Issue 059 - Reflect Magazine

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Find out what’s
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Issue 059
Birch Hill Dog Rescue
are a charity dedicated to providing unwanted,
abandoned and neglected dogs with the loving, caring
new homes they deserve, but they need your support to
carry out this vital work. For more info, visit
www.birchhilldogrescue.org.uk or turn to the back cover
Join the
RSPB’S Big
Garden
Birdwatch
Celebrate
Chinese
New Year
with our
delicious recipe
See this issue online at www.reflect-magazine.co.uk
Indulge in
Lincolnshire’s
Finest Food

02 The RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch
03
All Eyes On The Skies
The RSPB’S Big Garden Birdwatch (28th – 29th January 2012)
Female house sparrow
The nation will be poised to
watch their garden birds at the
end of January, for the RSPB’s
annual Big Garden Birdwatch
(28th – 29th January). The RSPB
is appealing for more sets of
eyes than ever before, from
all around the UK, to step up
for nature and help form a
complete picture of the fortunes
of garden favourites in the
recent topsy turvey weather.
Images courtesy of Nigel Blake,
Andy Hay, Ray Kennedy, Chris Gomersall,
John Bridges, Jodie Randall
Male blackbird
Female blackbird
Great Tit
Sarah Houghton, RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch Project
Manager, says: “Taking part in Big Garden Birdwatch not
only helps the RSPB track the ups and down of garden
birds, but it gives participants the perfect excuse to sit
down with a cup of tea and enjoy the wildlife that they
share their outside space with. You’ll be a part of the
biggest garden bird event in the world and you won’t even
have to leave the warmth of your armchair!”
Recent harsh winters have seen some garden bird
populations drop, only to make a comeback after a
good breeding season the following year. Last year,
some of the UK’s smallest garden birds bounced back,
and the wildlife charity wants to know whether they
have managed to maintain their numbers.
Big Garden Birdwatch is one of the first indicators to
show how well UK birds have fared during the previous
breeding season and winter. With over half a million
people taking part each year and over 30 years worth
of data, the results give an early indication of garden
bird trends. But if even more people step up and take
part, the scale of the ups and downs of Britain’s garden
birds will become even clearer.
“The RSPB keeps a watchful eye out for new and
emerging trends from Big Garden Birdwatch results,
which helped confirm that there was an alarming
decline in birds like the house sparrow, starling and
song thrush,” Sarah Houghton said. “It’s important that
we keep a close eye on how our birds are faring, like
the house sparrow for example. With so many people
stepping up and taking part in Big Garden Birdwatch,
if a pattern emerges, we take it seriously. Half a million
people can’t be wrong and that’s why the survey is so
important. There’s nothing else like it on this scale, and as
well as getting hundreds of thousands of people enjoying
wildlife, it actually helps protect nature by showing the
RSPB where we need to focus our efforts.”
Last year’s Big Garden Birdwatch results showed
that some of the smaller birds, which decreased in
numbers the previous year, bounced back. Sightings
of goldcrests, the UK’s smallest birds, doubled, long
tailed tits increased by a third and coal tits increased
by a quarter; and thousands of people were also lucky
Blue Tit
enough to see waxwings with an influx of the striking
birds to the UK from Scandinavia known as a ‘waxwing
winter.’
Almost 90,000 school children and teachers stepped
up and took part in the schools version of the survey
last year, ‘Big Schools’ Birdwatch.’ The UK-wide survey of
wildlife in schools, which celebrated its 10th birthday
this year, introduces thousands of children to the
wildlife visiting their school environment.
Nearly 3,000 classes from more than 2,000 schools were
involved, which was also a record-breaking number for
the survey. 87% of schools taking part reported seeing
blackbirds, with an average of five being seen at each
school, making it the most common visitor to school
grounds.
The Big Garden Birdwatch initially began as a one-off
in the late 1970s, when junior members of the charity
were asked to count the number of birds appearing
in their gardens over the last weekend in January.
However, the idea was so popular and so successful
that it’s become a staple event in the RSPB calendar.
According to the charity, more than three million hours
have been spent observing and enjoying the wide
variety of birds visiting our gardens and their behaviour
over this time, and more than six million birds are
spotted by volunteers like you every single year.
If you want to encourage Britain’s birds into your
garden this winter, you’ll need to give them a reason
to visit and what better reason to visit than for food.
Over half of British adults already feed the birds that
visit their garden, but to ensure these wild birds make
it through harsh winters, more of us need to leave
food out for them. A great food source to leave out for
birds is mixed bird seed, which can be bought readymixed
from pet stores, DIY stores and even Wilkinsons;
(Several of these stock reputable brands including
RSPB and the BTO). The best mixtures contain plenty
of flaked maize, sunflower seeds, and peanut granules,
but please note that mixes that contain chunks or
whole nuts are suitable for winter feeding only. It’s also
best to avoid mixtures that have split peas, beans, dried
rice or lentils, as well as mixtures containing green or
pink lumps, as only the large species can eat these dry.
Black sunflower seeds are an excellent year-round
food, and in many areas are even more popular than
peanuts. The oil content is higher in black than striped
ones, and so they are much better. Unsalted peanuts
are however, popular with tits, greenfinches, house
sparrows, nuthatches, great spotted woodpeckers
and siskins, and are rich in fat. Crushed or grated nuts
attract robins, dunnocks and even wrens, but beware
peanuts can be high in a natural toxin, which can kill
birds, so buy from a reputable dealer.
Fat balls and other fat-based food bars are excellent
winter food. If they are sold in nylon mesh bags, always
remove the bag before putting the fat ball out – the
soft mesh can trap and injure birds. Mealworms are a
natural food and can be used to feed birds throughout
the year; they’re relished by robins and blue tits, and
may attract other insect-eating birds such as pied
wagtails.
Finally, you can always feed garden birds kitchen
leftovers including mild grated cheese, dried fruit, rice,
uncooked porridge oats, pastry and Christmas cake (if
there is any left.)
Do not put mouldy food out for your garden birds.
Many moulds are harmless, but some can cause
respiratory infections in birds, and so it is best to be
cautious and avoid mouldy food entirely. If food turns
10 Great Garden Bird Facts
•Starlings are outstanding mimics, and incorporate accurate copies of sounds of other birds,
frogs and mammals, and even of mechanical sounds into their song – once it was trim phones,
now it’s car alarms!
• Robins and wrens share a reputation for nesting in strange places – sheds, greenhouses,
hanging baskets – even a pocket in washing left on the line.
•The goldcrest has to eat its own weight in food each day to survive the cold, winter nights!
• Swifts sleep on the wing. Shortly before dusk, birds gather and ascend high up in the air to
roost in a warmer air layer some 1,000 - 2,000m above ground.
• Robins first appeared on Christmas cards as a representation of Victorian postmen, who
wore red tunics and were known as ‘redbreasts’. They are also associated with Christmas because
they hold their territories by singing in the winter.
• Starlings - You can tell the sexes apart by the colour of the base of the bill - blue for boys, pink
for girls!
• Swallows are considered to be a sign of good luck. Traditionally a farmer never destroyed a
swallow nest in fear of the adverse events that might befall him.
• A blue tit weighs the same as a pound coin.
mouldy or stale on your birdtable, you are probably
placing out too large a quantity for the birds to eat
in one day. Always remove any stale or mouldy food
promptly. Stale food provides a breeding ground for
salmonella bacteria, which can cause food poisoning.
At least one type of salmonella causes death among
such species as greenfinches and house sparrows.
Providing supplementary food in your garden during
the winter months, and especially during particularly
cold snaps will bring some amazing birds into your
garden and you’ll be surprised how fascinating you
find their behaviour and colours – they’ll brighten up
any snow-covered garden.
To step up for nature and take part, simply spend one
hour over the weekend of 28th – 29th January,
counting the birds in your garden or local park, and
record the highest number of each bird species seen at
any one time.
Visit the RSPB website www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch
for more information and to submit your results online.
Pre-registration is now open and those pre-registering
will get a 10% discount voucher for bird food and
feeders from RSPB shops.
To request a Big Garden Birdwatch pack over the
phone, please call 0300 456 8330
• Blackbirds love to sunbathe – they can often be seen on the ground with their wings spread.
• Despite being the most recorded garden bird of the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch 2011,
the house sparrow remains a red-listed species and is of conservation concern.
