< Previous20 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYREADERS’ GARDENSbeautiful example of soberia standsproud, with large, fern-like leaveswhich turn bronze in the winter.Elsewhere there is a hot bed whichemerges late in the year, containingdahlias, heliums, cocosmias,astancias, rudebeca, sedum and dogdaisies.These are all wonderfully texturedwith fruit trees dotted through thegarden, Bramley, Discovery and peartrees all stand tall, providing somemore context for the garden.The pond that sits by the patio isteeming with koi, but the real treat inthis particular garden is thewonderful view. Look to the right andyou get several colourful beds,which lead to the garden’s rear,where colour continues beforecoming back in a loop via thebeautiful pagoda threaded withroses. This offers a view back to thehouse and the vegetable gardenwhich Leo has tucked away into aprivate, closed-off area.This year Nova Lodge will oncemore be opening its doors as partof the National Garden Scheme.Visit www.ngs.org to find out more.18-20_Layout 1 23/02/2015 11:57 Page 3FREE PRIZE DRAW for Saga Readers!*AGRAND DESIGNThe Ultimate Garden FenceMaintenance free, guaranteed for 25 years, meet the fence system taking the UK by stormSPECIAL REPORT: Pete Starling celebrates hassle-free fencingCall now for your FREE home quoteOriginally devised in Australia, a country known for its extreme weather, Colourfence panels are guaranteed to last at least 25 years - without ever needing to pick up a brush again. Available in pre coated colours with or without a promise a lifetime of hassle-Finish CoatEpoxy PrimerConversion CoatingAZ150 Metallic CoatingZincalume® Steelcolourfence.co.ukinfo@colourfence.co.uk0800 6444113FREEPHONETELEPHONE01522 284274 Maintenance free, guaranteed for 25 years,meet the fence system taking the UK by stormIhave always been slightlyashamed of my fence.It’sbeen patched up, bashed upand in places was heldtogether mostly by thegreenery around it. So whenthe recent storms fi nally putan end to its misery and blewmost of it into my neighboursgarden, I decided it was timefor a change. Surely, theremust be a better way? Anend to painting, an end torotten posts - an end toconstant maintenance. What Ineeded was a fence thatgoes up, stays up (even inhigh winds) and is guaranteedto look good whatever theweather.A chance conversation ledme to discover that there wasindeed a system out therethat could only be describedas the Holy Grail for homeowners and gardeners up anddown the country.Colourfence gives you theopportunity to own the bestfence on your street.Originally devised in Australia,a country known for itsextreme weather, Colourfencepanels are guaranteed to lastat least 25 years - withoutever needing to pick up abrush again. Available in precoated colours with orwithout a choice of colouredtrellis finish the highly skilledinstallation team make shortwork of their dramatictransformations. The bestnews is that pricing is just asattractive. Starting costs arein line with comparabletraditional systems but offerthe ongoing peace of mindthat your investment willcontinue to save time andmoney year after year.For those of us who love ourgardens, Colourfencepromise a lifetime of hassle-free enjoyment. For moreinformation, simply call one oftheir helpful team. Fix yourfence once and for all - andthen forget it!21_Layout 1 23/02/2015 11:41 Page 1Ed Fuller from FullersForestry and Landscapinglooks ahead to theopportunities your gardencan provide over thecoming months22 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYAlthough we have had some coldweather, including snow, the days aregetting longer and so spring is just aroundthe corner. It’s at this time of year we startto get more calls from people wantingtheir gardens redesigned, as they arebeginning to think about their outdoorspace and how they want to make use ofit in the summer months.Some people who love gardeningdream of being a landscape gardener orarchitect. They want to get out of the ratrace and no longer want to be sitting at adesk all day but be in the great outdoorson a daily basis creating an environmentfor all to enjoy. I would most definitelyrecommend this option as a career – butyou need more than horticulturalknowledge and knowhow.Springinto actionTo build the perfect space, whether itbe a domestic garden, public open spaceor commercial landscaping scheme, thereis a lot of preparation needed as plantingis the very last thing to be carried out.You need to be aware of building,painting, plumbing, electrical andcarpentry skills to ensure all of theelements are undertaken correctly andwork together.When designing a garden you need tounderstand how the colour, texture andshape of each material