Rutland Living November 2025

RUTLAND LIVING

HELLO NOVEMBER 2025

This month we celebrate a year since we relaunched, creating a higher-quality, glossier magazine and refreshing our editorial o ering. It has been a transformative experience for us, giving us a new impetus and passion for print media, albeit now also strengthened with a strong social media presence and dedicated app.

We are very proud of what makes our content stand out: we both (and our parents and children) all live, work, learn and relax ‘on the patch’; and we have a team of writers supporting us who also all live locally and are equally passionate about the region.

We have had some lovely feedback over the last year. Here are just a couple of comments:

‘Just received the latest issue. I wanted to say that I think what you are now achieving with your magazine is spectacular. Real quality, genuine articles of interest beautifully crafted.’

‘The new look & feel is what really persuaded us to start advertising with you, it’s brilliant now!’

We promise to keep working hard to bring you all that is best about living round here.

Editors, Nicholas & Clare

Website: www.stamfordandrutlandliving.co.uk

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THE TEAM

This magazine has been created by the team at Local Living, PO Box 208, Stamford PE9 9FY

PUBLISHER & EDITOR

Nicholas Rudd-Jones | 01780 765571 nicholas@bestlocalliving.co.uk

EDITOR & EDITORIAL DESIGN

Clare Rudd-Jones

ADVERTISEMENT SALES

Rutland & Market Harborough

Tracy Watkinson 01572 813187 | tracy@bestlocalliving.co.uk

Stamford Claudia Bayley 07876 171063 | claudia.bayley@btinternet.com

Nene Valley (Oundle & Peterborough)

Nicholas Rudd-Jones Contact details as above

ADVERTISEMENT PRODUCTION

Ad Copy Manager: Rachel Beecroft

Ad Designer: Sarah Patterson

This magazine has been printed by our local printers, Warners of Bourne, on FSC® certified paper from sustainable and other controlled sources.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Annual rate £45 (UK only) for 12 issues. Please write to the Publisher at Local Living Ltd, with £45 cheque payable to Local Living or go online to buy your subscription at www.stamfordandrutlandliving.co.uk

COVER

Stamford Living: Isobel Pound photographed by Elli Dean (see p36). Rutland Living: fōrm&blōm | photo: Jono Renton (see p60).

THIS MONTH WE LOVE…

UPPINGHAM’S FATSTOCK

Champion pigs, sheep and cattle are primped and preened for this traditional event held in Uppingham’s Market Place – the only event of its kind in the UK still held in temporary penning in a town centre. This year it’s on Wednesday 26 November.

CACTI AT THE BARN

CASHMERE HAND WARMERS AT TOM LANE

Super-long and super-soft – what’s not to love about these beautiful cable cashmere hand warmers (£55) at Tom Lane in Stamford. They come in a range of colours. Shorter styles also available. tomlane.co

NEW BOOK FROM ANGELA HARDING

Out on 4 November, ‘Winter’s Song’ (£12.99) is the final pocket-sized book in the seasonal quartet from Rutland printmaker and illustrator Angela Harding. Buy from local bookshops or at angelaharding.co.uk

Check out the fabulous new collection of cacti at The Barn Garden Centre near Oundle – you can expect to discover all shapes, sizes and degrees of spikiness! Relax in The Boxwood Café at The Barn while you are there. thebarngardencentre.co.uk

NEW SHOW AT THE RUTLAND GALLERY

A new exhibition, entitled ‘Willingdon and Beyond’, is on at The Rutland Gallery in Uppingham from 8–22 November, with an opportunity to meet the artist, Robert E Wells, during the afternoon of the launch day (1–3pm). rutlandgallery.com

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6 MARKET PLACE UPPINGHAM RUTLAND LE15 9QH 01572 823389 info@sarahhardinginteriors.co.uk • www.facebook.com/sarahhardinginteriorsltd

5 The Maltings, Mill Street, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6EA T: 01572 722666 E: heidi@heidikjeldsen.co.uk

Jenny Grevatte

Artist Jenny Grevatte returns to Goldmark Gallery this autumn with her fifth solo exhibition, entitled ‘Beyond Brushstrokes’, and a new book celebrating more than 50 years of painting

JENNY has been painting for more than 50 years, working in oil and mixed media on subjects ranging from colourful landscapes to abstract figures. Increasingly, she has been using collage in her work, building layers of texture and depth. ‘I believe in using art to express the joy in life – it’s a very positive philosophy,’ she says. That joy runs throughout her canvases.

Sketchbooks remain central to Jenny’s practice. She works in large concertina books, recording observations and ideas when she is out and about, later revisiting them in the studio. ‘I push and pull things around, combining images, dropping new work in. It’s a wonderfully creative evolution.’ Their importance is also the focus of a new short film, Picture This, by Jenny’s filmmaker son, Alex J Wright, which will be released alongside the exhibition.

‘I believe in using art to express the joy in life – it’s a very positive philosophy’

A recent move has provided fresh inspiration. ‘I have moved my home and studio since my last exhibition in 2023. I now live and work in the charming Rutland village of Lyddington. As everyone knows, moving house can be very disruptive, but I have been hugely stimulated by my new surroundings.’

The exhibition reflects this new chapter, featuring woodland and hedgerow studies, wildflower meadows, nocturnes, rock formations and painted collages, as well as work inspired by recent trips to Greece, France and Cornwall.

Alongside the exhibition, which runs from Saturday 25 October to 16 November, Goldmark is publishing Jenny’s new book, Beyond Brushstrokes. Containing 200 illustrations and written by Jenny, it explores how her life and work are intertwined. A limited-edition hardback will also include two original signed sketchbook pages.

goldmark gallery, 14 orange st, uppingham le15 9sq | 01572 821424

goldmarkart.com | goldmark.tv @goldmarkart

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NOVEMBER

A SELECTION OF EVENTS TAKING PLACE ACROSS OUR BEAUTIFUL REGION THIS MONTH

WHAT’S ON

1

EXHIBITION Jenny Grevatte – Beyond Brushstrokes at Goldmark

From 25 Oct to 16 Nov; free An exciting new exhibition by artist Jenny Grevatte. For more details, see p10.

2

EXHIBITION

‘THREE’ at Burghley Park Golf Club

From 2 Nov until 3 Jan 2026; free This winter, Burghley Park Golf Club hosts THREE, a group exhibition that brings together the work of Sarah Jennings, Serena

Durgheu, and Maxine Dodd. All three are members of Northants and Rutland Open Studio. Though each artist works in a unique medium and style, together their practices form a striking dialogue of contrasts and connections.

5

THEATRE

That Knave Raleigh at Stamford Arts Centre 7.30pm, £16 (£15 conc)

A journey through the highs and lows of one of Britain’s most famous historical figures. In a life spanning around 65 years, Sir Walter Raleigh achieved more than others might do in a hundred lifetimes. Over a decade in the tower and still he held power. Marvel at the magnetism of a man who seized every opportunity to create a legacy that spans the centuries.

6

OUNDLE CINEMA

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy at Fletton House in Oundle 7.30pm, £7

Oundle Cinema is showcasing John le Carré’s Cold War classic, brought to life on the big screen and starring Gary Oldman and Colin Firth. A gripping tale of espionage, betrayal and mistrust. Join Oundle Cinema Club to attend the showing – email the Cinema Club team on cinema@ creativeoundle.co.uk for more details.

TALK

Thomasina Miers at Rutland Nursery

6.15–8.30pm, £35

In 2007, Thomasina Miers co-founded the Mexican restaurant Wahaca, and in 2017 she helped to launch

OPPOSITE, TOP ROW: work by the artists featuring in THREE; BOTTOM ROW: sparkle on Bonfire Night; Tolethorpe Hall.

Chefs in Schools, where she now serves as a trustee. Awarded an OBE in 2019 for her contribution to the food industry, she is also a Guardian columnist and author of nine cookbooks. Following a recent six-month family stay in Mexico, her new book Mexican Table celebrates 12 essential ingredients that define Mexican cooking – from fiery chillies to rich chocolate.

This promises to be an engaging conversation as Chris Young interviews Tommi about her culinary adventures, her passion for Mexican food and the stories behind her latest book.

CINEMA

The Penguin Lessons at Rutland County Museum 7.30pm, £7.50

This month’s Cinema for Rutland is The Penguin Lessons (12), a heartwarming film about a disillusioned Englishman who goes to work in a school in a divided Argentina in 1976 and finds his life transformed when he rescues an orphaned penguin from the beach. Starring Steve Coogan.

SPORTS FUNDRAISER

An Evening of Sport at Stamford Corn Exchange 7.30pm

Local radio station Rutland & Stamford Sound presents a star-studded sports panel ready to chat on stage about their careers and achievements. Ask anything in the audience Q &A and learn more about your favourite sports. Panellists include Matthew Hoggard, Geordan Murphy, Linton Grant, Colin Clews, Craig Mackail-Smith and Kayna Penrose-Toms, with the evening led by station presenters. The evening is a fundraiser for the station and Corn Exchange Theatre.

7

BONFIRE NIGHT EVENT

Bonfire Night at Belvoir Castle Gates open 5pm, bonfire from 8pm, £15 (£7 children)

The Bonfire Night celebrations at Belvoir Castle promises to be bigger, brighter and more spectacular than ever before this year. They’ll be lighting up the skies from a new location in Ladies Field, giving you even more space to enjoy the show. Prepare to be wowed by a larger-scale firework display from the awardwinning MLE Pyrotechnics, followed by the roaring glow of an enormous bonfire. There’ll be food from handpicked vendors and live music to keep the atmosphere buzzing.

7–9

FESTIVE EVENT

Frost Fair at Molecey Mill

Fri 7 Nov, 5–8pm, Sat & Sun 8 & 9 Nov, 10am–4pm, free entry

All manner of wintery treats at this highly anticipated festive fair in the truly glorious setting of Molecey Mill. For more details, see p120.

8

EXHIBITION

Willingdon and Beyond at The Rutland Gallery, Uppingham

From 8 until 22 Nov, open daily, 10.30am–4pm; free

VENUES

This exhibition offers a new view of the world of Robert E Wells, renowned for his evocative cityscapes, rural scenes and quiet figures. An invitation to pause and look beyond the horizon. Meet the artist on launch day (1–3pm). See also p6.

9

FESTIVE EVENT

Winter Gift Fair at Tolethorpe Hall

10am–4pm, free entry (& free parking) Looking for that original or unique gift? Then head to this new shopping event where a wide range of quality products will be on sale inside the historic Tolethorpe Hall. There’s no need to book and you can choose from: original artwork & photography, jewellery, handmade lampshades, cushions, picture frames and homeware, locally brewed cider, recycled furniture and vintage accessories, studio glass, ceramics, candles, vinyl records, children’s toys and clothing, handmade hair accessories, wood-turned items, leather goods, handwoven baskets, decorative garden ironwork, flower arrangements, cakes, bamboo socks and more.

Refreshments will be available on site from Scandi. Please note, Tolethorpe is a dog-free zone.

• Belvoir Castle Belvoir, Grantham NG32 1PA, belvoircastle.com

• Burghley Park Golf Club St Martin’s Without, Stamford PE9 3JX, burghleyparkgolfclub.co.uk

• Burghley House Stamford PE9 3JY, 01780 752451, burghley.co.uk

• Easton Walled Gardens Grantham, NG33 5AP, 01476 530063, visiteaston.co.uk

• Fletton House Fletton Way, Glapthorn Road, Oundle PE8 4JA

• Goldmark Gallery 14 Orange Street, Uppingham LE15 9SQ, 01572 821424, goldmarkart.com

• Molecey Mill Stamford Road, West Deeping PE6 8JD, moleceyestates.com

• Oakham School Chapel Chapel Close, Market Place, Oakham LE15 6DT

• Rutland County Museum Catmos Street, Oakham LE15 6HW, 01572 758440, rutlandcountymuseum.org.uk

CULTURE, EVENTS, WORKSHOPS

• Rutland Hall Hotel Stamford Road, nr Oakham, Rutland LE15 8AB, 01572 757901, rutlandhall.co.uk

• The Rutland Gallery High Street East, Uppingham LE15 9PY, 01572 510048, rutlandgallery.com

• Rutland Nursery Lyndon Road, Manton, Rutland LE15 8RN, 01572 498720, rutlandnursery.co.uk

• St Peter’s Church North Street, Oundle, Peterborough PE8 4AL

• Stamford Arts Centre 27 St Mary’s Street, Stamford PE9 2DL, 01780 763203, stamfordartscentre.com

• Stamford Corn Exchange Broad Street, Stamford PE9 1PX 01780 766455, stamfordcornexchange.co.uk

• Tolethorpe Hall Salters Lane, Little Casterton, Stamford PE9 4BH, tolethorpe.co.uk

• Victoria Hall 39 High Street, Oakham LE15 6AH, victoriahall.org

NOVEMBER

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WHAT’S ON

10

RADIO PLAY

Last Orders with the Undertaker on Rutland & Stamford Sound 8pm

Tom Johnson is well known to many people in Rutland and Stamford because of his work as an undertaker and through the acting and directing that he fits into his spare time. Having started with EM Dorman Funeral Directors in 2012, Tom took over the running of the business in 2025 and has handled many funerals in those 13 years.

Tom’s 30th birthday was marked by the writing of a new half-hour radio play by his friend, actor and writer Henry Dawe and inspired by Tom’s work. Featuring Tom, Henry and Stamford’s Cami Carter, the play is a comedy with a message. It will air on Rutland & Stamford Sound and will be followed by a discussion.

11

LIVE MUSIC

Matthew and the Atlas in Goldmark Front Room

Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start, £30 (60 seats only)

Matthew and the Atlas is a project by Matt Hagerty, which combines acoustic tradition with an embrace

of electronics. Hagerty’s songwriting skill marries a subtle melodic sensibility with lyrics full of natural imagery and dark emotional heft.

11–22

EXHIBITION

#Simpatico at Stamford Arts Centre

Mon–Sat, during Arts Centre opening times, free entry

This mixed-media exhibition from artists Sarah J Hatherill and Jane Hawkins features painted and written artworks that explore the power of a tribe, the joy of finding your crew, and the love of family.

Oakham-based Sarah told us: ‘Simpatico means kinship or family. We are exploring through the medium of painting, collage, photography and poetry what the power of a tribe and the joy of connection means to us and to society.

12

TALK

Michael Perry at Rutland Nursery 5.30–7.15pm, £25

Michael Perry, aka Mr Plant Geek, has been passionate about plants since the age of five. A true horticultural enthusiast, he has carved out a unique role in the gardening world as an author, presenter and global plant hunter.

As part of this season of talks, he will be at Rutland Nursery to present The Weird & Wacky Plant Show.

Recognised as one of the Sunday Times’ Top 20 Most Influential People in Gardening, Michael rose to prominence during his time at Thompson & Morgan, where he was behind the introduction of innovative plants such as the Egg and Chips plant and the FuchsiaBerry.

The author of Hortus Curious, Michael shines a spotlight on some of the weirdest and most wonderful plants on the planet. But it’s not just about the rare and exotic – Michael believes even everyday plants have curious quirks and fascinating stories to tell. He brings a refreshing and fun perspective to horticulture.

20

TALK

Joel Harrison at Rutland Nursery 7–9pm, £35–50 (£50 incl book)

Joel Harrison is an award-winning drinks writer, presenter and consultant, dedicated to bringing whisky and fine spirits to life for new drinkers while deepening the knowledge of seasoned enthusiasts. For nearly two decades he has contributed to leading publications including The Telegraph, Whisky Magazine and Club Oenologique, alongside regular appearances on television and radio. His acclaimed books have earned international recognition: Distilled won Best Drink Book at the Fortnum & Mason Awards, followed by Straight Up and The World Atlas of Gin. His latest title, The Whisky World Tour, was published in September 2025.

COMEDY

Jenni Eclair: Jokes, Jokes, Jokes Live! at Stamford Corn Exchange 7.30pm, £26.50

In celebration of the release of her hilarious memoir of the same name, comedian, novelist, and professional show-off Jenny Eclair comes to venues nationwide with a brand-new autobiographical show.

WHAT’S ON | NOVEMBER

From drama school to being the first woman to win the Perrier Award, becoming a mother, author, grumpy old woman, podcaster and nana!

Jenny invites you to look back at what she can remember before she forgets everything. Punk poetry, animal impressions and baritone nursery rhyme singing may feature!

21

FESTIVE EVENT

Mill Street Late Night Shopping

The independent traders along Mill Street in Oakham will be keeping their doors open later than usual for a fabulous evening of festive browsing – perfect for ticking off that Christmas list in style. (Additional date for the diary: Oakham’s townwide Late Night Shopping will take place on Monday 15 December.)

22

FESTIVE EVENT

The Jersey Quartet Christmas Show at The Pavilion at Rutland Hall Hotel

Doors open 6.30pm, £85pp

After last year’s sold-out success, the Jersey Quartet Christmas Show is back for its second year. The evening begins with a festive welcome drink before guests sit down to enjoy a twocourse meal, setting the scene for an unforgettable night of entertainment and celebration.

