Nene Valley Living June 2011 by Best Local Living

H E L P I N G Y O U T O G E T T H E M O S T O U T O F L I V I N G L O C A L LY

NENE VALLEY Living

Art on show

Open studios are back

Party outside

Great entertaining ideas

Summer style

The season’s hotlist

£1.50 June 2011

www.bestlocalliving.co.uk 06

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Room to Live

Image of Local installation by QKS

Showroom Cherryholt Road, Stamford, PE9 2EQ

Creators of finest quality bespoke Orangeries & Conservatories

Tel: 01780 756666

Orangeries Lanter n Rooms Conservatories

Mon-Fri 9am-5pm,

Windows Doors Folding Sliding Door Systems

Sat 10am-3pm

Vertical Sliding Windows Roofline Products Porches

www.qks-ltd.co.uk

Heritage Secondary Glazing

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QKS, bringing kitchens to life... Bespoke Kitchens, Bedrooms and Bathrooms

Cookery Demonstrations To introduce Our New Design Centre we invite you to see our large display of Range cookers and Neff appliances

Saturday 11th June 10am - 2pm with Nicks at Home

Visit our Rangemaster Design Centre and view a wide selection of products in one place, including the very latest models, and gain expert advice from our Rangemaster trained advisors

www.rangemaster.co.uk

Saturday 25th June 10am-2pm with a Neff Home Economist

VISIT OUR SHOWROOM WITH 30 KITCHEN ROOM SETTINGS - OPEN MON - FRI 8AM - 5PM, SAT 8AM - 3PM QKS Kitchens, The Maltings, Barnack Road, Stamford, PE9 2NA

T: 01780 756514 or 755855 E: sales@qksstamford.co.uk

www.qksstamford.co.uk 2

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NENE VALLEY LIVING

W W W. B E S T L O C A L L I V I N G . C O . U K

e n u J e u s s i s i h T W

e are very happy to support Peterborough Artists Open Studios again this year. This has to be one of my favourite cultural events in the area, and it’s one to be celebrated. We tend to be a reserved nation, so when a group of people open up their homes to show their own art work, it’s really worth supporting. Don’t feel awkward about joining in – you’ll ﬁnd a very warm welcome and a diverse range of art in 34 different locations. More information on page 18. I am also indebted to Garth Bayley (exhibiting at The Coach House, Stibbington PE8 6LP on weekends one and two of the event) for allowing us to use his amazing painting as our cover picture this month. It’s a really optimistic picture, full of possibilities. We’ve been inundated with great events to include in the magazine this month, and we try to ﬁt in as many as possible (though please try to inform us at least eight weeks beforehand!). Don’t miss the Steamin’ Blues at the Nene Valley Railway on June 18th. Internationally renowned bass guitarist Colin Hodgkinson teams up with some icons of the blues world, Dave Kelly, Maggie Bell, Zoot Money, Frank Diez and Colin Allen to play in a marquee adjacent to NVR, Wansford. A steam-hauled train is available to take passengers to and from Peterborough. At £19.50, it’s a hot ticket. Call Hannah Hackett on 01780 784444 to book. Enjoy the month.

Fion a Cu mberpatch Editor SUBSCRIBE TO Nene Valley Living

@LocalLivingUK Cover shot:

Yellow Van, oil painting by Garth Bayley, who is taking part in this month’s Peterborough Artists’ Open Studios event. www.paos.org.uk

5 Upfront Oundle Cars and highly skilled carpentry

7 Upfront

Inside hidden Portugal

8 Sweet Summer style Pretty clothes for the new season

8 FASHION: SUMMER STYLE

10 Party outside

Celebrate in the open air

13 Food news

The Garden House Hotel, Stamford, reviewed

14 Health and beauty notes All the latest from local businesses

17 A stress-free birth? 17 STRESS-FREE BIRTH

Aim for a more comfortable labour

19 Open season

Peterborough Artists Open Studios is back

20 More claw, less paw Focus on Jaguar

20 MOTORING: FOCUS ON JAGUAR Editor Fiona Cumberpatch fiona@bestlocalliving.co.uk Write to Nene Valley Living, PO Box 208, Stamford, PE9 9FY www.nenevalleyliving.co.uk Advertisement Manager Bridget Steele 01733 707538 bridget.neneliving@ntlworld.com Advertisement Director Helen Walton 01780 754801 helen.stamford@btopenworld.com Head of Design Steven Handley steve@locallivingdesign.co.uk Assistant Designer Nik Ellis nik@locallivingdesign.co.uk Advertising Copy Rachel Beecroft 01780 765320 rachel@locallivingdesign.co.uk Publisher Nicholas Rudd-Jones 01780 765571 Email: localliving@btopenworld.com Published by Local Living Ltd, PO Box 208, Stamford, Lincs. PE9 9FY www.locallivingltd.co.uk Printed by Warner’s of Bourne

22 A day out in Ramsey

Local history, shopping and sightseeing

27 Woodland walk Explore Castor Hanglands

28 Diary dates

Our pick of this month’s events

10 PARTY OUTSIDE

For £20 (£30 for overseas’ surface mail) you can subscribe to Nene Valley Living for 12 issues. Please send your name, address and a cheque made out to Local Living Ltd to: NVL Subscriptions, PO Box 208, Stamford, PE9 9FY

NENE VALLEY LIVING June 2011

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Oundle Private Hire Cars • Local Family Business • Outstanding Customer Service & Value for Money

Finest quality bespoke kitchens, doors, windows and custom made furniture designed to meet your needs.

• Specialist in Airport Transfers • Luxury 7 Seater 24 Hour Private Hire/7 Days a Week

Tel: 07903 015 015 www.oundlecars.co.uk

t: 01780 721058 m: 07976 403955 www.jmscarpentryandjoinery.co.uk

Oundle’s Outdoor Shop

Kayak demo’s Tent repairs 15% discount for D of E ! Tel: 01832 272050 info@trek-kits.co.uk www.trek-kits.co.uk Unit 7 , Eastwood Road Industrial Estate , Oundle PE8 4DF

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LOCAL NEWS

Upfront What’s new this month

Transform your home with JMS When Chris and Nikki Young embarked on a complete overhaul of their kitchen earlier this year, they entrusted the project to local company JMS Carpentry and Joinery. They had already used the company for other alternations to their barn conversion, including bespoke wardrobes and a custom made bathroom. Having talked through ideas and requirements for their new kitchen, Jonathan Smith of JMS was able to advise the Youngs on all aspects of the refurbishment. Jonathan, who lives in Ketton, provides skilled carpentry and joinery, combined with full project management skills, such as coordinating electrics and plumbing. He operates his business, which he has run for 15 years, from a purpose built workshop, and he covers all aspects of wood work and project builds in both traditional and contemporary styles for domestic and commercial clients. For the Youngs, Jonathan’s implementation of their kitchen design couldn’t have been better. A major success is the inclusion of a bespoke dining area, with custom made built-in seating. Says Nikki: “Jonathan created a beautiful looking kitchen, and he has helped give our home a heart. The quality of his work, and the attention to detail, not to mention JMS’s friendly and professional staff, really have made a daunting project appear seamless.” • JMS Carpentry and Joinery. Tel: 01780 721058 email: ofﬁce@jmscarpentryandjoinery.co.uk website www.jmscarpentryandjoinery.co.uk

Be a beautiful bride

Martin Charles, whose bridal gallery has just opened in Oundle, designs stunning gowns inﬂuenced by 1940s and 1950s glamour. After working for Gianni Versace in Milan, Martin opened his own London label in 1998 and started designing wedding dresses in 2000. Around a quarter of his stock comprises his own designs, but other labels include Paloma Blanca and Augusta Jones. “Each dress has an individual look,” says Martin. Browsing is welcome, although Martin advises making an appointment to try on gowns. For opening times and more information call 01832 273448. • 13 West St, Oundle, PE8 4EJ www.martincharlesbridalgallery.com

New curtains and blinds?

