< Previous40 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY LACEBY MANOR RESORT REVIEW T he Spa at Laceby Manor was created as a retreat within a retreat with fabulous views across the perfectly manicured greens of the 18 hole golf course and the stunning Lincolnshire Wolds countryside. It’s hard not to be impressed with the scenery, and it really feels like an escape to the countryside, away from the hustle and bustle of our busy lives. The Lake view bedrooms are spacious – luxurious, with a super king sized bed, plus everything you would expect from a luxury Spa break, including a large walk in shower with complimentary Voya products, free wi-fi, Halo coffee pod machine, the best of hair dryers – very girlie I know – but a nice touch. The nickel bathtub on the patio, overlooking the lake was also a fabulous surprise and yes we indulged in an outside soak. There’s nothing quite like it. Once checked in by the very friendly Spa reception ladies, we enjoyed our welcome drink and were given a tour around the Spa facilities with each of the treatment rooms fully explained. We were also introduced to our Spa Butler, which is another great touch as it means you can grab a lovely coffee, smoothie, Prosecco whenever you wanted without interrupting your spa treatment. Refreshed and ready to let the ‘relaxation’ begin we opted to try the Finnish sauna first, which is the hottest sauna at the manor. The interior of it was lovely, with wenge wood everywhere, and soft lighting to give it a really relaxing atmosphere. It’s said people in Scandinavia are some of the happiest in the world, and I’ve got a feeling I might have an idea why after experiencing a Finnish sauna. Suitably relaxed and feeling fantastic, we decided to be brave and try the outdoor natural swimming pond, which we were told is great to use straight after a sauna treatment because of the transition from hot to cold. It’s a must try experience; the cold water invigorates the body and mind, and there really was something strangely uplifting about the experience. I can’t tell if it was the rush, a reaction within the body, or just how great it felt, but it’s “refreshing” in the way all those shower gel and shampoo adverts would have you imagine, except without all the special effects. Because it was our professional duty to explore as many facilities as we could (no other reason, honest) we decided to try out the herbal sauna next. I’ve never heard of or seen one of these, and it’s Laceby Manor Lincolnshire Today had the pleasure of recently visiting the Laceby Manor resort, set in 150 acres of beautiful Lincolnshire countryside.LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 41 LACEBY MANOR RESORT REVIEW quite a simple experience in which fresh herbs bubble in a cauldron above the coals. It’s simple, but undeniably relaxing to have the air filled with such fragrancies – our sense of smell activates many parts of our brains after all, and it was a noticeably different experience to the saunas before it. We were rather hungry after our experiences, and thankfully a 2-course lunch is included in the spa package. The Oak Room pizzeria is a new addition to Laceby Manor, located in the Spa gardens with lovely large Oak beams and comfy décor. The menu is simple, but when you have confidence in what you are delivering that’s a good thing in our books. The pizzas – cooked in a large pizza oven - were full of flavour and wonderfully indulgent. The staff could not do enough to help and everything at Laceby Manor is geared towards customer satisfaction. Within the Spa break package we booked, you also have a selection of treatments available and we opted for the facial and neck and back massage to continue our de-stress and relaxation theme. On arrival at the Spa reception, we were greeted by our therapists who led us through to the couple’s treatment room. Once comfortable, the therapists began to work their magic – we had a Voya facial, which revitalizes the skin leaving it refreshed and glowing. Following that up with a back and neck massage, I could feel the stresses of everyday life floating away. After fifty minutes of feeling totally pampered, we were escorted through to our very own couple’s couchette, again beautifully presented with a velvet-type wall covering, comfy beds and snug blankets. Feeling rather exhausted from the days pampering and relaxing I opted for a little glass of wine on our room’s balcony, watching the golfers tee off and the ducks swim by, while my partner opted to try out the Gym facilities. The gym is fully stocked with equipment with fabulous membership packages that provide full access to the spa facilities, sauna and an infinity pool, and my partner gushed about the view as he worked out. The Oak room takes on a whole new persona in the evening when we returned to dine. The full menu is as varied as you might expect from a luxury resort, and the food and selection of wines don’t disappoint. My partner enjoyed a healthy tuna steak with seasonal vegetables while I opted for the summer pea tagliatelle. The food is cooked to the same taste and presentation that you’d expect from a high-class restaurant, and the staff are very knowledgeable on the menu and the wines on offer, and genuinely look like they