< Previous40 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY FOOD & DINING February may have Valentine’s and we’ve made sure to include at least one recipe for those wanting to cook for a loved one – but it’s also the last month of winter, and that means it’s still bitingly cold on some days. Therefore, we’ve collected some nice warming food to keep you nice and toasty. Warmer days Full English Breakfast Hash Method: Pre-heat the oven to 220°C / 200°C fan / Gas 7 then grease a shallow casserole dish. Carefully break up the hash browns into a bowl using clean hands so they resemble grated cheese. Add the 2 eggs, season to taste and mix in well. Using your hands, line the casserole dish with the mixture, pushing it down using your fingertips to form a large solid “rosti” type base. Place in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden and crispy. Meanwhile fry the onion in a little oil until softened, then slice the sausages and dice the bacon and add to the pan. Fry until coloured before adding the kale and cook for a further 5-6 minutes or until the kale has just wilted. When the hash brown base is ready, remove from the oven and spoon the sausage and bacon mixture on top, followed by the diced tomatoes and grated cheese. Finally crack 4 eggs on top and finish with the pickled walnuts. Place back in the oven for 15 minutes or until the eggs are just cooked and the yolk is still runny. Serves 4 Prep Time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 45 minutes You’ll need: * 450g uncooked hash browns, defrosted * 2 eggs * Salt and pepper, to taste * 1 tbsp vegetable oil * 1 onion, finely diced * 2 tomatoes, diced * 4 rashers of bacon * 2-3 sausages * 50g kale, chopped * 2-3 handfuls of grated Cheddar cheese * 4 eggs * 2-3 Opies Pickled Walnuts, thickly sliced 40-43.qxp_Layout 1 23/01/2023 10:05 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 41 To promote your services call Angie Cooper on 01472 310302 or email: a.cooper@blmgroup.co.uk Duck Breast with Method: Preheat the oven to 150°C. Score the skin of the duck breast and season with salt. Place in a cold frying pan and allow the fat to render so it is golden, about ten minutes. Flip the duck round to seal the meat, cooking for one minute until lightly browned. Deglaze the pan and pour the contents into a pan. Place into the oven for 7-10 minutes, keeping an eye on it so you don’t overcook it, and it remains nice and pink. While the duck is cooking, add the wine, cherries, kirsch, stock and thyme to the pan with the duck fat. Bring to the boil then reduce the heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes. The sauce should be reduced and syrupy. Season well. Rest the duck for 10 minutes before serving and serve alongside creamy mash and leafy greens. Serves 2 Preparation time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 20 minutes You’ll need: * 2 x duck breast * 150ml red wine * Few sprigs of thyme * 150ml chicken stock * 50g Opies Cherries in Kirsch * 50ml Opies Cherries Kirsch syrup Click’em Inn Swinhope, Nr Binbrook, Market Rasen, LN8 6BS Tel: 01472 398253 Web: www.clickem-inn.co.uk The Click’em Inn is a family-owned freehouse, established for over 30 years in its current incarnation. Steeped in history, the inn is open 6 days a week, Tuesday- Sunday, offering a wide choice of drinks, including six real ales available at any time, with a regularly changing selection of personally recommended guest ales. The Kitchen is open Tuesday-Sunday for evening dining, plus lunchtimes Friday-Sunday. The menu varies from day-to-day with the chef’s specials, alongside regular meals. Cherry Sauce 40-43.qxp_Layout 1 23/01/2023 10:05 Page 2© stock.adobe.com/Stephanie Frey Slow Roast Lamb Shoulder Serves 6-8 Preparation time: 30 minutes Cooking time: 3 hours + You’ll need: * 1.5kg lamb shoulder joint * 50g anchovies in oil * 2 flat cloves garlic, sliced * 2 sprigs rosemary * Salt and pepper, to taste * 2 tbsp olive oil * 1kg new potatoes * 1 jar Opies Silverskin Onions with Red Wine Vinegar * 325g broad beans * 300g peas * 175ml white wine * 100g feta cheese * Fresh mint leaves, chopped Method: Pre-heat the oven to 170°C / 150°C fan / Gas 3. Place the lamb in a roasting tin and using a knife, pierce the shoulder all over. Drain the anchovies and cut each fillet into three, then stuff a piece inside each hole along with a sliver of garlic and a few leaves of rosemary. Season the lamb generously all over and drizzle with oil, then cover with foil and place in the oven for 2 hours. Meanwhile halve the new potatoes and silverskin onions. Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil, then add the potatoes to the lamb tray, turn the oven up to 200°C / 180°C fan / Gas 6 and roast for 30 minutes until starting to brown. Next add the broad beans, peas, white wine and silverskin onions and return to the oven for a further half an hour. Remove from the oven, crumble the feta cheese over, scatter over the mint and serve. with Onions and Peas 40-43.qxp_Layout 1 23/01/2023 10:05 Page 3FOOD & DINING Dutch Pancakes with Method: Whisk the flour, eggs, milk, vanilla extract and sugar in a large bowl until fully combined and no lumps remain. Set aside. Pre-heat the oven to 220ºC / 200ºC fan / gas 7. Pour the oil into a 7” ovenproof skillet or deep-sided frying pan and place in the oven. When the pan is screaming hot, open the oven and quickly pour in the batter then shut the door quickly. Leave to cook for 20-25 minutes or until the sides have risen and it looks like a golden Yorkshire pudding. It’s important the door isn’t opened until its ready! Serve the pancake in the pan topped with ice cream, cherries, a drizzle of reserved syrup, some flaked almonds and a dusting of icing sugar. Serves 4 Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 30 minutes You’ll need: * 100g plain flour * 3 eggs * 150ml milk * 1 tsp vanilla extract * 1 tbsp caster sugar * 2 tbsp vegetable oil * 1 jar Opies Black Cherries with Kirsch, syrup reserved * Vanilla ice cream, to serve * 1 tbsp almond flakes, toasted * 1 tbsp icing sugar, sifted Black Cherries LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 43 This month’s recipes courtesy of www.opiesfoods.com 40-43.qxp_Layout 1 23/01/2023 10:05 Page 444 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY P erhaps the most variety of Lincolnshire’s churches is found amongst the Wolds churches, mainly due to the varied geology within the Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Between Barton-on- Humber and Spilsby there are several changes in rock type; all are sedimentary and formed when Britain lay further south and under the sea. At its simplest the geology is basically of three types. For building stone in the north, the rich golden coloured chalk/ironstone of the Upper Jurassic period (200 – 145 million) prevails but weathers easily. More centrally is the younger chalk of the Upper Cretaceous (145 – 66 million). This too is prone to rapid weathering so was only occasionally used for building. Further south we reach the Spilsby sandstone, (also Cretaceous) or greenstone as it’s known, since it contains the mineral Glauconite which on exposure to air weathers to a lovely greenish-brown colour. All these determine the types of building stone available locally. Brick too is sometimes used as at Tathwell and Brinkhill (St Philip’s) as well as the early Georgian churches at Well Vale (1733) and Langton- by-Spilsby (circa 1720). There are many architectural styles too dating from Saxon and mediaeval to Victorian ‘Fowler churches’. Although James Fowler’s Victorian Neo-Gothic designs fit well into the landscape others, noticeably brick, may fit less well and appear - to some - more urban and out of place (e.g. Little Cawthorpe and Brinkhill). And many churches have disappeared where now only deserted village sites remain. Almost all have some special feature of curiosity, historical or architectural interest. We can only explore a limited selection here however. Each stone ‘type’ has its own classic examples. For ironstone, churches at Caistor (St Peter and St Paul) where some Saxon masonry survives, Nettleton (St John’s) and Tealby (All Saints) whose rich golden stone glows in the sun, but all of them amply illustrate the stone’s poor weathering properties. As mentioned above the Wolds chalk was not often used for building but at Haugh, St Leonard’s is one, but again seriously eroded. In the ‘greenstone’ area near Spilsby churches at Bag Enderby and Somersby (both dedicated to St Margaret) show up the ‘green’ weathering that the stone’s chemical make-up produces. Another good example is St Andrew’s at Halton Holgate. For brick churches Brinkhill (St Philip’s) and Little Cawthorpe (St Helen’s) are worth seeing. Amongst those churches with special architectural features or curiosities, or of historical interest; all the following will reward a visit, and most have guides giving more detailed histories that are well worth reading. We will start in the north with Alkborough’s St John the Baptist. In the Among Lincolnshire’s enviable heritage is its 500 or so parish churches. This month we look at those on the Wolds. Lincolnshire explored ST JOHNS NETTLETON CLAXBY 44-45.qxp_Layout 1 23/01/2023 10:06 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 45 churchyard a worn cross - like a Henry Moore sculpture – was caused by use for sharpening scythes and swords. The nave was reputedly rebuilt in the C12th by some of the knights involved in the murder of Thomas-a-Becket at Canterbury. At Caistor St Peter and St Paul’s has surviving Saxon ironstone masonry and inside is the famous Caistor thirteen feet long gadwhip once used during Palm Sunday services. Yorkshire’s ‘Mousey’ Thompson carved the reredos here. Nearby Nettleton has a Saxon ironstone tower, the rest being rebuilt by Fowler in 1874. The tower clock was built in 1837 by James Harrison, grandson of the famous ‘Longitude’ clockmaker John Harrison. At the foot of the Wolds Claxby’s St Mary’s has a nodding chancel, a rare feature where the nave and chancel are mis-aligned (seen more clearly inside). There are some unusual carvings too; one of a man apparently with toothache. And there’s another ‘toothache man’ at St Peter’s Normanby-le-Wold; Lincolnshire’s highest church. Walesby has two very contrasting churches. All Saints on its hilltop site and known as the ‘Ramblers’ church, is mediaeval whilst down in the village, modern St Mary’s (1914) has unusual central pillars supporting the roof. Very inconvenient for weddings and funerals! Nearby Tealby’s St John’s is again of golden ironstone. Two examples of chalk churches are at Calceby and Haugh. The former (St Andrew’s) stands in ruins overlooking the site of its ‘lost’ village. Haugh’s St Leonard’s dates from the C12th. Inside is a monument to the local Bolle family; Sir John Bolle was a hero of the siege of Cadiz in 1596 and associated with the ballad of the ‘Greene Lady’. Further south we move into ‘greenstone’ country. Good examples are at Tetford (St Mary) which has some C17th armour inside and an unusual grave outside to two gypsy’s killed by lightening in 1830. Somersby and Bag Enderby (both St Margaret’s and both greenstone) have strong Tennyson connections and related exhibitions. At Old Bolingbroke we find only half a church! St Peter and St Paul now consists only of the tower and south aisle of John of Gaunt’s original building. Moving on to brick churches two grand Georgian examples are at Well and Langton-by-Spilsby (another St Peter and Paul) with its unexpected ranks of parallel inward facing pews and literary connections with Dr Johnson of dictionary fame. St Helen’s at Little Cawthorpe is ‘modern’ (1860) with black brickwork stripes. St Vedast at Tathwell (one of only two such dedications in England) is also brick but in Sussex Weald style. Two classic ‘Fowler’ Victorian churches are at East Ravendale and Dalby whilst a good example of his Neo-gothic style is at Rigsby (St John’s 1863) perched on the Wolds above Alford. Another rather ornate, Victorian church at Biscathorpe (St Helen’s, 1847) presides over a lost village site beside the River Bain. We end at West Keal (St Helen’s) where the ‘Perpendicular style’ spans from the C13th to the C19th, has perhaps the grandest churchyard site in Lincolnshire with spectacular views across the fens to the Wash. by Hugh Marrows LANGTON-BY-SPILSBY FOLKINGHAM MARKET PLACE ALL SAINTS TEALBY ST ANDREW'S CALCEBYST JAMES RIGSBY 44-45.qxp_Layout 1 23/01/2023 10:06 Page 246 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY Ancholme with the wildlife that also calls it home, Brigg is a town of