Custom-made curtains, blinds, cushions and soft furnishings provide the finishing touch to any room, but finding someone who will make them within a budget isn’t so easy. Susie Wooster offers an affordable, friendly service from her workshop and showroom on the family farm at Brigstock. Offering fabrics by well known names such as Vanessa Arbuthnott, Jane Churchill, Colefax and Fowler, Emily Bond and GP and J Baker, among many others, Susie is happy to welcome customers to look and purchase just fabric, or the full make up service, including fitting of poles. Room and colour schemes can also be discussed, either in the showroom or in clients’ own homes. Susie prides herself on her accessible approach. “It’s very much a family atmosphere and I can guarantee everyone a warm welcome, with no obligation to buy,” she says. “I keep my prices very competitive: working from home means I don’t have shop overheads.” • Susie’s showroom, Wooster Interiors, is at: 6 Sudburgh Rd, Brigstock, Kettering, NN14 3HP. Please call ahead before you drop in on 01536 373747 or 0788 4430321

A taxi service you can trust

Oundle Cars is a family-run business offering a reliable, regulated private hire service. All drivers are vetted with CRB checks, and the vehicles are licensed by East Northants District Council. Customers’ comfort is paramount, and the company can organise newspapers, drinks - and even wake up calls if needed. “We are airport specialists,” says owner David Wilson, who says he is proud to include local MP Louise Bagshawe as a regular client. The company is currently expanding to include more cars. Their service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to private or account customers. • For more information, or a quote, call David on 07903 015015

Summer days out

Soaring petrol bills and trafﬁc frustration have proved to be good news for one local travel ﬁrm. Coach company Shaws is seeing a surge in booking for its summer day trips. “Demand for our Olympic Village lunch trip to London is high, and we have some great special offers for senior citizens and families which are attracting lots of interest,” says Shaws director Jane Duffelin. Shaws offer excellent value London theatre trips, including door to door transport, for top shows such as The Lion King, Les Miserables, Shrek, The Wizard of Oz and Million Dollar Quartet. The price of a day trip to musical Rock of Ages, including all transport, is just £65. The company also offers sightseeing, shopping and seaside destinations, including the International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford. • For further details, contact Shaws Coaches on 01778 342224 or visit www.shawscoaches.co.uk NENE VALLEY LIVING June 2011

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PANDORA BOUTIQUE

Flowerscene Ltd Peterborough’s largest floral, gift and hire shop We specialise in weddings, special occasions and funeral flowers. Extensive range of accessories for the flower arranger, including ribbons, vases, pedestals and all floristry sundries Wedding arches, pedestals, candelabras, artificial trees and table decorations available to hire.

Classic fashions for Women - Special Occasions and Every day wear. Bags, Jewellery and Accessories. Personal Service.

10A West Street, Oundle, PE8 4EF Tel: 01832 270099,

Open: Mon-Fri 9.30am – 5pm Sat 9.30am – 4.00pm Flowerscene Gift and Floral Warehouse, 4 Maxwell Road Woodston Industrial Estate, Peterborough, PE2 7JB

Tel: 01733 371088 www.flowersceneuk.co.uk

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LOCAL NEWS

Upfront Hidden Portugal

Paula Cockcroft at Oundle Travel shares a travel secret... A million miles away from the vast expanse of the golf courses and purpose built Algarve is the beautiful Alentejo region. Situated inland and beyond the mountains of Monchique and the Serra do Caldeiro stretch the plains of Alentejo, a magnificent landscape of sweeping fields of wheat and sunflowers dotted with tiny whitewashed villages and forests of pine. The coastal region of the Alentejo, the Costa Azul, is practically untouched by commercialisation. It offers pretty seaside villages such as Vila de Milfontes with fine sandy beaches and a charming centre of white houses and narrow cobbled streets. The town has several small restaurants and retains a relaxed atmosphere. A visit to the region would not be complete without seeing one of the famous white towns of the Alentejo. Redondo, renowned for its pottery, is a beautiful medieval town in the heart of the wine region. Evora, the capital of Alentejo province, is one of Portugal’s oldest and most interesting cities. There is plenty to explore in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Oundle Travel has details of wine routes designed by the Alentejo Tourist Board, giving visitors a chance to sample the best of the region’s wine. Flights operate directly into Evora from London Heathrow on a scheduled service with British Midland for the summer season, with prices from as little as £693 per person for seven nights staying at the family run Casa do Torreiro, a beautifully converted 18th century manor house, with a citrus orchard, organic kitchen garden and swimming pool. • Contact Oundle Travel on 01832 273600 www.oundletravel.co.uk

STOP PRESS STOP PRESS STOP PRESS STOP PRESS Open gardens in Oundle, June 12th, 2pm-6pm, admission £5, free for children. There’ll be 25 gardens to visit in the town and teas are served at Oundle CE Primary School. Tickets are on sale at Normans and Oundle Primary School before the event, and at the school (Milton Rd, Oundle PE8 4AB) on the day.

Locally made furniture

King’s Cliffe mum Claire Hall has successfully launched her own children’s furniture collection. Made in Bourne, Lincolnshire, the Mills and Flo range of single beds, wardrobes, chests of drawers and bedside tables are designed to appeal to all age groups, from toddlers to teenagers. A special ‘make it personal’ service is offered on all pieces, giving customers the opportunity to create a bespoke living space for their child, without the hefty price tag of a custom-made product. The collection is available in a choice of four house colours from the Farrow and Ball colour palette, and the furniture comes with the option of a star or heart cut out, as well as glass, wooden or ceramic door knobs. Mills and Flo will deliver within three weeks of ordering. Furniture comes fully assembled, with the exception of the bed, which will be assembled by the delivery drivers. Claire will be exhibiting at Burghley Horse Trials in early September. • To see the latest offers, visit www.millsandﬂo.co.uk, Tel: 01780 470552

Mediation – an alternative to court From the 6th April anyone starting an application concerning children, such as contact or residence, or ﬁnancial orders in divorce has to follow the “Pre-Application Protocol for Mediation, Information and Assessment”. Sounds very daunting and designed to make the courts even scarier than ever. That is the whole point: let’s knock heads together and see if people can be kept out of court. It is a money saving measure (like most reforms in the legal world) but there are real opportunities for resolving disputes early.