Robin
Song Thrush
Gold Finch
Starling

free
Blue Tit
Find out whats
going on with our
Events
Guide
Issue 059
Birch Hill Dog Rescue
are a charity dedicated to providing unwanted,
abandoned and neglected dogs with the loving, caring
new homes they deserve, but they need your support to
carry out this vital work. For more info, visit
www.birchhilldogrescue.org.uk or turn to the back cover
Join the
RSPB’S Big
Garden
Birdwatch
Celebrate
Chinese
New Year
with our
delicious recipe
See this issue online at www.reflect-magazine.co.uk
Indulge in
Lincolnshire’s
Finest Food
Front cover image courtesy of
Birch Hill Dog Rescue
www.reflect-magazine.co.uk
Image courtesy of
Ray Kennedy
Editor:
Elaine Ellis
elaine@reflect-magazine.co.uk
0116 262 8096
Accounts:
Anthony Klak
accounts@reflect-magazine.co.uk
0116 251 5919
Feature Writer:
Laura Hyde
editorials@reflect-magazine.co.uk
0116 251 7385
Graphic Designer:
Mandeep Kaur
design@reflect-magazine.co.uk
0116 251 7385
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Published by:
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REFLECT MAGAZINE
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29-35 St Nicholas Place,
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02 The RSPB’s Big
Garden Birdwatch
04 Contents
10 Chinese New Year
11 Burns’ Night
19 Animal Welfare
20 Advertise With Us
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REFLECT MAGAZINE LIMITED
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06 Events Guide
08 Seasonal Recipe
12 Lincolnshire’s Finest Food
15 Lincolnshire’s Pride
16 Wedding Review
21 Days Out
22 Here To Help
23 Subscribe Now

06 Events Guide
07
Discover Some Great Events,
Right On Your Doorstep
Now that the festivities of Christmas and New Year are just a fond memory, Reflect
would like to present you with a selection of local events that should help you shake off
those winter blues…
Nottinghamshire
Derbyshire
19th & 20th January
The Merry Wives of Windsor @ Derby
Theatre, from 7:30pm
Hold on to your 1950s-style hats, as two
merry wives give that lovable ‘naughty
knight’, fun-loving Falstaff, a shock he’ll
never forget! Tickets are available, at
£15, from the Derby Live Box Office.
24th January
Sinfonia Viva @ Assembly Rooms – Great
Hall, from 7:30pm
Full of the spirit of comic opera, this
show features a taut, wiry concerto
from Shostakovich, a haunting piano
piece from Janacek’s, and Mozart’s
delightfully nimble Symphony No.38.
Tickets cost from £15 – call the Derby
Live Box Office.
24th January
Cecil Sharp Project @ Derby Theatre,
from 7:30pm
A ‘who’s who’ of folk, including Steve
Knightley (Show of Hands), Andy
Cutting & Jackie Oates, together for
one evening only – tickets £17 from the
Derby Live Box Office.
3rd February
Seann Walsh @ Assembly Rooms –
Darwin Suite, from 8pm
A fun-filled night from the comedyworld’s
funniest and fastest rising star,
Seann Walsh, who has appeared
on ‘Micheal McIntyre’s Comedy
Roadshow’ and ‘Mock the Week’.
Tickets are £12, available from the Derby
Live Box Office.
10th February
The Eva Cassidy Story @ Assembly
Rooms – Great Hall, from 7:30pm
A compelling, award-winning musical,
which tells the story of this legendary
artist, following Eva’s life through
dramatic scenes and stunning live
renditions of her music. Tickets cost £19
each and are available from the Derby
Live Box Office.
Derby Live Box Office - 01332 255800
Visit www.derbylive.co.uk for more info
on any of these events
14th January
Robin Hood and Hari @ the Castle
Backpacks, Nottingham Castle,
from 11am
Follow Robin Hood and Hari in two new
family trails, and complete the fun and
free activities in the castle’s galleries.
Normal Castle admission applies. For
more info, visit
www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk
17th January
BBC Star Party @ Wollaton Hall & Deer
Park, from 6pm
Stargazing LIVE is returning to BBC Two,
so Wollaton Hall is hosting a Star Party
where you can have a go at stargazing
and take part in hands-on science
activities for the whole family. Experts will
be on hand at this FREE event, to guide
you through the night sky. Tickets for the
Planetarium shows will be handed out
on a first come, first served basis, so visit
www.bbc.co.uk/stargazing for more info.
24th & 25th January
Strictly Come Dancing Live 2012 @
Capital FM Arena, from 7:30pm
This multi-million pound show will feature
a brand new line-up of top celebrities
and their dance partners from the
smash hit BBC1 show. Strictly fans can
watch their favourite dancing couples
competing live for the votes, hear the
feedback from the TV judges and then
vote themselves via their mobile phones.
Get your tickets by calling the 24-hour
Ticket Hotline on 08444 124 624 or visit
www.capitalfmarena.com
26th January
TNA Wrestling @ Capital FM Arena,
from 7:30pm
Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling
is proud to announce its return to the
United Kingdom for the 2012 Maximum
Impact IV Tour. Wrestling legends Sting
and Kurt Angle head up the roster
of stars from TNA’s flagship television
programme Impact Wrestling, while TNA
World Heavyweight Champion, Sting will
be making his first wrestling appearance
in the UK for almost a decade. Tickets
range from £22.50 to £64 and are
available from the 24-hour Ticket Hotline
on 08444 124 624 or by visiting
www.capitalfmarena.com
10th February
Richard Digance @ Nottingham
Playhouse, from 7:45pm
This award-winning folk entertainer has
travelled the world with his guitar and
a treasure chest of stories from the last
40 years on the road. His brilliant selfpenned,
comic songs provide an
endearing, quirky commentary
on life. Tickets cost £12 and are
available by calling
0115 941 9419.

08 Seasonal Recipe
09
A Seasonal Delight
For January
by Neil Walker
The parties are over, the decorations are down and after gorging myself silly over
the last few weeks of December, I’m ready to shed a few pounds and eat healthy - at
least for the first few weeks of January!
I eat a lot of root vegetables at this time of the year, to begin the year with a healthy
kick and I find seasonal cooking gives me a real buzz. Root vegetables just feel right
in January - that sweet edge to parsnips, swedes and turnips is just what I need to
comfort me when the weather is hideous outside.
This shepherd’s pie is comfort food at the max and perfect for the bleak mid-winter
month of January. I’ve substituted the traditional mashed potato topping for a root
vegetable mash and it works perfectly and boosts your five-a-day. Don’t ask me
why but you HAVE to use ground white pepper in the mash; it just tastes right (my
mother and grandmother always used it in their mashed carrot and swede).
Shepherd’s Pie - serves 4 (with a bit leftover for seconds)
Pre-heat your oven to gas mark 6 (200°C)
Ingredients: for the mash
1 medium swede
2 carrots
2 turnips
2 parsnips
2 medium potatoes
2 large sprigs fresh rosemary
2 bay leaves
1 pint milk
1 pint water
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp white pepper
Method
1. In a medium pan bring the milk, water, rosemary and bay leaves to simmering
point.
2. Meanwhile peel and roughly chop veg (making the swede a bit smaller than
the rest).
3. Add to the liquid and simmer for 20 minutes until all vegetables are soft.
4. Remove rosemary twigs, bay and drain in a sieve. Leave to stand for 5
minutes then return to the pan, add the seasoning and mash. Place to one side,
uncovered.
Ingredients: for the lamb mix
450g lean minced lamb
1 large onion, peeled and finely diced
1 carrot, peeled and roughly diced
2 celery sticks, finely sliced
1 leek, finely sliced
1 tbsp Worcester sauce
1 tbsp tomato puree
1/2 tbsp plain flour
1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary
360ml lamb stock
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Method
1. Heat a large frying pan until smoking then add the lamb - no oil required. Give
it a brief stir then leave for 3 minutes to brown, stir then repeat. Add the onions
and continue to cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. Add the carrots, celery and leeks and continue to cook for another 5 minutes,
then add the tomato puree and flour. Stir, then add the stock, Worcester sauce,
rosemary, seasoning.
3. Bring up to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring
every now and then until it thickens up.
Method: for the Shepherd’s Pie
1. Pour the lamb mix into an oven proof dish and carefully spoon over the root
vegetable mash.
2. Cook on a middle shelf of the oven for approx 30 minutes, until bubbling and
the top is browned.
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 Neil at
appetite@abbeysports.co.uk
Delicious!

10 Chinese New Year
Burns’ Night 11
Celebrate Chinese Style
On January 23rd, it’s the Chinese New Year,
the most important of the Chinese holidays.
It’s a time of feasting with the family,
celebration, fireworks and gift-giving.
As the Chinese calendar is based on the
lunar year, the date of Chinese New Year
changes every year. The Chinese calendar
follows a 12-year pattern, with each year
named after an animal.
There are several legends to explain this,
but Reflect’s favourite is about an animal
race, organised by the Jade Emperor, in
which the first twelve animals to cross the
fast flowing river would be the winners and
they would each have a year of the zodiac
named after them.
The winning animals were, in order, the Rat,
Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse,
Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and finally the
Boar. Unfortunately, the Cat missed out as
the mean Rat, who was riding on the back
of the Ox with the cat, had pushed him into
the water; the Cat was very angry with the
Rat and since then cats have never been
friends with rats.
