership directly reflected in its ability to provide consistency and familiarity, especially with the hotel’s regular guests when they inevitably return.

Meanwhile Tim & Stefa’s exceptional team also afford the two of them more time to greet guests personally and oversee their respective areas of interest and talent. For Tim that’s the 17 acres of grounds surrounding the hotel, managed with a team of groundskeepers who work hard to present diners with a spectacular parterre which can be admired from the drawing room and dining room. Falling away from the terrace towards the water, it’s a very impressive sight and a lovely place to enjoy apéritifs in the warmer months.

Stefa’s interest in creating classically-styled interiors has enabled her influence to be reflected in the communal spaces of the hotel,

as well as its 17 bedrooms, which are a comfortable and well-appointed antithesis of corporate design or soulless hotels in the city. Staying in one of Hambleton Hall’s rooms is an experience more akin to being a guest in a good friend’s home. The place is well run and as impeccable as one would expect, too, thanks to the reception and housekeeping teams.

Daytime diners at Hambleton Hall can choose a Lunch for Less menu with a choice of two starters, main courses and desserts for £58/£73 for two or three courses respectively, whilst the three course à la carte menu offers five options for £135. Aaron and the team also offer a very good vegetarian menu to which as much consideration is given, ensuring those with dietary preferences are never an afterthought.

Evening diners enjoy a daily-changing à la carte menu, £135, comprising five options, per course and a couple of special options in ‘gourmet corner,’ for which a supplement is

justified given their deployment of premium ingredients such as Oscietra caviar.

A dedicated Sunday lunch menu provides three courses for £98.50, with a flagship traditional Roast Sirloin dish featuring Hambleton Farms beef.

Whilst the need for quality and consistency and to source s0me speciality ingredients necessitates looking further than Rutland’s borders, Aaron prefers to make the most of local suppliers, but the hotel also benefits from its one-acre kitchen garden from which the team produce speciality vegetables and herbs. And of course, another of the hotel’s local supplier is Hambleton Bakery, the sister company founded by Tim and former Hambleton Hall pastry chef Julian Carter in 2008.

Opposite: Roast fillet of beef with slow cooked short rib, gherkin purée, Madeira sauce. Above: Gariguette strawberries. Above/Right: Mille­feuille of mango.

Keeping an eye on the restaurant’s list of forthcoming events is advisable too, as Hambleton Hall has regular wine tasting events with sommelier Dominique and visiting chefs, the most noteworthy in recent years having been Aaron’s ebullient former colleague Raymond Blanc who remains a good friend of both Aaron and of Hambleton Hall.

On 8th October, Chris Denney – another of Aaron’s protegés – will return to the hotel as a visiting chef. October will also see a Mushroom Hunt with participants enjoying a lesson in foraging. The hotel also has a partnership with PalmerSport every October and offers a performance driving day and dinner with participants experiencing some of the most prodigious vehicles and driving tuition on a closed track.

45 years on and Hambleton Hall is aging like the fine wine it pairs with its lovely dishes. It’s always recommended, always exceptional and it’s always friendly and welcoming too.

Hambleton Hall Hotel

The Restaurant: “Purchased in 1979 by Tim & Stefa Hart and opening as a country house hotel in 1980, Hambleton Hall is a luxurious home from home, renowned for impeccable service with elegantly­designed rooms and Michelin­starred cuisine.”

Opening Hours: Lunchtime and evening service, seven days 12 noon – 1.30pm, 6pm – 9pm. 17 beautifully appointed and individually decorated rooms and suites from £425/night.

Contact: Hambleton Hall, Ketton Road, Oakham, Rutland LE15 8TH. Call 01572 756991 or see www.hambletonhall.com.

Raspberry & Vanilla Éclairs with

Dried Raspberry Pieces

This month’s recipe Raspberry & Vanilla Éclairs

Cut out and collect our great seasonal recipes each month in Pride Magazine.

Preparation Time: 1hr

Cooking Time: 30 minutes + cooling Makes: Approximately 20 éclairs

For the choux pastry:

120g unsalted butter, cubed

300ml water

150g strong white bread flour

4 medium eggs, beaten

For the crème pâtissière:

600ml whole milk

2 tsp vanilla extract

6 medium egg yolks

120g caster sugar

50g plain flour

300g fresh raspberries

For the icing:

250g icing sugar

4–5 tsp raspberry purée

(from approx. 150g raspberries)

2–3 tsp water

These elegant éclairs make a refined summer dessert or an afternoon tea centrepiece. With crisp choux pastry, luscious raspberry crème pâtissière and the option of crushed pistachios or dried raspberries on top, they’re a vibrant, indulgent bake for confident home cooks.

Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan)/Gas 6 and line two baking trays. Choux pastry is sensitive to ratios. Stick to exact weights for flour, butter, and water. To create the choux pastry, melt the butter in the water, then bring to a boil. Tip in the flour and beat vigorously until it forms a smooth dough. Cool slightly before beating in eggs – hot scramble them – do so gradually until glossy and smooth.

Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a 1.5cm plain nozzle and pipe 20 lines, each about 10cm long. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until puffed and golden, typically when they’re hollow-sounding when tapped, they’ve cooked sufficiently; undercooked éclairs will collapse. Pierce each to release steam and cool on a rack.

To make the filling, heat the milk and vanilla in a pan until steaming. Whisk egg yolks,

sugar and flour in a bowl. Pour over the milk, whisking constantly, then return to the pan and stir until thickened. Pass through a sieve, stir in sieved raspberry purée and chill.

Once éclairs are cool, slice horizontally. Fill with crème pâtissière using a piping bag. For the icing, mix icing sugar with raspberry purée and water until thick but spreadable. Dip or spoon over the tops of the éclairs and decorate with dried raspberry pieces, these are available from Lakeland or good baking shops. Alternatively you can dry the raspberries yourself, on baking parchment at 65°c for around six hours. You can also use crushed pistachios as decoration.

For variations: Add the zest of 1 lemon to the custard for a citrus twist. Swap raspberries for strawberries or gooseberries in summer. For a floral note, stir a teaspoon of elderflower cordial into the icing.

A Wildflower Inspired Gin for Summer Afternoons

Number One gin from the Cotswolds Distillery

Inspired by the glorious grasslands of the Cotswolds, No.1 Wildflower Gin is a delightful blend of cornflowers, lavender and orange layered over a classic dry gin.

Reminiscent of summer meadows and bursting with zesty orange notes, it’s fresh, floral and fruity with a pleasantly dry finish.

£38.50 / 70cl / 41.7% ABV cotswoldsdistillery.com

Heard it Through The Grapevine

Our monthly digest from Ketton’s Rutland Vineyard with Zoe & Tim Beaver

The Wine Cellar

From aperitifs on the lawn to elegant pairing wines for grilled fish or lamb, these August picks offer you the best of British sipping – with or without the alcohol. Plus, we’ll enjoy a catch-up with Zoe and Tim Beaver at The Rutland Vineyard

Pinks Worth Pouring: Three suggested rosés for summer...

Delicate, crisp, and perfect with shellfish, Whispering Angel Rosé is the heart and soul of Provence, £19.99 / 75cl / 13% ABV.

A charming Provençal­style pink for summer lunches, La Vieille Ferme Rosé has been produced for over 40 years, £9.99 / 75cl / 12.5% ABV.

Pasqua 11 Minutes Rosé 2023 is a fresh, enveloping rosé with an intense and complex bouquet £15 / 75cl / 12.5% ABV.

Following on from the success of our First Crush white wine (2023 vintage) from the Independent English Wine Awards (IEWA) we have just picked up a silver award for our First Crush red and our Second Nature white wine. It’s all very exciting! The best thing about this is the enthusiasm and joy from our lovely visitors, who have shown up from day one and come along for the ride of planting a vineyard in our glorious county of Rutland. Now, moving on from awards to rewards and the business of growing this year’s vintage. As August rolls around, we can see the vines full of small, young grapes. On the red varieties, visitors will notice they are going through their colour change, otherwise known as ‘Veraison,’ this sees the grapes turn from green to purple/red and it is beautiful. We are also poised for the triumphant arrival of our Second Nature red wine which we are expecting to be ready some time in August, so watch this space… and who knows, maybe it will bring with it its own award!

Visit our website for the most up to date opening times and we will see you soon!

Visit The Rutland Vineyard’s tasting barn, Ketton, from Wed-Sat, www.therutlandvineyard.com.

THE GOOD FOOD GUIDE

RESTAURANTS

THE BARNSDALE BRASSERIE – 1760

Set in a beautifully restored 17th­century building, The Barnsdale provides a relaxed yet elegant dining experience. The Barnsdale, The Avenue, Exton, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 8AH. Call 01572 724678 or see barnsdalerutland.com.

BLOSSOMS RESTAURANT AT RUTLAND HALL

A contemporary restaurant serving a seasonal menu using locally sourced ingredients, with a beautiful lakeside setting overlooking Rutland Water. The hotel also has a new spa and wellness facility, the Four Roots Experience. Rutland Hall Hotel, Barnsdale, LE15 8AB. Call 01572 757901 or see www.rutlandhall.co.uk.

CLOISTERS BISTRO

Cosy Italian bistro serving fresh pasta, authentic pizzas, and a variety of traditional Italian dishes.

St Mary's St, Stamford PE9 2DE. Call 01780 755162 or see www.cloistersbistro.com.

THE CROWN HOTEL

OUR GOOD FOOD AWARDS WINNERS

Each year we ask our readers to vote for their favourite restaurants, coffee shops and food producers, revealing our winners in our January editions. We’ve highlighted our winners in buff to make sure they’re easy to see!

Promote your business in our Good Food Guide for just £15 + VAT per month! Get in touch with our friendly team on 01529 469977 or email us at sales@pridemagazines.co.uk to find out more.

RESTAURANT WITH ROOM 2024 HAMBLETON HALL

Michelin­starred restaurant with seasonal menus in a luxurious country house setting. Created in 1979 and opening soon after, the kitchen is headed up by Aaron Patterson who has ensured the restaurant has retained its Michelin Star longer than any other dining room in Britain. Hambleton, Oakham, LE15 8TH. Call 01572 756991 or see www.hambletonhall.com.

HITCHENS BARN

Modern British cuisine using & locally sourced food courtesy of Neil & Louise Hitchen. Burley Road, Oakham LE15 6DH. Call 01572 722255 or see www.hitchensbarn.co.uk.

JASHIR INDIAN RESTAURANT & WINE BAR

A culinary destination that offers unforgettable Indian dishes made with the finest ingredients and spices. 51-53 High Street, Oakham LE15 6AJ. Call 01572 368282 or see www.jashir.co.uk

NO.23 UPPINGHAM

A Mediterranean­inspired restaurant featuring a range of well­curated selection of wines and cocktails.

High Street East, Uppingham, LE15 9PY. Call 01572 303023, www.23uppingham.co.uk.

THE OAK ROOM AT THE GEORGE HOTEL

Refined fine dining featuring modern British cuisine. Highlights of the menu include Dover sole and sirloin of beef carved at the table.

George Hotel, High Street, St Martins, Stamford, PE9 2LB. Call 01780 750750 or see georgehotelofstamford.com.

THE OLIVE BRANCH

An award­winning gastropub offering seasonal British cuisine in a gorgeous setting. Having celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2024, the restaurant’s kitchen garden provides fresh herbs, fruit and veg, and local producers are really well represented across the menus. Clipsham, Rutland, LE15 7SH. Call 01780 410355 or www.theolivebranchpub.com.

ORBIS STAMFORD

A lively pub, restaurant, and hotel in the heart of Stamford, serving a seasonal menu with local ingredients.

All Saints’ Place, Stamford, PE9 2AG. Call 01780 763136 or see www.kneadpubs.co.uk.

THE MAD TURK

A rustic Turkish Cypriot restaurant known for its delicious, authentic dishes cooked on a coal barbecue. 8-9 St Paul’s Street, Stamford, PE9 2BE. Call 01780 238001 or see www.themadturk.co.uk.

A unique fusion of international flavours, featuring small plates and vibrant cocktails.

All Saints’ Place, Stamford, PE9 2AR. Call 01780 669950 or see orbisstamford.co.uk.

PATEN & CO

ARMS

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR 2024 THE FINCH’S

An 18th­century pub situated on the very pretty Hambleton Peninsula, providing stunning views over Rutland Water along with a menu of British classics. Hambleton, LE15 8TL. Call 01572 756575 or see www.finchsarms.co.uk.

THE GEORGE INN OAKHAM

A charming 17th century coaching inn situated in the centre of Oakham previously known as the Whipper­In. Market Place, Oakham LE15 6DT. Call 01572 756971 thegeorgeinnoakham.co.uk.

THE MARQUESS OF EXETER, LYDDINGTON

A standout pub in Lyddington offering a menu that blends classic pub fare with modern Indian cuisine, all in a cosy, welcoming setting. Main Street, Lyddington, LE15 9LT. Call 01572 822477 or see marquessofexeter.com.

MILLY’S BISTRO AT THE WILLIAM CECIL

Located at The William Cecil, Milly’s Bistro is a relaxed yet refined addition to the Stamford dining scene, serving dishes using local ingredients. St Martins, Stamford, PE9 2LJ Call 01780 750085 or see www.millysbistro.co.uk.

Located in a historic 18thcentury pub, Paten & Co serves a variety of small plates and larger dishes, with a special focus on its charcoal oven.

All Saints’ Place, Stamford, PE9 2AG. Call 01780 408647 or see www.kneadpubs.co.uk.

BEST

INTERNATIONAL

DINING RESTAURANT 2024

SARPECH INDIAN RESTAURANT

Offerings a contemporary dining experience with a focus on top­quality Indian cuisine and excellent service.

Burley Corner, Oakham, LE15 6DU. Call 01572 842888 or see www.sarpech.co.uk.

THE SLANTED DOOR

Lovely 16th century building with a modern bar, selling cocktails, an extensive fine wine list, draught beers and delicious small plates. Dine upstairs in the intimate restaurant with outstanding food. Large vegan menu. St Mary's Street, Stamford PE9 2DS. Call 01780 757773 or see theslanteddoor.co.uk.

THE SIX BELLS

Village pub with bedrooms serving locally sourced, seasonal dishes ­ seven days a week. Founded by Jim & Sharon Trevor, formerly of Jim’s Yard and now co­owned by son and daughter Lauren & James. Awarded the coveted Bib Gourmand from Michelin Guide, look out for stunning value auberge menu on selected Monday evenings. Witham on the Hill, Bourne PE10 0JH. Call 01778 590360 or see www.sixbellswitham.co.uk.

ZADA

A beautiful Turkish restaurant in one of Stamford’s old stone buildings, offering a menu packed with authentic Turkish dishes like kofte and baklava. St Mary’s Hill, Stamford, PE9 2DP. Call 01780 766848 or see zadarestaurant.co.uk.

DINING PUBS

THE BERTIE ARMS

Gorgeous C17th thatched pub in Uffington run by Katie and James Genever. Simple pub classics and à la carte dishes. Uffington, PE9 4SZ. Call 01780 766400 or see thebertiearms.co.uk.

THE

BLUE BALL AT BRAUNSTON

Cosy country pub with a focus on local produce, offering traditional British dishes. Cedar Street, Braunston, LE15 8QS. Call 01572 722135 theblueballbraunston.co.uk.

THE BULL AND SWAN

A quirky pub offering classic British dishes in a stylish, historic setting. Lovely kitchen garden and great setting. Sister venue to William Cecil. High Street St Martin's, Stamford, PE9 2LJ. Call 01780 766412 or see www.thebullandswan.co.uk.

THE CROWN

16th­century coaching inn serving light lunch, comforting pub classic, hand stretched stonebaked pizza.

