Wellbeing

What the foot?

With National Foot Week this month, I am happily writing about a much forgotten and abused part of our body, that once revived, has the power to heal low back pain, fix grumpy knees and hips, restore pelvic floor tone, improve jumping, walking and running power and even cure headaches!

The humble foot, most often encased in tight little shoe coffins, needs to be mobilised, strengthened and utilised in much the same way we allow and prioritise the freedom of movement in our hands.

Being the base of support for our entire system, it has the power to either help or hinder the body, dependent completely on how we treat it.

Our body has the opportunity to move throughout the day. Even if you are a sedentary creature, you will still move to go to the loo or have a meal, but the foot stays encased in a shoe all day, with the toes pressed together and the ankle slightly plantar-flexed due to the presence of a heel (no matter how small).

Gradually this loss of mobility, strength and sensory input leads to dropped arches, bunions, early degenerative changes and a permanent shortening of the Achillies and calf muscles. And this is just the effects of shoes on a local level, the effects further up the body can be equally if not more disastrous.

For example, dropped arches can lead to an inward rolling of the knees causing mal-tracking of the knee cap, increased wear, cartilage or meniscal damage. Shortening of the Achillies reduces the ability to flex the foot at the ankle which in turn means we can’t extend (open at the front) at the hip and the glutes (buttock muscles) can’t fully engage. This results in poor alignment of the pelvis and back pain.

There are two ways to solve this: 1. Add in corrective type exercises 2. Change the environment for the foot Both have to be done together to create change for the long term.

Corrective exercises: • Improve your awareness of the alignment of your feet; look down, when you stand or walk are your feet parallel to each other? • Foam roller or ball release work for the sole of the foot and the calf muscle • Single and Double leg Calf stretches • Single and Double leg Heel raises • Arch lifts picking up pens or marbles with your toes

Change the environment: • Choose minimal shoes with a wide toe box and no heel drop • Go barefoot as often as you can • Walk on a multitude of different textured surfaces and gradients • Wear foot alignment socks in the evenings • Sit on the floor more: squat, kneel, half kneel, cross-legged… • Stand more at work with a half foam roller under your desk for calf stretches • Consider getting a cobblestone mat to stand on to keep the deep intrinsic muscles of your foot working

Visit the website for video guides on floor sitting and foot and ankle exercises.

If you find these correctives difficult or are experiencing pain either in the foot or rest of the body that you think maybe influenced by the poor health of your foot, just give us a call and we can guide you towards some sole satisfaction!

Emma Wightman www.the-sop.com

Test Valley Borough Council announces £1.2M of funding for charity and voluntary sector

Charities and voluntary organisations are set to benefit from a £1.2M boost over the next three years, after Test Valley Borough Council announced the latest cycle of its Revenue Funding Programme.

A report to the council’s cabinet on Wednesday 23 February will recommend awards ranging from £2,500 to almost £270,000 per year to organisations delivering a range of services, including mental health support, activities for older people, Shopmobility, advice on debt, benefits and housing, youth provision and core support for voluntary groups across the borough. Portfolio holder for communities, leisure and tourism, councillor David Drew, said: “Test Valley’s fantastic communities make the borough what it is and our local charities and voluntary groups are pivotal to their success. I am therefore delighted that we are able to once again make long term financial commitments to the sector.” The report also proposes ring fencing funding for advice services currently provided by Citizen’s Advice Test Valley and for core support to the voluntary sector and Shopmobility, both currently provided by Unity.

Funding for King John’s House will transfer to the council’s tourism function, allowing it to be much better coordinated with other tourism work.

The report recommends that the funding for all the other organisations currently in the programme runs for the next two years, while the council works with the sector to develop a more accessible funding programme in time for the 2024-25 financial year.

Councillor Drew added: “Historically, the funding programme has targeted specific functions. While this worked in the past, our new proposal is to make elements of this funding much more flexible and accessible in order to increase its impact. We look forward to working with organisations in the sector to develop this new model together.”

