< Previouswe’ll go to theends of the earthfor good examples,but UK nurseriesare obviously thebest.”The plot and housewere practically derelictwhen purchased and seedingand initial planting was a longprocess, but complete with large pond andlandscaping it’s a wonder to behold.Goltho works because each area has a clear aim. Smart, butnot to the point of sterility or looking false, the garden is a full-time job but looks incredible for it. As well as orthodox flowerbeds and produce gardens, there’s a beguiling wildflowermeadow which sways colourfully in the breeze and is awashwith butterflies at the time of our visit. As well as a rose gardencomplete with gorgeous David Austin roses in pinks, whites andreds and a peony garden, there’s also a potager planted withherbs and vegetables that sits pretty in a brick-paved section.There’s also a nut walk, which has hazels and fernsplanted to provide even more interest.20 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYGARDENS18-21_Layout 1 11/12/2014 14:32 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRETODAY21GARDENSThe great thing about Goltho is that you can spot flowersdotted around the garden, then on your way out, buy apotted example or cutting to plant at home. As well as thisthere are tea rooms and a bed and breakfast should thepeaceful surroundings sufficiently grab you. It’s certainlygrabbed us and no doubt we’ll be returning when themood takes us.For more information, visit www.golthogardens.com 18-21_Layout 1 11/12/2014 14:32 Page 4Ed Fuller from FullersForestry andLandscaping offersexpert advice to helpreaders make a fresh startin the garden in 201522 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYPHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/JFIRMA VHappy new year! I hope one of yournew year’s resolutions is to make moretime for your garden. Maybe you havepledged to get fitter this year, and ifyou have, there’s no rush to join a gym– use your garden and the greatoutdoors. After all, this is the time ofyear to be digging or going for longwalks to collect Sloe berries!Digging is probably the best way toget a work out in the garden and helpshed a few pounds gained overChristmas. You need to prepare yourground for sowing by digging-inmanure or leaf mould to help improvedrainage and ensure your soil has allthe nutrients it needs. You may alsowant to dig a few holes and plant treesand shrubs while they are stilldormant.There are other jobs that need doingif you’re thinking about a ‘new you,new garden’ philosophy this month.* Plan your garden now in respect tothe types of plants and flowers youwant in the spring and summer, anddecide on what you want to grow inyour veg patch this year. You can thenorder the seeds you need.* If you want to recycle yourChristmas tree, stripped back branchesmake great pea sticks or markers inyour veg patch. Alternatively, putting iton your compost heap will help keepyou garden rich in nutrients later in theyear. Another way to recycle yourChristmas tree is to chop pieces of itoff and place them in your pond. Thiswill provide hiding places for your fish.* Now is the time to harvest parsnipsand leeks. It’s also the time to startgrowing potatoes in containers undercover for an early crop. Charlottepotatoes are the best variety for this. Ifyou want to grow early peas too,warm the soil using a cloche or bubblewrap over the soil for a few weeksbefore sowing. * If you haven’t already, you canGardeningresolutionsGardeningresolutions22-23_Layout 1 11/12/2014 14:12 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY23GARDEN ADVICEprune your apple and peartrees. The best time to pruneplum, cherry and apricot treesis the summer, otherwise theymay be susceptible to silverleaf infections. Make sure youhave the relevant consents fortree work if you live in aconservation area. It’s also time to pruneyour wisteria and rose bushes. * Clean your patios. They may be getting slimy and slipperyand giving them a clean with a broom or pressure washer canmake them safe and look better. A top tip is that Jeyes Fluidworks a treat.* If you haven’t already got any water butts then considergetting some now to harvest water ready for the year ahead.* In order to help the wildlife that live in your gardens, youcan hang fat balls, put out bird feeders and food on bird tables.You can also make sure your bird bath is topped up and notfrozen, along with your pond. You may also want to considerplanting deciduous fruit trees to provide food for our featheredfriends.Hopefully, after you’ve done all your digging and tackledsome of those jobs, you’ll be feeling fit and healthier, especiallyafter all the fresh air. So surely that means you can have a nicehot chocolate or sloe gin and left over mince pie to rewardyourself?PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/KAPPLEYARDSpecialised Servicesin Garden DesignLandscaping andTree MaintenanceBacked by a highly-skilledand experienced team,we’ve built our reputationon an ability to provide our clients with professional, tailored gardening and forestry solutionsFREE NO OBLIGATION QUOTATIONSCall 01522 868717 or 07867 510544info@fullersforestry.co.uklwww.fullersforestry.co.ukwww.landscapinglincolnshire.comFULLERSForestry & LandscapingIn orderto help the wildlifethat live in yourgardens, you can hangfat balls, put out birdfeeders and food onbird tables22-23_Layout 1 11/12/2014 14:12 Page 224 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYLINCOLNSHIRE WALKSThe first walk is from Caistor visiting itslocal beauty spot – the Water Hills. The areawas inhabited in prehistoric times beforebecoming a Roman “Castra” or camp.However little survives from before 1681,apart from the church and some Romanwall, since in that year, fifteen years afterthe Great Fire of London, Caistor sufferedits own devastating conflagration whenmost of it was destroyed.We start from the Market Place, besidethe