A J Weare - Aspire Magazine

WIN
Tickets to The
BBC Gardeners’
World Live!
ISSUE 166
YOUR FREE COPY
COUNTRY
PURSUITS
discover a wealth of activities
just waiting to be enjoyed in
our great British countryside
WORLD
CUP 2010
with 64 games taking place this
summer, John Lewis ensure you
won’t miss a second
A J Weare
With over 50 years’ experience
in the gamekeeping industry,
AJ Weare Game Services are
quality suppliers of well grown,
healthy French partridge and
pheasant poults.
BBC GOOD
FOOD SHOW
get into the summer mood
with this great Show,
taking place at the NEC
later this month
HIDDEN GEMS
OF DEVON
home to some of the
country’s most stunning
scenery, this corner of
England is great for a holiday
To find out more, turn to
page 3, or contact AJ Weare
directly on 0131 665 4486.
www.aspiremagazinegroup.co.uk

Country Pursuits
Country Pursuits: sponsored by
A J WEARE 07941 720314
Country Cool
Living in the country offers a peaceful,
relaxed and laid-back lifestyle, with nature
on your doorstep and fresh air in your
lungs. Having lived in the country all my
life, I’m a little biased, but if you ask me,
wide open spaces and glorious scenery
beat city high-rises and traffic fumes any
day of the week!
are not the social sort, then perhaps a
small village where everyone knows your
business might not be the best place.
Day fishing is probably the most popular
type of fishing. However, as most fish feed
around dawn and dusk, night fishing is a
great way to catch the little blighters out!
for wildfowling, but not driven or rough
shooting.
In recent years, the trend of leaving the
hustle and bustle of the city in favour of
a more rural existence in the heart of the
country has gained popularity. Country
pursuits such as fishing, shooting, hunting
and horse-riding mean there is plenty to
keep your busy and a vibrant social scene
to enjoy.
Most villages have a committee that
organise events throughout the year, so
locals can meet, socialise and get to
know each other. It’s quite comforting,
especially if you have children, to know
that you live in a place where people
look out for each other. However if you
If you can’t quite afford a move to the
country, you can still enjoy country life.
From shooting and stalking to fishing
and rambling, there’s an abundance of
activities that can be enjoyed in the peace
and tranquillity of our countryside.
Fishing
Fishing has been a popular pastime for
hundreds of years, enjoyed not only for
the thrill of the chase, but also for the
chance to sit in beautiful surroundings and
simply relax. Whether you are fishing for
food or fun, the UK has some fantastic
places to visit, from the Salmon filled
Lochs of Scotland, to the Carp rich lakes
of England.
All fishermen are required to have a
Fishing Permit, which covers most places
in the UK and must be renewed annually.
Shooting
Shooting is a sport enjoyed by millions
of people all over the world, in many
different forms: Game shooting,
Driven shooting, Rough shooting and
Wildfowling are just four examples. The
British Isles may be small, but they offer
an extraordinary variety of opportunities
for shooting and the great camaraderie
between shooters means you’ll make
some wonderful friends along the way.
As the good ol’ British weather is
notoriously unpredictable, you’ll need to
be prepared for every weather system you
can imagine – you’ll want to be warm, dry,
and comfortable. Whatever the weather
calls for, to shoot successfully, you’ll
need to blend into your surroundings, so
drab colours are worn, and camouflage
Bred to aid hunters in finding and
retrieving game, usually birds, gun dogs
are divided into three primary types:
retrievers, flushing dogs, and pointing
breeds. The three most popular breeds of
gun dogs are Spaniel, Golden Retriever
and Labrador. If you’re considering
buying a gun dog, Aspire would strongly
advice buying from a reputable, Kennel
Club Registered breeder to ensure you’re
getting the best for your money.
CLA Game Fair
If we’ve whet your appetite and got you
in the mood to enjoy the countryside, why
not visit the CLA Game Fair at Ragley
Hall in Alcester, Warwickshire over the
weekend of 23rd to the 25th of July. With
an abundance of countryside activities
on offer, there’s no better way to get the
summer holidays off to a great start. For
more info, visit www.gamefair.co.uk
Hydaway, The Game Farm,
Calthorpe St, Ingham,
Norwish, Norfolk NR12 9TF
Tel: 01692 581966
Mobile: 07787 534804
For quality Ring Neck,
Black Neck, Manchurian,
American and
Melanistic Pheasant,
Pure French Partridge and
Mallard Day Olds or
Grass Reared Poults.
• Very competitive prices
• Discounts for quality
• Nationwide delivery
www.broadlandgamesupplies.co.uk
Email: gjgrapes@supanet.com
Aspire’s Top Recommendation
Tynsil Weimaraners and
German Wirehaired Pointers
I acquired my first Weimaraner in 1986, since then GWPs joined my
kennel in 1990. From the first litter that I bred of Weimaraners in 1988, I
kept a male (Tynsil Top Gun) who won my first ever CC. Since then I have
always kept Weimaraners although only showed them lightly as my most
successful times have been with the German Wires.
I have bred 3 Sh Ch GWP’s the most successful being SH CH Tynsil Tysse
JW SH CM who has won 12CCs including the Bitch CC at Crufts this year
I award CCs in both breeds and also GSPs. My latest litter of Weimaraners
have been carefully bred by mating Tynsil Trick Pony (who is sired by a
working dog) and Jean Byrne’s Full Champion (CH IR Ch Enryb Secret
Party JWSH CM) to maintain brains with beauty.
Tel: 0151 2835041 or 07715 030332
Superior Quality
Game Birds From
A J WEARE
GAME
SERVICES
With over 50 years’ experience in the
gamekeeping industry, Alan Weare
knows a thing or two about rearing
game birds. As owner of AJ Weare
Game Services, based in Midlothian,
Scotland, Alan has used his selftaught
knowledge and dedication
to rear more than 2.5million game
birds. Alan explains: “I started AJ
Weare Game Services in 1972; I
had already been gamekeeping for
11 years then and decided to start
rearing game, mainly because I was
interested in the industry.”
Up until the 60s game birds were
reared with broody hens, but during
the decade game farmers started
incubating eggs and since there was
no industry at the time, everyone had
to learn themselves. As game rearing
was motivated mainly by enthusiasm,
rearers tended to keep what they
learned to themselves.
As the game rearing industry grew,
inbreeding became a major problem,
as did the spread of disease, and
resulted in the production of a
British mongrel pheasant, which had
a narrow, keel-shaped breast and a
skipping-rope neck. This created a
very poor game bird, but a solution
was found and after importing
fresh blood from France, the British
pheasant benefitted from improved
flying ability, which has transformed
game shooting.
never had any problem with bacterial
or viral diseases. This is because
France has more daylight hours than
Britain, which stimulates the bird’s
egg laying.
The busiest time of year for Alan is
from April to August; the first eggs
are laid around the 1st of April and
in terms of quality, they peak at the
beginning of May. During this time,
Alan is kept busy rearing the birds to
ensure that his company supply the
most superior birds. The number of
birds reared by AJ Weare varies from
year to year and can be anything from
100,000 to 200,000, but 2003 was a
record year for the company when
Alan reared a whopping 212,000
birds.
AJ Weare now supply birds to all over
the UK and are able to transport up
to 3000 partridges at a time and 2000
pheasants. Delivery is free and whilst
most game rearing companies charge
for the service, Alan also offers free
wing trimming.
For a price list or further
information, please call or fax Alan
on 0131 665 4486.
Alternatively, you can call
07941 720314 or email
ajweare@myway.com
Loch Assynt Lodge
Loch Assynt Lodge is surrounded by the most
beautiful alpine garden and woodlands. The
house is in immaculate condition and harbours
an astonishing feature of charcoal wall sketches
depicting early fishing and stalking scenes from
the estate.
include a housekeeper and cook to assist with
your stay.
TIGGY’S FISHING TOURS
A combination of good genetics and
good breeding are needed to produce
superior quality birds, which is
something that Alan has learnt a lot
about over the years. To ensure he
supplies only the best quality birds,
Alan now imports his game birds
from a French game farm and has
There is a stunning drawing room, large dining
room seating up to 14 guests. A large kitchen
with Aga and gas cooker, study room and games
room. Upstairs there are 8 large bedrooms and
3 bathrooms. The rooms comprise of 5 doubles,
2 twins and 4 berth bunk bed. The house can
2 ASPIRE
Loch Assynt Lodge estate has traditional
country pursuits such as stalking, shooting and
fishing and all the necessary equipment required.
We have a boat moored on Loch Assynt and
on one of the twelve hill lochs, plus a RIB for
coastal exploration.
Why not come and relax in the heart of stunning North West Sutherland and experience
firsthand one of the last truly wild and magnificent places left in Britain.
Please contact Jackie on 01571 844 147 or email lochassyntlodgeestate@hotmail.co.uk
Ladies and the younger generation trout and salmon courses.
• Private tuition • Salmon and trout • Groups of 4 only
• Breakfast, lunch, tea and supper included • On the river Usk, Breconshire
Please ring Tiggy Pettifer on 01874 731144 or email tiggy@tyrchanter.com
www.tyrchanter.com
AAPGAI provisional trout instructor
FRONT
COVER
FEATURE
ASPIRE 3

With over 50 years’ experience
in the gamekeeping industry,
AJ Weare Game Services are
quality suppliers of well grown,
healthy French partridge and
pheasant poults.
To find out more, turn to
page 3, or contact AJ
Weare directly on 0131
665 4486.
WIN
Tickets to The
BBC Gardeners’
World Live!
ISSUE 166
YOUR FREE COPY
COUNTRY
PURSUITS
discover a wealth of activities
just waiting to be enjoyed in
our great British countryside
WORLD
CUP 2010
with 64 games taking place this
summer, John Lewis ensure you
won’t miss a second
A J Weare
BBC GOOD
FOOD SHOW
get into the summer mood with
this great Show, taking place at
the NEC later this month
HIDDEN GEMS
OF DEVON
home to some of the
country’s most stunning
scenery, this corner of
England is great for a holiday
www.aspiremagazinegroup.co.uk
Front Cover image
courtesy of A J Weare
Editor: Claire Tipton
claire@aspiremagazinegroup.co.uk
0116 2517385
Accounts / Production: Becky Foley
accounts@aspiremagazinegroup.co.uk
0116 2515919
Feature Writers: Laura Merry, Sarah Ross
laura@aspiremagazinegroup.co.uk
editorials@aspiremagazinegroup.co.uk
0116 2517385
Graphic Designer: Dina Mistry
design@aspiremagazinegroup.co.uk
0116 2517385
Contents...
Sales Manager: Emily Davison
north@aspiremagazinegroup.co.uk
0116 2624867
2. Country Pursuits
Assistant Sales Manager: Barbara Stone
4. Contents
Sales Executives: Sophie Webb,
Stacey Wragg, Hayley Cross, Tracey Armstrong
Distribution: Michael Tipton &
Self Select Distribution
6. Country Pursuits
8. Highcross Beachwear
10. World Cup 2010 Gadgets
Published by:
Aspire Magazine Northamptonshire Ltd
12. Traditional Britain
Printed by: Richmond Cavendish Printers
0116 244 4250
To subscribe to Aspire Magazine call
0116 2517385
14. BBC Good Food Show
16. BBC Proms
20. BBC Gardeners’ World Live
Web Design: Paul Tipton at Q Creative Design
paul@qcreativedesign.co.uk
0116 251 7298
22. Virgin Balloon Flights
23. Dragon Boat Race
Write to us:
ASPIRE MAGAZINE
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE GROUP
3rd Floor Office, 29-35 St Nicholas Place,
Leicester LE1 4LD
Name & Registered Office:
ASPIRE MAGAZINE
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE LIMITED
Allen House, Newarke Street,
Leicester LE1 5SG
Company Number: 06036102
Can’t decide where to
go for a break this year
Why not discover the
hidden gems
of Devon.
See page 28.
Images courtesy of
www.VisitDevon.co.uk
24. World Ocean’s Day
25. Anna Kennedy
26. Best In The Business
28. Hidden Gems Of Devon
30. Holidays & Leisure
35. Sustainable Living
4 ASPIRE
ASPIRE 5