To help you celebrate the Year of the Tiger,
Reflect have once again asked our resident
chef, Neil Walker, to come up with a
delicious recipe…
Hong Kong Style Sweet & Sour
Chicken with Chow Mein Noodles
When I was asked to write this recipe
for Chinese New Year, I struggled to think
exactly what to do! I don’t really cook
Chinese food here at the restaurant and
I didn’t want to just copy something from
a recipe, so I thought back to my days as
a Navy Chef, cooking ‘en-masse’ for 1,000
hungry lads on the aircraft carrier – HMS
Invincible.
This recipe always went down well as it is
full of flavour and texture, plus it used to
be so easy to prepare in advance. Ok, so it
might not be true to its origins - I’m sure
Chinese chefs don’t use tomato ketchup
and golden syrup! - but it was all we had on
board at the time!
Try and be really organised and have
everything chopped, measured out and
ready to go as timing is essential in this
dish…
Ingredients
For the noodles:
1 packet of dry noodles
1 onion, sliced
4 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp fish sauce
For the chicken:
4 chicken breasts
2 tbsp corn flour
½ tsp salt
1lt vegetable oil
For the sauce:
3 tbsp vinegar
1 green and 1 red pepper, cubed
1 onion, diced
1 small tin of pineapple rings, diced
2 tbsp golden syrup
4 tbsp tomato ketchup
½ pint orange juice
1 garlic clove, crushed
2 tbsp corn flour
Method
Step 1 – make the noodles
1. Fry the onion in a little vegetable oil for 2
minutes. Cook noodles according to packet
instructions.
2. Drain the noodles and add to the pan with
the soy and fish sauce and cook for a few
minutes.
Step 2 – make the sauce
1. Heat the vinegar, syrup, ketchup, orange
juice and garlic in a saucepan and bring to
the boil.
2. Mix the corn flour with a little water,
gradually adding to thicken the sauce.
3. Add the peppers, onions and pineapple and
simmer gently for 5 minutes.
Step 3 – make the chicken
1. Heat the vegetable oil in a large wok or
saucepan.
2. Dice the chicken breast into 1 inch cubes
(approx) and toss in the corn flour and salt,
coating the chicken evenly.
3. Fry off the chicken in two batches for
approx 3 minutes and drain on kitchen paper
– cut 1 piece in half to check if it’s cooked.
Step 4 – serve and enjoy
1. Serve the noodles and spoon over the
sauce, then top with the crispy chicken.
Celebrate In
Style – Burns’
Night
Wednesday 25th January 2012 is
Burns’ Night, an annual celebration of
Scotland’s national poet Robert Burns,
who was born on this day in 1759.
Burns Night celebrates the life and
works of this world-renowned poet
and is, in fact, more widely observed
by Scots than Scotland’s official
national day, Saint Andrew’s Day.
Ingredients:
150g plain flour
Pinch of salt
100g butter (room temperature)
50g caster sugar - plus 1tsp for sprinkling
Method:
1. Pre-heat the oven to 160°c/gas mark 3.
2. Sift the flour into a bowl then add the sugar and butter.
3. Using your fingertips, rub the butter into the flour and
A Brief History of
Robert Burns
Born in the village of Alloway, two miles
south of Ayr, Robert Burns was given a
relatively good education, thanks to his
tenant farmer parents, Willian Burnes and
Agnes Broun. He began to read avidly
and was particularly inspired by the works
of Alexander Pope, Henry Mackenzie and
Laurence Sterne. The young Burns turned his
attention to his passion for poetry, nature,
drink and women after the hard, physical
labour of the family farm took its toll.
Burns fathered twins with the woman who
would eventually become his wife, Jean
Armour. However, Burns nearly emigrated to
the West Indies, with lover Mary Campbell
(his Highland Mary), after a rift with Jean.
Only the sudden death of Mary, combined
with the success of his first published
collection, kept him in Scotland.
At just 27, Burns had become famous
across Scotland, with poems such as To
a Louse, To a Mouse and The Cotter’s
Saturday Night. Shortly after, he arrived in
Edinburgh, where he remained until 1788.
Illicit relationships and fathering
illegitimate children ran parallel to this
productive period in his working life.
His correspondence with Agnes 'Nancy'
McLehose resulted in the classic Ae Fond
Kiss, while a collaboration with James
Johnson led to a long-term involvement in
The Scots Musical Museum.
However, in just 18 short months, Burns had
spent most of the wealth, so in 1789 he
began work as an Excise Officer in Dumfries
and resumed his relationship with wife Jean.
The hard work entailed with this new job,
combined with the toil of his earlier life and
dissolute lifestyle, took their toll on Burns's
health; he died on 21st July 1796, aged
just 37. He was buried with full civil and
military honours, on the very day his son,
Maxwell, was born.
Burns’ Night
The Burns Supper is an institution of Scottish
life; it’s a night to celebrate the life and
works of the national Bard. Suppers can
range from an informal gathering of friends,
to a huge formal dinner full of pomp and
circumstance.
The basic format of a Burns Supper
starts with a general welcome and
sugar-as if you were making pastry. When the butter has
been thoroughly mixed in, start to clump it together with
your hands until you get a smooth, cake like mass.
4. Press into a 20cm cake tin (no need to line or grease
the tin first) using your knuckles or the back of a spoon and
gently press out the shortbread to fit the tin in an even layer.
5. Oven gloves on, put the tin in the centre shelf of the
oven and cook for approx 20 minutes until it begins to take
on the faintest of colour.
6. Oven gloves on again, remove the tin from the oven and
stand on a wire rack for 15 minutes to harden up.
announcements, followed with the Selkirk
Grace. After the grace, comes the piping
and cutting of the haggis, where Robert’s
famous Address To a Haggis is read and
the haggis is cut open. The event usually
allows for people to start eating just after
the haggis is presented. This is when the
reading, called the immortal memory, an
overview of Robert's life and work, is given;
the event usually concludes with the singing
of Auld Lang Syne.
The humorous highlight of any Burns Supper
comes in the form of a toast, designed to
praise the role of women in the world today.
This should be done by selective quotation
from Burns’ works and should build towards
a positive note. The toast concludes: To the
Lassies!
For more info on Robert Burns and Burns’
Night, visit www.robertburns.org
Information taken from
www.bbc.co.uk/robertburns
To help you get into the spirit of things on
Burns’ Night, Reflect have once again roped
in our resident chef, Neil Walker to give us
a delicious and simple Scottish recipe for
shortbread…
7. Sprinkle the shortbread with the teaspoon of sugar. With
a knife, cut the shortbread in half, then half again, then cut
the quarters into half.
8. Allow the shortbread to cool completely before removing
from the tin, so it becomes firm and brittle.
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 Neil at
appetite@abbeysports.co.uk

12 Lincolnshire’s Finest Food
13
Food Glorious Food
As well as an array of attractions to suit all ages and interests, Lincolnshire is also home to
some of Britain’s finest food producers. The eastern county has been leading the way in living
off the land for many years, before ‘seasonal’, ‘sustainable’ and even ‘local’ were buzz words –
food and drink in Lincolnshire is at the very heart and soul of life.
As a rural county, Lincolnshire is the birth-place of a number of dishes and delicacies,
including:
• tangy Lincolnshire Poacher cheese - produced in Alford
• coarse-ground Lincolnshire sausages
• succulent, marbled Lincoln red beef
• stuffed chine salt-cured pork filled with green herbs, usually parsley
• haslet – a type of pork loaf, also flavoured with sage
• Plum bread
• Grantham Gingerbread
It’s not hard to see why Lincolnshire has gained an enviable reputation for its produce. It’s
now almost 15 years since a group of Lincolnshire farmers decided to create their own meat
co-operative and the ‘Lincolnshire Quality Beef, Lamb and Pork Ltd’ is going from strengthto-strength.
Its aim is to promote Lincolnshire born, reared and finished beef, lamb and pork
and each cut of meat can be traced back to one of the scheme’s producer members. For
more info on the co-operative, visit www.qualitylincolnshiremeat.co.uk
For the freshest, finest local produce look out for the Tastes of Lincolnshire logo at shops,
places to eat and accommodation. A Lincolnshire County Council and European Union
funded project, Tastes of Lincolnshire encourages people to choose local food and drink.
Food produced by its members can be enjoyed across the county in farm shops, farmhouse
B&B and guesthouses, hotels, pubs, cafes, restaurants and bars flying the Tastes of
Lincolnshire flag. For further details on food from Lincolnshire, or the Tastes of Lincolnshire
project, please visit www.visitlincolnshire.com/food-and-drink
H.E. Wilkinson & Son
High Class
Family Butchers
7 The Parade,
Cherry Willingham,
Lincoln LN3 47L
Tel: 01522 751120
Only the best local
meats bought and sold
SC LS SS SR
H B B
Ownsworth’s
Home-grown
in Lincolnshire
Cold Pressed Extra Virgin
Extra Virgin Cold
pressed Rapeseed Oil
The pure and
natural choice
Handson’s of East Kirkby
Award-winning traditional butcher
Grafters Brewery
Grafters real ales are brewed onsite at
the Half Moon pub in Willingham-by-Stow,
near Gainsborough, Lincoln.
