< PreviousRuth Ward’s garden in EastKeal near Spilsby is one thatdraws you in. Set within thegrounds of an old rectory, wepay this space full of twistsand turns a visit.Described by the National GardensScheme as being both beautifullylocated and a rambling cottage garden,this was a garden we have beenmeaning to visit for a long time. Withone half abutting the old church at EastKeal and the other half opening up torolling, open fields and views across thecountryside it’s certainly the moststriking location we’ve seen for a longtime. The garden is built on both flatsections and flowing slopes whichmeans there’s plenty to look at andmultiple paths here and there to get lostin.Ruth has been at the rectory foraround twenty years and admits therehas been a lot of work done in thegarden over the years. “It was a bit neglected and overgrownOrder innatureOrder innature20-23:Layout 1 11/11/13 08:53 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY21GARDENSwhen we first arrived,” she says,“but we’ve moved from one phaseto another over the years and it hasactually gone better than plannedin most cases.”The house dates from 1709, at leastin part. The front is known to be fromthat year but other parts of the house dateback to the time of Henry VIII and the newest part isaround 76 years old. The hedging at the garden was installed duringthe 1930s and a terrace was built in the 1960s with the stepsacquired from an old Midland Bank and York stone that once gracedthe streets of Boston.The house itself was a rectory from 1830 and then became a farmfor around a hundred years so it’s fantastic to be surrounded byhistory, but the garden is what will truly draw most people’sattention. Described by Ruth as “an eclectic balance between whatwants to grow and what I want to grow,” it apparently takes a lot ofwatering due to being set on light and sandy soil.Beech trees and birches stand proud among the various areas, butthe swathes of colour, combined with the slopes present mean it’s agarden to explore and take in at your own pace.Highlights include hostas, a wide range of colourful and variedtulips and a woodland section that contains rhododendrons andazaleas. There’s also rather a large pond which Ruth actually dug outherself, but these days keeps as a bog garden, where frogs, newtsand other animals make their home.22 Describedby the NationalGardens Scheme asbeing both beautifullylocated and a ramblingcottage garden20-23:Layout 1 11/11/13 08:53 Page 2GARDENSAnother part of the garden we’retaken with is the ‘yellow’ garden on oneof the slopes, containing what we thinkis the most intriguing flower we’ve seenin a long time. The wonderful ‘fritillariaimperialis’ has down-turned yellow bellflower heads that apparently are said tobe the tears of Christ while he was onthe cross. It’s certainly a flower with acertain charm and there’s plenty of ithere among other yellow species.There’s also white sections as a contrast,with a whole host of bright, stark whitecontrasting well against everything else.“We like things to happen naturally,”says Ruth. “I love the effect of the sea ofwhite.” There’s also a vegetable garden inwhich Ruth grows sprouting broccoli,runner beans, apples, pears, plums, figs,blackcurrants, redcurrants, rhubarb andasparagus. This is coupled with a sectionfor bees, which has green clover inHighlightsinclude hostas, a widerange of colourful and variedtulips and a woodlandsection that containsrhododendronsand azaleas20-23:Layout 1 11/11/13 08:53 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRETODAY23GARDENSabundance.The best way to experience the constant wondersthis garden has to offer is to go and visit on an openday. Ruth opens both for the NGS and on occasionfor the Red Cross, but will open for visitors who havemade an appointment. Visit www.ngs.org.uk formore information.Making your ideas grow!Plant & GardenAccessoriesLarge Gift rangeArts & CraftsGreeting CardsSpacious parkingRestaurant & much morepennellsonline.co.ukLINCOLNNewark Road South HykehamLN6 9NTT: 01522 880033CLEETHORPESHumberston RoadN E LincsDN36 4RWT: 01472 313600For all your gardening needs this festive season...20-23:Layout 1 11/11/13 08:53 Page 424 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYBRITAIN IN BLOOMBlooming successfor LincolnshireCaistor has been successful at the Britain in Bloom Awards, where theywere named among the top scoring entrants. Also at the ceremony,Grimsby was presented with a Silver Gilt award and Cleethorpes, wherethe ceremony was held, received a Gold award.At a first attempt, the team from Caistor were fortunate to achieve a Silver