Fantastic free giveaways Mouth watering festive recipes What to wear Lincolnshire after dark Great gift solutionswww.blmgroup.co.ukBLMGROUPGROUPBLMWWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NETTHE REGION’S FAVOURITE COUNTY MAGAZINETHE REGION’S FAVOURITE COUNTY MAGAZINE£2.60 DECEMBER 2012£2.60 DECEMBER 2012WWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NETAll you want for ChristmasAll you want for ChristmasFantastic free giveaways Mouth watering festive recipes What to wear Lincolnshire after dark Great gift solutionsWISHING ALL OUR READERS A MERRY CHRISTMAS001:Layout 1 12/11/12 09:08 Page 1CROFT CARPETSMake a statement in your home5 - 6 High St, Lincoln(01522) 523004 or07944218982www.croftcarpets.co.ukWhether you are looking for luxurious carpets, laminates or vinyl flooring - quality comes as standard.We can also take away your old carpets & move furnitureWe also supply a range of quality curtainsCreate the look by visiting our large showroomBOOKNOWBOOKNOWThursday 29 November 7.30pmTickets: £14.50 - £22.50Children £12.00 Ballet/Dance Schools £10.00Saturday 1 December 7.30pmTickets: £20.50Concs/Group Discounts AvailableFriday 7 – Wednesday 26 DecemberTickets: £16.00Concs/Group Discounts Available Sunday 17 March 8pmTickets: £26.00Wednesday 16 January Doors 7pmTickets: £28.50Tuesday 19 February 7.30pmTickets: £21.00Monday 18 – Saturday 23 MarchTickets: £10.00 - £29.50Concs/Group Discounts AvailableFriday 19 April 7.30pmTickets: £15.00 - £25.00Children: £12.00 Concs Available0844 871 3016* www.atgtickets.com/GrimsbyAuditorium** Booking/transaction fee may apply / includes restoration levyThe Vienna Festival Ballet PresentCoppeliaPeter AndreUp Close And PersonalMilton Jones On The RoadJimmy CarrGagging Order002:Layout 1 12/11/12 09:10 Page 1‘Tis the season, as they say. Is that the season to be bloated, orthe season to be cooked alive by the high street chains’ airconditioning units? Evidently it means different things to different people, to mydearly beloved wife it seems to mean ‘tis the season to searchplaces high and low to get a stolen glimpse of what she might bereceiving by way of presents on Christmas Day. Not because she’s mean-spirited and trying to ruin the surprise.No, it’s so she doesn’t end up being outshone when she hands over my presents, sowe endeavour to keep a close eye on each other’s growing pile as the big daydraws ever closer. And that makes you think doesn’t it…. are those critics right about Christmas beingjust a tad commercial? Of course not, shudder the thought! But where would any ofus be without Christmas?It’s the spectacle, the glamour, the goodwill and the chance for families to cometogether and even to enjoy the sharp frosty nights. They all have their place at thistime of year and even the most unreligious of readers, I suspect, enjoy decoratingtheir homes and gardens. I asked my niece recently why she thinks we do all this and she came up with:“Because beautiful people like bright shiny stuff and the tree in the house smells great!” She almost seemed disappointed when I explained it harked back to ancient times,when people hung evergreen boughs over their doors and windows to keep awaywitches, ghosts, evil spirits, and illness. And she glazed over completely when I tried to explain about how the treerepresents life through the dark cold months and how tree lights represent the light ofthe winter solstice.Whatever your reasons for celebrating Christmas though, we’ve gone all out tobring you another jam-packed issue. It’s bursting with over a hundred Christmasgiveaways, worth thousands of pounds. So don’t miss out as we’ve got something foreveryone and great inspiration for Christmas gifts, but don’t rely on us, there’s plentyof festive cheer throughout the county’s independent shops and the multitude ofcraft fairs, Christmas markets and much more besides, so get out there! Speaking ofwhich, we’ve got some excellent ideas for nights out across the county with aspotlight on Lincoln after dark as well as some of the events we’ve been to seerecently! Whatever you end up doing this year, have a very Merry Christmas and a HappyNew Year from all of us at Lincolnshire Today…Good reading as always,Steve FisherEditorLincolnshireToday@lincstodaylincolnshiretoday.netEditor:Steve