< Previous20 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYGARDENShe site of several auspicious houses, the grounds of StokeRochford Hall are steeped in history. The site of a Roman villaas well as several mansions over the years, the present hallwas built between 1840 and 1845 by architect William Burnfor Christopher Turnor, whose family had a previous, larger homeon the site previously. During the war the house was taken over by the wardepartment, and for eighteen months it housed the headquartersof the Second Battalion of the Parachute Regiment. Here, on theLibrary floor, the plans were laid which led to the ill-fated Arnhem‘drop’ of 1944.After the war, the house became a training college for teachers,the Kesteven County Council taking over in 1948. The collegeA slice ofperfectionStoke Rochford Hall, just a stone’s throw from theA1, is one of the Grantham area’s most splendidvenues, but have you ever taken a wander through thehall’s wonderful gardens?T020-023_Layout 1 17/11/2014 11:11 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY21GARDENSclosed at the end of September 1978, when the NationalUnion of Teachers opened its National Education andConference Centre in its place.Still owned by the NUT, Stoke Rochford Hall today is amagnificent hotel and conference centre, open for all toenjoy and we picked a fantastic day to drop by - the sunablaze in the mid afternoon and the general publicmilling around its peaceful grounds.Long-established and knowledgeable compliancemanager David Frampton takes us on a brief tour, hisenthusiasm for the grounds being obvious.The gardens are formal, but without being stuffy.Wander round the side of the main hall after you’vewalked through the impressive gates and you’ll berewarded with not only a long avenue to amble along,but formal planning that include lavender, roses andcolourful arrangements accompanied by statues, giving ita rather regal feel. The surrounding landscape also lends22 Á020-023_Layout 1 17/11/2014 11:11 Page 222 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYGARDENSit a somewhat Downton Abbey charm, allwhile retaining a welcoming atmosphere.With ornate concrete posts dotteddown the aforementioned terrace thatused to support trellises, there’s a sensethat the garden too holds a lot of history.As David points out, the rather formalnature is a hangover from past glories asmuch of the 28 acres of the entiregrounds were given over to growingpotatoes during the Second World War tofeed the nation. There’s also a sense of history attachedto certain mature trees here too, withprominent NUT members and executivesgiven plaques to commemorate theirefforts in the world of teaching. Rumourhas it that back in the 1800s,Christopher Turnor was too impatient towait for young trees to grow and hadmature trees shipped in to begin with.Whether this is the case, we’ll neverknow, but it’s fascinating if there’s a ringof truth to it. Underneath these mature trees, whichinclude incredibly tall cedars, comes a riotof snowdrops come spring, the floorbecoming a blanket of white for visitorsto pick their way through on a narrowpath. Travel further along this path andyou arrive at a memorial garden to SteveSinnott, a former NUT General Secretary,which is a lawned affair with a summerhouse that recalls Victorian formalgardens used for entertaining.Exiting this garden, there’s a youngexample of a Ginkgo biloba, ormaidenhair tree, which David says visitorsare very interested in. An oriental tree, itis a rare find outside in this country orindeed anywhere as it has no livingrelatives. It is often referred to as a livingfossil as it is as old as 270 million yearsold, although they have no idea how oldthe one at Stoke Rochford is!Elsewhere there is a Victorian styleproduce garden, where sweet peas andevery conceivable vegetable is grownalongside wildflowers to encourage bees.The produce is then used in the kitchenfor the restaurant.Open to all, David says, “Thesegardens are so beautiful and relaxing, wewant people to know you can come herewith your family or for the day, bring apicnic and enjoy yourself!”We’ll certainly be doing that. It’s abeautiful place that we’d recommend toall who are interested not only ingardens, but historical homes too. Justwatch out for the sheep on the way inand out as they run free and seemimmune to motor car fear!020-023_Layout 1 17/11/2014 11:11 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRETODAY23www.millstonegardencentre.co.uk01472 828 150 Cheapside, Waltham, Grimsby DN37 0HX EXCLUSIVESAME DAYDELIVERYAT A TIMETO