< Previous Available on iPad & iPhone Visit our website to start viewing today... www.lincolnshiretoday.net Ideal for those who spend time away from their office Digital Editions Never miss an issue Read on the go! The magical, after-dark, illuminated trail CHRISTMAS AT BELTON SURROUND YOURSELF WITH SPARKLE – NEW FOR 2019 A festive woodland walk for all the family Singing Trees • Scented Fire Garden • Tunnel of Light Laser Garden • Father Christmas • Seasonal food and gifts '-CDKǨ(%9:8 Calls cost 7p per minute plus your network access charge. Running selected evenings only. in partnership with christmasatbelton.com 0844 579 0097 10.qxp_Layout 1 14/10/2019 10:56 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 11 IN CONVERSATION WITH… 1) Can you tell us how your writing career got started? I’ve always wanted to be a writer, but it was thanks to a healthy dose of good luck and a generous sprinkling of persistence that landed me a publishing contract. For many years I was a lawyer in private practice specialising in commercial and employment law. I started working on behalf of a wonderful local publisher, the Totally Entwined Group, and, after hounding them to read one of my manuscripts at the end of every meeting, they finally agreed. They read my first published novel, The Mayfly , and offered me a publishing deal. At this point, I probably became the only author to have to sign a publishing contract that they had drafted… Anyway, I was all set to go when they were absorbed into the Bonnier group, who acquired rights to my work, and suddenly I found myself on the front of Bonnier- Zaffre’s 2017 rights guide. The rest is history! 2) Your main character suffers from a mental health disorder. Is writing inclusive characters an issue close to your heart? Depersonalisation Disorder (DPD) is a complicated mental health condition that, at its worse, leaves its sufferers so confused that they question whether they are even alive. It’s more prevalent than bipolar disorders and schizophrenia combined. Figures vary, but there are approximately 1.5 million sufferers in the UK, and yet hardly anyone has ever heard of it. I first came across the condition a long time ago – a good friend of mine is a DPD sufferer and it’s mainly because of him that I wanted to draw more attention to the condition. It was important to me to try and convey an accurate flavour of what DPD is really like through the main character and I spent a lot of time researching and talking to DPD sufferers to get the details right. 3) What, if any, effect does living in Lincolnshire have on your stories? I love Lincolnshire; it’s a vibrant, scenic county, from the rolling vistas of the Wolds to the cultural centre of Lincoln. The people I’ve had the privilege of meeting and befriending here have given me a diverse reservoir of inspiration and (don’t tell anyone) a lot of the places and locations in my novels might supposedly be in London but they’re actually based on places in and around Lincoln. It’s amazing how the places where we live and grow up shape us, even if we don’t immediately recognise it, and there’s an awful lot of Lincolnshire in my work, even if it isn’t directly referred to. 4) For crime fans who’ve not come across your works before, is False Prophet a good starting point? False Prophet is the third crime thriller novel featuring my main protagonist, Charlie Priest. All my novels stand up by themselves and you won’t be disadvantaged by starting with False Prophet but, if you want to get a deeper insight into Priest’s background, the first in the series is The Mayfly . False Prophet by James Hazel is out now In conversation with local author James Hazel We recently chatted with local author James Hazel about his writing career, mental health, the inspiration of Lincolnshire and the latest novel is his crime thriller series. 11.qxp_Layout 1 14/10/2019 10:56 Page 112 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY HOMES For this month’s featured property, we look to Great Coates, where one will find the stunning Dairy Farm Cottage, which perfectly blends modern and classic country ambience. to the period home after purchasing a new build just a mile down the road. Stuart explained: “We had just bought a brand new four-bed, and with three children it seemed perfect, each had a bedroom of their own. We waited for it to be built but once we moved in, we realised the fourth bedroom was actually rather tiny and as my youngest son got older, it would be too small for him. It was a pity really, because it was a nice house.” After realising that they were going to Tucked away and perfectly secluded, Dairy Farm Cottage is ideally situated on Old Road in Great Coates and provides the perfect amalgam of country living and town life. Built in approximately 