FisherJournalists:Steve Williams, Mike Shields,Elis Ballard, Michael Fisher. Photographers:Richard Picksley,Alan LongSales Director: Teri CooperSales: Angela Cooper, Jade SmithAccounts: Angela Sharman,John DownesCirculations: Dawn CookDesign & Production: Gary Jorgensen,Mark Casson, Rachel GreenAdvertising: Tel: (01472) 310302, Fax: (01472) 310312 Editorial:Tel: (01472) 310305, Fax: (01472) 310317Part Of The Business Link MagazineGroup: Armstrong House, Armstrong Street,Grimsby,N E Lincs DN31 2QEEmail: lincs-today@blmgroup.co.uk Website: www.lincolnshiretoday.net ISSN No: 1366-1299© All rights reserved. No part of this publication may bereproduced, transmitted, photocopied, recorded orotherwise without express permission of the copyright holder,for which application should be addressed first to thepublisher. While every reasonable care is taken, neither thepublisher nor its participating agents accept liability for lossor damage to prints, colour transparencies, negatives orother material of whatever nature submitted to thispublication. The views expressed in this publication are notnecessarily the views of those held by the publisher.This magazine is now fully recyclable. Byrecycling magazines, you can help reducewaste and add to the 5.5 million tonnes ofpaper already recycled by the UK paperindustry each year. Before you recycle yourmagazine, please ensure you remove allplastic wrapping, free gifts and samples. Ifyou are unable to participate in a recyclingscheme, then why not pass your magazineonto a local hospital or charity?Welcome toLincolnshire TodayFRONT COVER PHOTO COURTESY OF ASHLEY TAYLOR, PUSH CREATIVITY003:Layout 1 12/11/12 09:11 Page 1Features15 Going nativeFine Tribal Gallery - brimming with artefactscollected from across Western Africa84 After Dark• The Boy With Tape On His Face• The Phantom of the Opera88 BourneA small, but perfectly-formed marvel in ourcounty102 The Green SceneThe introduction of the Green Deal is big newsfor LincolnshireLooking good32 ‘Tis The SeasonWhat better time to invest in a new outfit?38 Chantal So ChicFashion extravaganza42 From Savile Row to LincolnLincolnshire’s very own Savile Row tailor offershis top tips…December 2012Contents26CHRISTMASALL WRAPPED UP48 Big Christmas Giveaway!Our festive gift guide and giveaway64 A night to rememberLincoln has transformed into an even betterplace to enjoy yourself 71 MixologyWe visit Lola Lo in Lincoln, to see what ittakes to be a cocktail guru72 Get Stuffed!It’s a staple of the Christmas dinner plate,but too often it’s sage and onion as the onlyoption! Why not mix it up a bit this year?2823004-005:Layout 1 12/11/12 09:14 Page 1At home16 From husk to homeThis month we take a look around anamazing barn conversion 21 Time for a change?When was the last time you bought a clockfor any other reason than functionality?22 Inspirational gardensWe explore the beautiful gardens atHarrington HallLeisure26 Moods of LincolnshireLincolnshire never looks quite as dramaticas it does in the winter28 Lincolnshire WildlifeOur county has an abundance of wildlife -the European Robin is just one example…30 Lincolnshire WalksOur December route takes us to Wainfleet County Motoring90 BRM Bourne AgainClassic cars don’t come any more classicthan 50-year-old Grand Prix cars 93 A La ModeThe Paris Motor show shows what will bearriving in the county’s showrooms very soonSocial Scenes13 Lincoln Sportsman’s Club Dinner24Belton Park Halloween ball 78Oktoberfest Lincoln87Linkage Halloween Ball101Discovery BallRegulars6 News Stories from around the county79 What’s OnFun and excitement this month inLincolnshire104 HoroscopesWhat will your stars say?72934879004-005:Layout 1 12/11/12 09:14 Page 26 LINCOLNSHIRETODAY*ZIV[\WV0ITT0W\MTQ[PW[\QVO\PM[XMK\IK]TIZ?QV\MZ?MLLQVO.IaZMWV;I\]ZLIa\PIVL;]VLIa\P2IV]IZaIUXU.ZMMMV\ZaWV\PMLIa,Q[KW^MZ4QVKWTV[PQZM¼[ÅVM[\?MLLQVO.IaZM[PW_KI[QVOIKWUXTM\MZIVOMWN?MLLQVO[MZ^QKM[IVL[]XXTQMZ[<PQ[ZMITTaQ[\PM¹WVM[\WX[PWXºNWZITTaW]Z_MLLQVOVMML[<PMZM_QTTJMINIV\I[\QKXZQbMLZI__Q\P[]XMZJXZQbM[QVKT]LQVOIWVMVQOP\[\Ia_Q\PLQVVMZJMLIVLJZMISNI[\WZILMTQKQW][;]VLIaT]VKPNWZ\_WI\\PMT]`]ZQW][*ZIV[\WV0ITT0W\MT<PM[\IZXZQbM_QTTJMINZMM_MMS¼[IKKWUUWLI\QWVI\IÅ^M[\IZZM[WZ\QV[W]\PMZV;XIQV;PW]TLaW]_Q[P\WM`PQJQ\I\\PQ[\MZZQÅK?MLLQVO;PW_XTMI[MKWV\IK\ZM[MZ^I\QWV[WV!