Motoring

Alfa Romeo Giulia

The latest car from the Italian giant is something to cherish, says Bob Hickman

The mere mention of the Alfa Romeo brand was responsive gets most motoring enthusiasts drooling, and nimble, thanks to the Italian manufacturer’s vehicles having with sharp style in abundance. The Giulia is no different, handling. The making it a welcome exception to the industry’s performance current plethora of SUVs. It makes a pleasant matched change to get back to a four-door saloon. the vehicle’s

If the exterior – with its stunning sweeping lines, Siamese cat’s looks, going eyes headlamps and offset “The from 0 to 60 of 6.6 seconds and with front number plate – excites, Giulia is a potential top speed of 146mph. the interior will enthral. The responsive black leather complements the and nimble” exterior paintwork superbly. The interior space is also reasonably good, although the rear headroom is somewhat limited and the boot space problematic when it comes to loading, but these are minor gripes in an otherwise fabulous-looking vehicle.

Our test vehicle was supplied with a 1995cc 200bhp petrol engine, driven through an eightspeed automatic gearbox. At all times the vehicle

Many options

The instrumentation is a wonderful example of Italian style and the manufacturer hasn’t overlooked the safety aspects either. The Giulia is available with forward collision warning, autonomous emergency brake, lane departure warning, electric cruise control and a blind spot monitoring feature. Standard equipment on the entry level vehicle is extensive with alloy wheels, daytime running lights, LED rear lights and dual zone climate control.

For the real petrolhead the exclusive Quadrifoglio should tick all the boxes. It comes equipped with a 2.9-litre bi-turbo petrol engine, producing a phenomenal 510bhp, sufficient to give 0-60 in just 3.9 seconds and 190mph top speed.

I was left in no doubt after a week in the company of this beautiful lady that Alfa Romeo has once again built a vehicle that’s not only pleasant to look at but also to drive. In this era of identikit SUVs, the Giulia is a breath of fresh air.

The Alfa Romeo Giulia has an on-the-road price of £39,380, including a three-year warranty, three-year roadside assistance package and an eight-year anti-perforation warranty

The stylish interior

Bob is a devoted car and motorcycle fan. After a 30-year career as a police motorcycle patrol o cer and latterly as a sergeant, patrolling the motorways of the Midlands, retirement beckoned and he embarked on writing about his love of transport.

Bob is a member of the Guild of Motor Writers and the Midland Guild of Motor Writers. In his spare time he rides a Royal Enfi eld Continental GT motorcycle and drives a 1994 MG RV8.

MEET THE

EXPERT

Victoria O’Donnell, programme lead in sports injury and rehabilitation at Wrexham Glyndwr University

What do you specialise in?

I’m a physiotherapist and programme lead for a new British Association of Sport Rehabilitators (BASRaT) accredited BSc (Hons) in sports injury and rehabilitation at Wrexham Glyndwr University.

What does the course entail?

How did you get into this career?

problem-solving skills to help individuals and teams optimise their recovery. The academic requirements are 112 UCAS tariff settings, within the NHS or the armed forces, or continue their studies DID YOU KNOW? Physiotherapy as a profession points at GCSE, A-level or equivalent. at a postgraduate dates back level. Graduate sport to 1813 rehabilitators can The degree prepares students for the work internationally in integrated sports and injury rehabilitation countries such as Canada and the US field, and more focused environments such without gaining further qualifications. as sports teams, private settings and health promotion. It also focuses on the wider Why should people choose variables and impact of sports injuries in Wrexham Glyndwr University? respect of physiological, psychological, Students are taught by a team that has a cultural and social factors. The programme background in the subject and continues to places importance of having a I have run for my county and at person-centred approach to injury national level since a young age, and management, so students learn a have experienced injuries that sparked variety of communication skills. my interest. Academically, I completed undergraduate degrees in sports What practical rehabilitation and physiotherapy and a work is involved? MSc in sports injury and rehabilitation. The course places an emphasis

After I graduated, I worked as a soft on gaining practical experience. tissue therapist at the English Institute of Most modules have embedded Sport. My first full-time role within a sports applied components, such as team was with GB Water Polo – as team massage and musculoskeletal injury physiotherapist, I was involved with treating assessment. Over the three years, injuries, preparing and travelling to competitions. students benefit from 400 hours of Victoria was physiotherapist for the Malaysian squash team