March Events

Dairy Dates

Friday 18th March Adrian Brendel to open Stockbridge Musics 2022 season

One of the most versatile and original cellists of his generation to open Stockbridge Music’s 2022 season. Adrian Brendel cello and Charles Owen piano. From 7.30pm at St Peter’s Church, Stockbridge SO20 6HE. This concert is kindly sponsored by Mr & Mrs Guy Boney. Performing a dynamic and varied programme of music by Bach, Beethoven, Liszt, Kurtag and Fauré, Stockbridge Music is delighted to welcome internationally acclaimed musicians Adrian Brendel and Charles Owen to open its Spring 2022 programme. One of the most versatile and original cellists of his generation, Adrian Brendel has travelled the world as soloist, collaborator and teacher. His early immersion in the core classical repertoire inspired an enduring fascination that has led to encounters with many fine musicians at the world’s most prestigious festivals and concert halls. Charles Owen enjoys an extensive international career performing a wideranging repertoire to outstanding critical acclaim. Charles is also a Professor of Piano at the Guildhall School, of Music & Drama, London and Guest Professor at RWCMD, Cardiff. He was appointed Steinway & Sons UK Ambassador in 2016 and is also an Ambassador for the Help Musicians Charity. For booking information and to join our mailing list, go to www.stockbridgemusic.uk We look forward to welcoming you! Tim Lowden, Musical Director

Saturday 19th March Stockbridge Cinema

From 7.30pm - Mothering Sunday (15) On a warm spring day in 1924, house maid and foundling Jane Fairchild (Odessa Young) finds herself alone on Mother's Day. Her employers, Mr. and Mrs. Niven (Colin Firth and Olivia Colman), are out and she has the rare chance to spend quality time with her secret lover. Paul (Josh O'Connor) is the boy from the manor house nearby, Jane's long-term love despite the fact that he's engaged to be married to another woman, a childhood friend and daughter of his parents' friends. But events that neither can foresee will change the course of Jane's life forever. Information common to both films: Showing at Stockbridge Town Hall SO20 6HE. Tickets can be purchased online (£6.00 incl £0.50p booking fee per ticket) via www.stockbridgecinema.org.uk or by telephone from TicketSource 0333 666 3366 (£1.80 charge per telephone booking in addition to the online ticket price). Visit our website for more details. Drinks and Ices will be on sale with payment by debit or credit card. Please wear a face covering (unless exempt) when not seated.

Wednesday 23rd March Stockbridge Cinema

From 5.00pm and 7.30pm - The Secret Spitfires (PG). The Secret Spitfires is the remarkable story of how WWII Spitfire fighter aircraft were built in secret right in the heart of Southern England. It tells of how hundreds of girls, boys, women, elderly men and a handful of engineers built the iconic fighter plane the Spitfire, in secret, hidden in sheds, depots, garages, barns and even a hotel. So hidden, Hitler's spies couldn’t find them and have them bombed. A Q&A session follows each screening with engineer and historian Norman Parker, the central character in the documentary. For booking information see 19th March.

Saturday 2nd April Andover Chamber Choir makes first appearance

Having celebrated its 50th anniversary with a live-streamed Christmas concert (still available to view on YouTube) The Harmonium Singers started the new year with a new identity – Andover Chamber Choir. Rehearsals are underway for the first concert of 2022 - From Dawn to Dusk – a sequence put together by musical director Andrew Wyndham: “This is a lovely programme of mainly sacred music spanning over five hundred years and charting a course through a single day, from the darkness before dawn to sunset. Composers range from Thomas Tallis to John Rutter.” The concert will take place at the church of St Michael & All Angels, West Andover (Colebrook Way) at 7.30 pm on Saturday 2nd April, a welcome return since the choir last appeared there as The Harmonium Singers in 2017. Proceeds will be donated to the I Can Therapy Centre, the local charity which provides exercise to those with limited mobility using specially adapted power-assisted equipment to move and mobilise muscles and joints. Tickets cost £10 (under-14s admitted free) from The Lights, Newbury Building Society or choir members. Further information: Veronica Bacon - 01264 771285 www.andoverchamberchoir.org.uk

Saturday 2nd April Bexley Phoenix Choir Concert

Directed by John MacKenzie - Accompanied by ChristineDiggens Back by popular request. Concert starts 7pm at St Mary the Less Church, Village Street, Chilbolton, S020 6BQ Programme will include: Siyahamba, Cavatina, You Are the New Day, Since you Went Away, California Dreamin, With you on My Mind, All The Things You Are, Beach Boys Selection, Nella Fantasia, Rhythm of Life, I Wish I Knew How Come and hear this vibrant young choir from south-east London who are on their concert tour singing in a variety of musical styles from classical and romantic era to folk, gospel and popular contemporary songs. Something for Everyone. www.bexleyphoenixchoir.org.uk Tickets £10.00. Students £5.00. Schoolchildren Free. Tickets From Chilbolton village shop/ Lesley 01264 860584 or on the door.

Friday 25th Feb to Saturday 12th Mar Art Exhibition in Stockbridge

The Wykeham Gallery, High Street, Stockbridge, Hampshire: Harry Brioche, Peter Kettle and Jake Winkle.