< Previous10 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAYFor all of your favourite brands in one location, explore Hills Department Store. We have been Spalding's favourite department store for over 50 years, thanks to the products we provide you and our famously friendly service. Discover our beauty department, have brunch in our restaurant, or let us help you transform your home. Here at Hills Department Store, you'll find great value and an enjoyable shopping experience. So come and see why Hills Department Store never goes out of style. 18-19 Broad Street, Spalding, PE11 1TB www.hillsdepartmentstore.co.uk contact@hillsdepartmentstore.co.uk 01775767155For all your DIY Timber requirements 65 Clough Road, Gosberton Risegate Spalding, Lincolnshire, PE11 4JW Tel: 01775 750100 Mob: 07771 928477 Gold Medal Winning Daffodils and other bulbs from… www.bulbs.co.uk Walkers Bulbs, Washway House Farm Washway Road, Holbeach Spalding PE12 7PP Tel: 01406 426216 Fax: 01406 421259 Email: walkers@taylors-bulbs.comJ.F.InkleyThe Man’s ShopThe Crescent, Spalding, Lincolnshire PE11 1AN Tel: 01775 722239Looking for a great gift idea? MaM WWWLINCWWW.LINC OLNSHIRETOOLNSHIRETO ODAYNETODAY.NET www.blmgroup.co.uk1st 3 issues only £1Lincolnshire Today’s gift subscription for only £27.55 with free delivery Call 01472 310301 or visit www.lincolnshiretoday.net/341Ayscoughfee Hall MuseumChurchgate, Spalding, Lincolnshire. PE11 2RAtel: 01775 764555 email: museum@sholland.gov.uk www.ayscoughfee.orgAdmissionto the Museumand Gardensis FREEWelcome to the Ayscoughfee ExperienceOne that all the family can enjoy!09-13.qxp_Layout 1 18/03/2019 14:24 Page 2LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 11SPALDINGevents. There’s even a farmer’s market every first Saturday, and an annual food and drink festival that draws suppliers from far and wide. Spalding hasn’t given up its horticultural heritage, either. The Spring Flower & Gardening Show will take place on the 14th and 15th of this month, organised by the Lincolnshire Daffodil Society in conjunction with Springfields Horticultural Society. Spalding’s connections to horticultural themes spans back decades and a Spalding-based company, Taylors Bulbs, is celebrating its one hundredth birthday this year. History and heritage in Spalding remains strong. And it is town with quite a bit of history, and dates back to the Roman periods where it was likely used as a location for mining salt – a valuable and life-changing commodity back then. Much of the Roman influence has faded into history, but more recent historical buildings like Ayscoughfee Hall and the Chain Bridge Forge remain. There is also a fantastic living museum and a host of amazing churches in the outlying villages. The River Welland itself flows north from Crowland and effectively splits the town from east to west, Spalding developing as a settlement around the river. In medieval times it used to flood regularly, and continued to do until 1953, where a new channel – the Coronation Channel – was opened, diverting the excess water and ending the flooding. Nowadays residential houses and businesses line the banks, and fishing in the river remains a popular pastime. It wasn’t until after the turn of the millennium that the Water Taxi was introduced, allowing residents and visitors to take a peaceful cruise upstream along the river, turning into Coronation Channel and reaching up towards Springfields and the Festival Gardens. Picturesque scenes like this are common in Spalding and are a part of what makes it to special. That said, for those used to city life or living, Spalding can feel very detached from the modern Photo courtesy: Ayscoughfee Hall Museum, South Holland District Council12 Á09-13.qxp_Layout 1 18/03/2019 14:24 Page 3We currently have no Joining fee and have a variety of Membership Packages availableFor further details call 01775 680386 or visit www.spaldinggolfclub.co.ukSpalding Golf Club, the Oasis on your doorstep 12 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAYSPALDINGworld – which may be a blessing or a curse depending on who is asked. It’s impossible to visit Spalding and not recognise the distinctive feeling of being in the fens. The fields outside are festooned with tulips, potatoes and other crops, while the dykes the area is so famous for run through it all. It’s known as the heart of the fens for a reason, after all. For those seeking a little peace and countryside tranquillity, that couldn’t be better. And while there are trains that run regularly, Spalding still manages to maintain the feel of isolation in the fens. Of course, that’s not