< PreviousTo promote your services call Angie Cooper on 01472 310302 or email: a.cooper@blmgroup.co.uk Click’em Inn Swinhope, Nr Binbrook, Market Rasen, LN8 6BS Tel: 01472 398253 Web: www.clickem-inn.co.uk The Click’em Inn is a family-owned freehouse, established for over 30 years in its current incarnation. Steeped in history, the inn is open 6 days a week, Tuesday- Sunday, offering a wide choice of drinks, including six real ales available at any time, with a regularly changing selection of personally recommended guest ales. The Kitchen is open Tuesday-Sunday for evening dining, plus lunchtimes Friday-Sunday. The menu varies from day-to-day with the chef’s specials, alongside regular meals. 40 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY Eggs Florentine with Watercress What to do: 1. In a pan of boiling water, poach the eggs to your preference. 2. Meanwhile, slice each muffin in half and toast. Spread with a little butter. 3. Assemble the muffins on plates, topping with the watercress and eventually, a poached egg on each muffin slice. Drizzle with Hollandaise and cracked black pepper. Recipe courtesy of www.thewatercresscompany.com Prep time: 5 mins Cook time: 5 mins Serves 2 You’ll need: * Hollandaise sauce * 4 eggs * 2 English muffins * Butter * 80g Watercress * Black pepper © stock.adobe.com/Pixel-ShotFOOD & DINING LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 41 Chicken noodle soup You’ll need: * 2 carrots, onions and leeks, chopped * 1tbs olive oil * 1.6kg whole chicken, rinsed, dried * 2 celery stalks, chopped * 4 bay leaves * Finely grated zest and juice of 1 lemon, plus extra grated zest to serve * 300g egg noodles, cooked according to packet instructions What to do: 1. Preheat oven to 200C. Place carrot, onion and leek on a baking tray and drizzle with oil. Roast for 30 minutes or until light golden. Transfer to a large stockpot. 2. Add chicken to pot with celery, bay leaves and 3L water and bring to the boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 50 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Shred meat from bone. 3. Reserve meat and carcass. Strain stock, discarding solids, then return to pot with chicken carcass. Cook for a further 50 minutes or until slightly reduced. Strain, discarding carcass. Stir lemon zest and juice, and chicken into soup. Season. 4. To serve, stir noodles into soup, then divide among serving bowls. © stock.adobe.com / New Africa42 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY WEDDINGS © stock.adobe.com/illustrissima Breaking with tradition Weddings don’t have to be traditional if you don’t want them to be. It’s your special day, so go wild with what YOU want. Breaking with tradition LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 43 WEDDINGS W ith that in mind, a lot of traditions are falling out of favour today. If you can choose any time and any place for your wedding, who’s going to tell you that you can’t steal a peek at your beloved partner beforehand? The ‘first look’ has become less of a thing, and superstitions about it being bad luck (originating in the US) are becoming less important over here, especially when many couples have been together for years before tying the knot. Another tradition being done away with is the “asking the father for permission to marry”, the “cake smashing”, the “tossing of the bouquet” and more. Some older people will look unfavourably on the loss of these “key parts of the wedding” and call it sensitivity gone mad, but the truth of the matter is that a lot of people just don’t enjoy them much anymore. A wedding is your special day and if you don’t want something, then don’t let anyone force you to have it. The same goes for family, friends and all the ceremonial party members, from bridesmaids to best men and everyone in between. An increasing number of weddings are ditching the gender stereotypes altogether, with groomsmaids, bridesmates and men of honour stepping up despite which side of the family they’re from. This way, no matter the gender or relationship to bride, groom or otherwise, anyone can be celebrated with an honoured title. We don’t live in a world where men can only befriend men and vice versa, and there’s no reason that a woman’s male best friend or a man’s female best friend shouldn’t be able to be a part of the wedding. And, let’s be honest, it’s more fun to sneak around the old ways to make sure we show as much love to our dearest ones as possible. Go wild mixing up your ‘I do crew’, and include all your friends in the pre-wedding celebrations too - the sten-do continues to be very much in. While we’re still here throwing traditions out the window, let’s take a look at what often becomes the centrepiece of 44 Á44 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY WEDDINGS a wedding - the bridal gown. But don’t panic yet. Bearing in mind that certain brides might only have to imagine the layers of fussy flounces to wince, there might be a better way. If it’s a no to the dress, the clear solution is the bridal suit. This slick, no-nonsense answer for someone who doesn’t need a gown to dazzle can also be an affirming choice for gender non-conforming marriage partners. Besides, the 80s were all over wedding fashion events last year, and next to cloud-like sleeves and dramatic angles, what screams of the era more than an attention-grabbing power suit? Shoulder pads are optional, and you can choose whether you go bright or light, or even top off the look with a classic adornment of pearls. As for daring to don the dress after all, some catwalk styles came with detachable puffed sleeves to suit every taste, or to customise from day to night. A nifty bonus to watch out for, or to incorporate under your own steam for those brave souls undertaking their own dress- making. Either way, keep it as simple as you see fit, and hang on to another benefit of the pandemic’s scaled-back approach. In the end, you want your outfit to keep you comfortable into the night and beyond, so you can enjoy it for as long as you