JUNCTION CHANGED 'FOR WORSE' - CLAIM

Scunthorpe Telegraph 20th October 2004

A Junction which has seen no serious accidents has been altered - for the worse, according to parish councillors.
The A1077 at the turn to Winteringham has recently been changed, with motorists now forced to negotiate a double bend rather than simply driving straight on. The camber of the road has also been altered, to make it safe for motorists negotiating the tight main road bend.
In total, the work cost more than £600,000 and road safety bosses said it was worth the money because it had made the busy road much safer.
But Winteringham parish councillors are not entirely happy.
Christine Hammond, the clerk to Winteringham Parish Council, said parish councillors expressed their views on the project at a recent meeting.
"One driver coming in had to almost stop in order to negotiate the run from the A1077," she said.
"Drivers behind them just do not appreciate this and it was felt that it would not be long before there was an accident. Also, leaving the A1077 is an awkward manoeuvre."
Mrs Hammond said the parish council also raised concerns the whole area would be like a 'large skating rink' in the winter months and black ice would be formed in the dip which had been created by the refurbishment.
But Pete Scott, traffic and road safety manager at North Lincolnshire Council, said the junction was now much safer.
He explained it used to be known as a 'perceptual hazard'.
Drivers often used to speed on without realising there was a turn, which could result in a serious crash, Mr Scott said.
"There were two factors really. It had a very tight bend for a main road, so we needed to put more camber on the road," he explained.
The camber, the angle of the road surface, slowed vehicles down and made the road safer.
"We as a highway authority are satisfied the road is far safer than it was before," Mr Scott said.
The work was finished on time five weeks ago.
Although there had been only one accident involving a slight injury at the site in the past five years, the bend was confusing, with too many motorists accidentally going straight on when they wanted to follow the road right, the road safety experts said.
Pc Roy Hindmarsh, a road safety officer with Humberside Police, gave the thumbs up to the completed scheme.
He said it was one of the best improvements to road safety he had seen for a long time.
"It is a lot better for lorries, especially. Two lorries can negotiate that corner much more safely now," Pc Hindmarsh said.
He explained the junction also made it much safer for motorists leaving Winteringham to join the A1077 because they had to stop, rather than speed straight on.

CAN THEY LEARN

Scunthorpe Telegraph 20th October 2004

Youngsters could soon be following in the footsteps of a children's favourite with the introduction of a new scheme.
Most young people associate the building trade with Britain's best-loved handyman, Bob The Builder and his gang of building machines, Scoop, Muck, Dizzy, Lofty and Roley. But primary school-aged children could soon get a taste for the real thing with the introduction of 'Building the Future', which was unveiled by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) during National Construction Week.
And the new scheme, which has been developed as part of a joint initiative between the FMB and CITB-ConstructionSkills, could be introduced to youngsters between the age of seven and 11 as early as 2005.
The aim of the initiative is to introduce the industry and its wide range of career opportunities to youngsters earlier on in life using CD-Roms and education packs.
FMB member, and director of Scunthorpe-based PJC Building Services, Peter Cox, said he welcomed the move.
"Anything which can be done to encourage young people to think about the construction industry as a potential future career has to be worthwhile," he said.
"As an industry we need to make sure we maintain a continuous flow of new workers to specialise in all areas.
"By taking part in the programme, young people will be able to learn more about what the industry can offer them and have fun at the same time."
Resource packs are being developed in conjunction with primary school teachers to ensure the programme complements the National Curriculum.
The packs, which will also be suitable for use in the home, are intended to promote a more positive image of the industry for teachers, children, and parents.
Winteringham dad, Andy Freeman, said he would be happy for his two youngest children, Jordan (five), and Sophie (two), to learn about a variety of potential careers.
"To make informed decisions about what they want to do in later life, kids need to be aware of all opportunities available to them," he said.
"Obviously, there are other more academic areas for them to explore but it's important for them to know other practical things like how buildings are constructed."
Ian Davis, Director General of the FMB said the 'Building the Future' programme was a response to the demand from primary school teachers for suitable support material to introduce construction-related topics into the classroom and to generate greater interest in construction generally.
And business area manager for CITB-ConstructionSkills, Julian Humphreys, said: "We are looking forward to this collaboration and we will be working closely together over the next few months to develop the programme.
"We need to encourage more young people into the industry and what better time to start talking to them than through schools."
Head teacher at Alkborough Primary School, Mike Campion, said the school had taken part in construction industry days at North Lindsey College and he was looking forward to this new scheme.
"It's something which is very worthwhile because we all know many of the trades have problems attracting recruits," he said.
"Not enough people are going into what we need - basic trades and skills.
"It is part of their humanities studies and it's important for children to consider the construction industry and the work that goes into a building."