ornate 1897 pump commemoratingsixty years of Queen Victoria’s reign. Afterdescending Plough Hill to the Arts &Heritage Centre, we enter Fountain Streetwith its famous Sypher Spring and then thechurchyard with its surviving section ofRoman wall.St Peter and St Paul’s has possibly been achurch site since the early 7th century. Thetower is partially Norman, and there’s a13th century door. Inside is kept the GadWhip, a relic of a bizarre local tradition(until 1846) this was cracked over the headof the vicar during Palm Sunday services.Further west we walk down theunexpectedly named Navigation Lane. Thisonce led to the Caistor Canal, whichconnected with the New River Ancholmebut never reached Caistor; being a mere 3½miles long it terminated at Moortownalmost four miles away.We return via Canada and the Water Hills,a steep sided valley with more springs. Boththe climb and the path at the top affordspectacular views across the town,Nettleton Top and the Trent valley in thewest. And it’s the only Lincolnshire walkthat goes to Canada – and back!My route is inspired by “SustainableCaistor” and Caistor Civic Society’s “TownTrail”, to whom I am indebted. Get theseTWO WINTER WALKS - CAISTOR AND BOSTONShort winter days require short walks! So here are two at opposite ends ofthe county to get everyone out over the festive and New Year seasons.Exploring Lincolnshire on footCAISTOR'S ROMAN WALLCAISTOR MARKETPLACECAISTOR CHURCHWESTGATE WOODS24-25_Layout 1 12/12/2014 15:40 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE WALKSfrom the Heritage Centre. The latter isespecially worth considering after yourwalk.Our second walk explores the 23½-acre Westgate Wood near Boston firstestablished by the Boston Woodland Trustin 2007. It is on surfaced paths except foran optional detour in the adjacent 50-acre country park. This commemoratesSir Joseph Banks who was born in 1743inherited the Revesby Estate along withan accompanying fortune. That allowedhim to self-finance his famous scientificvoyage with Captain Cook when henamed Australia’s Botany Bay. He wasalso the president of the Royal Societyfrom 1778 until just before his death in1820. The park has gradually evolved,also since 2007, and includes a “FitnessTrail” - ideal to work off those Christmasweight gains - whilst the latest addition isan “Owl Tower”, though it has seatinginside for walkers too.WALK 1.Face the NatWest bank, turnleft down Plough Hill and at theHeritage Centre veer right downFountain Street. Climb theChurch Folly steps onto thepath along the churchyard’slower edge and beyond theRoman wall, at a lane(Cromwell View) turn left.Continue until you can bearright down Navigation Lane to asteeply, until just before the houses ofCanada itself a footpath branches rightfrom a kissing gate. Cross the head of theWater Hills valley to another kissing gateat a road.Bear right downhill and after the trafficlights turn left into South Street. Onreaching the Buttermarket and the warmemorial finally turn right back into theMarket Place.WALK 2. From the carpark face awayfrom the road and by turning right jointhe surfaced path by the fitness trail map.At the first junction keep right continuingto the Community Orchard and then aroad. (Five House Lane) You may cross the road here and, withstout footwear, continue along the right-hand edge of the country park. Recentlandscaping has left some muddy areasbut it is possible to walk on rough grassbeside the disturbed area. At the far end,beyond the Owl Tower, join surfacedpaths and at a junction bear left along themiddle one (of three) to reach WestgateWoods. Join the main route there.Otherwise take the left-hand path nearthe orchard, then go right to reach theroad. Now cross to the surfaced pathopposite alongside Westgate Wood.At the far end, near another road andcarpark, double back sharp left into thetrees. The detour rejoins here. At a nextpath junction keep ahead and at a secondjunction bear right. At the third junctionlook left through a lime tree avenue for a“framed” view of distant Boston Stump.Walk on to soon emerge from the treesand reach a carpark opposite theFisherman’s Rest café.Unless you wish to first visit thecafé turn left along the road for100 yards and rejoin the outwardroute by taking the path on theright that re-enters the eastsection of the Country Park.Follow the main path and justafter a pond keep right toreturn to the start.by Hugh MarrowsFACTFILESWALK 1. START: Market Place, CaistorMAPS: OS Landranger 113 (Grimsby) •Explorer 284DISTANCE: 3½ miles • 5.5 kilometresREFRESHMENTS: Heritage Centre, Plough Hill• Settlement Bistro, Market Place • Tea Cosy Café, CornhillWALK 2. START: Jenny’s Wood carpark. (West End Road, Boston.) (GR312419)MAPS: OS Landranger 131 (Boston) • Explorer 261DISTANCE : 2 miles •3.5 kilometresREFRESHMENTS: Fisherman’s Rest caféOWL TOWER AND BOSTON STUMPfootpath on the right just after theGrammar School sports field. Follow thisover a footbridge to reach another road.Cross over, turn left, walk round a right-hand bend and then when the road bendsleft enter Sandbraes Lane.In 200 yards veer right from a waymarkalong a grass path to a handgate somesteps and then a footbridge. Climb moresteps to a fenced path and turn rightfollowing it to a kissing gate at a road.Cross carefully to the pavementopposite and bear right for 100 yards toCanada Lane then go left and steeplyuphill. Pause occasionally to admire theviews. Where the Viking Way crosses asteep descent and ascent on your rightprovides a short cut via North Street andthe High Street back to Caistor MarketPlace.Continue up Canada Lane, now lessTHE WATERHILLS24-25_Layout 1 12/12/2014 15:40 Page 226 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYFASHIONWhether you’re attending a New Year’sEve party or just want to add a bit ofsparkle to the depths of winter, we’vegot a host of top ideas. 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