Nene Valley Living June 2011

NENE VALLEY

£1.50 June 2011www.bestlocalliving.co.uk

9 771740 052017

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Art on showOpen studios are back

Party outside Great entertaining ideas

Summer styleThe season’s hotlist

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 L Y

Living

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Est. Local Company

Est. 1981 - 30 Years

Room to Live

ShowroomCherryholt Road, Stamford, PE9 2EQ

Tel: 01780 756666

Mon-Fri 9am-5pm,

Sat 10am-3pm

www.qks-ltd.co.uk

Creators of f inest quality bespoke Orangeries & Conservatories

Orangeries Lantern Rooms Conservatories

Windows Doors Folding Sl iding Door Systems

Vertical Sl iding Windows Roofl ine Products Porches

Heritage Secondary Glazing

Image of Local instal lation by QKS

QKS Kitchens, The Maltings, Barnack Road, Stamford, PE9 2NA

T: 01780 756514 or 755855 E: [email protected]

www.qksstamford.co.uk

QKS, bringing kitchens to life...

Est Local Company

Est 1981 - 30 Years! Bespoke Kitchens, Bedrooms and Bathrooms

Visit our RangemasterDesign Centre and view

a wide selection of productsin one place, including the

very latest models, and gain expert advice from

our Rangemastertrained advisors

www.rangemaster.co.uk

Cookery DemonstrationsTo introduce Our New Design Centre

we invite you to see our large display of Range cookers and Neff appliances

Saturday 11th June10am - 2pm with Nicks at Home

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

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This issue June

5 Upfront Oundle Cars and highly skilled carpentry

7 Upfront Inside hidden Portugal

8 Sweet Summer style Pretty clothes for the new season

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? Aim for a more comfortable labour

19 Open season Peterborough Artists Open Studios is back

20 More claw, less paw Focus on Jaguar

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

EditorFiona [email protected] to Nene Valley Living, PO Box 208, Stamford, PE9 9FY www.nenevalleyliving.co.ukAdvertisement Manager Bridget Steele 01733 707538 [email protected] DirectorHelen Walton 01780 [email protected] of Design Steven [email protected] Designer Nik Ellis [email protected] Copy Rachel Beecroft 01780 765320 [email protected] Rudd-Jones 01780 765571 Email: [email protected] by Local Living Ltd, PO Box 208, Stamford, Lincs. PE9 9FY www.locallivingltd.co.uk Printed by Warner’s of Bourne

NENE VALLEY LIVING June 2011 3

NENE VALLEY LIVING

We 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 fi nd 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 fi t 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.

SUBSCRIBE TO Nene Valley Living

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

17 STRESS-FREE BIRTH

20 MOTORING: FOCUS ON JAGUAR

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

F iona CumberpatchEditor

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

8 FASHION: SUMMER STYLE

10 PARTY OUTSIDE

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Oundle Private Hire Cars

Oundle Private Hire Cars

www.oundlecars.co.uk

• Local Family Business• Outstanding Customer

Service & Value for Money

• Specialist in Airport Transfers

• Luxury 7 Seater24 Hour Private Hire/7 Days a Week

Tel: 07903 015 015t: 01780 721058 m: 07976 403955

www.jmscarpentryandjoinery.co.uk

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

Oundle’s Outdoor Shop

Kayak demo’s

Tent repairs

15% discount for D of E !

Tel: 01832 272050

[email protected] www.trek-kits.co.uk

Unit 7 , Eastwood Road Industrial Estate , Oundle PE8 4DF

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UpfrontWhat’s new this month

LOCAL NEWS


New curtains and blinds?Custom-made curtains, blinds, cushions and soft furnishings provide the fi nishing touch to any room, but fi nding 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 fi tting 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 trustOundle 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 outSoaring petrol bills and traffi c frustration have proved to be good news for one local travel fi rm. 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

Transform your home with JMSWhen 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: offi [email protected] website www.jmscarpentryandjoinery.co.uk

Be a beautiful brideMartin Charles, whose bridal gallery has just opened in Oundle, designs stunning gowns infl uenced 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

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PANDORA BOUTIQUE

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

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

Accessories. Personal Service.