High St E, Uppingham, LE15 9PY, 01572 822302 or see www.crownuppingham.co.uk.

THE COSY CLUB

Quirky decor, offering relaxed dining and drinking menus.

The Old Delivery Office, Stamford PE9 2RB. Call 01780 767710, www.cosyclub.co.uk.

THE FALCON HOTEL

Historic hotel and pub offering a variety of hearty British dishes and Sunday roasts. High Street East, Uppingham, LE15 9PY. Call 01572 823535 or see www.falcon-hotel.co.uk.

THE FOX

Cosy pub serving a mix of traditional British and international dishes. Founded by Jason Allen with longstanding chef Richard Page providing great value freshlyprepared dishes.

Pinfold Lane, North Luffenham, LE15 8LE. Call 01780 720991 or see thefoxrutland.co.uk.

THE HORSE & JOCKEY

Traditional pub located near Rutland Water, offering pub classics and local ales.

St Mary’s Road, Manton, LE15 8SU. Call 01572 737335 or see horseandjockeyrutland.co.uk.

THE KING’S HEAD

A quaint pub in the heart of Stamford, offering hearty pub meals. Maiden Lane, Stamford, PE9 2AZ. Call 01780 753510 or see www.kingsheadstamford.co.uk.

THE LONDON INN

Old­world pub offering traditional dishes, including brunch and grill options.

St John's Street, Stamford, PE9 2DB. Call 01780 754919.

THE LORD BURGHLEY

A traditional British pub with a suntrap garden, serving a variety of pub classics. Broad Street, Stamford, PE9 1PG. Call 01780 763426.

THE NOEL AT WHITWELL

Country pub with a recently refurbished interior, offering a wide range of beers, wines, and home­cooked food. Whitwell Road, Whitwell, Oakham LE15 8BW. Call 01572 510137 or see www.noelatwhitwell.com.

THE SUN INN, COTTESMORE

A beautiful thatched­roof country pub offering a varied menu made with locally sourced seasonal produce. Main Street, Cottesmore, Oakham, LE15 7DH. Call 01572 812321 or see www.suninncottesmore.co.uk.

THE TOBIE NORRIS

A historic 13th century pub with a cosy atmosphere, offering traditional British dishes, wood­fired pizzas, and a variety of local ales. Part of the Knead Pubs group alongside Paten & Co and The Crown Hotel. St Paul’s St, Stamford, PE9 2BE. Call 01780 753800 or see www.kneadpubs.co.uk.

THE WHEATSHEAF

Weekly changing menu of modern British dishes, featuring in the Michelin guide as one of the area’s top gastropubs, set in a Grade II listed building with Carol and Scott at the helm since 2008. Greetham, Oakham LE15 7NP. Call 01572 812325 or see wheatsheaf-greetham.co.uk.

DAYTIME DINING

THE BLONDE BEET

A plant­based restaurant with a creative menu that highlights seasonal ingredients, The Blonde Beet is run by Jo Kemp, who has brought her passion for vegan cuisine to the heart of Stamford. Expect inventive dishes that are both healthy and packed with flavour.

St Paul's Street, Stamford PE9 2BE. Call 01780 766464 or see www.blondebeet.co.uk.

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DON PADDY’S

Family­run business since 2001 and somewhere to meet for brunch, lunch and dinner daily, or cocktails. Serving delicious, high quality food with local produce in a friendly, local space. Recently refurbished with brand new menu, sister venue of Uppingham’s Falcon Hotel. Market Place, Uppingham LE15 9QH. Call 01572 822255 or see www.donpaddys.co.uk.

FIKA STAMFORD

Opened by brother and sister duo Tia and Ivo, Fika Stamford offers a ‘vibey brunch café’ experience. With a warm atmosphere, good music, and friendly staff, it’s perfect for those seeking a stylish spot for brunch, lunch, or a relaxed coffee break.

High Street, Stamford PE9 2BB. Call 01780 723514 or see www.fikacafe.co.uk.

GARDEN RESTAURANT AT GATES GARDEN CENTRE

The perfect place to eat and drink. Large 350­seater restaurant within Gates Gardens Centre, which also benefits from having an exceptional farm shop on site. Outdoor verandah for summer months and log burners for the cooler months.

Cold Overton, LE15 7QB. Call01664 454309 or see www.gatesgardencentre.co.uk.

LAMBERT’S BISTRO

Welcoming and comfortable environment in which to enjoy good coffee, brunch or lunch. Cheyne Lane, Stamford, PE9 2AX. Call 01780 767063 or see www.lamberts-stamford.co.uk.

COFFEE SHOP OF THE YEAR 2024 ‘THE VIEW’ AT RUTLAND NURSERY

A popular spot with stunning views of Rutland Water, offering a range of light lunches and homemade desserts in a serene setting. Manton, LE15 8RN. Call 01572 498720 or see rutlandnursery.co.uk.

CAFÉS AND TEA ROOMS

ASPEN

CAFÉ

AT BOSWORTH GARDEN CENTRE

The perfect spot for a peaceful and relaxing break with a delicious cup of tea or coffee and a selection of scrumptious treats. Open seven days, hot food until 3.30pm, see website for menu. Burton Latimer, NN15 5QA. Call 01536 722635 or see www.bosworthsgc.co.uk.

BARNSDALE GARDENS TEA ROOM

A delightful spot within Barnsdale Gardens, known for serving freshly made dishes. The Avenue, Exton, Oakham, LE15 8AH. Call 01572 813200 or see www.barnsdalegardens.co.uk.

THE DAIRY BARN CAFE

Delightful tearoom with homemade cakes, sandwiches, and teas. Located on a dairy farm at Leesthorpe between Oakham and Melton, with 200 cows and its own ice cream parlour producing luxury ice cream from cow to cone. Whissendine Rd, Leesthorpe, Melton Mowbray LE14 2XJ. Call 01664 474461 or see www.ferneleysicecream.co.uk.

FROTHYS COFFEE SHOP, STAMFORD

A family run independent business offering breakfast, brunch, light lunches, plus savouries, cakes & beverages. Welcoming and friendly. Menu is creative and imaginative with locally sourced produce where possible.

Ironmonger Street, Stamford PE9 1PL. Call 01780 751110 or see www.frothyscoffeeshop.com.

HAMBLETON BAKERY

Artisan bakery offering a range of breads, pastries, and sweet treats created by Julian Carter and his team. Exton based café is the former bakehouse. Cottesmore Road, Oakham LE15 8AN. Call 01572 812995 or see www.hambletonbakery.co.uk.

THE HAYLOFT AT HUNTERS

A stylish and inviting coffee shop with an adjacent interior design studio for inspiration. Excellent coffee, delicious home­made cakes, Hambleton Bakery bread and tea cakes and savoury light lunches, which include a soup of the day and a salad of the day. Lovely outdoor seating area. Copthill Farm, Stamford PE9 4TD. Call 01780 753351 or see www.huntersinteriors ofstamford.co.uk.

FOOD & DRINK PRODUCERS AND RETAILERS

DERWENT & DUNNE

Exceptional coffees & teas using growers of quality, Call 01780 723826 or visit www.derwentanddunne.co.uk.

GATES FARM SHOP

Farm shop with 12,000sq ft retail space incorporating Hambleton Farms butchery. Cold Overton, LE15 7QB. Call 01664 454309 or see www.gatesgardencentre.co.uk.

HAMBLETON BAKERY

Handmade artisan bread and cakes free of additives and preservatives available from seven shops including those in Exton, Stamford, and Oakham. Oakham LE15 8AN. Call 01572 812995 or see www.hambletonbakery.co.uk.

FOOD PRODUCER OF THE YEAR 2024

RENNET & RIND

Stamford’s go­to destination for artisan British cheese. High St, Stamford PE9 2AL. Call 01480 831112 or see www.rennetandrind.co.uk.

DRINKS PRODUCER OF THE YEAR 2024

RUTLAND VINEYARD

Beautiful vineyard in Rutland producing stunning wines on Jurassic limestone soil. Tasting Barn, Barrowden Rd, Ketton, PE9 3RJ. See therutlandvineyard.com.

TIPPLEMILL GIN

Producers of Tipplemill London Dry Gin, with a flavoursome cameo of bittersweet citrus and elderflower, £44/70cl. See www.tipplemill.com.

Promote your business in our Good Food Guide for just £15 + VAT per month! Get in touch with our friendly team on 01529 469977 or email us at sales@pridemagazines.co.uk.

Tipplemill.

TIPPLEMILL GIN

Emily Carter

of Silk The Art

Emily Carter’s British-Made Style

Illustrator and textile designer Emily Carter reflects on a decade of creativity, championing craftsmanship, sustainability and storytelling inspired by the natural world. This month she reflects on some exciting developments for her Rutland-born brand...

The benefit of hindsight is something which, sadly, eludes us all. We can, however, reflect on what we could have done in the past and bring to bear that introspection in the future… not that Emily Carter has cause to regret anything.

“I wonder if I should have sought investment and founded the brand immediately upon leaving university,” she considers.

Instead, Emily graduated from the London College of Fashion in 2014, achieving a bachelor’s degree in Fashion Textiles. She then sought employment... with Harrods.

Today she still divides her time between living by the Thames in Hammersmith and returning regularly to her family home in Duddington, on the border of Rutland and Northamptonshire.

There, she was responsible for liaising between different brands or makers and with some of the store’s most discerning customers to accommodate bespoke personalisation to their products, creating one-off designs or elements.

In 2019, Selfridges placed a significant order with Emily, and other retailers soon followed. Thus, Emily was not only able to pursue the business as her exclusive career, but secure retail partners for her brand, and to select only the most credible luxury retailers including Liberty, Fortnum & Mason and Harvey Nichols as stockists.

Just over 10 years after launching her first collection, and six years after securing her first stockist, Emily’s brand is going from strength-to-strength.

Words: Rob Davis.

Emily continued to establish her brand of textiles and home accessories, featuring her hand-drawn illustrations, whilst she was working in Knightsbridge as a designer.

We spoke to Emily fresh from an appearance at the National History Museum where she gave a talk about her passion for insects, wildlife and the capacity of illustration and visual storytelling to provide a way to engage with natural history.

Emily Carter

“I don’t want to develop a brand if the success is at the expense of my inner moral compass. If you’re going to take inspiration from the natural world, it’s only right that you have a profound respect for it.”

“Insects are integral to entire ecosystems, and it was a pleasure to illustrate Insectarium last year. Aimed at youngsters, the book explores some of the 5.5 million species of insects – the Natural History Museum holds over 13.5m specimens of Lepidoptera alone – and it introduces them to budding entomologists highlighting the importance of insects to entire ecosystems.”

Emily has also contributed to illustrations in Insectile Inspiration, and most recently Avian Inspiration, which explores how birds have influenced designers throughout art history. The book launched in June this year and is the third in a series of beautiful coffee table volumes that have already taken botanical and entomological subject as their inspiration.

Already Emily has established herself as the creator of beautiful British made silk scarves, hand-printed and designed with her illustrations arranged in symmetrical patterns. They’ve been worn by icons such as Kate Moss and have featured in British Vogue.

Emily became a member of the British Fashion Council in 2016 where she first began exhibiting at London Fashion Week. She has since received numerous awards for her work, such as Forbes 30 Under 30 list which recognises emerging talent.

From high summer though, her work will also appear on a range of 12 dresses, tops skirts and trousers for the brand Anthropologie, available in four different prints and available from mid-July.

“I’m awaiting the samples at the moment but I’m really excited. I’ve been working with the brand since December which is a relatively short amount of time to bring a collection to market, but I’m anticipating that they’ll look wonderful!”

Probably the most significant recent development in Emily’s career though is a new partnership with Radius Brands, an agency that will offer Emily the opportunity to license her illustrations to those producing luxury fashion and homeware.

Emily says Radius is the perfect fit for the brand as she can retain control over the values that she feels protective about, from ensuring products are made in Britain or that manufacturing favours small UK makers which can avoid waste and make a considerable effort to ensure their products, packaging and operations are as sustainable as possible.

“In hindsight, I’m quite glad that I didn’t partner with anyone before and afforded myself the time and stability for personal and creative growth,” says Emily. “I think that subconsciously I was holding back, because I don’t want to just be a product designer responsible for just putting stuff out.”

“Fast fashion has never appealed, and I don’t want to develop a brand if the success is at the expense of my inner moral compass. If you’re going to take inspiration from the natural world, it’s only right that you have a profound respect for it.”

“I went to Cape Town this year and it was an incredible experience. A safari brought me face to face with some of the most spectacular animals I’d ever seen, and it left me profoundly inspired but also really conscious of the need to ensure that that way we live our lives doesn’t impact our own part of the world or other ecosystems that are so different elsewhere.”

Emily’s desire for authenticity extends to the way in which she works, too. Her ink drawings are produced using pen on fine art

paper from her own vision, never copied and never replicating other illustrators’ work.

“I’ve tried to use technology to replicate sketching, but it isn’t the same,” she says.

“Software is clever and innovations like a tablet and stylus are good, but hand-drawing has a look to it that technology just can’t replicate.”

“I think it’s akin to listening to digital music; CD quality audio or streaming. It’s very clear but very crisp – almost too perfect – as distinct to listening to a track on a vinyl album, where the fidelity is warm and authentic. Humans introduce idiosyncrasies when they use a tool like a pen, which I don’t think can be replicated by a computer.”

“There are two elements to my work, the first being the individual subject; a bird or insect or a flower, for example. Then, there’s the creation of a symmetrical design for a scarf, for example, which I composite on the computer. Colour is best added at this stage as software enables you to be more precise in how it is reproduced, and you can adapt a design and create different colourways, so it’s more practical.”

“But I’ll never give up the experience of working at my desk, usually with ambient sounds in the background, or that combination of pen and paper which is so tactile and so tangible.”

“It’s an authentic, profound way to work, and I absolutely love the creative process. Looking back over the past 10 years, I can’t say for sure whether I’d have made different decisions in establishing a business, but in terms of establishing a brand, I’ve remained true to myself and to my moral compass, and so for that reason, I really wouldn’t change a thing.”

Emily Carter is the Duddington artist and designer who has established her brand of accessories – silk scarves and pocket squares – and art prints, as well as a range of stationery and home textiles. Her work features in two volumes of work, Insectarium and Avian Inspiration. Emily has also partnered with Anthropologie to create a range of fashions which will be on sale as Pride goes to press. See www.emily­carter.co.uk.

Summer events at Lamport always feel particularly special with the gardens a riot of colour and the sun (mostly!) shining.

Our summer events are in full swing and we have some great opportunities coming up to enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Lamport Hall with family and friends.

If you’re looking for a thought-provoking outdoor exhibition to attend, we are honoured to be hosting the Royal Geographical Society ‘Earth Photo’ competition. The exhibition will be open every Wednesday-Friday from the 23rd of July to the 28th of August and will feature photos that tell a story about the environment and geography with accompanying interpretation.

After a very successful return of outdoor cinema to Lamport last summer, we are delighted to be offering a screening of ‘Wicked’ on the 2nd of August. Enjoy one of the films of 2024 with a glass of wine and a box of gourmet popcorn in front of the magnificent backdrop of Lamport Hall’s main façade. The

gardens will also be open for you to peruse before the screening starts, giving a rare chance to see them in ‘golden hour’.

Put on your headset and don your best pair of dancing shoes for the first ever silent disco at Lamport Hall on the 9th of August! Come along for a family-friendly disco between 2pm and 5pm with two channels and then an 18+ event from 7pm with three channels. Immerse yourself in music for a magical summer’s evening you won’t want to miss. Our wireless headphones provide the freedom to dance while preserving the tranquillity and serenity of the gardens. With three simultaneous channels, revel in eclectic music choices including chart hits, retro classics and an entire channel dedicated to Taylor Swift from the brilliant Swiftogeddon!