1900 the property, which is aptly painted in a colour that mirrors its name, was once a part of a collective of around thirteen dairy farms in the area, most of which have now disappeared. Stuart and his family have lived at Dairy Farm Cottage for just over 16 years, moving Idyllic and peaceful the perfect family home 12-15.qxp_Layout 1 14/10/2019 11:06 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 13 HOMES quickly outgrow the new build, Stuart, a personal trainer and boxing coach, came across Dairy Farm Cottage thanks to one of his clients - the property’s owner. “It’s funny, I had to ask him where it actually was because I couldn’t find it, despite it being one of a handful of properties on the road!” As soon as Stuart saw the home however, he knew it was prime for the family and could not be rivalled. “I walked into the property and it was just fantastic. It was exactly what I was looking for. I didn’t really want to live on an estate, and we wanted more privacy, and this is tucked in about a quarter of an acre, no one looks over on to us, it is totally and 14 Á 12-15.qxp_Layout 1 14/10/2019 11:06 Page 214 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY utterly secluded, quiet and peaceful. I called my wife, she came down to have a look, and that was it. We put our house on the market and moved into this one. It’s been a fantastic place to set a family up, idyllic really.” The light and airy property, which has been extended by the family, features four double bedrooms upstairs, two of which primarily overlook the garden, while the others offer a vista over the open countryside. A large luxurious bathroom can also be found on this floor with a corner shower cubicle, bath and dresser units. On the ground floor meanwhile, waiting to be discovered, is a spacious kitchen and dining room with a six ring Range-master cooker, handmade kitchen units, a rustic pot belly wood burner stove and tiled floor. The kitchen also leads to a useful utility room with plenty of storage, and plans have even been drawn up to expand the space, to transform it into a wet room. Downstairs one will also be welcomed by three sitting rooms overlooking the garden, two of which have classic, old open period fireplaces, while the third features a cast iron fireplace with electric fire. Light oak veneered flooring runs through the living rooms and two of the rooms host delightful beams that are the property’s originals. Further beams can be seen in the kitchen and the largest bedroom. Separate to the house is a substantial garage, currently hosting Stuart’s gymnasium, which the family converted to fit Fireplaces – Fires – Stoves Visit the showroom to see our fabulous selection of fireplaces, fires and stoves in traditional and contemporary styles. Choose from wood, micro and natural marble, granite, limestone and cast iron with a huge choice of fires and stoves in gas, electric and solid fuel including multifuel and woodburning stoves. There is also a great selection of fireside accessories including log baskets, companion sets, cleaning and maintenance products and some lovely accessories for your home. Burning Sensation (Grimsby) Ltd Armstrong Street, Grimsby. DN31 1XD Call: 01472 351651 sales@burningsensation.co.uk www.burningsensation.co.uk PREMIUM MULTI-FUEL STOVES & FIRES ELECTIC & GAS FIRES AND SURROUNDS We have an extensive range of fireplaces, multi-fuel and wood burning stoves along with a magnificent collection of gas fires, electric fires and surrounds on display at our showroom in Boston, Lincolnshire. Our stunning selections from leading British and Scandinavian manufacturers such as Elgin & Hall, Jotul, Chesneys, Dimplex, Valor Contura and Arada to name but a few, means we cater for all tastes. Our friendly and helpful staff are always on hand to give you some ideas and help to guide you with your purchase. Visit our showroom or call us today on 01205 310 327. Church Road, Boston PE21 0LG | Tel: 01205 310 327 E-mail: sales@bostonheating.co.uk | www.bostonheating.co.uk 12-15.qxp_Layout 1 14/10/2019 11:06 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 15 this purpose. With its double insulted walls, membrane floor, and doors that open the space out to the South facing garden, Stuart notes that subject to planning permission there is the potential to convert it into something else. There is also more storage, shed and garage space to the rear of the property. The home’s main peaceful and private rear garden is laid to lawn and as a South South East facing garden, one can bask in the sunshine throughout the day. In fact, Stuart notes that when sat in the garden you feel like you’re in the middle of the English countryside and wouldn’t know that there is anything around for miles. There are also several trees in the garden