___JZIV[\WVPITTKWU.16-,1616/È;8)*-)=<A+-6<:-+76.-:-6+-*)69=-<16/Spectacular Winter Wedding Fayre YOU US?Please support The Lincs & Notts Air Ambulancewww.ambucopter.org.ukEnquiries@ambucopter.org.uk01522 548469greatest giftgiftLIFE ! " #!$$$%&'!!%' !"#$ %&"'(" ")$ %&"'("(*# "!$ %&"'("('*+, - .- /'#0#'("!))0()*+++ 1 2 13 !""$ %&"'("405 6 37''380'913"+'8:4!;<83=+''8:0)>?3(''=8:#4@<A('''38;<=((''& 8B0'A("+8B0)@<3+'89A3 8)13 8 (0$ %&('*# C 006-012:Layout 1 12/11/12 09:50 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY7LincolnshirenewsLincolnshire YesterdayOur regular look at the world of antiques and collectablesBidders had a chance to buy items forChildren in Need when a specialcelebrity episode of Bargain Hunt wasfilmed at the Lincoln auction rooms ofGolding Young & Mawer. Presenter TimWonnacott and antiques experts KateBliss and David Harper joined medalwinning stars of the London 2012Olympics and Paralympics to watchitems go under the hammer.In the special celebrity show, modernpentathlon silver medallist Samantha Murray and gold medal winning rower Helen Glovercompeted against Taekwondo bronze medal winner Lutalo Muhammed and silver medalwinner equestrian star Lee Pearson.Auctioneer John Leatt says, “The contestants were treated to the full Bargain Hunt experiencewith a day at an antiques fair to choose their items with the experts and then a visit to anauction to see how the items fared. There was a great atmosphere at the sale with the auctionrooms packed with buyers and strong bids for the Children in Need lots especially.”As well as lots chosen by the teams, various items of signed Olympic, Paralympic andBargain Hunt memorabilia were auctioned along with a lemon drizzle cake with a PudseyBear on top made by Golding Young & Mawer’s auctioneer and jewellery expert Jan Squires.Also under the hammer this month...A painting by the Syrian artist Louay Kayyali sold for £11,000 inthe Fine Art sale at the Lincoln auction rooms. The portrait ofJacqueline van den Brandeler (nee. Merrier) was commissioned byher husband Jonkheer while he was the Dutch Ambassador in Syria.Auctioneer William Gregory says, “This picture, which wasconsigned to auction by a relative of the sitter, was a stunningexample of portraiture work by a gifted, but tragically troubled,artist. As the picture is by an internationally collected artist andhas such an excellent provenance, we were interesting to see wherethe bids came from on sale day. It finally sold to a UK buyeragainst interest from bidders in Israel and Los Angeles.”Among the other 248 paintings in the sale, a signed watercolourby John Piper titled ‘Church within trees’ sold to a Lincolnshire collector for £1900 and asigned oil on canvas by the Cornish artist Ben Maile titled ‘The Old Crusader’ made £780against a pre-sale estimate of £400 to £600.Sarah and Jo raise big bucks for charitySarah Tan of Walters Opticians and Soper of Lincoln’s Marketing Manager, Jo Hoyles recently held aWhite Tie and Tiara ball at The West Retford Hotel to raise money in aid of the Motor Neurone DiseaseAssociation.As well as three-course meal and entertainment from a local singer, they held a raffle and an auction,which included some amazing prizes, including a week away in a Spanish apartment and a PING golfbag signed by the one and only Lee Westwood. Special thanks went to Ping, Walters, Soper, MINI UK,Agatha, Centre Parcs, Scarlet Ribbon, Wheel Gate Adventure Park, Yorkshire Wildlife Park and PartyMascots Lincoln and Meadowhall.In total, they raised an eye popping £4,400 which will help fund research and provide support forpeople with MND. MNDA is the only national charity for the condition and also fights for improvedservices.To find out more, log on to www.mndassociation.orgThor missilereplica finds newhomeLincolnshire drivers may have thoughtthey’d been transported back in time - but arelic of the Cuban Missile Crisis was beingtransported to a local museum.Around fifty years ago, Missile Convoyswere a common sight on the roads leadingup to the Cuban Missile Crisis. Fortunately,the 2012 Missile Convoy was transporting areplica of the Thor missile from the RAFMuseum Cosford to the Cold War collectionof exhibits being assembled at the RAFScampton Museum.The 2012 Missile Convoy is pictured in thecareful