Active Magazine // Stamford & Rutland // June 2023
English strawberry season is in full swing
Enjoy the fruits of local growers’ labour
Editor and Publisher Mary Bremner mary@theactivemag.com
Deputy editor Kate Maxim kate@theactivemag.com
Art editor Matt Tarrant
Contributors Will Hetherington, Jeremy Smithson-Beswick,
Advertisement Sales Director Lisa Chauhan lisa@theactivemag.com
Production assistant Gary Curtis
Accounts accounts@theactivemag.com
Active magazine, Eventus Business Centre, Sunderland Road, Northfield Industrial Estate, Market Deeping, PE6 8FD
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Active magazine is published monthly 10 times per year.
ISSN 2059-8513
Published by Triangle Publishing Ltd www.theactivemag.com
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Copyright (c) Triangle Publishing Ltd (TPL) 2019. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, or be stored in any retrieval system, of any nature, without prior permission from TPL. Any views or opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of TPL or its affiliates. Disclaimer of Liability. hilst every effort has been made to ensure the quality and accuracy of the information contained in this publication at the time of going to press, TPL and its affiliates assume no responsibility as to the accuracy or completeness of and, to the extent permitted by law, shall not be liable for any errors or omissions or any loss, damage or expense incurred by reliance on information or any statement contained in this publication. Advertisers are solely responsible for the content of the advertising material which they submit and for ensuring the material complies with applicable laws.
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EDITOR’S LETTER
‘And
as the saying goes ‘April showers bring May flowers.’
FOR THE RECORD I will not be going on about the weather, despite how awful it has been and still is. I have been very tempted to write a letter of complaint to the weather gods so hopefully by the time you read this, they will have taken notice and the weather will have improved, let’s hope so…
The late, wet spring has benefitted some of us though. The summer means English strawberries are now available as well as locally grown asparagus, and there is nothing better in my opinion than either of them. This is what this time of year is all about. The asparagus season might be later than usual, strawberries too, but at least the crops are lush and large due to all the rain. Kate has been catching up with a couple of local growers and finding out all about them. And as the saying goes April showers bring ay owers.’ Not so sure what the quote is for a wet, cold May though, something about hay I imagine.
Vines aren’t so keen on wet, cold weather (like me) but Andrew and Fi Beamish at Mallard Point have been pushing on regardless, planting more vines and expanding their vineyard and distillery at Essendine. I really enjoyed meeting them, finding out more about their business and, in particular, their innovative wine bottle made from aluminium; sustainability at its best and a bottle that will really catch on I think. I’m pretty sure that before long we will be seeing a lot more of that aluminium bottle, and not just locally.
You may remember a few years’ back the Active team found their inner child at umble ell we’ve let another team have a go at killing each other (figuratively not literally) and the Class Q team certainly lived up to Active’s standards and loved every minute. Team building at its best and now that Rumble has opened a second venue at Rutland Water it’s even easier to get to and perfect for family fun too. Certainly something to be added to your list of ‘what to do this summer.’
There is so much going on this month with summer now in full swing. opefully we can all get outside and enjoy some of the benefits of the longer, sunny days, be it gardening, walking or just ‘doing.’
Enjoy the month.
Mary - Editor
01858 390 307
ISSUE 125 / JUNE 2023
24 FULL STEAM AHEAD
Mallard Point vineyard is named after a record breaking train and the owners are busy setting their own records
28 SEASONAL FRUIT AND VEG
June means English strawberries and asparagus are at their best
31 CARNIVAL TIME
Market Harborough carnival is over 100 years old and getting better every year
33 FOLKINGHAM
Creative arts and crafternoon tea, what’s not to like?
36 ELF AND SAFETY BEGONE!
Class Q enjoy live gaming action at Rumble
39
Birdfair is
52 INTERVIEW
Meet a personal trainer who takes a slightly different approach
ActiveLife
Riotous Rumble. English strawberries and asparagus are on the menu; along with the perfect wine to accompany this delicious fruit.
Crafternoon tea at Folkingham Creative Arts. Birdfair is back.
It’s over 100 years old and gets better and better; the Market Harborough festival. It’s full steam ahead at Mallard Point vineyard p24
Hermitage House Care Home
HERMITAGE HOUSE CARE Home near Thrapston opened in March and provides a warm welcome as soon as you set foot through the door. It specialises in residential, dementia and short term respite care for up to 67 people. The stunning facilities provide a luxury lifestyle, enabling people to live as they would normally, with the added pleasure of having company (and no chores).
ermitage ouse is managed by Clare edge, one of Country Court’s most experienced home managers who is passionate about providing specialist person-centred dementia care. Clare has a highly trained team who create a safe and comfortable environment for the residents. Staff get to know each resident and their families individually, enabling them to provide care tailored to their needs. They endeavour to go beyond solely providing round-the-clock healthcare and offer a choice of interesting and tailored activities to engage the residents and help them maintain a healthy, active lifestyle. Hermitage House is a wonderful place to start the next chapter of life.
For more information contact Chloe Kenna on 07849 830 520 or email chloe.kenna@countrycourtcare.com www.countrycourtcare.co
Burghley tickets on sale and queues can be avoided
THE BOX OFFICE is now open for ticket sales for the Defender Burghley Horse Trials which take place this year from August 31 – September 3.
For the first time, the majority of tickets for this year’s Defender Burghley will be issued as e tickets, rather than in printed form. The bo office is also being brought in house, so all sales and ueries will be handled in person by Burghley Horse Trials’ office staff. E ticket holders may enter the event via special car channels, to minimise ueuing behind those buying on the day tickets.
To buy tickets, please visit the event website www.burghley-horse.co.uk
All information regarding ticket options, prices and hospitality can be found on the website. The bo office for members’ tickets closes on 20 August.
Image: Defender Burghley/Peter Nixon
Open panto auditions
CALLING ALL YOUNG talent, the panto stage awaits! De Montfort Hall are looking for their junior ensemble for upcoming pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk. The auditions, for children aged between nine and 16, will take place at the Hall on Sunday July 9.
Regardless of experience, they are looking forward to welcoming anyone who has a passion for performing and meets the attendance requirements so do go along and have a go. www.demontforthall.co.uk
Dog agility entries now
open
ENTRIES ARE NOW open for the Kennel Club International Agility Festival which takes place on August 10-13 at The Rutland Showground. This is the world’s largest agility festival for dogs and their owners, with over 200 classes and dogs competing from all over the world. So even if you don’t compete it’s going to be great to go and watch!
The festival welcomes all dogs, and entries can be submitted online at www.agilityplaza.com and info about classes for young handlers can be found at www.thekennelclub.org.uk/ YKCCompetinginagility
Hegarty solicitors opens Market Deeping office
ESTABLISHED IN 1974, egarty Solicitors are a local firm offering a wide range of legal services with offices in Peterborough, Stamford and Oakham. The firm are pleased to now announce the opening of another office in arket Deeping.
