£2.95 DECEMBER 2014£2.95 DECEMBER 2014THE REGION’S FAVOURITE COUNTY MAGAZINETHE REGION’S FAVOURITE COUNTY MAGAZINEwww.blmgroup.co.ukBLMGROUPGROUPBLMWWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NETWWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NET25+ years young25+ years youngFantastic freegiveaways Guilt-freefeastingGreat giftinspirationsWhat to wearChristmasFantastic freegiveaways Guilt-freefeastingGreat giftinspirationsWhat to wearYourSorted001_Layout 1 17/11/2014 14:31 Page 1Visit any of our Lincolnshire Co-op food stores and stock up on our delicious Christmas treatsCome on over this Christmas...Enjoy our delicious party foodswww.discountappliancecentre.comBrunel Drive, Newark, NG24 2FB01636 672300Discount ApplianceCentreNames you will recognise - prices you won’t!002_Layout 1 17/11/2014 08:55 Page 1The magazine that caresWE CARE because we want to leave our world a better place thanwe found itLincolnshire Today believes that being socially and environmentallyresponsible is the key to maintaining a flourishing business that ourcustomers will be pleased to use and our staff will be proud to be part of.Community -From a very local point of view, we strive to be a ‘goodneighbour’. We also extend that into the much broader local community, throughfinancial support of local causes and charities. Environment -Our actions extend to: conservation of energy and naturalresources, minimisation of waste and ensuring our trading partners do likewise.As a youngster I always looked forward to snowfall – achance to get the sledge out, or defend my honour in asnowball fight within the school grounds. Of course, this wasin those halcyon days when the dangers of such activitiesweren’t under the spotlight. Nowadays, throwing a snowballprobably carries a ten year custodial sentence.Still, I suppose I should be grateful that I’m still here after somany near misses on my home-made sleds, which usuallyconsisted of some odd bits of wood badly nailed together.Sometimes this would be replaced by a plastic sheet ordustbin lid - not that we have any more of those either... grief, how old am Igetting?Anyway, hopefully, readers are as fond of the white stuff as I was, as theword is we’re due quite a bit of it over the next few months and this iscertainly borne out by the amount of berries currently growing on ourhawthorns at the moment.But fear not, we’ve searched the length and breadth of the county to bringyou some great articles this month. Our staff have been at most of thecounty’s top social events, including a rather exciting Dragons’ Den styleevent at Lincoln’s Leadership and Management Centre. We also uncover someof Lincolnshire’s beautiful homes and gardens and we’ve thousands of poundsworth of Christmas gifts for readers to win in our free to enter competition. Before I go, I must thank all our readers and advertisers for making us theirfirst choice and wish every one of you, on behalf of myself and all mycolleagues, a most excellent Christmas and a very prosperous New Year.Good reading, as alwaysSteve FisherEditorLincolnshireToday@lincstodaylincolnshiretoday.netEditor:Steve FisherJournalists:Steve Williams, Mike Shields, Michael Fisher, Stuart PearceySales Director: Teri CooperSales Manager: Angela CooperAccounts: 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?WelcomeFRONT COVER PHOTO COURTESY OF WWW.SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/ALESSANDRAMTTTTTT003_Layout 1 17/11/2014 09:31 Page 1The magic ofChristmasSome fantastic ideas to ensure you get the mostfrom the festive season24 Finding the perfect tree!Our gardening guru helps you get into thefestive spirit34 Christmas wrappingOur fashion pages emphasise comfort andluxury for the colder months44 Stay chic this ChristmasStand out at parties with your natural,effortless beauty48 Eat, drink and be merryCelebrating the real meaning of Christmas –the fab food and drink!55 Raid our Christmas boxCheck out what’s on the shelves thisChristmas – and take part in our hugecompetition!65 The festive spiritLincolnshire retailers can help make yourshopping as painless as possible94 What’s on in LincolnshireGreat fun for kids and parents alike isguaranteed with our guideFeatures6 This month in LincolnshireWhat’s been going on in the county?18 All