to say Spalding isn’t self-sufficient. With a number of primary schools, two secondary schools, and a sixth-form college – along with both the Johnston Hospital and the Johnson Community Hospital for healthcare needs. Those visiting Spalding will likely be set to choose their activities based on who or what their party consists of. Those with children have plenty of fun © Shutterstock/Jodie MasonThe fields outside are festooned with tulips, potatoes and other crops, while the dykes the area is so famous for run through it all. It’s known as the heart of the fens for a reason, after all09-13.qxp_Layout 1 18/03/2019 14:24 Page 4LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 13SPALDINGFor more information please visit our website at www.springfieldsevents.co.uk Tel: 01775 713253 Email: events@springfields.net• Experienced Event Management team • • Full on-site catering and bar facilities • • Licensed for Civil Marriages & Partnerships • • Free parking for up to 500 cars • • Access to 15 acres of landscaped gardens, water features and woodland walks • • All areas at ground level for easy access •Main Hall •Exhibitions and displays •Sporting events •Music festivals •Large parties and celebrations •Charity Balls •Conferences for up to 750 delegates •Formal functions for up to 550 guests Marquee Suite •Weddings and private parties •Conferences and seminars •Breakfast briefings •Private functions •Presentation dinners •Seminars for up to 300 delegates •Formal functions for up to 200 guests Patio Room •Meetings and seminars •Access to outside picnic area •Barbeques & summer parties •Small private functions •Bar & café for exhibitions and shows •Seminars for up to 120 delegates •Formal functions for up to 80 guests Outside Arena •Free parking for events •Outside exhibitor space •Outdoor entertainment •Fireworks displaysSpringfields Events &Conference Centre“The ideal venue for every occasion”•Business Meetings & Seminars •Exhibitions & Product Launches •Corporate Events •Weddings & Civil Ceremonies •Charity Balls & Private Partiesoptions such as Scalextric Racing, a venue where many of the most famous tracks such as F1 Silverstone and Cadwell Park, are recreated in Scalextric. There’s also the Baytree Owl and Wildlife Centre, where families can see over 75 different types of owls, along with other animals and birds. For those looking for entertainment without the children there is always the Batemans Brewery Visitors Centre. As one of the country’s oldest family breweries there’s much to see. Alternatively, the history and culture of the museums may appeal, or even a relaxing cruise on the Spalding Water Taxi. For all others there’s the Springfields Outlet Shopping Centre; a perfect location for shopaholics and casual shoppers alike.09-13.qxp_Layout 1 18/03/2019 14:24 Page 514 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAYHOMESBoasting open field views of the Lincolnshire countryside, Ingham House, placed on the edge of Ingham, is an idyllic countryside retreat that remains wonderfully close to the city of Lincoln, which is just 15 minutes away. Julian Patrick and his family have lived at Ingham House for six years. When asked what initially drew them to the property, Julian noted the sheer abundance of space the house provides and the expansive views it offers. He said: “I didn’t know a house with a view like this could exist in this area!” The Georgian home, built out of Lincolnshire stone, has been carefully renovated by the family, to make it environmentally and financially sustainable, all while preserving the property’s period character. Talking about the work, Julian said: “Because I work in the renewable energy industry, I wanted to be able to buy and create the forever home. Often older houses like this one are not environmentally friendly – so I have topped and tailed everything!” The home is now fully insulated, has biomass heating, a heat recovery system and a Unbelievable views This environmentally sustainable home, set in 2 acres of land, offers breath-taking views of the countryside while being just a short distance from busy Lincoln. 