SUIT YOU!Mon to Sat: 8:00—5:00pm. Sun: 10—4pmQUALITYTURFFROM 1mTO 1000mQUALITYTOPSOILFrom £40per toncollectedEASY TO USE!NNORWAY SPRUCEThThee clcassic Christmas Tree. Grreaeat tscent. Dense folliaige.NeNeedededdddleleleeles s ss s sdrdddopopopppp m m mmmmororore e e ee rererererereadadaadadililililllyyyyyyNORWAY SPRUCEThe classic Christmas Tree. Great scent. Dense foliage. Needles drop more readilyBBLUUEE SPRUCCEEBluee neeeedles. Lovelyy ssccent. DDense fofliagage.e Holdsds needlesbbeeettttttterererere tt t ttttthahahahaaahn nnNoNrwwwwayayayy s s sprprprprucucuceeeBLUE SPRUCEBlue needles. Lovely scent. Dense foliage. Holds needles better than Norway spruceNORDMANN FIRBeautiful scennt.t. D Dark green smoootht needllees. GrGreaeat t brbanch ststststststststststrurrrrctcturure.V Veery sllowowt to drdropopNORDMANN FIRBeautiful scent. Dark green smooth needles. Great branch structure. Very slow to dropPPIICCEEAA OOMMOORRIIKKAAGrGreaeat t shshape.e.G Gororgegeouous sararomoma.a Blueey-y-GGreen n n2-2-totonene effecectt neneededleleeees.s.s.s.s. S SS SS S S S Sllololooolololow wwwwww wwtotottttd drropPICEA OMORIKAGreat shape. Gorgeous aroma. Bluey-Green 2-tone effect needles. Slow to dropLooking for agreat gift idea?Lincolnshire Today’s giftsubscription for only £27.55 with free deliveryCall 01472 310301or visitwww.lincolnshiretoday.net/3411st 3issues only£1£2.95JULY2014£2.95JULY2014THEREGION’SFAVOURITECOUNTYMAGAZINETHEREGION’SFAVOURITECOUNTYMAGAZINEwww.blmgroup.co.ukBLMGROUPGROUPBLMLivingthehighlifeWWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NETWWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NET2255++ yyeeaarrss yyoouunngg2255++ yyeeaarrss yyoouunnggWonderfulWaddingtonAir Ambulancein actionHoliday hairand beautySummertimesurprisesLiving thehigh life WonderfulWaddingtonAir Ambulancein actionHoliday hairand beautySummertimesurprises£2.95AUGUST2014£2.95AUGUST2014THEREGION’SFAVOURITECOUNTYMAGAZINETHEREGION’SFAVOURITECOUNTYMAGAZINEwww.blmgroup.co.ukBLMGROUPGROUPBLMMakeitavintagesummerWWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NETWWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NET2255++ yyeeaarrss yyoouunngg2255++ yyeeaarrss yyoouunnggFantasticfashionGloriousgardensWonderfulwildlifeGet on yourbike!Make it avintage summer FantasticfashionGloriousgardensWonderfulwildlifeGet on yourbike!£2.95SEPTEMBER2014£2.95SEPTEMBER2014THEREGION’SFAVOURITECOUNTYMAGAZINETHEREGION’SFAVOURITECOUNTYMAGAZINEwww.blmgroup.co.ukBLMGROUPGROUPBLMReflectingonsummerWWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NETWWW.LINCOLNSHIRETODAY.NET2255++ yyeeaarrss yyoouunngg2255++ yyeeaarrss yyoouunnggLife in thecountyFashionArts & CultureHomes &GardensWeddingsReflectingon summerLife in thecountyFashionArts & CultureHomes &GardensWeddingsMaking your ideas grow!lPlant & GardenAccessorieslLarge Gift rangelArts & CraftslGreeting CardslSpacious parkinglRestaurant & much morepennellsonline.co.ukLINCOLNNewark Road South HykehamLN6 9NTT: 01522 880033CLEETHORPESHumberston RoadN E LincsDN36 4RWT: 01472 313600For all your gardening needs this festive season...020-023_Layout 1 17/11/2014 11:11 Page 4Ed Fuller from FullersForestry and Landscapingprovides some tips onspreading the festive cheerthrough traditional greenery.‘Tis the season to be jollyafter all!24 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYPHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/JAYME BURROWSI think I can safely use the word‘Christmas’ as it is only a few weeksaway, and one of the most importantjobs that needs doing at this time ofyear is picking the right Christmas tree.The most popular type of Christmastree is the Nordmanns Fir and this isprobably due to them retaining theirneedles the longest. In order to ensureyour tree lasts as long as possible, youcan do the following…* Buy a fresh tree. You can ensurethis by going direct to the grower -your local Christmas Tree Farm. Youcan find out who they are online. Iknow a few good ones!* When you get the tree home,don’t take it straight inside. Leave itoutside, in a cool dry place such as aporch or shed, away from wind and ina bucket of water. Make sure it is outof view as it is just the sort of thing tobe stolen at this time of year. * After a day or so you can look tobring it inside, but before you do, takeoff the bottom of the tree - about3cm.* The positioning of your tree isimportant as you don’t want it to betoo close to heat sources like radiatorsor open fires.