Country Pursuits
Country Pursuits: sponsored by
A J WEARE 07941 720314
Bring Your Old Guns
Back To Life…
Top Leather Goods From
Bishnym Products
Established in the 1920s by Mr S
Entwhistle, S. Entwhistle (Blackpool)
are specialists in shotgun sleeving.
Once a retail store stocking countryside
accessories, fishing equipment, and guns, S.
Entwhistle (Blackpool) was taken over in 1981 by
Vaughan Landless. He told Aspire: “I took over
the business in the early 1980s when the owner
wanted to retire. I’d worked there for him for 15
years, I’d even met my wife whilst working there,
so it seemed like a great business opportunity.
I closed down the retail shop and concentrated
on gun repairs and restoration, as well as a few
accessories. Two years ago, I decided I wanted to
semi-retire so I started to focus on shotgun sleeving,
hoping to phase out the restoration and repairs;
however, it didn’t work and I’m busier than ever!”
Shotgun Sleeving is a great way to save any old
shotguns you may have that you can’t bear to part
with. Vaughan explained the process: “Sleeving
involves removing all but the back three inches of
a gun’s barrel, about 90% of the original barrel,
to replace it with new tubing to create a new
barrel. I use tubes made in Italy that are ready to
fit, however, there will always be a fine line where
the old barrel meets the new, which decreases the
value of the gun. To accommodate more people,
I like to keep my prices low, on average £450,
which is much cheaper than the £700 - £1200
you’ll be charged elsewhere. I keep my prices
this low in order to get more guns back into
circulation.”
As Vaughan is a licensed firm arms dealer, he can
arrange collection of guns from across the UK, or
he can accept deliveries arranged by the customer.
His usual turnaround time is six to eight weeks, as
he explained: “I have to send each gun I do to
Birmingham to be submitted to proof testing where
they are subjected to one and a half times normal
working pressure. This is to ensure the gun is of the
highest standard and safe to use.”
With almost 30 years’ experience, and competitive
prices, it’s not hard to see why Vaughan’s expertise
is so sought after. “I do a lot of trade work,” he
added. “As I have a relatively quick turnaround,
competitive prices and a friendly, personal service,
I get lots of repeat business and a lot of trade
work.”
For more information on shotgun sleeving, or
restoration, please call Vaughan on
01253 790465. Alternatively, you can email him
at vlandless62@tiscali.co.uk.
Dating back to 1915, Bishnym Products
is a long established family business
who specialise in manufacturing fine
quality leather goods for the field
sports fraternity. From shotgun slips to
cartridge cases, standard products to
personalised items, Bishnym have a
wide range of leather products for fans
of stalking and game shooting.
Originally established by Albert Ernest
Brambley, in London, Bishnym Products
is now owned by brothers, Peter and
Stephen Brambley, who are the third
generation to run the family business.
Up until 1972, the company offered
many different leather products such
as handbags, shopping bags, fashion
belts and wallets, but after relocating to
Bishops Nympton, Devon and renaming
the business Bishnym – after the
local name for the village – the family
decided to specialise in covers and
bags for the shooting industry.
Bishnym now have an extensive range
of products, including shotgun and
rifle slips, covers and cases, as well
as accessories, all manufactured by
experienced, skilled craftsmen and
made from the finest materials. For
their Superior Lines, Bishnym use only
full grain, heavy-duty saddle leather to
construct their products, completed with
pig skin lining and solid brass buckles
and Dee rings, whilst the popular
Standard range is made up of quality
leather, canvas and polyester.
The Superior Lines, which can be
made bespoke to fit your gun, include
the company’s more upmarket
products: the Emperor and Emperor
Delux ranges. These top of the range
gun slips are made from waxy butt
leather measuring 3/3.5mm, to ensure
maximum protection for the gun. They
also feature a top grain leather lock
patch and edge binding, a stitched
and riveted shoulder strap – in heavy
3.5/4mm saddle leather, whilst inside,
10mm foam padding and simulated
fleece lining add extra protection.
Slips may be supplied in either 50” or
52” lengths as standard, or made-tomeasure
slips may be also be specially
ordered to accommodate different
barrel lengths. They are available in
Dark Brown or Mid-Tan and items may
also be individualised with initials to add
that personal touch.
The standard gun slips include The
Monarch – made from top grain cow
hide and available in Dark Havana,
Burgundy and Tan colours – The
Prince – constructed from heavy duty,
PVC-bonded cotton canvas with saddle
leather strapping and edging, available
in Loden Green or Fox Tan with either
Dark Havana or Brandy Tan edging.
The Duke, basically identical to The
Prince, is a slightly lower specification
range of slip, whilst The Earl range
are manufactured to Bishnym own
specifications in the Far East. This
is an economy range of full zip,
shotgun and rifle slips of PVC-bonded
polyester fabric construction, with fully
synthetic fleece lining and 6-8mm foam
padding and PVC reinforced barrel
end. Cartridge bags are also available
to complement gun slips in both the
Superior and Standard ranges.
Bishnym insists on using only quality
materials and traditional methods,
which ensures their products are
long lasting and hard wearing, and
is something the company pride
themselves on. Peter says: “Our
bespoke range is all made in north
Devon using traditional handicraft and
machining methods, so they are a truly
British product, and any leather product
can be customised to order.”
Bishnym have an extensive website
featuring all of their products, with a full
price list however, Peter and Stephen
are happy to discuss your personal
requirements over the phone. Bishnym
Products leather goods make the
ideal personalised gift for birthdays,
Christmas or even Father’s Day.
To view the full range of products, log
onto www.bishnym.com
Alternatively, to place an order or to
discuss your requirements, contact
Peter or Stephen directly on
01769 550631 or email
enquiries@bishnym.co.uk
6 ASPIRE
ASPIRE 7

Highcross Beachwear
Stay Stylish
On The Beach
Summer is fast approaching
and whether you’re jetting off to a tropical
paradise or travelling to the famous shores of Great
Britain, Highcross Leicester has all you need to create the
ultimate beach look for both men and women.
With Highcross Leicester
Necklace,
New Look - £6
Whether you’re a pool-side chick or beach-loving
belle, don’t forget to accessorise your perfect
summer outfit! Chunky, gold jewellery looks
fabulous with bikinis and kaftans, and if you’re
looking to ooze glamour then think gold knots,
ropes and prints. New Look, Hobbs and Next
have a great range of jewellery in store now,
offering the perfect inspiration for
your ideal outfit.
Bangles, Hobbs - £45 - £49 each
Men’s Hat, Rebublic - £9.99
If you’re looking to sizzle this summer
and stand out at the poolside then
a stunning bikini is the answer.
Highcross’ retailers have a range of
different designs and colours perfect
for the sunshine season, from bold,
bright to patterns to on-trend animal
print. Head to retailers such as Next,
Accessorize and H&M for a selection
of bikinis perfect for any body shape.
Bikini,
Accessorize - £28
Men’s chino shorts,
Next - £20
Shorts and cut-offs are the summer
essential to many male sun worshippers, so
make your way to the likes of Debenhams
for a fantastic range ideal for the beach and
beyond. Designs include Chinos, denim,
bright, bold prints and cargos.
Men’s jeans, Debenhams - £36.50
Sunglasses,
John Lewis - £120
Hats are bang on trend this season, and if
you’re lucky enough to pull them off head to
retailers such as Next and Republic for a range of
gorgeous men’s and women’s head-gear.
Sunglasses can be worn
all year round, so why not
invest in a quality pair that
goes with everything The
classic Ray-Ban designs are
available at John Lewis, and
the ever popular Aviators
(for both men and women)
can be found across the
centre, including stores H&M,
Accessorize, and Topshop.
Bikini, Next - £26
Sandals, Office - £45
Sandals and flip flops are the
ultimate summer ‘must’, and if
you’re struggling to find a pair for
the beach, pool, or evening out
then look no further than Office,
Cruise, or John Lewis where you
will find a range of coloured
and detailed sandals – from the
trusted flip flop to gladiators.
Sunglasses, John Lewis - £85
Gurvinder Rupra, marketing manager at Highcross Leicester, said: “Summer is just around the corner and whether
you’re holidaying in Barbados, the Balearics or even the British coast, we’ve got plenty of beachwear and accessories
to transport you to the destination of your dreams. Whether bikinis, tankinis, swimsuits or cut out suits are your thing,
or – for the men – shorts, trunks, t-shirts or vests are your preferred summer essential, there’s so much at Highcross that
you’ll be spoilt for choice.”
For more information, please visit www.highcrossleicester.com
Havaianas flip flops, John Lewis - £20
8 ASPIRE ASPIRE 9

World Cup 2010 Gadgets
World Cup Football
Over the four weeks that the World Cup is on, 64 games will be played, which is
5,760 minutes of football. Home or away, make sure you don’t miss that vital goal
with these great electrical items from John Lewis.
Out and About
At Home
ROBERTS Sports DAB 2 Personal Stereo Radio - £79.95
A ‘must have’ for any discerning sports fan, this portable radio features a builtin
speaker and headphone socket so you can use it in the garden, office or on
your commute. There is a built in telescopic aerial for stationary use and the
headphones double as the aerial for use when outside.
New Apple iPod Touch, 8GB - £149
The iPod Touch is a great companion for this year's World Cup. A downloadable
BBC Sport app will allow you to watch World Cup games live and for free. You can
also download the Sky Sports Live app, which will keep you up to date with all the
latest scores and tables.
Hauppauge WinTV HVR900 Digital and Analogue TV USB Receiver - £77.95
Watch, pause and record Freeview or analogue World Cup matches on your
PC, Mac or laptop with this USB receiver from Hauppauge. Simply plug it into
your computer’s USB 2.0 port and connect to any kind of TV reception. Load the
software from the installation CD and you’re ready to start watching. You’ll be able
to watch the match in a window (any size) up to full screen.
Panasonic DMR-EX773EB-K DVD/HDD 160GB Digital Recorder
- £299
Make sure you don’t miss a second of the World Cup with this
digital recorder, which allows you to record up to 80 hours of TV.
Samsung 3D Blu-ray Player BD C6900 - £349
3D Ready HDMI Cable - Version 1.4 - £49.95
Samsung UE40 C7000 3D TV - £1,799
Combining stylish design and performance, the new Samsung 3D
TV will produce stunningly high quality pictures, whether you are
watching 2D content or the latest blockbuster in 3D. Samsung’s 3D
TVs even have the ability to convert normal 2D content into a 3D
effect.
For more information, please visit www.johnlewis.com
10 ASPIRE
ASPIRE 11