Peterborough’s largest fl oral, gift and hire shopWe specialise in weddings,

special occasions and

funeral fl owers.

Extensive range of

accessories for the fl ower

arranger, including ribbons,

vases, pedestals and all

fl oristry sundries

Wedding arches, pedestals,

candelabras, artifi cial trees

and table decorations

available to hire.

Open: Mon-Fri 9.30am – 5pm Sat 9.30am – 4.00pm

Flowerscene Ltd

Tel: 01733 371088www.flowersceneuk.co.uk

arranger, including ribbons,

Wedding arches, pedestals,

Mon-Fri 9.30am – 5pm

Flowerscene Gift and Floral Warehouse, 4 Maxwell RoadWoodston Industrial Estate, Peterborough, PE2 7JB

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LOCAL NEWS

Upfront

From the 6th April anyone starting an application concerning children, such as contact or residence, or fi nancial 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 qualifi ed 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 benefi ciaries 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

Hidden PortugalPaula 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 magnifi cent landscape of sweeping fi elds of wheat and sunfl owers 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 fi ne 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

Locally made furnitureKing’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.millsandfl o.co.uk, Tel: 01780 470552

Mediation – an alternative to court

STOP PRESS STOP PRESS STOP PRESS STOP PRESSOpen 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.

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FASHION

8 NENE VALLEY LIVING June 2011

Sweet styleTry the new season’s trends, from crisp and nautical,

to feminine and fl oral. Feature: Compiled and photographed by

Lesley Anne Churchill

Sweetstylesummer

brights

navy & red

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

Pink stripe basket, Reba, £42.99

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

Sukie D bracelet, Reba, £29

Zandra Rhodes turquoise clutch bag, £40, Reba

Burnt orange satchel £42, Purple Danti

Unisa royal blue kid suede shoes. £139

Unisa royal blue kid suede clutch bag £79

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

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

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summer

navy & red

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

safari

f loral

Square black scarf, £6.50, Crackers

Daisy orange and brown necklace, £15.50, Crackers

Green fl oral bag, £16.99, Crackers

Floral beaded bracelet, £7.99,

Crackers

Silk daisy chain necklace/headband, £9.99, Reba

Animal print bag, Purple Danti, £36

Bead and leather pendant, £27.50, Pandora

Animal print silk Scarves, from £15, Pandora

Wooden bangles from £6.50, Crackers

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

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8 NENE VALLEY LIVING July 200810 NENE VALLEY LIVING June 2011

HOME & GARDEN

Party outside

Make the most of the summer season by using your garden as an extra living space, says Fiona Cumberpatch

EatingFire 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 [email protected] this: 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.

DrinkingServe 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.ukTry this: 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

DecoratingGarden 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 320134Find 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 221400Try this: 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.

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• 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

01733 394232www.cateringhireuk.com

6 Morley Court, Shrewsbury AvenueWoodston, Peterborough, PE2 7EP

Provide a wide range of hire equipment including:The Taste of the Orient

Upper Deck, Charters, Town Bridge, Peterborough, PE1 1FP

www.east-restaurant.co.uk01733 315 702

Summer is fast approachingEnjoy a meal from our bar and garden menuPrices start from only £4.95

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

Lunch 12-2.30pm Mon-Sat 12-3.30pm Sun (Buffet)Dinner 5.30-11pm Fri & Sat 5.30-10.30pm Sun-Thurs

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New Summer MenuLive Music Fri 27 May and Fri 22 July

Open from 12 Tues-Sat for Lunch/Dinner & Sunday LunchThe Bazaar, West Street Oundle, PE8 4EJ

01832 274730www.chapeldiningroom.co.uk

Traditionally home-reared & locally sourced meat & poultry at affordable prices!