Mediation is not compulsory but you now need to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) to learn about mediation and other forms of ADR, including collaborative law. MIAMs are provided by qualiﬁed mediators, visit www.resolution.org. uk. If you don’t qualify for legal aid, expect to pay £50 - £140 per meeting. You will be exempt from attending a MIAM in certain circumstances, e.g. a domestic violence situation, or you are making an emergency application. The sanction for non-compliance is a possible order for costs

against you. One of the reasons for not having to go to a MIAM is if your other half refuses to mediate! This defeats the whole purpose, as some people need to be led to water to make them drink. Despite what you may have read, it’s no great change. Most likely beneﬁciaries from the mediation process are those who are least likely to litigate. Let’s see how it works out in a year or so… • For more information or any questions about family law please contact Belinda Smith on 01733 267414 or visit www.bscosolicitors.co.uk NENE VALLEY LIVING June 2011

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FASHION

Pink sandals, £15, Next, pink and purple scarf, Reba

brights

Pink stripe basket, Reba, £42.99

Sweet su m m e r

style Try the new season’s trends, from crisp and nautical, to feminine and ﬂoral. Feature: Compiled and photographed by Lesley Anne Churchill

Bright bangles, £5 for a set of three, Jacks

Unisa royal blue kid suede clutch bag £79

n avy & red Unisa royal blue kid suede shoes. £139

Sukie D bracelet, Reba, £29

Burnt orange satchel £42, Purple Danti

Zandra Rhodes turquoise clutch bag, £40, Reba

Jackpot navy stripe jumper, £64.95, red pashmina £25

Red and white stripe and spot scarf, £25 and navy ﬂoral scarf - £20 All from Jacks, Oundle

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Green ﬂoral bag, £16.99, Crackers

Floral beaded bracelet, £7.99, Crackers Daisy orange and brown necklace, £15.50, Crackers

f lora l Silk daisy chain necklace/headband, £9.99, Reba

Square black scarf, £6.50, Crackers

Animal print bag, Purple Danti, £36

Bead and leather pendant, £27.50, Pandora Animal print silk Scarves, from £15, Pandora

Wooden bead necklace, £17.50 and wood bead and silver chain necklace, £25, Pandora

safa ri

Wooden bangles from £6.50, Crackers

Contacts Jacks, 20 Market Place, Oundle Tel: 01832 270033 Reba, Cathedral Square, Peterborough PE1 1XH Tel: 01733 319606 Crackers, 3 New St, Oundle PE8 4EA Tel: 01832 274467 Pandora, 10a West St, Oundle PE8 4EF Tel: 01832 270099 Purple Danti, 2 West St, Oundle, PE8 4EG Tel: 01832 275556 Next, Queensgate Centre, Peterborough PE1 1DU NENE VALLEY LIVING June 2011

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HOME & GARDEN

Party outside

PHOTO: JOHN LEWIS

Drinking

Make the most of the summer season by using your garden as an extra living space, says Fiona Cumberpatch Eating Fire up the barbecue and serve delicious local meat. Try Willow Brook Farm Shop for well priced bbq deals (from £10 for a 12 piece pack). Scotsman Lodge, Stamford Rd, Helpston Heath, Peterborough PE6 7EL Tel: 01780 740261. Save time with Seven Wells, Oundle. Their pre-marinated ribs and chicken pieces taste great, and you can pop their burgers and more-ish sausages straight on the grill. Look out for excellent deals and packs as the season gets into full swing. Mould’s Family Butchers in Nassington is famed for its home made burgers and sausages. Call ahead if you want a large amount. Tel 01780 782249. JFB Ivens and Sons pick your own farm at Chesterton, near Peterborough, offers fruit and veg fresh from the field. Starting in early June with strawberries, followed by gooseberries, raspberries, red and blackcurrants and corn on the cob. Call 01733 233270. Chesterton, Peterborough PE7 3UA Too busy to make dessert? Donna Cutforth at Blossom Cupcakes will bake you a basket of beautifully presented cupcakes, which can be personalised with colours and numbers if you are marking a special celebration. www.blossom-cupcakes.co.uk or ring 01733 649561 Artisan bread from Hambleton Bakery, Oundle is the perfect accompaniment to summer salads. Try the white baton, or the Hambleton sourdough loaf. 44 Jericho, Oundle PE8 4AU. Tel: 01572 812995 for enquiries. Entertaining on a large scale? Whittlesey Catering Hire supplies cutlery, crockery, glasses, tables, chairs, linen and even cookers and fridges (but not barbeques). The short term hire service is available to private and corporate clients, and all items can be delivered and collected. There’s even a dirty wash service, so if you can’t face the after-party cleaning operation, this company will do it for you. “We hire out over 30,000 items a week in the wedding season, and we have a large warehouse of stock,” says owner Ketan Patel. “Customers are welcome to walk in to our showroom and hire, but the more notice we have, the better.” Whittlesey Catering Hire has been in business for 25 years, and recently relocated to 6 Morley Court, Shrewsbury Avenue, Woodston, Peterborough PE2 7EP. Telephone 01733 394232 or email wch@cateringhireuk.com Mix chunks of juicy mango with chopped red onion and a handful of fresh coriander. Squeeze over the juice of a lime and add a few flakes of dried chilli. Mix, leave for an hour, then serve with grilled meats and fish.

Try this:

Serve locally produced elderflower cordial, hand made by Alison Custance of Little Common Farm. You can find it on Stamford Farmers’ Market at the beginning of June. Amps Fine Wines, Oundle have a reputation for excellent service and a huge range of wines. Find them at 6 Market Place, Oundle PE8 4BQ Tel: 01832 273502 www.ampsfinewines.co.uk Make raspberry lemonade by combining 1.75 kilos of raspberries with 125g caster sugar. Leave to stand for an hour. Whizz in a blender, then push through a sieve, discarding pips. Mix the puree with the finely grated zest and juice of the lemons. Add one litre of chilled soda water and serve over ice, garnished with mint leaves

Try this:

Decorating Garden pots, planters and hanging baskets abound at The Barn Garden Centre (Oundle and Peterborough). Or tidy up your borders in a trice with bark chippings or decorative gravel. Barnwell Rd, Oundle, PE8 5PB Tel: 01832 273310 (access from the A605 as the Barnwell Rd is currently closed), or Gunthorpe Rd, Peterborough PE4 7AD Tel: 01733 320134 Find fantastic garden furniture and display ideas at Van Hage, Peterborough Garden Park. There are lots of decorative accessories in this vast emporium and it’s well worth a visit for inspiration. Peterborough Garden Park, PE1 4YZ Tel: 01733 221400 Line up cheap and cheerful coloured glass tealights (£1 from Morrisons supermarket) or pillar candles (£7 for four at John Lewis) to create a glow as the sun goes down.