Since then I’ve worked “Graduates may go clinical placements. There work with elite athletes. They’ll be taught in many different teams, on to pursue careers are opportunities for students in a mixture of specialist clinical spaces, including GB Boxing in professional sports to gain experience in a including the on-site clinic, and have and England Squash. clubs, private clinical variety of settings, including sessions at Colliers Park, which is also used In 2018 I moved settings or the NHS” sports teams, health partner by the Football Association of Wales. from the Malaysian organisations and private The programme has an approach to learning Institute of Sport to clinics. There is also an based on two pillars: high challenge and high lecture at Wrexham Glyndwr University. on-site musculoskeletal injuries clinic. support. The university provides accessible, flexible, research-informed learning while What’s required for your courses? What career opportunities committing to equip students with the support We’re looking for all-round students who can this degree lead to? and skills they’ll need for their career. are great communicators, have a passion Graduates may go on to pursue a career in for helping others and can use their professional sports clubs, private clinical For more details, see www.glyndwr.ac.uk

Health&Beauty MOVING ON FROM TURBULENT TIMES

Lizzy Deery from the University of Chester talks about the important role exercise has had in our lives over the past 12 months

Following a year of lockdown and other restrictions, it’s fair to say all of us have experienced some form of turbulence in our lives and routines. According to data from Sport England, the percentage of adults and children classed as “active” decreased by around two per cent in the period from mid-March to mid-May 2020. This increases the risk of poorer physical and mental wellbeing in childhood, adolescence employees had a better general perception and adulthood. While physical activity or of health, lower likelihood for low mood exercise may not feel like a top priority and increased likelihood for optimal sleep while we’re also home-schooling our compared with inactive employees. children, working from home ourselves or job hunting, research highlights the benefits “What’s of exercise especially during turbulent times. A study of more than 2,000 Italians carried out in April important is fi nding out what works last year concluded for you” that a reduction of total physical activity had a negative impact on psychological wellbeing, and that maintaining regular exercise would have benefitted these individuals’ mental health during lockdown. The holistic benefits of exercise are further demonstrated in a study of NHS workers, which showed that active

Taking frequent, short walks with a friend has many benefi ts for your health and wellbeing

Get up and go

minutes at a vigorous intensity, while also limiting time spent sitting. This needn’t be a daunting task. You can accumulate movement in small bouts throughout the day. Indeed, studies that have looked at Taken together, whether one long walk is more this research shows beneficial than more frequent the importance shorter walks have found of activity and that for some markers such movement, as blood glucose and blood especially when flow, the latter is preferable. times are difficult. So, if you’re stuck in a bit What’s important of a rut at the moment, don’t is finding what switch off to the benefits works for you. The of sitting less and moving current government guidelines Be inspired by online workouts more for better overall health. Get out and about, suggest adults should move, in a way try some new things (hello, YouTube that suits them, for at least 150 minutes yoga!), go for a walk with a friend and a week at a moderate intensity, or 75 move your way to a better you!

Myth buster

We look into the myths surrounding hiccups

1You get hiccups when you’re excited Although no one is 100 per cent sure what triggers hiccups, there is evidence that being extra-excited can make them more likely. Professor Andrew Goddard, president of the Royal College of Physicians, says that if a heightened emotion leads to the swallowing of lots of air, it could result in hiccups.

2Hiccups are generally a bad sign Some suggest you get hiccups when someone is talking about you in a negative way. Russian folklore states that hiccups occur when someone is thinking about you, and another superstition asserts that hiccups mean that you are cursed with bad luck and that Satan lives inside of you. Obviously, none of these are true. Hiccups may very rarely indicate an underlying health problem, but most of the time they are completely harmless.

3Holding your breath stops the hiccups Many people believe this to be true but there’s little evidence to support this or any other remedy, aside from medically administered treatments. Drinking water, holding your breath or getting scared doesn’t help either. It’s likely that by the time you resort to these “cures”, the hiccups have stopped of their own accord.

Top of the Class

TRAINEE VETS BREAK NEW GROUND

Two animal-loving students are succeeding at a revolutionary new veterinary complex despite lockdown.

Former Coleg Cambria Llysfasi learners Jennifer Bamber and Megan Roberts are among the first cohort on “It’s great the bachelor of veterinary preparation medicine and surgery for our degree at Harper & careers” Keele Veterinary School, “All learning has been online, but there’s a partnership between no substitute for being out in the fresh air Harper Adams and Keele universities. working and handling the animals,” she says.