Hegarty Solicitors already have many happy clients in and around arket Deeping, and are proud to offer the residents of the town and surrounding area trusted professional advice to help them get the best outcome when they need legal support. ith a new office situated in the heart of the town, Hegarty Solicitors hope to make it even easier for clients in the area to call on legal expertise when they need it.
ou can find egarty Solicitors’ Market Deeping office at Bank Chambers, 27 Market Place, Market Deeping, PE6 8EA or phone 01778 230120 or email info@hegarty.co.uk
A unique training facility specialising in exclusive personal training and small group classes
Wittering Grange, Wansford, Peterborough PE8 6NR
Membership and packages available. admin@thecarriageftness.co.uk
We sell our asparagus to local shops and restaurants and straight from the farm gateit couldn’t be fresher.
We’re open seven days a week during the growing season from 9am - 5pm at Rectory Farm, Polebrook, PE8 5LS. 07702 159870.
Established in Peterborough since 2011, we have recently opened a NEW STORE at Fineshade Wood
Natural food & natural treats (Including our buffet cart full of goodies!)
Variety of raw food for cats & dogs
Toys & accessories
Harness fittings in store (Stockists of Perfect Fit Harness)
Help & advice always available
Find us at: The Arches Forestry England Visitor Centre Fineshade, Corby NN17 3BB 01780 440846
THE OPEN AIR pool at Tallington Lakes opens at the end of ay and the watersports centre is also open for stand up paddleboarding, kayaking and open water swimming. Sailing and windsurfing are also available, and why not have a water ski or wakeboard lesson
And try the climbing tower with a kids’ club on a Sunday morning (Spider onkeys) for 1 year olds who have had a couple of climbing sessions www.tallington.com or www.tallingtonlakesproshop.com
HOPE AGAINST CANCER, which was founded in , is kicking off its th anniversary year with a commitment to providing a minimum of 1m in additional funding for local research and treatment over the ne t five years. To raise awareness about the charity the team will be encouraging local businesses and individuals to take part in the in Challenge’ starting with the Trail of ope eekend on the 11 une. www.hopeagainstcancer.org.uk/20in23
AQUA PARK RUTLAND, one of the ’s biggest in atable outdoor water parks have introduced the utland Dragon’ to the adventure centre. The in atable dragon is a nod to the discovery made by oe Davis in 1 of a perfectly preserved chthyosaur at utland ater.
Connor ames, founder of A ua Park utland says Our new in atable also measures 1 metres in length and will be available alongside more than other in atables that make up the water park attraction which is now open.’
The park is located at the utland ater Sports Centre at hitwell Creek on the North Shore. Connor adds e’ve once again introduced the A ua Park Season Pass, which covers entry to our three water park locations, here at utland ater, Cardiff Bay or Thurrock Lakeside. t means people can book up to twice a week for the whole summer giving families an easy and cost effective way to keep the kids active throughout the holidays.’
All visitors to A ua Park utland ater will be given buoyancy aids, but must be aged si and over, 1. m tall and able to swim metres unaided to take part. ualified lifeguards will be on duty throughout the day, both in and out of the water.
Tickets for the park can be booked online at www.aquaparkgroup.co.uk/rutland/ and cost for a one hour session. t’s recommended that a wetsuit is worn and they can be hired for when reserved in advance.
THE KETTLE CLUB will visit Oakham Castle at lunchtime (12 to 2pm) on Friday July 21.
The Kettle Club is a one marque motorcycle club dedicated to the iconic 1970’s Suzuki GT750 made famous by Britain’s Motorcycle Racing World Champion Barry Sheene. These motorcycles have 3 cylinder, water cooled, two stroke engines and are now 50 years old. The Kettle Club is holding its annual rally from July 20-23 at a base near Grantham and will ride to visit Oakham at lunchtime on July 21.
ENJOY AN EVENING of Jazz at Kelmarsh Hall and Gardens with the Ducie Jazz Band on Thursday July 6 from 5.30-9pm. Visitors can enjoy a stroll in the Grade II* listed gardens from 5.30pm, taking in the delights of the summer borders and walled garden. Then head over to the west terrace lawns, with gorgeous views of the ornamental lake and parkland beyond, to enjoy an evening of fabulous jazz music. Bring a picnic, blanket and a chair and enjoy! Tickets available via the Kelmarsh website: www.kelmarsh.com/whatson or phone 01604 686543.
BLASTON SHOW TAKES place on June 25 this year; a proper agricultural show that incorporates the Blaston Hound show as well.
HARBOROUGH SINGERS WILL be back in the barn they rehearsed in during Covid restrictions. And this time they will be performing as a thank you to the Johnson family.
The Singers’ special ‘Thank You’ event is a Summer Barn Concert at Rectory Farm in Great Easton on Saturday July 1, starting at 3pm. Afternoon tea and cake will be served and is included in the ticket price, and a prosecco bar will also be available. Tickets are £15, from harboroughsingers.com; Great Easton post office stores Eyebrook ild Bird Feeds at Rectory Farm, or by email from julia@unna.co.uk or 07761 729558.
All profits from the event will be split between two charities chosen by the ohnson family St. Andrew’s Church, Great Easton and Breast Cancer Now.
STAMFORD SHAKESPEARE COMPANY at Tolethorpe Hall is back with a bang this season starting on June 6. Enjoy a picnic in the glorious grounds of Tolethorpe Hall, then take your seat, protected from summer showers, and see one of four fantastic plays: Shakespeare’s Measure For Measure and As You Like It; Alan Bennett’s The Lady in the Van and Blue Stocking by Jessica Swale; all will be wonderful productions.
And new for the 2023 season is The Bistro at Tolethorpe Hall. Run by The Secret Kitchen, a local, Stamford-based catering company, The Bistro offers informal pre-theatre dining with a set menu starting from £23.99, focused on local produce and exceptional quality.
Phone the bo office on (01780) 917240 www.tolethorpe.co.uk to book tickets.
FEAST DAY IN Uppingham takes place on Sunday une 1 . As ever, you will fi nd a little something for all the family, be it taking part in circus skills workshops and children’s entertainments, enjoying a spot of shopping with the independent traders or simply by soaking up the atmosphere in the market square with friends and family for a fun packed day of great musicians guaranteed to get you up on your feet. This year The Crown will be hosting the after party when the main stage closes at 9pm so why not pop along and let the fun continue!
The Feast continues to be a free event, showcasing Uppingham’s wonderful high street in all its glory for both residents and visitors. This is only made possible by the generous sponsorship from local businesses and the Town Council - a huge Uppingham ‘Thank you’ to you all. Thanks also go to the many volunteers who make this event possible as well as to the residents of High Street East for their patience and understanding.
ON
at
continues with a sculpture workshop on June 7 and charcoal landscape with Rebecca Ivatts on June 22. Both workshops cost £75 and include a delicious lunch. To book go to www.bulwickvillageshop.com or www. thepickledshop.com @bulwickvillageshop
ART
THE Terrace
the Pickled Shop in Bulwick
Top 50 Independent Wine (awarded by Harpers),
Duncan Murray Wines can advise you on fantastic food pairings, party drinks, great gift ideas and a huge amount of amazing, avoursome and a ordable wines, beers and spirits.
We look forward to welcoming you soon.