enjoy working at Laceby Manor. All in all, we can’t rave enough about the experience and definitely recommend it whether you’re looking for a staycation, a weekend away with your partner, or just an opportunity to take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life so you can relax. And, if you’re into golf, then there are even more reasons to go! For more information, to check availability or see images on all the various lodges, pods and accommodation options available, visit www.lacebymanor.co.uk, or call 01472 873 468 42 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY HEALTH & FITNESS It’s best not to exercise on an empty stomach. This is one of those myths that makes sense on the surface, which is probably why it’s so commonly known. You eat for energy, and energy is needed for a good workout, right? Therefore, it should make sense that you need to eat to work out. The truth is that energy from food is broken down and stored in the body long after you eat, and even though you may feel hungry, your body has plenty of stores to go at. In fact, exercising on an empty stomach is called “fasting exercise” by some, and is seen as a way to try and target the stores of fat your body keeps for just this moment. Bigger muscles = bigger strength This is another of those myths that seems to make sense, but one only needs to look at some of those “world’s strongest man” competitions to see that while the men there do have large muscles, they also have a lot of bulk to go with it. Sumo wrestlers are very much the same. What dictates strength is not the size of your muscles but the efficiency of them, and someone with tighter muscles and a leaner frame can be just as strong as someone with ripping biceps. If you don’t feel sore after a workout then you didn’t work hard enough This is one of the most destructive myths in fitness and leads to all those claims about “no pain, no gain” that flood the internet. Muscle soreness is known as DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness) and is most common in people just starting out, or those who are focusing on a new muscle group after they haven’t for a while. It is definitely a sign that you have worked your muscles hard, but it’s something that should go away once you’re a little more familiar with the exercises. Constant pain after a workout is much more likely a sign that you’ve stressed or injured your muscles, and seeking that pain is a terrible idea. You’re more likely to hurt yourself and impede your fitness journey than you are to see any gains. This goes doubly for someone who has been working out for quite a while, as your body will be stronger and more able to exercise without pain, and you should take that as a good sign – not a bad one. You can pick exercises to target certain areas for fat loss We blame the little diagrams on gym machines highlighting which muscle groups they’re focusing on for this one, though 44 Á The myths of exercise It’s hard to not be aware of all the misinformation and pseudo-science spreading online and across social media, and there’s no shortage of myths in fitness either. We break down 5 of the most pervasive. LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 43 HEALTH & FITNESS © stock.adobe.com/Achomplearn_200144 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY HEALTH & FITNESS 9 Market Place, Brigg, DN20 8ET CALL: 01652 408200 TXT: 07765 466 901 hollandjames.co.uk Choose from an eye popping range of stunning frames at Holland & James – something to suit every budget & style! Discover Lincolnshire’s expert eye care & eye wear specialists. Oodles of glasses! Why do my eyes water in cold weather? Cold weather months can mean watery eyes for many of us. As strange as it may sound our eyes tend to water when they’re too dry. Watery eyes are commonly caused by windy days and cold, dry air that dehydrate your eyes. As your eyes become overly dry, your tear glands overcompensate which results in watery eyes. As the outdoors get colder, we tend to increase the heat in our homes and cars which also increases the dryness of the air making watery eyes inside a problem too. What can I do to help? The best method for stopping watery eyes is to prevent it from happening in the first place. • Wearing glasses and sunglasses in the winter as they create a barrier between the eyes and the weather. • Contact lenses can add to dry eyes so switching to glasses on cold days can help. • Artificial tears to help stabilise the tear film. • Adding moisture to the air via humidifiers in indoor spaces. Watery eyes can also be caused by other conditions, it is a common sign of dry eye disease which can be related to several factors and is something that can be treated by your optometrist. If your symptoms persist booking an appointment is advisable. At Holland & James we can thoroughly examine your eyes and help get to the root of the problem. Holland & James will be open till 8pm Friday 24th November for Brigg Christmas Lights Switch On. We would love to meet you so please feel free to call in for a drink and a mince pie and have a look at our latest frames. Charlie Holland and Neil James it’s not entirely their fault. Certain exercises will target certain muscle groups and these diagrams are entirely