Try this:

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Provide a wide range of hire equipment including: • Crockery, Cutlery, Glasses • Plain White Bone China • Modern French Glassware • Round Tables 6ft / 5ft / 4ft / 3ft • Trestle Tables 6ft / 4ft • Banquet and folding chairs • Coloured Table Linen • Slipcloths and Napkins • Cookers and Refrigeration • Delivery Service available

The Taste of the Orient

Summer is fast approaching Enjoy a meal from our bar and garden menu Prices start from only £4.95

01733 394232 www.cateringhireuk.com 6 Morley Court, Shrewsbury Avenue Woodston, Peterborough, PE2 7EP

Every Tuesday, enjoy two courses from our special menu for ONLY £10 inclusive of rice and vegetables.

01733 315 702 www.east-restaurant.co.uk Lunch 12-2.30pm Mon-Sat 12-3.30pm Sun (Buffet) Dinner 5.30-11pm Fri & Sat 5.30-10.30pm Sun-Thurs Upper Deck, Charters, Town Bridge, Peterborough, PE1 1FP

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Live Music Fri 27 May and Fri 22 July

New Summer Menu Open from 12 Tues-Sat for Lunch/Dinner & Sunday Lunch

The Bazaar, West Street Oundle, PE8 4EJ

01832 274730 www.chapeldiningroom.co.uk

fro 15 m m inu Ha te mp s ton Traditionally home-reared & locally sourced meat & poultry at affordable prices!

SUMMER SPECIAL

Beef Meat Pack 1KG each of Silverside, Frying Steak, Diced Beef, Braising Steak & Minced Beef – only £35 Tel: 01780 740261

Open: Tue to Fri 7am - 5.30pm, Sat 8am - 4pm, Sun 10am – 4pm

Senior Citizen Days: Wed & Thur Lunch 12 – 2.30pm Mains £5 – Puddings £2.50 NEW - Senior Citizen House Breakfast £3.99 - 9 – 11.30am

The Granary café 01780 749483

Open: Tue to Fri 9am – 4pm, Sat 8.30am – 5pm, Sun 9am - 4pm

Willow Brook Farm, Scotsman Lodge, Stamford Road, Helpston Heath, Peterborough. PE6 7EL

T h E F i n EST E n g l i S h C u i S i n E AT

www.willowbrookfarmshop.co.uk

The

Cherry house Restaurant

“ The difference is in the detail...” Reservations Essential

• For Superb Food & Excellent Service in Delightful Surroundings • We offer fortnightly changed, fixed price menu • For all occasions inc birthday & anniversary celebrations, intimate weddings, wakes...

01733 571721 125 Church Street Werrington Peterborough, PE4 6QF www.cherryhouserestaurant.co.uk

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FOOD & DRINK

Food news We review two local country hotels

Lunch at the Benefield Wheatsheaf

I always think that it must be more difficult to create atmosphere in a country hotel, rather than a pub. The larger size and the comings and goings of guests pose a challenge, but it’s one that the Benefield Wheatsheaf is working hard to overcome. There are various places to dine here, including a spacious conservatory, a cosy snug, and a lighter and more open bar area, with modern leather dining chairs and simple tables. On the sunny day we visited, the Garden Room Restaurant was booked by a large party of ladies, obviously enjoying a sociable and chatty lunch, so we opted for the Bar. There was an a la carte menu, and a blackboard of much cheaper specials, so we decided to pick a dish from each. Bridget opted for noisettes of English lamb cooked in a rosemary, garlic and port reduction, with tenderstem broccoli and lightly minted mashed potatoes (£16.95). My choice was fish in beer batter with chips and salad (£7.95). Bridget praised her moist and tender lamb (the hotel prides itself on its excellent local meat, which they joint themselves), although she wished for a little more of the tasty sauce. My beerbattered fish was fresh, crispy and delicious, and came with a generous portion of chunky home cooked chips and salad. There were plenty of similar simple dishes on offer, including sirloin steak and chips for a good value £9.95. All the desserts are made in the hotel kitchen, so we were keen to give them a try. My coconut and apricot crème brulee was an appealing twist on an old favourite, and was beautifully presented on a glass plate with a swirl of fresh redcurrant sauce. Bridget had a warm chocolate brownie with oozing marshmallow, which she loved. We finished the meal with a cafetiere of fresh coffee, a jug of warm milk and chocolate mints. This was a pleasant lunch with excellent service. Some small tweaks: homemade bread instead of par-baked rolls, and linen napkins rather than paper ones, would notch up the experience even more. Fiona Cumberpatch The Benefield Wheatsheaf, Upper Main St, Upper Benefield, nr Oundle PE8 5AN Tel: 01832 205400 www.benefieldwheatsheaf.co.uk In a nutshell: “Tasty inventive dishes with a focus on fresh, local and seasonally available produce. An extensive wine list featuring wines from around the world.” Head chef: Chris Brown. Food served: Lunch 12-2.30, Monday to Saturday. 12-3pm Sunday. Dinner 6.30pm-9pm daily Typical price of a meal for two with wine: £60, but look out for the two main courses for £10 deal, Mondays to Saturdays, plus well-priced blackboard specials

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ooking at the Garden House Hotel and Restaurant website before my visit, I read that it offers ‘high quality dining at an affordable price’ and that’s exactly how I would sum up this restaurant. From the moment we walked in, we were treated to high class food and service. Enjoying a pre-dinner drink in the bar, we pondered over the table d’hôte menu, which offers seven starters, main courses, and desserts. The menu is exciting and innovative. I chose the poached free range hens egg on a bed of wilted spinach, brioche, home made hollandaise and crispy bacon to start. Tim opted for onion soup. Both were delightful and we thoroughly enjoyed the accompanying home made cornbread and tarragon butter. For our mains, Tim had roast loin of pork ﬁllet with dauphinoise potatoes, apple purée, savoy cabbage and apple crisps, while I had the grilled ﬁllet of cod with creamed leeks, rosti potato, fennel puree, spiced port and red wine sauce, garnished with heat dried vegetables. Both mains, apart from tasting wonderful, looked like works of art on shiny, white square porcelain plates. Not wanting the experience to end, but feeling pretty full, we shared a ‘celebration of citrus’ dessert. This included lemon tart, orange jelly, passion fruit sorbet and grapefruit crumble. It was perfect for sharing and a great combination. We had our meal in the main restaurant which has just been redecorated. The setting, although formal, feels welcoming, but if you do prefer more relaxed dining, there is a bar and a charming conservatory. Bridget Steele

NENE VALLEY LIVING

RECOMMENDS

• The Garden House Hotel, Stamford •

The Garden House Hotel and Restaurant, St Martins, Stamford, PE9 2LP. In a nutshell: Fine dining at an affordable price Food served: Seven days a week, lunch time and evenings Owners: John and Janet Finlayson Front of house: Zena Bartle Head chef: Przemyslaw Mazurkiewicz NENE VALLEY LIVING June 2011

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

Health & beauty

notes Bridget Steele rounds up the latest from local health and beauty businesses