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

www.willowbrookfarmshop.co.uk

SUMMER SPECIALBeef Meat Pack

1KG each of Silverside, Frying Steak,Diced Beef, Braising Steak & Minced Beef – only £35

Tel: 01780 740261

Senior Citizen Days: Wed & ThurLunch 12 – 2.30pm

Mains £5 – Puddings £2.50NEW - Senior Citizen House Breakfast

£3.99 - 9 – 11.30amThe Granary café

01780 749483

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

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

15 minutes

from Hampton

01733 571721 125 Church Street

WerringtonPeterborough, PE4 6QF

Reservations Essential

Th

E F

inE

ST

En

gl

iSh

Cu

iSin

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T

www.cherryhouserestaurant.co.uk

“ The difference is in the detai l . . .”Cherry house

Restaurant

The

• For Superb Food & Excel lent Service in

Del ightful Surroundings

• We offer fortnightly changed, f ixed

price menu

• For al l occasions inc birthday & anniversary celebrations, int imate

weddings, wakes. . .

• NVL June ADS.indd 12 18/5/11 14:46:20

Looking 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 fi llet with dauphinoise potatoes, apple purée, savoy cabbage and apple crisps, while I had the grilled fi llet 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

8 NENE VALLEY LIVING July 2008 NENE VALLEY LIVING June 2011 13

FOOD & DRINK

We review two local country hotels

The Garden House Hotel and Restaurant, St Martins, Stamford, PE9 2LP.In a nutshell: Fine dining at an affordable priceFood served: Seven days a week, lunch time and eveningsOwners: John and Janet FinlaysonFront of house: Zena BartleHead chef: Przemyslaw Mazurkiewicz

Food news

NENE VALLEY LIVINGRECOMMENDS• The Garden House Hotel,

Stamford •

Lunch at the Benefi eld WheatsheafI always think that it must be more diffi cult 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 Benefi eld 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 fi sh 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 beer-battered fi sh 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 fi nished 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 Benefi eld Wheatsheaf, Upper Main St, Upper Benefi eld, nr Oundle PE8 5ANTel: 01832 205400 www.benefi eldwheatsheaf.co.ukIn 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 dailyTypical 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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HEALTH & BEAUTY

8 NENE VALLEY LIVING July 2008

Health & beauty

notesBridget 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

Discover the Bowen TechniqueTom 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 specifi c 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 benefi ts.

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.

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-readyCaci 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 fl esh whilst the electrical impulses are designed to fi rm 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 [email protected]

14 H&B_DC.indd 1 17/5/11 14:57:03

15

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• NVL June ADS.indd 15 18/5/11 14:46:36

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• NVL June ADS.indd 16 19/5/11 09:20:29

8 NENE VALLEY LIVING July 2008 NENE VALLEY LIVING June 2011 17

HEALTH

Giving birth is supposed to be one of the most amazing things that can happen to a

woman…but we also know that it can be painful and exhausting.

In a bid to make life easier for expectant women, Dr. Lindsay Bomford is offering classes in HypnoBirthing, a holistic practice already popular in the USA, where it was originally conceived. It involves learning techniques for relaxation, controlled breathing and hypnosis which, when combined, allow more control and harmony for women in labour.Lindsay, herself a mother, who currently works in paediatrics at Peterborough City Hospital (PCH), says that HypnoBirthing is an antenatal education programme to help aid the body’s natural analgesic process.

“It’s almost like a marathon runner preparing for a race,” says Lindsay. “Labour can feel like a long slog for some, but women can prepare themselves properly in the months preceding childbirth, just as a runner would before a big event.”

Lindsay teaches the Mongan method,

named for one of the therapy’s pioneers, Marie Mongan. The American mum explored holistic possibilities after her own labour experience, and the practice is now hugely popular in the USA. Impressively, approximately 50 per cent of childbirths in the state of New England are now conducted along HypnoBirthing lines.

When asked about the finer details, Lindsay explains: “Our normal

bodily functions shouldn’t hurt, and because labour

is a normal function, it shouldn’t hurt either. But, many women experience a ‘fight or flight’ dilemma during labour, which perpetuates fear and anxiety. This in

turn takes blood flow away from the uterus

which leads to more pain. HypnoBirthing relaxation

techniques help calm the body and improve blood flow, and while

we can’t promise a completely pain-free birth, HypnoBirthing can greatly lessen any discomfort without the use of drugs.”

