< Previous20 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYARTISTIC LINCOLNSHIREIt was in 1905 that a fresh-facedLaurence Stephen Lowry began attendingevening classes in antique and freehanddrawing. He was to study both in theManchester Academy of Fine Art and atSalford Royal Technical College in PeelPark, and knew from his teachers howFrench Impressionism had foreverchanged the painting of landscapes andthe modern city. He knew also fromexhibitions what the current trends inmodern art were, and deeply admiredPre-Raphaelites like Ford Madox Brownand Rossetti. Far from being a naïveSunday painter, Lowry was an artisthungry for his own way of painting anddrawing, and for a subject matter hecould make his own, preferringeventually the view from the TechnicalCollege window to that of the posedmodel.In his early years, Lowry lived in theleafy Manchester suburb of Victoria Park.The lack of money obliged his family tomove to Station Road, Pendlebury, wherefactory chimneys were a more familiarsight then trees. Lowry himself recalled:“At first I detested it, and then, afteryears I got pretty interested in it, thenobsessed by it.” He worked as rent collector for the PallMall Property Company where he didn’ttell people about his work because hedidn’t want them to think of him as aspare-time painter. His job led to himwalking all over the city, where he sawchildren playing in the streets, peoplereturning from work, gossip on the frontsteps, market places and more. Ofcourse, all of this was to change with theonset of the blitz and the process ofrebuilding, slum clearances and the spateof new housing, changing forever theface of the city. Lowry felt that drawings were as hardto do as painting. He worked the surfaceof his drawings by smudging, erasingand rubbing the pencil lines to build theatmosphere of the drawing. He wasalways doing quick sketches on the spoton whatever paper he had in his pockets.He carefully composed his pictures in apainting room at home and took greatcare over placing each figure. Later in lifehe would sit before a canvas or board onhis easel and not know what was goingto be in the painting until he startedworking. He described them asdreamscapes.Lowry used a basic range of colours,which he mixed on his palette andpainted on white backgrounds. By hisown admission he was a simple man, oneIn love with LowryFamed for his vibrant paintings of the industrial heart of the North West England, LS Lowry is anational treasure, and with Lincolnshire’s Little Red Gallery showcasing his works in September,now is a great time get immersed in his oeuvre. 20-21_Layout 1 22/08/2016 12:48 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY21ARTISTIC LINCOLNSHIRETHE LITTLE REDGALLERYLove art? Then we’d love to meet you, please call in for a cup of tea and a chat.The Little Red Gallery are feeling ‘Love’ with a fantastic range of pieces and perfect gift ideas.8 Bailgate Lincoln LN1 3AE01522 589134art@thelittleredgallery.co.ukwww.thelittleredgallery.co.ukwhom relied on simple materials. Hehad a fondness for oil paints, notingits malleability and allowing thepainting to morph and change.Looking closely at the surface of hispaintings shows us the variety of wayshe worked the paint with brushes(using both ends), with his fingersand with sticks or a nail. Some of hispaintings are covered over olderimages. Just when Lowry began to havesuccess he was moving away from thesubjects that everybody wanted himto paint. Some of his most powerfulpictures are deserted landscapes andseascapes. Some of the most difficultpictures to like are of solitary figuresand down and outs. Everything came too late for Lowry.But his later years saw him become apopular celebrity. He also becamepreoccupied about whether his artwould last. He often found himselfasking whether he would last like theart of the Pre-Raphaelites he collectedand loved.“At first Idetested it, andthen, after yearsI got prettyinterested in it,then obsessedby it.” L S Lowry20-21_Layout 1 22/08/2016 12:48 Page 222 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYGARDENSBattling the holidaytraffic through Skegnessthis month we visitanother reader’s gardenwhich, despite beingclose to the coast, ispacked with delicateplants and shrubs. It’s difficult to imagine such a haven soclose to the roadside. But, set back fromthe main road this reader’s garden offersa wonderful retreat from the bustlingworld outside. “We wanted somewhere to relax aftera hard day’s work” explains Hayley “andalthough it’s not a huge plot by anymeans we’ve managed to fit in all theessentials, like somewhere to sit andenjoy the fruits of our labour in relativeprivacy,” And, as we take in the coloursand scents from their beautiful garden,we’d have to agree. From the traditional home that Neiland Hayley share, the garden has beenplanned so that it can be enjoyed in thewinter months as well as the summerwith a charming path that windsthroughout its enttrity. It’s certainly not one of the largest24 ÁAmidst thehustle and bustle22-25_Layout 1 22/08/2016 12:50 Page 122-25_Layout 1 22/08/2016 12:50 Page 224 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYGARDENSgardens we’ve visited, but each sectionprovokes interest with clever planting andthe different use of ground materialunderfoot. The path opens up into a smallgrassed area with beautifully colouredborders catching the eye. The gorgeousblues and purples of Agapanthus, Lupinsand Aliums, make a very regal display.Of course floral