Sweet feet for life? We all know that regular maintenance and a yearly MOT is vital to keep a car running smoothly, yet most of us overlook how important it is to care for our feet. Hidden away in shoes, we don’t give them much thought. In the UK, around 75 to 80 per cent of the adult population has some form of foot problem, and over 90 per cent will suffer from one at some stage in their lives. Many people put up with foot pain believing it to be normal. Prestons Chartered Physiotherapy and Health Clinic, based in Alexandra Road in Peterborough, has a multidisciplinary team which includes podiatrists who work alongside their physiotherapists, acupuncturist and sports and remedial massage practitioner. Podiatrists at the clinic (the name chiropodist is familiar to many, and means the same as podiatrist) are highly skilled professionals trained to prevent, diagnose, treat and rehabilitate abnormal conditions of the feet and lower limbs. They prevent and correct deformity, keep people active, relieve painful feet and treat infections. General treatments include corn and callus removal, nail-care, soft tissue and connective tissue problems, and advice on footwear. Podiatrists carry out specialised work such as nail surgery, musculoskeletal assessments and bespoke orthotic prescription. They can also diagnose and treat conditions that threaten the feet of patients liable to injury or pressure related problems as a result of medical disorders such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis or impaired circulation. • For more information on Prestons podiatry service, please call the clinic in Peterborough on 01733 565911 or see www.prestonsphysio.com

Get your body summer-ready Caci body treatments will give a helping hand to those looking for an effective toning treatment and reduction in cellulite before summer holidays. The treatments are completely relaxing and the body area being targeted is given a complete workout without even breaking a sweat. I tried the toning on my stomach area at Pure Health and Beauty in Glapthorn. Sam, my therapist, used probes to gently pinch the ﬂesh whilst the electrical impulses are designed to ﬁrm and tone the muscles. She then demonstrated the bottom lift, which I have to say worked very well as she took ‘before and after’ photographs and results were quite visible, even after one session. The cellulite treatment uses an electro massager with rollers on – this stimulates the breakdown of fatty deposits and lifts any sagging, as well as soothing aching muscles. • Treatments can be custom designed and for best results a course is recommended. The Body treatments start at £45. For more information contact: Pure Health and Beauty, The Old Stables, Church Farm, Main Street, Glapthorn, Oundle, Peterborough PE8 5BE, Tel: 01832 272310 or e-mail pure@farming. co.uk

Discover the Bowen Technique Tom Bowen developed a therapy called the Bowen Technique in Australia during the 1950s. Since then, 12,000 practitioners have been trained to treat soft tissue injury and stress build up in muscles. The Bowen movements are light, gentle and very precise without forceful manipulation and aim to assist recovery and pain relief. The practitioner works with the body allowing it time to respond and begin the balancing process. A speciﬁc area can be targeted or the body as a whole. Results vary from client to client but usually only three to four treatments are all that’s needed to see improvements with top-ups every few months to maintain the beneﬁts. Joy Whitehead, FdSc, discovered the Bowen Technique in 2001 to help with shoulder, forearm and hand pain. “After only three treatments the pain had reduced dramatically, along with my long term headaches. As a massage therapist at the time, I decided to train in this wonderful treatment,” she explains. • Joy has a designated therapy room at her home in Peterborough and more information can be found on her website at www.complete-therapy.com or she can be contacted on 01733 235254.

8 NENE 14 NENEVALLEY VALLEYLIVING LIVINGJuly June 2008 2011

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The Old Stables, Church Farm, Glapthorn, Nr Oundle, Peterborough, PE8 5BE

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Offering Physiotherapy, Podiatry and Chiropody Appointments For more information, call our main clinic in Peterborough on

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Accepting new patients for private dental care Professional dentistry in a relaxed and friendly environment A family dental practice offering preventive care and cosmetic treatments £15 discount on your initial consultation

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HEALTH

Dr Lindsay Bomford

For Dads only!

A stress-free birth? Childbirth can be a rough ride for many mums, but a local doctor is spearheading a project to make the experience more comfortable. Chris Clifford reports

named for one of the therapy’s pioneers, Marie iving birth is supposed to be one of the Mongan. The American mum explored holistic most amazing things that can happen to a possibilities after her own labour experience, woman…but we also know that it can be painful and the practice is now hugely popular in the and exhausting. USA. Impressively, approximately 50 per cent of In a bid to make life easier for expectant childbirths in the state of New England are now women, Dr. Lindsay Bomford is offering conducted along HypnoBirthing lines. classes in HypnoBirthing, a holistic practice When asked about the finer details, already popular in the USA, where Lindsay explains: “Our normal it was originally conceived. It Dr bodily functions shouldn’t involves learning techniques Lindsay hurt, and because labour for relaxation, controlled Bomford CV is a normal function, it breathing and hypnosis Anatomy & Human Biology First shouldn’t hurt either. which, when combined, Class Honours Degree But, many women allow more control and – University of Liverpool experience a ‘fight harmony for women in Qualified from Guy’s, King’s & St Thomas’ or flight’ dilemma labour. School of Medicine, Kings College London during labour, which Lindsay, herself a Diploma from Royal College of Obstetrics perpetuates fear mother, who currently & Gynaecology and anxiety. This in works in paediatrics Certified HypnoBirthing Practitioner turn takes blood flow at Peterborough City – Mongan Method away from the uterus Hospital (PCH), says Currently works in which leads to more pain. that HypnoBirthing is Paediatrics at PCH HypnoBirthing relaxation an antenatal education techniques help calm the body programme to help aid the body’s and improve blood flow, and while natural analgesic process. we can’t promise a completely pain-free “It’s almost like a marathon runner preparing birth, HypnoBirthing can greatly lessen any for a race,” says Lindsay. “Labour can feel like discomfort without the use of drugs.” a long slog for some, but women can prepare themselves properly in the months preceding Local classes childbirth, just as a runner would before a big Lindsay currently runs classes in Collyweston, event.” and visits prospective parents in their homes, Lindsay teaches the Mongan method,

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Peterborough & Stamford Hospitals are working with local concern DaddyNatal to provide antenatal classes run by dads, for dads. The sessions are specifically targeted at men to help them understand pregnancy, and provide the physical and emotional tools with which to support their expectant partners. Creator of the classes, Dean Beaumont, is a fully qualified antenatal educator, and will run the sessions during evenings at various local locations around Peterborough. www.daddynatal.co.uk

but such is the interest being shown in HypnoBirthing, that sessions are soon due to begin at the new Peterborough City Hospital. Lindsay recently led a study day for midwives at the hospital, and her suggestions were wellreceived. She explains: “the midwife-led unit at the hospital lends itself beautifully to the process of HypnoBirthing because it offers a very comfortable home-from-home environment, and the midwives were quick to appreciate the techniques involved. We also hope to include one free NHS place per session.” HypnoBirthing techniques also mean that a more relaxed woman during labour is less likely to need a Caesarean or other forms of intervention, which can only be a good thing. Lindsay says: “The relaxation methods lead to shorter labours, the babies are calmer and they tend to sleep and feed better. By removing stress mums are less fatigued and can really get to enjoy their babies, which is incredibly important.” • To contact Lindsay, Tel: 07739 839785 or e-mail: Lindsay@naturalhypnobirth.co.uk NENE VALLEY LIVING June 2011