in the designWe meet John Pickering who sees art allaround26 The next chapterWhat are the solutions to ensure care andconvenience in later life?DECEMBER 2014Contents785238TTT004-005_Layout 1 17/11/2014 12:23 Page 130 Exploring Lincolnshire on footBassingham and Aubourn33 Quiz, chips and mushy peasLincolnshire companies got together tobend their brains and raise cash for charity46 Are you fit enough?Our fitness expert eases you in to a newregime69 Business is boomingWhat can you do to improve yournetworking skills?74 Joining the pony clubIf a horse is top of a Christmas list, we’vegot plenty of advice76 Country diaryOur wildlife expert Colin Smale chronicleswinter in the county78 The grand departA trip to Paris kicks off our fantasticmotoring pagesDesirable homes12 Divine inspirationA converted chapel in Gainsborough hasbeen a labour of love for its owner20 A slice of perfectionWe take a delightful stroll through thegardens of Stoke Rochford HallSocial scenes10 Market Rasen Golf Club Charity Competition54 Wragby Young Farmers Anniversary Ball68 Alder Hey Children’s Hospital Charity Ball71 Streets Chartered Accountants Masquerade Ball89 Canwick Park Golf Club Annual Dinner7434TTTTTT5524004-005_Layout 1 17/11/2014 12:23 Page 2Over 350 guests celebrated Lincolnshire’s year ofsporting success at the annual Sports Awards which areorganised by Lincolnshire Sport to recognise those involvedin sport and physical activity from across the county.Paralympic star Jade Etherington was recognised for her fantastic achievements,having only announced her retirement from professional alpine skiing 24 hoursbefore. Jade walked away with two awards – Sportswoman of the Year and theprestigious Coveris Sports Personality of the Year.Jade, who is originally from Bourne, is Britain’s most decorated Winter Paralympianafter winning four medals at the 2014 Sochi Winter Paralympics. Jade won threesilvers in the women’s downhill skiing, combined and slalom, and a bronze medal inthe Super-G at the 2014 Games, along with her guide Caroline Powell.Bassingham racing driver Jack Harvey was named Sportsman of the Year Awardfor the second year running, in recognition of another outstanding season in motorracing. 2013 saw Jack make the move to America to compete in the Indy LightsSeries, where he tied on points for the Championship title. Jack wasn’t able toattend but his parents, his dad Paul is pictured, collected the award on his behalf.LATEST NEWSHalf million pound grantfor village hall schemeFunding experts at Focus Consultants have secured half amillion to help a rural community build a new village hall. The£456,225 Big Lottery Grant will enable Mareham le Fen VillageHall near Boston to replace a 100-year-old tin and timber hallwith a modern, more central facility.The news, which comes on top of an earlier £43,775 BigLottery Grant also secured by Focus, has special significancefor one employee. Focus’ Chris Smith says, “It was particularlypleasing to learn that we’d successfully secured the BigLottery Grant for Mareham le Fen, which is the village I grewup in from the age of five and the place that my mum stilllives.”It’s planned that the new hall will be used seven days aweek to host dance and fitness sessions, arts and craftsactivities, a luncheon club, social events, and meetings. Thenew hall will also be a venue for private functions such asweddings and christenings, and will be more central for thevillage and wheelchair friendly.Innovative Trust establishedto safeguard leisure servicesEast Lindsey District Council inLincolnshire has accepted a BusinessPlan from Magna Vitae – aCharitable Trust formed to operateleisure and cultural services in thedistrict.In January 2015, Magna Vitaewill take responsibility for operatingthe District Council’s theatre,leisure facilities, festivals andevents, as well as working withLincolnshire County Council toprovide health improvementprogrammes for people living inthe District.Councillor Adam Grist, PortfolioHolder for Leisure and Culture,says, “In recent years the DistrictCouncil has invested around£15m into improving leisure andcultural provision in the Districtand the Council decision todaywill ensure that investment is protected in to the future.