Headlining the event are the Jersey Quartet, featuring former cast members of the West End smash-hit Jersey Boys. With dazzling harmonies and infectious energy, they bring the timeless music of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons to life.

A charismatic host will keep the evening flowing with festive flair, while a surprise speciality act adds an extra spark of magic. And when the curtain comes down, the party carries on with classics to keep the dance floor buzzing late into the night. Perfect for office parties, family gatherings, or festive nights out with friends.

LIVE MUSIC

A Night at the Opera: Rutland Sinfonia at St Peter’s Church, Oundle 7.30pm, £16 (£5 under-18s & students) at www.ticketsource.co.uk

The second concert in Rutland Sinfonia’s 50th Anniversary Season is ‘A Night at the Opera’, bringing together soprano Jenny Saunders, tenor David Morris and conductor Paul Hilliam for a sparkling evening of opera favourites.

The programme features Verdi’s Force of Destiny Overture, Bizet’s Carmen Overture, Puccini’s Nessun Dorma from Turandot, Dvořák’s Song to the Moon from Rusalka, Bernstein’s Tonight from West Side Story, Mascagni’s Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana and Puccini’s Finale to Act I of La Bohème.

LIVE MUSIC

Darkness to Light: Oakham Choral Society at Oakham School Chapel 7.30pm, £12 from wegottickets.com Oakham Choral Society’s November concert offers an engaging programme, including Bach’s Cantata No. 140, Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 140, Finzi’s In terra pax, op. 39, and Haydn’s Concerto for Violin in G Major. Soloists are Nicola Chotrani (violin) and Cason Kang (piano), with Ewan Stockwell conducting.

ABOVE: the courtyards and grounds of Burghley will provide a glorious festive setting for the Christmas Fair, with twinkling lights, tempting stalls and a wonderful seasonal atmosphere.

ART WORKSHOP

Block-Printing Workshop at Easton Walled Gardens 10am–12.30pm, £65 (incl. materials) Easton Walled Gardens is hosting a festive edition of its popular Indian Block Printing Workshop. Led by Isabela Streeter, founder of Haveli Diaries – a brand celebrating Indian craft heritage and nature-inspired design – this special seasonal session invites guests to create beautiful, hand-printed Christmas cards and wrapping paper using traditional block printing techniques. There will be an introduction to the history of Indian block printing. Guests (no prior block-printing experience necessary) will then be guided through the printing process using hand-carved wooden blocks, with a selection of floral, festive and botanical motifs available. Participants will design their own sets of sustainable gift wrap and greeting cards. A joyful, creative way to connect with tradition.

27

TALK

The Arts Society Lecture in the Victoria Hall, Oakham Coffee from 10.30am, talk at 11am; guests welcome for a fee of £7

The November lecture is The History of American Art in 25 Iconic Works by Marie-Anne Mancio, who has lectured in art history for the City Lit, Tate Modern, the Course, Art in London, the V&A, and Dulwich Picture Gallery. Her talk celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in America, exploring 25 iconic works including Grant Wood’s ‘American Gothic’, Dorothea Lange’s ‘Migrant Mother’ and Hopper’s ‘Nighthawks’. theartssocietyoakham.org.uk

27–30

FESTIVE EVENT

Burghley Christmas Fair at Burghley House

Thur/Sun 9.30am–4pm, Fri/Sat until 7.30pm, £12 (child 3–15 years £5)

The beautiful courtyards and grounds of Burghley House will be transformed for the region’s largest Christmas Fair. Festive chalets, pagodas and marquees brim with artisan gifts, handmade decorations, clothes and homewares, while delicious food and drink tempt with mulled wine, hot chocolate, raclette and crepês. Enjoy twinkling lights, seasonal music, and the charm of a Victorian carousel. New for 2025 is a cosy enclosed space with seating, refreshments and live entertainment, plus a daily festive drone show.

28

FESTIVE EVENT

Nene Park Winter Festival at Ferry Meadows, Peterborough

On selected dates from 28 Nov to 23 Dec This much-loved Winter Festival is back, bringing seasonal cheer to Ferry Meadows. It is set to include: Festive Family Fun (including Elf School and meet-and-greets with Father Christmas; tickets required for both) and (free for all Nene Park visitors) the Yuletide Yard, which will have delicious street food and seasonal drinks, a mini craft market, a Christmas shop and a changing line-up of performances. Winter fun all round. For full details, including dates/ times and booking, visit nenepark.org.uk

FESTIVE EVENT

Market Harborough Late Night Shopping From 6pm

Shops will be open late across town to kick off the gift-buying season. Note there’s also the Market Harborough Christmas Fayre on 5 December.

29

FESTIVE SPECTACULAR

Christmas at Belvoir Castle

For prices, times & to book, see belvoircastle.com/christmas

From 29 November to 30 December, Belvoir Castle’s historic estate will be transformed into a winter

wonderland filled with sparkling lights, storybook décor and heartwarming Christmas experiences for all ages. From indulgent festive afternoon tea to enchanting family Christmas adventures, discover unforgettable Christmas moments. New for Christmas 2025 is the Christmas Mice Trail, which runs through the Castle’s grand rooms to uncover tiny surprises around every corner. This charming, interactive Christmas adventure is designed especially for children to explore and enjoy.

Other highlights for children include Santa’s Grotto and (also new for 2025) the Search for Santa Christmas activities. There are also lots of opportunities for Christmas shopping at the Belvoir Retail Village.

CERAMICS EXHIBITION

Ken Matsuzaki at Goldmark Gallery

From 29 Nov into Dec, free Launching on Saturday 29 November and running into December is Goldmark Gallery’s eighth exhibition of work by ceramicist Ken Matsuzaki. This will be a fascinating opportunity to enjoy the work of one of Japan’s most revered living potters and to experience Matsuzaki’s famous Tokaiseki-style vases in the flesh. Online visitors to Goldmark will also be able to experience Matsuzaki’s work on goldmarkart.com where there will also be a walkthrough film of the complete exhibition, hosted by Max Waterhouse. The opening will be marked by a complimentary light buffet lunch with a glass of fizz.

LIVE MUSIC

Stamford Chamber Orchestra at Stamford Arts Centre 7.30pm, £16.50 (£13.50/£6); book tickets via Stamford Arts Centre Join Stamford Chamber Orchestra, directed by conductor Mark Austin, at the Arts Centre for the opening concert of their 2025–26 season. The programme features Charlotte Ashton performing Reinecke’s gloriously lyrical Flute Concerto, as well as Beethoven’s Egmont Overture and Bizet’s Symphony in C. The evening promises to be a wonderful start to the season. stamfordchamberorchestra.org

CULTURE, EVENTS, WORKSHOPS

A truly bespoke service with our in-house design team. Manufacturing custom cabinetry, crafted in our Rutland workshops.

Gladwell & Patterson

discover the history of art on your doorstep

EACH YEAR, museums and galleries around the world present landmark exhibitions that bring together remarkable collections of art.

These shows invite visitors to see through the artists’ eyes – to experience their visions of light, landscape, and the human experience through the ages.

As thrilling as it is to wander the galleries of Paris or Berlin, you don’t have to travel so far to experience great art. Step through the doors of Gladwell & Patterson at 1 High Street, Stamford, and you’ll find the spirit of the world’s most influential artistic

movements gathered within reach. Above the doorway, the sign ‘Gladwells Corner’ marks more than a location – it signifies over 279 years of expertise in representing artists whose work continues the legacies of Impressionism, Modernism and beyond.

Cory Fuller, co-owner of Gladwell & Patterson, explains: ‘Our gallery champions artists who, while perhaps less widely known, were contemporaries and deeply rooted in the same heritage of observation and expression, and who came from the same institutions that shaped the world’s greatest artists.’

SERGE MENDJISKY

The National Gallery in London is currently hosting a fascinating exhibition on the Neo-Impressionists and their experimentation with colour. In the same vein, on the walls at Gladwells, visitors can experience the work of Serge Mendjisky (1929–2017) a French painter who adopted a luminous palette and applied broken touches of colour to shimmering effect. He worked on his technique of optical mixing, where colours interact in the viewer’s eye rather than being blended on the palette itself.

OPPOSITE: Serge Mendjisky’s ‘Les Bords de Marne’, oil on canvas (33 x 41cm), £9,500.

HENRI LE SIDANER

French artist Henri Le Sidaner (1862–1939), whose work is hung in the Smithsonian, the Tokyo Fuji Art Museum and the Thyssen Museum in Madrid amongst other esteemed institutions, also hangs on the staircase at Gladwell & Patterson at 1 High Street in Stamford. Here his beautiful works can be admired and the way he softened the scientific use of colour pioneered by the Neo-Impressionists into a more poetic and atmospheric style.

RIGHT: Henri Le Sidaner’s ‘The Rose Garden, Gerberoy, 1923’, gouache, coloured pencils & pastel on paper (33 x 40cm), £85,000.

‘As thrilling as it is to wander the galleries of Paris or Berlin, you don’t have to travel so far to experience great art’

JACQUES GAUTHERIN

Born in France, Jacques Gautherin (1929–97) is another artist found at Gladwells who continued to work in the Neo-Impressionist tradition well into the late 20th century. His paintings are wonderful examples of the French landscape tradition, full of lyrical and decorative appeal. They are rooted in the enduring fascination with light and vivid colour that first inspired the Neo-Impressionists.

LEFT: Jacques Gautherin’s ‘Trois Voiliers’, oil on canvas (50 x 61cm), £8,950.

IF STEPPING THROUGH THE DOORS OF GLADWELL & PATTERSON HAS PIQUED YOUR CURIOSITY, THESE EXHIBITIONS ARE ALSO WORTH A LOOK:

• RADICAL HARMONY: HELENE KROLLER-MULLER’S NEON-IMPRESSIONISTS, NATIONAL GALLERY, LONDON, UK (UNTIL 8 FEB 2026)

• ANDY WARHOL: THE AMERICAN DREAM FACTORY, SCHIRN KUNSTHALLE, FRANKFURT, GERMANY (UNTIL FEB 2026)

• ‘FARM TO TABLE: ART, FOOD AND IDENTITY IN THE AGE OF IMPRESSIONISM’, SEATTLE MUSEUM OF ART, USA (UNTIL 18 JAN 2026)

• HENRY MOORE: MONUMENTAL NATURE, KEW GARDENS, LONDON, UK (MAY TO SEPT 2026)

Gladwell & Patterson

discover the history of art on your doorstep

‘Step through the doors of Gladwell & Patterson and you’ll find the spirit of the world’s most influential artistic movements gathered within reach’

PAUL S BROWN

Classical Realism is an art movement that emerged in the late 20th century as a revival of traditional representational painting, grounded in the techniques and aesthetics from the Renaissance to the Old Masters. Gladwells has been proud to work for many years with the American painter Paul S Brown, who trained in Florence under Charles Cecil and Daniel Graves and paints in this tradition. Paul works from life to pursue permanence and stillness, focusing on the tangible nature of everyday subjects and simple pleasures.

ABOVE: ‘Plot to Plate’, oil on canvas (60 x 90cm), £32,000.

RIGHT: Autumn Fruitfulness’, oil on board (28.5 x 59cm), £7,500. Both Paul S Brown.

A visit to Gladwell & Patterson reminds us that the journey to appreciate and be moved by art need not begin in Paris or New York but can start on your doorstep. Here, you’ll also discover artistic movements and pioneering artists of museum quality, hidden within its vaults. The gallery team, busy beyond the threshold, are accessible and knowledgeable, and always happy to share the wonderful provenance and fascinating stories behind the art on display.

gladwell & patterson

1 high st, stamford pe9 2al

01780 917567 | @gladwellsart www.gladwellpatterson.com

EC Bateman

Emily (EC Bateman) is about to launch ‘Bidding for Murder’, her third novel in The Stamford Mysteries series. Nicholas Rudd-Jones met with her to chat about her writing career and this latest addition to her portfolio of novels

EMILY is an established crime novelist. Having married an auctioneer, she moved to Stamford and dreamt up the idea for The Stamford Mysteries series whilst living in a converted Georgian flat overlooking St Mary’s Church in the heart of town. The couple have since decamped to the surrounding countryside with their two young children, but they can still be spotted around the cobbled streets on a regular basis, usually being pulled along by their effervescent cocker spaniel, Audrey.

Do you find writing easy? Well, it’s never easy, and for me it has to also fit around my life as a busy mother. But yes, I love to write, and, when I have a moment, it’s never a hardship to knuckle down. I usually work at the kitchen table, with views over the fields, sometimes typing, sometimes writing by hand. And I find cafes great places for writing too; I find it easy to concentrate there. Favourites include Scandi in Uppingham, and Lambert’s Kitchen and Ink & Ember in Stamford. I enjoy writing and adore those moments of inspiration when a new idea pops up or suddenly something really gels.

This is the third book in the series. Does it get easier the more you write? In one way easier, in that most of the characters are formed and known; but in another way more difficult as they have previous history that has to be acknowledged and accurately recalled!

And has the style changed as the series has progressed? Not really, although, of course, characters become more sharply defined over time. The thing that has perhaps changed the most is the shortening of the dramatic time frame – in my first book it was about a week, in the second a week and this time round it’s just one evening!

And do you have favourite characters? I do think Dexter is always very popular with my readers, and sometimes it’s important to have him in a scene even if he’s not central to the plot. That said, I love secondary characters, too – although I have to be careful they don’t steal the show – Sergeant Pettifer, for example. Once I have introduced a character, I like them to develop at their own speed and in their own way, I don’t try and force a predetermined personality onto them. I think of my writing as very character-driven; that is what really excites me.

And how important is Stamford to the setting of the series? Very. I tend to think of Stamford as the ‘main character’, the fixed point that runs through every book, the thing that is woven into everything I write. I love wandering around Stamford – my husband describes me as a ‘flâneur’, a 19th-century French term for a leisurely stroller who observes urban life from a detached perspective. That gives me ideas and ways of describing it and capturing its spirit.

And how do you start thinking about a book? It always starts with a murder and then pinpointing a motive. Things develop from there.

And the future? I’m now working on my fourth novel, which is set for release in winter 2026.

Any advice to the rest of us budding writers? Just enjoy what you’re creating: everything else will fall into place from there.

‘I adore those moments of inspiration when a new idea pops up or suddenly something really gels’

the stamford mysteries:

Death at the Auction (2022) Murder Most Antique (2023) Bidding for Murder (2025, release date 6 November; cover illustration by Katie Cardew, as with the other titles)

events:

MEET THE AUTHOR & BOOK SIGNING

• Walkers Bookshop, Stamford

• Saturday 8 November, 11am–1pm

A NIGHT OF TRICKS, TREATS & MURDER WITH EC BATEMAN

• Ink & Ember, Stamford

• Tuesday 11 November, 6.30pm

ecbatemanbooks

Christmas Gift Inspiration starts at Wingates Gallery

This Christmas, come and treat yourself from a collection of over 300 pieces of original art and handmade sculpture from over 40 national and international artists all under one roof here at Wingates Gallery.

Our family-owned, multi award-winning, independent art gallery is proud to provide our customers with high quality, original art at affordable prices with something for every taste and budget. Warm, No-Hassle, Friendly Service

Come in and see us - make this Christmas one to remember.

44a St Mary’s Road, Market Harborough LE16 7DU 10-6pm

Tuesday to Saturday

Tel: 01858 465455

www.wingatesgallery.co.uk

Wingates Gallery Christmas Extravaganza 2025

This year, Wingates Gallery in Market Harborough is hosting a fabulous afternoon of art, creativity and live music on Saturday 6 December (12–4pm). Visitors will have the chance to meet four outstanding artists and be among the first to view their brand-new collections of original artwork and handmade sculpture. The artists will be on hand to chat about their life in art, their inspirations and aspirations, and to sign dedications for anyone choosing a special Christmas gift. Adding to the festive atmosphere, King Konga will be performing live throughout the afternoon, bringing vibrant, partystyle energy to the gallery. Everyone is warmly welcome, and entry to this special event is free.

MARCEL REBHAN

Handmade Upcycled Tools: Wildlife Sculpture Marcel became interested in sculpting when a friend, after looking through a bin full of ‘bits’ he had in the garage, asked if he could make something for his garden out of scrap metal. This he did, and soon sculpting became quite addictive – since that day he has not stopped creating. Marcel’s sculptures are now sent worldwide to private customers, and his work is sold exclusively at Wingates Gallery in the UK. Marcel likes to take inanimate objects and builds life and movement into them by forming them in such a way that it takes a little while for the eye to pick out the various components used to form the different pieces of the animal.

