< Previous60 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY ANDREW DAMS N ow summer is here, our gardens beckon us outside, creating the perfect time to rethink our outdoor spaces and make new additions that will enhance our enjoyment and use of them. Sheds and summer houses are one trend only growing in popularity, providing stylish spots for storage, for getting into gardening, or as somewhere to retreat to, to relax away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Trusted by customers for 40 years, supplying and installing sheds, summerhouses, Elite Greenhouses, and more, Andrew Dams Sheds and Summer Houses are inviting visitors to their show site in Billinghay, to provide inspiration and offer their guidance on making the right choice to suit your tastes and requirements, whether you are looking for timber sheds - from potting sheds to tool tidies - summerhouses, or Elite Greenhouses. The family business, established by Andrew Dams in 1983, have been supplying and installing their structures into Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire and far beyond for decades, giving them a wealth of expertise and a long history of exemplary projects. Despite the wide market for their products the specialists keep a personal touch, with manager Daniel Dams noting: “We manufacture our buildings with care and attention on our own site, including all summerhouse joinery doors and windows, and in addition supply and assemble all our buildings. We also sell directly to customers, to remove the middlemen, allowing for more personal service.” He added: “We have erected buildings in England, Scotland, and Wales, though mainly in our own county, where we have a large show site with a plethora quality timber sheds and summerhouses on display. Why not enjoy a day out in Lincolnshire to share your requirements with us and experience what we create firsthand? We take pride in displaying what we make and look forward to helping you select the ideal building for your garden.” The business, which uses the highest quality materials, takes further delight in its pricing. “We aim to produce and sell our 19mm thick loglap T&G buildings at a similar price to competitors’ 12mm sheds. You may be surprised at what we offer! Plus, our quality structures are strong and durable, ensuring they last for years,” said Daniel. You can purchase buildings from Andrew Dams Sheds and Summer Houses on their website (www.andrewdams.co.uk) or visit the show site on Walcott Road, Billinghay, LN4 4EW, which has around 20 sheds and summerhouses and 11 aluminium Elite Greenhouses on display. The showroom is open Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm, and on Saturday 10am - 4pm. For further information call 01526 861737, email sales@andrewdams.co.uk, or visit www.andrewdams.co.uk The season for sheds and summerhouses With sheds and summerhouses continuing to prove popular, Andrew Dams has a wide range of choices and the expertise to help you select the right option for your needs. 01526 861737 Billinghay, Lincolnshire LN4 4EW www.andrewdams.co.uk sales@andrewdams.co.uk Sheds & Summer Houses Family run business in Lincolnshire, manufacturing, selling and installing the best quality timber sheds, summer houses and Elite Greenhouses and more! Large display site based in Billinghay with bespoke buildings also available. Family business est. 1983 Follow us for regular updates…Unique Some vehicles are made to fit the everyman, while others are designed for a specific demographic – and both philosophies have their merits. 62 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY COUNTY MOTORING designsLINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 63 COUNTY MOTORING Mercedes-AMG GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+ The AMG 4.0-litre V8 biturbo engine in the 450 kW (612 hp) configuration ensures superior propulsion. It delivers 20 kW (27 hp) more than in the AMG GT 63, and the engine experts in Affalterbach have increased the maximum torque by 50 Nm to 850 Nm for even more powerful acceleration. This increase in performance was achieved by adapting the engine control unit. The AMG GT 63 PRO impresses with its overall performance, especially at higher speeds. The lightweight AMG Performance 21-inch forged wheels in cross-spoke design are painted exclusively in Himalaya grey. In the UK the AMG GT 63 PRO is equipped with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2R Cup tyres in sizes 295/30 ZR 21 at the front and 305/30 ZR 21 at the rear. The standard AMG Exterior Carbon Fibre package with front splitter, trim strips in the side sills, diffuser and rear wing in high-quality carbon fibre emphasises the connection to motorsport. Black-painted brake callipers, AMG Performance seats with high lateral support and an AMG Performance steering wheel in Nappa leather/MICROCUT microfibre are also included as standard. 