correct on that, but numerous scientific studies have shown that fat loss from these exercises will be distributed across the body. If that wasn’t the case then you’d end up with bizarre examples of people walking around with toned stomachs and flabby arms and legs, or someone with one arm ripped and muscular and the other arm shrivelled up. You should stick to cardio for weight loss We’re not sure where this myth came from, but it persists today. Cardio is definitely essential for weight loss and any routine should include 20-30 minutes of it if possible, but focusing solely on cardio won’t cause you to lose weight as quickly as if you included muscle exercises. Muscle burns calories, so the more muscle you have the more calories you’ll be burning. That doesn’t mean weights alone will be good for weight loss either, however. You should focus on both if you want to see the best results. Women especially are often afraid of bulking up with weights, but you will only build bulk if you do them in very specific ways – this usually involving exceptionally heavy weights for 4-5 reps. If you are doing 10-15 reps on a moderate weight then you will make your muscles lean, not large. © stock.adobe.com/chartphotoLINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 45 SPALDING Nestled by the River Welland amid the picturesque Fens, Spalding is set apart as a traditional yet unique town where past blends seamlessly with present. S palding’s deceptively tranquil appearances hide a vibrant hive of attractions, spots for dining and retail therapy, and old-world charm revived for the modern day. Spalding has been a hub of agriculture for centuries, making good use of its rail and river connections for trading corn, wood, coal and timber. Though a lively trade in essentials may have created the market town we see today, its earliest origins came in the Mesolithic period, the Middle Stone Age between 8000- 10,000 BC. There’s evidence of human settlement in the area from that far back, which eventually led to its people serving the Romans through salt production. But climate change and precarious positioning on coastal silt land meant © stock.adobe.com/ Steven F Granville Superb 46 ÁSPALDING 46 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY that this early industry was halted by floods between the 3rd and 7th century. Flooding has always been a sticking point for the town, but thankfully it would be saved this time by the same people that gave it the name it bears today. After the Anglican Spaldingas tribe settled in the region, one theory goes that they retained independence within the Mercia kingdom until the late 9th century, despite the Danes’ control of Stamford. Recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, Spalding’s history intertwines with prominent figures like Alfgar, an Earl of Mercia and the son of Lady Godiva, who held sway over Stamford along with Ivo Taillebois. Taillebois did well from the Norman Conquest after he arrived in England in 1066 with his uncle, none other than William the Conqueror. He would come to gain parts of Lancashire, Westmorland and Lincolnshire, and two years after the invasion he even became High Sheriff of Lincolnshire. In time, the town fell to the crown, becoming part of the Duchy of Lancaster. To stem the impact of flooding once again, a steam-powered rotative beam engine was constructed in 1883 to drain Pinchbeck Marsh, a vital lifeline preserved today at the Pinchbeck Engine Museum. This natural risk was significantly reduced by the engine’s efforts until the mid-fifties, when the digging of the Coronation Channel took over to divert water around the town instead. Thanks to the hard work and innovation of our ancestors, you can now boat along this channel with its charming Water Taxi connection service. Ayscoughfee Hall, Museum & Gardens easily stands out among Spalding’s heritage sites, reflecting the town’s legacy in wool. What was once a stunning family home was built back in the 1450s by successful wool merchant Richard Aldwyn. Stood in five acres of gardens, the hall boasts twenty rooms that tell the story of those that have lived there. Today, the characterful architecture tells a story as much as the displays inside. But that’s to say nothing of the gardens, which include ice houses, boxwood hedges, topiary tree sculptures and the Grade-1 listed First World War memorial, The Ornamental Lake, designed by renowned architect Edwin © stock.adobe.com/veroniqueLINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 47 SPALDING Introductory Flights from £60 for 30 mins (based on 3 people) Have a go at flying a light aircraft - Trial Lessons from £120 for 30 mins Fancy some aerobatics? Chipmunk flights from £120 for 20 mins Gift vouchers available for Flight Experiences Looking for a different Christmas Gift? Ever wondered what it’s like to fly an aeroplane? T: 01406 540461 E: info@fenland-flying-school.co.uk W: www.fenland-flying-school.co.uk Fenland Flying School, Fenland Airfield, Holbeach St Johns, Spalding PE12 8RQ Here at Fenland Flying School we can offer you everything from an Introductory Flight for a special occasion, to learning to fly and gaining your Private Pilot’s Licence and beyond. Why not have a Trial Lesson and see how easy and