KATIE DAY

Atmospheric Landscape Originals

Katie is a painter and dedicated cloud watcher, inspired by the changing light, weather and mood of the natural world. She creates land, sea and skyscapes in acrylics and oils, using layered textures and metallic accents that catch the light to reflect the atmosphere and movement of the scenes she observes. Photography plays a key role in Katie’s semi-abstract work. Often accompanied by her dog, Peggy, she uses her own images to study clouds, light and the shifting qualities of the sky. This process helps her translate natural scenes into textured compositions that evoke mood and space rather than literal detail. Through her art, she invites viewers to slow down, look up and appreciate the quiet, often overlooked moments in nature that are easily missed.

ANGUS CLYNE

Sustainable Wood Turner

Angus is a professional woodturner, landscape photographer and inspiring teacher working in rural Perthshire in Scotland. He produces exquisitely turned wooden bowls, vessels and sculptures using sustainable wood. By using a lathe, a roughly chain-sawed block of wet wood is mounted and spun at a high speed, as Angus shapes it with a selection of gouges and chisels. Once the wood is finished on the lathe, he polishes and smooths the piece, and then applies up to 10 coats of Danish oil. Angus explains: ‘My wood is local Scottish oak, elm, cherry, sycamore, beech and yew. Wood that has been infected with a fungus will often have spectacular black lines running through it, so I like to look out for things like that. I will then leave the wood outside for a few weeks to allow it to age and spalt.’

JOE GALINDO

Contemporary Wildlife Originals

Joe was born in West Yorkshire in 1994. He showed talent with a pencil at an early age, and years down the line – after university and several nine-to-five jobs – he chose to put his ability to use. Painting pets, footballers and musicians, and taking requests from social media to fund his endeavours, he then launched his popular abstract landscapes into various art galleries. However, at the age of 24, he felt the need for change, so he put down the brush and spontaneously left his hometown to live in Vietnam. His travels then took him across Asia, before landing him in Australia. It was here that he began to paint again, selling his work in Melbourne and Sydney. Joe was continually inspired by artists he met overseas, along with the jungles, coastlines and wildlife he experienced along the way. After a final stop in Sri Lanka for one last taste of Asian life, he returned home to rekindle his passion for creation.

WINGATES GALLERY, 44a st mary’s road, market harborough le16 7du 01858 465455 | wingatesgallery.co.uk | @wingates_gallery

THE RUTLAND GALLERY

WILLINGDON AND BEYOND

The paintings of Robert E. Wells RBA NEAC

“Willingdon and Beyond” offers a new view of Robert E. Wells’ world.

Renowned for his evocative cityscapes, rural scenes, and quiet figures this exhibition is an invitation to pause, reflect, and look beyond the horizon.

Saturday 8th to Saturday 22nd November 10:30am – 4:00pm

Join us for the preview on Saturday 8th November 2025 and meet the artist Robert E. Wells RBA NEAC between 1:00pm and 3:00pm

the festive edit

The fashion team style luxe looks from local boutiques in the timeless setting of The William Cecil

stylist: sally stillingfleet | photgraphy: elli dean hair & makeup: janette m cmorrow | model: isobel pound

this page: autumnal-print dress £40, jumper (worn around shoulders), £46, both b boutique by rebecca.

opposite: cropped traffic people blouse, £141, energy; silver wyse skirt (size 12), £60, arch label agency.

navy hope & ivy dress, £140, energy; boots by penelope chilvers (model’s own), check out the selection at arch label agency for similar styles.

Orangeries, garden rooms, conservatories, windows and doors. From design through to completion.

black dress & jumper combo, £49, b boutique by rebecca;

forte_forte silver dress in medium, £100, cropped ralph lauren jacket (size 14–16), £120, both arch label agency; black m&s heels, model’s own.

gold soaked in luxury dress, £119.99, energy; gold me+em sling-backs (size 41), £120, arch label agency.

animal-print knit dress,

STOCKISTS

Anna Couture Boutique

17 St Mary’s Street, Stamford PE9 2DG @anna.couture.boutique

Arch Label Agency

43 St Paul’s Street, Stamford PE9 2BH @archlabelagency | archlabelagency.com

B Boutique by Rebecca

7 St Paul’s Street, Stamford PE9 2BE @bboutique756 | bboutiquebyrebecca.com

Energy

9 Ironmonger Street, Stamford PE9 1PL @energyclothingstamford

THANKS

Our heartfelt thanks to our fabulous photographer, Elli Dean, ellideanphotography.co.uk / @ellideanphotography and stylist Sally Stillingfleet / @flowerfile for creating this stunning feature.

A special thank you to Isobel Pound for modelling for us so beautifully – you look amazing!

Big thanks, too, to Janette McMorrow for hair and makeup. Janette has enjoyed an incredible career – over 20 years working for the best in fashion and makeup, with clients including Danni Minogue, Amanda Holden and Joanna Lumley. She is now based in our region. For more details, visit janettemcmorrow.co.uk

Finally, our thanks to the wonderful team at The William Cecil in Stamford for welcoming us into the hotel and its lovely gardens – the perfect setting for our shoot. Discover more about The William Cecil, including festive menus and upcoming events, at: thewilliamcecil.co.uk | @thewilliamcecil

cape as before; brocade dress, £185, anna couture boutique.

hayley menzies silk dress (size 12), £220, arch label agency; tote bag, £32, b boutique by rebecca; boots as before.

Riverside Close Ryhall Where heritage meets contemporary living

Welcome to Riverside Close - an exceptional collection of eleven beautifully crafted stone-built homes nestled in the charming village of Ryhall, just a short stroll from the village shop, Post Office, church, school, and three welcoming pubs — the essence of village life.

Ranging from two to five bedrooms, each home combines timeless design with modern comfort, offering exceptional craftsmanship, energy efficiency, and a sense of effortless luxury.

Contact us today to find your perfect home in this exclusive development.

Email sales@simonboonhomes.co.uk www.simonboonhomes.co.uk

Whether you want to give new life to your existing living spaces or you are about to embark on your dream property renovation project, aluhome has the finest brands of contemporary and traditional glazing systems available, creating light, space and a new way of living.

Inspired

Inspirational products that deliver the very essence of individuality for the more discerning client.

Refined

Beautifully crafted aluminium products made with precision giving your home distinction with our luxury collection.

Bespoke

From first thought, our detailed advice, guidance and expert installation, will deliver architectural glazing that’s always distinctive, elegant & bespoke assured.

Visit our new Aluminium studio in the heart of Stamford and be inspired

Gooches Court, Stamford Meadows, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 2RE 01780 723864, 07831 786387, www.aluhomes.co.uk, sales@aluhomes.co.uk

Interiors Local Makers & Design Notes

This month decorative artist Laura E Jekyll catches up with Stamford’s Bronya Hallett of Sedere & Co, while in Design Notes the spotlight is on Laura’s new collaboration with Chloe Jonason

MEET THE MAKER

Bronya Hallett, Sedere & Co

The hearth has always been a place to gather, and a bespoke club fender from Sedere & Co makes it even more inviting. Handmade in England, each piece combines craftsmanship and character to transform the fireplace into the heart of the room. Laura chats with founder Bronya about what makes the club fender so remarkable.

How did it all begin?

We moved from London four years ago and were lucky enough to find a home with many fireplaces. In my search for the perfect club fender for each room, I noticed that there was little variation and nothing suitable for a wonky fireplace, so I decided to design my own. Our fenders are completely bespoke, handcrafted here in Lincolnshire and refined to balance form and function. My three children have been the perfect safety test to ensure that each fender was suitable for budding acrobats or merry guests!

What makes the club fender such a special piece to design?

A club fender helps to anchor a room’s mood as much as its layout. Historically, it occupied what might otherwise be wasted space around the hearth, providing not just a functional guard but also a social invitation and, in times of celebrations, much-needed extra seating.

What inspires your work?

I’ve always loved fabric, my first obsession being cushions, and that passion naturally extends to the club fender. They are comparatively small compared to other upholstered items in a room, so there is a chance for people to be brave and really add visual punch. Our tops are easily interchangeable, allowing upholstery to reflect the seasons, evolve with the house, or, as in my case, experiment with your latest fabric crush.

‘Our fenders are completely bespoke, handcrafted here in Lincolnshire and refined to balance form and function’

How does the design process work?

Every fireplace is different, and our fenders are made to measure and installed by us, designed for your space, whether that means working with alcoves, unusual proportions or nearby furniture. Whenever possible I meet clients onsite to discuss how the room is being used and the role the club fender will have, which might be keeping small hands away or additional seating, and we then discuss colour, finish, adornments and fabric. The result is something practical, elegant and entirely unique to the room it belongs in.

What’s next for you and Sedere & Co?

We have been incredibly lucky to have created bespoke club fenders up and down the country. Clients have gone on to commission other bespoke items of furniture and I really enjoy the challenge of this. We are always evolving our pieces and working with each client to create something special.

@sedereandco

OPPOSITE & BELOW: a selection of Sedere & Co bespoke fireside club fenders.

DESIGN NOTES

LIGHTING THE DARKER MONTHS

As the light shifts and evenings draw in, lamps take on new importance. They become anchors of atmosphere, pieces that glow as much with character as with wattage. To celebrate the launch of the Chloe Jonason x Laura E Jekyll lighting collection – a short run of six hand-painted table lamps with vintage sari lampshades created by vintage-textile specialist Chloe and decorative artist Laura – we’re reflecting on the quiet power of light in the home. The right lamp doesn’t simply brighten a room; it shapes atmosphere, mood and memory, transforming the way we inhabit the darker months.

1

FORM WITH PRESENCE

A lamp should feel as pleasing by day as it does after dark. The sweep of a silhouette gives it sculptural weight, so it holds its place as part of the room’s story. Look for shapes that echo other details in the room, pair tall lamps with generous shades for balance and don’t be afraid to treat a lamp as sculpture.

LAYER LIGHTING

2

A balanced scheme combines ambient (general), task, and accent lighting to offer flexibility – bright and functional for work, soft and intimate for evenings. Overhead pendants or ceiling lights set the tone, while table and floor lamps create pools of warmth where you need them, and accent lights – on shelves, consoles, or tucked into corners –add depth and mood.

3

PLACEMENT WITH INTENTION

Where a lamp sits changes everything. A pair on a console creates a sense of balance; one by a reading chair turns a corner into a retreat. Accent lights, wall sconces or uplighting can turn an ordinary corner into a feature, enhancing mood and visual interest.

‘A good light sets the mood and tells a story’

4

FINDING CHARACTER

A well-sourced lamp lends flair. Antique fairs, vintage shops, and artisan makers are rich sources of unusual bases and shades with history. Look for pieces with personality and don’t be afraid to mix eras and influences.

5

ATMOSPHERE AND MEMORY

A good light does more than soften a room; it sets the mood and tells a story. Characterful pattern and textures, hand-crafted pieces and designs with history bring warmth and individuality, turning the everyday into something memorable.

lamps priced at £495 each for the complete piece. see the full collection at chloejonason.co and chloejonasonco

ABOUT LAURA

Working with families and designers across our region, Laura is a decorative artist creating bespoke hand-painted interiors and heirloom furniture. Rooted in a deep appreciation for traditional craftsmanship, Laura seeks out makers whose skills and stories quietly shape the way we live. Find out more at laurajekyll.com & follow Laura at laura.jekyll

fōrm&blōm

With a focus on understated luxury, British craftsmanship and sculptural floral design, fōrm&blōm is a beautiful addition to Oakham’s Mill Street. Owners Adam Beard and Cristina Militaru told us more about their exciting new venture and the considered ethos that underpins it all

First things first – tell us more about the name, fōrm&blōm, and where that comes from?

Adam: Our name nods to Old English words: fōrm (structure, shape) and blōm (flower, bloom). Together they capture what we stand for: craft that endures, and nature that renews. For us, fōrm&blōm is not just a shop, it’s an invitation to slow down, to choose with care and to let your home reflect both craft and bloom.

What’s your background, and how did the idea for the business take root?

Cristina: We both trained and worked in architecture, and we have spent years designing private homes, high-end interiors and public buildings. Together we’ve always had a passion for furniture and design, and I’d always dreamed of working with flowers, so opening fōrm&blōm together seemed like a natural next step in our journey. It combines our passions and skills with our aim of creating a lifestyle crafted from nature.

How has your architecture/design background shaped what you both do here?

Adam: Architecture has given us a unique lens on proportion, texture and detail, and that carries through into everything we do, whether choosing furniture or creating floral designs. It’s about beauty and luxury that feels effortless and subtle, not showy, and with each object and arrangement carefully considered.

Cristina: Absolutely, the architectural influence permeates everything we do here. You’ll see that my floral work is very sculptural, with a spatial approach. For me, flowers are another form of design.

What will people find when they step into fōrm&blōm?

Adam: The shop is Grade II-listed, and when we saw it we knew it was perfect – it has a hearth, beautiful windows and a sense of home. On the ground floor as you enter, as well as upstairs, you’ll find crafted furniture, curated homewares and decorative objects, with the focus on British makers. This includes furniture by Another Country (Dorset), wooden bowls and trays from Jonathan Renton (Nottingham), fabrics, throws, blankets and cushions from Melin Tregwynt (Pembrokeshire), organic Beeswax candles by Skär (Yorkshire) and ceramics from John Wright (Rutland), among others. There are Swedish rugs too, so the collection is not exclusively British, but it’s always with the same ethos: timeless, understated, a contemporary take on classic style.

Cristina: At the rear is my flower studio, a beautiful space where I design with premium flowers. I source sustainably from local flower farms whenever possible – White Goose Flower Farm in Little Dalby and Rutland’s Old Oak Farm, for example. We offer everything from bouquets for walk-ins to flowers for your business, seasonal wreaths and floral designs for events, including weddings. My aim is always sculptural, natural, elegant design.

Why Rutland? And how are you finding life in this region so far?

Both: We travelled a lot as a couple, gradually building a list of places we loved with a view to eventually moving out of London. When we started our family, the draw of more space, a garden, a view and a slower pace of life – the ability to connect more closely with the materials, makers and flowers we work with –became irresistible, and Rutland fitted the bill perfectly. People have been so welcoming, and we love being part of the local community, both in the village we moved to earlier this year and here in Mill Street.

Finally, how can readers find you?

Both: Come and see us on Mill Street. Follow us on Instagram and keep an eye on our website, which is launching fully soon. We’d love people to pop in, have a chat and take time to explore. It’s a space to slow down, browse and hopefully leave inspired and uplifted.

Newly opened in Oakham, fōrm&blōm’s quietly elegant HQ brings crafted furniture, curated homewares and floral design to Mill Street.

‘For us, fōrm&blōm is not just a shop, it’s an invitation to slow down, to choose with care and to let your home reflect both craft and bloom’

FOR A LIFESTYLE CURATED FROM NATURE & BESPOKE ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN SERVICES

FŌRM&BLŌM, 17A MILL STREET, OAKHAM LE15 6EA 01572 345976 | EMAIL: STUDIO@FORMBLOM.CO.UK FORMBLOM.CO.UK | @FORM.BLOM

Sleep Tight with woolroom

Award-winning Rutland-based business woolroom is quietly achieving global success as one of the world’s leading exponents of expertly crafted, natural sleep products – but Managing Director Chris Tattersall has a mission closer to his heart – and even closer to home

words: amander meade

AS WE MOVE into the winter months and with everincreasing heating bills, a warm and comfortable night’s sleep is more important than ever and a vital pillar of general wellbeing for all of us. In this region we are lucky enough to have easy access to the expertise of the team at woolroom – the leading natural sleep retailer in the UK. From their headquarters and showroom in Oakham, Chris and his awardwinning team offer personalised advice around improving both the quality of your sleep and your sleep environment.

Chris is a widely acknowledged, passionate expert in the field of sleep and a leading global authority on natural wool and cotton sleep products. He is often invited to collaborate with research teams based at universities – most recently Bangor University –investigating the incredible properties of wool. ‘We spend a third of our lives in our beds, so the mission for the woolroom team is to ensure our customers’ sleep environment is conducive to peaceful, healthy rest. Wool bedding is proven to boost your chances of a good night’s sleep by 67% and can help you achieve a 25% deeper, more regenerative sleep than other types of bedding.’

Strict Standards

A visit to the woolroom showroom is an enlightening experience, as the team demonstrate how their unique range of handmade, organic wool mattresses, duvets, pillows and mattress toppers naturally regulate body temperature and control moisture, meaning that you are less likely to wake up during the night. ‘Usually, prohibitors to a restful night’s sleep are poor heat regulation, such as during menopause, or allergic conditions,’ explains Chris.

‘Using naturally regulating and hypoallergenic products like organic wool and cotton can revolutionise poor sleep,’ he adds. All woolroom bedding products hold the Allergy UK Seal of Approval without the need for regular washing, and they are also the only provider of a truly machine-washable organic wool bedding collection that meets with the strictest standards set by the Global Organic Textile Standards Authority. ‘These washable products are ideal for children with all the practical benefits of swift washing paired with breathability and no harmful chemicals.’