details play a great partin the overall feel of the garden andplanting isn’t restricted to simply summercolour. “We planted hundreds of springflowering bulbs to give us that burst ofcolour after a long hard winter and thegrasses and trees that surround the plotlook absolutely amazing in the winterwhen frost falls as they glisten in themorning sun – whenever there is any”explains Neil. “We’ve also got Clematis,Gladioli, Californian poppies, Aquilegiasand Hollyhocks – it’s an eclectic mix to behonest but Hayley seems to have a knackfor knowing just what to plant where, tomake it all look perfectly natural .Sometimes she’ll get me to transplantsomething that she says isn’t too happy,but her saying is: there’s no such thing asgardening mistakes there’s only gardeningexperiments”.Passing through the flowers, we come toan ornamental pond with Koi carp and thechance to enjoy the tranquil sound ofwater splashing down a waterfall. Nodoubt, many an hour is spent herewatching the colourful fish darting aboutin the water and it attracts plenty ofwildlife too. As someone once said, ‘gardening is allaboutenjoying the scent of things growingin the soil, getting dirty without feelingguilty, and generally taking the time tosoak up a little peace and serenity’ andthat’s certainly the case in this wonderfulretreat. 22-25_Layout 1 22/08/2016 12:50 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRETODAY25GARDENSKEVIN JOHNSON - AGRICULTURAL CONTRACTORSLime spreading (Lime stone and Lime x70) and can arrange soiltesting with GPS. Also Fertilizer spread including variable rates.Drilling with 6 metre tine drill. Also 220 hp tractor and driver.4 Church Road, Wittering, PeterboroughTel: 01780 782924 Mobile: 07860 608825enquiries@kevinjohnsoncontracting.co.ukwww.kevinjohnsoncontracting.co.uk“For those times when you need ahelping hand on farm or on land”22-25_Layout 1 22/08/2016 12:50 Page 426 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYI am often asked how much it costs tolandscape a garden, and I find thisquestion very difficult to answer. The costwill depend on a number of factors, suchas the size of the garden, what you wouldlike to have in it and also what yourbudget is, to start with.If you want to have your garden re-designed then I would suggest that youhave an idea of a budget in mind first. Bydoing that it enables the designer tocreate a garden that will not onlycomplement the property and desiredstyle but also complement the client’sbank balance. I do find however thatmany people misjudge how much it willcost to landscape their garden. They havefantastic ideas and desires, but when itEd Fuller from Fullers Forestry andLandscaping tells us how to get togrips with budgeting for thatgarden re-design. for brilliance comes to the budget they haveunderestimated the cost greatly.If you want to have your gardencompletely landscaped, but don’t have thebudget to do it all right away then it can becarried out in phases. Although it would bean unfinished long term project yourgarden would still be a useable space andnot look like a building site in betweenstages. You can then do each part whenyou have the budget. When you are planning a budget for alandscaping project I would also suggestthat you need to be aware that somematerials used in landscaping can be verycostly. However, one thing I do tend to sayto clients is that just because a particularmaterial is the most expensive, it doesn’tPHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/ANTONINA POTAPENKOBudgeting26-27_Layout 1 22/08/2016 12:51 Page 1necessary mean it will be the right one for your garden.Another suggestion I make to clients is that in somesituations, less can be more, and making a smallchange can sometimes be all that is needed. I haverecently been updating my own garden, which hasbeen a long term project and the phrase ‘Cobbler’sChildren’s Shoes’ comes to mind. However with variousimprovements being made a little at a time, it made meappreciate how a small change can make a bigdifference. For example, we have an existing deckingarea which I revamped and installed a gabion benchand lighting and suddenly that corner of the gardenlooked fantastic again. Although the decking wasoriginal and we hadn’t spent too much time or moneyon the improvements the space felt different and apleasure to sit in again. This is probably the best time of year to start theprocess of re-designing your garden. Althoughlandscaping can be carried out all year round, you mayfind that local landscapers have more capacity in thewinter months, and so you can have your garden re-designed and constructed ready for next spring.Just remember that to change your garden does nothave to be very costly or take up a lot of time. I haveproved this with my deck, and so with a bit of vision,careful planning you can transform your outdoor spaceso you enjoy it all over again.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY27Specialised 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 OBLIGATIONQUOTATIONSFULLERSForestry & LandscapingCall 01522 868717 or 07867 510544info@fullersforestry.co.uklwww.fullersforestry.co.ukwww.landscapinglincolnshire.comGARDEN ADVICEAround the garden•If you have clay soil now is the best time to improve it with organic matter and/or horticulturalgrit•Keep deadheading annuals and perennials to extend their performance•Prune any late summer flowering shrubs such as the rock rose•Prune climbing roses and rambling roses once theyhave finished flowering (unless they are repeat flowerers)•Raise posts off the ground for the winter by using bricks or ‘pot feet’ to prevent waterlogging.