including a couple of apple trees and a little plum tree - anyone for pie? Meanwhile up at the front garden one will see gravel, space for three or four cars, and double gates. While the family have thoroughly enjoyed their experience at Dairy Farm Cottage, the time has come to move on. Stuart explained: “The kids have all flown the nest now and it’s just a little too big for two people to be rattling around in, so to speak. As a large property with a lot of floor space, it has served our family well, but we would like to relocate to warmer climes. Dairy Farm Cottage is now on the market with EweMove for £365,000. LEAKE'S MASONRY Ltd Eve Street, Louth, Lincs LN11 0JJ • Tel: 01507 604 828 leakesmasonry.co.uk • leakesmasonry@aol.com We can fabricate your requirements in granite, limestone, marble, quartzite, sandstone, slate and travertine A professional family-run business having been established in Louth for almost 100 years. A Third Century of Stonemasonry Craftsmanship From Leake's Masonry 12-15.qxp_Layout 1 14/10/2019 11:07 Page 4ARTISTIC LINCOLNSHIRE This month we take a closer work at the charming fantastical works of Bret Burkham. B ret Burkham has been drawing and painting for as far back as he can remember. As a child, his coloured pencils were always within easy reach, ready at a moment’s notice to sketch and doodle. As well as conjuring his own original works at this age, he also nurtured his bourgeoning craft by reproducing film posters. This early love affair with art compelled Bret towards attending Bournemouth and Poole College of Art and Design. Here he was able to hone his natural abilities, experiment and discover. He was introduced to a wide variety of artistic influences and, being surrounded by likeminded individuals, the college offered an inspiring and creative environment. It was only natural that he’d want to take his education to the next step, which came in the form of a Higher Natural Diploma in Natural History Illustration. Since leaving college, Bret has forged a career as a professional artist, turning his hand to all manner of commissions. These range from wildlife illustrations, landscapes and fine art all the way through to cartoons and architectural drawings. His works show a depth of knowledge and ability and bring together all these disparate styles into one that is uniquely his own. They each evoke fairy tales 16-17.qxp_Layout 1 14/10/2019 11:08 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 17 THE LITTLE RED GALLERY Love 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 3AE 01522 589134 8 St Mary’s Hill, Stamford, PE9 2DP art@thelittleredgallery.co.uk www.thelittleredgallery.co.uk and the fantastical; dreamscapes in which whimsy and the make-believe flourish. For several years, Bret had the opportunity to support cystic fibrosis charity, Team Genie, providing many illustrations for their fund-raising auctions. It was an experience he found “extremely satisfying”. In 2001, he began to create his range of beach landscapes which ARTISTIC LINCOLNSHIRE If you’d like to see Bret’s work for yourself, visit The Little Red Gallery in Lincoln. have proved popular with both locals and visitors to his hometown. This work has been displayed in local galleries for a number of years now and can also be found in private collections from New Zealand to the USA. 16-17.qxp_Layout 1 14/10/2019 11:08 Page 218 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY GARDENS A garden in harmony with nature 18-21.qxp_Layout 1 14/10/2019 11:10 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 19 GARDENS I t was 40 years ago when Penny and Trevor Lyle bought the house and garden in a village near Market Rasen, at which time Penny recalls: “The garden back then was rather characterless with fir trees and cedars dotted all around, making it almost impossible for plants to thrive.” So, in order to create a garden she could enjoy, with all the colour, textures and layers needed to create those wonderfully inviting borders we all yearn for, Penny had to set about reducing and removing the trees that were blocking the light and soaking up the moisture in the sandy soil around them, which the previous owner had introduced. In doing so, a boring garden has been transformed into a veritable oasis of splendour where perennials and shrubs work in harmony to create a delightful retreat from the busy world outside. Asked if she had assistance in the creation, Penny laughs and says: “Well, I 20 Á What a green-fingered lot we are in Lincolnshire – here at Lincolnshire Today we travel the length and breadth of the county to visit reader’s gardens and attempt to reveal how, with a little hard work and inspiration, it’s possible to create the most interesting of gardens. 18-21.qxp_Layout 1 14/10/2019 11:10 Page 2Next >