10 Adam & Eve Street, Market Harborough LE16 7LT Tel: 01858 464935 Email: info@duncanmurraywines.co.uk Web: www.duncanmurraywines.co.uk
OPEN FOR MAY, JUNE & JULY
Strawberries - Raspberries - New Potatoes
Asparagus - Strawberry & Potato Plants
Freshly harvested produce available daily Orders taken.
Deliveries available for Partes & Weddings
PYO Strawberries available from late May onwards.
Opening Times: Mon – Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-4pm, Sun 10am-4pm
Please check our Facebook page for availability. Rutlandwaterfruitarm
Duncan Murray Wines opened in Market Harborough in 2001 in Adam and Eve Street. Every wine and spirit sold in the shop has passed the Duncan Murray tasting test so he knows exactly what to recommend. He supports small producers so it’s a pretty exclusive choice on offer. And look out for the free Saturday tastings and special offers.
This month to compliment the strawberries Duncan recommends…
Fresita (£11.00), a marvellous concoction of Chilean sparkling wine blended with organic Patagonian strawberries.
‘This is a bit bonkers, but we love it; it’s only 8% alcohol so perfect for afternoon tea, breakfast-in-bed, elevenses or even as a fruity nightcap.
‘I supplied the wines for my sister’s wedding where instead of a wedding breakfast, we had a wedding tea and Fresita was served, and it paired superbly with the cream tea, cakes and biscuits and was much better than a cup of tea.
‘The wine has a sweetness but not sugary like a sweet, this is much more like eating the strawberry fruit which has a nice tangy note and is quite moreish.’
01858 464 935
www.duncanmurraywines.co.uk
RECIPE
Strawberries, basil, black pepper and balsamic vinegar
June means English strawberries in all their glory. But that doesn’t just mean plonk them in a bowl and enjoy them with a dollop of cream (although that is equally acceptable too). Try them with some balsamic vinegar, black pepper and basil. And if you wish add some Parma ham to make a delicious starter
INGREDIENTS
• 1 large punnet strawberries
• 1 dessert spoon balsamic glaze
• 1 dessert spoon olive oil
• Pinch of salt
• 1 tsp ground black peppercorns
• Handful fresh, shredded basil leaves
• 4 slices Parma ham if desired
METHOD
• Mix the glaze, olive oil and salt together to make a marinade and leave for about 15 minutes at room temperature. Either then put the strawberries in a bowl, pour the marinade over and add peppercorns and basil and serve. Or if having it with the Parma ham as a starter; put strawberries on a plate, drizzle with marinade, add basil and pepper and place Parma ham alongside them. Either way, delicious!
I’m a jeweller and goldsmith, specialising in bespoke fine jewellery, remodelling and commissions, all from my onsite workshop in picturesque Market Harborough.
THE DOG ROSE is a scrambling shrub common throughout the UK but most often seen in hedges and waysides in the south and Midlands. It is the most common of our native wild roses.
t is a climber and can grow up to five metres using its downward pointing thorns to aid its reach. The leaves are a blue green and grow alternately on either side of the stem then split into small toothed lea ets. The rose blooms in ay and une and the five petalled owers are coloured in every shade of pink to pure white.
The fruit (called a hip) ripens in late August. They are oval in shape, bright orange red in colour and are greatly favoured as a food source by birds and small mammals.
The hips were one of the British dietary success stories of WWll when citrus fruit became unavailable. By proportion rosehips contain 20 times more vitamin C than an orange. In 1941 the Ministry of Health started a voluntary scheme for the collection of hips and in that year 120 tons were harvested. An average of 450 tons were then gathered per year for the remainder of the war. Making the hips into anything humanly beneficial (but greatly so) is to make them into a syrup. As a small lad I remember getting a blob in my semolina at school dinners.
GARDENING
Pond life
Sweet scents and a pond; what every garden needs. Tessa Burns tells us how to achieve these in your garden
THERE IS NOTHING more relaxing in a garden than the sound and sight of water. Even a small garden can achieve this. You can choose a formal design constructed as an integral part of the overall landscaping or a more informal shape, both will soon become a haven for insects, birds, amphibians and small mammals.
Sitting uietly watching the goldfish and carp amongst the re ections of clouds, admiring the delicacy of dragon ies dancing, and emboldened swallows skimming the surface to drink from the pool is a breathtaking experience and can become an addictive pastime.
A mini pond is easy to make. Choose a watertight container, attractive garden pot or old Belfast sink. Seal any drainage holes with silicone sealant. If necessary paint the inside with specialist paint or line with butyl. Position away from overhanging trees as falling leaves and debris will rot in the water. For a cheaper version, a plastic storage crate or an old washing up bowl dug into the soil will suffice. se cleaned old bricks in the base to raise the level for planting aquatic plants. Always ensure there is a graduated side of a pile of rocks for an escape route for any thirsty little mammals which might fall in.
For larger projects a pre formed plastic pool may be your starting point, or dig out the desired shape, size and depth and again, remember to include a graduated side for the escape route and to provide planting shelves. Remove any stones or roots from the bowl, pre line for e tra protection and finally add the butyl liner. Try to use rainwater to fill it and keep the level topped up regularly throughout the summer months. Once filled, anchor the edge of the liner under at rockery stones before cutting off the surplus. But do leave some 15cm under the surrounding stones. What plants to choose? Usually planting
advice is available from where you buy them so do ask. Oxygenators will help keep the water clear, just thrown into the water. Frogbit hydrochorus will help control algae. Marginals, reeds, sedges, iris laviegata, water forget me not, Caltha palustris or marsh marigold and trollius will add interest and colour. Select a water lily suitable for a small pool. Have a look at Acorus, Cyprus papyrus and Mimmulus guttarus. Beware of houttuynia, the foliage is very attractive but it can become a rampaging beast.
Barley straw extract added regularly helps keep water clear. Remove any debris or damaged foliage but leave it on the poolside for a few days to let any pond life crawl back into the pool. Bring planting down to the edge of the pond to provide cover for sheltering wildlife.
Sweet scents
Summer evenings are the best time of day to enjoy fragrant plants. Grow them in pots or borders around a favourite seating area. Choose from phlox, stocks, pinks, nicotiana, wall owers and pelargonium. But simplify with just one or two choices as all together would be too heady a mix of scent. Climbers such as honeysuckle all’s Prolific, Graham Thomas, serotina and belgica are particularly fragrant or star jasmine grown around an arbour would be delightful. The older varieties of sweet peas tend to have the stronger scents and, of course, the more you pick (every two or three days) the more owers are produced.
A hedge of rosemary or lavender will release its perfume as you brush past on a pathway. Shrubs such as philadelphus or viburnum in numerous varieties planted near a window gently waft their fragrance on the breeze. And roses are at their most fragrant in the early morning so you can enjoy fabulous scents all day.
www.wellandvale.co.uk
It’s show time!
Summer means gardens galore, be it open gardens, garden visits or shows. Designer T J Kennedy tells us how to make the most of them
IT IS THAT season again, our local National Garden Scheme open gardens is in full swing, the spring festivals and Chelsea have just finished, and a urry of summer regional garden shows are just around the corner. You can gain a lot from getting involved, and of course it’s a grand day out.’