care of Lincoln-based DenbyTransport on a section of the A46 very closeto RAF Newton, which is believed to be oneof the replica missile’s former homes.Once at RAF Scampton the replica Thormissile was erected into a launch position inthe display space in one of the hangars thathouses the RAF Scampton Museum.006-012:Layout 1 12/11/12 09:50 Page 2Digging for glory in BostonThe Boston ChildMinding Service is to benefitfrom a newly cleared area ofland.The land on Spilsby Road is allotment space, and will be used by children as extra space for plants.The allotment is used by 26 child-minding groups from Boston as well as older children from KirtonMiddlecott, who support the project by volunteering their time. The aim of the scheme is to educatechildren about healthy eating, and teach them how to grow and care for plants and vegetables.Kier employees Derek Smith and Bryan Roberts cleared the area so that the children can enjoy thefacility. This is part of a number of activities Kier participate in to contribute to the community inBoston, and so far this year the company has provided a hundred bird boxes for children to paint andtake home at the Boston Showcase event, and taken part in a 33 mile sponsored cycle raising over£700 for Butterfly Hospice.8 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYLincolnshirenewsSpooktacular fun for allat care homeYoungsters from TheOld Station Nursery atLincoln Marina visitedthe Ridgeway care hometo trick-or-treat and playgames with the elderlyresidents.Staff at the nursinghome organised a partywith face painting, gamesand party food, whileresidents joined in withthe fun by dressing up in witches’ hats and giving out sweets tothe children from pumpkin-shaped bowls.Vampire Jacob McDonnell, aged two, was one of the mostenthusiastic participants, saying, “I make a very scary vampire!”As well as having his face painted he enjoyed chatting toresidents, including Alice Burnett, 94, who was dressed as awitch.The other children were also dressed up as spiders, skeletonsand witches as well as some less scary princesses and bumblebeesand even staff from the nursery and care home were dressed upas witches and elves!Watchdog calls war on gas-guzzlersA recent report on car taxation by the think tank Centre Forum would have far-reachingimplications for the region’s working countryside if adopted by Government, says Lincolnshire’srural business watchdog, the CLA.These new proposals, already nicknamed the Top Gear Tax, would replace Vehicle Excise Dutywith a one-off purchase tax, charging £50 per gram of CO2 emitted over 94g/km. By this method, itis hoped that car buyers will force manufacturers to develop ever greener engines. But according toCLA deputy director Tim Isaac, this new move would have dire financial consequences for thosewho live and work in Lincolnshire.He says, “Rural Lincolnshire’s farmers often need 4x4 vehicles to do their jobs effectively. Theserequirements significantly restrict the choice of vehicles. Purchasing a Land Rover Defender underthis new system would add around £10,000 to the purchase price. Many rural businesses simplycannot afford this raid on their cash flow.”Celebrating doublesuccessMum-of-two HannahDale is on cloud nineafter clinching twohighly-coveted greetingcard industry “Oscars”.Hannah from MeltonRoss walked away withthe Most PromisingYoung Designer and BestArt Range categoryaccolades in the top-flight Henries Awards.Hannah, who ismarried to Jack andmum to Amelia and Laraonly launched herfledgling venture,Wrendale Designs just over a year ago. It came about after ashopkeeper suggested she should try her hand at designing cardsand, inspired by her love of the countryside and the Lincolnshirelandscape, she began creating cute, animal-based designs whichooze personality and aim to put a smile on buyers’ faces. Almostbefore she knew it, the designs became a runaway success. NowHannah employs agents and her cards are stocked by more thanthree hundred outlets across the UK.More than 14,000 greetings cards were entered into TheHenries, to be judged a panel of thirty top retailers, includingrepresentatives from major High Street outlets.006-012:Layout 1 12/11/12 09:50 Page 3KEEP CALMDON’TDRINK & DRIVECARRY ON?006-012:Layout 1 12/11/12 09:50 Page 4Next >