“Forming Magna Vitae and transferring leisure and cultural servicesfrom January means the people of East Lindsey will continue to haveaccess to a first class package of great leisure centres and festivals wellinto the future. I have no doubt that Magna Vitae will be a hugesuccess.”Jade and Jack areLincolnshire’ssporting stars006-007_Layout 1 17/11/2014 09:30 Page 1Magna Carta visit puttingLincolnshire on the mapThe US tour of Lincoln Cathedral’s 1215Magna Carta is being used to help attractvisitors, businesses and investors to thecounty. The historic document is currently thecentrepiece of the Magna Carta: Museand Mentor exhibition at the Libraryof Congress in Washington, andLincolnshire County Council, theGreater Lincolnshire LEP and VisitLincoln are taking theopportunity to showcase theevents taking place in andaround Lincoln to celebrate thedocument’s 800th anniversary in2015.Cllr Colin Davie, executivemember for economicdevelopment, says, “Magna Carta has a phenomenal reputationin the US, where it stands as an unmatched symbol of freedomagainst oppression. Hopefully, we’ll be able to tap in to thisenthusiasm and tempt some of our transatlantic cousins to comeand visit the document in its new home at Lincoln Castle next year.”LATEST NEWSCaistor ArmyCadets winCommunity AwardCadets from CaistorDetachment LincolnshireArmy Cadet force have wonthe Commandants CommunityChallenge with Caistor in Bloom.A very successful open eveningwas held at the CaistorDetachment of the LincolnshireArmy Cadets with many attendeesenjoying an evening ofinformation and updates on theimpressive progress thus far. Anaward was made to the CaistorDetachment in the presence of the Caistor in Bloom committee members,who also presented a Certificate of Achievement for 2014.During the last three years Caistor Cadets have responded to theCommandants Community Challenge working with Caistor in Bloom.Finally they have been rewarded this year with the trophy and acheque for £500 which will take them closer to their goal ofpurchasing their own standard for the Detachment to use ontown parades. Caistor Town Council havegenerously added a further grant of £200.Lincoln Sportsman’s Club towelcome Ben Kay MBEThe LincolnSportsman’s Clubis to welcomeformer LeicesterTigers andEngland rugbyunion 2nd rowforward Ben KayMBE on Thursday11th December atthe Bentley Hotel,Lincoln. The club’s JohnCopsey says: “Nodoubt Ben willhave many tales to tell and all present will want to hear all about his exploitsin Australia in 2003 when England took the sport’s greatest prize from underthe Aussies noses and in their own back yard at that! Ben will be talking for atleast an hour with a session of stories and anecdotes followed by a Q&A. It’ssure to be a great night for any sport lover.”Both group tables and individuals attending will enjoy a five-course dinnerfor just £36 for members and £43 for non-members. Anyone interested incoming along should contact the club by email atinfo@lincolnsportsmans.com, visit www.lincolnsportsmans.com or call 01522508355. You can also follow the club atwww.facebook.com/LincolnSportsmansClub. Why not become a member forjust £10 for the year?Historic twinningagreement signed in LincolnLincoln is now officially twinned with Nanchangfollowing a visit by a delegation including the mayor ofthe Chinese city.The twinning follows a landmark formal sister cityagreement signed in March this year. The official twinningagreement was signed in the Guildhall by the RightWorshipful Mayor of Lincoln Brent Charlesworth and theMayor of Nanchang, Guo An.City of Lincoln Council agreed to twin with Nanchangfollowing an approach by Nanchang City Council and theUniversity of Lincoln, which has an important strategic andbusiness relationship with its counterpart in China. Asidefrom the wider benefits of collaboration, attracting studentsfrom China is an important element of the University’sbusiness plan and indeed also for Lincoln College.Cllr Charlesworth says, “Chinese tourists are hugelyimportant to Lincoln and this agreement will help to raiseawareness of our wonderful city as a tourist destination andcreate a long-lasting, mutually beneficial relationshipbetween Lincoln and one of China’s most influential cities.”Neil “Razor” Ruddock with Lincoln Wellingtondiscus thrower and LSST pupil Dan Fleming, whothe club have