The National Garden Scheme is particularly good for local gardens as it shows what actually does well in your particular part of the country, your location and soil type. These garden nurturers are absolute e perts. They will offer valuable advice which is likely to be much more specific to your own garden. This is about seeing a garden that has grown in the same climatic conditions as your own. Some things will have failed and been replaced and other areas will have been rejuvenated. ou are really seeing a breathing, living space. Gardens are places to be tweaked, altered and re imagined, and if all these changes have been done by one owner then it is really valuable to hear their story. Then you can look at your own garden using their knowledge to support you.
Garden visits again will show you a real living garden. t could have an historical relevance which will allow you to look at traditional gardening techni ues (interesting and creative and effective), see how the garden speaks to the house and the era and see how it has been sensitively adapted for modern times. any of the ’s top and
well loved designers have reinvigorated some of our iconic landscapes and to see how they have used their design skills slotted in seamlessly is beautiful and encouraging. Worth mentioning here is Chatsworth ouse and Tom Stuart Smith, S Bridgewater and arris Bugg (and Tom Stuart Smith) and Sissinghurst and the Delos garden.
What about a show? Well, a show is theatrical to demonstrate what you can do with your space, creating perfection and then some more. Shows are about aspiration and an opportunity to really see what can be achieved with shapes, views, structures, materials, plants, level changes and finishing touches. Show gardens show off every element of an outdoor space. There will be clever ideas, some new plant combinations, new colour palettes and new plants.
f you are considering a full garden design and build then a show is the place to widen your knowledge and do lots of research. t is also where you will find a hive of e perts and a directory of contacts where you will get to speak to designers, delve into their work and take away a huge range of information. Spend time with any of the nursery e perts and again you will get top class guidance on their speciality plants. And then there are the finishing touches to add layers on to the bones of your garden and all this in one place which is so useful.
will be at BBC Gardener’s orld Live at the NEC this une from the 1 1 on the APL Avenue with a show garden of Take e ome. Come and say hello, ’d love to see you.
www.tjkennedy.design
TRAVEL
Kate stays at the recently refurbished boutique hotel
The Barnsdale and is rather taken with it
PREDICT WE’RE going to be hearing a lot more about the new boutique hotel company The Signet Collection, particularly as its third hotel, The Barnsdale, is slap bang in the middle of Rutland on the north shore of Rutland Water.
The Signet Collection was created by hotelier and restaurateur Hector Ross to provide elegant, luxurious, yet quirky stays in historically significant properties around the including utland, Hampton Court and the Wessex Downs. That’s just the start; there will be more rolled out in due course.
Many of us locals have visited Barnsdale Lodge at least once in our lives whether for afternoon tea, lunch in the conservatory or to attend a wedding or dinner in the Banqueting Suite. And everyone enjoys the painted hippos on the front lawn as they drive between Oakham and Stamford. But I’m happy to say it’s been given a shot of energy and style having been completely refurbished over the last few months. Now it’s a much more inviting and stylish venue serving incredibly tasty food, delicious wine (with a dedicated Whispering Angel bar in the courtyard), friendly, helpful staff and superb attention to detail everywhere you turn.
If you want to stay the night – and even if you’re local, why shouldn’t you? – there are 46 individually designed bedrooms to choose from including the rather grand Fort Henry Suite with its enticing copper bath. Or if you prefer to self-cater, you could hire one of the Rural Retreats next to the hotel or – shortly – a sustainable eco hut.
A new chapter for Barnsdale
You can eat in the 1760 brasserie – named after the year the original lodge was built, the Orangery, or a choice of private dining rooms.
And if the weather’s fine, there’s the sunny courtyard complete with aforementioned hispering Angel bar. es please. The staff are particularly keen to encourage families to stay, and enjoy the croquet lawn, boule pit and all the familiar delights of Rutland Water.
The new Banqueting Suite will be open for weddings and events this October and a new spa and farm shop – Signet Stores – selling its own fruit and veg, will open in 2024. This is a hotel that keeps on giving. And yes, the hippos are still there, loving their new life in the orchard!
A new chapter for an age-old story
f you want to travel further afield and e perience an even more historic venue, why not stay at The Mitre Hotel on the banks of the Thames This was the first hotel in The Signet Collection and is a Grade II-listed property dating back to 1665 originally used to house guests of ings Charles at ampton Court Palace. The rich history of the hotel is fascinating and, if you need an extra incentive to stay, a free ticket to Hampton Court is included in the price of the room and exclusive tours can be arranged. But don’t expect fusty interiors: the rooms are designed to blend old and new with bedrooms full of character as are the attractive reception areas; you’ll have to force yourself to leave.
'I’m happy to say it’s been given a shot of energy and style having been completely refurbished over the last few months.'
The Retreat at Elcot Park
Or if you really need to unwind then the second hotel in the collection is an 18th century Grade II listed building situated in 16 acres near Newbury. Elcot Park was well known in the 19th century for having the first glasshouses heated by a hot water system and then later for its owner Lady Shelley, the mother of Percy Bysshe Shelley.
Famous residents aside, it’s now very much appreciated for its pan Asian restaurant, 1 brasserie, whiskey library, orangery, outdoor infinity pool the list of ways to rela goes on.
The only difficult decisions to make while you’re there involve how long you’ll spend in the wellness area with its treatment rooms, gym, spin studio, salt oatation room and sauna steam rooms before you tuck in to a meal in one of the restaurants, private dining rooms, the Orangery or the outdoor terrace overlooking the esse Downs. Or you can grab a snack from one of the honesty pantries (yes, really ) and settle for a drink at the hispering Angel pool bar. ( sense a theme here.)
’m fascinated to know which historic property ector and the team will choose to take on ne t. f these three are anything to go by, the result is certain to be special.
This vineyard is named after a record breaking train and the owners are busy setting their own records. Mary meets them
AS YOU TRAVEL from Bourne to Stamford and come down the steep hill towards Essendine the more observant of you might have noticed the vineyard that appeared there a few years ago. And the even more observant might have noticed that this spring more vines have been planted. The single vineyard has become an estate and this year has also developed into a winery and distillery as Mallard Point has produced its first vintage and, at the same time, its first distilled spirit. f we are going to do one, we might as well do both at the same time,’ is the attitude of owners Andrew and Fi Beamish. Mallard Point is the only family-run single estate vineyard and distillery this side of the so uite a rarity. e need to find out more and to do this we have to go back a few years.
Andrew and Fi came to Church Farm in Essendine on the Rutland/ Lincolnshire border over 10 years ago, but had harboured winery plans long before that. Both from farming backgrounds Andrew’s stint running the student’s union at Harper Adams had introduced him to the hospitality world, outside events and marquees. He worked for John Deere for a while but always with a foot in the hospitality door and in 2003 he and Fi bought a marquee company and went properly into outside events and supplying marquees.
And then came a stint travelling together when they headed to Australia to start to realise the dream and find out more about vines, growing them and making wine. ‘We toured so many vineyards and learnt a lot,’ says Andrew.
This couple weren’t just interested in producing wine, they were interested in the whole process, from start to finish. And that meant from planting the vines right the way through to bottling the wine at the end. They are very interested in sustainability, recycling and reusing. And Australia is quite innovative when it comes to wine, being one of the first to put wine in bo es, bags and pouches and to use screw tops rather than cork.