Jennifer, 22, from Cyffylliog, is now Megan, 19, from Llanbedr DC says: back on site in Keele, Staffordshire, where “We are doing a lot of assignments and construction is under way on a building that being given real-life, real-time scenarios will incorporate teaching facilities, a clinical to deal with, which are challenging but skills centre and a veterinary school hub. great preparation for our future careers.”

Megan Roberts

Children cover the distance

Children at The Firs Prep School in Chester rose to a new challenge during the recent national lockdown, seeing how many kilometres they could walk, bike, scoot and run as part of their Let’s Get Active Challenge. Between them they managed to cover a distance of 1,857km, the distance from Chester to Istanbul!

“It was superb receiving pictures sent in from the children enjoying their time outside keeping active,” says Rosemary Blackburn, headteacher at The Firs Prep School.

Glyndwr lecturer recognised for excellence

Dr Colin Stuhlfelder from Wrexham Glyndwr University lecturer is among the first group of professionals to be made a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists, a membership grade Dr Stuhlfelder bestowed for excellence in and significant contribution to architectural technology.

“Gaining the fellowship for doing a job I love and in support of a professional institute who really are a great partner to all I do is the icing on the cake,” he says.

Explore university options from home

Careers in food production, business, land management, engineering, animal health, the environment and more will be on the agenda at the Harper Adams University’s virtual open day on 12th June.

Prospective students can discover life on the Shropshire campus with fly-though digital tours and a video tractor trailer tour of the campus. They can also learn about the courses through videos, articles and live chat sessions. There are dedicated course area hubs where you can explore the student experience and more to find out how the Harper Adams approach. All without even having to leave your house!

It’s not too late to apply for a September 2021 start or to too soon to explore options for 2022. Visit www.harper.ac.uk/open.

Deputy vice chancellor Michael Lee CAMPUS IMPROVEMENTS

Wrekin College will open a second artificial playing surface and a new dance studio later this year, as well as embarking on a programme to upgrade its boarding accommodation.

The dance studio will have sprung floors and floor-to-ceiling mirrors, while the artificial playing surface will be located adjacent to the existing one, and will help the college to continue expanding its hockey provision.

WOODLANDS SCHOOL BECOMES AN ACADEMY

Woodlands School, working with the Marches Academy Trust, became an academy on 1st April. The school in Wem is a provider Woodlands School, Wem of education to local children with social, emotional and mental health needs. By joining the Marches Academy Trust, it has gained access to local support from the trust and secured the sustainability of the school. The school will in turn strengthen the SEN expertise within the trust and continue the collaboration between schools in all aspects of learning, particularly for students who require additional support.

MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT

While the return to school has been welcomed by lots of children, this isn’t the case for all. Some may be nervous about returning to school, some will be worried about school work, while others will be suffering the impact of strained family relationships or bereavement.

As much as we want to be there for our children, sometimes it’s easier for them to talk with someone anonymously first. Let them know they can contact Childline free on 0800 11 11 or visit www.childline.org.uk.

BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL FOR FORMER TEACHER

A former educator at Welsh Water has had her commitment to the development of education and sport in Rwanda recognised Mary Watkins with a British Empire Medal.

Mary Watkins, who spent 13 years working as a peripatetic teacher at the not-for-profit utility company, has worked tirelessly to develop and deliver education resources for school children in Rwanda. This included developing resources for local children and helping train future teachers in the area.

Mary, who joined Welsh Water’s awardwinning education team in 2004, discovered a love for Africa when she visited Uganda in 2008. She spent a 12-month sabbatical in Rwanda with the Voluntary Service Overseas, supporting and training teachers, and since leaving Welsh Water in 2018 has set up a UK-based charity, Friends of Rwandan Rugby, with her husband.

DOMESTIC ABUSE APP IDEA REACHES FINAL

Sixth-form pupils from Thomas Adams School have reached the fi nal of a national competition by highlighting a little-known form of abuse.

The team, which took part in a Dragons’ Den-style competition, was tasked with designing a product or service with a material social benefi t. The team chose to recognise the rise of domestic violence during lockdown, highlighting child-to-parent abuse (CPA).

The team was given £1,000 to donate to a charity of their choice. They chose PEGS, a Shropshire charity that raises awareness of CPA.