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ACTIVITIES

Open season Peterborough Artists’ Open Studios is an increasingly important showcase for the area’s painters, potters, sculptors and craftspeople. Fiona Cumberpatch reports

his year’s event is the biggest yet, and artists of all generations will be taking part, including more young talent than ever before. Here are some highlights, but you can find much more information on the new website at www.paos.org.uk

ith very little permanent gallery space in this region, opportunities for local artists to show their work are scarce. But Peterborough Artists’ Open Studios (PAOS), a self- funding organisation, offers a vital public platform. Over three weekends in June, artists have the chance showcase their work direct to the public, in private houses, shops, cafes and even pubs. What does it mean to be part of the event? Garth Bayley was one of South Africa’s top restaurateurs before he sold his business and relocated the UK. Now, from his home in a beautiful old coach house in Stibbington, near Peterborough, he paints full time. PAOS has been a lifeline, allowing Garth to make valuable contacts, network with other artists and engage with the general public. He first took part in the open studios in 2010. “At first, you do feel quite vulnerable opening up your home, but then it’s just like having friends dropping in,” he says. “There’s absolutely no pressure to buy, and I’ve found that people really enjoy hearing the stories behind my paintings.” Garth produces figurative works and landscapes, keeping the sense of place and person while drawing on abstract ideas (you can see his work on this month’s cover). The colour combinations and subject matter can be surprising, even a little disturbing, and reflect his cosmopolitan background. “After a very hectic lifestyle as a restaurateur, with late nights and busy days, working in the silence of the countryside is amazing,” he says. Garth will be exhibiting on the 11th and 12th of June and the 18th and 19th June, 11am -5pm, together with mixed media artist Beverley Porter. Tea, coffee and delicious home made cake will be served and Garth’s garden will be open, too. “PAOS has opened many doors for me,” says Garth, “and I’m really looking forward to this year’s event.” • Find Garth at The Coach House, Stibbington Hall, Church Lane, Stibbington PE8 6LP

WIN! £100 to spend on art To celebrate this year’s event, PAOS is giving visitors the chance to win a £100 voucher which may be spent on a piece of work from a favourite participating artist. To enter the draw, pick up a copy of this year’s brochure, available from The Destination Centre, Bridge Street, Peterborough, fill in the entry form and hand in to any participating Open Studios event. Peterborough Artists’ Open Studios take place on the weekends of 11th and 12th, 18th and 19th and the 25th and 26th June. Details of all participating artists and their contact details are available at www.paos.org.uk

Wanja Kimani showcases her Africaninspired range of accessories and paintings. Each piece captures an array of traditional cultural influences with a contemporary flair. 388 Eastfield Rd, Peterborough PE1 4RE. Open on weekends one and three, 11am6pm.

Crispin Heesom, painter and etcher, will be exhibiting at 198 Lincoln Rd, Peterborough PE1 2NQ on all three weekends, between 11am and 5pm.

Rene Viner’s stunning work is inspired by sky, sea and landscape. Visitors to her home will also be able to see ceramic pieces fired in a raku kiln during the open weekends. Find her at 13 Thorpe Lea Rd, Peterborough PE3 6BX, on all three weekends, between 12-5pm.

John Lincoln shows contemporary paintings of nature in art, including images of trees, flowers and birds as symbols of magic and spirituality. 60 Hereward Way, Deeping St James, PE6 8QB, on weekends one and two, between 11am and 4pm. NENE VALLEY LIVING June 2011

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MOTORING

More claw, less paw… An invitation from Marshalls of Peterborough to sample the hi-performance Jaguar range leaves David Corfield slightly breathless…

“R

ight, I want you to accelerate from a standing start and gently apply the brakes at around 170mph…” I’ll be honest; this is not the kind of instruction I’m used to being given on a Monday morning… So here I am, at the Aston Martin test facility at Gaydon in Warwickshire, for an introduction to the latest Jaguar models. I’m in an XKR, with 500bhp driven to the rear wheels. Tyre manufacturers love these kinds of cars. And right now, so do I. My instructor and I launch off the line and catapult up the back straight, leaving my breath and my sanity somewhere far behind in a cloud of exhaust and tyre smoke. The car feels secure, planted squarely on the black stuff and accelerates effortlessly to the magic 170 on the dial. I gently touch the brake pedal and the Jag squirms slightly as the nose dips and the back rises. No fuss though, no drama. Just a slightly elated journalist and a somewhat relieved passenger… If this is the kind of car that Jaguar hopes will dash its reputation of producing comfortable but slightly anodyne machines, I’m in. We return to the hospitality tent, which is flapping wildly in the wind, and are shown a short film about Jaguar’s heritage. Period clips of Jackie Stewart and Tony Curtis hooning about in early E-Types are interspersed with shots of Le Mans winners Mike Hawthorn in a D-Type in 1955 and Martin Brundle in the Silk Cut-sponsored XJR9 from ‘88. And slap bang in the middle of all the shiny melee is ‘4 BXV’, a recently restored E-Type that is fetching as much – if not more – attention than the XKRS sitting next to it. The company is going to great lengths to promote its sense of Britishness, despite being owned by the Indian manufacturer Tata Motors who bought the both the Jag and Land Rover marques from Ford for an estimated £1.7 billion in 2008. Although lacking the huge budgets of Audi and BMW, Jaguar are up for the fight, and are squaring up to the German brands quite nicely. The company’s brand director, Adrian Hallmark, has gone on record stating that he’s up for challenging the big players. According to Hallmark, the British luxury name suffers from a limited range and its locality to the

UK meaning it has never truly become an international brand. He aims to put that straight, and days like today are helping that brand ambition. “Over the next two years we will make the XF, XJ and XK the best line-up we have had for decades. We will work harder in current and new markets – in Europe 50 per cent of the XF market is for diesels which is why we have introduced a new V6 diesel engine,” he states. The new V6 has a whopping 600Nm – that’s 443lb ft – of torque from just 2000rpm. Jag says 369lb ft of that is on tap within 500 milliseconds of idle. Impressive stuff. The new V6 employs parallel sequential twin turbocharging. Sounds techy? Put simply, most of the time one turbo does all the work, leaving the secondary blower dormant. But when the revs hit 2800rpm, this smaller unit kicks in to provide additional surge. Jaguar claims its method, which isolates the smaller turbo from exhaust gases until needed, reduces fuel consumption and CO2. Back out on the test track and this time to sample the XF’s winter safety features. The anti-slip function is mightily impressive and allows greater control in a slide. Snow and ice, on this occasion, are provided by a novel mat, rather like a dry ski slope, which is rolled out onto a section of tarmac. With the anti-slip enabled, you can plant your right foot as far into the carpet as you like – but the ECU will only deliver as much power and as much braking as is needed to control the car enough to allow you to steer it out of trouble. It works a treat, too. To wrap the day up, I’m treated to a blast around the track this time as a passenger, in the company’s limousine model, the £100,000 XJ that, I have to say, is hugely impressive. Like a drinks trolley on grippy rubber, it displays remarkable poise even when driven by a lunatic. As I hang on in the back, slipping about in the leather seats, I catch sight of myself in the rear view mirror. A huge grin on my face tells me – and assures Jaguar I’m sure – that they’re back on form.