unassuming charm that begs to be discovered. F rom the quirky, warren-like town centre to the natural beauty spots dotted along the river, which has been the central crossing of Brigg for thousands of years, more secrets are revealed the longer you spend here. There are plenty of reasons to take your time, since you can stop at a number of cafes, restaurants and (according to local rumour) the highest concentration of pubs in the country. A variety of hotels also await nearby, so you can spend a day on retail therapy, or take in the local nature and beautiful views, then wander back and get some well-earned rest before you explore another day. of community at its heart, Brigg carries on the market tradition of bringing tradespeople together on the regular, to share quality goods with residents and visitors. The monthly Farmers’ Market is famed for its local produce and handmade crafts, an award-winning event that sees tourists flock from across Lincolnshire and beyond, while the usual Thursday and Saturday markets act as a pop-up community hub, where stall holders are always open to chat about their wares. Packed with treats to try on the regular, you’ll never be short of opportunities to stop for cake and a hot drink, however you like to refuel. But if you’re up for a mini food festival experience, it’s well worth planning for the last Saturday of the month, which is when the Farmers’ Market always takes place. Brigg celebrates its history by keeping alive its market tradition, which inspired the well-known folk song ‘Brigg Fair’. The lyrics were taught to local singer Joseph Taylor by visiting gypsies in around 1850, and Taylor was recorded performing the two verses he could remember on wax 46-49.qxp_Layout 1 23/01/2023 10:09 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 47 BRIGG 01652600200 PEACOCK.CO.UK BRIGG-CORRINGHAM-HALSHAM-KIRBYMISPERTON-LOUTH-SELBY BRIGG-OLDFOUNDRY,BRIGG,SCUNTHORPE.DN208NR MON-FRI:8:00-16:30,SAT:8:00-12:00,SUN:CLOSED *SUBJECT TO WEATHER CONDITIONS cylinder in 1907. But the song itself is likely much older, its inspiration the yearly horse fair held in early August since at least 1205, if not earlier. The first recording survives through the British Library and is available online for anyone who wishes to hear it. The fair has survived too, largely organised and upheld by Romani and Irish Travellers today. This simple folk song provides an unlikely centrepiece for more of the town’s history. Percy Grainger, the composer who recorded Joseph Taylor singing, collected more traditional songs from the inmates of the workhouse built at the east end of Brigg in 1835. These would later inspire Lincolnshire Posy, Grainger’s 16-minute long masterpiece, which deliberately preserved the character of the songs he heard in Brigg and across Lincolnshire. Grainger had a friend called Gervase Elwes, a concert and oratorio singer who kept a family home at Brigg Manor. He arranged music competitions and festivals in the area, and Brigg Fair was performed by Taylor at one of these to be recorded shortly after. He also founded the North Lincolnshire Music and Drama Festival with his wife Winifrede in 1900 and demanded as one of Brigg town’s largest landowners that the area be improved, which it was between the late 1700s and early 1800s. This rebuild gave Brigg several of the buildings that give 48 Á 46-49.qxp_Layout 1 23/01/2023 10:09 Page 248 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY BRIGG the town much of its character today, so Elwes is fittingly honoured by a street named after him which runs from the town centre. Near Elwes Street is the town hall, which is now known as the Buttercross. Built in 1817, this Grade II- listed building remains in use at the heart of the high street, as a tourist information centre and gift shop as well as an events and live music venue. This interweaving of history with enjoyment and culture could still be paying homage to the town’s naming as Glanford Brigg during the Anglo-Saxon period. ‘Brigg’ came from the Old Norse bryggja, which here breaks from tradition and refers to a bridge instead of the usual jetty or quay. But the first word, though the meaning is uncertain, could have been taken from the