can. Perhaps consider something that’s adaptable for more than a once-in- a-lifetime fling, and take your suit or gown with you on many more special occasions sure to come. Lavenders and blues may be the hit hues for weddings this year, taking another regency-era style leaf from the Bridgerton book. But another colour not to be overlooked is green. Only this time, we mean it in the sustainable sense. As lovebirds who also adore our planet look for creative ways to be eco- conscious, here’s where tradition can come into its own in a modern context. Incorporating ‘something old’ is the perfect way to embrace the past while looking to the future, and your something can be anything. Save money for your lives together by borrowing gowns or suits from loved ones, rescuing them from cupboards and lofts to be danced in once again, or rent in garden games for an outdoor wedding. Using your imagination means a celebration even more unique to you, and opens up opportunities to show gratitude to the older generations in your wedding party. After all the celebrations have been shared, the final important thing remaining is to thank your guests for being there with a thoughtful gift. © stock.adobe.com/HalfpointLINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 45 WEDDINGS Hirst Priory, a Grade II listed country house nestled in the beautiful woodland just outside of Crowle, North Lincolnshire, now under the esteemed management of Hunt Leisure Ltd, offers an idyllic wedding venue where history meets modern elegance. Meticulously refurbished, it blends stylish, neutral décor with the timeless charm of its heritage. With a selection of fully flexible wedding packages available, Hirst Priory can provide the magic to bring any dream wedding alive. Belton Rd, Crowle, Belton, DN17 4BU T: 01724 400418 E: hirstpriory@huntleisure.co.uk Hirstpriory © Amy Lince Photography Wedding favours are an easy and popular way to bring an eco-friendly aspect to the big day. Nobody wants to worry that the presents carefully matched to each table setting will only end up cluttering a shelf, or worse, forgotten or thrown away. Taking the green theme ever further, giving a plant is the perfect way to let your guests remember your wedding, and remind them of love as something that grows with time. While potted plants are pretty, another neat and attractive idea is a thank you card made with seed paper, ready to be planted and nurtured at home. Not only does this save money, especially for a longer guest list, but it gives your loved ones a living memory of your wedding, and excitement for things to come. The fun can continue months later seeing whose mystery green friend grows, keeping even far-flung families together over any distance, and creating more special memories for everyone. © stock.adobe.com/Andrii Oleksiienko46 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY FAMILY BUSINESS R unning a family business isn’t easy, especially not with the unpredictable and unwelcome state of the economy, the rising cost of living, soaring inflation and a zombie government. Running any kind of business will be difficult in those circumstances, but family businesses always have it harder because the company is tied to the family unit, often having emotional and sentimental bonds, and it’s the hope of many family business owners to pass it down to their children one day. Making harsh decisions and distancing yourself emotionally from them is difficult when there’s so much at stake, but that is the situation family businesses find themselves in today. Family businesses have been evolving in recent times to keep up with new trends in social media, marketing, online sales and more – and there’s yet more evolution that needs to happen if they’re to adapt to this new, uncertain world of trading conditions. The advantage family businesses have over traditional enterprises, however, is that they quite often have someone within the family who can broach other generations. Younger family members are typically more genre savvy when it comes to Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, and can have valuable advice – if the older members listen – on how to further a brand on these platforms. This may even include such approaches as meme culture, which may seem striking and startling to some, but keep in mind that many big brands, including Wendy’s, KFC and Coca Cola, have been trying to use meme culture on X to break into new markets and appeal to the younger demographic. It’s difficult for dusty suits in a boardroom to really “get down with the kids” however, whereas family businesses are quite often run by people The family unit While family businesses face a raft of challenges – like many other businesses in this economy – the solutions are often not so simple; they never are where family is involved. LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 47 FAMILY BUSINESS © stock.adobe.com/Africa Studio © stock.adobe.com/Seventyfour who have, and who are used to dealing with, children. Modernizing family businesses is also a great way to get the next generation interested in the running of the company. One of the biggest challenges, and the greatest fears, of many family businesses is what will happen if the next generation doesn’t want to take the company over. We’re living in a world where people are increasingly encouraged to pursue their own dreams and leave their own mark on the world, and younger generations may not want to be tied down to something they had no hand in founding. By involving younger people earlier, giving them responsibility and letting them get a taste for what running a family business is like, you can help draw them back into the business or, if that 48 ÁDIRECT GASKETS LIMITED Contact us today on 01482 219655 or visit our website www.direct‐gaskets.co.uk For 35 years we have been market leaders in the manufacture of Gaskets. Established in Hull, we play an important role in the city’s manufacturing sector. We have built up a strong reputation for supplying high quality products at very competitive prices and an unbeatable service. Woolliss & Son Butchers –– AWARD-WINNING LINCOLNSHIRE BUTCHERS –– LOOKING FOR A TOP QUALITY BUTCHERS IN LINCOLNSHIRE? Look no further, we have a proven track record when it comes to providing top quality cuts of meat and home made pastries at a competitive price. We are proud of our locally sourced produce and our 5 star hygiene rating. 