Traditional Britain
Good
Ol’
Blighty
The Beatles, fish ‘n’ chips and red London buses are wellknown
symbols of modern-day Great Britain. This great
nation that we call home once ruled half the world as head
of the British Empire, during the 18th and 19th centuries.
This Empire had a huge impact on the world and the
different races and cultures it came into contact with.
Aspire would like to take a trip down memory lane this
week, back to our childhood, to rediscover some of the
things that make Britain great, things that have been
neglected in the 21st Century…
Traditional Drinks
From pink lemonade to Earl Grey tea, Britain has a wealth of drinking choices. In fact,
for a nation that cannot grow tea on our shores, we’ve well and truly taken it into our
hearts. We consume vast quantities of tea, either as industrial strength, brewed and
steeped for hours from a tea-bag (or several), or in a more refined, loose leaf, afternoon
earl grey type of way. The variety of tea on offer to us is astounding, so why not branch
out this summer and enjoy a cup of tea you’ve never sampled before – you may love it!
Another classic British drink that’s making a welcome comeback is dandelion & burdock,
which was traditionally made by combining the roots of dandelions and burdock leaves.
The unique taste of dandelion & burdock is an acquired taste, but one that will take you
right back to being a kid with one sip!
Handmade Babywear
With such busy lives, many mums no longer than have time to make their babies
wonderful handmade items that can be cherished for years to come; if you want to
create a family heirloom, why not enlist the services of a professional, who will hand
knit, or crochet, a blanket, a christening gowns, or some everyday clothes, giving your
children the kind of ‘grandma-made’ touch that you enjoyed as a child.
Homebrew
It’s unclear exactly when beer was introduced to Britain, but it’s believed to have
originated in northwest Africa, migrating with the cultivation of barley and the movement
of people. The Romans, who unsuccessful tried to introduce wine to the drinkers of
Britain, noted that the Brits largely drank 'ale', comprising of barley, fermented yeast and
water. By the Middle Ages, ‘ale’ was Britain's number one drink. Beer, as we know it
today, wasn’t introduced until the 1400s as merchants introduced 'hops' from Flanders
and Holland. If you’d like to have a go at brewing your own beer, there are numerous
companies out there that can provide you with everything you need to get going!
A Traditional Butchers
Whether it’s bangers ‘n’ mash, beef stew, or a delicious Sunday roast, there are so many
mouth-watering British dishes that require good quality, British meat. To ensure you have
this, you’ll need a good butcher. Many towns and villages no longer have a butcher that
they can turn to but there are still a handful across the Aspire region that you could travel
to – the delicious meat you’ll get from them is reward for your journey.
Traditional Desserts
From apple crumble and bread and butter pudding to spotted dick and trifle, us Brits
love our puddings. If you’ve never made one of these delicious treats from scratch, why
not have a go! There’s an abundance of recipes online that you could try, or you could
even dig out one of your cookbooks, and get the whole family involved. Alternatively,
you could source other British-made desserts, such as ice cream, ice lollies, or even
cheesecake for a delicious summer treat.
Classic Sports
Known as ‘a gentleman’s game’, the origins of cricket are unclear; however, it is believed
to have been devised during Saxon or Norman times by children living in the Weald (an
area of dense woodlands and clearings lies across Kent and Sussex). The warmer months
of summer, and the lighter evenings they bring, mean that this time of year is the perfect
opportunity to get out onto a wicket and test your batting and fielding skills.
However you spend the summer, we’d like to encourage you to spend some time
re-discovering things from your past and celebrating traditional Britain.
Traditional Baby Wear From
Baby Beautiful
If you’re searching for the ideal
gift to welcome a new born into the
world then look no further,
Baby Beautiful have a range
of traditional, hand-crocheted
baby wear that are simply adorable.
With many years’ crocheting
experience, owner, Doreen Moule,
established Baby Beautiful in October last
year, as she explains: “I have been crocheting
for a very long time and had been making items
for friends and family, they
suggested I should try selling
my handmade products and so
Baby Beautiful was born.”
Doreen now offers a range
of cute baby wear items
which are made from
the softest wool and are
available in various sizes.
The range includes:
• Matinee Jackets – long or
short sleeved styles with
either a button-down or tie
front. Prices range from
£30 – £35.
• Tops – long or short
sleeved with shoulder fastener, or
sleeveless styles. Prices range
from £30 – £35.
• Shawls – available in Oh
So Soft or Irish Crochet styles
and are priced at £165.
• Christening Gowns – ideal for
making a special event even more
memorable, these traditional gowns are
available in white and in two styles:
French ‘Mon Tricot’ or Irish Crochet. Priced
at £180.
The matinee jackets and tops can be ordered
in sizes 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-9 months
or premature, whilst shawls measure 36 square
inches. Christening gowns are one-size and fit
babies up to six months old.
Doreen says: “All of my pieces are handmade
to order, rather than commercially produced;
they also come in a presentation box with a
handmade giftcard, so I offer a truly individual
service.”
All of Doreen’s pieces have an old-fashioned
charm and can be ordered in white, pink, blue,
turquoise, lemon or cream. Doreen is also
happy to crochet bespoke pieces if patterns can
be supplied. Postage is an additional 10%.
Aspire’s Top Recommendation
Mawson’s, established in 1933,
are a family firm producing
traditional herbal soft drinks and
cordials, for three generations, to
traditional family recipes.
Jubbly Ice Lollies are a
great way to cool down
this summer.
Contains fruit juice and natural
mineral water.
Natural Flavours, Natural Colours,
with No Preservatives.
Four great flavours:
Orange, Strawberry,
Blackcurrant, and Tropical.
Introducing in 2010
a New Cola Flavour
Jubbly Ice Lollie
– Limited Stock
available in-store.
ONLY ONE QUALITY, THE BEST
John Ross
& Son Ltd
General Market, Market Harborough
Tel: 01858 468075
Open: Tue, Fri & Sat 7am - 3pm
With summer drawing closer,
get great offers on our own BBQ
Packs. You can’t get it anywhere
else in Market Harborough!
BBQ: • Chinese pork ribs
• Pepper pork ribs • Chinese pork steak
• Italian pork steak • Pepper pork steak
CHICKEN: • Piri-piri • Chinese
• Kentucky • Lemon & black pepper
• Garlic & butter • Curry • Tikka
MIX PACKS FOR £10
And our own Sausages!
Wide range of flavours
• Farmhouse • Cumberland
• Mexican chilli • Pork & leek
• Red Leicester & chive
• Olde English • Pork & Leek
16 Sausages only £5
Aspire’s Top Recommendation
Home
Brew
World
Everything for
the home brewer
From beer and wine kits,
supplies and equipment
to help & advice.
To view the full range, visit the website at www.baby-beautiful.net
Alternatively, for more details call Doreen directly on
01624 834826 or email babybeau@manx.net
www.mawsons.co.uk
Telephone: 01706 874448
For further details, please visit
www.calypso.co.uk
or call 01978 668 400
Tel: 01455 841284
www.homebrewworld.co.uk
12 ASPIRE
ASPIRE 13

BBC Good Food Show
The Ultimate
Summer
Food
Experience
Get into the summer mood with a trip to the BBC Summer
Good Food Show, returning to the NEC Birmingham from
16th – 20th June 2010. This great Show promises to
bring you everything you need for a sensational summer
of fine dining, seasonal treats, refreshing drinks and
perfect picnics.
They’ll be plenty of familiar faces giving live cooking
demonstrations in the Summer Kitchen, including the
Hairy Bikers and James Martin, along with Saturday
Kitchen’s favourite wine guru, Olly Smith hosting the
sessions.
The Producers’ Village will be back with some of the
finest seasonal and regional produce to treat your taste
buds, and you’ll be able to sample refreshing wines and
cool cocktails in the Drinks section. For those who love
the amber nectar, Tasting Beers Live will be returning to
the Show (Friday – Sunday) to help you find the perfect
accompaniment to those sizzling summer barbecues.
NEW! for 2010 - the MasterChef Experience was a
huge success at the London and Birmingham Good
Food Shows last November and now it’s coming
to the BBC Summer Good Food Show. Pick up
tips from your favourite chefs from the series,
take part in masterclasses, watch live cook-offs
and if you think you have what it takes you
can even show off your culinary skills in the
all new Invention Test.
for alfresco dining during the long summer evenings. Pick
up tips from top TV gardeners such as Alan Titchmarsh
and Toby Buckland, delight in the aromas and beautiful
displays in the RHS Floral Marquee sponsored by Renault
and be inspired by the award-winning Show gardens.
Plus you’ll really enjoy our new Grow your own Garden
sponsored by NS&I where you can pick up tips from
experts such as Jekka McVikkar on growing herbs.
Everyone loves summer – so book your tickets now for a
delicious day out. Call 0844 581 1338 or book online at
www.bbcgoodfoodshowsummer.com
The BBC Summer Good Food Show is open
from 9am – 6pm each day. Check the weather
forecast, as some features of the Show are
outside, and be sure to choose suitable clothes and
footwear. You can also make your shopping that
much easier by leaving your purchases at Shop 'n'
Drop, at the bargain price of £1 per drop. Just
don’t forget to collect them on the way out!
Included in the ticket price is entry to BBC
Gardeners’ World Live, which takes place
alongside the BBC Summer Good Food
Show. Here you’ll find all you need to
get your garden looking gorgeous
MEXICAN FLAVOURS
HANDMADE IN
SMALL BATCHES TO AUTHENTIC
RECIPES AND METHODS
To become a stockist contact Suma,
Marigold, Lembas. Also available at
Selfridges, Whole Food Markets and
on our website
www.ricomexicankitchen.co.uk or
for direct sales email
sales@ricomexicankitchen.co.uk.
Point of sales recipe cards and
samples provided for stockists upon
request.
Contact us to order samples and
book tasting sessions.
For recipe ideas, information about
our growers and latest news visit
www.ricomexicankitchen.co.uk
or call 01773 880764
Promoting Natural Health
Promoting the benefits of natural and alternative
health products, Revital is the UK’s leading health
store. With strong ethical beliefs, a focus on consumer
needs and a product range that features only naturally
sourced items, Revital have transformed the natural
health market.
Established in London’s Willesden Green 19 years
ago, Revital started life as a single family-run health
food store and became the solution for those who
were searching for natural alternatives to traditional
pharmaceutical products. The aim of the independent
company was to supply only high quality, natural health
products, including vitamin and mineral supplements,
herbal and homeopathy remedies, aromatherapy oils
and health foods. As well as stocking only naturally
sourced products, Revital’s ethos also ensures they are
Fairtrade and that no product is tested on animals.
In the last 19 years the interest in alternative and
complementary products has increased dramatically,
along with the company’s success. Revital is now a
well-established brand and is thriving; the company
recently celebrated the opening of its 12th store
on King’s Road, Chelsea. In order to keep up with
customer demand, Revital now has several London
stores, plus stores in Stratford-Upon-Avon, Solihull,
Cambridge and Beaconsfield.
Alongside offering the very best health products on
the market, Revital pride themselves on their excellent
customer service and have in-house nutritionists and
homeopaths to offer all customers advice on the full
range of products, diet foods and supplements when
required. By investing in professional and the most
up-to-date in-house training, Revital ensure their team
are equipped with knowledge on healthy living and
nutrition, and also the very latest health information.
Revital’s dedication to this type of training allows them
to fulfil their aim to educate consumers on the benefits
of a healthy lifestyle.
At Revital, the emphasis is on looking and feeling good,
which is why they stock hair and beauty products from
Nature Gate, as well as specialist ranges for sensitive
skin and skin conditions and allergies.
For those unable to reach one of Revital’s stores, the
online shop allows you to browse and buy an extensive
range of products with just a few clicks of your mouse.
From aloe vera to aromatherapy, joint and muscle
care to weight loss and slimming aids, all are available
online. The help and advice offered in-store is also
available over the phone, should any customer require
further information on any of the products listed.
With natural living at the forefront of Revital’s ethos,
they have launched a loyalty scheme for practitioners –
simply contact Revital directly for full details.
For more information, visit www.revital.co.uk
Alternatively, you can call 0800 252 875 or email
enquire@revital.com
14 ASPIRE ASPIRE 15