given £400 to help further his career.PHOTO: RICHARD PICKSLEY006-007_Layout 1 17/11/2014 09:30 Page 2Silence is goldenDear Lincolnshire Today,With the recent passing of thecentenary of the start of the FirstWorld War, it was touching to bein the middle of Cleethorpes onArmistice Day to be witness toeveryone stopping in their tracksat 11am. The two-minute silencehas always been an emotionalmoment for those of us in thecounty, rooted as it is with theRoyal Air Force. However, to seeteenagers marking the momentalong with pensioners and therest of us was humbling. Whosays kids these days aredisrespectful and rude? Thiscertainly wasn’t evidence of it.C FradfrellCleethorpesReaders’lettersWe’d love to hear from you. If you have any news, views or issuesyou would like us to cover, do get in touch.Christmas is coming…Dear Lincolnshire Today,As we all get ready dive under the tree to open our presents andsit down to a gut-busting Christmas dinner, can I suggest to readersof your publication that there are countless people who have aChristmas that is far from merry. Every year, I try and volunteer insome way, be it driving people across the county so they can seerelatives, helping out at the homeless shelters on the day itself,serving food to hungry mouths or giving an extra bit to charity. Ifyour readers are interested, there’s plenty of volunteeringopportunities available on the various council websites. I urge you toget involved. Christmas is about everyone, not just ourselves. Thismay sound preachy, but the fact remains that we are stuffing ourfaces when others are cold, hungry and alone. Just a thought!R JamiesonLincolnPICK OF THE MONTHThe winner of our letter of the month wins a case of wine.We’d love to hear from you: Lincolnshire Today, Armstrong House, Armstrong Street, Grimsby, N E Lincs DN31 2QE. Email: lincs-today@blmgroup.co.uk We reserve the right to edit published lettersMarkets with adifferenceDear Lincolnshire Today,I’m enjoying the much-needed boost inmarkets that Lincolnshire has experienced inthe last few years? I’ve read about the MarketRasen MR BIG markets on your website and inthe magazine, but the likes of Gainsborough,Louth, Boston, Horncastle and Sleaford haveall seen communities pulling together to bringback the true meaning of ‘market town’ in thelast few years. I love the atmosphere it gives atown, and it also means I’ve discoveredcountless independent shops while visitingthese places too. Horncastle for example hasan incredible collection of book shops that Ipretty much got lost in last time I was there!D DrystonLouthPICKOF THEMONTHPHOTO COURTESY OF SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/MATT GIBSONLitter to the editorDear Lincolnshire Today,This might be a common letter to receive but I’d just like to point out that after awhole summer of visiting tourist hotspots around the county, that litter seems to be lessof a problem these days. I’m sick of reading letters to magazines and newspaperspointing out that dog dirt isn’t being cleared up and food wrappers and the like areblowing about our streets and into our rivers. I don’t know if there’s been a concentratedeffort, but much of the places I visited, including beaches, parks and several of our smallertowns and villages all seemed spick and span. Isn’t it nice when people make the effort?T RaynerBourne008_Layout 1 17/11/2014 09:00 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY9Caring, Responsible, Dedicated?There’s a job waiting for you at hica....The hica group is expanding. We are hiring care support workers to help people to get the best out of life and maintain their independence within the comfort of their own home. ¹£7.10 p/h weekday ¹£7.30 p/h weekends ¹Flexible working hours ¹Multiple visit premium ¹Immediate interview ¹Staff discount card ¹Credit Union membership email: recruitment@hica-uk.com Recruitment hotline: 0800 915 5121 Apply for vacancies online at: www.hica-uk.comAvailable oniPad & iPhoneDigital EditionsNever miss an issueRead on the go!Available oniPad & iPhoneIdeal for those who spend time away from their office Visit our website to startviewing today...WWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NETDigital EditionsNever miss an issueRead on the go!009_Layout 1 17/11/2014 12:30 Page 1Next >