29-31 Mercer Row, Louth LN11 9JG. T: 01507 603230 E: orders@woolliss-butchers.co.uk W: woolliss-butchers.co.uk 48 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY FAMILY BUSINESS fails, at least make sure they are fully informed on their decisions. Family businesses are, after all, meant to be for the whole family, but it can be easy for one dominant personality to take over, thinking they know best, and unintentionally drive other members away from the company. Powerful personalities are important when running a business – just look at any famously successful entrepreneur – but the important thing to remember about entrepreneurialism is that it is a very personal thing, and that it often doesn’t translate well to a communal family unit. That’s not to say it shouldn’t be celebrated or encouraged, but moderation should be kept in mind, because it’s very easy to turn a family business into your © stock.adobe.com/auremarLINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 49 FAMILY BUSINESS As 2025 begins, many of us think about making positive changes to our lives and finally doing things that we’ve been thinking about for ages. For those of you who are over 45 and are looking for a fresh start, Tingdene Residential Parks offer the perfect opportunity to embrace a new lifestyle this New Year. With two exceptional parks—Ashfield Park in Scunthorpe and Kirkstead Bridge Park in Woodhall Spa—you can enjoy a harmonious blend of modern convenience, natural beauty, and affordability in the county you love. Ashfield Park, Scunthorpe: A Gateway to Convenience Nestled in a peaceful setting, Ashfield Park offers the perfect blend of countryside and urban convenience. Located just minutes from a large Asda Superstore and on a direct bus route into Scunthorpe’s bustling town centre, you’ll have easy access to shops, medical facilities, and leisure opportunities. For golf enthusiasts, the Ashby Decoy Golf Club is over the road, ideal for perfecting your swing. Kirkstead Bridge Park, Woodhall Spa: A Countryside Haven If you’re dreaming of life surrounded by nature, Kirkstead Bridge Park in Woodhall Spa delivers. Known for its charming market town vibe, Woodhall Spa offers a variety of local indepenent shops, cafés, and restaurants, plus the unique Kinema in the Woods. Golf lovers will feel right at home here too, with the renowned Woodhall Spa Golf Club just minutes away. Both parks are enveloped by beautiful countryside, offering tranquil walking trails and scenic views. For days out, the Lincolnshire coastline, including popular New Year, New Home: Discover the Joys of Park Home Living in Lincolnshire business if you’re not careful. If that happens then children may not feel like they have the opportunities they want and might seek employment elsewhere. That might not be a bad thing, however. A fresh perspective brings fresh ideas back into the company and drafting family into the business over and over will lead to skills and ideas stagnating. There are many key skills that can only be learned outside the family business, and these, when brought back, can help push a business in new directions and to new heights. So, don’t feel too worried if your family or children want to try their hand elsewhere. Few jobs are forever, and it may be that the experience they gain in another company is just what the family business will need a little down the line. Even if they don’t join up later, they can still be a source of ideas, advice and contacts. Being able to distance and differentiate family from family business is a challenge, and one that every family running a business has to contend with at one point another. It’s inevitable that things won’t always go your way, and that a family will disagree at some point or another, but the strongest family businesses are those that know how to step away from the problem and talk it out, either as business partners or as a family, without letting things get out of hand. Our family businesses across Lincolnshire are something to be proud of, and we will always encourage our readers to shop local, favour your local family businesses, and do their best to support Lincolnshire’s economy. spots like Skegness and Mablethorpe, is within easy reach, providing plenty of opportunities for seaside relaxation or family outings. The Benefits of Park Home Living Park Home living in Lincolnshire goes beyond location—it’s about embracing a lifestyle that makes life simpler, more affordable, and more enjoyable. Here’s what you can expect: • Financial Freedom: Downsizing to a park home saves you money on upkeep and utilities while releasing funds for the things that matter most. • Community Spirit: Both Ashfield Park and Kirkstead Bridge Park foster a welcoming community of like-minded residents who share similar values and interests. • Lock Up and Leave Security: Whether you’re traveling or visiting family, your park home remains secure, giving you peace of mind when enjoying time away. • Fully furnished: Modern, single-storey homes make life more convenient, with less time spent on maintenance. So, if you’ve been thinking about leaving the stresses of life behind and making a new start for the new year, park home living could be just that you’re looking for. With a range of plot sizes and move in ready homes available across the county there’s no better time to embrace the freedom, affordability, and tranquillity that park home living brings. Come along, see for yourself and make 2025 the year you say yes to new opportunities, new experiences, and a new home. For more information, please visit www.tingdene-parks.net or call 01933 427815. Next >