will complementone another while also thinking of thepractical side of how they will beconstructed. Planning of each element isimperative – for example, you may wanta decking area with lighting in one areaand a water feature in another. BothSpringinto actionPHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/GORILLAIMAGES22-23_Layout 1 23/02/2015 12:50 Page 1require electrical fittings but will be constructed at differenttimes. For ease, the electrical work can be done for both atthe same time – but you need to plan for this.There are many independent stages throughout theconstruction process but they also need to be consideredco-operatively. This planning will also ensure the ‘site’ is runefficiently. To begin with your garden will look like abuilding site – and may do so for a while – but be assured itwill eventually look like the amazing garden you and yourlandscaper have visualised. Once you have the basic structures in place, you can startthe fun bit of using the planting to finalise the design. Thisis where the different colours, shapes and sizes of plants arewell thought-out so they complement the overall feel of thegarden, as well as being planted in the right places toensure survival.Another big part of the role of landscaper is problemsolving. Despite planning a garden to the smallest details,things can and do go wrong, but there is always a solutionto be found. This can be an enjoyable part of the job as itmeans that you discover new ways to do things and yourcreative abilities can flourish. LINCOLNSHIRETODAY23GARDEN 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 & LandscapingYour diary for MarchFor those of you who love your gardening but want tokeep it as a hobby, there are a number of jobs you canbe doing this month...* Mow the lawn on dry days if it is needed* Cut back hedges before birds start to nest or plant newhedges now* Prune back the stems of dogwoods, willows andbuddleias to assist with new growth* Check for weeds and keep on top of them* Protect new spring shoots from slugs* Top dress containers with fresh compost* Plant summer-flowering bulbs such as Allium, Frecsia,Begonia, Crocosmia and Bearded Iris* Plant shallots, onion sets and early potatoes* Sow sweet peas* Start feeding fish and using the pond fountain, removing heaters* Keep feeding the birdsPHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/ARIADNA DE RAADT22-23_Layout 1 23/02/2015 12:50 Page 224 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYSCUNTHORPE AND ASHBYIt’s not just industry in Scunthorpe –the town also punches above itsweight in culture, cuisine,entertainment and quality shoppingIt’s perhaps surprising that Scunthorpe hasbecome one of Lincolnshire’s leading culturaldestinations. This may be considered something ofa turnaround given its familiar appearance as thebutt of jokes over the year, but this part of NorthLincolnshire has always surprised. Fine food, greatentertainment and some of the county’s mostattractive and innovative retailers are all part of thelively mix.Much of this improvement in its reputation hascome thanks to the success of Scunthorpe’svenues, not least the extensively refurbished BathsHall. It’s a world away from the functional venuethat hosted all-in wrestling and bingo back on theseventies and now welcomes a huge number ofmajor national and international names. Topcomedians Alan Davies and Paddy McGuinnessand major band The Vaccines are among those onthe schedule for 2015, while there’s a packedprogramme this Easter including a spectacularpanto starring Dani Harmer and Bobby Davro.These names add to the already impressive line-up of stars who have visited the town in recentyears, including Bill Bailey who brought his arenashow to the Baths Hall on its opening night, plusproviders of grand spectacle like the Chinese StateCircus and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra whoseshows are of a scale that can’t be seen elsewherein the county. More intimate performances can be found at thePlowright Theatre, and having these two topvenues in the town has greatly enlivened the rangeand quality of entertainment on offer.Over the past decade or so Scunthorpe has alsobeen a major player in the world of contemporaryart. The 20-21 Visual Arts Centre, based aroundPerenniallysurprising24-26_Layout 1 23/02/2015 11:59 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY25the former St John’s Church which hasbeen a part of the town since thenineteenth century, and now brings avaried mix of art to Scunthorpe.If you were to visit this month, forexample, in the courtyard you’d see aninstallation of thirteen wheelbarrowscontaining yellow silicone rubber dogforms. This is the second part of TomHackett’s