They returned to the UK full of ideas and then of course life took over and they started building their events business in 2010 with The Events and Tents Company. But plans for a vineyard had not disappeared, far from it. Andrew had been studying viticulture at Plumpton and plans were being made. And in 2019 they came to fruition with the first vines being planted on one of their five acre south facing slopes on the 40 acre farm. The sheep and cows were used to graze around the vines and now the real work started. As well as nurturing the vines Andrew and Fi were doing lots of research about bottling and sustainability as well as building a distillery and winery; they’ve been very busy...
‘We liked the idea of being able to reuse the bottles, much the same as milk bottles and were also very interested in using pouches like they do in Australia,’ says Fi ‘but it just wasn’t working.’
‘And then it came to us,’ says Andrew. ‘Obviously building marquees all the time we were used to handling aluminium and knew it was durable, lightweight and hard wearing. So why didn’t we create a bottle out of aluminium that can be returned and refilled and used time and time again. And a swing top means you don’t have to drink the whole bottle at once and it also keeps the wine airtight so is fine for fi as well, and keeps the wine chilled too and, of course, stops the single use of cork or screw tops.’
So that is exactly what they did. They’ve created a one size bottle that can be used for spirits as well as wine and can be used almost ad infinitum. t can be resealed, keeps the wine cool, is much lighter than glass and truly is sustainable, long lasting and reusable. And it weighs less than glass so is perfect for posting to customers meaning cheaper postage too, and no breakages. t’s sent out in a cardboard sleeve which is reversible so that the empty bottle can be returned to be refilled and reused. e got our first bottle back from Northumberland earlier this year and that was a very special day,’ says Fi. Every bottle that is returned earns the customer a £3 voucher code off their ne t purchase so there is a clear incentive as well as
'And that brings us back to those vines merrily growing. Last year, 2022 provided them with their first harvest and it was a bumper one because of the hot weather.'
‘doing the right thing’ to return the bottles.
There is only one problem. Champagne and sparkling wines have, by law, to be sold in heavy glass bottles because it can withstand pressure of up to 20 bar. So Andrew and Fi are now in consultation with Defra to overturn this law as their bottle can withstand this pressure, they’ve just got to prove it and are doing so now. It has been tested to handle pressurised wine such as Charmat method (Prosecco) but the law currently prevents them from marketing it!
saw all the stored bottles of fi that were bottled in the autumn and not one of them has exploded or bulged so hopefully they are well on the way to overturning this rather archaic law; watch this space. And hopefully it will happen soon as all those vines are springing to life ready to bear even more grapes this season.
And that brings us back to those vines merrily growing. Last year, provided them with their first harvest and it was a bumper one because of the hot weather. So the first vintage of wine was made, has been bottled and is now ready to be sold; and it tastes good, I can vouch for that. At the same time they have been working on producing gin which went on sale earlier this year. This is more Fi’s baby (and she’s already won some awards). The idea for the distillery running alongside the winery (as they complement each other perfectly) came to them during Covid lockdowns when there was time to plan and do all the paperwork.
Fi has been using the grapes as botanicals as well, hence Andrew having to plant more! ‘Flavoured gins are popular but a lot of them are high in sugar content. We take our London Dry Gin which has notes of apple, honeysuckle and jasmine and steep the Pinot Noir grape skins post pressing for wine which imparts the beautiful colour and avours from the grapes. e will shortly be launching our English Rose gin which is made from grape spirit and takes its avours from rosé wine.’
There are now 1 acres of vines which is 1 , plants. The first five acres are differing clones of the traditional champagne varieties, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. The more recent plantings have included more Chardonnay and Meunier and just recently Pinot Noir with two PIWI hybrids Cabernet Jura and Sauvignac.
After a soft launch of the gin in December the wine is now ready to sell. Fi and Andrew are opening the vineyard for tours as well as the winery for sales. You can wander around the vines, spot Keith the frost burner, have a picnic and sit and enjoy a glass of wine which can be brought out to you, you just press a bu er ( like the sound of that). The gin is now available online and stocked locally in places like Stamford Garden Centre, Oakham Wines and hotels including the newly refurbished The Barnsdale and The Olive Branch at Clipsham.
Andrew and Fi don’t just talk sustainability, recycling and reuse they really do adhere to it. The vines are grown at Essendine, the wine is made using the water from the aquifer, the cows are fed on the grape skins left over and the manure is spread on the vines as fertiliser. The cardboard from the returned bottles is shredded and used as compost as well. And plans are afoot to make their own alcohol. So once the grapes are planted they do not leave the farm until they are ready to be drunk. This vineyard is very aptly named after the Mallard, it really is full steam ahead here and those aluminium bottles are going to break records.
www.mallardpoint.co.uk
@mallard_point
07850 912169
FRESH FROM THE FARM
It’s hard to resist eating the fruit when you’re at a Pick Your Own (PYO) farm. Kate certainly couldn’t stop herself when she visited Rutland Water Fruit Farm
IT’S THE MAJOR downside for PYO farmers when the punters eat more fruit than they pick and pay for, but I was actively encouraged to try the different strawberries when met Nick Makey, owner of Rutland Water Fruit Farm. He’s always on the lookout for different varieties to grow for his customers. This year he’s growing Elsanta, Sonata, Parlando, Malling Centenary and Limalexia.
‘As a grower you’re always looking for the ultimate variety of yield and avour,’ Nick told me. ‘Malling Centenary is undoubtably the sweetest but you need some avour as well. Supermarkets love it but it’s the hardest to grow and it’s not that prolific.’
Elsanta have been around for over 30 years and have a real tang to them. n Nick’s opinion Sonata have the best all round avour and think agree but my palette is not the most highly tuned! Some of the strawberries were huge; I’d never seen anything like them in the supermarkets, which is strange as strawberries grown for the supermarkets are grown in exactly the
same way.
‘We do have a big advantage as we can leave them for an extra day or two to get them properly ripe, and the avour is better for that,’ Nick says. Also supermarket berries will be in a cold store for longer. We pick and sell on the same day, so I rarely need to store them. They’re as fresh as you’ll ever get.’
Nick changes his plants every year, treating them as an annual crop. He has six early tunnels, four mid-season and two late, growing in total over 10,000 strawberry plants each year. ‘In the scheme of things, I’m tiny, a one-man band but I’ve always liked growing things and I never get fed up of strawberries.’
Everything on site is grown in coir grow bags. During the picking season they are watered through pipes directly into the soil in short bursts eight times a day, otherwise the plants would quickly dry out. It’s a very precise way of watering so there is very little wastage.
Nick plants the early varieties in anuary to March and erects the polytunnels. From
April onwards he’s onsite most days. The strawberries are ready to pick in May through une and uly and there may still be strawberries growing until mid August but obviously it’s completely weather dependent.
Nick also grows raspberries that start in mid une until the end of uly. And asparagus from the family farm. Also melt in your mouth new potatoes which very few growers offer. They are grown in the coir recycled from last year’s strawberries and after the potatoes have finished Nick bags up the soil and sells it. Spare strawberry plants are also sold so there’s absolutely no wastage here.