64 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY COUNTY MOTORING Audi A5 Audi is opening the next chapter in its successful history in the mid-size segment with the new A5 family. Even at first glance, the completely redesigned A5 family has a powerful and clean design. The modified proportions with a long wheelbase, large wheels and the low, sporty body embody progressive dynamism and premium standards. In the Saloon, the sporty, compact-looking greenhouse stretches to the rear in a sweeping arc, flows seamlessly into the shallow rear window in a coupé-like manner, and ends at the visually short tailgate with a striking spoiler lip. The design of the interior of the new Audi A5 is based on four characteristic features. Firstly, the interior has a human-centric design, i.e., it is consistently geared towards the needs of its users. The second special feature is the Digital Stage that establishes itself in clear view of the driver and front passenger in the form of the Audi MMI displays. With its Material Driven Design, the Audi A5 meets the requirement for a generous sense of space with a high level of comfort. The clear layout and easy operation of the interior provide an overview in all situations to form the fourth feature: Visual Clarity. Added to this is the optional dynamic interaction light (standard on S5) to support the car’s interaction with the occupants. LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 65 Dacia Spring The All-New Spring, Dacia’s first all-electric model, is widely credited for making electric mobility accessible to all. First launched in Europe in 2021, it was the third most sold electric car to retail customers in 2022 and 2023. In total, more than 140,000 Dacia Spring have been registered worldwide since its launch. Now available in the UK, for the first time, the All-New Dacia Spring is the perfect solution for people looking for simple, affordable and efficient mobility. Dacia continues its mission to be the best value for money car brand that constantly redefines the essentials. Applying this to All-New Dacia Spring, Dacia wants to encourage drivers to make the shift to all-electric cars in an accessible way. A car’s design – along with efficiency, price and practicality – is one of the essential pieces in the puzzle. The dashboard has been totally reinvented, both to incorporate elements from Dacia’s new interior design language, with its emblematic horizontal architecture, and to also integrate a new range of digital screens. Spring now features a customisable digital dashboard with a 7-inch display on all versions as well as a 10-inch multimedia central display on Extreme trim models. The colour palette and materials used for the interior have been reworked to offer superior quality, while reducing the diversity of options to better manage costs – key to the Dacia philosophy. Hyundai IONIQ 5 The new IONIQ 5 features exterior upgrades with new 19” and 20” alloy wheel designs, refreshed front and rear bumpers, redesigned front LED V-garnish, extended rear spoiler, rear wiper for increased visibility and slim Digital Side Mirrors (DSM). Two additional exterior paint colours have been added to the range, with Meta Blue Pearl and the free of charge Ultimate Red giving a total of 11 colour options. New IONIQ 5 also now features a standard battery heating system, battery pre-conditioning and heat pump across the range. Complementing the updated exterior, the new interior layout features a sliding centre console with physical climate and heated seat buttons, pixel design door armrests, auto-dimming digital centre mirror, refreshed seat design and upholstery. A new dark surround for the dual 12.3” audio, visual and navigation system and drivers instrument cluster reduces reflection. YPY DN15 6,ADOAOTITTAON STAON ROP KOCLHEBTH KIDS ON W THFIND THE NEWT OROTHSCLTHAHARTWELLUNTH ATA RAOMWMGWRA om tt froud-natst ‘ahs us teivh ghic, wtd ounnside ae igaungal he sw tloolls fdeur mo. Onishid fnt aimium fed a prnh aceh ttiw baniatus, sictrcle% e00or 1d fnate s. WAWM ORe Gr’e! Wh hiO K EPERP …ortca! Fwo’ wdworhe c n gsiic detisturu-foetrme ras d ekcas pomet cahy ttble mobili 3 PURE+ TC CONTRAALL CCTT HIRE ths on Personal Contract Hire. ER MONTPETHH 99 * 03PAORAPRRO+ 8 initial rental HHR MONT .erit HcatronC HIRE 03 PAORAPRRO+ T CONTRAALNERSOPEONNAL CCT For 36 months on Personal After £2,868 initial rental PEER £239 * ME 1l0lC omlcew oh ytiw eplorEx AEATETHTETTHE TE tdift 0007438271 oorwhe shoo tou tng ymi cepA sWM ORl Gacour lo 3A 0w ORf nee ongae a r M .eturur fahe nen tm i d rwaorok fe lo. Wstlisaic tunl Sclewtrat Hs areff3 o ot ,ephor reement you will [O:LW[LTILY \KLK t 1l 0la *Hartwell Automotive Group Ltd is a broker not a leasin not own the vehicle. TPSLZWLYHUU\T,_JLZZTPSL 6ɈLYH]HPSHISL[OYV\NO.