‘Our entire portfolio is green, biodegradable and sustainable’

Earlier this year, the team reviewed and upgraded their range of artisan mattresses and divans to further improve their biodegradable credentials at their end of life. ‘We use calico, a system of pocket springs and wax linen cord instead of glue, which not only improves the feel of the mattress but ensures that we remain the most natural product available. Our entire portfolio is green, biodegradable and sustainable.’

Other boxes ticked by woolroom products include a 100-day trial period, where if no improvement to sleep is experienced, you can return the product for a full refund without quibble. The organic wool used is traceable to individual farms, is biodegradable and has been proven to be up to 10 times more durable than bedding made from feather, down or synthetic fabrics. Even the packaging used is organic and either recyclable or biodegradable.

Worldwide Demand

As well as garnering an ever-growing devoted customer base in the UK, woolroom products are in high demand by global markets. This Rutland-based business is now the largest wool bedding retailer in the USA, with Chris’s son Ed spearheading a new woolroom operation in North Carolina and proudly leading the education of the largest retail market in the world about the wonders of wool – some of which is produced in Rutland. Canadians, too, are keen to benefit from woolroom products, and Chris explains that although the Canadians know a thing or two about cold conditions, they don’t farm sheep as a rule.

‘Most recently, an exciting opportunity has arisen for us to supply mattresses and other bedding to five brand-new showrooms across China. Our handmade products and Queen’s Award for Enterprise appeal to the Chinese love for heritage and quality, so I have been over to China several times to oversee the showroom launches and to help train customer-facing teams working for us there,’ Chris reports. ‘A presence in China means that our products will now be accessible to customers who travel from Bahrain, Dubai and the United Arab Emirates to shop in China’s vast shopping malls, which is truly astonishing exposure for a family-run British firm.’

Arguably more important than all the global success to Chris is his desire to share his passion for great sleep with local customers. ‘Nothing feels better to us than customers coming to meet us and leaving with a complete prescription to change the status of their sleep health. I am happiest when we can make a difference to local customers and upgrade their wellbeing with woolroom products. Everyone is welcome in the showroom – whether casual browsers looking for more information about our range or those who would like an appointment with one of our sleep consultants to discuss their personal sleep requirements. Come and see us –we look forward to helping you achieve a healthy, natural sleep.’

‘I am happiest when we can make a difference to local customers and upgrade their wellbeing with woolroom products’

woolroom, 33–35 pillings road, oakham le15 6qf | 01780 461217

open mon–fri 9am–5pm & weekends by appointment

thewoolroom.com @woolroom

07482

info@blackshawinteriordesign.co.uk

Blackshaw Interior Design

Originally from this region, Sally Blackshaw trained in London, specialising in design management. Founding her company, Blackshaw Interior Design, in 2006, Sally has been working internationally ever since, and her studio has garnered a compelling reputation with clients in Europe as well as Dubai and Thailand

words: amander meade

photos: courtesy of blackshaw interior design

SEEKING OPPORTUNITIES in the luxury property

sector after her studies were complete, Sally (pictured opposite) moved over 20 years ago to Southern Spain, where she could flex her design muscles with international clients, both commercial and domestic. ‘At that time, Marbella was booming for people qualified in design because the property market was strong, and there were plenty of opportunities in the luxury sector.’

In the years that followed, Sally and her talented team developed an enviable reputation for their design and project management skills and are regarded as a serious player in Marbella’s property renovation market.

Having always travelled back and forth to the UK to maintain ties with her family and friends, Sally now finds she is much in demand here, so has established a UK branch of her company, Blackshaw Interior Design in Stamford. ‘I still have customers worldwide, but it will be exciting to work with British clients on some of the beautiful properties we find in this part of the world,’ she adds.

A 360-Degree Service

Working with property investors and private clients alike, Sally offers services including a full project management portfolio. ‘We can help identify a property for development, and, when on the very first site visit, I find myself immediately imagining the possibilities – what the house could become,’ she explains. ‘Once a property has been chosen, our team begin planning and creating 2D and 3D visualisations and mood boards, so clients can truly envision

the finished result.’ From here, Sally can curate a team of approved contractors to undertake renovation work. She collaborates with architects and building professionals, originates the design of the interior and procures fittings, fixtures and furnishings down to the last light switch or cushion.

‘Typically a client will approach me through a referral via their estate agent or architect and broadly discuss changes they would like to make to their property. The brief can be as wide or as narrow as they require – from a consultation for advice to our full 360-degree project management service. I’m the person that pulls the whole project together, taking into account all the smallest factors that make any space a joy to live or work in. I’m a details person, so will consider every element of every project from start to finish –something my clients have always appreciated.’

Passionately dedicated to her profession, Sally prides herself on keeping ahead of current trends and is aware of the most promising up-and-coming designers. ‘I’m very collaborative. Pinterest is a wonderful tool for inspiration, but I was trained to design bespoke spaces, and for a truly creative and unique result I use my design skills in harmony with the aesthetic of the property and, of course, the client’s wishes. I do like to use local expertise wherever possible and also to support the best of British designers and suppliers – especially our heritage brands. I have built up a tried-and-tested “library” of suppliers and brands I draw upon, based on service and quality, to ensure a dependable level of service and efficiency for my clients.’

Commercially Aware

A key strength offered by Blackshaw Interior Design is the development of commercial interiors, as Sally has a breadth of experience in the design of hotels, restaurants, spas and retail spaces. ‘We study the corporate identity of the brand thoroughly to ensure the interior space reflects the concept and branding from the colour of the walls right down to the logo on the menu, for example. With a commercial project, the earlier in the process we can be involved, the better. With all projects, there is a very specific order of procedure to follow before a renovation even begins or a building team sets foot on site. With me, everything is planned and chosen well in advance, so that a builder can not only quote accurately but execute the work effectively with no avoidable surprises, delays or upsets to the schedule. The beauty of employing a project manager is that the property owner is not bombarded with questions or decisions while they are usually involved in other things. This is often the cause of most major stress during a renovation and can easily be avoided by commissioning the services of a professional.’

Making Life Joyful

Sally’s talent and wide experience means that she is dedicated to ensuring her clients are nothing less than thrilled with the results of any project she has managed. ‘Practical living is what we are aiming for. Making life easier and more joyful for the occupants. Details matter from the very beginning through to the very end.’

‘I’m the person that pulls the whole project together, taking into account all the smallest factors that make any space a joy to live or work in’

sally would love to hear from anyone interested in property development or renovation. you can find out more and get in touch as follows:

07482 838354

info@blackshawinteriordesign.co.uk www.blackshawinteriordesign.co.uk

We believe that building relationships through honest communication and providing outstanding service is as important as the projects we construct. With over 40 years experience in the industry, our teams of professionals have been trained to give you the best service from start to finish. We can guarantee results to be proud of, whether you are in need of roof repairs or a full roof replacement. Contact us on:

Heritage and listed property contractors, keeping the beautiful past preserved for the future.

Stamford’s leading flat roof contractor for over 40 years, fitting the best products at a price that reflects the lifespan and quality of the product.

Tel/Fax: 01780 754498

Mob: 07930 529905

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words:

Rutland Renewables

ABLEND of home-grown expertise, traditional values and excellent customer care has been applied to a local green energy business and proved a winning formula for business partners

Tim Mayers and Will Armstrong, founders of Rutland Renewables. Experts in renewable energy, Tim and Will have created a highly trained and expanding team of renewable energy engineers, all living and working across Rutland and the surrounding areas. ‘It was important to us to create a company that would not only serve a useful purpose in our community but that would train and develop young people with solid skills in a growing industry. It’s fundamentally important to us that everything we do is accurate, fairly priced and reliable. We live in this community, so the quality of our installations has to be of the highest standard at all times.’ Tim retrained in plumbing and heating himself from scratch after a career in the British Army, so understands the value of learning from the ground up.

How it Works

Rutland Renewables are experts in the installation of the solar panels appearing on the roofs of more and more properties. These panels store and convert solar energy into usable electricity. As installation costs continue to reduce, most domestic and commercial customers recoup the cost of installing the panels, a battery (where extra energy generated is stored for running household appliances) and an EV charger within five years. After this point they are in a cost-neutral position, effectively generating free green energy, which can offset energy bills by an enormous amount annually.

The company holds MCS certification (Microgeneration Certification Scheme), which ensures renewable energy products are built to a sufficient quality, perform at an optimal level and operate safely. ‘Renewable product installation by an MCS-certified

installation company is not subject to VAT, which means there is already a significant saving of 20%,’ explains Tim. ‘We are also members of the National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers, which means we are fully audited annually and can issue Building Control Certificates, so customers avoid the extra cost of an external building inspection with peace of mind.’

Favourable Rates

‘Although most people are much better informed about green energy in general, some worry that the installation costs might be prohibitive,’ adds Will. ‘However, smart tariffs are now as low as 7p per unit, meaning that batteries can be recharged at a very low cost overnight with energy for use during the day. Plus, you can sell back any excess energy to the national grid for much more than it costs to buy, creating an extra financial benefit. South-facing roofs are great, but east- and west-facing aspects are equally effective, so it’s definitely worth reexamining your solar options if you were put off by high costs initially.’

There’s good news too for early adopters who installed PV panels around a decade ago, as these can be updated with a battery installation without losing the original Feed-in Tariffs (FITs). This offers an even greater benefit and could reduce bills even further.

Tailored Quotations

Tim and Will are delighted to undertake site visits personally, so you can be assured there is no hard sell or pressure to make a decision. An initial chat lasts around 20 to 30 minutes, followed by comprehensive details and tailored pricing. ‘Each quotation is wholly individual as we assess current requirements along with any predicted additional needs. We quote according to budget, requirements or a combination of the two. We are always completely transparent about what is achievable. Upgrades and phased installation can be arranged to suit adapting budgets. Panels do not generally need planning permission even in a conservation area.

‘From the very first contact with our team, we go out of our way to ensure the quality of service meets or exceeds expectations. The same goes for professional courtesy on-site. No customer is invoiced until they are completely satisfied with the work undertaken. We are confident in our products, our service and our team. We aim to be the very best at what we do.’

CONTACT: 01572 335665 | info@rutlandrenewables.co.uk www.rutlandrenewables.co.uk | @rutlandrenewables

Reggie The Dachshund Cross

words: amander meade

Meet the impressively titled Major Reginald Valentine Beaumont McClure (Reggie for short), the beloved dachshund cross owned and collectively named by the McClure family

ALTHOUGH he had always owned Jack Russells in the past, Paul McClure came under increasing pressure from his wife, Amy, and their two girls Lola Rose and Flossie, to acquire a puppy, and a dachshund was the breed of choice from the family’s female contingent.

‘Every day Amy was adding to her online research and posting about her unrequited wish on Facebook, so everywhere I went to play (Paul is a professional musician, songwriter and singer), audiences were gently mocking me for standing in her way, and, ultimately, the ladies of the house achieved their goal,’ admits Paul. He goes on to claim that he is now Reggie’s favourite person, so it appears his conversion is complete.

After spotting a suitable litter in Derbyshire and receiving all the usual information, videos and pictures, the McClures travelled to pick up their pup and delightedly brought him home. Ironically, as Reggie grew, it became apparent that he was definitely larger than a standard dachshund and likely to be a Jack Russell cross after all, so an inadvertent compromise had taken place.

‘Life changed in the household from day one,’ Paul recalls, ‘and Reggie was an enthusiastic chewer as a puppy. It was a great day for Reg when he finally grew big enough to jump on the sofa. He’s a great seeker of company and is my constant companion while I’m at home writing, playing or cooking. He’s happiest when he’s in the centre of the family.’ One family member who is not such a fan is Pearl, the family cat who lives upstairs. ‘Reg never goes upstairs, which is an arrangement that suits them both. They rarely come nose to nose.’ Paul has built Reggie his own Harry Potter-style home under the stairs, where he has his own dedicated space to retreat to at night or when it’s too busy in the house.

‘Life

is just better with a dog’

Flossie has taught four-year-old Reggie lots of tricks, and he can now count shaking paws, offering a high five and spinning within his repertoire. ‘We all love him immensely and he travels with us when the family join me at performances and when we go on holiday. There isn’t a county in England with a coastline that he hasn’t run on – although he is scared of the sea.’ Other things Reg dislikes include bridges, fetching a ball, anything with wheels and the sound of Paul playing harmonica, which makes him howl. On his tick list is shredding blankets, the beach, watching dogs on the television, following patches of sunshine around the room and a little bit of cheese as a treat. ‘Dachshunds are known to be very vocal, and Reg does bark at anyone approaching the house, but once he’s met you, he never barks again. He’s not aggressive and has never shown his teeth, but his protective nature makes him a great guard dog.’

Reggie’s two biggest fans must be Flossie and Lola Rose, who describe him as lots of fun and the fifth member of the family. ‘He’s funny, lively and makes us laugh. He’s very loyal and loves us as much as we love him,’ say the girls. Paul agrees. ‘He just suits us down to the ground as a family. He’s part of us. We all walk him, and he is happy to walk for miles, despite his short legs. It’s important to incorporate dogs into your lifestyle, but adaptations have to be made of course. Life is just better with a dog.’

Paul McClure performs as The Rutland Troubadour and has a new album due for release in March 2026 with a tour planned for March/April 2026. You can get in touch with Paul at paulmccluremusic@gmail.com & find him on Facebook or on Instagram: @paulmccluremusic

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Reformer Pilates

EQUILIBRIUM GYM + FITNESS, KETTON

When Rebecca Chantrell and her friends, Chloe and Michelle, were invited to Equilibrium Gym in Ketton for a private Reformer Pilates class with Harri, they discovered just how transformative this dynamic form of exercise can be

What is a Reformer?

The Pilates Reformer is a piece of equipment designed by Joseph Pilates in the 1920s. While working with hospital patients during World War I, he ingeniously adapted their beds by attaching springs to help them exercise and regain strength – this inspired the modern Reformer. On it, you perform Pilates movements that focus on alignment, breathing and control: the ABCs of Pilates.

The machine has springs attached that can be changed to challenge your movement – you might make it lighter to offer less resistance or heavier for more. The Reformer features a moving carriage that you can lie, kneel, sit or even stand on. It also has straps for arms and legs – once pushed or pulled, these make the carriage move.

How is Reformer Pilates different from Mat Pilates?

Mat work uses your own body weight for resistance, while the Reformer adds springs that vary the resistance – helping to build muscle strength and tone more quickly.

Who is it suitable for?

The class is excellent for all ages and fitness abilities, as it can be tailored to suit you. What I really liked was that Harri gives you immediate feedback as to how your body is moving. With her keen eye and 10 years’ experience, she instinctively knows when you need to ramp things up or take things down a notch. You can adjust the intensity of the workout in line with your fitness and flexibility level. The Reformer is also brilliant for anyone needing rehabilitation or strengthening of any kind, and it would certainly complement all other forms of exercise.

How does a class work?

Equilibrium has invested in a Reformer for the instructor, meaning that Harri can demonstrate each move before you try it yourself (or attempt to, in our case). I learn best by watching and copying, so this was super helpful and kept the class flowing beautifully.

The variety of movements you can do is endless. I loved that the class sizes are small – a maximum of eight people, all with their own Reformer – so you get plenty of individual attention. Harri also runs one-to-one and private sessions like the one we attended.

Does it work?

Yes, it works! Just after our first session I could feel I had activated muscle groups that had been dormant for some time. I’m a horse

rider, and Harri explained that Reformer Pilates would be excellent for my posture and balance.

What my friends had to say…

Michelle: ‘I loved the class! Harri was awesome – super encouraging – and helped me get into the right positions. She even noticed one of my hips was off, probably from years of carrying children around! I felt amazing afterwards – the Reformer really helped me stretch out, feel more aligned and work muscles I didn’t even know I had. Can’t wait for the next class!’

Chloe: ‘As someone who’s wanted to try Reformer classes for a while, having seen it all over social media, I felt slightly nervous to try something new. But I needn’t have been, as Harri was so warm and friendly; I felt totally at ease and so comfortable in her class. I thoroughly enjoyed moving my body in a different way. As a runner, I found it so refreshing to take a slightly less sweaty approach to exercise! I’ll be back for sure!’

What’s Equilibrium Gym + Fitness Ketton like?

It has a holistic approach – from the cafe, nourishing from the inside with protein-boosted smoothies, to the industrial-style decor and lovely saunas in the changing rooms. With over 80 classes to attend each week and 24/7 auto-entry access to a state-of-the-art gym, there’s something for everyone. They even have sports massage and physiotherapy rooms to enhance performance or aid recovery.

When are the classes?

Reformer sessions run five times a week and are open to members and non-members. You can pay as you go, and members get a discount on the cost of sessions. Equilibrium are currently offering free taster sessions – to find out more and book, contact the team on 01780 769899.

The class was such a treat from start to finish. Harri was unbelievably welcoming – her enthusiasm for the Reformer and keeping the body moving, no matter your age or ability, was super refreshing and encouraging. Highly recommended.