ongoing project ‘shaggy dogstories’ and follows on from a series ofartist walks using the wheelbarrow-basedsculptures as a conversation trigger.During these walks, Tom has beencollecting phrases and anecdotes fromdog owners and these are beingassembled into a free artwork in the formof a newspaper, to be published thisautumn, for visitors to take home andread.On a much bigger scale, from Saturday14th March, Anthony Gormley, theTurner Prize winner who createdGateshead’s Angel of The North humansculpture, will exhibit one of his best-loved works of art – comprising a sea of40,000 terracotta figures huddledtogether – at the Centre. AnthonyGormley has described Field for theBritish Isles as “25 tonnes of clayenergised by fire, sensitised by touch andmade conscious by being given eyes – afield of gazes which looks at the observermaking him or her its subject.”Field for the British Isles is one of themajor works of 20th century Britishsculpture. On loan from the collection ofArts Council England, the installation willfill all 300 square metres of the NaveGallery. North Lincolnshire Council isgiving people the chance to be part ofthe exhibition by offering twenty peoplethe opportunity to work as volunteersalongside technicians from the ArtsCouncil England, to help install the clayfigures.The dramatic and moving installationpromises visitors an unforgettableexperience. Originally exhibited at TateLiverpool, Field for the British Isles wasmade in 1993. The figures were handmade by a hundred people aged sevento seventy and, since its acquisition, overone million people have seen the displayfrom one end of the country to the other.It’s a real coup for it to arrive inScunthorpe, where it’ll be on display tothe end of June.It shouldn’t be too surprising thatScunthorpe is making an impactculturally because it’s never allowed itselfto be solely dominated by industry. It’scertainly the case that the steelworksarrived first and the town more or lessgrew around it, but this means that itwas able to be planned in a sensitive way.Those who first devised the living spacefor the umpteen workers arriving to carryout tough and strenuous jobs in the new26 ÁThe Baths Hall welcomes a hugenumber of major national andinternational namesThe windmill that now houses therestaurant San Pietro is a great exampleof the sights and sounds that willsurprise you in Scunthorpe24-26_Layout 1 23/02/2015 11:59 Page 226 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYSCUNTHORPE AND ASHBYScunthorpe Lawnmowers LtdWe have the tools to tackle SpringAgents for: Honda, Stihl, Mountfield, Atco, Bosch,Stiga, Hayter, Countax, Lawnflite & many moreTel: 01724 866581 - email: wayne@scunthorpelawnmowers.co.uk187 Cottage Beck Rd, Scunthorpe DN16 1TRwww.scunthorpelawnmowers.co.ukFOR THATOLD FASHIONEDPERSONAL SERVICEBRIGG BEDSCome visit our showroom at Princes Street, Brigg, DN20 8HGTel: (01652) 651828 Email: briggbeds@hotmail.co.ukwww.briggbedslincolnshire.co.uk10% OFFVOUCHER**OFFER TO BE USED ONLY ONCEPER CUSTOMERSUBJECT TO TERMS AND CONDITIONScompany realised that, after work they’dwant somewhere pleasant to live sothere’s always been plenty of open space.The North Lincolnshire Museumillustrates the heritage of the area and thepeople who have made it so special.Just a short distance from Scunthorpeare places like Thornton Abbey andElsham Hall, among the most delightfulbuildings anywhere in the county. Thereare other delightful buildings as well –the windmill that now houses therestaurant San Pietro is a great exampleof the sights and sounds that will surpriseyou.The rolling countryside of NorthLincolnshire and its accumulation ofpretty villages is another feature of thearea from Bottesford to Scotter, KirtonLindsey to Aisby famed for its marvellousgardens. In fact Scunthorpe was made upinitially of five small villages, Scunthorpe,Frodingham, Crosby, Brumby and Ashbywhich fused together to makescunthorpe as a whole. Then there arethe delights of Brigg and the stunningsights of the Humber estuary.One fantastic way to take in the area isto walk Bottesford Beck - which hasundergone a spectacular transformationin recent times. The stretch of the Beckbetween East Butterwick and ScotterRoad overpass hadn’t enjoyed much loveuntil recently. Indeed, back in the sixtiesit was named one of the most pollutedstreams in the UK – but thanks to thegood work of local people, and a£76,000 grant for ‘Paths forCommunities’ from Natural England, it’salmost unrecognisable. Friends of The Beck have improved thepath along Bottesford Beck, and createda car park, footbridge and boardwalkthrough to Ashbyville Local NatureReserve – not just improving the existingfootpaths but also helping create newones to ensure it’s