Our multiple award-winning beers
are considered to be some of the best
available and can be sampled at the
Half Moon, as well as other real ale
establishments.
You can even take Grafters home with you
- it’s available in bottles as well as handy 5,
10 and 20 litre boxes.
Grafters produces a number of popular,
award-winning beers including the flagship
brand Moonlight, as well as other favourites
such as Brewers Troop, Golden and Wobble
Gob.
Grafters Brewery @
The Half Moon Public House
23 High Street, Willingham by Stow,
Gainsborough DN21 5JZ
Tel: 01427 788340
Email: phil@graftersbrewery.com
Ownsworth’s rapeseed oil is ideal for deep
and shallow frying, roasting, marinades,
drizzles and mayonnaise.
Our rapeseed oil is high in vitamin E and
half the saturated fat of olive oil, is rich in
healthy OMEGA 3, 6 and 9, and contains no
preservatives, is trans-fat and GM-free.
Available from:
• Good quality farm shops and delis
• Restaurants and cafes
• And direct from the farm
Contact details
Tel: 01400 273989
Email: fulbeckfarms@gmail.com
Andrew Ownsworth
Fulbeck Farms
• Lincoln Red beef
• Hand-raised pork pies
• Lincolnshire sausage and lamb
• Home-made ready meals
…and a large variety of Lincolnshire-produced
goods including stuffed chine.
We now offer a mail order service.
www.handsonsbutchers.co.uk
Townley’s Farm Shop, Main Road, East Kirkby
Tel: 07732 057338 01790 763264 01790 763370
Free local delivery
Meridian
Meats
...in the Heart of the Wolds
Traditional Lincolnshire Butchers
Winners of Country Life Magazine’s
‘Britain’s Best Steak’ from our own herd of
prize winning pedigree Longhorn cattle.
BBC Young Butcher of the Year 2009,
Gold Award winning Lincolnshire Stuffed
Chine, Lincolnshire sausages, speciality
sausages, pork pies, speciality pies &
dry cured bacon.
108 Eastgate, Louth, Lincs
LN11 9AA
01507 603357
Shop online at
www.meridianmeatsshop.co.uk
Oak Tree Farm
Serious about sausages
Farmers of free-range rare breeds.
Traditional butchers shop.
Hog roast catering.
Oak Tree Farm
The Butcher’s Shop,
4 Main Street, Sutton-on-Trent
NG23 6PF
01636 823999
info@trentsidesaddlebacks.co.uk
www.trentsidesaddlebacks.co.uk
Only The Best From
Odling Bros
In the current economic climate, we’re watching every penny. If you’re looking to
save money on your food bills, Reflect would like to recommend buying your meat
from a local, experienced butcher instead of pre-packed from the supermarket.
An experienced butcher will not only save you money, he’ll also be able to advice
you on the best cuts of meat, as well as the best accompaniments to really bring out
the true flavour. This issue, Reflect would like to draw your attention to the high
quality meat and the friendly service on offer at Odling Bros…
Situated in the village of Navenby near Lincoln, Odling Bros is an independent
butchers, offering high quality cuts of meat, alongside a deli counter and grocers
stocking all the essentials. Established in the 1920s, Odling Bros has remained in the
Odling family since its creation, which helps to maintain that family feel and the
friendly and approachable nature of its staff, something that Odling Bros prides itself
on.
History
The current Odling
Bros premises on
the High Street,
originally a barn,
was purchased by
Charles Preswood
Odling, the son of a
Branston farmer and
prominent Wesleyan
family. In 1909
Charles was elected
Sheriff of Lincoln,
whilst running
his jewellery shop
on Lincoln’s High
Street. He converted
the Navenby barn
into a clock makers,
watch repairers and photography business for his son William, also known as
‘Clocky’. William went on to produce several postcards of the local area, as well as
commissioning ornamental porcelain vases, which are still collected to this day.
In 1920, William’s son, Charles Williams, converted the business into a butchers,
trading as CW Odling. Management of the business then passed to Charles’ sons
Charles, John and Keith.
Today
The shop underwent a radical refurbishment in 2006 in order to accommodate the
Odling Bros expanding range of products, which includes locally sourced meat and
poultry, a wide range of goods baked on the premises (including pork pies, meat pies
Odling Bros is open from Monday to Saturday, 6am until 5:30pm, so why not pop in and see
for yourself why they’ve survived for so long, and gained such an enviable reputation.
For more information, please call 01522 810228
or visit www.odlingbros.co.uk
Alternatively email shop@odlingbros.co.uk
and sausage rolls), an extensive cheese and delicatessen
counter and fresh vegetables and grocery essentials.
Alan Odling, told Reflect: “My grandfather established
the butchers and my brother Roy and I are going
to carry on for many more years, hopefully passing
it onto our children to enable a fourth or even fifth
generation of Odlings to carry on the Odling Bros
name and reputation here in Navenby for future
generations.”
Celebrating 92 years of success, Odling Bros is today
run by Keith’s sons as a team effort after his retirement
last year. Odling Bros do run a delivery service fromt
heir mobile van, covering the areas of Waddington
and Brant Road, as well as RAF Cranwell. Alan and
Roy are hoping to expand the deliveries further this
year with a mail order service as part of a new website,
which should be launch at the end of February.
Odling Bros. Ltd, 54 High Street, Navenby, Lincolnshire LN5 0ET
If you can’t wait until then for regular updates on
Odling Bros, you can befriend them on Facebook
(Odling Bros Ltd) or even follow them on Twitter (@
Odlingsbutchers), where Alan often ‘tweets’ special offers exclusively for Odling’s
followers.
With such a long history, Odling Bros have seen the best, and worst, of times, so how
have they survived “That’s simple,” Alan said, “we’ve continually built upon our
reputation for exceptional quality, striving to give our customers exactly what they
want at a reasonable price, with a smile and cheery greeting.”

14 Lincolnshire’s Finest Food
Lincolnshire’s Pride 15
Great Gifts From
The Lincoln Whisky Shop
Specialising in rare and unusual whiskies, The Lincoln
Whisky Shop is the perfect place for anyone looking for
the perfect gift, or even an investment, for 2012. With a
history dating back to 1976, The Lincoln Whisky Shop is
now under the experienced and enthusiastic management
of Nick and Cathy Ridout, who bought the shop in
October last year.
Nick told Reflect: “The Lincoln Whisky Shop started life as one of a small chain of local
off-licenses here in Lincoln, known as Pratt’s, but in 1976, it was transformed into the specialist
whisky shop it is today. We’re the fourth set of owners since that time and only came across
the opportunity to buy the business by chance. We were regular customers and discovered in a
chance conversation with the previous owners that they were selling up, so Cathy and I decided
to buy it. I’d recently retired from 35 years in the Army and was looking for something to do. I’ve
always been interested in whisky and odd/unusual drinks and felt that shop keeping would be
a fun and interesting way to spend a few years, so we took the plunge. I’m loving being my own
boss as well as meeting people from all over the country who share my passion for whisky.”
The Lincoln Whisky Shop specialise in those rare and unusual whiskies, spirits and
liqueurs that you won’t find in your local supermarket. Nick said: “Our core business
is whisky; we sell a wide selection of malts and blends, the sort of bottles you can get in the
supermarket but we pride ourselves on catering to a niche market as well, selling those unusual
varieties that you won’t find elsewhere. I also relish the challenge of finding a whisky at special
request, whether it be from a small distillery or from a certain year to give as a gift to mark a
milestone birthday or event. I aim to please and enjoy responding to customer requests.”
As well as whiskies, The Lincoln Whisky Shop sells a wide selection of spirits and
liqueurs and a small range of specialist gifts, including crystal glasses and hip flasks.
There’s also a selection of miniatures to buy, which are especially good for sampling a
new whisky before committing to a big bottle, as well as for cooking any recipes that
require a splash of whisky. They are popular for wedding favours too.
The Lincoln Whisky Shop caters for all budgets, with everyday whiskies starting from
£20 per bottle, whilst the more unusual bottles can cost several hundred pounds a
bottle. Nick explained: “Whisky is a great investment. Some people invest in artwork or
jewellery, well whisky is another good investment, especially at the moment with interest rates
so low. As well as being a great investment, whisky also makes a great present, especially for
anyone celebrating a milestone birthday or anniversary. In fact, I had an interesting request a
few weeks ago; a customer wanted me to find an 18-year-old bottle of whisky as a christening
present, to be given to the child on his 18th birthday – I thought that was lovely and a great
demonstration of the universal appeal of whisky. The oldest bottle I have here at the moment
dates back to 1948 but I’m regularly asked to find bottles that are 18, 21 and 30-years-old.”