14-17.qxp_Layout 1 18/03/2019 14:26 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 15HOMESground based solar photovoltaic array, which has been carefully placed away from the home to protect its aesthetic. With 15 kilowatts of solar PV (the average UK home has 4 PV), the house is actually making money through the Feed in Tariff and electricity export to the national grid. Our journey through the 3-storey property, which can be found up a long, gravelled driveway, begins with a limestone tiled entrance hall, which one enters by way of a solid wood glazed door. Straight to the left one will find a study with a stone fireplace, ornate cornicing and bespoke built in cupboards, while on the right is a sitting room with an open brick fireplace with marble surround and hearth. The room also has built in book shelves. While these shelves provide plenty of storage for one’s novels, the house also boasts a wonderful library perfect for the avid reader. Continuing through the house, the reception room is next, featuring a marble fireplace with a log burner and ornate wooden mantle. Full of bright light, doors and floor to ceiling sash bay windows open the room out to the side terrace area and nature. The dining room can be found at the end of the hallway and connects to the kitchen, which is great for entertaining. Between the two sits a useful pantry. The kitchen is Julian’s favourite room and is, as he says, “the central hub of the house.” The spacious bespoke handcrafted kitchen hosts a range of wall and base units with soft close drawers, oak and granite worktops, a SMEG dual cavity range cooker, an integrated Miele 16 Á14-17.qxp_Layout 1 18/03/2019 14:26 Page 216 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAYHOMESdishwasher, Kohler smart divide sink unit and a breakfast island with a solid oak worktop. The kitchen leads out to a courtyard with a seating area and a variety of stone and pantile roof outbuildings, which continues to a decked terrace area and a hot tub. The ground floor also hosts a boot room, utility room, toilet and storage room. The first floor, found up a Georgian staircase, holds 5 bedrooms, including the master, which features a sash box bay window, built in wardrobes, panelled walls, a cast iron fireplace, dressing room and ensuite. There is also a study, WC and a family bathroom containing a bath, walk-in shower, twin sinks and a roof window. Up a further set of stairs one will discover the final 2 bedrooms – one of which has an ensuite – along with a snug, games room and loft space. Outside, in addition to outstanding countryside views, the property features a large manicured south facing garden with a summer house and paved terrace area to the front of the house, which is surrounded by specimen trees and hedging. To the side one will see more lawned gardens featuring a variety of mature trees such as oak and chestnut, and a seating area prime for entertaining guests in the summer with a lovely barbecue. Needless to say, there is plenty of room for the children to run around freely! The garden is also host to lovely array of wildlife, including a tawny owl and a woodpecker. The property also features a detached triple garage. Exuding a family friendly feel, offering expansive views onto the Lincoln Edge, and managing to perfectly balance the character of an old home while offering the comfort and energy efficiency of the modern home, Ingham House is everything one could want - so why are the current owners selling the property? Julian noted that it was simply due to a change in work commitments, which requires the family to move to a new location. Ingham House is now on the market for £1,100,000 and is being sold by JHWalter. 14-17.qxp_Layout 1 18/03/2019 14:26 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 17Winkworth Estate Agent, based on Bridge Street in Newark, has been crowned Gold winner in the British Property Awards after impressing judges over a period of several months. The judging process sees the awards organisers send out mystery shoppers to estate agents, making calls and after-hour enquirers. Agencies are tested against a set of twenty-five criteria to obtain an all-round view of their customer service levels. Victoria Welch, Newark & Grantham Associate Director, said she was “amazingly proud” of her hard-working and dedicated team. “We have many years of industry knowledge behind us and are dedicated in what we do – we are all home owners and know how frustrating at times the whole process can be, so we offer all our clients a personal, efficient touch,” she said. “Our priority is customer satisfaction so to win this award for the 2nd year running really is a testament to my team which is a fantastic accomplishment.” For more information, visit www.winkworth.co.uk. HOMESAgency hits Gold for the 2nd year running 14-17.qxp_Layout 1 18/03/2019 14:27 Page 4Stores in Grantham, Boston, ScunthorpeShop online at www.oldrids.co.uk 18-19.qxp_Layout 1 18/03/2019 14:28 Page 1#LoveOldridsDowntownTHE VERY BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSEInside & Out!18-19.qxp_Layout 1 18/03/2019 14:28 Page 2Next >