< Previous70 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYALFORD01507 462336info@riggallsremovals.co.ukwww.riggallsremovals.co.ukA Family Business ProudlyCelebrating Over 60 YearsOf Removals & StorageThis traditional inn is the perfect stop overwhen visiting the area. Within easy reach ofthe rolling hills of the Lincolnshire Wolds,the Half Moon Hoteloffers comfort,warmth and good home cooked meals. Thenearby Lincolnshire Coast has wonderfulbeaches and exciting seaside attractions.The Half Moon Hotelis in a good locationin the historic market town of Alford. The HalfMoon Hotel is just a short walk away fromAlford Manor House and Alford Town centre.OPEN ALL DAY with Carvery at theHalf Moon Hotelon Sundays. 25 - 28 West St. Alford, Lincolnshire LN13 9DGTel: 01507 463 477 • www.halfmoonhotelalford.co.ukHALF MOONHotel & RestaurantDeliciously Deliciously LincolnshireGoldAwarded for outstanding quality and service byLincolnshireTodayawardWWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NETA GREAT CHOICE WHETHERYOU'RE TRAVELLING ONBUSINESS OR TAKING ASHORT BREAK.that it’s a town that has kept to its roots.Even with people driving to and fromwork, there’s a sense of peaceful calmthat is often forgotten in the countrysidenowadays. As you approach Alford, youmay be lucky enough to see the Grade Ilisted five-sailed windmill, one of the fewstill working windmills in Lincolnshire. Alford retains its market heritage with abustling market day each Tuesday, whichnot only includes the usual stalls sellingfresh produce and vegetables, but also alively auction in which lots can bebrought along by prospective sellers. Ifthat wasn’t enough, during the summermonths there is also a Craft Market. Notfor profit and founded in 1974, the CraftMarket not only sells locally-crafted© Alford Town Council68-71.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2018 09:29 Page 3ALFORD CRAFT MARKET SPRING BANKHOLIDAY WORKING CRAFTS WEEKENDSAT 26, SUN 27 & MON 28 MAY, 201810AM - 5PM EACH DAYWORKSHOPS AND DEMONSTRATIONS OF MANY OFTHE CRAFTS YOU CAN LEARN AT OUR CRAFT CENTRE INCLUDING RAKU POTTERYChildrens Pottery, Landscape Painting, China Painting, Felting, Pin Loom Weaving, Rag Rug Making, and more!PLUS A WIDE VARIETY OF QUALITY LINCOLNSHIRE CRAFT STALLS WHERE YOU CAN MEET THE MAKERSALL INTHE GARDENS AND THE BIG MARQUEEALFORD MANOR HOUSE GARDENSWEST STREET, ALFORD, LINCS. LN13 9HTADMISSION: GIVE WHAT YOU CAN AFFORDLINCOLNSHIRETODAY71ALFORDTo the rear of the GardenCentre is a Caravan ClubCertified Location (CL) withample room for 5 caravans ormotorhomes. This includeselectric hook-up and has twohard standing pitches.Additionally, adjacent to thecampsite, is a beautiful walkalong a disused railway line.Stretching over a third of a mile(527 metres) the walk belongsto the Garden Centre and is forthe exclusive use of visitors.Now available are two,superb, self-cateringHoliday Cottages, each ofwhich are comfortablyfurnished, come suitablyequipped and benefit fromcentral heating. Eachcottage easily sleeps 2people, although onecottage includes additionalsleeping capacity for 1 or 2people. Set in the heart of the Lincolnshire countrysideon Tothby Lane, Ailby, and just a mile fromAlford, Mandy's Plants and Garden Centreaims to meet all your gardening needs -boasting a wide range of quality plants, treesand shrubs, a selection of seasonal beddingplants, as well as compost, gardenaccessories and gardening equipment.Ailby, Alford, Lincolnshire, LN13 0EETel: 01507 466198www.mandysgardencentre.co.ukproducts, but also holds workshops and classes to helppeople pick up new hobbies and crafts. This again plays into the feel across all of Alford; that it isa modern town, but one that embraces and remembers thepast, enabling others to do so as well. While there is noshortage of towns in Lincolnshire with museums or such,Alford is rare in just how much it pays homage to the past.There’s plenty to do in Alford despite its modest size, witha number of public houses and restaurants in the area, notto mention the aforementioned Craft Market and even anacoustic music club. The Manor House provides a touch ofhistory, along with the Hackett Barn Museum, while thosewith a passion for automobiles might find themselvesenraptured by the Model Car Museum, which features over4,500 model cars of various makes and models. What makes the town so interesting is just how varied theactivities are. Not for Alford the usual hobbies available inevery other Lincolnshire town, but rather it’s the unique andexciting approach that makes everything stand out. Eventravelling through Alford, the bright flowers and displayscapture the imagination, painting an image of a town that`cares` more than many others about its own appearance.The people are friendly and forward, the dining venueswelcoming, and the atmosphere altogether peaceful.Don’t mistake Alford for having no life to it, however, asthat couldn’t be further from the truth. Come the warmermonths, there are a range of activities taking place andmuch to see and do, whether that be picking up a newhobby, attending the markets of even going for a walkthrough Rigsby Wood, or the Lincolnshire Wolds nearby. Whatever your fancy, Alford satisfies, and is a perfectlocation to visit for a few hours or even a long weekend. © B. Karley68-71.