LocAL cLAssEsLindsay currently runs classes in Collyweston, and visits prospective parents in their homes,

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

Dr Lindsay

Bomford cVAnatomy & Human Biology First

Class Honours Degree – University of Liverpool

Qualified from Guy’s, King’s & St Thomas’ School of Medicine, Kings College LondonDiploma from Royal College of Obstetrics

& Gynaecology Certified HypnoBirthing Practitioner

– Mongan MethodCurrently works in Paediatrics at PCH

For Dads only!

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 well-received. 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: [email protected]

Dr Lindsay Bomford

17 HYPNOBIRTH_DC.indd 1 17/5/11 15:01:59

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• NVL June ADS.indd 18 18/5/11 14:47:05

This 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

Wanja Kimani showcases her African-inspired 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, 11am-6pm.

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.

With 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


ACTIVITIES

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

WIN! £100 to spend on artTo 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

19 ARTISTS_DC.indd 2 17/5/11 15:06:39

MOTORING


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

leaves David Corfield slightly breathless…

“Right, 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

20 MOTORS_DC.indd 1 19/5/11 14:48:48

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From the exciting new Jaguar range featuring groundbreaking technology andindustry firsts, to Approved used vehicles maintained to the standards set bythe engineers who built them.Enjoy all the expertise and knowledge of our Jaguar Academy trained techniciansand with a range of exhilarating accessories to enhance the feeling of owninga Jaguar, make sure that you visit Marshall Jaguar Peterborough.

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• NVL June ADS.indd 21 19/5/11 09:23:38

ACTIVITIES


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

Just 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 centreToday, 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 serviceService 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 barman-cum-waiter treated us like royalty. These days all pubs and hotels ban smoking, but

22 23 RAMSEY_DC.indd 2 17/5/11 15:09:04


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

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.

ContactsPeter H Gammons 80-86 Great Whyte PE26 1HS. Tel: 01487 812275Abbey 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.ukThe 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

Farm carts at the Rural Museum

Ramsey Abbey

Ramsey 1895

Gammons

Victorian Fen kitchen at Rural

Museum

Attwell museum Harveys Bridal Boutique

22 23 RAMSEY_DC.indd 3 17/5/11 15:09:35

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• NVL June ADS.indd 24 18/5/11 14:47:25

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• NVL June ADS.indd 25 18/5/11 14:47:39

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2011 fi nal at Willow Brook Farm

Sunday 12th June 10am-4pm

Discover li

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Bring your own picnic or taste delicious local food at the Granary Café & BBQ

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Find out where your food comes fromDo a butterfl y count

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Meet real live animals

Highlights!• Mini-beast safaris – 12pm and 2pm• Trailer rides 11am, 1pm & 3pm• Face-painting• Mini-beast art competition• Bring a photo, drawing or painting of your favourite mini-beast and win a Bumblebee goody bag

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17 – 18 Fenlake Business Centre

Fengate, Peterborough PE1 5BQ

01733 561991www.hurford-tebbutt.com

Hurford & Tebbutt

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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 fl owers and butterfl ies to enjoy

Distance: 3 miles (5kms) Typical time: 1 1/4 hoursOS map: Explorer (1:25 000) 227 or Landranger (1: 50 000) 142 (always walk with an OS map)Start & fi nish: Southey Woods Car Park Terrain: Level all the way, with good surfaceStiles: None!Dog friendly: Yes (although need to be kept on lead if sheep grazing in fi elds)Getting there: 2m N of Ailsworth and Castor, 5m W of PeterboroughRefreshments: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

1 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 fi eld edge towards the wood (this path is not on the OS map, but is a bridleway).

2 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 fi eld edge after this second gate

3 Go through a gate and proceed straight ahead (a bridleway heads north) and

continue following the edge of the fi eld/heath, swinging round to the right

4 When you reach the end of the wood, turn left along a track past a pond, then

another pond (a great dragonfl y spot) and exit the reserve through two gates, the fi rst wooden, the second metal

5 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

6 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

7 Cross a metalled track and proceed to the end of the wood, come out into a fi eld,

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.