Equilibrium Gym + Fitness, Pit Lane, Ketton, Stamford

PE9 3SZ | www.equilibrium.fit | @equilibrium_ketton

words: rebecca chantrell | makeupbybecca.co.uk @rebeccachantrellmakeup

sculpt | strengthen | align

Book your FREE session on our app with code: REFORMER25

Movement designed to sculpt, strengthen, and elongate your body with control and precision.

Small-group sessions guided by expert instructors to deliver real results. This is where form meets function, and movement meets mastery.

Equilibrium, Pit Lane, Ketton | 01780 769899 www.equilibrium. t/app/member

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BEAUTY | WELLNESS

Beauty with Daniel Sandler

This month, international makeup artist and founder of his eponymous makeup line, Daniel Sandler takes us step by step through a makeover in a fabulous cause

THIS MONTH, I’d love to share a story that combines a wonderful cause with a very special local lady, Sue. A bit of background first: my good friend Sally, who manages the Cancer Research UK shop in Stamford, asked if I’d be willing to donate a raffle prize to support Dame Deborah James’ Bowelbabe Fund (www.bowelbabe.org). Of course, I said. The prize was a one-to-one makeup lesson with me – and the lucky winner turned out to be Sue

From the moment Sue arrived at our Stamford studio, we hit it off. She has an understated approach to makeup, and when she opened her bag, her collection was minimal. That’s never a problem in my book – in fact, I love it.

Sue explained that she wanted to learn a quick, easy daytime look that she could recreate herself, plus a few tips to elevate her makeup for special occasions such as weddings or lunches. Perfect. That’s exactly what I enjoy most: tailoring a session to someone’s lifestyle and helping them to feel confident in their own skin. Sue’s lightweight foundation was already a great match, so we focused on how a touch of concealer could balance her complexion. I showed Sue some simple ways to make her striking green eyes pop, along with how to shape and define her brows for a polished frame. I added a natural flush with blush and explored flattering lip colour options.

I always keep things practical and achievable – never overly complicated – because makeup should fit seamlessly into real life. Working with women like Sue and showing them just how easy it can be to feel radiant and confident is what I truly love. Sue left the session glowing, with a big smile – and that made my day.

Sue said: ‘It was such a lovely surprise to have won the raffle in the Cancer Research shop. I am a regular customer in there – always searching for a bargain! I had a wonderful time being made up. Daniel was amazing, and it was a lovely experience. I have had lots of compliments and, more importantly, it gave me a boost. Thank you again.’

For a bespoke one-to-one session at my Stamford studio – a truly memorable experience for yourself or as a cherished Christmas gift – email daniel@danielsandler.com

www.danielsandler.com | @danielsandlermakeup

SUE’S MAKEOVER| STEP BY STEP

STEP 1 • PREP

After skincare, I applied a little of my Anti-Redness Foundation Primer to areas of high colour.

STEP 2 • BASE

I applied foundation only where the skin tone needed evening out. I added concealer to lids, inner corners, under the eyes and beneath the cheekbones using a concealer brush.

STEP 3 • CHEEKS

I blended my Watercolour Liquid Blush in ‘Gentle’ onto the cheeks – can be done either using a finger or with my Waterbrush – for a natural glow.

STEP 4 • EYES

I swept a pale shimmer eyeshadow across the lids and up to the brow bone. I then added a matte shade into the sockets for definition. I lined the upper lashes with my brown longlasting, waterproof eyeliner and softened it with my smudger brush. You can then finish with mascara if needed.

STEP 5 • BROWS

I brushed brows upwards and filled any gaps with pencil or eyeshadow for soft, natural definition.

STEP 6 • HIGHLIGHT & LIPS

I tapped a little of my Blossom Colour Beauty Glow Primer onto the cheekbones and lips. I then applied my Watercolour Liquid Blush in ‘So Pretty’ to the apples of the cheeks, before lining the lips with a nude pencil and using the same blush shade on the lips.

STEP 7 • FINISH

I dusted a touch of my Invisible Veil Pressed Powder along the T-zone for a flawless finish.

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732 104

November at YourCore Reformer

We offer small group sessions with 8 Reformers, 5 Mat Pilates and Barre classes, plus Postnatal Pilates, and 1:1 and 2:1 private training options, perfect for every level and stage of your journey.

If you’re interested in joining us, please email YourCoreReformer@gmail.com.

You can also view our full class schedule at www.YourCoreReformer.co.uk.

We’re hosting a festive Potluck Christmas Gathering on Saturday, 6th December at 1:00 PM at our studio. Everyone is welcome - come along, bring a dish or drink to share, and celebrate the season with our YourCore community!

Nest & Nurture

We caught up with Chloe Barnes, founder of Nest & Nurture UK, offering antenatal, baby massage and baby yoga classes in Stamford and Rutland and supporting parents from bump to baby and beyond

Tell us a little about your background, Chloe.

I first trained and worked as a Midwife in Leicester and later went on to complete a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Visiting. I’ve cared for women, babies and families in the NHS for over 10 years and currently work in the community as a Health Visitor for a local NHS Trust. This keeps me up to date with training and best practice. It means I can offer parents accurate, current and practical advice. I always knew I wanted to work in a caring profession, and, after work experience on a maternity ward in 2012, I realised that supporting families at such a special stage of life was exactly what I wanted to do.

And what about Nest & Nurture – what do you offer?

I set up Nest & Nurture at the start of 2025 to support parents from pregnancy through to those early months with their new baby, and so far I have welcomed over 50 clients. I run antenatal courses at The William Cecil in Stamford, and baby massage and baby yoga classes at The Loft at Rutland Nursery.

Antenatal Courses: these run over multiple sessions including weekday evenings and a weekend day across a one-month period and are open to anyone from 20 weeks pregnant (ideally between 26–38 weeks). Each group has a maximum of six couples to keep it personal and relaxed. We cover late stages of pregnancy, labour, birth, feeding, baby care and common newborn issues such as colic, and the course includes a baby and child first aid session delivered by Mini First Aid. Parents also receive a one-to-one session with me – either at home or online – to talk through any questions and to work through their birth plan.

Baby Massage & Baby Yoga: at Rutland Nursery, I run five-week courses in baby massage (from six weeks old) and baby yoga (from 12 weeks old). Each one-hour session includes time to settle in and catch up before we start. In massage, we focus on a different part of the body each week, while yoga combines gentle movements and stretches for both parent and baby.

What makes your classes different?

Led by a qualified midwife and health visitor, the sessions are all about creating supportive, friendly spaces where parents feel empowered and can learn, relax and connect. There’s always time to chat and share experiences, and I love seeing each group form its own community. I set up a WhatsApp group for my antenatal groups, so those who wish can stay in touch – most do! The venues are stylish and welcoming, with easy parking and on-site restaurants, so parents often stay on for a drink or bite to eat. I invite local guest speakers, such as physiotherapists and nutritionists, and bring my own scales to baby massage/baby yoga for those who would like to weigh their baby. It’s all about offering something personal, premium and non-judgmental. As one parent, Lauren, shared: ‘Chloe has gone above and beyond for me with both of my babies, patiently answering all of my questions and ensuring I understood all of my options throughout pregnancy, delivery and postnatally. Particularly with my first baby, there were so many things I wouldn’t have had a clue about if it wasn’t for Chloe’s support, but I felt so much more prepared and confident with her guidance. She really is amazing at what she does, and I cannot recommend Nest & Nurture enough.’

What do you love about working in Stamford and Rutland?

I grew up locally and went to college in Stamford, so I’ve always loved the area. It’s beautiful. After going to university and working in Leicester and Peterborough Hospitals as a Midwife, I moved here a couple of years ago and couldn’t imagine being anywhere else now.

LEFT: Chloe Barnes. BELOW: The Loft at Rutland Nursery.

GET IN TOUCH & BOOK

Full details of all courses and booking information are on Chloe’s website. Nest & Nurture’s next antenatal course starts on Thursday 8 January at The William Cecil in Stamford.

Follow Chloe on Instagram & Facebook for updates.

nestandnurtureuk

www.nestandnurtureuk.com

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www.psychologistuk.co.uk

Johan Truter

www.psychologistuk.co.uk

Orion House, 14 Barn Hill, Stamford, PE9 2AE

Orion House, 14 Barn Hill, Stamford, PE9 2AE

www.psychologistuk.co.uk

Orion House, 14 Barn Hill, Stamford, PE9 2AE

www.psychologistuk.co.uk

www.psychologistuk.co.uk

Orion House, 14 Barn Hill, Stamford, PE9 2AE

Orion House, 14 Barn Hill, Stamford, PE9 2AE

Tel: 01780 758556

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Orion House, 14 Barn Hill, Stamford, PE9 2AE

Orion House, 14 Barn Hill, Stamford, PE9 2AE

www.psychologistuk.co.uk

Orion House, 14 Barn Hill, Stamford, PE9 2AE

Orion House, 14 Barn Hill, Stamford, PE9 2AE

Orion House, 14 Barn Hill, Stamford, PE9 2AE

Psychotherapist

Orion House, 14 Barn Hill, Stamford, PE9 2AE

Tel: 01780 758556

www.psychologistuk.co.uk

Psychotherapist

Psychotherapist

Psychotherapist

www.psychologistuk.co.uk

Psychotherapist

Psychotherapist

Dr Herman Holtzhausen

Psychotherapist

Psychotherapist Dr Herman Holtzhausen

Dr Herman Holtzhausen

Dr Herman Holtzhausen

Mbl: 07563241359

Psychotherapist Dr Herman Holtzhausen

Orion House, 14 Barn Hill, Stamford, PE9 2AE

Psychotherapist

www.psychologistuk.co.uk

Dr Herman Holtzhausen

Psychotherapist Dr Herman Holtzhausen

Dr Herman Holtzhausen

Mbl: 07563241359

Psychotherapist Dr Herman Holtzhausen

Mbl: 07563241359

Dr Herman Holtzhausen

Orion House, 14 Barn Hill, Stamford, PE9 2AE

Mbl: 07563241359

Dr Herman Holtzhausen

Mbl: 07563241359

Mbl: 07563241359

www.stamfordpsychotherapist.co.uk

Dr Herman Mbl: 07563241359

Orion House, 14 Barn Hill, Stamford, PE9 2AE

Chartered Clinical Psychologist

www.stamfordpsychotherapist.co.uk

Mbl: 07563241359

www.stamfordpsychotherapist.co.uk

www.stamfordpsychotherapist.co.uk

www.stamfordpsychotherapist.co.uk

www.stamfordpsychotherapist.co.uk

Child and Adult Speciality, EMDR Consultant

Mbl: 07563241359

Psychotherapist

Mbl: 07563241359 www.stamfordpsychotherapist.co.uk

Mbl: 07563241359 www.stamfordpsychotherapist.co.uk

Mbl: 07563241359 www.stamfordpsychotherapist.co.uk

www.stamfordpsychotherapist.co.uk

Child and Adult Speciality, EMDR Consultant

Child and Adult Speciality, Consultant

Child and Adult Speciality, EMDR Consultant

Child and Adult Speciality, EMDR Consultant

Child and Adult EMDR Consultant

Johan Truter

www.stamfordpsychotherapist.co.uk

Psychotherapist

Child Speciality, EMDR

Child and Adult Speciality, EMDR Consultant

Dr Alexandra Dent

Child and Adult Speciality, EMDR Consultant

Child and Adult Speciality, Consultant

Dr Alexandra Dent

Psychotherapist

Child and Adult Speciality, EMDR Consultant

Dr Alexandra Dent

Dr Alexandra Dent

Mbl: 07986 585270

Dr Alexandra Dent

Dr Alexandra Dent

Dr Herman Holtzhausen

Child and Adult Speciality, EMDR Consultant

Dr Alexandra Dent

Mbl: 07986 585270

Dr Alexandra Dent

Mbl: 07986 585270

Dr Alexandra Dent

Dr Alexandra Dent

Dr Herman Holtzhausen

Tel: 01780 758556

www.alexandradent.co.uk

Mbl: 07986 585270

Mbl: 07986 585270

Mbl: 07986 585270

Dr Alexandra Dent

Mbl: 07986 585270 www.alexandradent.co.uk

Dr Herman Holtzhausen

Mbl: 07986 585270

Mbl: 07563241359

www.alexandradent.co.uk

www.alexandradent.co.uk

www.alexandradent.co.uk

www.alexandradent.co.uk

Mbl: 07986 585270 www.alexandradent.co.uk

www.alexandradent.co.uk

Mbl: 07986 585270

Mbl: 07986 585270 www.alexandradent.co.uk

Mbl: 07986 585270 www.alexandradent.co.uk

www.psychologistuk.co.uk

Mbl: 07563241359

www.alexandradent.co.uk

Online psychology workshops: www.heartledpsycotherapy.com/workshops/

Online psychology workshops: www.heartledpsycotherapy.com/workshops/

www.alexandradent.co.uk

Online psychology workshops: www.heartledpsycotherapy.com/workshops/

Online psychology workshops: www.heartledpsycotherapy.com/workshops/

Mbl: 07563241359

www.stamfordpsychotherapist.co.uk

www.stamfordpsychotherapist.co.uk

www.stamfordpsychotherapist.co.uk

Psychotherapist

Child and Adult Speciality, EMDR Consultant

Child and Adult Speciality, EMDR Consultant

Child and Adult Speciality, EMDR Consultant

Dr Alexandra Dent

Dr Herman Holtzhausen

Dr Alexandra Dent

Mbl: 07986 585270

Dr Alexandra Dent

Tel: 01780 758543

Mbl: 07986 585270

www.alexandradent.co.uk

Mbl: 07986 585270

www.stamfordpsychotherapist.co.uk

www.alexandradent.co.uk

www.alexandradent.co.uk

Orion House, 14 Barn Hill, Stamford, PE9 2AE

Online psychology workshops: www.heartledpsycotherapy.com/workshops/

Oat Hill Mews

Enjoy Each Day Your Way

AT CARE UK’S Oat Hill Mews care home in Market Harborough, you can enjoy each day your way, whilst enjoying luxurious surroundings and receiving award-winning care from the dedicated team. Hannah Story of Care UK told us: ‘We treat everyone who joins us at Oat Hill Mews as individuals, so that you can take your life with you on your journey into care. You’ll be supported to continue much-loved hobbies such as gardening, baking or boules. With the support of our expert team, you may also wish to try new things, making plenty of new friends on the way!

It’s All About Lifestyle

‘At Oat Hill Mews,’ Hannah continued, ‘our team is passionate about supporting you to enjoy a fulfilling life, full of meaningful experiences. When you join us, we’ll work with you and your family to learn all about your needs, interests and preferences – even the way you like your tea in the morning – so we can create a care plan entirely tailored to you.

‘Is there a goal or wish you’d love to fulfil? We’ll do our best to make it happen. Recently, Care UK residents have enjoyed all sorts, from ballet performances to riding ziplines and flying planes! If you prefer the quiet life, you’re welcome to enjoy a pamper in our beauty salon or take a stroll in our beautiful, landscaped gardens.

‘Our Lifestyle team always have a full itinerary of exciting activities to get involved in should you wish. There’s everything from cheese and wine evenings, to live entertainment and gentle exercise classes. We’re often joined by local groups, charities or schools too, so residents feel connected to local life.’

Everything Under One Roof

‘Oat Hill Mews is a purpose-built care home where every luxury has been thought of. There’s a café, hair and beauty salon, cinema, bar and beautiful landscaped gardens. We also have our very own minibus, so you’re welcome to join us on day trips to nearby local parks.

‘At Care UK,’ Hannah explained, ‘we’ve been delivering high-quality, person-centred care for over 40 years. That’s why over 8,000 families across the country trust us to care for their older loved one.’

‘When

you join us, we’ll work with you and your family to learn all about your needs, interests and preferences – even the way you like your tea in the morning – so we can create a care plan entirely tailored to you’

GET IN TOUCH & FIND OUT MORE: Oat Hill Mews Care Home Leicester Road Market Harborough LE16 7BN

01858 390356 careuk.com/oat-hill-mews @careukcarehomes

This Christmas, discover something special at Gates. Get into the festive spirit at Woodlands Hinckley or Oakham. With everything under one roof, you’ll get all your Christmas shopping done in a single day! Explore our Christmas halls, enjoy delicious food, or dine with Santa. Find stylish brands and unique gifts, alongside locally sourced produce, farm bred meats and the finest turkeys in our farm shops.

Shop Local, Give Joy

Treat your loved ones to something special this Christmas while supporting our brilliant local independents. This is the first of two festive gift guides –with more inspiration coming in December!