quicker and moreappealing to travel between the ruralparts of North Lincolnshire. Around120,000 people are estimated to haveused the path in the space of a year,showing how the area is fond of its openspaces.Margaret Armiger from The Friends ofthe Beck has been recognised by thePrime Minister for her tireless work inbringing the Beck back to its best, whilethe group has also been awarded theKeep Britain Tidy – Water Care Award,emphasising its success as one of the UK’smost successful regeneration projects.Local schools have also benefited withthe construction of two river gardens.Industry still plays a major role in thecontinued success of Scunthorpe and thesurrounding area and the legacy shouldcontinue into the future. The HumberUTC – a college which combines theusual academic subjects with extra skillsthat will prepare students for the world ofwork – is taking shape in Church Squareand opens to its first students thisautumn. It’s likely to be a major nationalhub for the construction industry andlocal companies like Able UK and TataSteel are making a major contribution tothe curriculum. The future certainly looksbright.Over the years, people have usuallyarrived in Scunthorpe for work but there’sso much going on in terms of culture andnature that they wouldn’t choose to liveanywhere else.Top comedians AlanDavies and PaddyMcGuinness areamong those visitingScunthorpe in 2015PHOTO: TONY BRIGGS24-26_Layout 1 23/02/2015 11:59 Page 3Raising cashFOR HEADWAYA charity ball at Lincoln’s Bentley Hotel raised cash for Headway, the charitythat works to improve life after brain injury. Organised by Jo Carlton and KristieHolroyd, the guests enjoyed fine food and great music from the band Punch TheMonkey and solo singer Sarah Lewis. On the night the raffle and other eventshelped raise £1400 for this very worthy cause.PHOTOS BY RICHARD PICKSLEYAnna and Andy Fields andKaren and Paul SmithMartyn Gregoryand Holly GambleClaire andMattGregoryLeanne and Andy TownhillTom Gregory and Rebecca FoysterThe Carbett partyOrganisers JoCarlton andKristie HolroydSam and RobToynbeeLINCOLNSHIRETODAY27SOCIAL SCENE27_Layout 1 23/02/2015 11:42 Page 1Come and sample our NEW lunch and evening menus at a restaurant that offers the highest quality of service and superb mouth watering, freshly prepared dishes in a fabulous atmosphere. For those special occasions or a simple light lunch, our team deliver the quality our customers have come to expect.Introducing our NEW menusFresh & Delicious Food Contact our Restaurant Team | t 01522 563 290 e restaurant@whitehart-lincoln.co.ukwww.whitehart-lincoln.co.ukBailgate | Lincoln | Lincolnshire | LN1 3ARSUNDAY LUNCH AT THE OLD PALACETHE OLD PALACE HOTEL | MINSTER YARD | LINCOLN | LN2 1PU enquiries@theoldpalace.org | www.theoldpalace.orgTO MAKE A RESERVATION PLEASE CALL 01522 580000Join us for Sunday lunch. Head chef, Kleo Tabaku, has created a new Sunday Lunch menu using many locally sourced seasonal ingredients. There’s a choice of starters, followed by Roast 21-Day Aged Lincolnshire Sirloin, Roast Pork Loin or Poached Salmon. Round off your meal with mouthwatering desserts or Lincolnshire cheeses. Lunch is served every Sunday from 12 until 2pm.| LN2 N228-31_Layout 1 23/02/2015 12:02 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY29FOOD & DININGNo doubt many of us will be taking theopportunity to treat our mum to a mealat one of Lincolnshire’s fantasticrestaurants and hotels – with the addedbenefit that we can enjoy the fabulousfood as well!Indeed, is there anything as enjoyableas the very best in classic British cuisine,served up in indulgent large helpingswhile in traditional, comfortablesurroundings? Well, what about authenticinternational dishes, cooked to perfectionby expert chefs, and served in restaurantsthat brilliantly evoke culture from aroundthe world? But then there’s also the cooland contemporary chic of a classy café.Whatever you choose for Mother’s Daythere’ll be something to suit you mum’stastes.As a nation our tastes have broadenedimmensely and Lincolnshire’s diningestablishments have acted fast to caterfor this demand. They’re also reacting toan increased interest in local produce andthe fact we’re all more interested in theprovenance of what goes on our plate isgreat news for the local economy asLincolnshire growers and producersbenefit hugely.It’s not just the food and drink that30 ÁPHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/GOODLUZLoveyourmum!If you’re organised you’lldoubtless have hadSunday 15th Marchcircled in your diary forseveral months. If youhaven’t you shouldprobably remind yourselfthat it’s Mother’s Day –and work out how you’regoing to spoil your mum.28-31_Layout 1 23/02/2015 12:02 Page 2Next >