We also have an interesting indoor exhibition throughout August open on Wednesdays

and Thursdays. Enjoy a display of historically accurate replicas of gowns worn by each Tudor Queen in their portraits, included in a house entry ticket.

Finally, our ever-popular Antiques and Collector’s Fair returns on August Bank Holiday Sunday and Monday open 9am-4pm with something to suit all tastes and budgets.

Every Wednesday and Thursday the Hall and gardens are open or visit on Fridays for the gardens only. Our gift shop is also open on Wednesdays and Thursdays selling a variety of gifts, souvenirs and toys. Our café is open every Wednesday-Friday, 9am-4pm and doesn’t require an entry ticket to visit.

We can’t wait to welcome you this summer! Please visit the website on www.lamporthall.co.uk for more information or phone the office on 01604 686272.

Romain Loubeyre, Stuck in Ice

By

What’s On

Saturday 16th August

Rewired Festival with Live Promotions at Grimsthorpe Castle

Prepare to be blown away by seven incredible Tribute Bands – live on stage! Performances from Oasis Forever, Planet ABBA, Pure Queen, Gladness, Blurz, Steptastic, and Mardy Bums, delivering all the hits from legendary bands like Oasis, ABBA, Queen, Madness, Blur, Steps, and Arctic Monkeys.

An electrifying lineup of the UK’s best tribute acts for an iconic outdoor venue, complete with powerhouse sound and stunning lighting effects.

Grimsthorpe Castle, £37.50/adults, gates 2pm, see rewiredtributefestival.co.uk or call 01775 768661.

Send your press releases and events to us via editor@pridemagazines.co.uk

The Addams Family

Tuesday 15th July to Sunday 10th August

The Addams Family at Curve Theatre

A creepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky musical version of the Addams Family, from the writers of the Jersey Boys. Wednesday Addams has fallen for a sweet young man and Gomez is keeping Morticia in the dark... how will it all play out? Find out here! “Do do do do ‘click click!’”

Various times and ticket prices, Curve Theatre Leicester, call 0116 242 3595 or see www.curveonline.co.uk.

Saturday 16th August to Sunday 17th August

Jazz in the Garden at Burghley House

Spend a summer's afternoon in Burghley’s Sculpture Garden listening to the swinging sounds of local Dixieland jazz group, the Stamford Stompers. Bring the whole family along, roll out a blanket and soak up the sublime atmosphere.

From 12 noon to 4pm, £8/adults, call 01780 752451 or see www.burghley.co.uk

Tuesday 29th July to Sunday 7th September Grease at

Kilworth House

Get ready to Rock and Roll as the Kilworth stage transforms into Rydell High. Experience the energy of Grease as Danny and Sandy navigate the ups and downs of teenage romance.

Bursting with unforgettable songs like Summer Nights, Greased Lightnin’, and You’re the One That I Want, this beloved classic will have you singing and dancing in your seat.

Join the T- Birds and the Pink Ladies in a vibrant celebration of 1950s culture, complete with sensational choreography and a heartwarming storyline.

Shows at 2.30pm and 7.30pm, with optional dinner and accommodation packages. Call 01858 880058 or see www.kilworthhouse.co.uk.

Photography

Pamela Raith.

Send your press releases and events to us via editor@pridemagazines.co.uk

Sunday 24th August

Stamford Classic Car Show

Organised by Stamford and District Round Table, the annual Stamford Car Show is a charity event, run by volunteers, to raise money for good causes in the local community. The event is hosted on the picturesque Stamford Meadows,

with free entry and over 500 iconic vehicles for spectators to enjoy. Exhibitors at the show have the opportunity to start their day with a leisurely rally through Stamford and the surrounding countryside, before arriving at Stamford Meadows ready for the judging.

For more information see www.stamfordcarshow.co.uk.

Saturday 23rd AugustMonday 25th August

Summer Fine Food Market

A celebration of food and drink at Burghley House, showcasing the best in local and international produce.

A host of artisan stalls and street food vendors from across the region and beyond will fill Burghley’s picturesque courtyards over the August Bank Holiday.

Discover a world of tastes and flavours including Persian street food, wood fired pizzas, locally distilled gins and award winning ciders, plenty to enjoy on the day or to take home for enjoy later.

Burghley House, Stamford PE9 3JY, from 10am­4pm. See www.burghley.co.uk

23rd July­28th August

Royal Geographic Society Earth

Photo Exhibition at Lamport Hall

Earth Photo focuses on telling stories about the environment and geography through photography and film taken or created by professionals and amateurs alike. This stunning exhibition will be displayed with accompanying interpretation right through Lamport’s woodland walk. Entry as part of standard garden ticket enabling visitors to enjoy the grounds.

Lamport Hall, Lamport, Northants NN6 9HD.

Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and Saturday 26th July. Call 01604 686272 or see www.lamporthall.co.uk.

Throughout July, August and September

Stamford Shakespeare at Tolethorpe

A trio of live outdoor productions to enjoy courtesy of Stamford Shakespeare Company, now known more commonly by its venue, Tolethorpe. This year’s productions include two works by Shakespeare, plus a whodunnit courtesy of Agatha Christie.

Whichever production you enjoy, the weather won’t spoil the experience thanks to a 600-seater covered auditorium. Take along a picnic or dine at The Fig Tree restaurant on site. The theatre was established in 1968 and moved to Tolethorpe in 1977, retaining its wonderful production values ever since!

Taming of the Shrew: Thursday 10th July to Saturday 26th July. The Mirror Crack’d: Tuesday 29th July to Saturday 16th August. Macbeth: Tuesday 15th July to Saturday 23rd August.

Each of the company’s plays are staged concurrently on selected dates/times. Tickets £22/Mon­Fri, £24/matinée and Saturday evenings. Call 01780 917240 or see www.tolethorpe.co.uk.

Anne

Davies

Davies Anne 40 Years in Broadcasting

After four decades in TV and on the radio, Anne Davies is keen to instil her experience in the next generation of entrepreneurs and broadcasters across the East Midlands. This month we consider how representations of women in the media have changed with the host of the BBC’s East Midlands Today

As the saying goes, you only get one chance to make a first impression... in fact, we can be even more precise than that.

Consultant psychologist and member of the British Psychological Society, Dr George Sik, observed in one study that in just seven seconds, someone that you’ve met for the first time has already made 11 observations about you, ranging from your financial standing, trustworthiness, your sexual desirability –and availability – and even your religion.

It’s a fact not lost on broadcaster Anne Davies, who has spent 40 years in the media presenting an unflappable persona in the face of tight broadcasting deadlines and news agendas that change with just minutes to go.

“I was born in Surrey, lived on the Isle of Wight and then I went off to university at Aberystwyth to study English & Drama.”

“I started with the BBC in 1980 working on programmes like Panorama, Question Time and The Money Programme. I really loved television and wanted to be in a broadcasting environment, but when a presenting role began to appeal more and more, I ended up writing to every radio station in the country joining BBC Leicestershire.”

“There were no broadcast journalism courses then, but the BBC and ITV both offered fairly good training opportunities and upon joining Central, I began presenting the news for the channel’s afternoon bulletin at 3pm.”

Words: Rob Davis.

Anne has more recently turned her attention to mentoring anyone who needs to present or communicate to do so with confidence and authority, bringing insight from her work in TV and radio including roles as the presenter who launched GMTV in 1994 and her role as the face and voice of the BBC’s East Midlands Today evening broadcast from 2001.

Margaret Thatcher’s 1990 Broadcasting Act aimed to deregulate broadcasting, enabling independent broadcasters to compete for airtime. And, in 1993, independent production companies were keen to secure morning audiences. Breakfast TV had been established for a decade and the blend of hard news and magazine-style content was popular. >>

Anne Davies

“The BBC isn’t just a broadcaster. It’s a world leader. We try to be as impartial as possible and we check, cross check, we get stories checked legally...”

>> The changes followed the creation of a breakfast TV format which saw the launch of BBC Breakfast Time with Frank Bough, Nick Ross and an unknown Selina Scott.

ITV had launched their rival programme in the form of TV-AM, which ran until 1993, replaced on 1st January 1993 with GMTV. The latter outbid TV-AM to win the license for a breakfast broadcast, albeit by paying a rather eye-watering £34m for the privilege. Happily, the first broadcast saw Anne Davies sharing the sofa with Eamonn Holmes.

“It was great fun and it was a very exciting environment, a really wonderful time to be a broadcaster with launch parties and lots of people competing to fill our airtime.”

“In reality though, whilst Central had been a huge place with a wardrobe department the size of a warehouse, GMTV was really quite slim. The makeup room was a Portacabin and I remember it would shake every time someone walked down the corridor, meaning a makeup artist would have to pause the application of mascara.”

“The lighting wasn’t flattering either and the newsroom was accessed by a metal staircase. At Central I had a dressing room with a sofa and a makeup area and a bathroom. But at GMTV we had a tiny room that three of us shared and a constant flow of guests and people through the studio.”

Stating the obvious, broadcasting and the media in general is unrecognisable even since Anne returned to the BBC in 2001 to co-present East Midlands Today.

With all of the technology at their disposal, though, surely our modern journalists and broadcasters have never had it so good? Not necessarily, says Anne. “We broadcast from studios on Nottingham’s London Road and the size of the team is about 100, but we’re all

interconnected multi-platform journalists responsible for output online, in radio and for TV. The development of technology has helped to reduce our equipment to this iPhone, and there’s less pressure to break a story online as you’ve the online platform upon which to break a story immediately.”

“But conversely, there’s added pressure in having to cover all different platforms, with good stills for online and updates when covering a story that evolves. The same is true of the news agenda generally, which tends to remain consistent throughout the day about three quarters of the time, but when a big story breaks, a modern audience expects you to use your technology to adapt quickly and ensure your output is up to date and dynamic.”

“And the BBC isn’t just a broadcaster. It’s a world leader. We try to be as impartial as possible and we check, cross check, we get stories checked legally... there’s so much fake news online, and as professionals we’ve got

Anne in the BBC East Midlands Today Studio, based in Nottingham.

to be the authority, to maintain trust and to report everything accurately and in a really balanced way.”

“Reporting, too, has had to become more respectful of the people we speak to, and sensitive to their circumstances, irrespective of the need to establish facts or to meet a deadline.”

“Nobody wants to report anything harrowing and foremost in your mind is the person behind a story. Our reporting in 2007 of the disappearance of Madeleine McCann was the recipient of a Royal Television Society award, but as affirming as it was to have our professionalism recognised, we were never neglectful of the fact that a family’s life had been changed forever.”

“The same was true of our reporting of the Nottingham attacks in 2023 and when we were reporting during Covid, opening with data pertaining to the latest mortality figures. There’s a professional obligation to report sensitively, accurately and in a way which is respectful to those concerned.”

“And more broadly, you’ve a responsibility to be a friendly face, to leave a viewer with the feeling that they’re not alone. I remember my mother, when I was younger, remarking when a presenter once said ‘have a lovely Christmas’ that she was sick of hearing that because people come from all different walks of life and you could be the last person that somebody sees that evening.”

“The first thing I was told when I started in broadcasting was to always remember that you’re broadcasting to one person and one person only, listening to you on a greasespattered radio in the kitchen that’s half tuned-in – so ‘get over yourself and don’t succumb to broadcasters’ machismo!’”

Another way that broadcasting has changed is with the BBC’s ambitions to recruit in a more representative way.

Back in May 2018 the corporation launched its 50:50 challenge, which aims to achieve an equal split of male and female broadcasters, journalists and technicians.

That commitment was reaffirmed in 2021 and 2022, subsequently extended to include a commitment to recruit staff from black, Asian or minority ethnic backgrounds, as well as disabled staff and those from working class backgrounds.

The BBC’s audited figures in its Annual Report & Accounts published last year shows the corporation now has a workforce made up of 50.1% women, and 49% women leaders.

It’s rewarding news given that ITV last month confirmed that their Lorraine and Loose Women programmes would be cut to just 30 weeks a year, with the former reduced in duration to just 30 minutes.

This is a programme whose presenter, Lorraine Kelly, is a 65-year old woman, at the helm of a programme which was first to champion Dame Deborah James’s campaign for bowel cancer awareness.

It is also a far cry from broadcasting sofas of yore, reckons Anne. “We’ve changed as a society, and become commendably more sensitive to representations of gender. Perhaps we have more work to do, but when I started out the news presenter would be 50 or 60 years old and next to him on the sofa would be his female sidekick, aged 25.”

“It’s more balanced now, but the media is also a commercially challenging environment too, and I don’t know for sure about the circumstances of ITV’s decision, but I didn’t feel it was a dig at women. I imagine it was an editorial decision, and most broadcasts now are aimed at men and women equally.”

“Women are empowered to remain in their positions for longer though, and that’s a good thing – think of the BBC’s consumer affairs programme Rip-Off Britain fronted by Julia Somerville, Angela Rippon and Gloria Hunniford or Radio 4’s You & Yours headed up by Winifred Robinson. Everything on the age spectrum has shifted from when my grandmother at my age carried a handbag

like the Queen and dressed conservatively, compared to today, when women in their mid60s can wear really nice dresses, shop at Zara and present themselves with confidence.”

“Most satisfyingly, TV is a reflection of society, so to be part of a BBC that champions older professional women and projects that into the wider world is something I’m really proud of.”

That said, Anne also remains very conscious of empowering the next generation of not only broadcasters but professional women, across the East Midlands.

“Presentation, more broadly is about getting a better job, making your life better, projecting confidence and being an agent of authority.”

“I provide presentation coaching for the BBC and as an independent consultant, and much of my work is local because I genuinely do believe in the excellence of the East Midlands and I want people here to help showcase the talent we have, not just in broadcasting but across their own working lives and personal lives.”

>>

Anne Davies

>> Anne began offering communication and presentation classes a couple of years ago for anyone who wants to polish their skills from those with careers involving public speaking to people with jobs in sales or customer service.

“70% of the population admits to being terrified of standing up and speaking in public,” says Anne. “Good communication is essential for management positions, and the advice offered is as relevant to face-to-face interactions as for the video calls – Skype, Facetime, Zoom, Teams – to which we all became accustomed during the pandemic.”

It’s important to Anne that she can help not just aspiring broadcasters, but anyone in the East Midlands seeking to further their careers and present themselves with a sense of confidence akin to a broadcaster with 40 years of experience.

That’s not the only way that Anne is trying to help future entrepreneurs, managers or broadcasters’ personal development either.

Ten years ago she founded Fashanne as a way of mentoring students seeking to establish a career in fashion and textiles in the region.

“Fashanne is a year-long programme which partners with a number of universities in the area providing a pathway into the industry via mentoring, workshops and internships, culminating in an annual live event.”

2025’s event will take place as Pride goes to press with 11 category winners chosen by a panel including lead judge Patrick Grant –Great British Sewing Bee judge and established Savile Row tailor – plus Giuliano Martello, menswear coordinator at Paul Smith and senior designers at retailer Next including Zeph Logan and Jonathan Pedley.

“Fashanne culminates in the show and the awards, but it’s a much more long-term programme, giving students contacts in the industry, confidence and a sense of self-worth.”

“It’s important for the students who participate but also important to reflect what we have here in the East Midlands.”

“Let’s be part of something that waves the flag and lets people know how great we are in the East Midlands... we’ve much to be proud of and that’s why it’s a pleasure to report not just on politics and hard news within the region, but also on the heartwarming and good news stories in the area too.”

“I work with an amazing team and for a world-leading broadcaster. It’s a privilege to appear on screen every night and the whole team is invested in representing the region in the best way we possibly can.”

