Hywel Pratley is an eminent sculptor of international renown. He is a member of the Society of Portrait Sculptors and the Royal Society of Sculptors as well as being a principal instructor at the Florence Academy of Art. He also worked on the legendary ‘Spitting Image’ as Puppet Sculptor. He has created a very special statue of Her Late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II for Rutland – the first in the UK to be commissioned – and it was unveiled in its new home behind Oakham Library on Sunday 21 April. Amander Meade spoke to Hywel about the project and the process

Husband-and-wife team Laura and Paul McSorley have just celebrated two years of ownership of The Millstone at Barnack. Nicholas Rudd-Jones caught up with them and found them still brimful of energy and ideas

When the new cast of the five-star West End musical ‘Hamilton’ was announced, it included former Stamfordian, Declan Spaine, in the title role. Amander Meade caught up with Declan during rehearsals for the smash hit musical

Two fabulous decades of business for Susie Archer in Stamford Huge congratulations to Susie Archer, owner of Arch Label Agency in Stamford, as her boutique celebrates an incredible 20 years….

The Rudd-Jones family went to explore the ‘Hide & Secrets’ Adventure Play at Burghley and had a whale of a time at this impressive new attraction – even going back the next day!

Editor Clare Rudd-Jones enjoys an exquisite lunch with her mum at Uppingham’s Lake Isle

Anja Smith looks at Stamford Chamber Orchestra’s 40th anniversary celebration

Dedicated dog lover Phoebe Langston had always had at least canine companion in her life whilst living in her family home in Rutland. When she moved out to set up home with her partner, it wasn’t long before two became three, writes Amander Meade