< Previous30 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYGARDENSThis month is a focus on a group ofplants that are very close to my heart. Mysecond passion after plants is cooking andthe plants I want to talk about are culinaryherbs. Herbs are easy to grow, look fantasticin the garden, are great for bees andobviously have an important use incooking. One of the best ways to reduce salt inyour diet without compromising on taste isusing herbs as a healthy substitute. Theyreally enhance the flavours of differentmeals if you choose the right herbs for eachdish, so as well as being able to providea pungent main flavour in somedishes you can also use them subtlyas a seasoning just to bring flavourstogether.Most herbs can be easily grownfrom seed which also makesthem very economicalplants to grow. Thesecret to the best freshcut herb plants is to usethem regularly as itkeeps the foliage lushand bushy and stopsthem getting leggyand in some cases,stops them going toseed, therefore prolongingtheir season.As a lot of them are ofMediterranean origin, most herbs like asunny, well-drained rich soil for getting thebest results. You can make a herb gardenincluding a mixture of perennial herbs thatcome back every year like sage, thyme,French tarragon, fennel and rosemary withannual and biannual herbs such ascoriander, parsley, and basil in between thatyou replace every year.When spaced out properly, a herb gardenmakes an attractive-looking feature in thegarden with tall, structurally-beautiful fennelwith its large flat bright yellow flowers, tocreeping thymes and the striking flowersof chives. I even use types of oregano,fennel and thyme in ornamentalborder displays for their structure andflowers.Here are three of myfavourites and some pointersfor growing them…Lemon verbenaThis is a tender,shrubby herb that needsprotection in the winter,but even treated as anannual it is worthgrowing every year for itsaromatic lemon scentstood in a pot on the patioand every time you brushpast there is a burst of citrus.Growing yourway to deliciousdinnersIt’s easy to grow your own herbs. Our green-fingered expert RobParry of Mill Farm Nursery in Middle Rasen explains how to enhanceyour meals with some natural help!BASILLEMON VERBENA030-031:Layout 1 17/6/13 10:10 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY31GARDENSBasilIt’s such a great-tasting and smellingherb and I like to grow sweet Genovesebasil from seed. It will always do best in agreenhouse or conservatory, even insummer as it just loves the heat! It will alsogrow outside, thoughFrench tarragon This favourite has the reputation of beinga tender herb, but from my experience, ithas lived quite happily through very bitterwinters and retains a lovely aniseed flavourthat’s great with chicken and fish. TrueFrench tarragon can only be propagated bycuttings, so you may need to buy a plantin. However it will be there year after yearand don’t be talked in to growing Russiantarragon from seed as it is tasteless and willsoon take over!Jobs inthe garden thismonthStake any perennials that might needit before they get too heavyMulch borders after rain to helpretain moistureHoeing out weeds on a hot day is aquick way of getting round theweedingCut back geraniums and delphiniumsafter the first flush of flowers toencourage a second flowering periodFRENCH TARRAGON030-031:Layout 1 17/6/13 10:10 Page 232 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYGARDENSSituated at the end of a rough andbumpy road just on the far side of thepicturesque village of Fotherby, Nut TreeFarm stands proud in some of the mostbeautiful views you can imagine. Surrounded virtually on all sides byrolling fields and the backdrop that onlythe Lincolnshire Wolds can offer, thehouse was rebuilt by the couple whenThebeautyofcreationthey snapped up the land. With the ideabeing to renovate the existing farmhouse,the couple decided after muchdeliberation to simply start again, so nowstands a marginally larger home built tocomplement the land it stands in. What ismore noticeable is the large, grassedlawns that circle the house and thegardens that take up the far end. Oodles of space mean that the couple’sdogs have plenty of room to roam andrun and even a large trout pond to relaxby. The pond is populated by carp,goldfish, sticklebacks, newts, frogs andtoads and has been known to be visitedby mallards and even a lone kingfisher. Judith says, “It’s evolved as we’ve gonealong really. There was rubble all over theTim and Judith Hunter have only been at Nut TreeFarm for a few years, but they’ve created a gardenwith a setting that many would envy.032-034:Layout 1 17/6/13 10:43 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY33GARDENSpatio area so we’ve had a lot of clearingto do.