BBC Proms
2010 BBC Proms
The World’s Greatest Classical Music Festival
16th July - 11th September
The most prestigious event in the musical calendar will
begin in spectacular style on Friday 16th July and run
right through the summer until Saturday 11th September.
Now in its 116th year, the BBC Proms offers audiences a
wide range of beautifully performed classical music and
features an exciting programme of events for 2010.
With so many events taking place, here are a few of the
highlights to watch out for...
Mahler's gargantuan Symphony No. 8 with more
than 500 musicians, Wagner's The Mastersingers Of
Nuremberg with Bryn Terfel and Verdi's Simon Boccanegra
with Placido Domingo are the first three concerts of the
2010 BBC Proms and will be getting audiences into the
festival spirit for the 116th season.
Among the other highlights of the festival are two
glittering events that will bring Broadway to the Proms,
one celebrating Stephen Sondheim and the other the
work of Rodgers and Hammerstein.
A day of events devoted to Proms founder-conductor
Henry Wood includes a recreation of the Last Night of the
Proms from 1910 – the Free Prom this year – making this
the first season in history to include two Last Nights.
Making their Proms debut will be jazz star Jamie Callum,
who will be performing alongside the Heritage Orchestra
on 26th August, former BBC Young Musician of the
Year, violinist Nicola Benedetti on 3rd August and the
legendary Penguin Café band on the 8th September.
The much-loved Proms tradition of the Beethoven Night
is back and the first complete Beethoven piano concerto
cycle to be given by a single pianist in any Proms season
is undertaken by British pianist Paul Lewis.
There are major premieres for 19 living British composers,
almost double the number represented in recent decades.
This reflects the vibrancy of the composing talent on the
current British scene and forms part of the season's tribute
to Henry Wood, who was a great champion both of his
compatriots and of new works.
Star soloists returning to the Proms include sopranos
Renée Fleming and Karita
Mattila; violinists Hilary
Hahn, Leila Josefowicz
and Leonidas Kavakos;
and pianists Pierre-Laurent
Aimard, Leif Ove Andsnes,
Richard Goode and
Hélène Grimaud.
Gardner, Valery Gergiev,
Sir Charles Mackerras and
Sir Simon Rattle.
Not forgetting younger
audiences, a Children's
Prom on August Bank
Holiday Monday and
a rich programme of
participatory activities
for families as part of
Proms Plus (the daily
pre-concert events at the
Royal College of Music)
will build on the Proms
tradition of engaging new
and young audiences.
Last year more than 5,000
children attended their first
Prom and tickets continue
to be half-price for under-
16s. The Doctor Who
Prom will also appeal to
younger audiences and
returns to the Proms after
its success in 2008 for two
concerts, bringing the new
Time Lord, Matt Smith, to the festival for the very first time.
One event not to be missed is the world-famous end to
the two-month festival, the Last Night of the Proms. A
big-screen link-up to the Royal Albert Hall will show the
flag-waving sing-a-long that it’s famous for, before the
festivities spill out onto the streets of London.
BBC Three, BBC Four and BBC Radio 3 will all be
broadcasting coverage of the Proms, including behind
the scenes footage of rehearsals, the Doctor Who Prom,
interviews, talks, performances and features throughout
the festival.
The BBC Proms Guide is out now and contains full
details of the complete programme of concerts and
features articles about the music and artists taking part.
Alternatively, full details can also be found on the Proms
website at www.bbc.co.uk/proms
Image courtesy of Chris Christodoulou
Tickets for all events are now available and can be
purchased online at www.bbc.co.uk/proms/2010/
booking, by calling 0845 401 5040 or in person at the
Royal Albert Hall.
King’s School Ely
The King’s School Ely has become the first
independent school in Cambridgeshire
and only the fourth in the UK to achieve
the prestigious NACE Challenge Award for
excellence in provision for able, gifted and
talented pupils.
At King’s School, ‘teachers’ subject
knowledge is exceptional and pupils are
offered challenging contexts for their
learning,’ says the report. ‘Parents value
highly the extensive range of ways in
which a child can excel and the inclusive
approach where every child is seen as
special.’ In an assessment far more gruelling
and demanding than any normal school
inspection, pupils were deemed to have very
good attitudes to learning and exceptionally
high levels of challenge and inference were
expected from them. Particular mention was
made of the ‘Ely Scheme’ which is used to
help the development of pupils’ leadership,
entrepreneurial and team-building skills.
Add to that the achievements of a class
of 22 Year 11 pupils at King’s who have all
achieved A* Grades in GCSE Maths, sitting
the exam six months early, the top class
acting in the recent Gothic melodrama,
‘Jekyll and Hyde’ and the prodigious
achievements of King’s students on display
in the outstanding new £3.5m Arts Complex,
opened by Lord Browne in March...and you
certainly have ‘a school to be watched’.
King’s is an independent school that
offers the complete package: a seamless
education for day and boarding pupils
aged from 3-18, where staff and students
believe in ‘Learning Adventurously’, where
school is not a preparation for life, it is life.
Boasting a school chapel that happens
to be one of England’s most glorious
cathedrals, King’s is a school that values
tradition whilst embracing and celebrating
all that is innovative and forward-looking in
education...as the recent and much-coveted
NACE award affirms.
Head of the King’s School Ely, Mrs Sue
Freestone, believes that pupils should be
provided with ‘the tools to discover and
develop confidence in their talents and
abilities, however unconventional or unlikely
they may be.’
Prospective parents and their children are
warmly invited to visit the school at any time
to experience the very special atmosphere
that sets this school apart.
enquiries@kings-ely.cambs.sch.uk www.kingsschoolely.co.uk
Featured artists include
Bryn Terfel, violinist Julia
Fischer, violist Maxim
Rysanov and pianist
Lars Vogt, and among
the leading conductors
giving two or more Proms
with different orchestras
are Semyon Bychkov,
Sir Mark Elder, Sir John
Eliot Gardiner, Edward
16 ASPIRE
ASPIRE 17

BBC Proms
Make Beautiful Music With
The John Kerr Award
For English Song
The John Kerr Award for English Song was
established in 2006 after the death of the
remarkable tenor John Kerr two years earlier.
John used to perform regularly at Finchcocks
Musical Museum in Kent, home to probably the
largest playing collection of antique keyboard
instruments in the world, certainly the UK.
History
The Award was created in John’s memory after his premature death in 2004. John’s
partner, Maureen Lyle, told Aspire: “John loved to perform, especially English music,
so it felt right to create this Award in his name. The John Kerr Award Trust is a
registered charity that aims to help young singers in two ways: firstly, to assist young
singers with bursaries/prizes, and secondly to promote the English song repertoire,
which we feel has been neglected.”
The John Kerr Award for English Song competition takes place every two years, with
the first competition having been held in 2006. The 2006 competition attracted entries
from five countries but was won by Klaartje van Veldhoven, a Dutch soprano, whereas
the 2008 competition was won by English soprano Laura Mitchell, who took the top
prize of £2000.
Maureen added: “We’ve recently had some excellent news about our very first
runner-up, Greg Tassell. He did really well in our 2006 competition, coming second
to Klaartje van Veldhoven, but his career has come on leaps and bounds since; he
is currently appearing in English Touring Opera's nationwide tour of Mozart's 'The
Marriage of Figaro' in the role of Don Curzio, alongside our 2008 winner, Laura
Mitchell, who stars as the Countess. This is an amazing achievement for both Greg
and Laura. If coming runner-up in our 2006 competition wasn’t enough for Greg, he
also made it to the final of the 2008 London Handel Singing Competition, which is
part of the London Handel Society Festival. We are eagerly looking forward to hearing
this year's entries, which are sure to include some more remarkably talented young
singers.”
Competition
The 2010 competition is due to be held at Finchcocks on 3rd October 2010. Maureen
added: “Our first competition in 2006 attracted a modest number of entries, but this
more than doubled in 2008, when the final candidates were all outstandingly talented.
We have the highest hopes for the future and enquiries for this year’s competition are
starting to come in.”
Anybody with a love for music, singing and the English song can enter The Award,
as long as they’re aged between 18 and 35 at the time of the final. Contestants who
wish to enter the competition must send a recording to the Award Trust; from all the
entries, a committee will pick the final eight, who will perform for 25 minutes each at
the final in October 2010. Recordings must be received by July 12th 2010. The first
prize is £2000 and a recital at Finchcocks, second prize is £1000, and there is also an
accompanist’s prize of £500.
“Once we’ve picked our final eight, we will contact them and they must agree to
appear in the final. The finalists will attend a rehearsal a day or two before the final
with their own accompanist or they may use our own official accompanist. The final
itself begins at 10am and all eight finalists will perform for 25 minutes (approx. eight
songs) each and the winner will be decided by our panel of judges: Ian Partridge CBE,
Julie Kennard, and Dr. Geoffery Govier. Last year, Ian in particular praised those
contestants who performed the less well-known pieces; he enjoys the rare pieces more
than the well-known ones. The judges also place a lot of emphasis on the performer’s
relationship with the audience and their interpretation of the piece, as well as their
diction,” Maureen added.
Maureen and the Trust would like to appeal for more musical men for the 2010
competition as she explained: “In 2008, we only had one male make it through to the
final eight as the other gentlemen that applied weren’t up to scratch unfortunately, but
we’re hoping 2010 can be the men’s year!”
Members of the public are able to buy tickets to see the final, either from Maureen or
from Finchcocks Musical Museum. Tickets will cost no more than £20 for the whole
day.
“The competition is slightly different from any other; it includes such a wide period
of repertoire – English songs from 1600 – 1900. The competition in its content
reflects John’s love of English song - of which he was a wonderful interpreter - and
in its location, it reflects the way in which his life was for many years involved with
Finchcocks, for whom he gave many recitals and made three recordings. He was also
a member of the Royal Opera Chorus for 30 years. I can’t think of any better way of
honouring John’s memory than this competition,” Maureen said.
Recognition
Aspire feels The John Kerr Award for English Song not only encourages musical
development through the giving of prize money/ bursaries, but also musical enjoyment,
which is why late last year, we selected The Trust for a Certificate of Recognition for
Musical Development. Not only that but John Kerr Award Trust is our Charity of the
Year 2010, so we’d like to encourage you to dig deep and donate whatever you can.
To donate any amount of money to The John Kerr Award Trust, just send a cheque
(made payable to The John Kerr Award Trust) to Maureen Lyle, The John Kerr Award
Trust – Aspire Donation, Clifton Coach House, Camden Park, Tunbridge Wells, TN2
5AA.
Sponsor
Maureen would also like to hear from any businesses, large or small, that would like to
help by becoming a sponsor for the competition. She explained: “Like all charities, we
are constantly in need of funds to cover the expenses of holding the competition. We
are particularly looking for donors who might be prepared to sponsor one of the prizes,
but we’d welcome anyone who would like to make any kind of contribution, whether it
be sponsoring our smallest prize of £500 or even sponsoring the entire competition.”
T: 01892 530049 | E: maureen.lyle@googlemail.com | W: www.johnkerraward.org.uk
The John Kerr Award Trust is a registered charity: 1121245
18 ASPIRE
ASPIRE 19

