< Previous20 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYREADERS’ GARDENSAt Courtlands, owners Peter and JillHilton have a three-and-a-half acregarden that is brimming with wonder.Having been at the property since 2011,the couple have created a garden withinterest, as well as scope which meansthere’s plenty to get even the not-so-green fingered excited. A large, flat garden, the interest comesfrom how Peter and Jill have split upwhat could have been a single open andrather overbearing space. Instead, theeye is drawn to different areas dependingon where you stand. Enter the gardenand you’ll be taken aback with a displayof ornate and beautiful bonsai treesmounted on sunken telegraph poles,their gnarled roots on display – awonderful idea which you don’t see veryoften in our county’s green spaces.ClassicLINESCourtlands, situated in the welcoming Wolds of Kirkby-on-Bainnear Woodhall Spa is a large garden, but with portioned offsections that delight20-23_Layout 1 23/01/2015 12:34 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY21READERS’ GARDENSVenture further in and you’ll see thecouple’s extensive raised beds, growing justabout everything this fertile wolds soil willtake. Lettuces in particular caught our eye onthe day we visited, but as Peter explains, thebeds are fruitful all year round.Turn left towards the rather large lawn andyou’ll notice the array of mature trees thatpepper the far end of the garden, as well as asmall oriental rock garden with water featuresand shrubs that frame the seventies-builthouse nicely. Opposite this is a hot bed,dominated by pink clary, which self seedsand creates a tall, pretty display as well as ahorde of poppies, all swaying lazily alongsidedelphiniums. The garden is protected by aShropshire stone wall, which was already inplace when the couple moved in.22 Á20-23_Layout 1 23/01/2015 12:34 Page 222 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYREADERS’ GARDENSFurther into the garden, you see what Jillexplains they like to call the ‘folly’ area.Four large columns are sunk into theground, creating almost a Roman villa look.Stand on the top of the steps and take alook back on the garden and you’re given aperspective that evokes new feelings for thegarden – the classical perspective gives it aromantic and dramatic edge. You can seewhy Peter sometimes refers to it as ‘thechurch. Jill has also planted ferns behind thisarea to create a ‘fair garden’ complete withstatues, which creates a sense of wonder forvisiting children.The garden’s delights don’t stop there,however. Under the cover of a bambooedge, there’s an oriental garden in a worldof its own in the corner. Under a pagoda-style doorway, a gravelled path takes you ona short walk around an ornate and lovingly-created area that is peaceful andharmonious. Chimes hanging from a treemean you are taken to the east and the20-23_Layout 1 23/01/2015 12:34 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRETODAY23READERS’ GARDENSwooden seating area which faces a smallwaterfall and pond complete with waterlilies and Japanese plants as well as ahand-built bridge mean you canmeditate and contemplate in totalrelaxation. There’s small Acers andHostas enjoying the shade too, meaningit’s a whole garden within a garden.Elsewhere, there’s a meadow givenover to nature, with apple trees dottedhere and there, it is left to the birds toenjoy. Jill mentions there have been batsflying over the meadow, but also thatowls have nested there because of itspeaceful isolation. We can see why – thesurroundings are perfect.Courtlands is part of the NationalGardens Scheme and will be open to thepublic in 2015 – check outwww.ngs.org.uk to find out when you canvisit.20-23_Layout 1 23/01/2015 12:35 Page 4Ed Fuller from FullersForestry andLandscaping celebratesa year of gardeningadvice by starting afresh24 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYHow time flies! I hope that duringthe past year I’ve helped to remindyou about the monthly jobs that needdoing, provided information onconservation issues and generally givenyou the confidence to go out andenjoy your garden. If you’re new to gardening or feelthat it’s time to revamp your outdoorspace then now is the time to start.This time of year is perfect fordesigning and changing your gardenso it’s ready to be enjoyed on thoselong sunny days and evening whichare just around the corner.I believe a good garden design isimperative. You wouldn’t install akitchen without first thinking about thelayout, what you would like and needin it, the colour scheme and so on. It’sthe same with your garden and, like anew kitchen, there are many differentdesigns of gardens to suit all tastes andproperty types. Maybe you would likea formal garden or one that reflectsthe Mediterranean. A cottage gardenthat is wildlife friendly may be yourpreference, or you might out for anüber contemporary style.I’d advise you to consider using agarden designer to assist, as a well-designed garden