“The double wall that runs round thegarden gave us a quick fix but it’s one ofthe things people love when they cometo visit.”Part of the National Gardens Scheme,Nut Tree Farm is open to the public onspecial occasions and forms a trio ofgardens that open in the village alongwith Woodlands and Shepherds Hay.Once a working farm, there were derelictbarns and a concrete crew yard tocontend with when they first arrived butTim is a keen sheep breeder and has asmall herd of Hampshire Downs which34 032-034:Layout 1 17/6/13 10:43 Page 234 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYGARDENSreside in the barns. They are shown at various county showsaround the region and his rosettes are set out for all to see inone of the barns. Tim also keeps bees, with a hive standingproud at the front gate to the garden too.The crew yard now houses a beautiful vegetable patch whereTim grows all sortsof fruit andvegetables, whichis protected by thewalls circling thegarden, meaningslugs and snailshave to try really hard to get in. Tulips and daffodils grow in thewall, but Judith’s passion is her euphorbias, which stand resplendentthroughout. What really strikes you about Nut Tree Farm is the aspect which iswhat most visitors focus on. Offering 360 degrees of views of thewolds, you can see the old railway line trailing into the distance andthe seemingly infinite fields reach out to touch the horizon. On theday we visit, the sun is high in the sky and you can really see whypeople visit on a regular basis.Nut Tree Farm is on the National Garden Scheme and is open byappointment and has several public open days a year. To find out morevisit www.ngs.org.uk A large selection of children’soutdoor play equipment,BBQ’s, Gazebos, Gardensheds in both metal & plastic.C & E WarehouseC & E Warehouse, Unit 9, Cosalt Industrial Estate, Grimsby DN32 9HYTel: 07517 190601Opening Times – Mon - Sat 10am - 5.30pmLargeselection ofgardenfurniture032-034:Layout 1 17/6/13 10:44 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRETODAY35SOCIAL SCENEPHOTOS BY RICHARD PICKSLEYThis is just a selection of photographs from this event…Visit www.lincolnshiretoday.netto view and purchasecopies of the photographsLincolnshireTodayTHE REGION’S FAVOURITE COUNTY MAGAZINEKellyBloomKelly Bloom raisescash for charityKind-hearted Kelly Bloom invited some three hundred people into the grounds of his house inAskham for his annual ball to raise funds to research to battle Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Plenty ofcash was raised with a raffle and auction, while there was also live music from a fantastic jazz trio.The SharpPartyAdrian andKaren SwanMichaeland JustineHaiteIan andCathyTaylorMel andLynnCookDwaneandKate HillMatthewand KateSharpJoe andKayleighBallardRod andElaine Bacon035:Layout 1 17/6/13 09:40 Page 1NORTH RAUCEBY CHURCH36 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYLINCOLNSHIRE WALKSTHE SLEEPINGSHEPHERDIN THE FIELD SCULPTURETo the west of Sleaford we enter the Lincolnshire limestone belt with its picturesque stonevillages. Amongst these are the “Raucebys” lying within the administrative area of NKDCwho, over the years, have commissioned many original sculptures from local artists foroutdoor display. Most are located beside specially developed “Stepping Out” country walks;we visit several near Rauceby.Indeed simply arriving for these walks from South Rauceby- whatever direction you comefrom – you will see village name signs featuring the “Lost Sheep” – in remembrance of thehistoric local significance of sheep rearing.Near the start of WALK 1 there are fine views of the village windmill built in 1841 andworking until the 1930’s. Our first sculpture - the “Fieldstone” – sits on the verge just beforewe reach North Rauceby. Carved from local Ancaster stone it has an agricultural themedepicting carved ears of wheat, wild flowers, a lapwing and a pheasant.The broach spire is a Lincolnshire architectural speciality and St Peter’s church at NorthRauceby is a fine example and is one of the county’s earliest dating from the C13th. Broachspires are instantly recognisable in that they rise directly from the tower walls with noparapet. Nearby on North Rauceby’s village green stands an ancient cross, restored in 1861,and surmounted by small tabernacle.At Rauceby Hall entrance reclines the bearded “Sleeping Shepherd” with a suggestion ofthe celebrated “Green Man” fertility symbol about him as he dozes amongst his sheep andlambs. But there’s a hint of their future at the back where the artist has