@maisonsixlingerie

shop local, give joy

FASHION & JEWELLERY

Kit Heath Silver Coast Pebble Linking Pebbles Bracelet, £165, RUBIROX of Stamford. rubirox.co.uk

Sheepies slippers (from sizes 3 up), £45 per pair, Anna Couture of Stamford. @anna.couture.boutique

Hollie Tree sterling silver earrings, £20, from a range (including necklaces at £30) at Love It of Stamford. loveitshop.co.uk

Hope & Ivy The Sindy Pyjamas, £60, Energy of Stamford. energy-clothing.com

Hanne Diamond Cluster Ring, £4,365, Heidi Kjeldsen of Oakham. heidikjeldsen.co.uk

9ct yellow gold almondine garnet vintage ring, £375, Harpur’s of Oundle, harpurjewellery.com

Chanel silver fan pendant necklace, £950, Arch Label Agency of Stamford. archlabelagency.com

Leather & Silver Story Bracelet, £75, Morgan & French of Stamford. morganandfrench.com

Bee crossbody bag in silver (also available in other colours), £34, B Boutique by Rebecca, Stamford. bboutiquebyrebecca.com

ART, BOOKS, CRAFTS, MUSIC, STATIONERY

Small Rectangular Slab Platter by JeanNicolas Gérard, £195, Goldmark Gallery of Uppingham. goldmarkart.com

Cross-Stitch Kit, £12.90, The Stamford Fabric Company of Stamford Walk. thestamfordfabriccompany.com

‘Cielo’ (Sky), handmade sculpture by Penny Jones, 10”, £375, Wingates Gallery, Market Harborough. wingatesgallery.co.uk

*Free Gewa Bio Case with this violin during the month of December 2025. Show this page or the Stamford Strings’ advert in this magazine to claim your case!

Brazenose Terra Violin, £2,975, Stamford Strings, special offer* for Stamford & Rutland Living readers, stamfordstrings.co.uk

‘Ultimate Collector Watches’ by Charlotte & Peter Fiell (Taschen), £250, St Mary’s Books

Set of 12 Sennelier Pastel Pencils, £39.95, Griffin of Easton, Easton Walled Gardens. visiteaston.co.uk

Scented cedarwood pencils, £15 for a boxed set of six, The Great of Great Easton, also online at imogenowen.com

‘The Musketeers’, £375 (framed), watercolour with pen & ink by Maxine Dodd. maxinedoddart.co.uk

‘Fishy on a Dishy’ by Jane Hooper, £1,750, The Rutland Gallery, Uppingham, rutlandgallery.com

FOR THE HOME

Fuchsia herringbone Shetland wool throw, RRP £84.99 (at time of printing, there was 25% off this), woolroom, thewoolroom.com

Hand-painted Burghley Bauble 2025, £12.50, Burghley House gift shop, burghley.co.uk

Bramley Wellness Tent (with products as shown), £56.50, Rutland Nursery of Manton. rutlandnursery.co.uk

Quilted bow tree topper (shown in multi; also in other colourways), £50, Danielle Churchill Interiors. daniellechurchill.co.uk

Hezha serving plate, £48, Hunters Interiors of Uffington, nr Stamford. huntersinteriors.co.uk

Noël clean-burning soy candle, in 3 sizes from £24, The Wick & Wax Co of Stamford. thewickandwax.co

Luxury 12 Days of Christmas Advent Calendar, £150, Freckleface of Stamford. frecklefacehomefragrance.com

Branche d’Olive diffuser, from a range at Sarah Harding Interiors of Uppingham. sarahhardinginteriors.co.uk

Striped Gisela Graham jug, £8.50, New Lodge Farm Shop, nr Bulwick. newlodgefarm.co.uk

VOUCHER IDEAS

Hand-turned wooden bowls, £60 (small), £160 (large), spinning tops, £20, fōrm&blōm (see p60), Oakham. formblom.co.uk

Fotheringhay Christmas trees at Walcot Lodge Farms; pick your own or order online (see p100) fotheringhaychristmastrees.com

Afghan Stool with mid-1900s’ kilim, £225, The Rug Studio at St Martin’s Antiques, st-martins-antiques.co.uk

Le Creuset Cruets, £39.99 each (ask in store re offers for a set), from a lovely range at Stu-Pots of Oundle. stu-pots.com

Musical chopping board £12.99, Stamford Music Shop of St Mary’s Hill, stamfordmusicshop.co.uk

Lemax Christmas Cheer Carousel (from an incredible range), £49.99, Gates Garden Centre, Oakham. gatesgardencentre.co.uk

Hambleton Bakery vouchers – in £5, £10 and £20 denominations, to redeem online or in-store. hambletonbakery.co.uk

Gift vouchers for a meal out, £25, £50 & £100 vouchers available, The George Inn, Oakham, thegeorgeinnoakham.co.uk

Wellness Retreat Day at Homefield Grange, from £175, Homefield Grange, homefieldgrangeretreat.co.uk

KIDS & FOODIES

Personalised children’s PJs (up to age 10), £24.99, embroidery from £10, Stork of Stamford. storkofstamford.com

Adaline Dolls Pram with steel frame & recycled cotton top by Liewood (3+), £132, Marcia May Mini. marciamaystamford.co.uk

Festive Mini Gifts (can be filled with the liqueur of your choice from the range), Vom Fass of Stamford. vomfassuk.com shop

Theo Turkey, £50, from a gorgeous range of Jellycat soft toys at YOU of Stamford, youstamford.co.uk

25th Anniversary Olive Branch cans: wines £5.50, Hazy Session IPA £3.75, The Olive Branch. theolivebranchpub.com

Belvoir Castle white wine, £19.95, Belvoir Castle Farm Shop. belvoircastle.com/ retail-village/shops/farm-shop

Beautiful bespoke hampers & gift boxes from The Pickled Shop in Bulwick, from £35 (the gift above is£65). thepickledshop.com

Thomas with Annie & Clarabel Electric Train Set, £118.95, Trains4U of Peterborough. trains4u.com

, mallardpoint.co.uk

Whether you’re treating yourself to a meal from our two AA Rosette A la Carte menu, relaxing by the fire with a cosy meal, or simply catching up with friends over a tipple or two! Madison Keys, Zak Perrin, and the team at The Falcon, warmly welcome you seven days a week!

Mondays-Thursdays:

Food served 12-2pm and 5-8pm, bar closes at 10pm Fridays-Saturdays:

Food served 12-8pm, bar closes at 11pm Sundays:

Food served 12-3pm, bar closes at 5pm

What's on?

Easy as Pie Mondays

Join us every Monday for our homemade pies, a selection of your favourites paired with all the trimmings for just £10!

Darts Social nights!

(Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5pm)

Complimentary snacks provided in the evening

Fish and Chip Fridays!

Enjoy our local real ale battered Haddock and chips, crushed minted peas and tarragon tartare sauce all for just £10 between 12-8pm on Fridays!

Return of our Ready to Roast Kits!

Ready to order through our website now.

Our festive menus are also available to view on our website

The Millstone at Barnack

As the evenings draw in, so an ancient pub such as The Millstone Inn at Barnack provides a warm and friendly haven

THE MILLSTONE INN AT BARNACK has been a thriving pub once again in this lovely village for the last four or so years, first under the ownership of Paul and Laura who undertook a hugely successful refurbishment of the place, creating a classic traditional look oozing comfort and style; and now under the management of Paul Sharma, who has added a heated outside area, and truly innovated with a menu that offers all the pub classics but now also has a global twist as well.

We visited on a beautiful autumnal evening in early October. Front-of-house manager Sam showed us to our table, and made us feel at home and well looked after throughout the evening. As we sat down we noticed a Buddha on the wall, perhaps a clue to expect something a little different on the menu. And, indeed, we were not disappointed. The menu successfully brings together three strands:

• Pub Classics – meat, fish, risottos, paellas, pastas, burgers

• Global Food Twists – sushi rolls, curries

• Cooking on Hot Stone – cook your own steak, pork or seafood to perfection

This ambitious and inviting menu has been made possible by the hiring of a top chef, Pascal, who has 15 years of experience at top hotels in Dubai and is able to cook many styles of dish to an impressively high standard.

‘With the “Cooking on Hot Stone” menu, you choose between steak, pork and seafood, and you then cook it yourself on the volcanic stone, which is about 400ºC and brought to your table!’

STARTERS: There were lots of inviting options on the menu. Clare had the vegetable gyoza: steamed and seared Japanese dumplings served with a ponzu sauce. It was delicious. Frank had the classic hummus with pitta bread. It was a very generous portion and was extremely well made. Ned had the chicken skewers, served with mint yoghurt sauce – these were, he said, ‘cooked really well, and I love the dip!’ Nick had the king prawn tempura, served with spicy mayo, which was really light and well seasoned. All the starters were cooked to restaurant standards and were very impressive across the board.

MAINS: Frank and Nick selected from the ‘Cooking on Hot Stone’ menu – where you choose between steak, pork and seafood, and you then cook it yourself on the volcanic stone, which is about 400ºC and brought to your table! This process is fun, simple and effective, and very much adds a sense of theatre to the proceedings – the only drawback being you have to call the pub the day before to book in advance, as the volcanic stones take several hours to heat up! It’s worth it though.

Frank ordered the beef sirloin, marinated in olive oil, and served with butter-seared seasonal vegetables, new potatoes and chimichurri sauce. He found it easy to cook, the accompaniments delicious, and he declared it to be ‘one of the best steaks he had eaten anywhere.’ Frank likes his steak fairly rare, so he appreciated the absolute control he had over that by cooking it himself.

Nick ordered the seafood selection – mixed seafood (extra-large prawns, salmon and tuna) with spicy mayo, seaweed salad, steamed rice and wasabi ginger. This was indescribably delicious and it was fantastic how you get to control how much the fish is cooked. He especially liked the seaweed salad – a delicious touch, and not quite what you’d expect in your local pub!

Ned had fish and chips with tartare sauce. A huge portion – a beautiful one at that – with excellently crispy batter and lovely chips. The mushy peas very much passed the freshly made test… spot on. Clare meanwhile enjoyed the Bakmi Goreng noodles with prawns, cabbage, carrot, onion, mixed peppers and Asian sauce. She had enjoyed it so much last time we were at The Millstone that she just pressed the repeat button – and was delighted again!

DESSERTS: These very much hit the spot too and, like the starters, felt restaurant level rather than pub plus, with quality ingredients beautifully presented. Frank had the Chef’s Special, a fruit crumble, Ned wolfed down the mango panna cotta. Nick, already fairly full from the substantial starter and main, opted for ice cream (a favourite). Clare (too full for a pudding) had a lovely coffee.

The Millstone’s food motto is: ‘Where bold global flavours meet local soul – a true fusion experience, only at Millstone.’ And having enjoyed our dinner there, we can wholeheartedly endorse that motto. And, as the saying goes, the proof of the pudding was very much in the eating.

OPPOSITE, FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: king prawn tempura; the seafood hot stone option; Bakmi Goreng noodles.

ABOVE: the inviting bar at The Millstone; Frank’s delicious fruit crumble.

OTHER SERVICES: The Millstone also has two private dining options, which are set to be popular as we approach the festive season: the panelled private dining room, which seats up to 12 on one table, or 16 guests on two tables; and The Lounge, which can be hired for private dinners, parties and special occasions for up to 60 people. Check the website for the festive and seasonal menus, including Sunday lunch and pizzas. There is also a takeaway service.

the millstone at barnack

millstone lane, barnack

pe9 3et

01780 769979

www.themillstonebarnack.co.uk

themillstonebarnack

words: daniel sandler

Nepalese Vansa Ghar

A Journey to the Himalayas

EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, you come across a restaurant that feels like a discovery, the sort of hidden treasure you can’t believe isn’t already on everyone’s radar. For us, that place is Nepalese Vansa Ghar in Stamford, now one of our favourite dining spots. We go so often – at least once a month – that stepping through its doors feels less like going out for dinner and more like returning to a familiar, welcoming table.

The name translates to ‘Nepalese Kitchen’, and it couldn’t be more fitting. The food is rooted in Nepalese tradition yet served in a way that feels approachable, comforting, and consistently delicious. The restaurant is run by husband-and-wife team Ananta and Siru, already well known locally for their much-loved former restaurant 8848. At Nepalese Vansa Ghar, they’ve distilled their experience into something more personal. The warmth of their welcome mirrors the richness of the food, and within minutes you feel less like a customer and more like a guest.

A SETTING STEEPED IN STORY

The atmosphere is quietly transportive. Walls painted a muted grey provide a calm backdrop for photographs of Gurkha soldiers, proud and stoic, alongside shots of children in national dress at festivals. Together they tell a story of resilience and celebration, a reminder that the food on your plate is part of something larger.

Strings of twinkling lights cast a soft golden glow, while colourful prayer flags and bunting stretch across the beams. Each time the door opens, the flags flutter gently, as though bringing their blessings into the room. The hum of conversation mingles with mellow Nepalese music, and the air is scented with cumin, garlic, ginger and the faint sweetness of cardamom. It’s a space that feels alive with personality, yet never overwhelming, encouraging you to settle in and stay awhile.

A MENU FOR EVERY MOOD

Nepalese cuisine often sits somewhere between Indian and Chinese influences, yet it confidently stands apart. The curries are lighter, more tomato-based, and far less reliant on cream, delivering flavour that sings rather than cloys. The balance makes it a cuisine that satisfies without leaving you heavy.

The menu is also designed with inclusivity in mind. Spice lovers can push their limits with fiery dishes or ask for extra green chillies, while those who prefer something milder will find plenty to enjoy. It’s a menu that works for groups, ensuring no one has to compromise – just shared enjoyment around the table.

STARTERS THAT SET THE TONE

I began with Chatamari, sometimes described as a Nepalese rice-crêpe pizza. A thin rice pancake arrived, topped with melted cheese and a fried egg, steaming gently and giving off the nutty scent of rice flour. On its own it was soothing and simple, like Nepalese comfort food. But the berry-red tomato achar on the side transformed everything – tangy, garlicky and fiery, it cut through the richness with a burst of energy that made each bite exciting.

Simon chose the Vansa Chilli Paneer, which looked like a celebration: golden cubes of paneer tangled with glossy onions and bright peppers in a deep red tamarind sauce. The flavours unfolded in layers – sweet and sharp at first, then a rush of garlic and ginger, before the green chillies added a lingering heat. The paneer soaked it all up like a sponge, while the crunch of peppers kept it fresh. Watching Simon, a chilli enthusiast, grin through the rising heat was proof of the dish’s success.

‘Within minutes you feel less like a customer and more like a guest

THE HEART OF THE MEAL

For my main, I went for the Daal Bhat Masu, Nepal’s famous ‘complete meal’. Presented on a stainless steel platter, it resembled a painter’s palette: a mound of golden rice in the centre, surrounded by smaller bowls, each carrying its own aroma and colour.

The silky, buttery daal was soothing, flecked with coriander and fragrant with garlic, ginger and cumin. The vegetable curry kept its ingredients recognisable – carrots, cabbage and cauliflower – and distinct and bright; enhanced rather than buried by spice. The chunky lamb curry shimmered in rich reddy brown hues, its sauce unfolding spice by spice, until the citrusy spark of timur pepper tingled on the tongue. A smoky chunk of moist tandoori chicken breast added contrast, while a piece of poppadom provided crunch. To finish, a cardamom rice pudding offered a cool, creamy sweetness. It wasn’t just a meal – it was a sequence, each dish connecting to the next.

Simon went for the Goat Curry, a Nepalese classic. Cooked slowly on the bone, the meat was tender and infused with garlic, ginger, turmeric, fenugreek and coriander; and, atop, a large crispy fried Kashmiri deep red chilli added extra fire. The tomato base was glossy and rich, simmered to depth with each bite feeling robust and warming, the flavours unfolding gradually, before coming together in delicious harmony.

BUZZING YET RELAXED

By mid-evening, the restaurant had reached its peak. Families filled the tables, conversations buzzing and laughter spilling across the room. Couples leaned in close, and from upstairs came the cheer of a birthday party. Yet despite the energy, there was no sense of rush or chaos. The glow of the lights, the gentle flutter of the flags and the watchful photographs anchored the space in calm.

The staff keep that balance, too. They’re warm and attentive, quick with a smile or a recommendation, yet never intrusive. It’s hospitality that feels genuine, giving you the sense you’re cared for rather than managed.

A GEM WORTH RETURNING TO

What sets Vansa Ghar apart is clarity. Too many curry houses blur dishes together with heavy sauces, but here every plate has its own identity. You taste the freshness of the ingredients, the precision of the cooking, and the pride of the kitchen. The use of timur is a standout – citrusy, buzzing, unmistakably Nepalese.

That attention to detail, combined with consistency, is what brings us back. Whether it’s a quiet midweek dinner or a lively Saturday night, the food is always excellent, the service thoughtful, and the atmosphere welcoming. Add to that hearty portions and excellent

value – often leaving us with leftovers – and it’s an easy decision to return again and again.

Dining here feels like a journey to the Himalayas without leaving Stamford. From the prayer flags and photographs on the walls to the spices and stories on the plate, every detail celebrates culture, heritage, and hospitality.