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2018 09:29 Page 472 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYCOUNTY MOTORINGestateAudi A4TopcarsEstate cars might not be the most fashionable thing on the carmarket right now - let’s face it, they aren’t as desirable as an SUV. Thatdoesn’t really matter though, because estate cars have a strongfollowing of their own; a cult, perhaps, and it’s these people that keepthe estate car popular and thriving. This article is for you, estate carfans! Here are our top estate cars on the current market.72-75.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2018 09:57 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY73Mercedes-Benz E-ClassThe Mercedes-Benz E-Class is aluxurious, comfortable cruiser and itwears the estate body well. It is rammedwith equipment and toys, making italmost autonomous - and the optional airsuspension makes it one of the bestriding cars around today. Combine thatwith quality diesel engines, a smoothautomatic transmission and aninfotainment system featuring just abouteverything you’ll ever need, and you’re inone of the finest estates on the market.Audi A4One of the biggest reasons the AudiA4 estate is on here is the sublime 3.0-litre diesel engine. This version of theGerman car makes the A4 feel fast. Andthough it is not one of the biggest estatecars on offer, its smaller proportions makeit more enjoyable to drive - and thatengine, teamed with the DSG gearboxand the excellent virtual cockpit system,makes the car feel really very specialindeed.74 ÁMercedes-Benz E-Class72-75.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2018 09:57 Page 274 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYCOUNTY MOTORINGSkoda SuperbThe Skoda Superb is called ‘Superb’ for a reason.It is the Czech manufacturer’s flagship model, and itis a mighty car. Being a Skoda, it is great value, butit is also very well made. In addition, it comes with agreat selection of engines and is about as spaciousas an estate car can possibly be. If you need moreroom than you can get in a Superb, then you willneed a van. A large van!Ford Focus STThe Ford Focus ST is one of the few hot-hatchesyou can get with an estate-body. You can have asensible diesel-powered version or a more powerfulpetrol variant. But that’s not the point. Ford hasmade a car that can be enjoyed by people whoneed estate practicality and a businesslike image,but really want a hot hatch. Nice one, Ford.Volkswagen Golf RThis is the other estate-bodied hot-hatch you canget your mitts on. It is not cheap, and it is not huge,but it comes with a 300PS engine and all-wheel-drive, meaning you can drive your estate car very,very fast indeed. Plus, being a VW Golf, it comeswith a quality image and the excellent fit and finishyou would expect. Skoda SuperbVolkswagen Golf RAudi RS6 Performance72-75.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2018 09:57 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRETODAY75COUNTY MOTORINGAudi RS6 PerformanceThis is the maddest, baddest estate car on thebusiness-focused automotive market. Over 600PS,all-wheel-drive, and seats straight out of a sofashopping catalogue. There is no estate car that cango as fast as this, and it is quite remarkable whatthe V8 engine can do when it has to carry aroundsuch a heavy and large body. It won’t be cheap torun, and it certainly isn’t inexpensive to buy, butthis might just be the ultimate estate car. A winnerwhen it comes to performance, a winner on loadspaces and a champion in the company car parkBMW 3-Series (320d)The BMW 320d is the classic ‘all the car you’ll ever need’. Ithas a brilliant 2.0-litre engine capable of 60mpg when drivencalmly, and impressive load space too. It has room for fouradults easily, great ride control, handsome looks, and a greatselection of kit. Oh, and it’s fun to drive. It is very, very hard tofault this car.We reckon the right estate car can look far more business-likethan a chunky SUV. It would be the Audi, Mercedes-Benz orBMW for us if we had to choose from the list we havecompiled. They look more professional than their saloonsiblings in our opinion. What’s more, an estate car is a seriouslypractical way to go if you want, space, pace and performance,without SUV body roll.Ford Focus STTel: 01472 812130www.lincsvwa.comUnit 3, Woodside Park,Station Road, Tetney,Grimsby. DN36 5HXFind An Experienced Motor Mechanic InTetney, Near GrimsbynServicing nMOTs nRepairs nBrakes & Tyres nEngine diagnostics nCar Batteries nExhausts nECU Remapping nAir Conditioning Testing/repairs/Re GasVW, AUDI, SEAT & SKODA SPECIALISTBMW 3-Series (320d)72-75.