Anne Davies is the presenter of BBC East Midlands Today, 6.30pm, weekday evenings. She also provides communication and presentation skills training, and is the founder of the Fashanne awards which nurtures upcoming talent in the fashion industry, see www.annedavies.tv.

Stamford’s Historic Pubs

Pubs in Stamford

This month we’re raising a glass to an important part of Stamford’s history in the form of its coaching inns, alehouses, back street boozers and breweries. Its cultural and social history expressed in buildings, hops and barley is being retold by historian and author Martin Smith, who is making available an update of his book, Stamford Pubs & Breweries

It’s almost 20 years since Stamford Pubs & Breweries was published. It was an epic work, the fruit of research both in and out of Stamford’s pubs, a compendium of every pub and brewery explored over 328 pages with many rare photographs and maps.

Much has changed in those 20 years. The drink trade has seen the consolidation of large chain establishments, such as Wetherspoons and Cosy Club, together with a proliferation of smaller bars operating from former retail premises - examples in Stamford include The Copper Room, Twelve All Saints and the Wine Bar. These developments have helped call time on the more traditional pubs, such as the Dolphin, Daniel Lambert, Drum & Monkey, Hit or Miss and Northfields.

Covid has had a big impact on drinking culture. We became used to drinking at home, rather than going out, and when restrictions were lifted, people were less inclined to stay out late. The result is that many pubs are now quiet in the later evenings.

Another change has seen the growth of continental-style drinking and eating on the terrace or street. Twenty years ago Sheep Market was home to just the Golden Fleece, with no outside tables. Now the square has become the social hub of Stamford, with outside terraces for the Fleece, London Inn, Cosy Club, Stamford Post and Millstone. This month we explore Stamford's drink trade, including its lost pubs and breweries, its current pub owners and brewers, plus facts and figures on pub games, names and sayings.

Opposite: Martin Smith is releasing an updated version of his book, Stamford Pubs & Breweries, which is available to pre­order now.

Stamford’s Historic Pubs

‘There is nothing which has been contrived by man, by which so much happiness has been produced as by a good tavern or inn.’

Dr Johnson to his friend and biographer,

James Boswell, 1776.

Stamford has always been well-supplied with hostelries, being a town fortunately positioned on the Great North Road, through Stamford’s torturous medieval core from the twelfth century right up to the early 1960s. Kings, clergy, armies, travellers, traders, workers and entertainers all passed through its narrow streets on their journeys north, towards York and Scotland, and south to London.

In ages past, when journey times were considerably longer than today, some provided essential services to weary travellers, but Stamford also had a range of public houses used by tradesmen, market holders, carriers, entertainers, workers etc, and by the residents of the town. Many small hostelries only served their immediate locality.

We tend to use the terms pub, tavern, alehouse or inn interchangeably, but each has its own specific definition. Inns are large, often ancient, establishments offering accommodation, food and drink, stabling and rooms for business and social events. They evolved into hotels.

A Stamford example is The George, which evolved out of a medieval hospital founded by Peterborough Abbey.

Ale houses are an early incarnation of the later public house. In medieval times an ale house was distinguished by a bush being hung outside to indicate that the brew was on sale. Public houses evolved as ale houses became regulated, licensed and more respectable.

Slipping out of colloquial use as a term, taverns originally served only wine, offered no accommodation and were common in urban areas. By the 19th century they were often called wine & spirits vaults, hence the popularity of ‘The Vaults’ as a name for a drinking establishment.

Gin & spirit houses became popular in the late 18th century. The gin house was an urban phenomenon, made famous in Hogarth’s print Gin Lane. Beer houses or shops sprang up too after the 1830 Beer Act which relaxed licensing laws. Many only lasted a few years. Stamford examples include Hit or Miss, King William VI and Jolly Brewer.

THE DIFFERENT AGES OF PUBS AND INNS

In the medieval era, Stamford’s inns like The George served kings, pilgrims and merchants on the Great North Road, while alehouses offered poorer-quality brews to locals. By the Tudor and Stuart periods, alehouses multiplied, while coaching inns grew more refined, serving the social elite.

Following the Restoration, coaching boomed; Stamford’s inns rebuilt grand courtyards for stagecoaches, and public houses began offering food and lodgings. In the Georgian age, pubs became commercial centres—hosting markets, political clubs and trade unions.

The 1830 Beer Act sparked a surge in beerhouses, often modest, rowdy and working-class. But sadly, by the Victorian railway era, Stamford’s coaching trade collapsed, leading to many pub closures.

THE PUBS & INNS OF THE GREAT NORTH ROAD

The roar of traffic on the modern A1 is a reminder that the Great North Road used to run right through Stamford and with it came inns set up to cater for travellers and traders. Two old inns still survive in the form of The George and The Crown. However, there were once several more, with a concentration along the northern side of St Mary’s Street.

Wandering along there in the 16th century you would have had a choice of dining in either The Swan, The Angel or The Bull. Each was a large establishment and the former stable and service yard of The Bull still survives in the form of Stamford Walk - its front range became The Stamford Hotel, recently converted to apartments.

It is probable that what is now St Mary’s Vaults was also an early inn owned by Magdalen College in Oxford, while there is a mention of a King’s Inn, perhaps on St Mary’s Hill in 1388. Elsewhere, The Bell occupied the entire eastern side of Ironmonger Street and the central section still exists as an estate agents.

Opposite: The Angel, or George & Angel on St Mary’s Street was Stamford’s principal inn in the borough, first recorded in 1440. It became the George & Angel in 1717 and was used for mid­Lent fair attractions. It closed in 1848. The Bull, also known as Stamford Hotel, as first recorded in 1488 and claimed to be an academic hall. In the early C18th a new yard was built for the hotel, and in 1813, Sir Gerard Noel rebuilt the frontage as a statement of Whig opposition. The rear of the place was still a pub – the Black Bull – from 1992 to 2009. The front was recently converted into apartments.

Stamford’s Historic Pubs

STAMFORD’S POPULAR HIGH STREET

The modern High Street is now a mix of shops and coffee houses. However, it was once home to several pubs serving shoppers, market goers and traders. The Black Swan (later Globe) at No. 8 had a fashionable red brick frontage and a grand earlier rear range onto Broad Street. The Red Lion served the butchers’ market area and was a venue for cock fighting in the late 18th century.

The Windmill was an old pub which was demolished along with adjoining properties in 1966 to make way for the modern range that houses Tesco. A tablet to Lady Wake, mother of Henry IV, was found inside. Other pubs included The Crown & Anchor, set up as a beer house in 1838, which stood opposite Tesco, and the Pineapple at No. 51 which was opened as a wine and spirits vaults in 1846.

ELSEWHERE IN STAMFORD

Stamford’s outlying streets were once home to local hostelries which catered for local residents of the many courts and slums, as well as less prosperous carriers and travellers.

Some of these pubs were set up by the Whig (Liberal) opposition to the Tory dominance of the Cecils of Burghley House. The O’Brien Arms on St Paul’s Street was established by Stafford O’Brien as part of the 1812 election campaign, while The Rolt Arms on Scotgate supported John Rolt at the 1847 election, whose slogan was Rolt & Rail - this was a dig at the Cecil obstruction in putting in a main line railway.

Meanwhile over on St Leonard’s Street there was The Olive Branch, which in the 19th century was the headquarters of the bullards who ran the annual bull running, as well as street-specific stop runs.

Some of these locals pubs continued into recent times and older readers may remember The White Swan/Punchbowl and Gateway Hotel on Scotgate, St Peter’s Inn on St Peter’s Street, The Albion/Otters Pocket on All Saints’ Street, The Dolphin on East Street, The Daniel Lambert on St Leonard’s Street and The General Gordon on Wharf Road.

SPIRITS IN THE SUBURBS

Moving out from the historic centre we enter the suburbs, which have expanded in stages from the early 19th century. The earliest suburban pubs are those on the main routes in and out of the town.

These included The Drum & Monkey on Casterton Road, The Parting Pot/Victoria at No. 1 Ryhall Road and The Windmill on Tinwell Road, which was set up in the late 18th century by John Tallis who owned the nearby windmill.

The Hit or Miss was a small local beer house serving the New Town area around Foundry Road, while the King William IV was another beer house catering for the new northern suburbs around Bentley Street and Conduit Road. A later lost pub was The Northfields on Drift Road, which opened in 1957 for the new council estate residents.

From top: The Olive Branch, St Leonard’s Street, headquarters of the Bullards, first recorded 1801, closed 1959. Above: The Crown & Anchor, demolished 1960s. Pineapple, 51 High Street, closed 1961.

Right: Stag & Pheasant, on Broad Street, closed in 1971.

STAMFORD BREWERIES

Originally inns and pubs would have had their own brewhouse, a concept which evolved from the original medieval ale house. Brewing began to become more corporate during the 18th century and the number of dedicated breweries in the town reached a peak in the later 19th century.

By the 20th century, brewing became more centralised, with large regional and national concerns buying up and closing down small town breweries.

Water Street in St Martin’s had a concentration of breweries from access to a good water supply. These included St Martin’s, later Phillips, which was the first common brewery in the town, set up in 1780, and Harper, Hunt & Edward’s (later Hunt’s) established in the early 19th century.

Other lost breweries included Lowe, Son & Cobbold, off Broad Street; Jelley’s or Hewitt’s which was located at the back of the former Bell on Ironmonger Street, and St George’s brewery on Wharf Road,

opened as part of the 1830 Beer Act. The All Saints Brewery, which became Melbourne’s, stood more centrally in the town and was until recently open as a museum – it is currently closed, along with St Mary’s Vaults, as a result of the mystifying business etiquette of its owner, Samuel Smith.

TRADITIONAL PUB GAMES

If you’re keen to pass the time and simply staring into a pint glass isn’t cutting it, fear not. Historically there have been plenty of pub pastimes to keep you occupied...

1. Shove Ha'penny: Dating back as early as the C15th in its shoffe-grote incarnation, also known as shovel board and slide thrift, more modern shove ha’penny boards were created circa 1840, with players required to slide their coin into different areas of a board.

2. Skittles: Also known as nine pins, Dutch pins or rolly polly and even Aunt Sally, recorded as far back as the C14th, when a ‘cheese’ was rolled towards skittles.

3. Toad in the Hole: Also known at pitch penny or throwing disks, sapo, chuck farthing or rana, where the object of the game was to toss a penny into a hole from a distance.

4. Dwile Flonking: Also known as nurdling, some poor fellow in a circle is the flonker, hit by beer stained fabric strips by opponents(!).

5. Billiards/Snooker: The former originated in France in the C14th, evolving into bar billiards in the C19th. The game was modified by Sir Neville Chamberlain, a British Army officer stationed in Jabalpur, India in 1875 and became snooker, with competitions held in pubs from the 1930s

6. Dominoes: Originating in China in the C12th before reaching Europe in the C18th.

Martin Smith is the author of Stamford Pubs and Breweries, which was out of print but is currently being updated. Pre­orders are available now. 330 pages, fully illustrated and referenced. Register your interest by calling 07787 554 894.

Top: All Saints Brewery, was founded in 1825 by William Edwards with support from 2nd Marquess of Exeter, and closed in 1974. Above: Lowe, Son & Cobbold, brewers from 1890s, run by James Hole & Co of Newark until 1948.

MEET THE LANDLORD

“The world has changed a great deal in a very short space of time,” says Michael Thurlby. It does sound like the pseudophilosophical thing you’d hear in a pub, discussing the vast intricacies of life over a pint, but in fairness, Michael and his teams are best-placed to see the differences he’s witnessed over the bar, even since Covid.

Michael has a long and glorious history of renovating and running pubs and hotels in Stamford, having purchased the Periwig in 1997 renovating it several times and reinstating the Patens name in 1997. He and partner Sophia restored The Crown in 1999 and most recently they purchased the Tobie Norris, a former RAFA-club, in 2007.

“Right up to the 1970s and 1980s, pubs used to be about drinking, they were places for men, they were places to smoke... they were simpler businesses to run too.”

“It’s great that pubs are more welcoming now, more family friendly. Heavy drinking seems to be a culture in decline, pubs are much more inclusive now.”

“Overall I reckon we’re seeing the same number of people through the doors, but today, that trade is just as reliant on food as drink, and that custom is not just during the evening but for brunch, morning coffee, lunch and afternoon meet-ups as well as evening dining and drinks.”

“You wouldn’t dream of buying a pub or an inn now unless there was a very good outdoor space for families, and pubs now also need to be dog-friendly, too.”

“At the same time as the number and range of different customers has increased, so too has expectations. Today, you can’t serve poor food, not with so much competition around.”

“Expectations are high and to produce proper food you need at least two really good chefs –ones that stick around and allow you to maintain the consistency and quality of your food. With front of house staff and kitchen porters, the wage bill when you’re offering food is much higher. And that brings us on to staffing costs.”

“Increased minimum wage, higher National Insurance contributions and business rates mean it’s more difficult than ever to keep costs down for customers. I was speaking to the owner of a lovely traditional pub in Covent Garden who is in the process of closing the business, stating that they could survive Covid, but they can’t survive a Labour government. And that’s in an affluent part of London with lots of tourist trade.”

“Younger people appear to be drinking less and going to the gym more, everyone’s more health-aware today and drinking (especially drinking to excess) is less about what pubs and inns are all about today. What hasn’t changed though – and I hope it never does –is the interaction with customers. I always make a point of talking to people and making sure everyone receives a warm welcome. That part of the job has always been a pleasure.”

“We’re very lucky as Stamford is a town where people value independent businesses, and where independents happily coexist with multinationals – Wetherspoons’ Stamford Post and the Cosy Club, in our case. We’ve a mixed customer base who are very loyal and who appreciate quality. It’s a fantastic place to run a business and we really love the local community and the friendly nature of the town.”

Raise a Glass

THE TOBIE NORRIS

Housed in a beautiful 13th­century building with stone floors, oak beams, and a roaring fire in winter, The Tobie Norris is a pub that radiates charm. Formerly a bell foundry and butcher’s shop, it was sensitively restored and now serves hearty British food and wood­fired pizzas. A maze of snug rooms and staircases make it a place to linger, whether for a Sunday roast or a pint of craft ale.

St Paul's Street, Stamford PE9 2BE, www.tobienorris.com.

THE BULL & SWAN

This former coaching inn has a lively history dating back to the 17th century, when it was associated with the notorious Honourable Order of Little Bedlam. Now part of The George estate, The Bull & Swan blends heritage with comfort and excellent dining. It even boasts a cinema screen and a kitchen garden. Its menu is fresh and seasonal, with a good selection of wine and local beer. St Martins, Stamford PE9 2LJ, www.thebullandswan.co.uk.

PATEN & CO

A contemporary venue with a heritage heart, Paten & Co is part of the Knead pub group and occupies a former wine merchant’s warehouse just off the market square named after Alfred John Paten who was a Peterborough wine merchant who moved his business to Stamford. Inside, industrial­chic interiors nod to its commercial past, while the food is vibrant and modern—think small plates, sharing boards and an ever­evolving drinks list. All Saints Place, Stamford PE9 2AG, www.patenandco.co.uk.

Michael with Matthew Williams, landlord of The Tobie Norris for the past seven years.

THE GEORGE OF STAMFORD

Although no longer a pub in the traditional sense, The George remains one of Stamford’s most iconic coaching inns, with roots tracing back to the medieval period. Its vaulted cellars and passageways whisper of the days when pilgrims stopped here en route to Canterbury. Today, it's a refined hotel and restaurant, but its bar areas and lounges retain old­world charm and elegance.

St Martins, Stamford PE9 2LB, www.georgehotelofstamford.com.

THE KING'S HEAD

A High Street staple for locals, The King's Head has served ale for centuries. It’s a cosy, unpretentious pub with a traditional feel, low ceilings, and a loyal following. Regular live music, darts, and quiz nights add to its local flavour, while the welcome is always warm.