Online ordering is available from www.lincolnwhiskyshop.co.uk and
Nick and Cathy endeavour to dispatch all orders within two working
days, with delivery to most UK addresses next working day guaranteed.
Opening Times
Monday to Saturday 10am until 5pm
Sunday 11am until 3pm from April to December only
(Closed from January to March)
For more information, please call 01522 537834 or
email nick@lincolnwhiskyshop.co.uk
Lovely
Lincolnshire
©VisitBritain/ Tony Pleavin
A Fun Family Day Out
January and February can feel like long, dull months, which is why Reflect would like to
encourage you to get out and about and make the most of your weekends. Situated in the
village of Mumby in Lincolnshire, On Your Marques is a unique collection of model vehicles
and motor racing memorabilia built up over the last 20 years by Chris & Jane Dring.
Chris told Reflect: “The idea for the museum came about whilst on holiday in 1991 and just seven
months later my wife and I had moved from north London to Lincolnshire to start a new life. The
farm was derelict when we moved here and over the last 20 years, I’ve restored the barn conversion
that we live in, converted a series of outbuildings into the museum and built an annex. My aim with
the museum is to enable entire families to have a great day out here; children can see toys they
play with, whilst parents can see things they played with as children – there’s so much to see and I
change my displays every year.”
Around 4,500 models are displayed every year but the collection now consists of over
16,500 items. This year, alongside 19 cabinet displays of Chris’ collection, there are two guest
displays for 2012, which Chris told us about: “The first guest collection features fire engines from
a private Derbyshire collector, whilst the second display celebrates 50 years of Skoda, with 300
pieces from the Owners Club collection.”
On Your Marques is currently closed, but the 45 metre Scalextric Track and café is open at
weekends until Sunday 26th February, when it will close so Chris can revamp the track. The
whole museum will re-open on April 1st from 10:30am until 4:30pm (closed on Thursdays)
right through May, June, September and October. As July and August are the busiest times, On
Your Marques opens every day from 10am until 5pm.
For more info or prices, visit www.on-your-marques.co.uk or call 01507 490052
If you’re looking for an inspiring day out, Reflect
would like you to look no further than Lincolnshire.
With its fabulous coastal resorts, historical charm,
thriving market towns, unspoilt countryside and
cultural heritage, Lincolnshire is a varied and vibrant
county sure to keep a smile on any visitor’s face.
Fabulous Coast
For a traditional seaside holiday, Lincolnshire cannot
be beaten! Head to the bustling towns of Skegness,
Mablethorpe and Cleethorpes on the Lincolnshire
Coast, where, come rain or shine, fun is never in
short supply.
Skegness is a popular choice for family holidays
with quality hotels, guest houses, bed and breakfast
accommodation and self-catering properties.
There’s also plenty of caravan and camping parks for
those looking to enjoy a holiday on a budget.
The resort of Mablethorpe can be found just along
the coast from Skegness and boasts a sandy Blue
Flag beach, complete with its very own sand train,
as well as unique beach huts, known as the ‘Bathing
Beauties’, along the promenade and beyond. Each
one of these huts was designed as part of the
Bathing Beauties Festival, which takes place each
September.
Historical Charm
Lincoln is a city rich in history. The cobbled streets of
Lincoln’s Cathedral Quarter will transport you back
in time as you wander through the superb historical
landmarks and amazing architecture that sets this
place apart from other cities. The stunning, gothic
cathedral dates back to 1072, and offers some
fascinating tales from the past. It’s also known for
drawing film fans from far and wide since featuring
in the 2006 box office smash the Da Vinci Code.
Lincoln Castle, built by William the Conqueror in the
late 11th Century, is also a must for anyone thinking
of visiting the city, as it houses one of only four
surviving copies of the Magna Carta. This important
document, which was drawn up in 1215, set the
standard for democracy and laws within England,
and is exhibited proudly alongside the story of its
creation.
Unspoilt Countryside
Wanting an alternative to the busy city Then head
to the coast and wider countryside for more fun,
frolics and fresh air. Golfing, fishing and horse riding
provide a more liberating and leisurely way to
explore Lincolnshire.
Ramblers are well catered for in Lincolnshire with
numerous pub, canal, nature, village, aviation,
history and even literary trails to be explored. All the
paths are well marked and the terrain is wonderfully
varied.
With some of the best fishing venues in England,
Lincolnshire is a great place to enjoy a fishing break.
Many British rod records have been held and broken
in the county and the area’s perfect for anglers of all
abilities - from novice to experienced - thanks to the
variety of rivers, drains and canals plus still waters
across the county.
Golfers can also make either a day or weekend of it,
by teeing off from one of Lincolnshire’s vast range
of 50 golf courses. From championship standard
to stunning parkland courses, breathtaking links
courses to some truly challenging nine-hole
courses, Lincolnshire has something to suit all
golfers.
Visit www.visitlincolnshire.com for more fun ideas
A Great Garden Thanks To
Laburnum Plant Centre
You might not feel like getting out and
about into your garden this month, but
a little time and effort now will repay
you come the summer.
A family-run independent plant nursery,
Laburnum Plant Centre offers an
unrivalled range of rare and unusual
hardy perennial plants for the green
fingered amongst you. Established in
2002, Laburnum Plant Centre is the
brainchild of keen gardener and experienced landscaper Karen Prince, who told Reflect:
“Laburnum Plant Centre developed due to our need for plants on demand for our established
landscaping business; we didn’t want to be kept waiting by other suppliers for our plants, so we
created Laburnum, and the rest, as they say, is history.”
Specialising in hardy perennial plants that you won’t find anywhere else, including a
new and unusual range of Heuchera (evergreen) perennials, Laburnum Plant Centre
also stock a range of shrubs and seasonal bedding plants, perfect for transforming your
garden in 2012. In fact they’re hoping to expand their range of products further by
selling compost and fertilisers when they open to the public in March. Karen added:
“We don’t sell anything that isn’t plant based, so you won’t find giftware or candles here. We’re
strictly for the true gardener looking for something different and unusual. We’re also happy
to source plants that you may wish to add to your garden and I’m always on hand to offer
support and advice where needed. We go out of our way to give you a first-class, personal
service that you wouldn’t get at a larger chain.”
With perennial bedding plants starting from £2.50 and specialist plants starting from
£15, there’s something to suit every budget. Laburnum Plant Centre re-opens on
Thursday 1st March (until Friday 30th November) from 11am until 5pm, Tuesdays to
Sundays, and Bank Holiday Mondays.
For more information, visit www.laburnumplants.co.uk or call 01469 530212

16 Wedding Review
17
How Do I Love Thee
Let Me Count The Ways…
If you’ve recently taken the plunge and
got engaged, Reflect would like to offer
our ‘Congratulations’ to the happy
couple. However, once the initial glow
has died down and your face no longer
aches from smiling 24 hours a day, it’s
time to get planning. With so much
to think about, your brain must be in
overdrive, but the first thing you need
to decide upon together is when you
want to tie the knot.
The season in which you choose to marry is extremely important as it dictates
everything else, from the kind of flowers you can have to whether you choose an
outdoors or indoors reception venue. The summer months are the most popular
time of year to get married, so to avoid your guests possibly having to choose
between your wedding and another, why not opt for spring, autumn or winter
nuptials.
Unless you have unlimited funds, chances are your wedding day will have to be
done on some sort of budget. If your budget doesn’t stretch to the UK average of
£18,500 (http://www.weddingsday.co.uk/average-wedding-cost), then you’ll need
to plan carefully to avoid starting married life in debt.
It can be overwhelming to know exactly where to start planning your big day, so
we would like to recommend attending one or two of the numerous wedding
shows that take place up and down the country throughout the year.
We all know that the last
few years have been tough
financially. However, financial
hardship doesn’t have to
mean making do with old,
ill-fitting clothes. Reflect
would like to recommend
the talents of alterations
extraordinaire, Julie Manning
at Friargate Alterations in
Derby. Established in 1979,
Friargate Alterations provides
an exceptional repair and
alterations service.
No job is too small for Julie,
an experienced tailor who started her career at Co-op Tailors in Derby. Julie said: “I worked
for the Co-op for ten years before it closed and started Friargate Alterations soon after. I felt the
closure of Co-op Tailors left a gap in the market for an alternations service in the heart of Derby.
The last 30 years have had their ups and downs but the last couple of years have been really
busy with people trying to save every penny they can. People have realised that just because
something doesn’t quite fit, doesn’t mean they have to throw it away; it can be altered and
transformed into something amazing!”
Julie offers alterations on every item of clothing you can think of, from shortening or
lengthening jacket sleeves to taking in, or out, dresses, including bridesmaid dresses and
bridal gowns. Julie said: “I was really busy in 2011 with brides who needed their dresses altering.