Fresh new potatoes are much quicker to cook than ones sold in supermarkets. ‘We sell them in punnets for each,’ says Nick. ‘They’re not cheap but they’re a delicacy especially when eaten within a day or two of lifting.’ Nick grows and lifts pots every day of Casablanca, a y, aris Bard and Maris Peer during the season.
He delivers his fruit to local shops, pubs and restaurants and the rest is sold on site in the farm shop. By early une he gives over a quarter of each tunnel for PYO. There are very few PYO farms in the area as many growers have given up over recent years which is a shame as it’s a great family activity and a good way to stock your free er.
During Wimbledon many people’s thoughts turn to punnets of strawberries but instead of cream or yoghurt, the trend nowadays is eating strawberries with black pepper or balsamic vinegar. Whatever your taste, instead of buying from the supermarket, it’s definitely worth a trip to our local grower for fat, juicy, fresh fruit.
Rutland Water Fruit Farm
Manton Road, Edith Weston, Oakham, LE15 8HB
Open Mon – Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-4pm, Sun 10am-4pm
Check the Rutland Water Fruit Farm Facebook page for updates or phone 07875 479533
ASHBY ASPARAGUS
Kate visits another of our wonderful local growers. This time it’s asparagus
ANOTHER DELICIOUS CROP grown in abundance locally is asparagus from Rectory Farm in Polebrook near Oundle. Mike Ashby is a fourth-generation farmer who took the forwardthinking decision in 2011 to give 40 acres of his land to growing asparagus. Most farmers have to diversify these days and, despite most of the heavy soil on the farm being dedicated to growing wheat, barley, beans and rape, Mike has allocated around 40 acres of lighter land to asparagus beds.
‘My land is heavier going than most asparagus farmers who tend to grow on sand so it’s slower growing,’ says Mike. ‘But when it comes to hot weather we have plenty of moisture in the soil and that leads to improved taste.’
Mike sells to many local shops and restaurants as well as Waitrose and M&S. He also sells bundles and soup bags – wonky ones – at the farm gate. He particularly enjoys chatting to his local customers because his wheat, for instance, goes off to arburtons and he rarely hears any feedback.
Quite rightly, the feedback he receives about the asparagus is glowing. The farm grows two varieties – Guelph Equinox and Guelph Eclipse, some early, some late varieties. They are very pretty with a tight tip and great taste, hugely popular with local chefs.
‘We grade quite hard,’ Mike told me. ‘So we know it’s the same excellent quality for the local shops as it is for Waitrose.’
The teams of pickers go out in little buggies and cut up to one tonne of asparagus per day, starting at 7am picking through until 3pm. Then they go and stack into 10kg trays for a packer to wash, grade and bundle for local supplies.
Finding the right pickers has been difficult the horticultural industry needs at least 72,000 people each year. This year the government has only allowed 45,000 people to come from overseas so many farms are struggling.
‘It’s hard work for a short period,’ says Mike, ‘but they’re paid well with a guaranteed 32-hour week and they live here on the farm.’
Labour costs make up nearly 70% of the cost of the product and mechanisation will be key in the future. ‘Robots are coming,’ says Mike, ‘but it will mean a huge investment in development.’
Mechanisation aside, one key factor, as always, is the weather. A cold frost during winter is beneficial for an asparagus crop, wet weather is not so helpful.
‘But seasonality is a great thing,’ says Mike. ‘You don’t appreciate your favourite products if you have them all year round, it’s something to look forward to.’ The growing season is fairly short from St George’s Day to Midsummer’s Eve which means it’s a supremely fresh product with plenty of health benefits.
Asparagus reminds us of spring,’ says ike. ou see your first swallows, you eat your first asparagus. t’s a wonderful product, we love eating it as well as growing it.’
www.ashbyasparagus.com
well-trusted care
service, you can remain at home surrounded by loved to help with daily complex needs that require more dedicated care. packages around you and your individual needs which means that you and assured you’ll receive care and support exactly as you need from a 30-minute care visit, companionship, community outings, shopping, to 24 hour and Live in Care. service, you’ll want to engage with people you can trust , understand and show compassion. Caring for people throughout and for over 10 years, our team deliver all of this and more.
Referred to by our customers as ‘lovely blue angels’ we deliver award-winning home care as personal as you are.
Referred to by our customers as ‘lovely blue angels’ we deliver award-winning home care as personal as you are.
With our well-trusted care service, you can remain at home surrounded by loved ones and beloved pets and still enjoy your home, garden and community
With our well-trusted care service, you can remain at home surrounded by loved ones and beloved pets and still enjoy your home, garden and community.
With our well-trusted care service, you can remain at home surrounded by loved ones and beloved pets and still enjoy your home, garden and community
You may be in a situation where you need an extra pair of hands to help with daily chores, or you may have complex needs that require more dedicated care.
You may be in a situation where you need an extra pair of hands to help with daily chores, or you may have complex needs that require more dedicated care.
You may be in a situation where you need an extra pair of hands to help with daily chores, or you may have complex needs that require more dedicated care.
We build our care packages around you and your individual needs which means that you and your family can rest assured you’ll receive care and support exactly as you need. Our care covers everything from a 30-minute care visit, companionship, community outings, shopping, night care, through to 24 hour and Live in Care.
We build our care packages around you and your individual needs which means that you and your family can rest assured you’ll receive care and support exactly as you need. Our care covers everything from a 30-minute care visit, companionship, community outings, shopping, night care, through to 24 hour and Live in Care.
We build our care packages around you and your individual needs which means that you and your family can rest assured you’ll receive care and support exactly as you need. Our care covers everything from a 30-minute care visit, companionship, community outings, shopping, night care, through to 24 hour and Live in Care.
With such a personal service, you’ll want to engage with people you can trust, who are highly trained, who listen, understand and show compassion. Caring for people throughout Stamford, Bourne and Rutland for over 10 years, our team deliver all of this and more.
With such a personal service, you’ll want to engage with people you can trust, who are highly trained, who listen, understand and show compassion. Caring for people throughout Peterborough, Oundle, Stamford, Bourne and Rutland for over 10 years, our team deliver all of this and more.
With such a personal service, you’ll want to engage with people you can trust, who are highly trained, who listen, understand and show compassion. Caring for people throughout Stamford, Bourne and Rutland for over 10 years, our team deliver all of this and more.
Bluebird Care Stamford & Rutland Bluebirdcare.co.uk/Stamford-Rutland
Bluebird Care Peterborough & Oundle Bluebirdcare.co.uk/Peterborough-Oundle
Enjoy walks around Stamford and Rutland, exploring towns, villages and the open countryside. Some shorter walks of up to four miles and then some real leg stretchers which will tire you and the dog out.
at
or from local stockists
Head O ce: 16 Wharf Rd, Stamford, PE9 2EB
A true family day out
The Market Harborough carnival is over 100 years old and each year it just gets better
NO-ONE CAN accurately pinpoint the date of the first carnival in arket arborough suffice to say it’s over a century old and much has changed over the years. The theme this year is Green’ because on une 1 the carnival marks the first day of The Great Big Green eek which runs nationally from une 1 to 1 . The carnival organisers are taking the opportunity to demonstrate how individual small steps can all add up to make a difference towards the goal of reaching net ero carbon emissions. For e ample, there will be no paper programmes, but an ad van’ instead and fewer generators.