* You also need to place your tree inwater, but not soil or sand as theseblock the pores in the bark. You canbuy specially-designed stands nowthat allow you to top up the waterregularly. Your tree will need 2-3 pintsof water a day and you can add sugarwhich will help with needle retention.Another seasonal plant is mistletoe.This is a partial parasite plant thatgrows on a variety of host trees whichare mainly apple, hawthorn, lime andpoplar trees. Its small green leavesprovide the host tree with energythrough photosynthesis, but it sends aroot under the bark into its host andgathers nutrients that it needs togrow. Mistletoe is more common inFinding theperfect tree!Finding theperfect tree!024-025_Layout 1 17/11/2014 09:34 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY25GARDEN ADVICESpecialised 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 OBLIGATION QUOTATIONSCall 01522 868717 or 07867 510544info@fullersforestry.co.uklwww.fullersforestry.co.ukwww.landscapinglincolnshire.comFULLERSForestry & Landscapinggardens, orchards and parks rather than wild areas, so youcould grow it in the garden yourself! If you are planning on growing your own mistletoe, ensuringyou get plenty of Christmas kisses, then you must choose yourhost tree carefully. A few clumps of mistletoe can debilitate atree, but there is plenty of advice online on how to growmistletoe, so why not give it a go? Along with growing your mistletoe, the other jobs you canbe doing in your garden this month are…* Keep checking that your greenhouse heaters are workingand your winter protection structures are still securely in place.You can place cloches over tender plants to give them extraprotection from frost.* Make sure your pond doesn’t freeze. * Prune apple and pear trees.* Your leeks, parsnips, winter cabbages and sprouts should beready for harvesting ready for the big day. However make surethey are stored away from mice. * You can work off Christmas excesses by digging over bareareas of ground.* You may need to do one last collection of autumn leaves. Along with mistletoe, you may want to decorate indoors withevergreen foliage from your garden. You should store this inwater in a porch or shed, like your Christmas tree, beforebringing into the house. I hope you all have a wonderfulChristmas and everyone at Fullers would like to wish you aMerry Christmas and prosperous New Year. PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/UTOPIA_88024-025_Layout 1 17/11/2014 09:34 Page 2026_Layout 1 17/11/2014 09:00 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRETODAY27SHELTERED HOUSINGAcross Lincolnshire there’s apot pourri of solutions forthose looking for care andconvenienceIf you visited a dozen houses you’dalmost certainly see a dozen verydifferent styles in terms of décor andsetting – because people all have theirown unique tastes. So why is it that weoften lump together older people underone banner and assume they all want thesame kind of thing?Just as it would be daft to suggest afifty year old would have the same needsand desires as a twenty year old, so toothere are myriad options available forolder people when they’re thinking ofmoving on. This can cater for everyonefrom someone in their sixties whorequires quite a lot of care to a fiercelyindependent person in their nineties whowishes to have as much freedom andflexibility as possible. There’s no one sizefits all approach when it comes to care.The traditional care homes certainlyhave plenty to offer and they’re exactlyright for many people who no longerhave the ability or the desire to cater forthemselves. For many they’re also ofparticular value because they provide areal family atmosphere which may besomething they’re no longer able tocultivate in their own homes.For other people, however, they wantsomething different, and to spend asmuch time as possible doing their ownthing. They relish freedom and theflexibility when they can invite friendsaround whenever they like, make theirown meals, decide exactly how they’regoing to spend their days and decoratetheir home as they wish. Yet they maystill benefit from a support system whichmeans that, if they ever require additionalassistance, it’s on hand.In these circumstances theopportunities available at retirementapartments and shelteredaccommodation can be hugely welcome.For example, the Golden Livingdevelopment at Brigg has been designedwith independence and security as equalpriorities. Certainly they offer exceptionalconvenience with those living therehaving their own front door key and aguest suite meaning friends and familycan stay over.In addition, though, they emphasisesafety with a Careline call system, a videoPHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/PHOTOGRAPHEE.EUThe next chapter28 Á027-028_Layout 1 17/11/2014 09:25 Page 128 LINCOLNSHIRETODAYSHELTERED HOUSINGdoor monitoring and entry system and allground floor doors and windows linkedto the alarm system. There’s also aresident estate manager on hand toprovide additional peace of mind. Afurther benefit is that the apartmentsthemselves are very low maintenance andeasy to manage, to avoid residentshaving to devote too much of their timeand effort to solving problems.For some people, their perfect option isthis kind of halfway house between thetwo approaches of full-time care andtotal independence. This means theyhave the opportunity to come and go asthey please, inviting guests when theywant and engaging any carers and otherservices at their own request. Howeverthey also have a community aspect whichmean they can enjoy each other’scompany and have someone to turn towhen they require companionship –something that’s easier in a facilityspecifically designed for retired peoplethan your average suburban street.A further option is often used by thosein search of respite care – they may beaiming to get back on their feet after anextended spell in hospital or recoveringfrom a serious illness. They may opt forsheltered accommodation as a kind ofsafety net with the intention of helpingto ease the transition back to totalindependence. It may be that this doesn’tactually happen and the temporary movebecomes a permanent one but it offers aspell to consider their options and workout what’s best for them.Providers of this kind of care alsoregularly often invite in non-residents topartake in luncheon clubs or specialevents. This can be a great boost forolder people who are happy to continuetheir live on their own but welcome theoccasional outing or visit to provide abreak from the same four walls. It alsoprovides those who care for them athome a chance to relax, knowing they’rein safe hands.Many older people do still relish theopportunity to stay in their own homesfor as long as possible and this year anew service in Lincolnshire has aimed todo just that. The Wellbeing Serviceintended to make it easier for people toaccess support – such as the installationof small equipment, monitoring ofalarms, 24 hour rapid response andadditional short-term support.Previously, only those in receipt ofhousing benefit and in rentedaccommodation could access these, butthey are now available to all adultsthrough a single assessment.This kind of service should ensure thatmore people have the chance to stayindependent in their own homes for aslong as possible – and for their familyand carers to get the peace of mind thatthey’re as safe as possible. It’s also ofbenefit for other reasons – taking thisapproach of early intervention andprevention can mean a reduction inattendances at A&E, emergencyadmissions, and length of stay in hospitaland residential care.Across Lincolnshire there’s bound to bean option that suits the tastes andinterests of everyone looking to move toa new chapter in their lives – and plentyof people who can offer advice.PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/SPEEDKINGZ027-028_Layout 1 17/11/2014 09:25 Page 2LINCOLNSHIRETODAY29SOCIAL SCENEUpcoming Lincoln Sportsman Dinners...• 19th February – Darts legend Eric Bristow MBE• 16th April – Ronni Irani and John Beresford – Cricket and Football• 5th June – Spring Ball – details yet to be confirmedTo contact the club you can email at info@lincolnsportsmans.com, telephone on 01522 508355 or visit the comprehensive website at www.lincolnsportsmans.comDinners are heldat The BentleyHotel, SouthHykeham, LincolnSharp chat fromRazor in LincolnThe Lincoln Sportsmans Club started a new season of its popular dinners at the BentleyHotel with Neil “Razor” Ruddock the guest speaker. Razor is now just as famous for his TVappearances as his footballing talents, and he entertained the guests with tales fromthroughout his colourful career.As ever the Club aims to support young talent and this continues into the new season withdiscus thrower Dan Fleming, a good prospect for international honours, receiving a donation.PHOTOS BY RICHARD PICKSLEYDan Fleming and Razor RuddockRichard Snell, Clive Gash, Noel Mellally, Paul Chilton, Mark ShillitoThe Hawbrook partyTony, Leigh and Mark Mackay with Elijah SargentRichard Bollard, Kelly Bloom, Neil Randall, Phil TaylorRoy Froggatt, John Clark, Dave Clark, Neil Goddard, John Copsey,Trevor Mason, Dan Fleming, Razor Ruddock, Rod Taylor029_Layout 1 17/11/2014 09:06 Page 1Next >