High St, Stamford PE9 2AL.

THE MILLSTONE

Tucked beside All Saints’ Church, The Millstone is one of Stamford’s most historic pubs. It offers traditional ales, good food and a relaxed atmosphere. Its compact size and wood­panelled bar area make it a classic stop for a pint in a timeless setting.

All Saints Street, Stamford PE9 2PA.

LORD BURGHLEY

Located on bustling Broad Street, The Lord Burghley is a Greene King pub named after William Cecil, Lord Burghley, Queen Elizabeth I’s chief advisor and a local legend. Inside, it’s light and spacious with a central bar and regular pub fare. A favourite with sports fans and casual drinkers alike. Broad Street, Stamford PE9 1PG, www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk.

ALL SAINTS WINE BAR

Part wine bar, part pub, All Saints has built a niche reputation as a refined yet welcoming spot for a glass of wine and a platter of cheese or charcuterie. Housed in a Grade II­listed building with views of All Saints’ spire, it’s intimate and understated.

Red Lion Street, Stamford PE9 1PA.

THE LONDON INN

A lively, friendly town­centre pub with a beer garden and traditional bar, The London Inn is known for live sport, community spirit and hearty pub food. St John's Street, Stamford PE9 2DB, www.londoninnstamford.co.uk.

THE STAMFORD POST

Chain pub company JD Wetherspoon occupies a building once home to the Mercury, Britain’s oldest continuously published newspaper. The pub's name honours this history, and its walls are lined with prints and artefacts that reflect Stamford’s journalistic legacy. Sheep Market, Stamford PE9 2RB.

Paten & Co. The Millstone. The Bull & Swan.

Time, Gentlemen, Please

Pub Miscellany

Oldest in the UK? At 1,000 years old The George of Stamford is among the contenders as the oldest pub of inn in Britain. The Old Ferry Boat, St Ives, Cambs is a another, as is Porch House, Stow and The Angel & Royal, Grantham.

PRODUCING THE PERFECT PINT

The process of making beer is an alchemical blend of artistry, science and centuries­old tradition. At its heart are four humble ingredients: water, malted barley, hops and yeast. Malted barley is mashed with hot water to extract fermentable sugars, producing a sweet liquid known as wort. This is then boiled with hops — flowers that add bitterness, flavour and aroma — before being cooled and fermented with yeast. The yeast consumes the sugars, producing alcohol and carbon dioxide, transforming the wort into beer.

But what makes real ale distinct — and particularly British — is not just the ingredients, but the method of conditioning and serving. According to CAMRA, real ale is a living product. It undergoes secondary fermentation in the cask it’s served from, often behind the bar. This natural conditioning process creates gentle carbonation, resulting in more complex, evolving flavours.

Unlike mass­produced beers that are force­carbonated and often filtered or pasteurised to extend shelf life, real ale remains unfiltered and unpasteurised. It is a fresh, perishable product that requires skill to handle and serve properly. The hand­pulled pint from a cellar­conditioned cask is a uniquely British experience — a testament to tradition, craft and locality.

As such, real ale is more than just beer; it’s a cultural institution, championed by brewers, landlords and CAMRA alike, for those who appreciate authenticity in every sip.

BRITAIN’S MOST COMMON PUB NAMES

1: Red Lion 529 pubs

2: The Crown 489 pubs

3: Royal Oak 412 pubs

4: White Hart 301 pubs

5: The Plough 283 pubs

6: Railway 281 pubs

7: The Swan 275 pubs

8: White Horse 271 pubs

9: Kings Arms 243 pubs

10: The Ship 233 pubs

AND

Name: Pints: Litres: Origin:

Pint: 1 pint 568ml Ale Measures Act 1698.

‘Small Keg’: 52.8 pints 30 litres European industry term

Firkin: 72 pints 40.91 litres 1688, redefined in 1803.

Keg/Cask: 88 pints 50 litres Weights/Measures Act 1824.

Barrel: 288 pints 163 litres 1688, redefined in 1803.

PINTS

BARRELS

8.5bn: Number of pints of beer consumed in the UK annually. Equivalent to 110 pints a year per person with wine consumption overtaking beer consumption in 2024.

45,000: Number of pubs in the UK in 2024, down from 60,800 in 2000.

1,715: Number of independent breweries in the UK at the end of 2024.

£5.17: Average price a pint in the UK in June 2025. In London, the average price of a pint is even higher at £6.10. The most expensive beers or lagers are Camden Hells (£6.34); BrewDog Punk IPA (£6.34); Beavertown Neck Oil (£6.24); Peroni (£6.14) and Asahi (£6.11).

£4.36: The least expensive pints are Tennents (£4.23); Carlsberg (£4.23) & Greene King IPA (£4.36).

£2.76: The average cost of a pint in major cities around the world. Go easy in Doha, Qatar (£9.95), or enjoy a drink in Madagascar where a pint is just 68p.

65p: The cost of producing a pint of beer. £1.45 is taken in tax, 60p is the cost of the drink’s packaging, marketing and transport. The pub pays 80p in wages, 55p in utility bills, and 60p in other bills, leaving a profit for both pub and brewery of 35p.

2,500: There are currently 2,500 different real ales in the UK stocked by 3,000 pubs, enjoyed by around 8.6 million regular drinkers of real ale.

‘When you have lost your inns, drown your empty selves, for you have lost the last of England.’

Hilaire Beloc 1870-1953

THE ORIGIN OF COMMON PUB SAYINGS

1. Wet Your Whistle: Originally found in The Reeve's Story in the Canterbury Tales, written by Chaucer, c.1392. Apocryphally referring to when ceramic mugs had built­in whistles which could be blown for another round!

2. One for the Road: Thought to refer to a condemned prisoner being given a final drink on their way from prison to the gallows

3. On the Waggon: Refers either to one of the guards accompanying a condemned prisoner remaining with the cart that was transporting them, rather than accompanying the prisoner into the pub as they consume ‘one for the road,’ (see above), or referring to water waggons which would dampen down the roads with water to avoid throwing up too much dust during dry weather. Alternatively, a reference to water waggons that the temperance movement would facilitate in the 19th and early 20th centuries to provide refreshment that would discourage the consumption of alcohol.

4. Spit ‘n’ Sawdust: Refers to when pubs – especially in mining communities or areas of heavy industry – would have a layer of sawdust under the bar’s footrail so the delightful patrons who spit out their rheum (to clear their passages of coal dust for example) onto the floor did so onto sawdust. Such uncouth patrons would typically be found in a spit ‘n’ sawdust establishment.

5. Gone for a Burton: Refers to the brewing town Burton­on­Trent, when someone is said to have gone to the pub and would be gone for an indefinite period. Later WWII RAF slang for a missing airman. And finally, one of dubious origin, in our opinion...

6. Mind Your Ps and Qs:

Our research suggested that the origin of the above phrase is a reference to bartenders and drinkers keeping the record of their pints and quarts accurate to avoid disputed. We disagree, and think the phrase relates to old typesetting practices when letters were arranged in a frame of type in reverse, hence the peril of confusing a lower case P and a lower case Q when taking each from a tray of type.

RAISE A GLASS TO THE GREAT BRITISH PINT

Gateway to Elegance

Burghley's iconic Bottle Lodges Image: Pajor Pawel.

CSTORY

ommanding the approach from Stamford into the estate of Burghley House, the Bottle Lodges form one of the most distinguished and memorable entranceways to any stately home in Britain. Designed by Stamford-born architect William Daniel Legg and completed in 1801, the lodges and their grand triple-arched gateway were built to commemorate a momentous occasion: the elevation of Henry Cecil, 10th Earl of Exeter, to the title of 1st Marquess of Exeter.

Legg’s design is full of drama and symbolism. The two symmetrical lodges— each with three storeys and octagonal upper floors—are flanked by turrets that give them their nickname, the Bottle Lodges. Their theatrical presence and vertical proportions hint at the towers of an Elizabethan manor, though in fact they belong to the early 19th century, styled to complement the much older Burghley House beyond.

The whole building—gateway and lodges—is now Grade II listed. It sits at the head of a long, sweeping drive that curves gently through the parkland towards the north front of Burghley, framing the visitor’s journey with a sense of stately ceremony. The lodges were inspired by those built in 1613 for Sir Baptist Hicks at Old Campden Manor, Gloucestershire, and Legg’s surviving drawing, held in the Burghley archive, is a beautiful pen-and-wash rendering signed and dated by the architect.

Though the Old Campden Manor itself was destroyed during the English Civil War, the lodges there survived, and their Jacobean architecture found new life in Legg’s Stamford version. He masterfully adapted the style, blending it with the exuberant character of Burghley’s own sixteenthcentury origins. The result is a seamless introduction to one of the most iconic houses of the Elizabethan era.

This month’s Cover Story is the Stamford Pride image. Think your photography has what it takes? Send your high­quality images to our editor and get the chance to enjoy the ultimate bragging rights: your work on our front cover and our Cover Story double page spread!

Send your very best photos to our editor Rob Davis, robin@pridemagazines.co.uk

Homes & Gardens

FIND JOY IN THE ART OF LIVING WELL

WELCOME HOME TO HOME FARM AT BURLEY ON THE HILL

THE RUTLAND FLOWER SHOW WITH ADAM FROST

PLUS: THE LARGEST SELECTION OF LUXURY HOMES IN RUTLAND AND STAMFORD

Royalty Fit For

The architect behind this month’s featured property at Burley on the Hill truly excelled himself. John Nash created a country house fit for a king... before his next career working on several royal residences

Words: Rob Davis.

You’d be quite justified in saying that this month’s featured property is fit for a king. Its architect certainly was. After creating Burley on the Hill’s Home Farm, John Nash went on to serve as the preferred architect of the Prince Regent, who capitalised on Nash’s aptitude for designing in the Georgian, Regency and neo-classical style to create Regent Street, Marble Arch, Piccadilly Circus, The King’s Opera House and Theatre Royal Haymarket. Not to mention Nash mentored Pugin, worked in collaboration to create landscapes with Repton and he created the state rooms and western frontage of Buckingham Palace and Clarence House, just around the corner, both in 1825.

Nash’s Home Farm was commissioned by George Finch, 9th Earl of Winchilsea and now nestles in nearly 1.7 acres of very neat grounds. The house commands a Grade II listing with a pretty thatched roof as well as a self-contained annexe known as Gamekeeper Lodge, ideal for multi-generational living or for use as an Airbnb.

Offering an impressive 4,762sq ft of accommodation, Home Farm is arranged over two floors with a formal drawing room and dining room as well as a reception hall and large breakfast kitchen. >>

“Wrapped in romance, the gardens at Home Farm are a world of their own. From the cobbled courtyard, pathways wind beneath blossom-laden branches and alongside richly planted borders, revealing new pockets of pleasure at every turn...”

>> The property is home to Eve and James Tyers who returned to James’s native Rutland 18 years ago and lived in Oakham before moving to Lyddington and refurbishing a property in the pretty village. The two remained uncertain of the merits of moving out of Lyddington despite keen interest in their property until, that is, they came across Home Farm at Burley on the Hill.

“James was away with work and I had the initial viewing with the children. It was love at first sight. Apparently the Earl’s brief to Nash was to create ‘the most beautiful farmhouse he’d ever seen.’”

Nash excelled in executing that remit, but if the 1.68 acres of grounds, or the local limestone the house is constructed of, or the water reed thatch on the roof didn’t get James on board, the substantial outbuilding with triple bay garage and workshop for the motoring enthusiast definitely sealed the deal.

The beating heart of the property is its dining kitchen in which the family spend much of their time. Painted in one of the Farrow & Ball shades used throughout the house, the kitchen is finished in a chalky white colour with white engineered stone surfaces. The kitchen features a four-oven Aga in dark blue, and there’s a range of appliances from premium brands including Smeg from a built-in oven to an induction hob and dishwasher.

There’s also a reception hall and two reception rooms currently arranged as a living room and dining room, plus a large storeroom and cloakroom on the ground floor.

Meanwhile, upstairs is a principal suite with walk-in wardrobes plus three further bedrooms and two family bathrooms.

Home Farm also has a self-contained annexe, adjoining the breakfast kitchen via a laundry room. The annexe is known as Gamekeeper Lodge and has its own entrance, providing a living room and orangery, downstairs bedroom and bathroom, as well as a first floor bedroom with a roof terrace.

Home Farm

Burley on the Hill

Location: Burley on the Hill. Oakham two miles; Stamford 11 miles.

Provenance: Grade II listed property designed by John Nash – architect of Buckingham Palace’s West Front and Clarence House – dating back to 1795.

Rooms: Three principal reception rooms currently arranged as drawing room, dining room and breakfast kitchen and four bedrooms. Gamekeeper Lodge annexe with living room and orangery, two bedrooms. Set in 1.68 acres total.

Guide Price £1,500,000.

Find Out More: Pelham James, call 01572 497 070 or see www.pelhamjames.co.uk.

“The space that the house offers is surprising, and it’s a real bonus for us that the annexe is so versatile. When it’s just us at home we can close off that part of the property, but then when friends and family come to stay, they have their own space and complete privacy.”

“For anyone with older parents it’s ideal as they can look after them whilst maintaining their independence. But with two teenagers in the family we can also banish them into the space so they can make as much noise as they want without disturbing us!”

When they are inclined to be a bit more lively, Eve and James also say the property is a great party house. In the past they’ve had a marquee on the lawn for a large party, not to mention some great summer parties with the thatched game larder serving as an outdoor bar.

As well as styling the property, imparting good taste sympathetic to the property’s age, Eve and James have also ensured that the thatched roof is well-maintained. The roof was redressed three years ago and receives an annual check. They’ve ensured that wiring, plumbing, boilers and all of the other potential worries in a period property have been managed too.

In the grounds, too, the neat topiary and large expanses of lawn ensures the family aren’t spending all weekend working in garden.

It’s apparent from the images alone that Home Farm is an absolutely stunning property. There’s plenty of space, versatility, and lots of character, mixing a chocolate box cottage aesthetic with a family home that’s practical and easy to maintain. Add to that its provenance and location just a couple of miles from Oakham and we very much doubt it’ll be on the market for very long!

URBAN GROW

The Adezz aluminium circular water table with a seamless contemporary design, £1,414, www.urbangrow.co.uk.

LUNARI SANDSTONE

Mains with battery/solar backup, 60cm, LED lighting, £1,699, www.waterfeatures.com.

KABE FALLS

Charcoal grey stone wall water feature, 71mm x 62mm, from Welland Valley Garden Centre, 01572 822729.

WATER FEATURES

Staffora polished steel 1.8m wall water feature will enhance any garden or patio, £849, www.waterfeatures.com.

SPIRAL SHOWERS

SLATE MONOLITH

Natural slate with galvanised steel pebble pool, 86cm, £1,149, www.waterfeatures.com.

LIONESS

Traditional tiered fountain, selfcontained, 151cm, from Welland Valley Garden Centre, 01572 822729.

Self­contained contemporary abstract design, from Welland Valley Garden Centre, 01572 822729.

Contemporary design, 74” tall with LED lighting, £339, Gates Garden Centre, Cold Overton, 01664 454309.

Leaf ball zinc water features with octagonal base, £2,995, www.burford.co.uk.

BURFORD GARDEN CO.

JACKSON SPILLS

Homes & Gardens

RED ROCKS SPRING

Hand­finished traditional feature, 62cm x 71cm, £299.99, Gates Garden Centre, Cold Overton, 01664 454309.

CORTEN STEEL

Steel rectangular water bowl table, 4m x 1m, £4,139, www.urbangrow.co.uk

Monolith feature in grey slate effect with LED lighting, 80cm, Gates Garden Centre, Cold Overton, 01664 454309.