Contact: Marshall Jaguar Jaguar House Peterborough PE1 5AU Tel: 0844 334 9127

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MARSHALL VOLVO OUTSTANDING SERVICE AS STANDARD. Our highly trained and skilled team looks forward to welcoming you to our state of the art dealership, where we will be on hand to look after your every need. All our cars are handled with the utmost care and attention as we pride ourselves on offering the best deals on the latest range of New Volvo and piece of mind on quality approved used vehicles. From the new Volvo range, to Approved used vehicles right through to service and repairs, visit Marshall Volvo and expect nothing less than a first class service as standard.

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ACTIVITIES

A day out in Ramsey Once an island in the middle of a watery wasteland, today a river runs beneath Ramsey’s busy main street. Dave Phillips explores

ust a few miles south of Peterborough is the historic market town of Ramsey. These days it’s easy to get to, but that wasn’t always the case. A few hundred years ago you’d have needed a boat and a good sense of direction. Not to mention plenty of time. This unspoilt town was once an island in the middle of the fens, surrounded by low-lying swamps and mist-shrouded meres. Although a secret causeway was rumoured to exist through the watery wastes, most people travelled here by boat. From Peterborough, that would mean a trip down the old course of the River Nene, through the inland sea known as Whittlesey Mere and eventually along a narrow, twisting channel through a maze of reed beds to the town itself. In the height of summer when water levels were low, it could take days, while in windy winter weather it meant taking your life into your own hands to brave the terrifying storms that raced across the mere. But travellers did make the journey, because Ramsey Abbey was one of the most important ecclesiastical centres in the country. The Benedictine abbey was founded in 969, and the town grew from beyond its gates until, in the 13th century, it was known as “Ramsey the Golden”. The town’s importance greatly diminished in the 16th century, when Henry VIII destroyed the monasteries, but Ramsey continued to thrive. And happily for us, it has changed a lot less in recent years than most of the region’s market towns.

A thriving centre Today, Ramsey still has a butcher, two bakers and a wealth of small, independent shops. It even has its own family-run department store, Peter H Gammons, which sells just about everything you can think of, from furniture to fishing tackle. It’s the sort of rambling store that used to exist in nearly every small town as recently as the 1970s. Founded in 1959 by Peter Gammons and his wife, Maisie, it started out

selling furnishings. Like all brilliant businesses, it evolved over the years. The couple’s sons, Chris and Alan, later joined the family firm and are still behind the counter today, along with their wives Karen and Annette and sons Martin, Richard and Luke. The company’s founder, Peter Gammons, is now in his 80s but he still pops in most days to help out. “Ramsey’s a very special place,” said Karen Gammons, daughter-in-law of the founder. “People around here expect service and they trust us. We’ve served three generations of local families.” The Gammons emporium is situated on the town’s main throroughfare, Great Whyte. Today it’s a short hop across to the other side, but 150 years ago it was a more difficult proposition. That tributary of the Nene that travellers of old negotiated to get here ran through the middle of the town, which made nipping to the other side of the street a damp task. So in the 1850s they covered it over. That tributary – the Bury Brook – still runs beneath your feet as you cross the road to visit Abbey Antiques on the other side. Here is a shop that specialises in all kinds of fascinating stuff from the second world war. You want a gas mask? You’ve come to the right place. But step through the tins of dried milk and racks of 1940s frocks and the back of the shop is a shrine to a famous artist and publisher. This is Britain’s only Mabel Lucie Attwell museum. It is run by Rita and John Smith, fans of the famous self-taught illustrator of children’s books, greetings cards and posters, who was born in the East End of London in 1879 and died in Fowey, Cornwall, in 1964. Many of the museum’s exhibits are for sale. Round the corner in the High Street is Harveys Bridal Boutique, which was set up by Claire Musgrave and her mum, Lesley Gibbs, after they had a bad experience when shopping for a bridal gown for Claire’s own wedding. “We realised there was a gap for a independent business where personal service comes first, so we decided to fill it,” said Lesley. That was two years ago. Today they have customers from all over the country flocking to Ramsey and they are rushed off their feet. But that hasn’t stop this formidable mother and daughter team from opening a beauty salon, too. ”It’s taken off by word of mouth,” said Lesley. “We make our customers feel special and they recommend us to their friends. It’s good to know we are making people so happy.”

Old fashioned service Service with a smile seems to be a watchword in Ramsey. At lunchtime, my partner Anita and I ate in the George Hotel, where a toasted sandwich was just £1.75 and a homemade cheeseburger and chips £5.45. Yet the barmancum-waiter treated us like royalty. These days all pubs and hotels ban smoking, but

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Ramsey Abbey

Farm carts at the Rural Museum

Ramsey 1895

Gammons Victorian Fen kitchen at Rural Museum

Attwell museum the George Hotel has had a sure deterrent for smokers that dates back hundreds of years – a ghost called Mary who blows out lighters and matches and has been known to stub out cigarettes. Mary, you see, has a fear of fire – and no wonder since she is reputed to have died in a blaze at the hotel back in the 18th century. We spent the afternoon looking at Ramsey’s history, starting at the abbey ruins. Only the 15th century gatehouse remains today, but it’s easy to imagine the bustling scene of centuries ago as the monks passed through the gates on their way to the fields where they toiled between prayers. The nearby Thomas a Becket church was once the hospital where visitors and the sick were looked after. For a glimpse of the more recent past, head to Wood Lane on the outskirts of the town and the Ramsey Rural Museum. It was set up by

volunteers in 1979 to preserve all aspects of life in the town and the surrounding villages. The group took over some derelict farm buildings and transformed them into a wonderful visitor experience suitable for the whole family. “The way of life is changing,” said chairman Mike Latchem. “Sixty years ago, most people around here were involved in farming. Today, there are just a few. Children are growing up not knowing about our rural traditions. We aim to change that.” It’s a sobering thought that the old tractors, implements and farm carts on display here are now consigned to the history books, just like Ramsey Abbey and the 1940s memorabilia of Abbey Antiques. Is Ramsey itself destined for the pages of history? After all, a couple of years ago a superstore was granted planning permission

Harveys Bridal Boutique to open on the outskirts. Happily, as yet, there are few signs of surrender to convenient consumerism by the shoppers of Ramsey. The town centre appears as vibrant as ever.