And this year as well as local schools, dance groups, charities and businesses there will be participants with extra green credentials parading through the town on one of over oats. And what a spectacle it should be!
The parade sets off by 11. am once the very last runner of the 1 run has crossed the finish line, and with runners taking part in the race that will also be a fine sight to see.
Then to top off this fun family day out there’s a Party at the Park with local bands including Soul Patrol from obert Smyth school, and The Club Classics Band getting everyone in a rela ed mood playing chilled bi a club classics. ith 1 street food vendors, trade stalls and a fairground at Symington ecreation Ground off St ary’s oad, there is something to please every member of the family and, at per adult, per child or for a family of four, the organisers are certain it will be superb entertainment and great value for money.
For more information visit www.harboroughcarnival.co.uk
Creative arts and crafternoon tea
Mary meets two friends who are creating a buzz in Folkingham
FOLKINGHAM WHICH IS north of Bourne on the A15 is one of those really pretty, large mainly stone villages which, every time you drive through you think this is pretty really must stop and explore.’ It has a lovely square, beautiful Georgian houses, a Landmark Trust property and now its very own creative arts centre, housed in the old school which is a beautiful Victorian property.
annah eston Smith and iki Barnes both live in Folkingham and have been neighbours and friends for many years. Such good friends that for the past few years they have been working together. annah is a Master Upholsterer who specialises in antique and traditional furniture and has appeared on The epair Shop. She has taught the subject, along with DT at schools for many years and since 2012 has had her own business, annah Nails upholstery with a workshop in the village. Viki, unbeknownst to annah has a history of art degree but
worked for the NF on the admin and accounts side for many years and then started helping annah in her business and got in touch with my creative side again.’
Then fate took over. annah noticed that the Old School was up for rent and just knew it would be perfect for a creative arts centre;
something I’d been thinking about for a while. I wanted to run workshops and teach upholstery again but my workshop is just too small to hold classes in.’ Viki’s initial response was a very firm no. annah has two young children and her five year plan was to go back into teaching again; this threw everything up in the air.’
Lo and behold, in January this year the creative arts workshop opened with annah and Viki in partnership! The school is the perfect space. It’s large, light, airy and spacious and in walking distance from their homes; and bang in the centre of the village with a large market place for parking. The pair have done a lot of work to the school, along with support from their landlord and the building is very welcoming. They’ve reused and repurposed as much as they can as that is our ethos.’ Tables were donated by structural engineers Price & Myers, sewing machines were found on ebay or donated, chairs were saved from a skip and antique
reupholstered chairs have appeared from Hannah’s workshop; the two Teckels sitting on one of the chairs are the resident dogs and come as part of the package, chief supervisors would be their roles.
Hannah is now able to run her upholstery courses from the building and they are really popular. So much so that as well as running classes three days a week she is now running intensive one week courses for people wanting to get a project done in one go. Participants are often taking a week’s holiday, booking one of the holiday cottages in the village and coming to stay for a week, bringing their piece of furniture with them. Others live locally and, again, want to get something done in a week so take the time off work. Classes are never bigger than si to eight people and you can be a complete beginner or (particularly for the week courses) more e perienced. Classes are small so that annah is able to offer advice and teach techniques to everyone. With old, traditional furniture it’s often what you find underneath the old fabric that’s the most interesting, and problematic. And this can take the time and need the e pertise. Old springs, horse hair and wadding spring to mind. And did you know that the French used completely different techni ues to the English when it came to furniture making? This is where annah’s skills and e perience are invaluable. She can also provide fabric including stuffings, we don’t use foam here, we want to be sustainable and there are plenty of alternatives.’ And if you want to
learn how to upholster but don’t have a chair, the school has a few hanging around on the walls to choose from!
pholstery courses have now e panded into a weekly art group which is really popular. t’s become a group of friends getting together,’ says Viki and many more courses are now available including felting, mosaics, beginner’s art, sewing and quilting and many more in the pipeline. t’s great that people are now coming to us asking for different courses and workshops,’ says iki. They are always on the lookout for other creative people who are keen to run workshops and evening classes so do get in touch with them. There are lots of crafty people in the village and it’s amazing who else lives locally and we’d love to hear from you,’ says Hannah.
e are offering a base where people can come and learn a craft from new or hone their skills. We have plenty of space in a comfortable environment so there’s room to spread out and we are a friendly bunch,’ says Hannah. And they are, both Hannah and
Viki are very welcoming and chatty. What’s quickly become apparent is that as well as learning a new skill and enjoying doing the craft, people who are coming to the courses and workshops are making new friends and enjoying the social side as well which is equally important.
Viki’s admin skills work well with Hannah’s more creative, practical ones and the pair of them make a good team. The creative arts centre is coming on in leaps and bounds and gaining a reputation for itself which stretches over a wide area.
As well as being a Master Upholsterer
annah is also Chair of the Guild of Traditional Upholsterers and as such has some very good contacts. Their AG will be held at the school in October and she is now lining up other craftsmen and women from the Guild to come and give lectures so keep an eye on their website to see who is coming; one of the e perts from nearby Belton ouse is on the list as is one of the e perts who worked on the king’s throne.
‘We are offering a base where people can come and learn a craft from new or hone their skills.'
And now they have become established Vikki (who is apparently a very good cook) has come up with another really good idea; crafternoon tea. This will be a monthly event starting in June. You come along and enjoy a session of crafts and half way through you take a break and enjoy a delicious traditional afternoon tea, that sounds like the perfect combination to me.
Rumble Live Action Gaming has come to Rutland Water. The team from Stamfordbased Class Q enjoyed a corporate session and fell completely under its spell
OU MAY REMEMBER one of our first Active team outings in 1 was to umble when we all reverted to 1 year olds and ran around trying to kill each other. This was at Grafham ater and we had the time of our lives until two days later when we all realised that sadly we were no longer 1 years old and our thighs were telling us so, very loudly And then, of course, life took over and rather than figuratively trying to kill each other it would appear Covid meant that we might. But life thankfully moves on and umble has moved on as well, surviving lockdowns and becoming more popular every year which is perfectly understandable as once you’ve done live action gaming
once you want to do it again, and again. umble has now e panded to a second location, this time at Sykes Lane, on the north shore of utland ater and again, of course, it’s proving very popular. But first of all we need to e plain what umble Live Action Gaming actually is. This family run business has basically brought live gaming to life. ather than sitting at your computer you go and do it for yourself and bring video games like Call of Duty and Fortnite to life. ou are given a gun which works with the headband you wear so you know if you have been shot (sound effects are superb) and you also know how many kills you’ve made. ou usually play in a team and there are other weapons to use such as grenades and air strikes and the ground you play on has lots of hiding places and strategic spots where you can gain the upper hand.