Old English word gleam, which means joy or revelry. Other origin theories include a reference to a ‘glamping’ track (or interlocking planks or logs) being used to cross a ford, or that the full name of Glanford Brigg means ‘smooth ford’. Local lore even has it that the name might come from Glamis’ Ford, referring to a man named Glamis who lived by the ford, perhaps in a tollhouse. Either way, it all comes back to Brigg as a fording point for its central landmark, the river Ancholme. All this history, and more besides, is preserved at the Brigg Heritage Centre. Along with the ‘Brigg Raft’, a sewn- together boat from around 900BC and found on the town’s Island Carr, it’s here you’ll find stories and intriguing objects from Brigg’s place through the ages. This is somewhere you’ll want to come back to, and not just for the friendly staff, or to dive back into the hefty artefact information booklets. Workshops, pop-up exhibitions and talks are held here too, and families are well catered for. Children’s activity and craft sessions are held on the regular, and The Angel building that houses the Heritage Centre is home to a cosy children’s library, a short climb up from the grown-up books on the ground floor. The North Lincolnshire Music and Drama Festival is also held here in March, carrying on the Elwes legacy and contributing to a rich tapestry of culture all under one roof. The warm, independent spirit of Brigg extends well beyond its markets, and its wonder carries through from history into the present day. Both shine through in boutiques both on the high street, and tucked away in the courts off the main thoroughfare, sometimes inhabiting historic buildings. Clothing, crafts, books and gifts are lovingly displayed in these warm and peaceful shops that sometimes feel like stepping through to another world. Everything is independent, homely, and familiar – from hobby stores to craft stores to those looking after the local population, like O’Brien’s Opticians. The focus is not on big, soulless brands, but on independent stores catering to the local area and offering something just a little more special. © Shutterstock /Luke Broughton 46-49.qxp_Layout 1 23/01/2023 10:09 Page 3TODAY! NEW PATIENTS REGISTER Breakthrough treatment for Dry AMD Now available locally in Brigg, North Lincolnshire 43/44 WRAWBY STREET, BRIGG, NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE OPHTHALMIC OPTICIANS & CONTACT LENS SPECIALIST OPTOMETRIST - Dr. S A Janjua BSc(Hons) MCOptom Doptom Prof Cert Glau Prof Cert LV Prof Cert Med Ret DipSV 01&/*/()0634.0/%":50'3*%": 4"563%":t/&81"5*&/548&-$0.& WEB: www.obriensopticians.com EMAIL: enquiries@obriensopticians.co.uk TEL: 01652 653 595 / 01652 649024 Visit O’Brien’s See Dr. Janjua See Better. FINEST OPTICIANS IN LINCOLNSHIRE Purveyors of Luxury Eyewear since 1979 &ZF&YBNJOBUJPOTt$POUBDU-FOT&YBNJOBUJPOT t4UBUFPG5IF"SU&RVJQNFOU 43 YEARS Professional Eyewear Styling Service Low Vision Aids and Specialists lenses for Macular Degeneration (AMD), Glaucoma and More Dry Eye and Blepharitis Treatment UK Optician Awards runners-up 2018 & 2019! Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss for people aged 65 and older. Losing central vision can make it harder to see faces, drive, or do close-up work like cooking or fixing things around the house because the central retina known as the macula develops ‘Dry’ yellow degenerative lesions known as ‘Drusenoids or Drusen’. Globally, the prevalence of AMD is estimated to increase by 20% between 2020 (195.6 million) and 2030 (243.3 million). To date, treatment options for Dry AMD have been limited to dietary supplements and lifestyle changes. However, Dr. Janjua and his team at O’Brien’s Opticians are absolutely delighted to launch a new treatment for Dry AMD which is a safe, non-invasive and painless therapy. It is known as photobiomodulation (PBT) and is a cold laser system which utilise low levels of light including wavelengths of red, yellow and near infra-red to rejuvenate the retina on a cellular level by energising and providing oxygen to the all important retinal cells. Recent clinical studies using this laser therapy have shown an increase in the vision and contrast sensitivity in 90% of