Many of them had found a bargain, either from a sample sale or from eBay, which obviously didn’t
The Perfect Fit
fit them as a wedding dress should. I found myself taking a lot of dresses both in and out last
wedding season. I was busy until Christmas with wedding dress alterations; it seems like everyone
waited until Christmas to tie the knot! Turnaround of garments varies, I can turn wedding dresses
around in about a month but I do get very busy, so once you decide that you want your dress
altered it’s best to come and see me so I can see what needs doing and get you booked in.”
As each item of clothing is different, so are Julie’s prices, however quotes can be provided
– just take the item into her. “I’ve always enjoyed sewing and altering clothes, so I don’t really
see this as a job. I’m fortunate enough to
do something I love for a living,” Julie said.
Friargate Alterations is open Mondays,
Tuesdays, Wednesday mornings,
Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays: pop
in to see Julie at 8 Friar Gate, Derby
DE1 1BU for a competitive quote.
Julie’s new venture for 2012 is her
‘Revival’ designer label range of
clothing. She explained: “I’ve started to
take in vintage and pre-loved designer
clothes to sell on to new homes. Obviously
these items must be in a good condition,
but I do offer a 50/50 split of the profits
with the owner of the clothing once I’ve
sold it. I have a few things on the rails
at the moment but am always on the
lookout for more.”
For more information or to discuss your alteration requirements,
please call 01332 722367
The first show we’d like to recommend to you is the London Wedding Show, which
takes place on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th February at ExCel. Featuring over 150
exhibitors, both local and national, everything you could need to plan for your
wedding day is here, under one roof. All visitors also get a free goodie bag. For
more info, or for tickets, visit www.excel-london.co.uk
Alternatively, The National Wedding Show brings together over 250 exhibitors
and the UK’s largest collection of wedding dresses under one roof. Taking place
at London Kensington Olympia from February 24th to 26th and Birmingham NEC
from March 16th to 18th, The National Wedding Show 2012 promises to be bigger
and better than ever. Visit www.nationalweddingshow.co.uk for more information,
or to buy tickets.
British & American
Classic Cars for
Wedding hire
Choice of 20 cars from 1924
Weddings at The Hill
The Hill offers the perfect setting for a private, intimate celebration and truly
romantic photographs. This beautiful, traditional, Cotswold manor house, with
its lush gardens and secluded position, is ideally located just a few minutes’ walk
from the town of Stroud, Gloucestershire.
Downside, Stockley Lane, Calne,
Wiltshire SN11 0NF
enquiries@atwellwilson.org.uk
www.atwellwilson.org.uk
Atwell-Wilson
Wedding Cars
Prices start from £210
Please call 01249 813119
for further information.
For more information please contact our
Functions Co-ordinator
Call: 01453 764771
or email mike@occasionsatthehill.co.uk
www.occasionsatthehill.co.uk
The Hill, Stroud, Gloucestershire GL5 4ER

18 Wedding Review
Animal Welfare 19
Cotswold Wedding Video & Photography:
Scoop Certificate of Recognition
As specialists at capturing the events of your wedding day,
Cotswold Wedding Video & Photography provide either
or both video and photographic services for weddings
across the Cotswolds. Their aim is to cover all the important
aspects of your dream day from the ceremony to the
reception and wedding breakfast, as well as any evening
celebration/entertainment.
With many years experience, gained by filming at most
locations in the Cotswolds and across Gloucestershire,
company director, Howard Williams, together with his
experienced crew, provides a lasting memory of your
wedding day.
With such a wealth of experience, as well as friendly and
approachable nature, Reflect have awarded Cotswold
Wedding Video & Photography a Certificate of Recognition
for Exclusive Weddings. On hearing the news, Howard
said: “Thank you Reflect. This is a great start to 2012; we’ve
won a handful of awards before, including from the Institute
of Videography. It
takes a lot of time
and effort to capture
the memories of
your special day,
or celebration,
perfectly, so you can
re-live them for years
to come.”
Reflect Editor,
Elaine Ellis, explained why she selected Cotswold Wedding
Video & Photography for this Recognition: “Many people
put photography ahead of videography at a wedding, but by
enlisting the services and expertise of Howard and Mike at
Cotswold Wedding Video & Photography, you can have the
best of both worlds for the most special day of your life.”
For wedding day photography, Cotswold Wedding Video
& Photography use professional digital equipment and
provide a selection of formal and informal shots of the
happy couple with relatives and friends, so that after the
fun and excitement of the day, the magic moments can be
re-lived over and over again. You should also remember
that the DVDs and photo albums produced will be
cherished not only by the bride and groom, but also by
those who cannot be there to share the day.
On your wedding day, Cotswold Wedding Video &
Photography usually use either twin camera coverage for
the whole day to capture all of the action or twin cameras
for the ceremony and single camera for highlights of the
photocall, reception and rest of day. However, the choice
is yours. Separate camera coverage can be provided of the
bride’s preparations, family and guest interviews, special
sequence of the bride and groom in a chosen location or
reportage of the day, to name a few suggestions.
In the past, Cotswold Wedding Video & Photography have
filmed a wide range of weddings, from low budget to
lavish dos, in every
type of venue from
Register Offices,
private marquees,
cathedrals and luxury
hotels. In addition,
they have undertaken
a great variety of
filming projects from
services attended
by Her Majesty the
Queen, theatre and
dance productions,
instructional and
marketing projects,
corporate events and
travelogues.
For more information, please call 01453 757980
or visit www.cotswoldweddingvideo.co.uk
Love For Our
Furry Friends
With a lifetime of music experience and a real love of
performing, pianist and church organist, Dudley Fowkes,
provides the perfect musical accompaniment to special
events. From weddings to blessings, christenings to
funerals, Dudley’s extensive repertoire and expertise
allow him to tackle any song with great enthusiasm and
confidence.
So, it’s not hard to see why he’s been chosen for a Reflect
Certificate of Recognition for Special Occasions Music.
Reflect Editor, Elaine Ellis chose Dudley for this accolade.
She says: “Music plays such an important role in our lives,
but most of the time we don’t notice it, it’s just there, in the
background. It can really set the mood and tone of your
event though, so it’s vital to choose an experienced and
passionate performer, which is why I recommend Dudley.
He’s been making, performing and enjoying music his
entire life and he’s still as passionate today as I imagine
he was as a child. I hope our Certificate of Recognition
encourages Reflect readers planning their wedding, or any
Another Accolade For
Dudley Fowkes...
other celebration, to call him directly and see what he can
bring to their event.”
From classical pieces to show tunes, Dudley loves any
opportunity to play his beloved piano. He’s performed at
numerous wedding services in stately homes throughout the
Midlands and really enjoys playing a special request of the
bride and groom: “I love doing requests, especially when
it’s a song the happy couple first heard when they fell in
love. I believe you’ve always got to give it 100% and that’s
what I aim to do.”
Dudley first discovered the joys of playing the piano as a
child: “I started learning the piano at the age of eight and
had lessons for about four years before I became interested
in other pursuits,” he explained. It wasn’t until his 20s that
Dudley first took to the church organist’s seat, he says:
“I had a go on the organ at my local church and really
enjoyed it. I decided I wanted to learn properly, so bought
a book and taught myself, but it took me over two years to
learn how to use my feet on the pedals correctly. I didn’t
have any formal training, but a friend who was an organist
helped me out when I needed advice.”
Over the years, Dudley has played concerts and special
events for all kinds of different audiences, with some of
his proudest moments being performing for the Queen,
Princess Diana and Princess Margaret. Dudley says:
“Playing for Princess Diana was one of the highlights of my
career. The event was held in St James’, London, where
I performed as part of a trio and for most of the day we
played background music. For the two hours that they
ate, I sat just 10 feet away from her and I have to say how
beautiful she was.”
Hire Dudley for your
special event by calling
01527 545211
Make A Life-Long Commitment
Aiming to bust the myths surrounding bulldogs, bull terriers and other bull breeds,
Bullies In Need have been working tirelessly to re-home unwanted dogs since 2002. The
organisation currently has 60 dogs looking for loving new homes and are keen to make
the public aware that these dogs are as lovable, friendly and loyal as any other breed.
The Lincolnshire-based organisation was founded by dog-lover, Ann Warrick, after
setting up an online forum for other fans of bull-type breeds, as she explains: “It started
in a very small way, with people asking for help with their
dogs. Eventually they began asking me to find new homes
and it just snowballed from there – now we never turn a
dog away.”
Bullseye an American bulldog
looking for a home
Ann and her volunteer team are increasingly saddened by
negative media portrayals of bull breeds and their use as
‘status’ dogs, she says: “The dogs aren’t at fault, the owners
are; in recent years they’ve become an accessory for people
who want to look tough, but they’re little softies and that’s
the message we really need to get across.”
If you would like to help Bullies In Need, monetary
donations are desperately needed, as are new homes.