enjoyable it is to fly an aeroplane under the supervision of one of our highly experienced Flying Instructors. T: 07702293727 E: marcus@mjpsupplies.co.uk W: www.mjpsupplies.co.uk Suppliers of a range of liquid storage tanks for: • Oil • adblue • Water • Fertiliser Stockists of Portek Bird Scarers Watch your profits grow For the purpose of importing and selling Algifol™ biostimulant products to farmers and growers of specialist crops Lutyens. As well as being free to enter, the attraction is open all year round. For another glimpse into the history of the town and its trade, head on over the Moulton Windmill, supposedly the tallest tower mill in the country at 100 feet to the top of its cap. Built in 1822 to grind wheat and other crops, the mill was in use until 1955 and marked the end of an era as consumers were increasingly moving towards factory produced sliced bread. But it was restored and transformed into a visitor attraction 48 Á © stock.adobe.com/Jack48 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY BUSINESS MEETINGS - SEMINARS - CONFERENCES MARRIAGE & PARTNERSHIP CEREMONIES WEDDING RECEPTIONS - EXHIBITIONS TRADE SHOWS - MUSIC & SPORTING EVENTS CHARITY BALLS - PRIVATE PARTIES - CELEBRATIONS “The ideal venue for every occasion” Tel: 01775 713253 ÜÜܰëÀ}wi`ÃiÛiÌðV°Õ iÛiÌÃJëÀ}wi`ðiÌ SPALDING complete with tea rooms, and has been producing its own flour again for a decade as of this year. What better reason for a visit to the mill’s gift shop, where you can buy this simple yet wonderful product straight from the people who make it? Speaking of trade and revivals worth celebrating, this year marked the first Spalding Flower Parade since the event had its funding pulled in 2013. After ten years missing the major tourist attraction that began as the Tulip Parade in 1959, a new procession of crowdfunded floats carried Flower Queens from years past through the town, flanked by dancers, Star Wars characters, the Pinchbeck Women’s Institute and Moulton’s own windmill float. Volunteers flocked to support Stephen Timewell in his determination to put Spalding back on the map as ‘The Heart of the Fens’, long famed especially for its tulips. Plans are already on for 2024, in hopes that Timewell’s JustGiving fundraiser proves an equal success. There’s more to enjoying the town’s abundant wildlife than stopping to smell the flowers, no matter the time of year. At the Baytree Owl and Wildlife Centre, a diverse array of owls, birds of prey, and native British wildlife finds a sanctuary. The centre not only offers captivating displays of flight but also immersive hands-on experiences, opportunities for animal adoptions, and a delightful gift shop for keepsakes and memory making. Beyond its natural wonders, Spalding welcomes visitors whatever their retail weakness or foodie craving. Shops, pubs and restaurants hide in corners off the high street— Springfields Festival Gardens Spring and Summer 2022 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 49 SPALDING Award winning insurance broker Clear commits to local business community with new Spalding office move Award-winning independent broking group Clear is investing in Spalding and the surrounding area by moving into a new and larger office on Enterprise Way. The business has been located in Spalding for nearly 10 years, having moved from Holbeach, and the new office move reflects Clear’s commitment to the local business community. The new office will initially employ 12 staff although the business is recruiting locally. Clear Group is a leading chartered insurance broker, which provides a range of business insurance. The business in Spalding supports many local firms with their insurance needs from farmers to hauliers across a broad range of industries. Ryan Hounsell, branch director for the new Clear Group office in Spalding, said: “We are delighted to be growing our presence in Spalding by moving to a new and larger office at Four Seasons House, at a time when the group is also investing in technology and staff. “We have had a presence in South Lincolnshire and the surrounding area for many years, helping local businesses with their insurance needs, and looking forward are well positioned to continue to support our customers locally and beyond.” boutiques, record stores, comic books and vintage treasures await, perhaps best topped off by a visit to The White Hart Inn, famous for hosting Mary Queen of Scots. As well as the high street, The Springfields Outlet Shopping & Leisure’s expansive open-air mall houses a whole range of toys, books, crafts, fashion and beauty products and much more besides. Visitors can stop to enjoy a break at any of the coffeehouses and cafés in the mall or go for some kid- friendly thrill-seeking at Springfields Adventure Land, home to the UK’s largest JCB Young Drivers Zone. There’s more to do in Spalding than a single trip could cover, but one thing this guarantees is a memorable visit for just about anybody. It’s a shopper’s dream, family destination, heritage hotspot and a retreat for relaxation in nature all in one, displaying the best a modern market town can be while nurturing deep pride in its roots. © Media Support Services© Media Support Services Springfields Festival Gardens Senses Nostalgia Garden Next >