COOK AT HOME WITH CHEF

Children who missed the food served at The Firs Prep School in Chester could make their own versions thanks to the school’s Cook At Home With Chef initiative.

The school’s chef released one of his recipes every week, kicking o with chocolate chip cookies.

“We’re proud to o er our pupils delicious meals and snacks made by our wonderful in-house catering team,” says headteacher Rosemary Blackburn. “We decided it would be lovely if the children could replicate them at home.”

BRONZE AWARD FOR INTREPID STUDENTS

Eight independent living skills (ILS) learners from Coleg Cambria have completed the bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE). Some members of the ILS cohort will now go on to pursue their silver award.

INSPIRING ENGINEERS

Engineering pupils at Rydal Penrhos are busy creating a working prototype of a spring-powered car, using a basic kit of materials provided by the school. The Year 10 pupils will model their solutions in 3D CAD software before competing with their fi nal creation in a race.

Although engineering is a non-traditional subject, it has proven to be highly popular with Key Stage 4 pupils. The course provides them with the opportunity to carry out research independently, participate in group work, go on trips, use real business resources, use the latest CAD-CAM programs and equipment, and benefi t from the advice of people who are actually working in engineering. Saturdays are pupils’ favourite day of the week, thanks to a brand new enrichment programme launched at Abberley Hall.

Traditionally, Saturdays were ordinary learning days at the school, but that’s all changed with the Discover Saturday enrichment programme. With attendance now optional, the programme complements the school’s high academic standards “Options change community service and horsemanship, with developing pupils’ on a half- the pupils have loved getting stuck in. interests and passions. termly There are a number of options on offer,

From intellectually basis” which change on a half-termly basis to stimulating activities suit the seasons and make the most of like debating to those Abberley’s 90 acres of outside space. encouraging life skills and independence The school has a summer open day on in the form of wilderness survival skills, 12th June. See www.abberleyhall.co.uk.

Students can develop new interests

Celebrating sporting success

Shropshire’s Ellesmere College has been named the 17th best school for sport in the UK by School Sport magazine.

“We are Pupils enjoy top facilities absolutely delighted with the news which emphasises our school’s place among the UK’s sporting schools elite,” says the college’s director of sport, Ian Williams. “It’s an amazing achievement and recognises the hard work and achievements of our students and coaches along with the ongoing success of our academies and sports scholarship programme.

“Ellesmere College has built up an enviable reputation over many years and maintains a position of delivering topquality sporting facilities and programmes to nurture and develop young talent.”

THE HEAD’S COLUMN

Charlie Minogue, headmaster at Moor Park School, on the true value of independence

Does any parent of a four-year-old know what their child will need from their senior school at 13? Increasingly prep schools are affiliated with senior schools. This may work strategically but causes problems for parents, as my opening question illustrates. So-called independent schools are sometimes not what they seem, and parents should be aware of the advantages of choosing a truly independent school.

Truly independent prep schools, such as Moor Park, build strong relationships with a full range of senior schools. This means I can give unbiased advice, focusing entirely on the needs of each child. Our status as a truly autonomous prep school is something to cherish.

We have shaped our curriculum and teaching to prepare children for a fastchanging world and in this process I’ve only answered to those in the Moor Park community. True independence, therefore, is something to celebrate as together we plot the most appropriate route for each individual child and family.

Llandudno college wins UK-wide award

St David’s College, located just outside Llandudno, has won the Independent School Association Award for Outstanding Sports Provision (Small School) for 2020.

The ISA Awards is an annual event that celebrates success in independent schools and recognises the breadth of quality and provision in independent education across the UK.

The awarding committee said: “St David’s has demonstrated an outstanding provision with an endless range of sporting opportunities offered to their diverse range of pupils.” They were particularly impressed by the way St David’s has “successfully implemented an all-round approach to sport embedding an active culture in their daily routine.”

NUMBER DAY RAISES FUNDS AND AWARENESS

The NSPCC is encouraging schools to get involved in Number Day on 7th May, to raise funds and awareness about the charity. The day, based around fun maths activities, will take place in primary and secondary schools. Schools can sign up to enjoy puzzles, games and challenges tailored to fi t di erent age groups. The money raised from Number Day will help the NSPCC in its mission to make 2021 a better year for children.

A DECADE OF DEDICATION

Little Scholars Nursery recently celebrated its 10th anniversary at the Centre For The Child, Family & Society at Wrexham Glyndwr University with a day of fun and games. Located on the Plas Coch campus, the nursery delivers highquality provision for children of Glyndwr sta , students and the wider community.