SUCCESS ON A PLATE AT FIELDS

Scunthorpe Telegraph 9th October 2004

Well-known names such as Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Neil Kinnock have sampled its culinary delights.
Now Winteringham Fields restaurant has been officially listed the best restaurant in the north, and the fourth best in the entire country. It is one of a number of the country's top establishments now challenging London as the capital of cuisine.
Annie Schwab, who runs the establishment with her Swiss chef husband Germain, put their success down to the hard work of all the staff members, who give '110 per cent'.
Winteringham Fields' latest success has been served up by the Good Food Guide - the definitive guide to fine eating - giving the restaurant a score of nine out of 10, and placing it among the best restaurants in the UK.
Once again, Gordon Ramsay's establishment - Restaurant Gordon Ramsey - has been named the UK's number one. But Winteringham Fields is not far behind, being the fourth best in the UK and the best in the north.
A 'delighted' Mrs Schwab said it was brilliant news for the restaurant and the region.
"It is such a prestigious award, it's the best guide - I am absolutely delighted," she said.
Mrs Schwab said the success was down to the hard work of all the staff.
"We have got 37 people working here and they all give 110 per cent - it is not just Germain and I," she said.
Mrs Schwab said she was hopeful of having at least two or three more successful years in North Lincolnshire.
Andrew Turvill, editor of the Good Food Guide, has singled out restaurants beyond London for particular praise in the 2005 edition.
"Some of the most creative and imaginative cooking in the UK is outside London," he said.
"The capital is not about to lose its position as the culinary vanguard, but it is great to see such things happening all over the country - sometimes in unexpected locations.
"Anybody who thinks London is the be-all and end-all needs to expand their horizons."
But the top-rated restaurant in the 2005 remained Gordon Ramsay's establishment in London - the only eatery to be given a maximum 10 out of 10 by reviewers.
But all three of the restaurants given nine out of 10 by the assessors this year were from outside London. They were the Fat Duck in Bray, Windsor, Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons at Great Milton, near Oxford, and of course Winteringham Fields.
A spokesman for the British Hospitality and Restaurant Association said Winteringham Fields was a good example of groundbreaking food, which you used to be only able to find in the capital city.
"You can go almost anywhere in Britain now and have a really good meal at a restaurant which will match the quality of food once available only in London," he said. "People have become more sophisticated, travel more and are more demanding about food.
"We have also begun to produce more chefs of high quality, and people are getting used to seeing good cooking and exciting food on the television. They want a part of that."
Mrs Schwab agreed the provinces were now challenging London.
"Out of London you have to try so much harder to please your customers," she said.
"In London you have hundred of thousands of people, but up here we don't have any passing trade - you always have to be on the ball."
It is more than 15 years since Mr and Mrs Schwab served up their first starter in Winteringham, and the restaurant has gone from strength to strength, winning many awards.
It has two Michelin stars and, earlier this month, it won an award for the quality and range of Champagne on offer.
Winteringham Fields now has a new website, www.winteringhamfields.com, which has been designed by North Lincolnshire web designers Tangerine Design.
Mrs Schwab said they always liked to use local staff and produce whenever they could.
She added most of the game and vegetables were from Lincolnshire, and much of the fish came fresh from Grimsby docks.
MENU
This is just a small example of the A La Carte menu at Winteringham Fields:
To start with, breast of squab pigeon and truffle polenta, walnuts with balsamic dressing, heart of celery - £23. Main course, rolled rack of lamb, leek and hazelnut tart, pan fried lamb's liver a la Dijonnaise, £33.
Desserts, liquorice souffle coated in orange powder, liquorice ice cream and marinated grapefruit in cardamom, £13.
There is also a special lunch menu, which offers three courses for £33.

BOY HURT IN CRASH

Scunthorpe Telegraph 7th October 2004

A nine-year-old boy suffered serious injuries after the car in which he was a passenger was involved in a crash.
Police said the youngster, who has not been named, was in the back of a Mitsubishi Evolution car which left the A1077 at Winteringham. The incident happened between South Ferriby and Winterton just after 7.30pm.
Two adult males released themselves from the vehicle and suffered only minor injuries.
However, the boy was initially taken to Scunthorpe General Hospital and later transferred to Sheffield Children's Hospital with serious head injuries.
His condition was today described as 'stable'.
Humberside fire and rescue crews from Winterton and Barton assisted. A rescue support crew from Scunthorpe was also involved.