Ann says: “Unfortunately, irresponsible owners have over
bred bullies, so we have more dogs than we can find homes
for – the phone rings non-stop and we feel we’re fighting a
losing battle. We need to find people who really want a dog
and who will treat it as part of the family. Owning a dog
involves a lot of time and sometimes a lot of money; I just
want to urge people to be more responsible.”
With 2012 marking the tenth anniversary of the
beginning of Ann’s mission, Reflect want to celebrate
her selfless hard work and Bullies In Need’s successes by
awarding them our Certificate of Recognition for Services
to the Breed.
Tel: 07780 541143
Web: www.bulliesinneed.info
Email: admin@bulliesinneed.info
Unfortunately, our domestic pets are the latest victims of the current economic instability
following the 2008 recession. National animal welfare organisation, Blue Cross, recently
announced a dramatic leap in their rescue figures, which are thought to be as a result
of families struggling to find the cash to care for their pets. The number of stray or
abandoned pets taken in by Blue Cross in 2011 stands at 1,530, an increase of almost 50%
compared to 2010’s figure of 1,027.
The benefits of owning a pet are enormous and well documented, as they can help
to keep you happy and healthy. In fact, research has shown that pet owners are much
healthier than those who choose not to care for an animal. According to the Pet Health
Council, studies have shown that those who own a pet have lower levels of cholesterol
and lower blood pressure (http://www.pethealthcouncil.co.uk/About-Us/People-and-
Pets-Stress-Busting.html). However, owning a pet isn’t just good for your physical health,
animals are also said to help combat stress, so there are plenty of reasons to introduce a
four-legged friend into your family.
So, before you take the financial and emotional plunge of buying a pet, Reflect would like
to suggest doing your homework.
Whatever type of animal you would like to share your home with you need to consider
how much it will cost you each month for food, bedding and insurance, so that you will
be better prepared and well aware of how much a pet is going to cost in the long run.
Choosing a new pet based on how much you can afford to spend each month is better
than buying an animal you may be forced to give up.
Your choice of pet should also reflect how much time and care you can give. Cats make
ideal pets for those who want a more independent companion, as they require no
walking or grooming, whilst dogs are one of the most time consuming pets. Taking on
the responsibility of a dog is a huge commitment, so it’s important you know how long
they are expected to live for. The average life expectancy for dogs, according to the British
Veterinary Association’s publication The Veterinary Record, is 11 years. However, the breed
of the dog and the care it receives can obviously affect its life span.
It can be difficult to know where to look for the perfect pet, but buying from a reputable
breeder can ensure your animal will be healthier. However, with so many pets filling up
the country’s rescue centres, Reflect would like to encourage you to adopt a rescued
animal. Sadly, the country’s rescue centres always have plenty of pets for you to choose
from, so help an animal in need by giving an abandoned or unwanted animal a loving
home.

20 Advertise With Us
Days Out 21
Be seen by 15,000 people throughout
Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire...
reflect
the bi-weekly lifestyle magazine
Take A Step
Back In Time
Opens from 7 th February 2012
A National Trust property that first opened its doors to visitors in July
2004, Birmingham Back to Backs are the last surviving court of back-to-back
houses (built literally back-to-back around a communal courtyard) in the
whole of the West Midlands.
Situated in the heart of Birmingham, Birmingham Back to Backs give visitors
a glimpse of Birmingham during four time periods, thanks to four unique
properties from the 1840s, 1870s, 1930s and 1970s.
housing and community ass
Southampton
Boat Show
Pull-out
See this issue online at www.reflect-magazine.co.uk
free
reflect
Spend quality time
together with
Days Out
Issue 050
If you’re searching for the perfect place
to spend your retirement years,
Enterprise House
in Chingford offers retirement flats for
single and married couples surrounded
by the peace and tranquillity of Epping
Forest. For more info, turn to page 3 or
visit www.retirementflatse4.org.uk
Find out
what’s happening
this month with
What’s On
anna k
Discover more about
Coping With
Bereavement
Autism campaigner
Anna Kennedy
has produced the DVD ‘Step in the Right
Direction’, in association with Pineapple
Performing Arts Schools, to encourage
autistic youngsters to find out how much
fun expressing themselves through music
and dance can be.
For more info turn to page 03 or visit
www.annakennedyonline.com
See this issue online at www.reflect-magazine.co.uk
free
Issue 052
Experience life
on water with
Boating For
Pleasure
Graham Minatures
Get in the
festive spirit with
Alternative
Christmas
Take a break with
Island
Hopping
See this issue online at www.reflect-magazine.co.uk
free
Issue 054
As the smallest breed of sheep
in the world, the Ouessant sheep
makes an excellent addition to any
farm and James Graham breeds
some of the UK’s best stock. For
more information on these curious
creatures, turn to page 21or visit
www.grahamsminiatures.co.uk
Start planning
your big day with
Norfolk
Bride
Try some gruesome
food ideas this
Halloween
On a fascinating guided tour, visitors can
discover the lives of some of the former
residents who crammed into these small
houses to live and work; there were often
whole families, with six children or more,
living in just three rooms. There’s also the
opportunity to discover how the lives of these
residents shaped the city that Birmingham is
today.
Manager, Simon Hall, told Reflect: “As a living
museum, Birmingham Back to Backs allows
visitors to experience the sights, sounds and smells
of life in 19th and 20th Century Birmingham. Our
four properties, dedicated to four different periods,
enable visitors to discover the lives of some of the
former residents who crammed into these small
houses to live and work; there were often whole
families, with six children or more, living in just
three rooms. All the properties reflect the period
in which they’re set, so some have no electricity or
running water and are heated solely by coal fire.
The properties are a real trip back in time.”
Birmingham Back to Backs is open Tuesday,
Wednesday and Thursday afternoons from
1pm during school term time and Friday,
Saturday and Sunday from 10am until 5pm,
except in January when the property is closed.
Booking a guided tour is highly recommended,
especially during busy periods. Bookings can
be made by calling 0121 6667671.
Standard admission: £6.30 for adults, £3.20 for
children and £14.80 for a family (two adults
and up to three children). Gift Aid admission,
which includes a 10% donation: £6.95 for
adults, £3.60 for children and £16.30 for a
family ticket.
If you’d like to visit Birmingham Back to Backs
but would also like to enjoy a self-catering
break in the heart of Birmingham, you can
now stay in one of two back-to-back holiday
cottages, located at 52 and 54 Inge Street.
Each three-storey property sleeps two; one
cottage has a double bed whilst the other has
twin beds. The kitchens are on the ground
floor whilst the living rooms are on the top
floor, making the most of the views over the
city. For more information on booking either
of these cottages, please call 0844 8002070 or
email cottages@nationaltrust.org.uk quoting
reference 018003/4.
For more information on Birmingham Back to
Backs, please visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/
main/w-birmingham_backtobacks
Elaine Visits
Reflect Editor, Elaine Ellis, recently visited Birmingham Back to
Backs for a guided tour…
"In the midst of a busy Birmingham city lies a hidden gem known as
Birmingham Back to Backs, owned by the National Trust. Our tour
began outside an old-fashioned sweet shop, which was already a
winner. Our tour guide, Paul Gardner started by telling us about the
history of Birmingham, as well as the history of Back to Backs, ideal if
you’re not from the Birmingham area.
"Back to Backs is teeming with history; how people worked, lived and
loved across the eras. Standing in the third floor bedroom of one of
the houses, looking over a beautiful courtyard, I could almost hear the
children playing, mothers cleaning and the general everyday goingson
that define the Victorian era.
"The rooms in the four properties that make up Birmingham Back to
Backs are all original apart from the staircases, which, Paul explained,
have been replaced due to the sheer amount of traffic the homes
have seen since they were first built. The original stairs would have
been dangerous. Each property offers an insight to Victorian life: the
dining table is laden with cutlery and crockery, as if awaiting visitors
to pop in for a bowl of hot stew and warm, freshly baked bread.
"Back to Backs offers an educational insight into a very important
part of our history and heritage; it’s well worth a visit and my
husband and I will definitely be returning."
To advertise your company in
Reflect, call Elaine Ellis on
0116 262 8096
www.reflect-magazine.co.uk
Elaine outside the sweet shop

22 Here To Help
Subscribe Now 23
Help!
I Need Somebody…
Each and every issue, Reflect searches the length and breadth of the UK for the best
companies, offering an excellent service and top-class products. Throughout 2011, we
came across so many excellent companies and we’re hoping to continue bringing you
those companies who we feel can make a real difference to your life in 2012!
Reflect understands that throughout the year, we all need the help of a professional,
whether it be to install double glazing throughout our home, repair our boiler or even
listen to our problems; whatever it is you need a professional for, you’ll find highly
recommended, committed companies and individuals across our pages.
The companies within this feature offer their customers the whole package: high quality
products and competitive prices, as well as an excellent and personal service. Although
these companies are offering different things, the factors that lead to success remain
the same: good customer service, reliability and professionalism are three of the most
important factors for keeping customers happy!