will ensure that itworks for you, is done right first timeand uses the right materials. I also findI can provide original creative ideaswhich give my clients a bespokegarden. The things you can thinkabout when giving your designer abrief are the practical items such asparking, the washing line and the kids’trampoline, but also considerboundaries and walls, the amount andtype of planting, paths and patios, thetype of furniture and if you’d like awater feature. A good designer canassist you with all these areas but if youhave a particular style and ideas it canhelp.Once you have your design youDesigns onyour garden24-25_Layout 1 23/01/2015 11:52 Page 1must be realistic about the time itcan take to complete. Again, it maybe worth getting the professionals inas they will have the machinery andexpertise. Some designers, like me,will also be able to undertake thework. I’d advise you to ensure if youget someone to carry out the workthey are a professional. Always ask for a copy of their publicliability insurance, pictures of previous work and maybereferences from previous clients. You wouldn’t have your newkitchen fitted by someone who didn’t know what they weredoing. Fabulous in February!If you’re happy with your garden design and want tocontinue its maintenance, here are some ideas for what youcould do this month...* Prune your wisteria * Prune winter flowering Jasmine, Mahonia, Heathers andremove any fading flowers from winter Pansies* Plant bear root roses in a sunny position* Prepare vegetable seed beds by removing weeds and forkingin plenty of compost and you can start sowing vegetable seedssuch as leeks, onions and celeriac under cover* Prune apple and pear trees whilst they are still dormant.* Prune blackcurrant bushes, gooseberries and redcurrants tomaintain a projective framework * Start maintenance on your machinery to make sure it isready for the spring. Have your mower serviced now to beatthe rushHopefully by next month we’ll be starting to see the realbeginning of spring, so keep your eyes out for emerging bulbsand the first flush of colour.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY25GARDEN ADVICESpecialised 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 & Landscaping24-25_Layout 1 23/01/2015 11:52 Page 226 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYLINCOLNSHIRE WALKSWe leave Tealby along the Viking Wayheading first to Risby, a name thattranslates from the Old Danish as “thevillage in the shrubs”. Typical of the sitesoccupied following the 9th century Vikinginvasion Risby has a topographical spreadincluding high ground on the wolds, thewestern escarpment (with a spring line)and lower ground in the west. TheDomesday Book records imply a mediumsized settlement here of perhaps some fortyto fifty people; only Manor Farm nowsurvives!Stainton-le-Vale lies in a delightfulwooded valley at the end of a mile longdescent from the quaintly named GoodyOrchin Plantation on the High Street; surelythere’s a story behind that name but I havebeen unable to discover it! At Stainton Hallwe emerge beside a lake. Here too is anancient village site the name interpreting as“on stony ground”. Archaeological findshave established that this valley has beenoccupied since Neolithic/Bronze Age times.The Domesday Book is informative telling usof a much larger village than Risby howeversince the earthworks extend eastwards fromStainton Hall (GR165946) to St Andrew’schurch (GR176944) almost a mile away;indeed this is one of the largest known lostvillage sites not only in Lincolnshire but inall England. Again there is a wide mixture ofland types and a good water supply.Stainton has another distinction too forbefore WWII it had what is believed to havebeen the smallest school in England withthree pupils and two teachers.Before leaving we pass Stainton’s quaint,little tin Primitive Methodist chapel. StAndrew’s church is nearby but just off route.It was restored in 1886 although it still hassome Norman and mediaeval masonry andTEALBY AND STAINTON-LE-VALEThis month we are back in Wolds for a grand, scenic route of great variety from Tealbyacross the western escarpment and down to the secluded valley of Stainton-le-Vale.Exploring Lincolnshire on footNEAR CASTLE FARMBECK HILL FORDRISBY TOPSTAINTON CHAPELAND JUBILEE SEAT26-27_Layout 1 23/01/2015 11:57 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE WALKSinside a large 19th century oil paintingoriginating from a church in Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire.Tealby itself surprisingly has asomewhat industrial heritage. Again theDomesday Book (AD1086) is revealing forin it twelve watermills are mentioned andTealby later became a centre for paperproduction; the road into the village fromBully Hill and the High Street to the eastis still called Papermill Lane. All Saintschurch, built from the richly colouredlocal ironstone, retains a Norman towerthough it is severely weathered. Restoredin 1871, All Saints houses