BBC Gardeners’ World Live
See All Your Favourite TV
Gardeners At
In the Gardeners’ World Magazine Theatre there will be
talks and demos from top presenters of the show past
and present including: Toby Buckland, Carol Klein, Joe
Swift and Alys Fowler plus Alan Titchmarsh and Monty
Don. There will also be ongoing demonstrations on the
Taste of Greenacre feature, bringing the BBC TV garden
to life. Meanwhile BBC1’s Countryfile presenters Matt
Baker, Julia Bradbury, John Craven and Adam Henson
will be taking a look at wildlife and the environment in
the Countryfile Magazine area.
Gardening fans will find plenty at BBC Gardeners’
World to keep their outdoor spaces looking gorgeous.
Visitors will be inspired by stunning designs in our
featured Show Gardens, can shop their way through
a variety of plants and garden supplies, or take in the
beautiful sights and smells in the RHS Floral Marquee
sponsored by Renault, with award-winning displays
and tips from the UK's top growers. Visitors can even
learn how to create their own arrangements in our
Floristry Masterclasses (new for 2010), or try their hand at
producing tasty home-grown fruit, vegetables and herbs
and put questions to the experts on the Grow Your Own
Garden.
Included in the ticket price is entry to the BBC Summer
Good Food Show. Here guests will find everything they
need to enjoy sizzling summer barbecues, alfresco
dining, and entertaining during the long summer
evenings. There’ll be live cooking demonstrations from
top celebrity chefs including the Hairy Bikers and James
Martin, hundreds of delicious seasonal products to
stimulate the senses, cool cocktails and refreshing wines,
plus the all-new MasterChef Experience, sponsored by
Miele and the opportunity for lunch in the Toque d’Or
Competition Restaurant.
Bringing Gardening to life - book your tickets now for the
ultimate gardening experience.
Call 0844 581 1339 or book online at
www.bbcgardenersworldlive.com.
WIN
Aspire have teamed up with the organisers of BBC
Gardeners’ World Live to offer you the chance to win
one of five pairs of tickets that are up for grabs. All
you have to do is answer this simple question:
On which channel of the BBC does Gardeners’
World appear
A host of big name gardeners will be
dispensing expert advice at this years’
BBC Gardeners’ World Live at The NEC
Birmingham from 16th – 20th June
2010, which will be celebrating the great
outdoors and helping you make the most
of your garden this summer.
Send your answer, name and address to:
Gardeners’ World Live Competition,
Aspire Magazine, 3rd Floor,
29-35 St Nicholas Place,
Leicester LE1 4LD
by 5pm Thursday 10th June 2010.
Alternatively, email
competitions@aspiremagazinegroup.co.uk
(subject: Gardeners’ World Live Comp).
20 ASPIRE
ASPIRE 21

Virgin Balloon Flights
Dragon Boat Race
Dragon Boat Race
Sunday 6th June 2010
Leicester’s charity fundraisers will be out
in force this weekend as 24 teams battle
to be crowned the winner of PROSTaid’s
annual Dragon Boat Race. Promising
plenty of excitement and entertainment,
the event will be taking place on the River
Soar this Sunday, alongside the Leicester
Riverside Festival.
The racing will kick off at 10am, with
teams from Caterpillar, BT Open Reach,
HSBC, Everards and a whole host of
other local teams all competing against
one another. Each team will feature ten
oars people and a drummer to keep the
rhythm.
Whilst it’s too late for new teams to
enter, you can still show your support for
the local charity by heading down to the
River Soar, cheering the competitors on
from the sidelines and making a donation
to this worthwhile cause. There is no
admission charge for the race and full
colour programmes, with details on who’s
taking part, also available free. PROSTaid
Manager and Trustee, Rob Banner,
says: “Having taken part myself for two
years running, I can assure you that the
experience is both exciting and quite
awesome.”
All of the money raised from this year’s
event will certainly be going to a good
cause; the cash will help towards
funding the UK’s very first PROSTaid
Prostate Cancer Palliative care nurse for
Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and
Rutland for the next three years.
So, head on down to the river this
weekend and show your support for
PROSTaid.
Helping to Fight Prostate Cancer
in Leicestershire, Rutland and
Northamptonshire
PROSTaid is a local charity, founded in
2004 to support those living with prostate
cancer. The voluntary organisation aims
to raise funds to assist local hospitals
and clinics, and help towards purchasing
innovative, new equipment and facilities,
as well as improving the care available for
prostate cancer sufferers.
PROSTaid was initially started by several
grateful patients of the Department of
Urology at Leicester General Hospital –
the unit that had served them so well
during their treatment and recovery.
The first aim of the charity was to raise
enough funds to purchase innovative
Cryo Surgery equipment, which would
assist in the treatment of future patients
and improve the general facilities of the
hospital. In the first two years, PROSTaid
raised a whopping £200,000 and after
realising their original goal, set their
sights on becoming a registered charity.
Fast forward to 2010 and PROSTaid
now provides an essential service
to those living with prostate cancer
in the Leicestershire, Rutland and
Northamptonshire areas. The charity
already funds a Prostate Cancer specialist
nurse at the Department of Urology at
Leicester General Hospital, holds local
awareness meetings and offers support
and befriending to men with prostate
cancer, and their families.
Raising public awareness of the initial
symptoms of prostate cancer in the
at risk group – men aged over 45 – is
at the forefront of the charity’s aims,
as is equipping sufferers with the full
knowledge of the treatments available to
them. However, PROSTaid is an entirely
voluntary organisation which relies on the
generous donations of the public, and can
only achieve its goals with your support.
The PROSTaid Dragon Boat Race takes
place between 10am and 5pm this
Sunday.
To find out more about the charity, the
early signs of prostate cancer or to make
a donation, visit www.prostaid.co.uk
Registered Charity No. 1116935
22 ASPIRE
ASPIRE 23

World Ocean’s Day
Anna Kennedy
A Delicious Fish Dish To Celebrate
The world's oceans cover more than 70% of our planet's
surface and the rich web of life they support is the
result of hundreds of millions of years of evolution.
Tuesday June 8th 2010 is the 13th Annual World Ocean
Day (WOD), created to celebrate this rich variety. WOD,
organised and coordinated by The Ocean Project and
the World Ocean Network, provides the opportunity to
evaluate perspective, learn about ocean creatures and
habitats, and ways to become a caretaker.
Once again, we’ve enlisted the creative genius of our
resident chef, Neil Walker; he’s come up with this mouthwatering
fish dish…
Roasted Fillet of Wild Salmon, with
a Fresh Pesto and Parmesan Crust
“Salmon is without doubt the king of fish and if you are
a first timer to cooking fish then this dish is really easy.
There are none of the things involved that put a lot of
people off the idea of cooking fresh fish i.e. fish heads,
tails, bones, residue smell after cooking etc, and the
pesto topping is so easy to make, I swear if you haven't
tried making pesto before then after trying this you'll be
making it all summer to impress your friends and family.
I like to serve this with some very simply steamed Jersey
royal potatoes and steamed asparagus.”
Ingredients:
4 wild salmon fillets-all bones removed (ask your
fishmonger)
1/2 clove garlic
2 big bunch of fresh basil leaves
1 tbsp pine nuts
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp freshly grated parmesan
Salt and pepper
Method:
1. Pre-heat the oven to gas mark 8 (230°c). To make
the pesto add all the ingredients -reserving 1 tbsp of
parmesan-and whizz up in a food processor for one
minute.
2. Cover a baking sheet with a foil and brush with a
little oil. Place the salmon fillets on, season with salt and
pepper, then spread over the pesto - covering the top of
the salmon fillets.
3. Sprinkle over the remaining parmesan, drizzle with
a little oil and bake in the oven for no more than 15
minutes.
Delicious!
Neil can be found at Appetite within
Abbey Sports & Leisure Club, 70 Slater Street
(off Frog Island), Leicester, LE3 5AS.
If you’ve got any feedback on this recipe, nutrition
questions, or ideas you’d like to share, why not email
appetite@abbeysports.co.uk.
Neil’s top tips for
shopping for fresh fish
1. Look for bright, clear eyes - they are the window to
a truly fresh fish. Dull, sunken eyed fish are past their
prime.
2. Smell it - the fish should smell like clean water, if it
smells fishy it is also past its prime.
Finding the right school for your autistic child can
be a nightmare. One woman who struggled to find
adequate education for her own sons decided
enough was enough, so she started her own
school; that woman was Anna Kennedy. Anna tells
Aspire her story…
“In January 1990, my first son, Patrick, was born.
At first, it seemed he was progressing normally,
but, aged seven, he began displaying erratic
behaviour. Three years later, I gave birth to my
second son, Angelo, who, at the age of two and a
half, also began displaying abnormal behaviour.
At an assessment, Angelo was diagnosed with
autism.
Meanwhile, Patrick's strange behaviour and
protests at being taken to school intensified. He
was diagnosed as having Asperger's syndrome
but, unfortunately, it was three years before
this diagnosis was revealed to us, meaning he
had been forced to endure the trauma of not
understanding what was required of him at a
school totally ill-equipped to cater for his specific
needs.
A total of 26 special schools, within an hour’s drive
of our home, turned down applications from my
boys. Faced with the difficulty of finding anywhere
that would provide educational support for my
boys, and our inability to find suitable childcare in
our locality, we took drastic measures.”
Anna discovered a derelict school in Hillingdon
owned by Hillingdon Borough Council; after
numerous obstacles, the Council agreed to lease
the school and Hillingdon Manor School opened
its doors on 4th September 1999.
Since its conception, Hillingdon Manor has gone
from strength to strength, but with more than
half a million people affected by autism, it’s not
surprising that the school quickly became oversubscribed.
So, five years ago, Hillingdon Manor
School expanded to open a middle and upper
school, and now provides specialist education for
85 children.
Hillingdon Manor recently announced plans to
expand its facilities through the acquisition of
Yiewsley Grange, situated in large grounds in
Yiewsley, West Drayton, Middlesex. Yiewsley
Grange will open in July after a full refurbishment
and extension, offering places for 50 primary age
pupils, with eight classes, a hall, therapy room,
offices and a pleasant outdoor area and garden for
children to play. Once open, Yiewlsey Grange will
become the primary school site, whilst Hillingdon
Manor will be for secondary school pupils.
Anna said: “Baston House now has a Head
Teacher, Steve Vincent, who initially started with
us part-time, but from the end of May, he’ll be with
us full time. He’s got over 20 years’ experience
teaching children with Autistic Spectrum
Conditions. We’re in the process of getting our
Department for Children, Schools and Families
Registration and looking at which buildings will
be used for what. We plan to give every building
a total refurbishment, as everywhere needs
updating; we need to install interactive white
boards and get new furniture, particularly desks,
as we have close to a hundred old desks with
built-in ink wells – so if anyone would like to buy
them as a job lot, I’m more than happy to sell them
and make some money for the school.”
For further details on Hillingdon Manor, visit
www.hillingdonmanorschool.org.uk or call
01895 813679.
To help other mums with children with Autistic
Spectrum Conditions, Anna has established her
own website: www.annakennedyonline.com.
Launched in 2009, the website has been designed
as a community resource where people who
need help or want to offer solutions can come
to share ideas and discuss new treatments and
approaches.
There are three main areas of difficulty which
all people with autism share, sometimes known
as the 'triad of impairments'. They are: difficulty
with social communication, difficulty with social
interaction, and difficulty with social imagination.
If you’re worried about your own child, common
signs of Autistic Spectrum Conditions include:
• Impaired Social Interaction - as early as infancy,
a baby with an autistic spectrum condition may
be unresponsive to people or focus intently on
one item to the exclusion of others for long
periods of time. A child may appear to
develop normally and then withdraw and become
indifferent to social engagement.
• Failure To Respond To Their Names Or
Make Eye Contact With Other People - they
have difficulty interpreting what others are
thinking or feeling because they can’t
understand social cues, such as tone of voice
or facial expressions, and don’t watch other
people’s faces for clues about appropriate
behaviour.
• Repetitive Movements - many children engage in
repetitive movements such as rocking and
twirling, or in self-abusive behaviour such as
biting or head-banging.
• Refer To Themselves By Name Instead Of ‘I’ Or
‘Me’
• Speak In A Sing-Song Voice - Some children
speak in a sing-song voice about a narrow
range of favourite topics, with little regard for the
interests of the person to whom they are
speaking.
For more information on Autism, visit The National
Autistic Society website: www.autism.org.uk.
3. Look at the gills - they should be a deep red colour
and not a dull faded brick like colour.
4. Look at the skin - it should be a shiny, metallic colour
without any dull or discoloured patches.
5. Talk to your fishmonger and ask their advice - in my
experience they are always willing to help. If you don't
like the head/skin/bones still attached then ask your
friendly fishmonger to fillet you're fish and pin bone it,
which they will do free of charge.
As well as Yiewlsey Grange, Anna is also proud
to announce that, along with Hillcrest Autism
Services who now run Hillingdon Manor School,
she has acquired Baston House School in Hayes,
on the outskirts of Bromley in Kent. Formerly an
independent private girls school, the new special
needs unit will provide a centre of excellence
in education and development for children who
have been diagnosed with an Autistic Spectrum
Condition.
24 ASPIRE
ASPIRE 25