individuals who obtained an improvement in visual acuity of 5-8 letters on the letter chart – which is up to 2 lines of improvement! A reduction in drusen has also been seen! Initial research in Germany has also shown this therapy to help diabetics who have diabetic maculopathy. DON’T JUST TAKE OUR WORD FOR IT… READ WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS HAVE TO SAY…. I have been a patient at O’Brien’s over twenty years. I have always been extremely happy with the high standard of care and service provided. As well as their excellent customer service and patient care they also have a very good choice of frames. I love the superior lenses in my new glasses. I am incredibly grateful for the excellent professional care when I go for my eye test with Dr Janjua - I know my prescription will be perfect. O’Brien’s has a great team who are friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. You never feel rushed and they go out of their way to make sure you are happy. R. Allen I chose O’Brien’s Optician because of their selection and quality of glasses. My test with Dr. Janjua was thorough and more care was given to me compared to other opticians. I love my new glasses -the style is great and they are really comfortable. Dr. Janjua and his team are very approachable and friendly. Anonymous Excellent, no difficulties and a very easy and comfortable experience splendid staff. Improvement noticed after five sessions, spectacular final result. Dr Janjua and his excellent team are top of the range! P. Dawson I’d had no sight loss as yet with my AMD but I did notice an improvement on my Amsler test - less wavy lines and greyness after treatment. THANK YOU!! Dr Janjua is so thorough and took time to explain my sight and AMD. All the staff were so warm and friendly plus professional when giving the treatment. Mrs Trueman The treatment was very quick, painless and easy. Improvement of vision it was clearer, new spectacle lenses were needed to allow for improved vision. Very friendly staff and we are very fortunate to have this treatment locally. S. Clarke So pleased there has been an improvement. Sight is invaluable and I hope to preserve what I have. Thank you!! Mrs Lewis-Jones You get fab service at O’Brien’s. I got some great glasses and the staff there are nice - the experience was excellent - second to none. J. Ellis Would recommend Flynn’s wholeheartedly, very professional and knowledgeable and excellent service from all staff. Mrs E Hartley I chose O’Brien’s Optician for their contact lens expertise. It is a small friendly practice with a very personal service. Dr. Janjua’s eye examination instilled confidence and he explained everything fully. The team are always positive and welcoming. W. Broughton Just a short note to say thank you to everyone at O’Brien’s for all your help when I recently had my eye test which resulted in needing varifocal glasses for the first time. My new prescription is fantastic and everyone has been helpful, cheerful and pleasant. A. Wilson I originally chose O’Brien’s on a recommendation some 30 years ago. I love the friendliness of the practice and have not been to another opticians since. I love the value for money and the fact that my new glasses fit well. Dr. Janjua always puts you at ease during the eye examination, and does not rush. The staff at O’Brien’s are a happy, friendly bunch. J. Taylor O’Brien’s Opticians are close by to where I live. I love the beautiful shop front. Dr Janjua has a lovely manner and is kind, friendly and jovial with plenty of enthusiasm. The team are more friendly and enthusiastic than other opticians I have been to in the past. S. Addison If you suffer with Dry AMD, you are invited to discuss the possible benefits of you having this treatment with Dr. Janjua at O’Brien’s Opticians on Wrawby Street in Brigg. Alternatively, the likelihood is you may know someone (family, friend or neighbour) who may benefit from a consultation and possible treatment. Call 01652 653 595 or 01652 649 024 to make an appointment. Dr Sheeraz Janjua using his new laser equipment to treat a patient’s Dry AMD eye problem LOOKING FOR INDEPENDENT SERVICE AND DESIGNER BRANDS? 46-49.qxp_Layout 1 23/01/2023 10:09 Page 4Next >