In Full Flow

Our choice of contemporary water features in a range of materials designed to impart the tranquil sound of trickling water and prove that where there’s a rill, there’s a way

WEEPING COPPER TREE

Weeping willow copper tree water feature and copper reservoir, £1,599.99, www.primrose.co.uk.

Self­contained water feature from Welland Valley Garden Centre, Uppingham, 01572 822729.

WINCHCOMBE SPRING

Classic design, durable resin, 74cm tall, Gates Garden Centre, Cold Overton, 01664 454309.

200cm sphere polished stainless steel, £12,999, www.waterfeatures.com.

PATINA BOWLS

ATERNO

SNOWDONIA

Rutland Flower Show

15th-17th August

For the Love of Plants

This month’s Rutland Flower Show from 15th-17th August is sponsored by Gates Garden Centre, with special guest Adam Frost appearing at the event to explain why gardening is green-fingered therapy

Words: Rob Davis, Adam Frost.

Adam Frost is returning to Rutland this August as the special guest speaker at the Rutland Flower Show, and for many who follow his work—on television, on paper, or through the gardens he’s brought to life—it’s a moment well worth celebrating. This year, he brings with him more than just decades of experience in horticulture and garden design: he brings his soul, poured into his latest book, For the Love of Plants, published in March 2025.

Visitors to the show will find a speaker who is not only passionate about the technicalities of planting and design, but someone who treats gardening as a deeply emotional and personal process. Adam’s new book is more than a plant guide. It is, in his own words, ‘an album,’ and each chapter ‘a song on that album.’ That musical metaphor is no accident. “Just as music can drive emotions, connect people, and tell a story,” he says, “a garden has the ability to evoke a feeling, bring people together, and create wonderful memories.”

His affection for music is woven throughout the book, serving as a poignant narrative thread for his philosophy on gardening.

Rutland Flower Show

15th-17th August

“Geoff taught in such an understated way, but you always sensed his vast knowledge. He had a quiet confidence, but he was fun, too, with a bit of naughtiness about him...!”

“Ever since I can remember I have been drawn to music, even more so by lyrics, as words have a real impact on me. I can just listen to songs and make sense of what is being said.” It’s this combination of sensitivity, personal memory, and artistic rhythm that makes Adam’s approach so compelling—both in his gardens and in conversation.

Rutland audiences will be treated to a speaker who is unafraid to share the more vulnerable aspects of his journey. Adam speaks candidly about burnout and depression, revealing that during the lockdown period, when his wife and youngest daughter were unwell, he too reached a breaking point.

“I caught Covid and shut myself away for 10 days to quarantine,” he shares. “I started to feel disconnected, as if my life was unravelling. I spent a lot of time looking out of the window at the vast garden I’d created, and the only thing that comforted me was music.”

That difficult time became a catalyst for change. Following a diagnosis of burnout, Adam made the brave decision to downsize, physically and emotionally, moving to a much smaller home and garden. “It was like flipping a switch. Immediately, I started to connect with the space and create a new garden in what felt like a different world.” This shift in perspective—towards simplicity, reflection, and reconnection— forms the emotional core of For the Love of Plants.

In the book, Adam invites readers not only to plant with purpose, but to plant with feeling. He describes how the plants he’s chosen for his new garden are lifelong companions. “It’s a bit like making friends and keeping them for life; I know I can call on all of them, even if I haven’t spoken to them for years, and I’ll instantly have that old connection.”

Each plant carries a story: fuchsias and bedding plants remind him of his early days with North Devon Council’s Parks Department; succulents and agaves take him back to the bohemian garden of his ‘Scruffy Nan’ while the tidy, vegetable-laden borders of his other grandmother evoke memories of clipped lawns and clipped ties.

This emotional map of plants and memories reaches back to the formative years of his career. When he was just 21, Adam began working with the legendary garden broadcaster Geoff Hamilton at

Barnsdale Gardens in Rutland—a name that still resonates strongly in local and national horticultural circles. “I had no idea then how ahead of the game he was,” Adam says. “I learnt all that I could from him; about our impact on our planet—the importance of using peatfree soil… organic gardening… and I started to wonder, what’s this all about then?”

Hamilton, he says, was a major influence—not just in shaping Adam’s techniques, but in setting the tone for how he approached life and design. “Geoff taught in such an understated way, but you always sensed his vast knowledge. He had a quiet confidence, but he was fun, too, with a bit of naughtiness about him.”

From Hamilton came the confidence to pursue design, and encouragement to train with the renowned landscape architect David Stevens. From that point, Adam launched a career that would take him to the heights of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, winning seven Gold Medals, and to national screens as a presenter on Gardeners’ World.

But his heart, it seems, has remained in the gardens of his past and in the smaller, quieter spaces of today. As part of his appearance at the Rutland Flower Show, Adam will reflect on these gardens, both literal and metaphorical, sharing stories not only of plants but of people, places, and life’s shifting rhythms. It’s a rare chance to hear from a designer whose personal journey has become inseparable from his work.

In his own garden, Adam says, even the smallest design decisions are made with an eye to how the space feels. “The way a bed is going to be viewed really drives the way you put things together… if I want it to feel like a wild hedgerow, for example”

His use of layers, groundcover, and careful underplanting reflect not just good practice, but a deep attentiveness to place and emotion. “Flowers will come and go, so varying greens, leaf shapes, and finishes play a big part. The differences don’t always have to be huge, even a subtle variation can be enough to draw your interest.”

It’s this delicate, thoughtful, deeply personal approach that Adam will bring with him to the Rutland Flower Show in August. He’s not just coming to speak—he’s coming to connect, and to encourage others to find their own connection with plants, just as he has.

Tickets for the Rutland Flower Show are available now at www.rutlandflowershow.co.uk. Adam’s talk is expected to be a highlight of the weekend, and signed copies of For the Love of Plants will be available at the show. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or someone just discovering the joys of plants, don’t miss this chance to hear from one of Britain’s most heartfelt horticulturists.

Homes

Present Past Meets

An impressive blend of a 17th century Grade II listed property with a modern extension, Stoup Cottage in Whissendine is home to former interior designer Barbara and local businessman Richard. Both have brought technical knowledge and design flair to the property for its next custodians

Richard Watson wishes he could pick up Stoup Cottage and relocate it to the North Norfolk coast. It has, he says, everything that the couple needs for a very content life, except a coastline... notwithstanding the next best thing, Rutland Water’s shores just 15 minutes away. The property is a unique proposition as a satisfying mix of the traditional and modern architecture.

Thought to be one of the oldest properties in Whissendine, the original part dating back to 1640, and the newest part creating a light, modern and stylish living kitchen with a wealth of natural light. It is a very wellexecuted addition, but you would expect nothing less from a couple who both have form in working on properties. Richard in property development and management whilst Barbara spent over 20 years running her own business Barbara King Interiors.

Upon coming to the property around the turn of the millennium, the couple set about ratifying the condition of the roof, wiring, plumbing and heating, making upgrades where necessary. Happily all are in sound condition which allowed Richard and Barbara to add their new 765 sq ft living kitchen extension.

The two already knew of Harris McCormack architecture, and were delighted to work with Simon Harris to extend the house, and with Leicester-based Sherwin Hall to create their kitchen with its highgloss cabinetry, cashmere white marble work surfaces and an integrated is a range of Bosch appliances. There is a generous dining area and a comfortable seating area with a highly efficient inset Riva real flame fire – all connected to the outside with full height glazing and bifold doors.

The new extension is cleverly linked to the original listed cottage via a fully glazed entrance hall. Flooded with light these alterations fully connect the entire property to its beautiful gardens as well as combine to give the best of modern living and historic character to this unique family home.

Words Rob Davis.

The older wing of Stoup Cottage was originally three individual properties, each one lived in by a member of a single family. They created a little hatch to mode through each of the cottages... the properties were later consolidated!

Richard was thrilled that instead of insisting on creating architectural pastiche and emulating the older part of the building, they were able to create something that stands out as conspicuously modern. Local planners agreed and remarked that they liked the idea of the modern element ensuring you can discern the different periods of the building.

The original part of Stoup Cottage was initially three individual properties but in the 1960’s the property was consolidated into a single dwelling and fully renovated by a local builder, but it was not until 1984 that the property was added to the National Heritage List.

In this part there are two main reception rooms including a lounge on the north-east elevation and a dining room in the heart of the property. Both enjoy the presence of a wood burning stove plus original inglenooks and oak beamed ceilings. Also on the ground floor the former kitchen is now a generous boot room with a utility room and cloakroom.

Upstairs there are four bedrooms, plus a family bathroom and en-suite to the master, a nice feature for such a venerable house. The property is also set in a quarter of an acre of south-facing grounds with terraces, a pergola and summer house. It is all neat, enclosed and as immaculate as the rest of the property. There is also an oversized double garage or workshop and ample off street parking.

With a permanent move to their second home on the North Norfolk coast imminent, the couple say they will miss the property enormously, but at least another family will get to enjoy the property and appreciate its blend of character, modern features and practical space.

Stoup Cottage is currently on the market with James Sellicks of Oakham for OIEO £900,000. Three receptions, four beds, quarter acre plot and Grade II listing. For viewings, call 01572 724437 or see www.jamessellicks.com.

HUNTERS INTERIORS

HUNTERS INTERIORS

Professional Interior Design Service Re-Upholstery and Soft Furnishings

Our experienced interior designers create timeless spaces tailored just for you

Our experienced interior designers create timeless spaces tailored just for you

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

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

Visit our showroom 01780 757946

Visit our showroom 01780 757946

See our website www.huntersinteriors.co.uk

See our www.huntersinteriors.co.uk

6 MARKET PLACE · UPPINGHAM · RUTLAND · LE15 9QH 01572 823389 www.sarahhardinginteriors.co.uk • info@sarahhardinginteriors.co.uk www.facebook.com/sarahhardinginteriorsltd Sarah Harding Interiors (@sarahhardinginteriorsltd)

Image courtesy of William Yeoward

An imposing and substantial stone built Grade II listed residence occupying a large, private plot with adjoining grass paddock and stabling extending in total to approximately 1.30 acres and enjoying far-reaching countryside views. Drawing Room, Dining Room, Study, Farmhouse Kitchen, Utility, 5/6 Bedrooms, 3 Bath/Shower Rooms, ample off-road Parking. No Chain. Energy Rating: TBC

STAMFORD

£825,000

An elegant stone built townhouse with direct river frontage, located on a peaceful, exclusive, gated riverside development a short walk from the historic centre of Stamford, railway station and the Burghley Estate. Drawing Room, Kitchen/Living Room, Utility, WC, 4 Bedrooms, En-suite Shower Room, Bathroom, Single Garage, Off-road Parking. No Chain. Energy Rating: B

A picture-postcard detached, stone-built Grade II listed cottage under thatched roof occupying a generously sized plot with off-road parking and delightful cottage gardens in a picturesque village location. 2 Reception Rooms, Large Breakfast Kitchen, Cloakroom/WC, 2 Spacious Double Bedrooms, Master En-suite Shower Room, Bathroom. Energy Rating: F

Excellent Living Kitchen, 3 Bedrooms, En-suite Shower Room, Bathroom with claw-foot bath. Off-road Parking, Courtyard Garden. Energy Rating: F GREAT EASTON Offers in the Region of £535,000

Uppingham Road, Bisbrooke

The Avenue, Exton

Garden House is a stunning, four-bedroom barn conversion, originally built in 1850 and thoughtfully converted in 2006, this spacious and light-filled home sits on a generous plot with a south-facing garden, off-road parking, outbuildings and a self-contained annexe, well-situated in a peaceful location just outside of Exton. Offers In Excess Of £1,650,000

High Street, Hallaton

Set in the heart of the sought-after village of Hallaton, this distinguished five-bedroom Georgian residence, dating back to the late 1700s, has been beautifully restored to blend period charm with modern comfort, all set within just over half an acre of established and private grounds. Guide Price £1,100,000

Granby Lodge Farm is a distinguished and characterful family residence offering five bedrooms, extensive outbuildings, a tennis court, and breathtaking countryside views. it offers an exceptional blend of heritage and modern rural living. Guide Price £900,000

Catmose Park Road, Oakham

A beautifully-presented, four/five bedroom, detached family home with spacious and free-flowing accommodation and a spectacular plot with a mature, south-facing garden and private driveway, all sitting within a short walk of Oakham town centre.

Uffington

Uffington Manor - a home of unrivalled beauty and quiet grandeur, where timeless architecture meets exquisite gardens; every inch curated with care. Tucked into the heart of Lincolnshire’s rolling countryside, yet only moments from the historic market town of Stamford. Lovingly renovated over the past two decades, the manor blends classical elegance with contemporary comfort, elevated by underfloor heating, updated roofing and a layout that flows with modern family life.

Guide Price: £3,500,000

Pelham James 3 Saddler’s Court, Oakham LE15 7GH. Call 01780 437 360 or see www.pelhamjames.co.uk

Uffington Manor

St. Leonards Street

Stamford

An attractive double fronted Stamford Town House offering a well-balanced blend of character and modern-day living extending to approximately 3911 sqft of accommodation. Flooded by natural light with many rooms having dual aspect there are 5 reception rooms/areas, refitted utility and cloakroom, extensive cellar for storage, 5 bedrooms, 4 with refitted ensuites and a refitted family bathroom. Landscaped southerly aspect gardens are an oasis within the town centre with views over Stamford roof line.

Price: £1,4000,000

Luxury Homes

Stoup Cottage

Whissendine

Stoup Cottage, a charming Grade II listed home dating back to the 1700s, seamlessly blends historic character with modern living.

Offers in excess of: £900,000

James Sellicks 6-8 Market Place Oakham Rutland LE15 6DT. Call 01572 724437 or see www.jamessellicks.com

House Burley

This impressive five-bedroom detached home positioned within the popular village of Burley-On-The-Hill offer s spacious and versatile accommodation, ideal for family living.

Price: £900,000

Moores Estate Agents Barleythorpe, Oakham, LE15 7FS Call 01780 484555 or see www.countryequestrianhomes.com

The Long Barn Mews

Ketton

Tucked away in an enviable position in the centre of this popular village location, this six bedroom family home has space in abundance and countryside views to the rear.

Offers Over: £900,000

Savills St Martin's, 9 High Street St Martin's, Stamford PE9 2LF. Call 01780 484696 or see www.savills.com

Stamford

Positioned in the sought-after Rutland village of Ketton, this stunning Stamford stone home boasts tranquil gardens and lake views with rolling fields beyond.

Guide Price: £2,950,000

Fine & Country High Street East Uppingham LE15 9PZ. Call 01572 335 145 or see www.fineandcountr y.co.uk

Roa

Ketton

Luxury Homes

Stamford Road

Oakham

Set within an exclusive development in the heart of Oakham, Rutland, this exceptional new build blends contemporary architecture with premium finishes throughout.

Price: £1,300,000

Moores Estate Agents Barleythorpe, Oakham, LE15 7FS Call 01780 484555 or see www.countryequestrianhomes.com

Main Road

Glaston

Built in 2021 by the current owners, this impressive, four-bedroom ironstone residence sits on a generous plot of just under an acre, surrounded by beautifully maintained gardens.

Guide Price: £1,300,000

James Sellicks 6-8 Market Place Oakham Rutland LE15 6DT. Call 01572 724437 or see www.jamessellicks.com

The Old Hall Langham

The Old Hall is an exquisite family home nestled in the heart of Langham, steeped in history and architectural elegance.