Best In The Business
Better
Than All
The Rest...
Established in 1971
Lancelyn has been
supplying and installing
quality education and
professional drama and
theatrical equipment for
over 30 years.
FireCraft
Fireplaces
Aspire’s Choice for
Home Improvements 2010
We know how difficult it can be to find
well-established companies that can
offer a high level of service tailored to
your personal needs, so here at Aspire,
we work hard to bring you the very
best organisations, independent local
companies and specialist services.
There are many advantages to choosing
smaller, independent companies above
large, multi-national businesses, as
they aim to treat every customer as an
individual rather than a number and
offer a more personalised service. Our
recommended companies are specialists,
• Anodes, blacking and welding
• Grit blasting
• Collection, cranage & delivery
View our website to see examples of
our work www.sgrefinishers.co.uk
with a wealth of experience, who also
offer the very best customer service.
Whether it’s quality theatre supplies or
well-established supplier of craft materials,
affordable hair cuts or a reliable plumbing
and heating specialist that you’re
searching for, we’ve got a wide variety to
cater for all of your needs.
Over the last two years we’ve seen many
companies go into administration, but
even though Britain is officially out of
recession, many consumers are still be
wary about how they spend their money.
From a business point of view, the advice
S G Refinishers Ltd
NARROWBOAT PAINTERS
For further information please call Stuart & Mark on
01530 264 009, 07881 963386 or 07818 606889
from the British Retail Consortium is
for independent companies to create
their own distinct identity and focus on
incorporating local character where
possible. By offering something truly
unique, that rival companies do not, it
will encourage customers to choose your
services and goods over anyone else.
With many independent businesses having
suffered great losses as a result of the
recession, ensuring your business stands
out is more important than ever before.
Summer offers the very best opportunity
for home improvements and can give
Established seven years ago, Guys and
Dolls @ The Salon, on Atkins Way in
Burbage, Leicestershire, offers a wealth
of experience from its five stylists, as well
as competitive rates and flexibility with
appointments available well into the
evening throughout the week.
Owner Chris Peacock told Aspire: “I
opened this salon seven years ago, but
there has been a salon based here for
many years. I bought the shop and gave
the place a makeover and changed its
name to Guys and Dolls @ The Salon and
we’ve gone from strength to strength ever
since. I’ve been in hairdressing for almost
45 years, and have had three businesses
in Hinckley.”
Chris works alongside Oksana, Joy, her
apprentice Stacey, and newcomer, Jess,
who have over 80 years’ experience
between them. Jess is so happy to be
a member of the Guys and Dolls @
The Salon team that she’s offering old,
and new, clients a 20% discount when
presenting this article.
Chris and the team offer a variety of
treatments for your barnet, from a
standard cut (£9) to perms (which start
from £40), and from colour treatments
your house, flat or bungalow a brand
new lease of life. From a simple lick of
paint to a newly fitted kitchen, more day
light hours and warmer weather make
the idea of home improvements much
easier to manage. However, nothing will
transform your living room more than a
new fireplace, which will help to give your
room a well needed lift. If you’re not ready
for major change then simply changing
the accessories in your home, for example
the curtains, blinds or cushions, can make
all the difference.
The warmer weather we’ve recently been
Get Happy Hair
(a full head of foils costs from £55) to a
traditional shampoo and set, they can
make your hair dreams a reality. Chris
added: “We do a lot of perms and do
all sorts of colour treatments, from colour
weaves to a full head, and even semipermanent
colours. We even do the crazy
colours, such as purple, green, red, blue,
yellow and orange. We offer a great mix
of traditional and modern.”
Guys and Dolls @ The Salon pride
themselves on offering OAP discounts
every day they’re open, as well as a
20% student discount on Tuesdays,
Wednesdays and Thursdays, as well as
package deals for brides-to-be and their
bridal party.
Open:
Monday to Friday, 9am until late (by
appointment), Saturday 9am until 1pm.
For more information, or to book an
appointment, please call 01455 632089 –
tell them Aspire sent you to get 20% off.
enjoying has inspired many of us to shed
our winter clothing and flash a bit of
flesh. If you want to look your best for the
summer ahead, your holiday or even a
wedding, why not try a new hairstyle and
a brand new look.
When it comes to specialist services it can
sometimes be difficult to find what you’re
looking for on the High Street, such as
narrowboat repairs and refinishing or
costume, curtains, lighting and stage
supplies for the theatre, which is why
Aspire are dedicated to finding only the
best companies in the country.
Aspire’s Top Recommendation
Robert
Johns
Plumbing & Heating Service
For all your plumbing
and heating requirements
A fully qualified and Gas Safe
Registered tradesman. Experienced in
both domestic and commercial wok.
• Full central heating systems
• Boiler & radiator changes
• Five year guarantee, parts & labour
on selected boilers
• Ground source heat pumps
• System power flush
• Boiler & gas fire services
• Gas Landlord Certificates
• Bathroom & showers
• Alterations
• Outside taps
• Solar hot water systems
For a FREE estimate call
0116 241 8758
www.robertjohnsplumbingandheating.co.uk
81 Pulford Drive, Thurnby, Leicester
Contact us now for our
2010 catalogue.
Call our Oxford office: 01865 722468
Email: oxford@lancelynoxford.co.uk
Projects: 01865 251398
Sales: 01865 722468
Call our North West branch:
0151 3348991
Email: northwest@lancelyn.co.uk
www.lancelynoxford.co.uk
Bangles
& Tat
A huge range of beads, kits,
books and felting materials as
well as an ever increasing range
of wools and patterns.
All wedding jewellery
designed and made in-house
especially for you.
Call 01530 560930
www.banglesandtat.co.uk
3 Pass Courtyard,
Ashby de la Zouch LE65 1AG
Specialist manufacturers of natural
stone fireplaces, Firecraft Fireplaces
guarantee your home will be as
individual as you are. The Hinckleybased
company use only solid slabs
of natural stone, intricately handcarved
by skilled stonemasons. With
a fireplace to compliment every
home, Firecraft are the well deserving
winners of Aspire’s Certificate of
Recognition for Home Improvements
2010.
With quality and elegance of the
utmost importance, Firecraft’s wide
range of styles, from the Aston to the
Warwick, are available in a choice
of natural sandstone or limestone.
Neutral by nature with their natural
veining and markings, they ideally suit
any colour scheme and add real charm
and character to any room.
Established in 1981 as Evans
Fireplaces, it started from very humble
beginnings in the garage of owner Bill
Evans’ terraced house as a familyrun
business, only offering stone and
brick hand-built fireplaces. By 1990,
Firecraft was established and now has
over 45 designs.
Whilst the Firecraft catalogue
features all of these, they pride
themselves on offering a bespoke
service and their skilled designers are
ready to accommodate their special
requirements, along with availability
of a full site survey and quotation for a
full-fitting service.
Manager, Caroline Evans, and her
team are also there to offer customer
care, from making the right choice to
maintaining you fireplace for a lifetime
guarantee.
All of the designs are available to view
in their extensive showrooms, Firecraft
Fireplaces in Hinckley and Evans
Fireplaces in Syston. A selection of
designs are featured twice within the
Hinckley showroom to demonstrate the
different effect and look the various
textures and finishes of the stone give
to the overall look of each individual
fireplace.
Firecraft also supply gas/multi-fuel and
electric fires and stoves, plus a wide
range of homely fireside accessories,
including coal buckets, fireguards
and companion sets. There is also a
range of Vasco radiators on display at
Hinckley. As well as excellent service
provided, Firecraft also do supply only.
Aspire Sales Executive, Tracy
Armstrong, says: “A solid stone
fireplace from Firecraft can transform
a whole room and make a stunning
focal point, and with the help and
advice from the friendly showroom
staff you can find a timeless design
that will last a lifetime. I just had to
nominate Firecraft for this Certificate
of Recognition and I’m delighted they
won.”
To view the full range of styles or for
further details, visit the website at
www.firecraft.co.uk
Evans 1159 Melton Road, Syston, Leicestershire LE7 2JS
Tel: 0116 2600772
Open: Monday - Friday 9am - 5.30pm Saturday 9am - 5pm Sunday 11am - 2pm
Firecraft 2 - 4 Fleming Road (opposite Hammonds),
Harrowbrook Industrial Estate, Hinckley, Leicestershire LE10 3DU
Tel: 01455 633888
Open: Monday - Saturday 9.30am - 4.30pm
26 ASPIRE
ASPIRE 27