>469(<23LHZPUNH[YH C .et mord ounio ft 0 0074 3827 oviderng pr.. Subject to status. T&Cs apply. At the end of the ag LHNLJOHYNLZTH`HWWS`6ɈLYH]HPSHISLVU]LOPJSLZYLNPZ[LYLKI` HKPUNZ[`SLVM3L_(\[VSLHZL3[K:29)4HPU[LUHUJLUV[PUJS\ 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 67 COUNTY MOTORING W e tried the battery electric vehicle in PRO+ trim (there’s also the PURE+), and it offers an upgraded 260-mile range* and enhanced comfort features. You first notice the resemblance to a Porsche at the front. Yes, ORA looks like it’s taken inspiration from the 911, with its bug-eyed headlights. This creates two bulges at either side of the bonnet, which also features a couple of smaller bumps towards the centre. The rest of the front end is uncluttered, with a compact lower grille that has silver-bordered air intakes at either end. The taillights are mainly built into the black frame at the bottom of the rear window. Meanwhile, the lower portion of the car’s posterior sticks out, resulting in an unusual shape, with smaller lights on either side of the number plate and a clean, minimalist design. The interior looks inviting, classy, and premium-feeling. Indeed, the comfortable cabin was designed in Germany, so its success may come as little surprise. It has an uncluttered appearance, and as small cars go, the electric vehicle has a generous amount of space in the front and back. The ORA 03 PRO+ boasts heated, cooled, and massage front seats, a heated steering wheel, a panoramic sunroof, rear privacy glass, a powered gesture tailgate, and advanced automatic parking assistance. It also contains wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable driving experience. The car pulls away well, with 0-62mph achievable in 8.2 seconds – and it provides good acceleration at higher speeds – up to a maximum of 99mph. In terms of handling, the steering is responsive and precise, plus the weight of the wheel can be adjusted. The ORA 03 goes around bends nicely, with little body lean and generally feels well- planted and stable. The electric car is cutesy but with luxury features - and it looks like it’d give you a big hug. If you like to stand out, then the ORA 03 could be the small EV for you. It has personality by the bucketload, provides excellent range, and gives the likes of the Honda E and MINI Electric a run for their money. GWM ORA 03 PRO+ A space to enjoy the drive GWM ORA’s first model has been rebadged the ORA 03, a small electric vehicle with big personality, and we got to take it out for a ride. Fast Facts Max speed: 99 mph 0-62 mph: 8.2 secs Range: 260 WLTP* Battery Capacity (kWh) 63 Max. power (PS): 171 CO2: 0 g/km Price: £33,795 * Vehicles are tested according to The Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP). Figures shown are for comparability purposes; only compare figures with vehicles tested to the same technical procedures. Real life driving results may vary depending on factors such as driving styles, the starting charge of the battery, accessories fitted after registration, vehicle load and weather conditions.68 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY AN INTERVIEW WITH… Could you tell me a little bit about yourself and your journey to becoming a published author? We came to live in Lincolnshire from Surrey in the millennium and I started thinking about writing as soon as we got here and I saw the location. We were wandering around the lanes one misty evening, and I thought “this is the perfect setting for a crime novel.” I started writing in earnest around five years after that. We’d retired, were enjoying ourselves, and I realised that writing is what I really wanted to do, so I buckled down and got absolutely nowhere for years. I sent books off, got loads of rejections, and became very unhappy about it. I had two books taken by a publisher who mainly dealt with hardbacks for libraries which were very expensive and very short print runs, but I knew that wasn’t the way I wanted to go. As soon as I decided it was time to give up, as I was wasting my life and that of my partner Jacqueline, I had an amazing phone call from Jasper Joffe of Joffe Books. He had picked up one of my books that I’d put on Kindle. He said he loved it and asked if I would join them. From that moment I never looked back. You have chosen the Lincolnshire Fens as a setting for your stories for some time. How does living in Lincolnshire encourage or influence your writing? Almost all of my books are set here. Frankly, The Fens are one of the main characters. They literally are based around The Fens and everything about them. I don’t think they would be the same anywhere else. This is just such a different kind of landscape and it’s perfect for my characters and my books. Your new audiobook, One More to Die, has just been released on Audible, could you tell us about it and why you think people would enjoy it? I think they’ll enjoy it for the narrator alone. Hayley Atwell (Agent Carter, Mission: Impossible, Captain America), who is a massive star, is so good. I’m delighted she said she’d do this. She has the perfect voice for my lead character, Detective Inspector Kate Carter. She’s investigating a murder but suddenly realises she has attracted a stalker and without giving too much away, it’s two things running in parallel. She’s trying to work whilst being stalked, which is very scary, and then it all gets too much. It gets quite exciting, shall we say, and because it’s a novella, where you have to get quite a lot into a