Provinces serve up a mouth-watering challenge to London

The Independent 7th October 2004

By Maxine Frith

London's crown as the capital of cuisine is being challenged by a new breed of award-winning provincial restaurants, the latest Good Food Guide says.
High-profile chefs such as Rick Stein and Gordon Ramsay have led increasing demand for good food across the nation, analysts of the British hospitality industry say.
The editor of the guide singled out restaurants beyond the M25 for particular praise in the 2005 edition of the definitive tome to eating. Andrew Turvill said: "Some of the most creative and imaginative cooking in the UK is outside London.
"The capital is not about to lose its position at the culinary vanguard, but it is great to see such things happening all over the country, sometimes in unexpected locations. Anybody who thinks London is the be all and end all needs to expand their horizons."
Mr Turvill lavished special praise on the Leeds restaurant Anthony's, which he described as "a bold splash of culinary enterprise" and "the most exciting arrival in the north of England for some years".
The modern European L'Enclume in Cartmel, Cumbria, was also rated as "perhaps one of the most exciting, innovative restaurants we have ever dined at".
But the top-rated restaurant in the 2005 remained Gordon Ramsay's eponymous establishment in London, which was given a maximum 10 out of 10 by reviewers. But all three of the restaurants given nine out of 10 by the assessors are from outside London this year. They were the Fat Duck in Bray, Windsor, run by the experimental uber-chef Heston Blumenthal, Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons at Great Milton, near Oxford, and the Winteringham Fields restaurant in north Lincolnshire.
Other winners were the Allium restaurant in Fairford, Gloucestershire, named English newcomer of the year, and the highly commended Tyddyn Llan eaterie in Llandrillo, Wales.
Out-of-town restaurants have also begun to curry favour with other reviewers. Ludlow, in Shropshire, now has three restaurants each with a coveted Michelin star and catering for a total population of just 10,000.
A spokesman for the British Hospitality and Restaurant Association said: "You can go almost anywhere in Britain now and have a really good meal at a restaurant which will match the quality of food once available only in London.
"People have become more sophisticated, travel more and are more demanding about food. We have also begun to produce more chefs of high quality, and people are getting used to seeing good cooking and exciting food on the television. They want a part of that."
THE TOP PROVINCIAL RESTAURANTS
1. Fat Duck, Bray, Windsor
2. Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons, Great Milton
3. Winteringham Fields, north Lincolnshire
4. Le Champignon Sauvage, Cheltenham
5. Gidleigh Park, Chagford, Devon
6. Hibiscus, Ludlow
7. Merchant House, Ludlow
8. Vineyard at Stockcross, Berkshire
9. Waterside Inn, Bray
10. Anthony's, Leeds

Diners heading outside capital for fine cuisine

icWales October 6 2004

An increasing number of areas across the UK are becoming culinary hotspots, according to a guide published today.
There was a time when London was seen as the only place to head for genuinely fine cuisine.
But the latest edition of The Good Food Guide has found a large number of restaurants in other parts of the UK which stand out for the quality of their cooking.
However, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay helped ensure that London remained the culinary capital.
The eatery in Chelsea which bears his name was named the UK Restaurant of the Year by the guide.
It was also the only restaurant in the book to get a full 10 marks for its cooking.
Three restaurants, all outside London, received nine marks. They are: the Fat Duck in Bray, Berkshire; Le Manoir aux Quat' Saisons, Great Milton, Oxfordshire; and Winteringham Fields, Winteringham, North Lincolnshire.
There are 10 restaurants in the guide awarded eight marks - six outside the capital.
The London establishments given eight marks are: The Capital, Pied-a-Terre, Square, and Tom Aikens.
Meanwhile, the six elsewhere in England are: Le Champignon Sauvage, Cheltenham; Gidleigh Park, Chagford, Devon; Hibiscus, Ludlow, Shropshire; Merchant House, also in Ludlow; Vineyard at Stockcross, Stockcross, Berkshire; and the Waterside Inn, Bray, Berkshire.
Andrew Turvil, editor of The Good Food Guide 2005, said: "Some of the most creative and imaginative cooking in the UK is taking place outside of London.
"The capital is not about to lose its position at the culinary vanguard, but it is great to see such good things happening all over the country, sometimes in unexpected locations.
"Anybody who thinks London is the be-all-and-end-all needs to expand their horizons."
Three restaurants in Scotland were given seven marks for their cooking: Andrew Fairlie at the famous Gleneagles hotel; The Creel, St Margaret's Hope, Orkney Islands; and Restaurant Martin Wishart, Edinburgh.
Two restaurants in Wales also got seven marks: Tyddyn Llan, Llandrillo; and Ynyshir Hall, Eglwysfach.

CHAMPAGNE AWARD FOR TOP RESTAURANT

Scunthorpe Telegraph 2nd October 2004

The region's most exclusive restaurant has been awarded a star prize in a Champagne competition.
Winteringham Fields won the Best in Lincolnshire award in the Trophee Gosset Celebris, Europe's leading Champagne competition. The award was announced at a posh ceremony in London earlier this week.
Swiss chef Germain Schwab and his wife Annie, who own Winteringham Fields, are crusaders for high standards in the preparation and appreciation of good food.
The establishment has two Michelin stars and numerous other awards.
"Everything about Winteringham Fields also says Champagne," said Annie, who was delighted with their success.
"From the water feature in the garden for aperitifs to the trolley which accompanies the desserts, Champagne is as fundamental to Winteringham Fields as the food itself."
Putney Bridge in London was awarded the UK top prize for Champagne.