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Welcome to our February issue, which is packed with interesting reads and inspiring stories as we look forward to the long-awaited start of spring and brighter days ahead.

It’s a great time to start planning some days out and our gardening guru Steffie Shields highlights a number of gardens which will be opening to the public, offering healthy walks in scenic surroundings (see page 24).

If you’re looking to be inspired with a touch of culture, don’t miss Kate Chapman’s interview with former Lincoln Cathedral chorister Olivia Warburton, who is now based in Germany and has been lighting up theatres with a series of magical opera performances (p.30).

Soprano Olivia, who married conductor and pianist Finnegan Downie Dear in Lincoln Cathedral last year, says: “I love singing roles by Mozart, and also love supporting new opera and new composers. One day I’d love to work with a composer on a piece written specifically for my voice.”

Meanwhile, I went to meet Kathryn Laverack, founder of Cocoa Encounters in Louth, who runs specialist courses for those looking to become a qualified chocolate taster (p.56).

These interactive days are becoming increasingly popular, with chocolate-lovers travelling from far and wide looking to fine-tune their taste buds and develop advanced skills. For those of us who adore all things chocolate, what better than the opportunity to delve into the world of cocoa to discover what makes real chocolate so special?

Kathryn explains: “Once you know how to taste chocolate and know how good fine-flavour chocolate can taste, then you can be the judge of the quality of the chocolate you are buying and eating.

“I never tire of hearing the words, ‘I had no idea that chocolate could taste like that’.’’
Talking of sharing a passion, Kate Chapman caught up with Tom and Emma Coy, an innovative couple whose stylish van renovations won them the Weekend Wanderer Award in the eBay Van Conversion of the Year Awards 2024 (p.93).

Having used their wedding savings to transform a Volkswagen Crafter van into a liveable space, they have embraced a life of adventure, saying: “To anyone else thinking about doing this, we’d definitely recommend it and encourage them 100 per cent.”

As life gathers pace, it’s certainly an idea!