Nepalese Vansa Ghar is a gem. The food is vibrant, flavourful and refreshingly light. The service is genuine and personal. The setting is atmospheric and warm. And, unlike many places, they don’t automatically add a tip, letting customers choose how they want to show appreciation. Whether you’re a spice adventurer or simply after something deliciously milder and comforting, this is a restaurant to which you’ll genuinely want to return.

find out more & book now (eat in & takeaway):

nepalese vansa ghar

26 broad street, stamford pe9 1PJ 01780 757030

vansaghar.com | @vansagharstamford

Christmas Menu

FESTIVE CELEBRATION 2025

STARTERS

CREAM OF CELERIAC SOUP (V)

Toasted Ciabatta, unsalted butter, truffle oil, chestnuts, pea shoots RETRO ATLANTIC PRAWN COCKTAIL

Scottish smoked salmon, Marie Rose sauce, avocado puree CORNFED CHICKEN TERRINE

Fig Compote, globe artichoke salad, homemade bread LENTIL, CHICKPEA AND MUSTARD FRITTERS (VE)

Sundried tomato hummus, crispy salad, tzatziki MAINS

FREE RANGE ROAST CHRISTMAS TURKEY BREAST

Roast potatoes, sprouts, honey roast parsnips, roasted carrots, pig in blanket, gravy

WILD VENISON LOIN

Truffle oil pommes puree, spiced green lentil ragout, blackberries, mulled wine sauce

HALIBUT FILLET

Baby onions, bacon lardons, creamed cabbage, Maderia sauce

BUTTERNUT SQUASH RISSOTTO (VE)

Chestnuts, pickled beetroot, shaved parmesan rocket, herb oil

DESSERTS

TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS PUDDING

Brandy cream or custard GINGER CRÈME BRULEÉ

With ginger shortbread MANDARIN CHEESECAKE

With mandarin compote and sesame seeds INDIVIDUAL CHEESE BOARD

Mature Cheddar cheese, grapes, biscuits, spiced fruit chutney

INCLUDES COMPLIMENTARY MINCE PIES FOR ALL AFTER THE MEAL

£49.95 for 3 courses | £38 for 2 courses 24th November - 23rd December

Available to advanced bookings. £10 deposit per person. All bookings are asked to submit their menu selections 5 days in advance of booking. The Christmas menu is not available on Sundays. We are happy to accommodate special requests for allergies and dietary requirement. Please speak to one of the team ahead of your booking.

Indie Food & Drink

words: louise goss

MALLARD POINT

On a gently sloping field, neat rows of vines are growing in the sunshine, laden with sweet, juicy grapes. But we are not in the French countryside – we’re in rural Rutland, on the outskirts of Essendine.

Andy and Fi Beamish founded Mallard Point in 2019 with an idea, curiosity, and a passion. Ever since visiting vineyards in Australia in their 20s, they had dreamed of starting their own vineyard. Today, they are a vineyard, winery and distillery and they make their own spirits by reusing the fruit from the wine making process. ‘At Mallard Point, our DNA is reuse,’ says Andy. They are constantly looking at balancing minimal intervention with practical sustainability, from using sheep to keep the grass low, to creating the first alternative reusable bottle.

They now have nearly 15,000 vines, growing seven different varieties of grape including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Bacchus. They also grow two hybrid varieties, a Cabernet Jura and Sauvignac, known as PiWis, which have been bred to be more disease resistant.

Andy says they are good news in viticulture, as it allows them to reduce how often they have to spray the vines. The slight snobbery

over these varieties is also diminishing. ‘They are being seen across the board as more acceptable. Over the last 10 years, the crossings have been with more noble parentages.’

Their Sauvignac is Sauvignon Blanc crossed with Riesling. Andy says, ‘We have the namesake, the aroma profiles and taste profiles of the grapes along with the benefits of a low-spray programme and increased yields, which are all good for grape growers.’

The UK may not be the first location to come to mind for wine making, but warmer temperatures mean cooler-climate wines are being cultivated successfully. Grapes grown in the UK have a very thin skin. ‘They need to absorb as much sunlight as they can to make the grapes ripe,’ explains Andy. To achieve this, their row spacings are also wider, with the density of planting almost half that of their European counterparts, as being further north, they need space to avoid the vines being in shadow.

In the first three years while tending their vines, waiting for them to mature and bear fruit, they were focused on the branding and bottles. The result is a unique, reusable aluminium bottle. ‘In wine, it’s widely acknowledged that the glass bottle is the biggest culprit in your carbon footprint,’ says Andy. The label, and name Mallard Point, are inspired by the world’s fastest steam train, the Mallard, which ran along the East Coast mainline, which lies to the rear of their property.

This year is set to be a bumper vintage after an abundance of sunshine and a warm summer. When we speak, they have just started picking, a good two weeks earlier than normal due to the good weather. From grape to glass, the process takes less than a year. They pick their grapes by hand and then they are processed, naturally fermented and bottled in their winery, usually by May or June. If you thought trampling grapes with bare feet was a practice from the history books you might be surprised to learn it still happens today. In fact, as we talk, Andy is leg deep in red wine, crushing the grapes and pulp to release more of the juices to begin fermentation.

While most of their wines are still, their first wine was a PetNat, a naturally sparkling wine, using an ancestral method of winemaking, with what Andy describes as a ‘sprinkle of fizz’. They started out with this one wine in 2021, but by next year will have 11 different wines with reds, whites, rosés and sparkling wine available.

If you are thinking of stocking up for Christmas, Andy recommends starting the day with a glass of fizz, a nice bottle of the Chardonnay with the turkey, followed by their ‘Can Be’ rosé with some cheese, and a little Mallard Point Pinot Noir gin to finish.

You can find all Mallard Point wines online. They sell direct to consumer from their website and the farm, offering tours and tastings throughout the year. They are also stocked by several local independent shops. mallardpoint.co.uk

FOSSE MEADOWS

With acres of pastureland for roaming and no stress from travel, Fosse Meadows looks to raise happier birds and produce top-quality meat. Louise Goss meets co-owner Nick Ball to talk all about slow-grown and good Christmas turkey.

Slow grown is the ethos behind multi-award-winning poultry producer Fosse Meadows. It is a way of raising their chickens, cockerels and turkeys that allows the birds to roam and grow over a longer period, giving their meat a much fuller-bodied flavour. Their process is very similar to organic farming; however, they allow their poultry to age more slowly and run around for longer.

Co-owner, Nick Ball says that when the birds are purely grass-fed, they mature at a slower rate than if you are ‘pumping them with grain’. He says, ‘They are developing their bodies in a more natural way. They have got more muscularity.’

The difference is noticeable in the meat’s quality and flavour. ‘The older they get, the more life they have, the further they will roam. They are curious creatures; they range more and do more. All that adds to flavour. The longer you grow it, you get far more marbling in the meat, like a steak, and the age means it is a more

robust meat.’ He adds, ‘You hear a lot about leg issues in chickens. These run around – they are far more of a natural-looking chicken. The meat birds for supermarkets look more like footballs on legs.’

Nick and his co-owner, Jacob Sykes, have been raising poultry for the past 15 years at their farm west of Market Harborough. Inspired by the likes of Jamie Oliver and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, when chicken welfare standards were high on the agenda, they felt there was little top-quality choice in the UK market and started looking to French breeds to raise. Their turkeys have 10 acres to roam in, their chickens have 40. With a background in livestock farming, Nick says, ‘When I grew up, there was more focus on the industrialisation [of farming], so this is a reaction to that.’

It has proved successful for the duo, who are proud Great Taste producers, have been finalists for the region’s top food and drink at the Great Food Club, and featured in a directory listing the best in sustainable and ethical food and drink production.

Their slow-grown process also makes a difference when you are cooking. As the festive season approaches and people are deciding on what to buy for the Christmas dinner, turkey is a popular choice.

According to Nick, simply add butter, seasoning, some tarragon, put it in to roast ‘and let the bird do the job.’ He says, ‘A lot of dry turkey comes from commercially reared poultry.’ As long as you don’t overcook it, a quality bird will taste delicious. ‘When you get a standard chicken and cook it, the bird shrinks, and a lot of the moisture is lost.’

Ultimately, the welfare of the bird is paramount; they want to raise ‘happier’ birds. ‘It’s good to know where your poultry comes from, so you can have more confidence when cooking it – you know how it’s been reared and raised. We have an abattoir, so there is less stress on the birds, as there is no lengthy transportation. It all contributes to better quality you can trust.’

For those looking for something a little different for Christmas or an autumn roast, Nick suggests cockerel. ‘They are a bit more hearty – good for dishes such as coq au vin, with a texture more like lamb, more gamey.’

All poultry – from their home-grown chicken, cockerels and turkeys to the other poultry they supply such as ducks and geese –can be ordered online, and you can drop by on a Friday to pick up in person. You can also find pork, beef and a range of stuffings, and sauces, in their Christmas range.

fossemeadows.com | @fosse_meadows

Local Briefing

News from the region this month

Peterborough Cathedral Christmas Market

Peterborough Cathedral is set to be transformed into a festive wonderland this November, as it welcomes back its muchanticipated Christmas Craft and Gift Market. Taking place from Friday 14 to Sunday 16 November, this year’s event will feature more than 130 stalls showcasing the very best in seasonal gifts, local crafts, food and drink.

Now firmly established as a highlight of the city’s festive calendar, the market has been growing year on year. In response to record visitor numbers and popular demand, organisers have added an extra day on Sunday for the first time, making this the largest Christmas market ever hosted at the Cathedral and one of the biggest in the region. Shoppers can expect a unique experience in one of the area’s most iconic and atmospheric settings. With the magnificent Cathedral as a backdrop, stallholders will offer everything from handcrafted jewellery, textiles and artwork to artisan food, festive decorations and luxury treats. The market provides the perfect opportunity to find meaningful, locally made gifts while supporting independent businesses, artists and producers.

Markets Organiser, Natalie Freeman of Peterborough Cathedral said: ‘We are delighted to be hosting the Christmas Craft and Gift Market again this year. It’s always such a joy to see the Cathedral filled with creativity and festive cheer. The event not only supports local artisans and small businesses but also offers visitors a truly special way to start the Christmas season. The market has grown tremendously over the past few years, and we are thrilled that it has become one of the biggest and most anticipated events in the area.’

The market will run across three days: Fri 14 Nov, 1–8pm, Sat 15 Nov, 10am–5pm, Sun 16 Nov 12–4pm Tickets can be bought in advance at: www.ticketsource.co.uk/ peterborough-cathedral-events

Coles for Fires Launches in Rutland

A much-loved family firm has opened its first Rutland showroom on Oakham’s Mill Street under the management of heating industry expert Agnes Welham. Coles for Fires is a family-run business from Northamptonshire that has been trading for over three decades supplying and installing wood burners, multifuel stoves, fireplaces and gas and electric appliances to suit all tastes and budgets. Already in demand in this region, the new showroom is a natural progression.

‘Our in-house teams carry out all works and are all qualified HETAS and Gas Safe-registered engineers. Our aim is for the customer to feel confident that all the finer details will be taken care of professionally. We can even take care of your installation for many years beyond installation with our full service programme,’ explains Agnes.

The Mill Street showroom will showcase products by Chesney, Contura, Charnwood, Charlton & Jenrick and Dimplex to name a few. ‘Our offering ensures we have something to suit every property, including a wide range of gas and electric suites. As well as supplying fires and surrounds, providing fire servicing and chimney sweeps we also install chimney liners. Don’t worry if you don’t have a chimney, we can install internal and external twin wall systems,’ Agnes adds.

‘Please call in and see our range, have a chat and browse. Whether you want to achieve a contemporary look or want a more traditional style, we can help you make the perfect choice. A warm welcome awaits you.’

Coles for Fires, 17b Mill Street, Oakham LE15 6EA 01572 827059 | 07940 938908

Showroom: Tue–Fri, 9.30am–4.30pm, Sat 9.30am–2pm www.colesforfires.com | @colesforfiresltd

Oakham Fireplace Specialists

Transform your living space with our expertly curated range of woodburners, multi-fuel stoves, gas and electric fires, media walls, and bespoke fireplaces.

With over 35 years of experience, we combine design excellence with precision installation to create statement features that elevate your home. Complete design, supply and installation service

Book your free, no-obligation home survey today.

T: 01572 827059 / M: 07940938908 E:oakham@colesforfires.com 17B Mill Street, Oakham, Rutland. LE15 6EA

Winter Opening Hours: Tuesday-Friday 09:30-16:30, Saturday 10:00-14:00 www.colesforfires.com

Local Briefing

from the region this month

Divorce Support

Help for those struggling with the break up of a marriage

Jenny Firth, from 221 Divorce Support, explains this helpful service:

‘Are you, or a friend of yours, going through a painful divorce? We must all know people who are divorced – the percentage of broken marriages and numbers of children living in split families makes for uncomfortable reading and sheds a disturbing light on our society. But equally disturbing is the lack of help available for the victims of divorce who so often are totally devastated by the huge hurt of rejection, the debilitating loss of self-confidence and fear for the future.

‘221 Divorce Support runs self-help groups for those struggling to cope with a marriage (or long-term partnership) breakdown. The relief of meeting with others who truly understand their anxieties cannot be overstated.

‘We know the trauma of divorce and constantly witness the friendship and support of our groups carrying people through a time of real crisis.

‘Our group in Oakham meets every first Friday of the month (5–7pm) in a quiet room at the Baptist Church (38a Melton Road, Oakham LE15 6AY). Run entirely by volunteers, we meet together in confidence, offering mutual support and sharing with others who understand. We have no religious or financial agenda.

‘If you need support, or if you yourself have experienced divorce or separation and would like to sit alongside others who are going through it, we would love to see you.’

For more information and to find out how the group might be able to help, please contact jenny@221.org.uk or visit www.221.org.uk

Transform Your Home: Spray Kitchen Elite

Spray Kitchen Elite offers a smart, affordable alternative to full kitchen replacement. Based in Leicestershire and serving customers throughout our region, they specialise in high-quality kitchen resprays that breathe new life into tired, outdated units.

Rather than tearing out your existing kitchen, Spray Kitchen Elite carefully removes cupboard doors, drawer fronts and trims, preps them off-site, and applies a durable, professional spray finish in a colour of your choice. The freshly finished components are then refitted — often within just one week. It’s a quick, cost-effective process with stunning results. If needed, they will also source replacement hardware – eg nickel, chrome, brass or copper handles – at cost.

Clients can choose from a huge range of finishes, including modern shades, traditional heritage tones, and even National Trust colours. All paints are hardwearing and fully washable, perfect for high-traffic kitchens.

In addition to kitchens, the team also transforms bathroom cabinets, staircases, and furniture, and they offer optional extras such as new handles, knobs, and granite or marble worktops.

With over 20 years’ experience, Spray Kitchen Elite has earned a reputation for reliability and craftsmanship, and has received industry recognition including the Dulux Select Decorator of the Year Award. What sets them apart is their transparent pricing, no-pressure approach, and commitment to excellent service. They provide free, no-obligation quotes, typically responding within 48 hours.

Give your kitchen a stunning new look – without the mess or cost of a full renovation.

Visit www.respraykitchen.co.uk to learn more or request your free quote via their simple online form. Check out Respray Kitchen Elite’s Instagram & Facebook for lots of examples of fabulous makeovers.

Local Briefing

Stamford Flower Club: 70 Years in 2026

Stamford Flower Club will be celebrating its 70th birthday in 2026. Long-time member Catherine Gardiner told us: ‘We have nearly 100 members with ages ranging from 15 to over 90. We are inclusive, but most of our members are female, which must make us one of the largest female groups in the area. We celebrate and encourage the many talents of our members whether it be in flower arranging, admin, computer skills, video technology, finance, public speaking or a willingness to lend a hand. We would, of course, welcome more male members (and many of our demonstrators are male).

‘We have close links with MindSpace and The Evergreen Trust. We always raise funds for a charity each year through plant sales and donations for tea and coffee at our monthly meetings. You may have spotted the bike at the Hospital roundabout which is regularly decorated in various imaginative floral themes: Steam Punk, Halloween, Wimbledon, Mother’s Day, Christmas, etc. For Remembrance Sunday, we have encouraged our talented members to knit or crochet poppies which will be used for a spectacular design.

‘Our monthly meetings run from February to December and feature a demonstrator. We foster and develop the flower arranging skills of members through regular workshops which are led by a qualified teacher, who also happens to be a member. We have a strong and varied social calendar with trips , tea parties and meetups. We have planned an exciting 2026 for members and visitors during our Jubilee year.

‘Should you wish to find out more about the club please contact me and I can put you in touch with our Chair.’

To find out more, visit www.stamfordflowerclub.com or contact annw1205@gmail.com, 07951 703232 or follow @stamford_flower_club 118 | local briefing: november 2025

New Home for Octopus Psychotherapy

Oundle-based psychology and psychotherapy practice, Octopus Psychology, has moved to new premises. The Octopus consulting rooms are now based in The Courthouse on Mill Road in Oundle. Led by forensic and clinical psychologist Dr Naomi Murphy, the fully accredited team offers online and in-person counselling and well-being services. It is also a UK leader in blending new and traditional talking therapies with innovative neurotechnological techniques such as Safe and Sound Protocol and Roshiwave light stimulation.