Hidden Gems Of Devon
Be Charmed
By Devon
Devon has long been popular with Brits, who
flock to its stunning coastlines and beautiful
sandy beaches year after year. This county has
something to offer all ages and has plenty of wide
open spaces to wander, explore and relax in,
making it the ideal holiday destination for 2010.
Images courtesy of www.VisitDevon.co.uk
Devon is home to two National Parks: Exmoor and Dartmoor. Situated on the west
Somerset and north Devon boarder, the heather-coated moorlands of Exmoor
National Park are something to truly be admired. The rare wilderness and dramatic,
rugged coastline provide some of the most breathtaking views of Britain and
remain untouched by human hands. With Exmoor’s native wild ponies and red deer
roaming freely across the Park, as well as a host of other wildlife, it’s a rare treat for
holidaymakers to enjoy the beauty and wonder of these stunning creatures.
Covering 368 square miles of unspoilt beauty, Dartmoor National Park is the biggest
area of open countryside in southern England. This unique environment, which
incorporates rolling moorland and tree-lined valleys, provides a stunning backdrop
to all of the activities available within the park, including climbing, canoeing, horse
riding and cycling, making it the perfect location for those who enjoy outdoor
pursuits. For more leisurely activities, the local towns and villages offer plenty of
exploring opportunities and with such a vast and varied history, provide a fascinating
way to while away a few hours. With prehistoric, medieval, industrial and military
archaeology to discover, there’s certainly plenty of fascinating sites for those who are
interested in the past.
For those who want peace and quiet in abundance, but with access to fabulous
walks, breathtaking views and a range of exciting attractions, county’s coast can
provide you with an enjoyable and memorable break. Known as one of the world’s
greatest walks, the South West Coast Path, stretching for 630 miles, encompasses
both the northern and southern coasts of Devon. As well as boasting some of our
country’s most inspiring scenery, there’s also plenty to see, learn and experience
along the way. From heritage to culture, geology to wildlife, the Coast Path has it all.
As the path covers so many different habitats it offers an amazing opportunity to
see wildlife in its natural environment, including peregrine falcons, who can reach
speeds of up to 110mph and are the fastest bird in the world. The ideal nesting
areas for these birds are the steep cliffs of the coast, so you’ve got a good chance of
spotting one along the path. It’s not just the sky that offers the chance to see some
inspiring sights, the waters surrounding Devon also have their own surprises with
resident bottle-nosed and common dolphins, the occasional visiting whale, grey
seals and the second biggest fish species, the basking shark.
Like all places, Devon has its own little quirks, with some dating back hundreds of
years. In Westward Ho! in the north of the county, the annual Pot Walloping Festival,
which dates back to the 19th Century, has developed into a friendly and fun event
where locals head to the beach to throw back those pebbles that have fallen from
the ridge during winter. Although the event was a simple affair back in the 1800s,
today it’s been transformed into a full blown event with craft stalls, displays and
entertainment. However, it’s the Blackawton Worm Charming Festival which is the
most bizarre. Festival goers must ‘charm’ – find – as many worms as they can in
an allocated piece of ground and within a certain time frame. Liquids may be used
to help charm the worms to the surface, with some preferring the use of beer over
water, although all worms must be safely returned afterwards.
When it comes to attractions, Devon’s got more than its fair share of exciting days
out, including plenty for children. Plymouth’s National Marine Aquarium is the
UK’s largest aquarium and will amaze both children and adults with its wonderful
underwater world of discovery. The aquarium features different areas, including
rock pools, shallow waters and deep tanks that emulate the wild waters of the
Atlantic, and has a whole host of different species, from sharks to sting rays, turtles
to seahorses. There’s also the colourful beauty of the coral seas to admire – a fitting
end to your underwater experience.
For more great ideas on what to do and where to visit, log onto
www.visitdevon.co.uk
NORTH DEVON HAWK WALKS
A hands-on introduction to falconry on Exmoor. Only £30 for a group
of three people. Suitable for all ages and levels of fitness. Fully
insured. Phone 01598 740114 or email nigelpenfold@aol.com to
arrange a booking. Gift vouchers available.
Week Farm
Country Holidays
Contact: Margaret Hockridge
Tel/Fax: 01837 861221
Email: accom@weekfarmonline.com Web: www.weekfarmonline.com
Week Farm Country Holidays, Week Farm, Bridestowe, Okehampton EX20 4HZ
Offering a warm welcome, our listed 17th Century farmhouse is ideally
situated for touring Dartmoor and the surrounding area and coasts.
Delicious farmhouse breakfast, log fires, heated outdoor swimming
pool. Walking, cycling, pony trekking are some of the things you will find
at this delightful home from home. Three well-stocked coarse fishing
lakes. Devonshire cream tea on arrival. Three self-catering
cottages available, open all year. 4-Star Visit Britain.
Open all year except Christmas. B&B from £30 - £35
Cholwell Riding Stables
Cholwell Riding Stables, Mary Tavy, Tavistock, Devon PL19 9QG
Tel: 01822 810526
We ride straight into Dartmoor for 1 - 2 hour rides.
Novice and experienced riders welcome.
Horses and ponies to suit everyone.
All rides accompanied by experienced helpful escorts.
Friendly atmosphere.
THE CHURCH HOUSE
Tel: 01837 840418 Web: wwww.thechurchhouse.org.uk
Unique 15th Century Church House.
Discover a medieval feasting hall, early school, 19th Century
Poor House.
Find the Green Men in the Church.
Sundays: May - October
Also Wednesdays July - September 11am - 5pm
Cream Teas & Cakes
Free Entry
Visit www.NorthDevonHawkWalks.co.uk for further details
28 ASPIRE
ASPIRE 29

Holidays & Leisure
Make The Most
Of Your Summer
The Coach House
Alford
Greenwick
Farm
Aspire’s Top Recommendation
Park House
Lairg, Sutherland, Scotland
Michelin Guide Recommended
Aspire’s Top Recommendation
Rockyknowe
The warm weather we’ve been enjoying in Britain over
the last few weeks has encouraged us all to get out and
about, to enjoy countryside walks, bike rides and ice
creams in the park. It’s also got many of us dreaming
of our summer holidays and how we’d like to spend our
annual summer break. Whilst a hot, dry British summer
can never be guaranteed, there are many reasons why
you should choose to holiday in Britain this year.
The traditional British break made a phenomenal
comeback during 2009, as thousands of families flocked
to our most popular coastal resorts in search of a
nostalgic holiday. From donkey rides along the seafront
to building sandcastles on the beach, children of all ages
enjoyed a range of old-fashioned holiday favourites.
A holiday event held by Tourism South East and the
Group Travel Organiser publication in January discovered
that most of the show’s 200 holiday exhibitors had
enjoyed a very successful 2009 and were anticipating
2010 to be just as busy. The increase in business is
thought to be the result of the recession, as more British
holiday-makers opted for a ‘stay-cation’ last year over
their usual foreign break. Figures from VisitBritain,
Britain’s national tourism agency, also demonstrate how
the UK enjoyed 20% more visitors in July 2009 than the
previous year.
Having been charmed by Britain’s great holiday resorts
last year, many families are now permanently swapping
their foreign breaks in favour of exploring our 1,200
towns and cities, and our hidden country gems. There
are plenty of brand new experiences just waiting for you
to enjoy as a couple or a family, including watersports,
outdoor pursuits, historical sites and quiet, secluded open
spaces. One of the main reasons for the British holiday
boom is that most people are still looking for a bargain
holiday.
If you’re planning a holiday in Britain this year, but are
looking to have fun on a budget why not pick up a Great
British Heritage Pass. For a small price you can choose
a pass that lasts between four and 30 days, which grants
you access to 580 stately homes, castles and gardens up
and down the country. From Hampton Court Palace to
Shakespeare’s birthplace, you can take in a wide variety
of sites, save a few quid and skip those pesky queues.
We’re all hoping for a long, hot summer, but for those
who want to get outside whatever the weather the
130,000 miles of public footpaths that stretch through
the countryside of England and Wales offer a great
opportunity to embrace the great outdoors. Whether
you’re a serious rambler or fancy a leisurely wander, there
are 15 long-distance National Trails which all provide
beautiful scenery and the chance to spot Britain’s native
wildlife.
If you’re still feeling the pull of the continent and dream
about experiencing a different culture and relaxing by the
sea with the warmth of the sun on your back, then the
South of France combines the two beautifully. With fine
food, even finer wines and guaranteed good weather,
France is easy to reach and has a lot to offer – it’s no
wonder all the celebs have holiday homes here!
There are hundreds of locations around the world that
offer golden sands and unlimited sunshine, but for those
who crave adventure and are looking for a once in a
lifetime experience there’s nowhere more exciting than
Botswana. As Botswana offers the chance to see lions,
elephants, rhinoceros and giraffes in their natural habitat,
a holiday here promises to be an unforgettable one.
The recently rebuilt Coach House is
set in farmland and woodlands with
the River Brue flowing through the
fields and woods; it is an elegantly
furnished and comfortable house in
peaceful surroundings in the heart
of Somerset.
Children, half price up to 5.
Open all year.
Prices from: £40 - 45. Singles: £50
Contact: Mrs Elizabeth Thring
Telephone: 01963 240315
Email: liz@alfordcoachhouse.co.uk
www.alfordcoachhouse.co.uk
The Coach House, Alford,
Castle Cary, Somerset BA7 7PN
Escape to the
stunning peaceful
countryside at
Greenwick Farm
on the beautiful
Yorkshire Wolds.
Treat yourself to a home-cooked breakfast in
the dining room and enjoy the wonderful views
and wildlife. We have a lovely garden where
you can relax in the summerhouse with a good
book or just sit on the terrace with a cup of
tea or glass of wine. There are plenty of walks
and we can provide packed lunches. The coast,
historic houses, gardens and York are close by.
We have 3 en-suite rooms available that are
beautifully decorated and furnished to a
high standard. All have hospitality trays, TV,
hairdryer, radio alarm clock and adjustable
central heating. The bathrooms all have thick
fluffy towels and good quality toiletries and
heated towel rails. B&B from £35pppn.
Open all year except Christmas and New Year.
Contact: Fran Pearson, Greenwick Farm,
Huggate, York, Yorkshire YO42 1YR
Tel: 01377 288122
Email: greenwickfarm@hotmail.com
www.greenwickfarm.co.uk
Park House is a Victorian style family home
set in tranquil surroundings on the banks of
Loch Shin.
Rooms are tastefully decorated, spacious and
comfortable with en-suite facilities, TV and
complimentary beverage tray. The dining
room overlooks the loch, and there is also a
comfortable guest lounge. Food is home-cooked
using the best local produce.
Lairg is an ideal centre for fishing, hill walking
and exploring the Highlands. Golf courses are
within easy reach including the championship
course at Dornoch. There are local woodland
trails and popular attraction of Shin Falls where
salmon can be seen leaping upriver.
For full details and latest availability
please contact Margaret or David Walker
Phone: 01549 402208 Fax: 01549 402693
Email:
david-walker@park-house.freeserve.co.uk
www.parkhousesporting.com
Park House, Lairg, Sutherland,
Scotland IV27 4AU
A spacious and comfortable
modern bungalow in a stunning
rural location.
Two miles from Dalbeattie and
six from Castle Douglas.
Prices from: £420 - £575
Extras: £15 per dog per week
Sleeps: 2 - 6
Open: January - December
Contact: Mr A Richardson
Croft Corner, Meikle Richcorn,
Dalbeattie DG5 4QT
Tel: 01556 611549
Email: alistrich@hotmail.co.uk
Entertainment and promotion for
all events throughout the UK
Living Statue
Robot Performer
“Brilliant!” Peter Kay
Tel: 0781 844 5310 Web: www.antestatik.com
30 ASPIRE
ASPIRE 31