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2018 09:57 Page 476 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYCOUNTY MOTORINGAs I’ve always said, one of the greatthings about writing for the region’sleading business magazine is the cars weare invited to test. And, this month wasno exception with a VIP invite arriving onour desk to attend the Maserati RegionalRoadshow.Taking place at the picturesqueStapleford Park, which is just over theborder, our Group Editor, a selfconfessed petrolhead, seized theopportunity to review the Italian marque’slatest offerings.On loan for the day were the 430hp V6petrol-engined Levante S, recentlylaunched in the UK, the Ghibli executivesaloon, the Quattroporte flagship as wellas the naturally aspirated, all-Italian V8GranTurismo MC.Guests were able to drive the cars onthe surrounding roads although theopportunity to test the Levante’s off-roadcapabilities were thwarted, due to atorrential downpour over the two days,turning the off road course into averitable lagoon.Experts from the Maserati GB teamwere on hand however, to assist andexplain the product range, along withMaserati instructors who were availableto offer advice and ensure guests gotthe most out of their drivingexperience.A great time was had by all as can beseen from our images and the event wasrounded off by a sumptuous buffet.Maserati RegionalRoadshow proves aclear hit with VIP guests 76-77.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2018 09:36 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY77COUNTY MOTORING76-77.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2018 09:36 Page 2SATURDAY 23RD JUNE 2018Bring your own picnicFeaturingmusic from: - Hatfield Brass Band- Doncaster WheatsheafSingers- The Blighty Belles- Mollie Sayers- Rachel GreyTickets are available inthe Gift Shop or viawww.bransbyhorses.co.ukPimms and ProseccoTickets£15 eachGazebo spaceadditional£25Supported by: BradshawsTransportGates open 5pmLive music from 6.15pm - 9.30pmShowhire78-79.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2018 09:37 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY79BRANSBY HORSESBransby Horses is one of theUK’s largest equine rescue andwelfare charities, based eightmiles from Lincoln andcurrently caring for 434 horses,ponies, donkeys and mules.This month we catch up withCEO, Jo Snell, to find out moreabout the charity as itcelebrates its 50th anniversary. How does it feel to becelebrating 50 years of equinerescue and welfare?Staff and supporters of Bransby Horsesfeel incredibly proud that the charity hasmade such a significant impact on thelives of thousands of horses, ponies,donkeys and mules. The dedicated teamsthat care for these animals 365 days ayear would not be here if it wasn’t forpublic support; we rely entirely ondonations and gifts in Wills. Peter Hunt,the charity’s founder, started with justeight acres in 1968 which has evolved toan almost 600-acre site enabling us tocope with the increasing demand. Do you have celebratory plans inplace for the year?Yes, we have lots of events andactivities planned to celebrate throughoutthe year. Alongside our annual open days(Summer Fayre 3rd June, Autumn Fayre30th September, Christmas Fayre 8thDecember) we are launching an excitingnew event called ‘Proms in the Paddock’.We invite everyone to join us for anevening of musical entertainment in theidyllic grounds of Bransby Horses – don’tforget to pack your picnics and purchaseyour tickets via our website. Adam Frost of BBC Gardeners’ Worldwill be joining us on Wednesday 27thJune to officially open our 50thAnniversary garden which was designedby one of our supporters for the gardendesign competition. Later in the year weare also launching an art competitionwith categories for all age groups andour 50th exhibition celebrating ourhistory is now open at the Visitor Centreseven days a week. How has the role of the charitychanged over the last fivedecades?Sadly, we are still seeing the sameneglect issues we saw 50 years ago butthe type of horses we rescue haschanged. Fortunately, developments inthe veterinary world allow us to providebetter care and treatment as we nowknow a lot more about certain conditionsand there are more treatment optionsavailable. The average age of the horseswe rescue has dropped over the yearsand now a large percentage of ourintakes and residents are under five yearsof age whereas 10-20 years ago we hada more elderly equine population at thecharity. Over-breeding amongst feral andsemi-feral horses has become a real issuein the UK and our two large grouprescues from Bodmin Moor in Cornwallreflect this crisis. We have developed our teams andfacilities extensively over the last fivedecades and now play a key role,alongside other charities andorganisations, in improving equinewelfare. We provide sanctuary care forequines that cannot be rehomed but weactively seek fosterers now so thatrescued horses, ponies, donkeys andmules can enjoy one-to-one attention outin a home on our ‘Friend for Life’rehoming scheme; in the early daysrehoming wasn’t as much of a priority asthe demand for intakes wasn’t as great.For more information, visit www.bransbyhorses.co.uk,or call 01427 788 464.Q&AJo Snell, CEO of Bransby Horses78-79.qxp_Layout 1 18/04/2018 09:37 Page 2Next >