As well as running her successful private practice, Dr Murphy, who worked for 30 years with some of the most challenging offenders within the prison system, is also honorary professor of Psychology at Nottingham Trent University and sits on the All Party Parliamentary Committee on Restorative Justice.

‘There is a growing focus on good mental health, and it is important that people can access services locally and discreetly,’ says Dr Murphy. ‘Since setting up a private practice in my home town of Oundle two years ago, I have been pleased to help many people face their inner challenges and strive towards a deeper selfunderstanding and sense of well-being.

‘The new consulting rooms provide a warm, welcoming, accessible environment in which to explore and overcome the things that cause fear or distress, whether that is in relationships, in challenges ahead, or unresolved issues from the past. Clients come knowing they will be in safe hands.’

Octopus Psychology Consulting Rooms are now located at Office 4, in the Annexe of The Courthouse, Mill Road, Oundle PE8 4BW, where there is ample free parking. Full details are available at www.octopuspsychology.com

For more information, contact: Dr Naomi Murphy enquiries@octopuspsychology.com | 07771 732104

Local Briefing

News from the region this month

Marston Made

Market Harborough-based Marston Made is a bespoke joinery and fitted‑furniture studio specialising in tailoring pieces to the individual character of a home. Their focus is on creating made‑to‑measure, high‑quality fitted furniture from clever under-stairs storage and alcove units to statement wardrobes - that take full advantage of every available inch.

What sets Marston Made apart is their dedication to marrying traditional craftsmanship with modern conveniences. Every design is bespoke clients can choose their materials, colours, finishes, and even have professionally sprayed colours to match existing décor.

They don’t just produce standard units; each project is tailored in detail, so it feels unique to the space it inhabits. Their furniture also incorporates modern fittings such as soft‑close hinges and smooth-glide drawers, seamlessly combining form and function.

Their client journey is quite thoughtful. First, Marston Made meets with the client to understand aspirations and constraints. Then they use CAD (computer-aided design) to turn ideas into visual plans. Finally, the furniture is built in their workshop and installed on site, ensuring a precise and professional finish.

Marston Made is ideal for homeowners or interior designers seeking something more individual than off‑the‑shelf furniture. Because every detail is customised, the end product can harmonise perfectly with the home’s style, layout and user needs.

If you’d like to get in touch, call 01858 907806 or email info@marstonmade.com. You can also find out more at: www.marstonmade.com | @marstonmadeltd

Frost Fair at Molecey Mill

We’re not expecting a ‘little ice age’ when from the 14th to mid19th century the Thames froze over enough to allow Londoners to commandeer the space for what became known as their ‘Frost Fairs’. But we are expecting a treasure chest of wares, many crafted locally, on which you can feast your eyes and be tempted to embark on a winter shopping spree!

All of this in the magical grounds of Molecey Mill where twinkling lights will guide you, while in the background the gentle hubbub of friends meeting fills the air. Treat yourself to one of the lattes brewing up at the Jackalope Joe coffee wagon, guaranteed to ease your buying decisions!

In a first for the Fair, Sunday Times bestselling author, Milly Johnson will be signing and selling her books on Friday and Saturday, including her new work, Let the Bells Ring Out. Milly fondly calls Molecey ‘one of my favourite places on earth’, and this is your opportunity to come and find out why.

Over 30 makers from all over the area will be joined by brocante from Duck & Otter, pet portrait artist Janette Shawley, local brewers, Bowlers Beers, and a chime of clocks from Jonathan Clegg of Stamford Clocks.

In the house, bowls of warming soup are served with a selfguided tour of the ground floor for just £5 a ticket, available on the day from the Dovecote.

Molecey Mill, Stamford Road, West Deeping PE6 9JD. Dates: Friday 7 November 5–8pm, Saturday 8 & Sunday 9 November 10am–4pm | www.moleceyestates.com

THE NOVEMBER WALK

Lubenham & Foxton Locks

This walk has a hugely rural feel about it, starting at the historic village of Lubenham and taking in some of the Grand Union Canal and Foxton Locks

words: nicholas rudd-jones

KEY DATA

Distance 5.5 miles

Typical time 2 hours 15 minutes

Start & finish Lubenham High Street (LE16 9TF) Terrain Gentle undulations, fields, stiles

POINTS OF INTEREST

• Mentioned in the Domesday Book, Lubenham developed around a shallow crossing over the River Welland, in the same way that Stamford did. The village has a rich history connected with hunting and horse racing, to which many of the houses owe their existence. It was in Lubenham that the National Hunt Challenge Cup was born, with the first race taking place here in 1860. You can download the Lubenham Heritage Trail under ‘Publications’ at lubenhamheritagegroup.co.uk.

• Foxton Locks is a staircase of 10 locks, built in 1814 to link Market Harborough to the Grand Union Canal. It’s fun to watch the narrowboats negotiating the flight. Each boat takes about 50 minutes from top to bottom (or vice versa). The Foxton Canal Museum is open Saturday to Thursday (11am–4pm).

If you want to try out canal boating yourself, look no further than Market Harborough’s Boutique Narrowboats, which hires out canal boats for three or four days or just for the day. Find them at www.boutiquenarrowboats.co.uk

• We see/cross the River Welland several times. It rises only three or so miles southwest of here in the Hothorpe Hills at Sibbertoft.

• Thorpe Lubenham Hall, now only half its original size, was built in the Queen Anne style c.1800. It has been home to the Cunard family, Sir Harold and Lady Zia Wernher and Lord and Lady Kemsley. The Queen and her family were frequent guests during the 1950s.

PIT STOPS

• Coach & Horses, Lubenham (54 Main Street, LE16 9TF, 01858 791923, coachandhorseslubenham.co.uk) Good food and drink; gets a very strong Trip Advisor rating.

• Foxton Locks Inn (www.restaurantfoxtonlocks.co.uk) The conservatory looks out over the canal basin and is a great spot for watching the boats. Friendly service and good-value pub grub. Dog friendly. If you just want a snack, there are also take-out café options at both the top and bottom of the locks.

DIRECTIONS

1

Leave the village green to the north and cross the playing field to the back right corner.

2 Turn left, and where there is a choice of footpaths, take the left one towards the dilapidated set of barns on the Lubenham to Foxton road.

3 Cross the road. Follow the footpath towards Holme’s Farm. The track now passes to the right of the fishing lake, and across open grass fields to Foxton Locks car park.

4 On reaching the towpath at bridge 60, turn left and walk to bridge 57. To your left, there are extensive views across the Welland Valley towards Lubenham, Theddingworth and Farndon.

5 Pass under bridge 57 and immediately turn left onto the Laughton–Lubenham road. Turn right along the road for about 10m to the footpath sign on the right. Follow the directions across open fields.

6

The path now crosses the disused Rugby to Stamford railway line. Opened in 1850, this was the first railway line through Market Harborough. It closed in 1966.

7

Walk down the Papillon Hall Farm drive between high holly hedges (with a few tanks scattered around!) and carefully cross the A4304 Market Harborough to Lutterworth road. The footpath passes to the side of a splendid avenue of lime trees and crosses the River Welland.

8

On reaching the small village of Marston Trussell, turn left and take the road towards Lubenham for about 750m (half a mile), before turning right onto a footpath.

9

Approximately 20m after re-crossing the river, follow the sign to the right through a hand gate and cross the meadow until you reach the drive of Thorpe Lubenham Hall.

10

Turn right over the picturesque stone bridge and go immediately left over the stile into the parkland belonging to the Hall.

11Follow the path and emerge at the disused railway bridge on the Lubenham to East Farndon road. Turn left along Rushes Lane to the village green.

ASK LEO

Banks & their Buildings

High Street banks have disappeared rapidly in recent years. Sue Lee and Jean Orpin wanted to record some local examples before they are forgotten. They are very grateful to Martin Smith and Hilary Crowden, who gave permission to use their pictures

HIGH STREET BANKS

In the 17th century goldsmiths were the bankers, until the Bank of England opened in 1694. Country banks opened in the early 18th century, originally fewer than a dozen, increasing to 334 by 1800 and over 600 by 1810. The country banks issued their own banknotes, and notes supplanted coins. Banks became landmarks in city centres and market towns. The buildings were often elaborate, designed by notable architects. They were often built on corner sites to be more noticeable and were situated on main streets.

By 1900 some 39,000 were employed in the industry. Bank clerks had good working conditions and prospects. Many banks

STAMFORD

Bellairs Bank

The earliest bank in Stamford was Bellairs Bank, situated at 4 St Mary’s Place from 1782. It issued its own banknotes. It was declared bankrupt in 1814.

Stamford & Rutland Bank

Established in Stamford in 1800 as Jackson & Johnson, trading as William Johnson & Stephen Eaton from 1810 then Eaton & Cayley. Absorbed by Stamford, Spalding & Boston Banking Co in 1891, Charles Eaton became Director. Eventually it became part of Barclays.

Barclays

46–49 Broad Street

This building was formerly a school. When the school moved to the Institution, St Peter’s Street, it was occupied by the

amalgamated, and by this time the 10 largest banks accounted for 40% of bank deposits. Lloyds, the Midland and Barclays (formerly 20 private banks) were the front runners. Lloyds was the largest, with 560 branches. When the Great War started, 18,000 bankers joined the services, and the banks started recruiting women. Records were kept in ledgers in the 1920s and 1930s, with only coin-weighing scales and typewriters in a few banks.

Barclays had the first credit card in 1966, the first cash machine in 1967, the first debit card in 1987 and the first contactless card in 2007. People have embraced the new innovations, and 40% of bank branches closed between 2012 and 2022, including many Stamford and Rutland banks.

Stamford Spalding Bank which became Barclays in 1911. It closed in 2023.

Lloyds

65 High Street

The bank was set up in Birmingham by a family of Quaker iron founders in 1765. Between 1864 and 1918 it took over 50 banks and merged with Capital and Counties Bank becoming one of the largest. Another bank it took over was the Northamptonshire Bank who had demolished a house on this site and built their bank in 1881. It was designed by a Wellingborough architect with large carvings representing the continents and it remains much the same.

London Joint City and Midland Bank

1–2 High Street

These two banks had merged in 1918 and the name changed to Midland in 1923. Midland was one of the Big Four for most of the 20th century. By 1934 it was the largest deposit bank in the world. It was

taken over by HSBC in 1992 who dropped the Midland name in 1999. Originally in Ironmonger Street, it moved to the favoured corner site. It closed in 2024.

National Westminster Bank

52 High Street

The National Provincial Bank was created in 1833. It expanded by taking over other banks eventually becoming one of the big five. The bank building was formerly a grocery business erected by Henry Knott in 1902. The shop became the National Provincial Bank in 1910. In 1970 it merged to become the National Westminster Bank.

Santander

Originally a Spanish bank but now international. Santander bought Abbey National in 2004.

RUTLAND

The first banks in Rutland were established in the early 19th century, but by the 1850s most small local banks had amalgamated with Stamford & Rutland Bank (Eaton & Cayley) or with Stamford, Spalding and Boston Banking Company. These banks provided services to Oakham

UPPINGHAM

The most prominent bank building in Uppingham is on the east side of the Market Place. This was built for the Leicestershire Banking Company and designed by Joseph Goddard of Leicester. In 1900, when the two banks merged, it became the Midland, later the HSBC.

Joseph Goddard (1840–1900) was the third generation of his family to practise as an architect. He was articled to his father in 1856, aged 16 years. He became a partner in 1862 and had already established himself as a leading architect in the area by the time his father died in 1868.

In that year he won the competition to design Leicester Clock Tower, followed in 1872 by the competition for new Head Offices of the Leicestershire Banking Co on Granby Street, Leicester. Many commissions for branch buildings by the LBC followed. Most of these were in the Gothic style; the one at Uppingham, by many considered his best commercial building, was very different.

Goddard took his inspiration from stately homes, such as Rushton Hall and Apethorpe, and set about providing a

and Uppingham, initially only on market days. In the 1870s they took permanent offices and were joined by the Leicestershire Banking Company (LBC), established in 1829. By 1835 the LBC had a branch in Market Harborough and eventually it had 27 branches across the Midlands.

suitably impressive building in the English Renaissance style that also reflected the 16th- and 17th-century buildings of Uppingham. On 4 July 1884, the Stamford Mercury reported that the new building of ‘considerable architectural pretensions is rapidly approaching completion, and will be a great attraction to the Market-place… The front, of Doulting stone, intermixed with Ketton, is very imposing and elaborately carved. The banking-room is 21 feet by 25 feet and 14 feet from floor to ceiling.’

The Stamford, Spalding and Boston Bank building on Uppingham’s High Street West was never as impressive, but the bank’s fine crest remains over the doorway. It continued in use as Barclays until the branch closed.

OAKHAM

Eaton and Cayley took premises on High Street, Oakham, from 1876, rebuilding them in 1883–84. The architect was James Richardson of Stamford. Richardson’s father had worked occasionally as an architect and is known for building the wine merchant’s premises at 5–8 Broad Street, Stamford. He died when James was only 23 years old but already working as an architect. The firm was located on Barn Hill, where James and his younger brother built up a successful business as land agents and auctioneers, as well as architects and builders. These bank premises at 28 High Street, Oakham, seem to have changed hands a few times as Eaton & Cayley merged with Stamford, Spalding & Boston, who then joined with Barclays.

The Leicestershire Banking Company rented offices near the market then in 1890 they announced in the Mercury that they would be moving ‘into part of the new buildings just completed by Messrs Royce’ on the south of the Market Place. When they merged with the Midland Bank, later HSBC, that bank occupied 28 High Street until its closure. Barclays meanwhile occupied the former offices of the LBC south of the market until closing.

2025

• Lloyds in Stamford is due to close in January 2026, leaving Santander as the only bank in Stamford.

• Neither Uppingham nor Oakham has a High Street Bank.

• Oakham and Stamford have recently created Banking Hubs.

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Stamford’s Ukrainian Sunflowers Choir

THERE ARE MOMENTS in one’s life that highlight the fact that art is not a luxury but something fundamental to our very being. Listening to the Ukrainian Sunflowers Choir was one such moment. To sit in a rehearsal in Stamford’s Bluecoat Primary School one Friday evening, witnessing refugees from a catastrophic, unjust war talk, sing and dance lightened my heart and underscored how wonderful the human spirit can be in its resilience and creativity, even in the most cruel of circumstances.

The following Monday I met up with music teacher Mike Tymoczko and his wife Sally at their house in Belmesthorpe to talk about the remarkable group they mentor. Mike is himself the son of a Ukrainian refugee, albeit one from a different war. His father was rescued, by British forces, from a Nazi concentration camp at the end of World War II. With Ukraine then occupied by the USSR, Mike’s father was welcomed to the UK, which he was proud to call home.

Interestingly, that generation of Ukrainian survivors created an amazing cultural and entertainment centre, Tarasivka, in the middle of the Derbyshire countryside. Tarasivka still thrives today, and it was where young Mike was amongst scores of children who spent their summers learning Ukraine’s traditional songs and folk dances. The importance of this became apparent when a new generation of Ukrainian refugees arrived on these shores with little or no knowledge of such songs that had been repressed under Soviet and Russian rule. That heritage has been reborn through the voices of the Sunflowers Choir.

To my mind, Mike and Sally have been pivotal in the creation of the choir, but, modestly, they insist they are only facilitators. They are thankful to such staunch champions as Yvette DíazMuñoz of the Stamford Diversity Group, the Mayor of Stamford Cllr Amanda Wheeler and Dr Chantal Radley, Senior Research

Fellow at Anglia Ruskin University, for their immense help and support in fundraising initiatives, research and integration projects. Special thanks are also due to Bluecoat Primary School, Barn Hill Methodist Church and Casterton College and, crucially, to the people of Stamford and surrounding villages for welcoming Ukrainians into their hearts and homes.

‘How wonderful the human spirit can be in its resilience and creativity, even in the most cruel of circumstances’

However, Mike stresses that the success of the Sunflowers Choir comes down to the dedication of every individual member. The initial eight choristers have become 40. The tenacity and hard work of the women and children involved (the choir is, for obvious reasons, mainly women and children) has created something extraordinary. I was welcomed with grace and good humour by people whose suffering I can’t begin to comprehend. The week after we met was the first rehearsal of the Ukrainian youth band, who, it is hoped, will henceforth accompany the folk music and anthems of the singers and dancers of the choir. Mike and Sally see this as another step in the integration of Ukrainian and local culture –another blossoming of hope in the darkness.

DATE FOR THE DIARY: there will be good food and Christmas carols with the Sunflowers Choir at Christ Church, Stamford, on Sunday 7 December, 4–6pm.

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