Contacts Peter H Gammons 80-86 Great Whyte PE26 1HS. Tel: 01487 812275 Abbey Antiques and Collectables 63 Great Whyte PE26 1HL. Tel: 01487 814753. Harveys Bridal Boutique 83 High Street PE26 1BS. Tel: 01487 711002. Website: www.harveysbridal.co.uk The George Hotel 65 High Street PE26 1AA. Tel: 01487 815264. Ramsey Rural Museum Wood Lane PE26 1XD.(Restricted opening hours – check before visiting). Tel: 01487 815715. Website: www.ramseyruralmuseum.co.uk NENE VALLEY LIVING June 2011

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ACTIVITIES WOODLAND WALK

Castor Hanglands Woods Castor Hanglands is one of the loveliest woodland nature spots that you will ever encounter; every turn you take, there is something new and interesting to look at. And June would be just about the perfect time to visit, with so many wild ﬂowers and butterﬂies to enjoy

Distance: Typical time: OS map:

Start & ﬁnish: Terrain: Stiles: Dog friendly:

Getting there:

3 miles (5kms) 1 1/4 hours Explorer (1:25 000) 227 or Landranger (1: 50 000) 142 (always walk with an OS map) Southey Woods Car Park Level all the way, with good surface None! Yes (although need to be kept on lead if sheep grazing in ﬁelds) 2m N of Ailsworth and Castor, 5m W of Peterborough

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MIDDLE HEATH

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Refreshments: The White Horse, Ufford (Tel: 01780 740250 www.whitehartufford.co.uk) Everything you could want from a village pub, it even has its own on-site brewery. DIRECTIONS Park in Southey Woods car park, cross the road and process for a hundred yards or so down a metalled track before turning left along a field edge towards the wood (this path is not on the OS map, but is a bridleway). When you reach the wood, turn right through a wooden gate into the reserve and then through another wooden gate after 200 yards or so, bearing to the left along the field edge after this second gate Go through a gate and proceed straight ahead (a bridleway heads north) and continue following the edge of the field/heath, swinging round to the right When you reach the end of the wood, turn left along a track past a pond, then another pond (a great dragonfly spot) and exit the reserve through two gates, the first wooden, the second metal Immediately after this 2nd gate, head right (S) for a 100 yards or so, then take a grassy track to your right (W) for a few hundred yards Where there is a yellow arrow on a stake bear left along a windy little path, through a metal mesh gate into a more organised wood, out the other side through another similar gate, then turn left and re-join the main track heading south Cross a metalled track and proceed to the end of the wood, come out into a field, turn right and shortly re-join the bridleway back into the reserve. Follow this for half a mile or so, across the metalled track again, until you reach Middle Heath. Bear diagonally left across the heath, following the northern boundary W until

NORTH HEATH

you reach a gate and then head north (note 100 yds S as you reach this gate, the derelict tower, one of a pair used to gauge accuracy of trial bombing runs in WWII) Proceed N, with the Old Roman road immediately to your left, back to your starting point.

by their close proximity. Its history goes back over 2,000 years; the western boundary following King Street, a Roman road connecting Castor and Bourne. The woodland in Castor is mentioned in the Domesday Book and the name ‘hangra’ is Old English for a wood on a hill. The woods later became part of the mediaeval hunting forest of Nassaburgh. The woods were also a favourite spot for John Clare, the local nature poet, to roam.

Castor Hanglands Castor Hanglands is managed as a National Nature Reserve and a Site of Special Scientiﬁc Interest by English Nature. It is very actively managed, with much coppicing and land management to help and Luxury Camping nature. In an area of less On the River Nene in Northamptonshire than 220 acres (90 ha), it contains a remarkable variety From only £35 per canoe of plant and animal life. The reserve is for enquiries and bookings: a composite site where four distinct Tel: (01604) habitats — woodland, grassland, scrub and wetland — each of which has its own special wildlife, are made more valuable

Canoe Hire

832115

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WHAT’S ON

Tuesday 12 June PLAY: Oddsocks’ “Macbeth”, 5pm Oddsocks can make a comedy of just about anything and this summer they are on the road again with their hilarious take on Shakespeare’s darkest play. Bring or pre-order a picnic, a rug and warm clothes! • Tickets: £15(£6) available at www.oddsocks.co.uk. Holmewood Hall, Church Street, Holme, PE7 3BZ. 01487 831166.

Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 June EVENT: Midsummer open gardens in West Deeping, 1pm-6pm A variety of gardens of all shapes and sizes in this picturesque village, including two mill houses and the 15th century manor house. Many gardens have items of historical interest, such as traces of the old Stamford/Deeping canal. Exhibition of work by local artists in the 13th century St Andrew’s Church. Garden gift stall and tombola. • Admission: Adults £5, children free. Teas served 2pm -5pm at the Manor House and in the village hall. Contact: Maggie Ashcroft 01778 344768

Sunday 19 June EVENT: 13th Peterborough Dragon Boat Festival 10am – 5pm In aid of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices, teams drawn from the region challenge 2010 champions, Sawtry Community College for the trophy and aim to beat the £100,000 raised last year! • Town Bridge, The Embankment, Peterborough, PE1 1JW

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June 1

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Wednesday 8 June

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WORKSHOP: The Mindfield, 7 -9pm Join a poetry workshop run by Rennie Parker exploring landscape in the lovely setting of John Clare’s cottage. • Tickets: £5. Clare Cottage, Woodgate, Helpston, Peterborough, PE6 7ED, 01733 253330 or visit www.clarecottage.org.

Saturday 11 – Sunday 12 June

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CONCERT: Bjorn Again at Burghley Abba look- and-sound-alikes are back supporting local charity, Anna’s Hope. • Tickets from Burghley House, Stamford, PE9 3JY; email burghley@burghley.co.uk, or Stamford Arts Centre, 27 St. Marys Street, Stamford PE9 2DL. Telephone: 01780 763 203

Yasmin Bradley selects great events for June



Saturday 11 June

Diary dates

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EVENT: Official opening of Harriet’s Tearoom Art Gallery Celebrate the opening of Peterborough’s newest art venue gallery with champagne cocktails and canapés. Works exhibited include Prue Pye and Russian artist, Veronika Leontyeva. • Tickets £16.00 available online at www.activeantiques.com, call 01733 567500 or 07986 609141 or email info@activeantiques.com. 52-53 Cumbergate, Peterborough, PE1 1YR. 01733 552 955.



Tuesday 7 June

EVENT: Festival on the Green Two days packed with family events: stalls with handmade jewellery, Indian food, cakes, vintage clothing and craft items, a Taekwondo display, belly dancers, street hip hop, animal shows, rides, roundabout and rounders, supper and disco, a cycle ride, story time and magic! • Botolph Green, Peterborough, PE2 7WG. Visit www.botolphgreen.net

Sunday 19 June EVENT: The Scent of Summer, 2-5 pm (Last admission 4 pm) This Father’s Day, take him to these glorious gardens fragrant with roses, philadelphus and irises, the Head Gardener is available for gardening advice, plants for sale and strawberries and cream. • Entry: House & Gardens: Adults £8.00 (£4.00); Gardens Only: Adults £5.50 (£2.50). admin@deenepark.com. 01780 450278. Deene Park, Corby, NN17 3EW.

Saturday 25 – Sunday 26 June EVENT: The Four Winds Festival, 12 – 4pm Rutland Water is transformed into a magnificent festival with puppet making, music and wind chime production, hands-on experiences including sailing and views of the osprey nests. In the evening “The Way the Winds Blow” tells the story of Rutland Water with giant puppets - including an 11-metre osprey – over 100 boats and 500 artists in a performance of music, dance and choreographed sailing. • Festival free. Show ticket: £10 (£5); Family: £25. www.fourwindsfestival.co.uk.

 For more information visit ‘diary dates’ at www.bestlocalliving.co.uk 18/5/11 10:49:32

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