It’s the perfect way to get children out from behind their computer screens and has become really popular as a birthday party venue. You can turn up at the weekend and join in with lots of other people. Family groups are really enjoying it and it’s very popular with inter generational groups. ou can figuratively kill granny now rather than literally… And then there are the groups of friends, school trips, scouts and guides, hen and stag dos and corporate days or ‘sweating the assets’ as these could be described as.
Rumble really is team building at its best and we decided to send the Class Q team from Stamford to try out the new facilities at utland ater. This planning and architecture firm are a fairly young team made up of architects, planners and everything in between and seven of them turned up to be guinea pigs on the day, having lost a couple of others to vital meetings. Unfortunately it rained (there’s a surprise) just before kick off but it had stopped before they began and they were in trees so sheltered; and a bit of mud and damp never hurt anyone. And this lot, once they got going weren’t at all worried and the rain certainly didn’t stop play.
After watching the video briefing and picking their guns which are named (I’m not being Colin!), they split themselves into teams of three and four, and off they went.
It turns out that Class Q are a competitive lot and any inhibitions or reservations were very quickly forgotten. They reverted to type just as uickly as we did and by the time the first game was half way through were charging around like a group of 1 year olds with big grins on their faces, whooping and hollering. The blue team very uickly showed their dominance attening the others by points to 37. But it turned out that two of the other team hadn’t quite grasped
how to use their weapons properly (they soon did).
Elf (aka Iain) quickly became top gun and equally quickly took possession of a certain hut where he seemed to be able to kill anyone wherever they were on the ground. Half way through, a break was called for so everyone sat and had a 10 minute rest and debrief. There was lots of laughter, one of the best comments being that ‘Mary is in the shed.’ ‘No I’m not,’ came back the answer, from the shed! Team members had shot each other by mistake, had shot themselves in the foot, pulled off some incredible hits (and misses) and were certainly gelling and having a laugh together. ust another day in the office as it were.
And then it was time for VIP where each team had to guard a member; there was the sniper session where some of the girls really came into their own and the final game where you had to pair up and stay within two metres of each other whilst obviously trying to kill all the other teams. Elf was on his own for this one as the numbers were odd, and you’ve guessed it, as well as being top gun he is also one of the bosses so what better way to get your own back – the three teams ganged up on him and he was not top gun for this session!
You cannot not enjoy a Rumble session and once again it worked its magic; just look at the photos to see for yourselves; happy smiles all round. The Class team finished the hour long session damp, muddy, tired and bedraggled, but boy did they have fun. They were all heading off for pi a and pints and imagine lots of hilarity discussing their live action gaming session; team building at its best. would definitely recommend it,’ said ain aka Elf. e loved it, it’s great fun and we will definitely be back for another go and are up for the challenge from any local businesses!’
Rumble sessions can be held for up to 30 people aged 8 upwards at a cost of £18 per person. For corporate days there is a minimum charge of £300. They are open every weekend with hours extended during school holidays and for private bookings; visit the website for more details at www.rumblelive.co.uk
Opening hours: 9am to 5 pm Monday to
GThe birds are back in town
Global Birdfair is back for 2023 and better than ever
LOBAL BIRDFAIR IS back for 2023 at The Rutland Showground on 14, 15 and 16 July.
Conservation organisations such as the RSPB will be there as well as artists, optics and camera manufacturers, book stalls and organisations representing destinations and independent wildlife tour operators. Local bird food producer Eyebrook Feeds will be among around 250 exhibitors.
New for 2023 is a workshop area which will host workshops on topics ranging from photography to dissecting owl pellets, identifying dragon ies and recording birds with eBird.
Younger visitors will have plenty to do. The new ‘Be a Global Birdfair Expert’ will be given to all next generation nature enthusiasts, and activities will be held throughout the weekend in The Nest.
Alongside the exhibitors will be three lecture stages, a new authors’ stage and, of course, the main Osprey Event stage where visiting celebrities will entertain you. Also new for 2023 is the podcasting area so visitors can listen in to various interviews over the three days on a huge range of topics.
Friday and Saturday evenings will see two fun events including Ajay Tegala entertaining with his ‘Year in Birdsong’ show. Saturday has an exciting line up from 6pm with a surprise ‘This is Your Life,’ followed by Iolo Williams, one of the Springwatch hosts and Nick ‘Bug Boy” Baker in conversation. On both evenings, the catering and bar which are open all day will remain available until 9pm.
The Birdfair aims to inspire more people to take an active role in safeguarding the natural world. Tickets are available at www. globalbirdfair.org Adult day passes are just £14 in advance and under 18s have free admission with an adult. Family tickets for 2 adults and up to 4 children are available on Sunday for £20.
Empingham
This beautiful village in the heart of Rutland makes the perfect base for an idyllic rural stroll.
By Will Hetherington
Images: Will Hetherington
WILL’S WALK
Difficulty rating
The route
Park in the middle of Empingham and walk north uphill on Exton Lane. Pass the cricket club on your left and keep going for another couple of minutes until you reach the footpath to the right by a small piece of woodland. Take this path and follow it along the side of the woodland and then out into the open country. After a couple of fields you will start to head downhill towards Horn Mill Spinney in the hollow. Pass through the hollow and cross the ne t field. hen you reach the road at Horn Mill turn right and stay on the tarmac through the dip and uphill for 500 metres.
Turn right on to Loves Lane and enjoy the blissful serenity of a quiet English country lane for the next kilometre, crossing the North Brook as you go.
ou can take the first footpath on the left but I would recommend you stay on the lane up the hill to take advantage of the bench and the viewpoint at the top. Take the left turn at the bench and drop down through the fields to reach the very eastern edge of the village through Gunnell Lane, passing through Empingham Marshy Meadows on the way. If you are pressed for time you can turn right here and finish the walk in five minutes but I suggest you turn left and then take the right turn on to Mill Lane, just after crossing the crystal clear North Brook again. Follow the road all the way down to the cattle grid and then skirt around the house in the field to cross the Gwash on the metal bridge. There’s a great spot here for dogs to have a splash and a drink on a warm summer’s day. After the bridge turn left and then right to follow the field edge uphill for about 50 metres where you will see the path to the right back towards the village. Follow the path across the fields and when you reach the A606 turn right and walk back into the village past the church on the right.
Old fashioned charm in the middle of Empingham.
A blissful scene in the heart of Rutland.
ACTIVE INFO
Empingham Marshy Meadows is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), which you will touch on just before Gunnell Lane. In the wetter areas you might find adder’s tongue fern, marsh marigold and ragged robin.
Essential information
WHERE TO PARK
In Empingham.
DISTANCE AND TIME
Four miles/an hour and a half.
HIGHLIGHTS
A beautiful village, rural bliss, quiet country lanes and the babbling North Brook and River Gwash.
LOWLIGHTS
Can be muddy across some of the fields.
REFRESHMENTS
The Fox & Hounds in Exton.
THE POOCH PERSPECTIVE
There’s a great spot for the dogs to get in the Gwash at the end of Mill Lane and you won’t see much livestock because it’s largely arable.
DIFFICULTY RATING
Two paws; some undulations and the fields will be a bit muddy after heavy rain.
For your own safety and navigation make sure you have an OS map with you when you go out walking. You won’t regret it.