Guide Price: £2,600,000

King West 13 St Mary's Street, Stamford PE9 2DE Call 01780 484520 www.kingwest.co.uk

Lyndon

Road Hambleton

An attractive listed period property in a fabulous, sought after setting on the shore of Rutland Water over which there are sensational views from the house, gardens, annex cottage & paddock

Offers in excess of: £2,500,000

Savills St Martin's, 9 High Street St Martin's, Stamford PE9 2LF. Call 01780 484696 or see www.savills.com

Luxury Homes

First Drift Wothorpe

This impressive detached property occupies a generous plot, offering exciting potential for future expansion.

Price: £1,675,000

Nest Estates 8-9 Red Lion Street, Stamford PE9 1PA. Call 01780 238110 or see www.nestestates.co.uk

Church Lane

Ridlington

An imposing Ironstone home is situated on an elevated position in the picturesque village of Ridlington.

Price: £2,600,000

Osprey Property 4 Burley Road, Oakham LE15 6DH. Call 01572 756675 or see www.osprey-property.co.uk

Whitwell House

Whitwell

Steeped in history and enveloped in character, Whitwell House stands as a testament to time, an atmospheric Grade II listed home nestled within just under an acre of landscaped yet naturalistic gardens.

Guide Price: £2,500,000

Pelham James 3 Saddler’s Court, Oakham LE15 7GH. Call 01572 497070 or see www.pelhamjames.co.uk

Old Hall Manton

The charming little village of Manton close to the southern shores of Rutland Water, is strewn with listed buildings, in the heart of which is the magnificent Old Hall graced with a fine early eighteenth century façade.

Guide Price: £2,500,000

Fine & Country High Street East Uppingham LE15 9PZ. Call 01572 335 145 or see www.fineandcountr y.co.uk

Luxury Homes

Tinwell Road

Stamford

Handsomely set back on one of Stamford’s most iconic rows of homes, character meets contemporary comfort at the impeccably presented No. 68, Tinwell Road.

Guide Price: £1,350,000

Pelham James 3 Saddler’s Court, Oakham LE15 7GH. Call 01572 497070 or see www.pelhamjames.co.uk

Hereward Place

First Drift

Wothorpe

Peacefully set on First Drift, Tivoli is a contemporary, spacious, entertaining haven in the pretty hamlet of Wothorpe, just a short distance from the market town of Stamford.

Guide Price: £1,900,000

Pelham James 3 Saddler’s Court, Oakham LE15 7GH. Call 01572 497070 or see www.pelhamjames.co.uk

Braunston

A delighted to present this impressive six-bedroom executive home, beautifully crafted from stone, and located just a short walk from the heart of Stamford's vibrant town centre.

Stamford Price: £1,275,000

Nest Estates 8-9 Red Lion Street, Stamford PE9 1PA. Call 01780 238110 or see www.nestestates.co.uk

A handsome 6 bed village house, listed Grade II, in one of Rutland's most popular villages High House

Guide Price: £1,400,000

Strutt & Parker 5 South View, Tinwell Road, Stamford PE9 2JL. Call 01780 510039 or see www.struttandparker.com

Marylinn Linen Tie Detail Blouse, £129. Melissa Linen Trousers, £139, www.baukjen.com.

Linen Looks Fashion

Light, breathable and effortless... it’s no surprise that linen is summer’s best style staple

There’s something inherently chic about linen. It whispers of sun-drenched terraces, long lunches in the garden, and holidays where the hardest decision is rosé or Sauvignon.

In the height of August, when even the breeze feels warm, linen remains our sartorial saving grace — light, breathable, and endlessly stylish.

Whether it’s a sharply tailored blazer or a flowing wide-leg trouser, linen lends elegance without effort. This summer, the key to wearing it well is to lean into its relaxed sensibility. Think boxy shirts worn open over a simple vest, or a collarless tunic thrown over cropped trousers.

Volume works beautifully with this fabric — it moves well, breathes better, and looks far more luxe than anything clingy ever could.

For a timeless daytime look, opt for a neutral palette: oat, ivory, stone and soft sage tones all work beautifully and flatter every skin tone.

These shades also pair well with natural textures like raffia, leather and canvas — perfect for finishing a look with a pair of espadrilles, a widebrimmed sunhat or a straw tote.

In the evening, linen lends itself to a sleeker silhouette. A linen slip dress or midi skirt in a bolder hue — burnt orange, olive or deep navy — creates drama without the heat. Look for garments with a slightly heavier weave or subtle details like mother-of-pearl buttons or topstitching to elevate the look.

As for creases? Embrace them. Linen is meant to be a little lived-in — it adds character and shows you’re dressed for the season, not the boardroom.

A good steam before you leave the house will take care of the worst of them, but part of linen’s charm is that it doesn’t pretend to be perfect.

So as August brings its golden evenings and late-summer warmth, lean into linen — it’s stylish, sustainable, and never tries too hard. Just like the best summer days

Opposite: Linen blouse from White Stuff, in white or ice blue, £110, www.thewhitecompany.com.

Right: Embroidered hooded dress, garment­dyed linen, £219, www.wraplondon.co.uk.

Above: Anna linen floral midi dress in neutral, £180, www.reiss.com. Left: Mara Linen Checked Trouser, £155, www.jigsaw­online.com.

1. Garment dyed linen easy dress, £175, www.toa.st.

2. Black embroidered linen midi dress, £160, www.mintvelvet.com.

3. Enny short sleeve linen dress, £195, www.aspiga.com.

4. Linen flute sleeve dress, £156, www.boden.com.

5. Corinne linen tunic, £120, & trousers £180, www.saintandsofia.com.

6. Linen wild bloom print midi dress £350, www.meandem.com.

Below: Mariana linen trouser, £95 & matching top, £89, www.phase­eight.com.

£435, thefoldlondon.com

£89, holland cooper.com

Sandals White/ Mul Heel Sr, £162

Iris, £327.

GOLDEN HOUR

August calls for a glow­up, and nothing radiates summer glamour quite like gold. From glistening lamé dresses to breezy jacquard playsuits and sun­kissed satin tops, this gilded palette is perfect for golden evenings and late­summer escapes. Rich in texture and high on impact, gold is your go­to for effortless elegance as the season shimmers to a close.

£409, karenmillen.com

£395, meandem.com

£79, mint velvet.com

£205, ba­sh.com

£198, reiss.com

WILD STYLE

Once known solely for sensible soles, Scholl has taken a stylish step forward. The brand’s new Animalier range proves that comfort and glamour can coexist—think bold patterns, luxe materials, and signature Scholl support.

Sandals White/Multi Pescura Wave Sr, £175.

£365, jenniferbehr.com

COLOUR POP

Bold, bright and brimming with personality, statement earrings are the easiest way to add punch to your summer wardrobe. From beaded chandeliers to resin hoops, just sweep up your hair and let your accessories do the talking.

£100, uk.simoneperele.com

marksand spencer.com

spanx.com

latelita.com £540, chanel.com £350, uk.louisvuitton .com

SHADY BUSINESS

From oversized glamour to sleek cateyes, this season’s designer sunglasses combine serious UV protection with unmistakable style—your perfect finishing touch for sunny days and latesummer getaways.

rigbyand peller.com £350, dior.com

tomford fashion.co.uk £175, aspinalof london.com

jimmy choo.com

Modern Menswear With British Charm

Sirplus is a modern British menswear brand redefining classic wardrobe staples with contemporary flair. Founded with sustainability in mind, it began by repurposing surplus fabric—hence the name. Today, the brand is known for its signature Nehru jackets, relaxed grandad shirts, and refined gilets, all made using quality materials like organic cotton and merino wool. With understated tailoring and a fresh, wearable palette, Sirplus offers effortless style for the discerning gent who values craftsmanship, comfort, and quiet sophistication.

See www.sirplus.co.uk.

Beige cotton linen zip Jacket, £295. Lichen green cotton linen drawstring shorts, £125. Blue bengal stripe cotton boxer shorts, £30. Blueberry cotton linen blazer, £355. Blueberry cotton linen casual trousers, £225. White cotton linen collared shirt, £110. Caramel textured rib resort polo, £125. Navy bouquet silk tie, £95. Blue Ecovero mosaic waves cuban shirt, £125. Blue expressionist print Seaqual swim shorts, £125. French blue linen nehru suit, £610. Navy flower jacquard polo, £150. Beige cotton linen casual trousers, £225.

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Lilac Lustre

Discover the magic of lavender-inspired beauty, where radiance meets protection in every luxurious application

Added sparkle from Charlotte

Charlotte Tilbury’s Pop Shot in Pillow Talk Ultra Violet delivers high­impact, multidimensional sparkle in one swipe. A summer night essential for eyes that mesmerise after dark... glamorous, glistening and gorgeously bold!

£25/1.2g www.charlotte tilbury.com.

A New Chance to Shine with Chanel

Radiance and Protection

Lancôme’s Rénergie UVMUNE SPF50 hydrates, firms and brightens skin while shielding against UV damage — thanks to peptides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide. £112/75ml, www.lancome.co.uk.

Chanel’s Chance Eau Splendide is a luminous new fragrance crafted by Olivier Polge. It opens with vibrant raspberry and rose geranium, unfolds into delicate violet and powdery iris, and settles in of cedar and white musk. A modern scent capturing spontaneity and elegance, £149 chanel.com

Turning up the volume with GHD’s Duet Blowdry

Under-Eye Magic with Mills

These gel pads from Florence by Mills brighten, hydrate and soothe under­eyes with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid — in just 15 cooling, plumping minutes. £34/30 pairs, at www.harrods.com.

Effortless Nails by Chanel

Chanel’s Le Vernis offers long­lasting shine and rich colour, with eco­ceramides to strengthen nails and a wide brush 135 Immortelle shade shown here, £30/13ml, available at www.chanel.com.

GHD’s Duet Blowdry in Galactic Lilac is a limited­edition 2­in­1 tool that dries and styles hair simultaneously, reducing styling heat damage. Its ceramic bristles and advanced air smooth, voluminous results with enhanced shine. Ideal for achieving salon­quality blowouts in your home. £389/RRP ghdhair.com.

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

Back in the Game

How a Football Legend Avoided Surgery —

and Went on to Run Marathons

Knee pain can stop even the most seasoned athletes in their tracks, limiting performance, threatening careers, and leading many down the path to surgery. But for former England international Katie Chapman, the story unfolded differently.

Katie earned 94 England caps and played for top clubs including Arsenal, Fulham, and Chelsea in the Women’s Super League. She has won the FA Cup 10 times and five European league titles. Today, she continues to support the game as the Women’s Football Ambassador at Chelsea FC.

At the peak of her professional career, Katie was battling a serious knee cartilage injury. Daily physiotherapy wasn’t helping. The pain was persistent, and her movement was restricted. With training off the table, she was left facing a difficult decision: risk surgery or walk away from the game. Then she discovered MBST.

“When I first heard of MBST, I was unsure how it could help heal the wear and tear in my knee. But it was worth a try to prevent surgery — and it came highly recommended.”

A Non-Invasive Solution That Worked Katie received a full course of seven one-hour MBST sessions, followed by a structured rehabilitation plan. The treatment was painfree and surprisingly straightforward — no injections, and her downtime reduced by up to 75%. MBST works by stimulating the body’s

natural healing processes at the cellular level, helping to repair damaged tissue and restore function.

Within weeks of treatment, she noticed a real change. The pain subsided, the locking in her knee stopped, and most importantly, her confidence returned. Katie completed her professional career without surgery and hasn’t looked back since.

“The machine itself was painless. Afterwards, I had a bit of aching, but then it just got better. I continued my career with no return of symptoms, which, for me, was unreal.”

Since retiring, Katie has gone on to complete two marathons, something she once thought impossible. Her experience shows just how powerful MBST can be, not just for injury recovery, but for long-term joint health and performance.

“It’s crazy to me that I was able to carry on playing, avoid surgery, and even do two marathons since retiring. I’ve had no real problems with that knee, so MBST helped me massively.”

Regeneration for Every Level of Sport

As MBST UK continues to support athletes across the country, they’re proud to now be the Official Sports Regeneration Partner of Wrexham AFC — helping even more players recover safely and return to the sports they love.

Whether you’re an elite athlete or someone who simply wants to stay active, MBST is a clinically proven, non-invasive therapy that targets the root cause of pain and supports recovery at a cellular level, with no known side effects.

MBST is available at Cell Regeneration & Ann Clare Physiotherapy in Tinwell, Rutland — the first clinic in the UK dedicated to MBST. Ready to Recover?

If you’re dealing with joint damage, cartilage wear, or facing surgery for a sports injury, MBST could be the alternative you’ve been looking for.

Find your nearest clinic at www.MBSTmedical.co.uk

Or call our friendly team on 01780 238084 to book a consultation

Your closest MBST centre is Ann Clare Physiotherapy and Cell Regeneration LTD.

Visit MBSTmedical.co.uk or call the friendly team on 01780 238084

“Enjoy

a long, luxurious weekend exploring Dubrovnik’s style, sunshine, culture and cuisine...”

There’s a moment, as your flight arcs in over the Dalmatian coast, when Dubrovnik first reveals itself. A walled city of burnished stone and terracotta rooftops rises like a jewel from the turquoise Adriatic, ringed by cypress-studded hills. It’s no wonder Lord Byron dubbed it the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’ though even he may have undersold its splendour.

Direct flights from London or East Midlands whisk you to Dubrovnik in under three hours. Once there, a private transfer will deliver you in just fifteen minutes to the Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik, an iconic landmark where old-world elegance meets modern luxury. Overlooking the Adriatic with uninterrupted views of the walled city, this five-star retreat is a favourite among royalty and A-listers alike.

Rooms start at around £650 per night in high season, and the service is discreet, polished, and quietly exceptional.

After checking in, start your stay with a welcome drink on the Abakus Piano Bar terrace. The sea sparkles below you, Lokrum Island lies just offshore, and the amber roofs of the Old Town are close enough to touch. For your first dinner, head to Sensus Restaurant, where seasonal tasting menus showcase Adriatic seafood with flair—try the scampi tartare or the seabass with fennel and citrus.

Now a museum, its rooms whisper tales of diplomacy and grandeur. Not far away, the Franciscan Monastery offers calm cloisters and one of Europe’s oldest working pharmacies, in operation since 1317 and still handblending creams and tinctures.

Pause for lunch at Gradska Kavana Arsenal, tucked beside the harbour, where you’ll enjoy octopus salad or Dalmatian pršut under parasols with a chilled glass of white wine in hand.

Come afternoon, hop aboard the short ferry to Lokrum Island, a protected nature reserve beloved by peacocks and botanists alike. Wander through pine-scented woodland, dip your toes in the saltwater lagoon, or visit the monastery ruins where monks once lived in tranquil isolation.

Back in town, explore Dubrovnik’s quieter lanes. The main thoroughfares are grand, but it’s the back alleys— bougainvillaea-draped and softly sunlit—that yield the best finds: olive oil boutiques, silk embroidery, and handmade coral jewellery from Clara Stones.

For dinner, book well ahead for Restaurant 360°, the city’s culinary jewel perched atop the ancient city walls.

A Michelin-starred tasting menu awaits think aged Adriatic tuna with wild herbs, or lobster with citrus glaze and black garlic... the wine list is vast and proudly Croatian! DUBROVNIK:

Begin the next morning with a walk along the city walls—an early start lets you enjoy the panoramic views before the heat rises and the crowds descend. From every angle, Dubrovnik is picture-perfect: bell towers, cloisters, and that endless blue sea.

Step inside the Rector’s Palace, once the seat of Dubrovnik’s Republic.

“This is a city that rewards slow travel—where indulgence and authenticity sit side by side.”

“From every angle, Dubrovnik is picture­perfect: bell towers, cloisters, and endless blue sea...”

Your next day begins aboard a sleek private boat. Departing from the harbour, glide across crystalline waters to the Elafiti Islands. Your skipper will anchor in hidden coves perfect for a swim, or moor at Šipan Island, where lunch at Bowa is a barefoot-chic affair. Cabanas nestle beneath olive trees, and the daily catch is grilled metres from your table.