“Now, more than ever, there’s a need for children to have fun,” says director of active childcare Rebecca Mottram. “Our commitment to the wellbeing of children is refl ected in their happy, smiling faces. They enjoyed taking part in the traditional party games during our day of celebration.”

SPORTS PERFORMANCE HUB LAUNCHED

Moreton Hall has launched a new sports performance hub, ACE, to focus on lacrosse, hockey, tennis and golf.

The hub’s Carina Walsh fi rst lacrosse camp of the season took in April, led by Moreton Hall’s England lacrosse coach, Carina Walsh. It was the fi rst in a series of camps for all skill levels, from aspiring elite players to developing athletes.

“This is an exciting opportunity for anyone to get involved in lacrosse and see how great the game is,” says Alison McDonald, Moreton Hall’s director of sport.

STUDENT’S DRIVERLESS VEHICLE PROJECT

An ambitious plan to create a studentbuilt driverless o -road vehicle has begun at Harper Adams University. Final-year automotive engineering student James Seymour is working on transforming a manual transmission Dacia Duster into an autonomous o -road vehicle as a dissertation project.

“I wanted to use my thesis to combine my interest in vehicles and future technology,” says James. “The vehicle I’m using was purchased for a student project in 2016 and is used by various lecturers for teaching purposes. The end goal is to have a fully autonomous o -road vehicle capable of driving around the o -road course we have James Seymour here at Harper.”

Vertical farming centre showcases technological innovation

The UK’s largest training and research centre for vertical farming has been completed at Reaseheath College and University Centre Jake Jackson tends crops in Reaseheath’s new facility in Nantwich, Cheshire.

Vertical farming is the practice of growing growing chambers, while a separate research plants indoors under fully controlled and growing room allows for micro scale testing sterile conditions in stacked layers. It offers a and trials such as the effects of different light means of growing safe, healthy and nutritious levels, temperature and nutrient recipes on food locally and has been plant growth and development. welcomed by environmentalists “The project “This is an exceptionally exciting owing to its low food miles and smaller land requirement. The centre is part of the Institute of Sustainability & o ers tremendous benefi ts” project which offers tremendous benefits to both our students and our academic and industry partners,” says Simon Burgess, Food Innovation, a joint venture Reaseheath’s head of projects, between Reaseheath and its academic research and innovation. “University Centre partner, the University of Chester. Reaseheath is extremely good at applying

Covering 200 square metres, the main practical science to commercial research and facility consists of three floor-to-ceiling this will open up a lot of opportunities.”

Advantages of state boarding

Boarding schools are a fantastic option for many families, providing a home away from home that allows young people to focus their full attention on their studies and extra-curricular activities.

Adams House is a state boarding school in Shropshire for students aged 11 to 18. The school offers priceless life lessons of self-reliance, respect and self-confidence, with many opportunities for young people to learn to depend on themselves. For more details or to book a visit, see www. thomasadams. Thomas Adams pupils net/boarding/

PUPIL HITS ALL THE RIGHT NOTES

Flautist Lara Coulter has been announced as runner-up in the Independent Schools Association (ISA) Young Musician of the Year competition.

Lara is in the sixth form at Alderley Edge School for Lara Coulter Girls. “Huge congratulations to Lara for all the hard work,” says the school’s director of music, Mrs Pattrick. “I’m very proud of her success.”

Headmistress Mrs Smillie adds: “It is fantastic that our girls are achieving at such a high level in national competitions. Lara’s success mirrors the accomplishment of Dalia Halwani in the ISA Film & Digital Art Competition at the end of last year.”

Enterprising youngsters win challenge

Ateam from Rydal Penrhos in Colwyn Determinators, chose to install a system Bay shot to victory in the final stages of of solar panels on Ugandan schools. the Enterprise Challenge set by Lancaster “This has been a huge victory for the University School of Management. school and for us,” says team coordinator

Individual teams had Simeon Murphy-Thomas. “We to present their ideas thought we would utilise our for a new enterprise, links to Ugandan schools to fully costed, that met try to enhance the educational with some of the UN opportunities of Ugandan children Sustainability Goals. with minimum environmental The Rydal Penrhos impact and in an efficient and team, named The The Rydal Penhros team economically sustainable way.”