short space of time, it has plenty of pace. What inspired you to write One More to Die and what was the process of writing it like? The process of writing was really good with One More to Die. There’s something about writing novellas; it’s very immediate and once you’ve got an idea in your head it flows very well because it’s not like mapping out a full- length novel. I really enjoyed this one. I’ve also always wanted to do a particular character who is a DI and very, very efficient, but she’s two people. At home she’s going around in her hoody and has wild kids, mad dogs and lots of cats. She’s a completely different person to who she is at work. I loved that because you can bounce backwards and forwards, and of course when somebody like this stalker intervenes and cuts into both of her lives, she finds it difficult to cope. They’ve taken away her family life and are also interfering with a murder investigation, so it provided great tension for me to work with. What do you think it is that keeps drawing you back to writing crime thrillers? Partly because my partner Jacqueline is a retired police officer, which helps a lot because I have a sort of in-house consultant for police procedurals, which is massive. But they also fascinate me; I’ve always loved reading mysteries since I was tiny. Put my mysteries with Jacqueline’s career and we’ve turned out with police procedurals! An interview with local bestselling author Joy Ellis Upon the release of her new audiobook, One More to Die, Lincolnshire Today spoke with Joy Ellis, the Lincolnshire Fens-based crime thriller author. Having written more than 30 novels, including three series, Joy’s success can be seen in 12 UK #1 best-sellers, with her works selling over 3.7 million copies in English and translated into 14 languages. LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 69 AN INTERVIEW WITH… You’ve written numerous books, including three series. What keeps your creative cogs turning? Oh, heaven knows! It’s as much a surprise to me as it is anyone else, believe me! It’s little things; some tiny thing that sows a seed. I’m one of these writers that doesn’t plot or plan very carefully or lay everything out and know where everything is going. I literally write chapter one with an idea in my head and off we go. It’s kind of organic, I think. Your series Jackman and Evans is currently being developed for television, starring Richard Armitage as DI Rowan Jackman. Do you remember how you felt upon hearing the news? I was just over the moon. It’s a dream. I know it will be ‘based on’, rather than being the exact books, but because Richard Armitage is already my narrator for the Jackman series, I know he knows my character. He’s such a nice man and came up here to see The Fens and talk to me about my characters before he even narrated the audiobooks because he wanted to get it right, and I admire that because he is such a busy man. I can’t wait to see it. A lot of things will change, but I hope it’s done sympathetically. They have a very good screenwriter, one of the best, so let’s hope with a great cast it’ll do well! Do you have any advice for aspiring Lincolnshire authors? It’s very rewarding but be prepared. You’ve got to have that passion that will carry you through the bad times and when you get rejection slips back, as everyone does. Before I planned to give in, I probably had been writing for over 10 years. That’s a lot of time to commit to something, but heavens I am really pleased I did. Do you have any other future book releases on the horizon? I have another in the DI Nikki Galena series coming out later this year and I’m writing the next Jackman as we speak. Where can people find you? I have a really good website (https://www.joyellisbooks.com/) designed by a lovely young man who works for me, Luke. He’s very creative and does fabulous things on Facebook, including teasers for the next books coming out. So go through Facebook and the website, or through Joffe Books or Audible. Is there anything else you want to add? A thank you to everyone. We writers would be absolutely nowhere without the readers, and they have been so supportive to me. We’ve got a massive base of people who follow us. I love them all. I also want to give a huge thank you to Jasper Joffe, for trusting me and taking the books. We’ve been working together now for eight years, and he’s been a fabulous publisher. He really cares about his authors. It’s been a fantastic journey so far, and now I’m of an age I’m certainly not planning on giving up! One More to Die is available now, exclusively on Audible. In One More to Die, smart, happy-go-lucky mum of three, Detective Inspector Kate Carter, leads a team to investigate the murder of a man found in the wreckage of a car. Upon discovering a vital clue — a vintage vinyl record from 1964 — the team are set upon a suspenseful journey of twists and turns to discover the truth. Meanwhile, Detective Inspector Kate soon finds herself contending with something dark in her own life as she becomes victim to an obsessive stalker. Next >