•Clear pond weeds and net your pond ready for autumn leaf fall• Divide herbaceous perennials• Pick autumn raspberries• Dig up remaining potatoes before slug’s damage them• Install water butts, and keep up with watering of new plants.PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/CHRISTINA RICHARDS26-27_Layout 1 22/08/2016 12:51 Page 228 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYThe name Rothwell originates from OldDanish and means the “clearing with aspring”, and this spring is evident almostimmediately opposite our starting point. The village appears as “Rodowelle” inthe Domesday Book of AD1086 and isfurther mentioned by the late HenryThorold who describes Rothwell’s St MaryMagdalene as “a very special church”which is a mere stone’s throw fromwhere we begin our walk and well wortha visit at either the beginning or at theend of your walk. Normanby-le-wold, derived its name,or at least part of its name, from when itwas the home of Norsemen(Norwegians). It differentiated itself frommost of the surrounding area s whichwere settled upon by the Danes – sothat’s the Normanby part. The le-woldpart is a fairly recent addition as it waspreviously Normanby on the hill whichdistinguished it from the three otherNormanby’s in our county! At Normanby-le-Wold, lies St. Peter’schurch. This building benefitted from anexternal restoration in 1868 by JamesFowler of Louth and has a splendidmediaeval interior. Across the lane we seea little redbrick, Georgian building whichwas once a Sunday School. The village itself, holds pride of placeas Lincolnshire’s highest village, beingclose to the OS 450 foot contour line.But the county’s highest point is anothermile to the north. (GR121965) We cansafely assume therefore that St Peter’schurch is Lincolnshire’s highest too. The Domesday Book mentions anotherchurch here, which was Anglo Saxon.This is further endorsed by an AngloSaxon farmstead and nearby burial pitwhich were excavated nearby, in the late‘60s, although sadly we could find notrace of its remains. There is also a very strange looking‘golfball’ type satellite situated on theoutskirts which seems so out of keepingwith the rural views – quite what it isperhaps someone can advise, perhaps amonitoring device for suspicious airactivity. Let’s hope its nothing sinisterthat Mr Trump can press a button on.Notwithstanding this, the views fromNormanby and the walk as we headnorth towards Nettleton, offer beautifulviews – in fact if you are a keenphotographer or wildlife enthusiast, youwill thoroughly enjoy this walk.THE ROUTE.From Rothwell take the road oppositethe Blacksmith’s arms signposted toThoresway. Approximately 300 yards onour right we see a signpost and a gatewhich, once through, takes us along asurfaced lane for about half a mile. We then keep our eyes peeled for afootpath sign bearing left up a grass trackthat climbs a side valley. As we walk itslength we come to a lane near HillsBrough Farm, at which point we go rightto the High Street (B1225) and (carefully)cross to the wide verge opposite thenturn immediately left.In just under half a mile a footpath signreveals itself by a steel field gateincorporating a stile. Keeping by theright-hand hedge to another similar stilewe follow a fenced grass track, downhillto a third. We continue beside the woods ofNormanby Dales to another footpath signand turn right through a gate beforemaintaining our original direction on awoodland track past the ruined cottage. We emerge into a field keep ahead,beside a hedge to a 3-way footpath signat the field corner at which we bear left.Pass a house, join a surfaced farm roadand turn right. Then from a road junctionExploringLincolnshireon footRothwell to Normanby-Le-WoldWhat could be better on a bright sunny day than a walk off the beaten track? This one from Rothwell towhat must surely be the county’s highest village - Normanby-le-Wold offers stunning views.28-29_Layout 1 22/08/2016 12:52 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY29we bear left towards Normanby church.Leaving Normanby we simply follow thesigns of Viking helmets, which signifies thefamous Viking way and, walk back the waywe arrived but keep ahead along the lane andturn left at the first road junction. After 80 yards (still on the Viking way) wego through a kissing gate on our right, acrossa meadow to a fence corner at which wefollow the fence to another kissing gate at thenext road. We now bear right uphill, and take the roadtowards Nettleton.At Acre House we turn right by the phonemast and walk down to a gate. Only at thispoint do we depart from the Viking Way tocross the head of Nettleton Valley and pick upa path back to the High Street. We turn left and as we walk along, oppositesome farm buildings, we take the lane to ourright which heads for Nettleton Top. Thisgradually descends for 1½ miles to rejoin theoutward route and takes us back into Rothwell.On re-entering the village we look for afenced path on the left just before thepavement begins and we follow this to thechurch, bearing right behind the tower tojoin School Lane and the village centre.FACTFILESTART:RothwellDISTANCE:10 miles • 16 kilometresMAPS:OS Landranger 113 (Grimsby) • Explorer 282St Mary MagdaleleneChurch in RothwellSt Peters Church in Normanby le Wold Rothwell’s Spring28-29_Layout 1 22/08/2016 12:52 Page 2Next >