For the very best products, prices, advice and support, choosing the services of a
specialist will ensure you get the right goods to match your needs. Rather than treating
you as a number, these specialist companies pride themselves on going the extra mile
and providing customers with a tailored service and dedicated after sales care, which is
why we’re happy to recommend them.
No matter what you’re looking for, rest assured the companies within this feature will
endeavour to provide only the highest standards of service, the very best products, and
good value for money, which is why we’re 100% happy to recommend them to you…
Encouraging Men To Share In 2012
FARNCARE
INSPECTIONS
An Independant Company
• Locomotive and Traction • Engine Boiler Specialist •
All types of PSSR and Light Lifting equipment
inspected to current regulations
For further information or a quote contact Ian Farrance
Email: ian@farncare.co.uk Mob: 07973 697818
C/O Pitmore Farm Cottage,Pitmore Lane, Pennington
Lymington, SO41 8LL
Web: www.farncare.co.uk
SUBSCRIBE TODAY! SUBSCRIBE TODAY! SUBSCRIBE TODAY! SUBSCRIBE TODAY! SUBSCRIBE TODAY!
Find out
What’s On
this festive season
Remembering
Marco Simoncelli in
Tribute to
Motorsport
free
Issue 055
Travel to the church in true style
with Classic Occasions – the wedding
chauffeur specialists. In his stunning
1985 Rolls Royce Silver Spirit, Tony
South offers a professional, reliable
and luxurious service that guarantees
to make every bride feel like a
princess.
Book Tony for your big day by calling
01553 675610.
Resident chef, Neil
Walker gives us a
simple yet delicious
recipe for our
Christmas
Leftovers
Or turn to page 03
See this issue online at www.reflect-magazine.co.uk
See this issue online at www.reflect-magazine.co.uk
Donate and make
a difference this
Children
In Need
reflect Magazine
free
Issue 058
With men three times more likely
to take their own life than women,
Nottingham Counselling Service
would like to encourage the men of
Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire to
seek help in 2012 and not face the
New Year alone.
For more info, turn to page 3 or visit
www.nottinghamcounsellingcentre.org.uk
Fulfil your New Year’s
Resolution with
New Year
New Diet
Go Organic
This September
Explore the rich history of
Lincolnshire’s
Pride
Give your loved ones
peace of mind with
Eco-friendly
Funerals
See this issue online at www.reflect-magazine.co.uk
in Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire
at your fingertips
Issue 051
Looking for a day out the
whole family can enjoy Look no further than
The Battlefield Line
which covers five miles of the old Ashby & Nuneaton
Joint Railway from Shackerstone Station.
For more info, turn to page 15 or
visit www.battlefieldline.co.uk
Spend quality
time with your
family on
Days Out
free
Take out a subscription to Reflect
and enjoy the convenience of
delivery straight to your door every
fortnight. No more stressful trips
to your local supermarket just to
pick up your favourite magazine.
Receive Reflect as soon as it hits
the shops, if not sooner.
Subscribe today…
For multiple subscriptions or
further enquiries, please call
0116 2515919
Established in 1977, Nottingham Counselling Service (NCS) provides one-to-one counselling services,
therapy and therapeutic support to men and women, aged 16 and over, living within Nottinghamshire
and further afield into the East Midlands.
Image courtesy of
Spike Photography
According to NHS statistics, men are three times more likely to take
their own life than women; in fact, in men under 35-years-old, suicide
is the second most common cause of death in England and Wales –
ahead of road traffic accidents, murder, HIV/AIDS or drug overdoses. It
is believed that this is due to men being more reluctant to talk about
their feelings or to seek help when they need it.
NCS MD, Leslie McDonald, said: “The tragic death of Gary Speed at the
end of last year has highlighted how common suicide is amongst men. There
are numerous clichés: the strong, silent type and the stiff upper lip but when
suicide rates are so high, a man’s silence really could be the death of him.
“The higher suicide rate among men is a worldwide phenomenon, but the
changing role of men in society seems to be to blame for the increases in
male suicide over recent years. As well as having a more stressful time in
achieving educational goals than their fathers and grandfathers, today’s
men are now less successful compared to their female counterparts and the
agony of adolescence has been prolonged, with adulthood and independence
being reached at a much later date – men are now not financially
independence until their mid-20s. We’re here to offer our services to
anyone who is feeling down and just wants someone to chat to, in complete
confidence.”
NCS has provided support, advice and therapy to thousands of
people over the last 30 years. As one of the most respected and
long-established counselling providers, NCS has a wealth of trained
counsellors, so they can help with almost any problem, but they mainly
deal with:
• Stress
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Low Self-esteem
• Relationship Problems
• Bereavement
• Trauma
• Other Abuse, in particular women who have suffered sexual abuse
during childhood
In August 2011, Reflect presented NCS with our annual Certificate
of Recognition for Personal Development 2011. At the time, our
Editor, Elaine Ellis, said: “NCS do such great work, helping residents of
Nottinghamshire and the East Midlands to overcome a number of issues. We
all need a little help from time to time and NCS have a great track record.
They hold BACP Service Accreditation, with the majority of their counsellors
not only holding BACP Membership but also working towards Accreditation,
which means that NCS clients are assured an ethical service. By awarding
NCS this Certificate, I hope to encourage Reflect readers who’ll benefit from
counselling to contact them and change their life!”
For more information, please contact NCS on 0115 9501743
or visit www.nottinghamcounsellingcentre.org.uk
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Helping Our Four-Legged
24 Drinking Update
Friends In Need
Despite being fondly referred to as man’s best friend,
the dogs that arrive at Shropshire’s Birch Hill Dog
Rescue in Cleobury Mortimer have often seen the
dark side of human nature and every day sees more
and more dogs arriving at the centre.
History
Recently registered as a charity, Birch Hill is lovingly run by animal
lover Jutta Patterson, who bought the rescue centre as boarding
kennels in 1996. Jutta told Reflect: “When I bought the property,
it was 90% boarding and just 10% rescue; a lot of the boarding
was boarding for other rescue centres that didn’t have their own
facilities. Over the years, the centre has developed to cater solely
for our own rescue dogs. We take dogs in from all over the UK and
we don’t discriminate against age, sex or breed. We’re one of the
few rescue centres who will accept bull breeds, meaning we have
a lot of staffies here. We also have a non-destruction policy, so will
never put a healthy dog down.”
How You Can Help
With the monthly cost of kennel and
veterinary care amounting to £6,000, Birch
Hill are desperately seeking sponsors, as
Jutta explained: “The effects of the current
economic climate are double-fold; we’re
taking in more dogs as families can no longer
financially support them, but we’ve also got
less money coming in as sponsors are falling. It
costs us £6,000 to run the centre each month,
including vets bills, food, bedding and heating,
so we’re always searching for donations,
of any size. If you want to help there are a
plethora of ways. There’s our ‘kiddies club’,
which costs £2 a month, we have a ‘sponsor
a dog’ scheme which starts from as little as
£4 a month, then there’s the opportunity to
‘sponsor the centre’ and receive our quarterly
newsletter or you can make a one-off
donation for the year - we really don’t mind
how or what you donate, we just really need
you to donate. We’re only here because of
irresponsible breeding and the cruelty of man;
we’re just picking up the pieces.”
Alternatively, you could leave a legacy in
your Will or donate your time and volunteer
for a few hours a week. There’s always jobs
that need doing from feeding and cleaning
out kennels to the more fun job of taking the
centre’s four-legged residents for walkies.
Charity Shop
In an effort to increase the funds coming into
the centre, Birch Hill have recently opened
their own charity shop, located at 12 Reindeer
Court, Worcester. If you have any unwanted
Christmas gifts, old clothes or general bric a
brac that you no longer want or have use
for, Reflect would like to encourage you to
donate these things to the Birch Hill charity
shop to help make a difference to the lives
of all Jutta’s dogs, some of which have been
treated unbelievably badly.
Grand Winter Draw
In order to encourage more monetary
donations, Birch Hill have organised a Winter
Prize Draw with some great prizes on offer, all
of which have been kindly donated. Raffle
tickets are £1 each and can be purchased by
calling Jutta on 01299 270406
First Prize: A one weeks’ luxury caravan holiday
for up to six people at the Lydstep Beach
Holiday Park in Tenby, south Wales. Not only
does this prize cover the accommodation but
also all occupants will have free entry to the
many facilities they have, worth around
£45 each.
Second Prize: is a much-needed
cash prize of £250
Third Prize: is a cash prize of £150
Fourth Prize: is a cash prize of £75
Fifth Prize: is a cash prize of £25
In August last year, the charity was named
top rescue facility in the West Midlands
by RescueReview.co.uk, after pet-lovers
nominated Birch Hill for the title with glowing
five-star reviews.
For more information, or to make a donation,
call 01299 270406 or visit
www.birchhilldogrescue.org.uk
Alternatively, email Jutta at
jutta552@gmail.com