8 Bear diagonally left across the heath, following the northern boundary W until

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NORTH HEATH

MIDDLE HEATH

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Canoe Hire and Luxury Camping

for enquiries and bookings:

Tel: (01604)832115

On the River Nene in Northamptonshire

From only £35 per canoe

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)

9 Proceed N, with the Old Roman road immediately to your left, back to your

starting point.

Castor HanglandsCastor Hanglands is managed as a National Nature Reserve and a Site of Special Scientifi c Interest by English Nature. It is very actively managed, with much coppicing and land management to help nature.

In an area of less than 220 acres (90 ha), it contains a remarkable variety of plant and animal life. The reserve is a composite site where four distinct habitats — woodland, grassland, scrub and wetland — each of which has its own special wildlife, are made more valuable

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.

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WHAT’S ON

Diary datesYasmin Bradley

selects great events for June


June1 WEDNESDAY

2 THURSDAY

3 FRIDAY

4 SATURDAY

5 SUNDAY

6 MONDAY

7 TUESDAY

8 WEDNESDAY

9 THURSDAY

10 FRIDAY

11 SATURDAY

12 SUNDAY

13 MONDAY

14 TUESDAY

15 WEDNESDAY

16 THURSDAY

17 FRIDAY

18 SATURDAY

19 SUNDAY

20 MONDAY

21 TUESDAY

22 WEDNESDAY

23 THURSDAY

24 FRIDAY

25 SATURDAY

26 SUNDAY

27 MONDAY

28 TUESDAY

29 WEDNESDAY

30 THURSDAY

Tuesday 7 June EVENT: Official opening of Harriet’s Tearoom Art GalleryCelebrate 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 [email protected]. 52-53 Cumbergate, Peterborough, PE1 1YR. 01733 552 955.

For more information visit ‘diary dates’ at www.bestlocalliving.co.uk

Wednesday 8 June WORKSHOP: The Mindfield, 7 -9pmJoin 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 25 – Sunday 26 JuneEVENT: 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.

Saturday 11 – Sunday 12 June EVENT: Festival on the GreenTwo 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

Saturday 11 June CONCERT: Bjorn Again at BurghleyAbba look- and-sound-alikes are back supporting local charity, Anna’s Hope.• Tickets from Burghley House, Stamford, PE9 3JY; email [email protected], or Stamford Arts Centre, 27 St. Marys Street, Stamford PE9 2DL. Telephone: 01780 763 203 Tuesday 12 JunePLAY: 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 JuneEVENT: Midsummer open gardens in West Deeping, 1pm-6pmA 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 Festival10am – 5pmIn 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

Sunday 19 JuneEVENT: 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). [email protected]. 01780 450278. Deene Park, Corby, NN17 3EW.

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ACADEMY

01733 394500

Primary

Secondary

Literacy, numeracy, science,

and reasoning

Maths, English, Science,

(Chemistry, Physics, Biology)

* National curriculum based

* After school, weekend & holiday lessons

* Effective learning strategies

* Sensitive support

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2 Culley Court, Orton Southgate,

PE2 6WA

Visit our centre

to see how we

can help.

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GCSE and A Level Revision

Courses in the Easter Holidays.

Secondary School

Entrance Examination

Preparation

You can have: Weekly term time lessons,

Weekly or twice weekly holiday lessons

Intensive weeks of tuition during the Summer.

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Our tuition centre has courses in:

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We are experienced in preparing students for:

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Improve your:

tables reading

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Primary Classes

to raise confidence

• NVL June ADS.indd 29 18/5/11 14:48:07

30

• NVL June ADS.indd 30 18/5/11 14:48:19

DIRECTORYCLEANING

COMPUTER SERVICES

DRIVEWAYS

Driveway, Patio Cleaning and SealingWe are an independent company

specialising in restoringhard landscaped driveways and patio areas in domesticand commercial properties.