Gilt medal. Inthe three judged areas, they were marked Silver for Environmental Responsibility andHorticultural Achievement, while in the Community Participation category they scored gold.The judges said, “As first-time UK finalists, the Bloom group, which amazingly was onlyestablished in 2009, has made great strides in improving the overall environment,harnessing every section of the community, in a wonderful effort. No one could be in anydoubt of the commitment of this Bloom community. A fantastic effort by all. With sustainedeffort, Caistor will be no stranger to the UK Finals in the years ahead.”Caistor in Bloom’s Deborah Barker says, “Might we just take this opportunity to thankeveryone who helped us along the way - residents, volunteers, businesses, local authorities,other bloom groups and the plethora of advice we have been offered as well as our localmedia who were truly outstanding in helping to get our events promoted and spread theword.”Among the other prizes presented at the Beachcomber, at an event attended by somefive hundred people, was a Community Champion award for Bob Callison, chair ofCleethorpes In Bloom. Guest of honour was gardener and broadcaster Bob Flowerdew whopresented the prizes.Top: Caistor in Bloom’sDeborah Barker ispictured alongsidePresident Ernie Brownreceiving the award fromBob FlowerdewTop middle: CleethorpesIn Bloom chairman BobCallison, who won aCommunity Championaward, and vice-chairman Jeff BlanchardBottom middle: GrimsbyIn Bloom’s Lee Becketand chairman ElaineAtkinson with BobFlowerdewBottom: Neil andCaroline of CaistorFlower Club illustrateone of the features thatimpressed the judges24:Layout 1 8/11/13 13:33 Page 11stissues only £1Great reasonsto subscribe...Each issue is brimming with a diverse topic range...• Heritage • Fashion • Hair & Beauty • Leisure • Homes & Gardens • County Motoring • Dining Out • What’s On • Free Reader Giveaways and much much more…First 3 issues only £1!FREE delivery to your doorReceive your copy before it hits the shopsORDER FORMYes, I would like to subscribe to Lincolnshire Today magazinefor the next 12 months, with the first 3 issues only being £1.Personal Details:First name:Last Name:Address:Town:County: Post Code:Tel: Mobile:Email:Payment by DEBIT/CREDIT cardName as it appears on card:Type of card: Mastercard / Visa / Visa Debit / OtherCard Number:Card Verification number (3 digits on signature strip):Expiry Date:Amount Authorised:Cheque enclosed YES / NO Please post this form back to: Subscriptions,Lincolnshire Today Magazine, Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby. N.E. Lincolnshire DN31 2QEMake cheque payable to Business Link Magazine GroupCall now to subscribe on01472 310301 www.lincolnshiretoday.net/341orScan QR Code4Looking for a great Christmas gift idea?A gift Subscriptionis the perfect present that lasts all year round!Call 01472 310301 for your subscriptionTotal Price: £27.553£125:Layout 1 8/11/13 13:32 Page 1LANE ON LOW FIELDS26 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYLINCOLNSHIRE WALKSON THE OLD RAILWAYCASTLE HILLWelbourn lies to the south of Lincoln below the Lincoln “cliff”. Like adjacent parishes itspreads over both the escarpment and the flatlands of the Brant valley, known here as the“Low Fields” but differs in being situated at the bottom of the escarpment rather than on thehigher springline. High on the heath runs Pottergate, the local name for a section of theprehistoric trackway known as the Jurassic Way that followed the limestone belt from theHumber to southwest England. The village surrounds the Norman earthworks of its former castle, first recorded in the mid12th century, which probably had a motte and bailey layout. The grounds are accessible tothe public with information boards for visitors. Parts of the castle moat remain filled withwater, although all visible trace of buildings has long gone - the stones probably re-used forthe nearby church.St Chad’s displays varied architectural styles having a 13th century tower, a 14th centuryporch and a 15th century spire. Look for the latter’s distinctive swelling profile, known as“entasis”, an architectural “trick” to prevent it looking as if it curves inwards. The main gateis a memorial to King George V whilst at the east end of the churchyard is an organic-looking, modern sculptured handgate. Nearby on the green another sculpture by the sameartist, Richard Brett, of the “Bell Tree” marks where a bell once hung to summon villagers tomeetings.Inside St Chad’s is a memorial to local boy William Robertson born in 1860. At ageseventeen, after working as a gardener’s “boy”, and with virtually no education, he joinedthe army. Posted to India he taught himself five local languages and eventually rose tobecome Chief of the General Staff with the rank of Field marshal. He died in 1934.Part of the walk follows the former Great Northern railway line between Honington andLincoln built in 1867 to provide a more direct route from the city to London (via Grantham)than the pre-existing Lincoln-Newark line. It was also a busy freight line serving theironstone quarries around Caythorpe. Welbourn shared a station with nearby Leadenhamand between the two villages a siding was often used by the Royal train once the CranwellAir Force College had opened in 1920. The last train ran on 30th October 1965.NOTES.Welbourn Village Hall is at the north end of Beck Street and the inn is (just)off route along High Street.EXPLORINGON FOOTWELBOURNThis winter walk at Welbourn visits the site of a mediaevalcastle, an abandoned railway and concludes with fine viewsfrom the nearby heath.Lincolnshire26-27:Layout 1 8/11/13 14:10 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE WALKSCHURCHYARD GATE SCULPTURECASTLE HILL MOATBELL TREE GREEN AND CASTLE HILLTHE WALK.From the carpark exit use the handgate opposite to crossthe castle site (heading just right of a seat at the far side) to steps and afootbridge over the moat. In High Street turn left and by the school turnright where a footpath sign points down a short track. At its end go leftthen right following a field edge and at the old railway embankment gounder the bridge to a 3-way footpath sign. Turn right here.The next section may appear complicated but as part of SouthKesteven’s DC’s “Stepping Out” footpath network the paths are well signedand maintained. Go left at the field corner and on reaching a track go leftalong it until it bends left. Now go right beside a hedge soon reaching aplaying field. The path continues along the right-hand edge of this keepingahead for two fields to a second footbridge. Turn left for a few yards andthen go right (ignore the path ahead) to the field corner and a footbridge.Turn left to cross another footbridge 20 yards away, then turn right beside adyke to yet another bridge at the next field corner. Cross that and go left tojoin a road.Turn right (amongst trees in contrast with the open fields so far) foralmost a mile. Then as the lane veers right double sharply back left througha field entrance to walk beside woods to join a track near a cottage. Turn leftfor 50 yards and at a track junction go right and soon right again where thetrack bends left. Turn left in the field corner, keep ahead over a footbridgeand go left again at another footpath sign. Cross a footbridge in a hedge,where turning right returns you to the old railway embankment.Turn left along this to a bridge above a lane. (Dycote Lane) On its far sidedescend left and turn back under it into Welbourn village. Walk to where theroad bends left. At this point you could keep left for the inn before returningto continue onto the heath.Otherwise from the small green take the enclosed footpath on the right.From a kissing gate keep forward to another kissing gate on the left. Gothrough into a lay-by and turn right, then at the end carefully cross theA607 onto a rising grass track. At a waymark below South Barn Farm turnleft (below the hedge) following clear field edge paths to a lane. This sectionhas fine views but being the spring line may be “damp” in places!Go left downhill back to the main road and cross to a stile almostopposite. Walk over a meadow to a second stile just to the right of a pond,then on to a third stile and path leading to a road (Beck Street) inWelbourn. Now turn right back to start.Beyond the village hall bearing left, and then right along North End,leads to the church.by Hugh MarrowsFACTFILESTART: Welbourn village hall MAPS: OS Landranger 121 (Lincoln) • Explorer 272DISTANCE: 7¼ miles • 11.5 kilometresREFRESHMENTS: Joiner’s Arms, Welbourn (Tel 01400 272430)LINCOLNSHIRETODAY2726-27:Layout 1 8/11/13 14:10 Page 228 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYFASHIONLowwinter sunLowwinter sunJust because the temperatures have taken atumble, it doesn’t mean you have to sacrificestyle. Our fashion pages this month are infusedwith Christmas sparkle and feature the moststylish outfits available across Lincolnshire’sfantastic retailers.28-41:Layout 1 11/11/13 09:52 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY29FASHIONTaifunTaifun’s winter collection promises anexciting look, created through individualstyle and flair.28-41:Layout 1 11/11/13 09:52 Page 2Next >