Return in the late afternoon for a spa treatment at the Excelsior’s Energy Clinic, followed by a last glass of prošek on your balcony. Dinner that evening takes to the elegant Nautika, widely regarded as one of the most romantic restaurants in Croatia.

Located just outside the Pile Gate, with views of Fort Lovrijenac and the Adriatic, it offers world-class cuisine in a sublime setting.

Try the lobster medallions with truffle foam or the Adriatic tuna, perfectly paired with a local Plavac Mali red. It’s refined, unhurried, and utterly unforgettable. Tomorrow, you’ll fly home—but tonight, as church bells echo softly across the water and the city glows amber against the sea, Dubrovnik is yours.

On your final morning, indulge in a massage at Villa Spa, followed by breakfast on your terrace. A final wander through the bougainvillaea-draped streets, a scoop of lavender gelato in hand, and your Dubrovnik reverie draws to a close.

This is a city that rewards slow travel—one of culture and character, where indulgence and authenticity sit side by side. Whether you’re drawn to its food, its architecture or the sheer beauty of its coastline, Dubrovnik invites you to linger.

Top: Top of Dubrovnik City Walls, Croatia. Peacock on beautiful Lokrum Island. Above: Banje beach and old town of Dubrovnik, Roman Catholic Diocese of Dubrovnik.

Food for Thought

Black risotto: Rich with squid ink and garlic.

Octopus salad: Light, lemony and delicately seasoned.

Pasticada: Beef slow­cooked in red wine and prunes.

Mussels buzara: Cooked in white wine with parsley.

Pag cheese: Sheep’s milk cheese from a neighbouring island.

Rozata: A rose­scented Dubrovnik crème caramel.

Lavender ice cream: Subtle and local.

Pošip wine: A crisp Dalmatian white.

Prošek: Sweet dessert wine to finish.

Loza: A bracing local brandy for the bold.

Must-See Sights

City Walls:

Walk Dubrovnik’s mighty medieval walls at sunrise for unforgettable views over terracotta rooftops and the shimmering Adriatic. This peaceful early hour offers fewer crowds and golden light that enhances the timeless beauty of the city and sea.

Franciscan Monastery:

An oasis of calm just off the Stradun, this centuries­old monastery is home to one of the world’s oldest working pharmacies, still dispensing remedies since 1317. Its cloisters, architecture, and ancient manuscripts offer a tranquil window into monastic life.

Sponza Palace:

This elegant building is a standout of Gothic­Renaissance architecture, originally serving as a customs house and mint. Today, it houses the city’s archives and is a testament to Dubrovnik’s role as a sophisticated maritime trading power.

Lokrum Island:

A short boat ride from the Old Port, Lokrum is a lush, pine­shaded escape dotted with monastic ruins and strutting peacocks. Its botanical gardens and hidden coves make it perfect for a leisurely half­day retreat from the summer bustle.

Fort Lovrijenac:

Dubbed ‘Dubrovnik’s Gibraltar,’ this dramatic fortress sits outside the city walls atop a rocky promontory. Offering commanding views of the Adriatic and the Old Town, it’s also a striking venue for open­air performances during the summer festival.

Banje Beach:

Just steps from the Old Town’s eastern gate, Banje is a pebbled, fashionable beach popular with both tourists and locals. With sunbeds, a beach club, and postcard views of the city walls, it’s a chic spot for an afternoon dip or sunset cocktail.

Bentley’s Bentayga

The Supercar with Space

Conventional wisdom says that a car can be low to the ground and handle well, or it can be tall enough to traverse rough roads at the expense of handling finesse. Bentley says ‘forget conventional wisdom.’ Its new Bentayga Speed flagship is the answer to Land Rover’s awesome Defender Octa

How fast is the new Bentley Bentayga Speed flagship? Well, 0-60mph is reached in less than three and a half seconds, and that’s not bad for a car that weighs over two and a half tonnes. It’s also considerably quicker than the amount of time it takes to build the thing. A recent time-lapse video filming the production of the car at Bentley’s Crewe headquarters clocked the production time of one of the cars at 16 days, or 127 hours.

Of that time, the wood veneers in the cabin consume 10 hours, the trim takes a further eight hours, painting takes 24 hours of time, whilst the engine takes 13.4 hours to build and assembly accounts for 19 hours. The remaining 52.5 hours is consumed with quality control, testing and sign-off.

It shows in the quality of the Bentaya Speed’s cabin, which takes up to 14 cow hides to trim, and whose other adornments include Speed

badging to the passenger fascia and treadplates, Speed embroidered emblem on the seat uppers and Bentley ‘bullseye’ air vents and organ stops, finished in dark tint. It’s comfortable, but most Bentayga models are. This Speed flagship, though, offers much more performance courtesy of an uprated engine whose eight cylinders and twin turbos provide 650ps power, 850Nm torque and with a lighter kerb weight than its predecessor, which used a W12 engine, even livelier performance.

Riding on new 23” wheels, Bentayga Speed challenges the preconception that a tall car won’t handle well.

With four individual seats the Bentayga isn’t exactly as practical as a seven seater or a Land Rover Defender, nor is it as committed to the latter’s dual purpose as an off-roader as well as a confident and comfortable car to

dispatch motorway miles. However, with up to 484 litres of space in the boot, and with decent ground clearance, it’s easier to live with than a sports car, with no concession to performance.

Another appealing quality of Bentley is the ability to design your vehicle to your exact tastes, with 13 different alloy wheel designs, seven different brake calliper colours, 16 different veneers, 15 colours of hide, and a further 12 highlight colours, not to mention 87 different paint colours or – at not inconsiderable expense – the ability to paint your vehicle in a totally bespoke shade.

As flagships go, the Bentayga is quite compelling; fast, luxurious and not overtly aggressive in appearance. With a healthy dose of practicality and a lovely bark from its Akrapovic exhaust. The best things clearly come to those who wait.

The Details Bentley Bentayga Speed

Price: £219,000.

Engine: V8, 3996cc, twin­turbocharged, petrol driving all four wheels via eight­speed automatic gearbox.

Performance: 193mph, 0­60mph 3.4 secs. Economy: 19.2mpg.

Equipment: All­wheel drive and all­wheel steering, 23” wheels, 16­way electricallyadjustable front seats with ventilation and massage, heated steering wheel, 30­colour accent lighting, intelligent park assist with 3D camera, adaptive cruise control, styling pack with Speed logo, hands­free power tailgate.

THE COUNTY

DRIVE MORE SALES

Pride Magazines is delivered free or charge, via Royal Mail, to proper es that fall within the top three council tax bands.

This guarantees the magazine has an a uent readership, that’s commensurate with your products and services.

And that means adver sing with Pride Magazines provides a be er return from your marke ng budget.

Almanac

FIND JOY IN THE ART OF LIVING WELL IN AUGUST

HELLO AUGUST

Treat Yourself Afternoon Tea

Treat yourself this August by booking an indulgent afternoon tea in a beautiful garden setting—no occasion required.

Whether you’re catching up with friends or simply carving out a peaceful moment for yourself, few pleasures rival the charm of a leisurely tea served beneath the trees.

Think vintage china, neatly cut finger sandwiches, warm scones with jam and cream, and a generous pot of loose­leaf tea.

Add a glass of fizz if the mood strikes, and let the sunshine and birdsong set the pace.

With someone else doing the baking (and the washing up), it’s the perfect excuse to slow down, savour the summer, and enjoy a little classic British indulgence in style.

See our food and drink listings for inspiration as to where to enjoy afternoon tea with friends!

Starsign for August: Leo

(23 July – 22 August)

Bold, magnetic, and almost never short on self­confidence, Leos are usually the natural showstoppers of the zodiac.

You shine in any room you walk into, and not just because you’re probably wearing something fabulous.

You’re fiercely loyal, endlessly generous, and—let’s be honest—you do love a bit of drama. When it comes to love, your ideal match is an Aries.

You’ll both fight for the spotlight, but you’ll also fan each other’s flames… sometimes literally. Just try not to argue over who gets the last word (it’ll be you).

Try Something New Watercolours

Looking for something relaxing yet rewarding? Botanical watercolour painting is having a moment—and for good reason.

It’s a calming, creative hobby and one that encourages you to slow down and truly notice the delicate details of the natural world, whether you’re studying a posy from

Small Wins The Joy of Sourdough

There’s something deeply satisfying about mastering sourdough. It’s not just baking— it’s a ritual. From nurturing your starter to that first crackle as the crust cools, sourdough is a wonderfully grounding hobby. You don’t need fancy equipment— just flour, water, time, and a touch of patience. Start simple: feed your starter daily, learn the rhythm, and enjoy the slow, soothing process. Before long, your kitchen will smell like a boulangerie, and you’ll be sharing loaves with friends like a seasoned artisan. Just don’t name your starter… unless you really must.

the garden or a few treasures foraged from the hedgerow.

There’s no need for expensive materials either: a small watercolour set, a decent brush or two, some paper, and a quiet hour with a cup of tea is all it takes.

You’ll find it’s not about perfection—it’s about the pleasure of observation, a steady hand, and the simple joy of capturing nature on the page.

THINGS TO NOTE AND NOTICE - THINGS TO PLAN AND DO

A Mini Adventure Foraging for Food and Fresh Air

Late July and August are the perfect months to explore Rutland and Stamford’s quiet lanes, golden meadows and gently rolling farmland in search of summer’s wild bounty.

Blackberries are the real prize this season — threading through sun­warmed hedgerows and field edges from Braunston to Burghley Park.

Sweet, sharp and bursting with flavour, they’re ideal for crumbles, jams, or a splash of blackberry gin. If July stays cool, you may still catch the last of the elderflowers, perfect for cordials and light summer puddings.

Keen­eyed walkers might also spot sorrel — a lemony green often found in dappled woodland or grassland, brilliant with fish or stirred into soups. And as old orchards begin to share their windfall apples and pears, it’s worth scanning the verges near villages like Barrowden or Easton­on­theHill for rustic baking inspiration.

Prefer your forage with a little more certainty? Head to a Pick­Your­Own farm such as Rutland Water Garden Nursery or Hill Farm in Market Deeping. You may still find late strawberries alongside cultivated blackberries — fresh, reliable and just as satisfying to gather.

Do remember: never forage from private land without the landowner’s permission, and only pick what you can positively identify — a good guidebook or app is a must. Always leave plenty behind for wildlife and fellow foragers.

Foraging is more than a seasonal pursuit — it’s a mindful way to slow down, connect with the land, and discover simple ingredients with unbeatable freshness and flavour. All that, from a summer stroll? We’ll raise a blackberry gin to that.

For more information on foraging and what to look for on a month-by-month basis, visit www.woodlandtrust.org.uk

Our Little Quiz

A Celebrity Riddle

A voice like velvet, bold and wide, My fame began with swinging stride. I’ve roared through charts for sixty years, With anthems sung and grateful cheers. A knighthood came, the suits grew fine, But still I kept each chorus mine.

My songs are known from dusk to dawn, From love’s lament to loud and drawn. It’s quite common, some would say, But still I thrill a cabaret.

From '60s heat to modern flair, I’ve charmed with grit and silver hair. So who’s the man behind the mic, Still stealing hearts with every strike?

On This Day

On 16th August 1995 a change was made to which we’d all raise a glass... what was it?

Walk on the Wild Side

In traditional folklore, each full moon of the year is given a unique name reflecting the rhythms of nature and the agricultural calendar. August’s full moon, seen glowing low over ripening fields and late­summer hedgerows, carries a name steeped in ancient tradition. What is its name?

Where am I?

Twin towers, their elegant proportions often mistaken for something grander than their actual purpose. Built in the 19th century by a prominent local landowner, these twin structures reflect the period’s fondness for romanticised architecture and symmetry. Once part of a broader boundary, they now frame a quiet lane flanked by fields. Their name hints at their curious shape, and despite their modest role, they’ve become something of a landmark in their own right—eye­catching for passers­by travelling east or west along a key local route. Where am I?

ANSWERS ON PAGE 130.

A quiet companion for a reluctant dog owner turns canine convert DOG DAYS

It had been nearly ten years since Helen and James had gone their separate ways. There’d been no row, no betrayal—just a quiet uncoupling, like autumn leaves drifting apart on the surface of the Welland. After twenty-three years of marriage, the conversation had simply run dry. No bitterness, no blame. Just the drawing of a line. Friends were puzzled, but for Helen, it felt like a gentle liberation.

They sold their townhouse near Stamford’s town centre, divided the furniture with calm efficiency, and went their own ways. James moved to a flat in Suffolk and eventually remarried. Helen, meanwhile, found her new beginning in a modest stone cottage on the edge of Ketton.

It was her version of serenity: soft limestone walls, a garden with unruly roses, and birdsong to greet the morning. She took pleasure in the quiet rituals—arranging seasonal flowers from the market, reading with the French doors open, sipping Darjeeling with a cat asleep on her knee. For the most part, it was enough.

But sometimes, just after dusk, when the last birds had gone silent and the ticking of the clock grew louder, the solitude pressed in.

Her neighbour, Louise, was younger—early thirties perhaps—and newly married to Tom, a flight lieutenant based at RAF Wittering. They were lively and good-humoured, with a black Labrador named Jack who bounced into Helen’s garden at every opportunity, tail whirling like a windmill, tennis ball in mouth.

Helen liked Jack. She’d never had a dog—James hadn’t been keen— and she assumed, by now, that ship had sailed. But Jack had a quiet intuition about him. He sensed when she needed company, resting his chin on the garden gate with soulful eyes and a soft, hopeful sigh.

One spring afternoon, Louise appeared at Helen’s door with a lemon drizzle cake and news.

“We’ve been posted,” she said. “Cyprus. Two years.” Helen smiled. “How exciting.”

“It is,” said Louise, “but Jack can’t come. He’s too old to fly comfortably, and quarantine would be cruel. We were wondering… would you consider taking him? He really does adore you.”

Helen hesitated. “Me? I don’t think I’m the dog type. I’ve only just got used to the quiet.”

“We’d understand,” Louise said. “But we thought we’d ask.”

The next morning, Jack was on Helen’s doorstep, tail wagging. She laughed in spite of herself and handed him a biscuit. By the end of the week, he’d moved in.

The first few days were chaotic—fur on the rug, barking at the postman, water bowls in awkward places. But slowly, a rhythm formed. Walks along the meadows behind Tinwell. Sunday strolls down to the riverside near Burghley Park. Jack nudged her out into the world—even when it rained—and somehow, she didn’t mind.

One morning, sitting beneath the lime trees in Stamford’s Meadows, Helen realised she was happy. Not triumphant, just quietly at ease. The kind of happiness that drifts in when you’re not expecting it. She thought of James now and then—not with sadness, but with quiet gratitude. They’d had a good chapter. But this one? This one was hers.

Two months after Louise and Tom left, a letter arrived from Cyprus. Helen replied with a picture of Jack in the garden, looking stately as ever.

She still didn’t consider herself the dog type. But as she poured two cups of tea—one for herself and one with a biscuit dropped ceremonially into Jack’s bowl—she smiled.

Sometimes love doesn’t arrive with fireworks. Sometimes it arrives with muddy paws and a tennis ball—and that’s quite enough.

Are you a budding writer? Share your work with us and reach thousands of readers! Write a compelling short story—fictional or, even better, non­fiction—up to 650 words, and send it to editor@pridemagazines.co.uk.

Our Little Quiz

A Celebrity Riddle: Tom Jones. On this Day in History: Sunday openings for pubs permitted. Walk on the Wildside: The Sturgeon Moon. Where am I: Bottle Lodges, Stamford.