severalTennyson family memorials and looksdown upon the village school designedby Charles Tennyson D’Eyncourt ofBayon’s Manor, demolished in 1965, thatstood in parkland to the southeast. At thefar end of the village our starting point,the Kings Head Inn, is of mud-and-studconstruction and dates from 1367.NOTES. Readers may park at the King’sHead by kind permission of the landlord.Part of the walk uses a Natural EnglandConservation walk not shown the OSmaps.THE ROUTE.From the inn turn left upinto Tealby village and take thefootpath on the left just after theroad junction. Bear right up ameadow to reach the B1203 andcross to the footpath directlybrings you to a junction at the green byStainton’s little tin chapel and awelcoming seat commemorating theQueen’s 1977 Jubilee.Turn right for a quarter of a mile andwhen the lane bends right go throughthe hedge gap ahead before veering left,then right along a track. After a shortclimb through trees a downhill sectionarrives a kissing gate, footbridge andNatural England access map. Turn righthere, walking up to a farm track andthere turning right again; after a bendthis track arrives at a road. Turn right for350 yards to a footpath branching offleftwards. Follow this back to the HighStreet.Cross over onto a rough downhill grasstrack. When this veers left keep aheadtowards some trees and locate a kissinggate and footbridge. Now walk straightup the meadow ahead, soon with woodson your left, to another kissing gate. Agrass path leads across the next field andjoins a track past more woods. Where thetrack goes left aim for a hedge gap aheadthere joining Caistor Lane. Bearing leftreturns you into Tealby.Finally, just after the church, descendBeck Hill and take the “TheSmootings” path on the rightimmediately before the ford. At thefar end bear left for the inn.by Hugh MarrowsFACTFILESTART: King’s Head, TealbyMAPS: OS Landranger 113 (Grimsby) • Explorer 282DISTANCE: 9½ miles • 15 kilometresREFRESHMENTS: King’s HeadSTAINTON-LE-VALEopposite. Keep ahead up a gradually risingvalley soon joining the Viking Way andcontinue uphill almost to Castle Farm withwoodland on your right.Turn right and enter the corner of thesewoods following their inner edge until youcan exit leftwards at a kissing gate. Slantdownhill, and veering right, to a secondgate before coming alongside a fenceleading to another kissing gate and theaccess road for Risby Manor.Turn right uphill passing round thehouse and follow a track uphill to a road.Look back occasionally to admire the viewstowards Lincoln. At a road turn left (moreviews) for half a mile and at a crossroadsgo right to reach the High Street - B1225.Now turn right where an unavoidable300-yard road walk - use verges whenpossible - leads to a signposted track onthe left at Goody Orchin Plantation. Proceed downhill and through thefarmyard at Stainton Hall to emerge by alake at another road. Go right for adelightful tree-lined half-mile before takingthe first lane on the right. A left turn thenALL SAINTS CHURCH TEALBY26-27_Layout 1 23/01/2015 11:57 Page 21stissues only £1Great reasonsto subscribe...Each issue is brimming with a diverse topic range...• Heritage • Fashion • Hair & Beauty • Leisure • Homes & Gardens • County Motoring • Dining Out • What’s On • Free Reader Giveaways and much much more…First 3 issues only £1!FREE delivery to your doorReceive your copy before it hits the shopsORDER FORMYes, I would like to subscribe to Lincolnshire Today magazinefor the next 12 months, with the first 3 issues only being £1.Personal Details:First name:Last Name:Address:Town:County: Post Code:Tel: Mobile:Email:Payment by DEBIT/CREDIT cardName as it appears on card:Type of card: Mastercard / Visa / Visa Debit / OtherCard Number:Card Verification number (3 digits on signature strip):Expiry Date:Amount Authorised:Cheque enclosed YES / NO Please post this form back to: Subscriptions,Lincolnshire Today Magazine, Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby. N.E. Lincolnshire DN31 2QEMake cheque payable to Business Link Magazine Group&Call now to subscribe on01472 310301 8or visit www.lincolnshiretoday.net/341orScan QR Code3333Looking for a great gift idea?A gift Subscriptionis the perfect present that lasts all year round!Total Price: £27.553£1428_Layout 1 23/01/2015 11:34 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY29SOCIAL SCENEA great night at theRound TableMarket Rasen Round Table brings people together tomake a difference to the town and surrounding area.Indeed, their annual fireworks display is a real highlightof the year which more than a thousand people turnedout to watch helping to raise much needed funds forgood causes.Chairman Gregg Smith invited guests to theChairman’s Ball at the White Heather where more fundswere raised for local causes thanks to a fantastic rafflewith some fabulous prizes up for grabs. Guests alsoenjoyed live music from The Wizard’s Sleeve.PHOTOS BY RICHARD PICKSLEY29_Layout 1 23/01/2015 11:47 Page 1Next >