Holidays & Leisure
France At Its Best With
Saint Jeannet
Sun, Sea
& Sand At
Saint
Jeannet
Holiday
Lettings
The house is at the edge of the village and
consists of two individual apartments that may
be rented either separately or together. The
top apartment has large kitchen/living room
with a settee/double bed, double bedroom and
bathroom and a mezzanine floor providing
additional sleeping accommodation. A spacious
terrace garden enjoys unique panoramic views
of the Mediterranean coast and surrounding
hills and villages.
France is a wonderful destination for
a holiday any time of year, but the
south of France is a particular hotspot
for Brits looking for sun, sea and sand
from their annual getaway. One area
Aspire would like to highly recommend
is The Côte d'Azur. This Mediterranean
coastline of the south eastern corner of
France extends from Menton, near the
Italian border in the east, to Cassis in
the west and includes towns such as
Nice, Cannes, Marseille, Toulon and
Saint-Tropez.
Situated within this stunning region
of France is Saint Jeannet, winner of
not one but two Aspire Certificates: a
Certificate of Recognition for Top Quality
Accommodation and a Certificate of
Recognition for International Destination
2010.
History
Owner, Olga Moyle bought the ruined
granary for a few pounds in the 1950s,
not long after World War II had ended
and when times were hard. Olga said:
“I was living in Provence, in a large
house with a DADA poet Georges
Ribemont-Dessaigne, and his wife,
Suzanne. Georges and Suzanne had
no children and for some reason had
come to regard me as the ‘daughter
of the house’. It was not long after
the end of The War, I had just left Art
School and, at the time, could speak
hardly any French. I was an innocent
among the ageing DADA group and
the congregation of artists and writers
whose names crop up so often in the
literature of Art History today. Georges
and Suzanne had a large house in the
mountain village of St. Jeannet, which
was open to all and Georges was
considered fondly as a friend by all of
them. ”
The house that stands now took
shape over many years; much of the
work was completed by Olga and her
art student friends during the school
holidays, with help and advice from an
old stonemason living in retirement in
the village. Years later, when money
became available to Olga, professional
help was used to turn the house into
what stands today.
Facilities
The property is currently split into two
apartments; the lower apartment was
refurbished in December 2006, whilst
the upper section of the property has
been completely rebuilt recently. The
apartments may be rented separately
or together:
• The top apartment has large, open
plan kitchen/living room with a settee/
double bed, double bedroom and
bathroom, and a mezzanine floor
that provides additional sleeping
accommodation. A spacious terrace
garden enjoys unique panoramic
views of the Mediterranean coast and
surrounding hills and villages.
• The lower flat is very similar; it has a
combined living room and kitchen, which
includes a settee/double bed, on the
ground floor and upstairs, a bedroom
with double bed and bathroom with toilet
and shower.
Olga told Aspire: “You can see the
Mediterranean Sea from all the windows
in both apartments; it’s a wonderful sight
to wake up to. Both apartments have
well-equipped kitchens and share the
cellar at the bottom of the house where
a washing machine is available. The
house boasts a large terrace garden
that has been described by many
residents within the village as the best
garden in the village; you can watch the
planes land at Nicé airport from here,
as well as having stunning, breathtaking
views of the entire Mediterranean
coastline. My family has made many
happy memories in this house over the
years and we just hope our guests make
some too.”
Price Range
When not being used by friends and
family, the lower flat may be rented out
for £250 per week, or £230 per week
for two or more consecutive weeks. If
rented together with the top apartment,
the combined rent is £480 per week, or
£460 for two or more weeks.
Attractions
The area surrounding St Jeannet is
ideal for walking, climbing and picnics.
The ancient Roman cathedral town of
Vence has excellent restaurants, art
galleries and a swimming pool. There
are also street markets on Tuesdays
and Fridays, delightful shops, library
and English is spoken in the banks and
at the Tourist Information Bureau. The
sea is just a 30-minute drive from the
property and there are numerous quaint
French towns and villages within easy
reach just waiting to be explored!
Olga and John Moyle
Tel: 01584 890391 or 07876 242942
Email: johnmoyle22@btinternet.com
The lower part of the house is a separate flat
furnished and redecorated. The ground floor,
which is a combined living room and kitchen,
includes a sofa/convertible double bed. The
first floor has a bedroom with double bed and
bathroom with toilet and shower. A washing
machine is available to both apartments.
The area is ideal for walking, climbing and
picnics. The ancient Roman cathedral town
of Vence, only 6km away, has excellent
restaurants, art galleries and a swimming pool.
There are also street markets on Tuesdays and
Fridays, delightful shops, library and English
is spoken in the banks and at the Tourist
Information Bureau.
Contact: Mrs Olga Moyle
Tel: 01584 890391 or
07876 242942
Fax: 01584 891424
Email: johnmoyle22@btinternet.com
32 ASPIRE
ASPIRE 33

Holidays & Leisure
Sustainable Living
BLACKWELL
GRANGE
Contact: Will & Didi Vernon Miller
Tel: 01608 682357
Email: will@blackwellgrange.co.uk
www.blackwellgrange.co.uk
Blackwell, Shipston-on-Stour,
Warwickshire CV36 4PF
Set in the
grounds of a
Grade II Listed
farmhouse
and working
livestock farm,
two carefully
well-equipped cottages, all en-suite 1
sleeping 4 or 6, the other sleeping 2
people. Six bed B&B also available.
On the edge of the Cotswolds and
Shakesphere Country. Ideal for
visiting National Trust properties and
gardens.
Sorry, no pets. Private parking
available. Open all year.
Prices from: £325 - £675
Treat yourself to a luxury break
and stay at one of our 2 luxury
adult- only 4 star Gold Award Log
Cabins overlooking the Wyre Forest.
Bubbly, chocolates and use of local
tennis courts included.
Prices from £535-£595 per week
Bluebell Lodge (sleeps 2)
£625 - £695 per week
Bramble Lodge (sleeps 4)
Short breaks minimum 2 nights
and month lets available.
Bramble Lodge, Kidderminster,
Worcestershire DY14 9XF
Tel: 01299 266525
Email: kimsimmonds@hotmail.co.uk
www.forestviewretreat.com
tourism
The land of the No 1 Ladies’
Detective, Mma Ramamotswe,
Botswana is a breathtaking visual
experience of exquisite beauty and
unforgettable wilderness.
We all know we should be doing
more to limit our affect on the
environment and reduce our
carbon footprint. With the average
UK home emitting around six
tonnes of CO2 every year, the
easiest way to cut your carbon
footprint is to make simple
changes around the home.
Simple, effective and inexpensive changes include
turning all electrical equipment off – not leaving them
on standby, swapping all your light bulbs for low
energy bulbs and washing clothes at 40ºC or lower.
By setting your heating thermostat between 18ºC to
21ºC, you will not only emit less carbon, you’ll also
save around £40 per year on your heating bill.
With an increased awareness of the chemicals
and additives found in most processed foods and
toiletries, more and more mothers are choosing
eco-friendly, natural products for their little ones.
Natural alternatives for numerous products have been
available for a number of years now, and are steadily
growing in popularity. There is now a large range of
high quality, natural and organic products, without
the usual cocktail of chemicals, especially designed
for babies and children’s skin.
Not only are mums using natural toiletries, such as
toothpaste and shampoos, they’re also using natural
nappies. Approx eight million disposable nappies are
used in the UK every day! Most of these end up in
landfill sites. As they’ve only existed for 20 years, no
one really knows how long it takes for these types of
nappies to degrade. Some estimates have suggested
50 to 200 years!
Leicestershire residents visit: www.leics.gov.uk/nappies
Northamptonshire residents visit: www.
northamptonshire.gov.uk/en/councilservices/environ/
pages/default.aspx.
It’s not just natural products for your babies’
general well-being that are increasing in popularity.
Traditional toys, made from wood, are making a
comeback, as parents become more aware of the
side effects of the substances found in plastics.
Certain cancer causing substances, such as
Phthalates, have been found in children’s toys made
of PVC plastic, which can easily leak over time.
It’s not just the products that you use to care for your
baby once it arrives that need to be safe, non-toxic,
and eco-friendly; you also need to ensure you nursery
is ‘green’ too. Nowadays, it’s not that hard to create
such a nursery, just follow these simple steps:
• Paint the walls with low or no-VOC earth
and baby friendly paint
• Go for natural, sustainable, or organic
floor coverings, such as Bamboo
• Purchase refurbished furniture, or old
furniture that you can restore yourself
• Install energy saving light bulbs
• Use natural, non-toxic cleaners to clean
the nursery, as well as throughout the
home
Not only are they bad to the environment, disposable
nappies are also expensive. Natural nappies are
kind on your pocket, and the environment. Thanks to
schemes ran by our local councils, mums can now Calculate your own carbon footprint at www.
get cash back when they stock up on real nappies – carbonfootprint.com
Counting The Carbon
Aspire’s Top Recommendation
Cartlett
Fach
Trefin, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire SA62 5AL
Telephone: 01348 831716
Email: crispian@pickles.ndo.co.uk
Cartlett Fach is a centrally-heated, four bedroom, two bathroom former farmhouse available for
self-catering holiday lets all the year round. With its sheltered westerly aspect, it enjoys afternoon
and evening sun. Secluded on the edge of Trefin, the house is within easy walking distance of the
village pub, Aberfelin beach and the 190-mile long Pembrokeshire Coast Path with its profusion of
wild flowers, opportunities to see seals and their pups, and a huge variety of birdlife.
Abereiddi Beach and its mysterious Blue Lagoon, the famous Whitesands and Newgale
Beaches and the tiny Cathedral city of St Davids are all within easy reach.
Off-season rental periods and rates are very flexible.
The Old Stable
The Old Stable,
The Anchorage, Church Lane,
Iken, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 2ES
Phone: 01728 688263 Fax: 01728 688262
Email: oldstable@theanchorage.biz Web: www.theanchorage.biz
Set in the heart of the Suffolk Coastal countryside, in an Area of Outstanding Natural
Beauty, The Old Stable is ideally situated for birdwatching, cycling, walking and sailing.
This self-catering accommodation is in part timbered converted stables and coach
house, lovingly restored, keeping authenticity hand in hand with
modern convenience. Downstairs is the lounge/dining area with
TV (Coach House) and video, DVD, radio/CD/tape player, kitchen,
utility, twin bedroom (Stables), shower/toilet. Upstairs is a king-size
master bedroom (Stable boy’s loft), third bedroom (Hayloft) with
futons and bathroom/toilet.
Sleeps 4-6. Bed linen and towels are provided. Sorry, no pets.
Botswana Tourism Office
Tel: 020 76471018 Email: dparr@botswanatourism.org.uk
www.botswanatourism.org.uk
Look Snappy In A Real Nappy
Did you know that
around eight million
disposable nappies are
used in Britain every
day - that’s almost
three billion a year!
Most of these nappies end up in
landfill sites; disposing of nappies
in landfill sites costs Leicestershire
taxpayers almost £320,000 each
year, a cost that will continue to
rise if we don’t change our ways.
Leicestershire County Council are
encouraging parents across the
county to switch to real nappies, to
not only save taxpayers money, but
money from their own pocket too.
The total cost of keeping a baby in
nappies for the first two years has
been estimated at £800 for over
5300 nappies, depending on the
brand used (http://www.whatprice.
co.uk/health/parent/nappies.
html). By switching to real nappies,
and taking part in Leicestershire
County Council’s schemes, you can
save an average of £500.
Nappuccinos
Nappuccinos are informal meetings
where parents, and parents to
be, can find out more about real
nappies. Free tea and coffee is
available and someone from the
Leicestershire Real Nappy Network
will be available to answer any
questions you may have. The next
Nappuccino takes place at Brocks
Hill Environment Centre in Oadby
on Saturday 26th June from 10am
until 12pm, with a talk at 10.15am.
Nappuccinos will also be held at
the same venue on Saturday 17th
July and Saturday 21st August.
Real Nappy Trial Kit
Once you have attended a
Nappuccino and decided that
you’d like to give real nappies a
go, you can take advantage of
Leicestershire County Council’s
free Real Nappy Trial Kit. Consisting
of different types and brands of
nappy, along with wraps and liners,
this kit will allow you to discover
which type of nappy best suits
you and your child. All you have to
do is sign an agreement and pay
a cheque deposit of £150, and
a member of the Leicestershire
Real Nappy Network will deliver
the kit and explain how to use the
nappies. After two weeks, the same
person will collect all the clean
nappies from you and then your
cheque will be returned.
Cash-Back Scheme
Finally, if you get on well with the
trial kit and are converted to real
nappies, Leicestershire County
Council offer a cash-back scheme,
which gives you the opportunity to
receive a £30 refund (per child)
when you buy real nappies.
Senior Waste Initiatives Officer at
Leicestershire County Council, Erin
Foster, said: “Parents can be put
off real nappies by the initial outlay,
which seems a lot of money, but if
you work out just how much you’ll
save by switching to real nappies,
the average family could save
£500 per child. Real nappies are
an excellent investment for parents
who plan more children as they can
be used over and over again. Real
nappies are surprisingly easy to
use, they help reduce the amount
of waste being sent to landfill and
are usually made from natural and
organic fibres which are, soft and
gentle next to your baby’s skin.”
For more information on switching
to real nappies, please visit
www.leics.gov.uk/nappies or call
0116 305 0001.
34 ASPIRE
ASPIRE 35

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Look out for issue 166,
on the 14th June 2010
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Excelsoir Technologies supporting
Diabetes Awareness