mischievouslycarved lots of mint!On WALK 2 just before coming to Hall Farm we find the “Boggart Bench”; a sculpturecompleted in six weekends by local volunteers. Boggarts are mischievous figures of localfolklore that live underground. Our Boggart therefore is found hiding at the back of themain carving (with another recumbent shepherd) and the buildings of Rauceby village ona hilltop.The final sculpture visited is “In the Field” situated in Southgate Spinney above SouthRauceby’s old quarry. This too portrays agricultural and wildlife subjects - including abustard – laid over a map-like depiction of local fields.There’s a story behind the name of Rauceby’s inn too! Local myth says that the lastEXPLORINGON FOOTNORTH AND SOUTH RAUCEBYWith the school holidays upon us we have two short ramblesat South and North Rauceby chosen especially for familygroups.Lincolnshire036-037:Layout 1 17/6/13 10:28 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY37LINCOLNSHIRE WALKSTHE BOGGARTTHE LOST SHEEPTHE BUSTARD INNLAMBS WITH MINTbustard in Lincolnshire was shot nearby and that the 1860 inn wasnamed to commemorate of the event. But how does anyone know it wasthe last one?These two short walks may be combined if desired; see the route guide.NOTES.Some of NKDC’s “Stepping Out” footpaths used here do notappear on OS maps. Park at the Bustard Inn by kind permission of thelandlord.THE ROUTESWALK 1.From the inn carpark exit turn left and at the road junction goright. In 200 yards take the footpath on the right up a short track andthrough a gate into a meadow with some wooden huts. Bear half left andafter 200 yards or so bear right climbing gently to pass a house and cross itsaccess drive. At the garden wall corner bear half left again aiming for a stileby the gate in the far left corner of the field.Beyond the stile continue alongside a hedge to a gate on the right byGlebe Farm. Go through and up the farm road, and at the public road goright to come to the first sculpture (“The Fieldstone”) - and then NorthRauceby church. At the road junction by the village green with its cross turnright and (noting the track going off to the left – Drove Lane - with a seatbuilt into the wall) follow the road ahead to the entrance of Rauceby Hallwhere you will find the next sculpture. (“The Sleeping Shepherd”) To finishWALK 1 follow the road ahead back to the Bustard Inn.WALK 2.From the inn carpark turn right following the road to RaucebyHall entrance and continuing to where a track (Drove Lane) emerges on theright by a wall with a built-in seat. (If you have already done WALK 1 returnto this seat in the wall and turn right.)Follow Drove Lane for a mile until it ends at a field entrance and then turninto another grassy track on your right. Walk downhill to meet another tracknear some electricity wires and go right again. In a few hundred yards youwill come to sculpture three. (“The Boggart”)Continue along the track as it twists first left through some woods andthen right to pass Hall Farm. When it eventually meets a public road look fora signed footpath on the left into Southgate Spinney. 120 yards into thetrees is the final sculpture. (“In the Field”.)Return to the road and bear left back into South Rauceby. At the mainroad cross into Cliffe View – almost opposite, but just to your right.Continue until you reach Beech Rise and then turn right. There’s a footpathbetween the houses at the rear of the cul-de-sac leading to a small gate.Walk up a meadow to a second gate in a hedge and then down a fencedpath between house gardens. At the road the Bustard Inn is a few paces toyour right.by Hugh MarrowsFACTFILEStart Point: The Bustard Inn, South RaucebySat Nav: LN1 3AA.Distances: Walk 1 – 2 miles : 3.5 kilometresWalk 2 – 3¼ miles : 5 kilometres(Combined – 4½ miles : 7 kilometres.)Maps: OS Landranger 130 (Grantham) : Explorer 272Refreshments: The Bustard Inn036-037:Layout 1 17/6/13 10:28 Page 238 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYFASHIONThe summer months are upon us and for many thatmeans jetting off to foreign climes. But even if you’rejust staying in the county you can look cool thissummer! Our fashion pages this month keep with ourtheme of travel by illustrating outfits that are perfect tokeep you staying fashionable without feeling flusteredon your holiday adventures.038-047:Layout 1 17/6/13 11:18 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY39FASHIONGerry Weber Gerry Weber clothing has always been a firmfavourite. Their sophisticated clothes aresimple, easy to wear and versatile, as thelabel specialises in smart tailoring and stylishcasual looks038-047:Layout 1 17/6/13 11:18 Page 2Next >