Call us now for a free quotationO1733 246357 / 07415 368898

Stop Smoking – in just one hour

Fears/Phobias – stop the irrational thoughts

Stress Management – take back control

Hypnotic Gastric Band – worth £150 free

Hypno-Slimming Programme – the amazing-new easy way to lose weight

Sport Hypnosis – improve performance

Free Initial Consultation

Curative Hypnotherapy

Hypnotherapy Clinic - 26 Priestgate, Peterborough City Centre

Tel: 01733 768839 www.curativehypnotherapy.com

Become the person you really want to be

HEALTH

HILL FARM, CHESTERTON, PETERBOROUGH PE7 3UA

(on Oundle road, 200 yards west of Alwalton A1 flyover)

open june - octfarm shop and pick your own

Strawberries. Raspberries. Gooseberries. Plums.Black & Redcurrants. Blackberries. Tayberries.

Seasonable vegetables. Locally produced beef & lamb.

refreshments available.Facilities for Disabled Visitors. Picnic Area.

Children's Play Area. Caravan Club C.L. SiteTue-Fri 9am - 6pm Sat/Sun 9am - 5pmclosed Mondays except bank holidays

Please ring for up to date crop information or to order ready picked produce

teL & faX 01733 233270 www.pick-your-own.org.uk/hill_farm.htm

PICK YOUR OWN

SAFE LOCAL TRADES

safelocaltrades.comRecommended & Appro ed

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landscape property services

• GardenRenovations andMakeovers• Patio’s•Drives•Turfing• FencingandGates• FullGardenSchemes

t: 01733 569969M: 07809 690565

To arrange a fixed price, on-site survey and quotation

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GARDENING

LANGUAGE LESSONS· French, Spanish, Italian, German· Face-to-face or by Phone/Skype

· Intensive GCSE & A-Level Revision· Public classes in Oundle, Hampton,

Orton & Deeping

Fun, motivating, easy methods that get you results!

Contact Natasha Morgan

07812 342598 or 0800 298 5953Testimonials and offers at

[email protected]

TUITION

• NVL June Directory.indd 47 19/5/11 14:39:10

32

Healthcare choicesHealthcare services for the whole community at Fitzwilliam Hospital

Did you know you can have your healthcare atFitzwilliam Hospital?

The hospital provide services for

the whole community through

Premium Care for private and

insured patients and through

Patient Choice for NHS patients.

Fitzwilliam Hospital offers all

patients:

• Consultant-delivered care

• State-of-the-art equipment

• Small, friendly hospital in

peaceful surroundings

• Very low infection rates

• High quality care

• Good nurse-patient ratios

• Free parking and easy to find

InsuredpatientsIf you have medicalinsurance, please use itto enjoy the benefitsof private treatmentat the Fitzwilliam Hospital whichinclude:

• Your choice of consultant

• Early and flexible appointments withthe Premium Care fast track card

• Hotel comforts on admission

Ask your GP to refer you for privatetreatment at the Fitzwilliam.

NHSpatientsIf you are beingreferred by your GPfor NHS treatmentyou have a right tochoose the hospital you are referredto under the Patient Choice charter.

Fitzwilliam offer a wide range ofservices to NHS patients at no chargeto patient or GP.

Ask your GP if you can be referredto the Fitzwilliam for yourtreatment under Patient Choice.

Self-pay patientsPremium Care benefits areavailable to paying patients onour full range of services. Many patients are nowchoosing to pay for earlytreatment of NHS low priority health problems such as varicose veins,sterilisation reversals, lumps andbumps and carpal tunnel treatments.

A full range of cosmetic surgical andnon-surgical treatments is alsoavailable under the Vive brand.

Call today for a quote for yourhealthcare.

If you would like to chat through the options or forgeneral enquiries about Fitzwilliam Hospital and theservices offered please contact us today.Email: [email protected] or visit:www.fitzwilliam-hospital.co.uk

Call us today and find out more 01733 261717

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• NVL June ADS.indd 32 19/5/11 09:22:39

Nene Valley Living June 2011

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Transcript of Nene Valley Living June 2011