Sport

The café ride –when cake is allowed!

THERE’S a great excerpt in the documentary about the 1962 Tour de France (Vive Le Tour!) that demonstrates even the most intense and gruelling competitions have their comical and light-hearted moments. The entertaining clip traces the often clumsy yet pivotal practicalities of cyclists trying to grab their musettes, personalised bags full of food, from their support team on the side of the road.

Later on, various riders jump off their bikes to drop into a café and raid any liquid they could find, including water, wine and beer! In those days, the rules didn’t allow riders to receive drinks from team cars.

Nowadays the professional cyclists have everything provided to them en-route leaving the café run to be a much more civilised affair, for the rest of us.

Entering a favourite cafe or discovering a new one mid-ride is one of cycling’s many pleasures. As well as some respite from the weather, gradients and effort, there’s an opportunity for camaraderie over the cake and coffee. And it’s a chance for some unbroken conversation which is hard to do on the road.

The weekend club-ride inevitably includes a café stop and depending on numbers can mean a bit of a queue. However, the cafes frequently visited by cyclists are usually well prepped in advance, making the selection choices easy and quick.

The café ride is good for planning and trying new routes – it provides purpose and a reason to reach a particular place. They also help cyclists progress from short rides to longer efforts. The break is great for re-fuelling and to gain the energy to get to the next milestone.

For many cyclists, the cake or biscuits that are normally avoided off the bike now become a quick and enjoyable way of addressing a calorie deficit, providing an instant hit of energy. And this time you think it’s good for you!

Everyone has their own favourite – mine is a bit of lemon drizzle cake with a nice mug of tea, you can’t beat it. It’s definitely nicer than a sachet of energy gel.

There are some who would say a slice of cake is just a lump of sugar and fat with no nutritional value. Anything containing dates, nuts and oats is a healthier option. But there are some energy benefits from cake – providing you get back on the bike again soon.

But the café stop is more than just the food and drink. It’s as much about the chat and an opportunity to check out the bikes on the bike rack.

Refuelling on long distance endurance rides is very different, however. Now it becomes a purely necessary function to replace the lost nutrients and replenish energy levels.

In the early days of racing there were no sports scientists to advise riders about their diet.

When Maurice Garin won the first Tour de France in 1903, it was less of a race and more like trying to survive on two wheels. Competitors pedalled along dirt roads for 15 to 18 hours a day on heavy bikes. Race regulations required that riders

CYCLING with EDMUND LODITE

fend entirely for themselves, forcing them to scavenge for meals along the way.

Riders would eat whenever and whatever was being served at roadside taverns, if they were lucky to pass one. Drinking alarming amounts of alcohol was also the norm. Beer, wine, and brandy were considered safer to drink than the water from questionable roadside wells or springs.

These days, professional cyclists have team cars following them, and for mass participation events/sportives there are organised feed-stations along the route.

You can still get some variety in the food though. In the early days of the Great Weston Ride you could get free fish and chips after you’d crossed the line. In Bike Bath I’ve had pasta served literally by hand (with gloves) out of a huge tub, during a thunderstorm.

Not quite like the scavenger racers from the days of old!

Tennis camp

PENSFORD Tennis Club is running an Easter holiday camp from April 11th13th, 2-4pm, run by the club’s two coaches, LTA accredited Dan Church and Dan Bellamy.

The club’s juniors have entered the National Summer Junior league for the first time.

Details: www.pensfordtennisclub.co.uk or secretary@pensfordtennisclub.co.uk

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End-of-season rugby reunion

FORMER players, along with anyone connected to Midsomer Norton Rugby Club, are being invited to an end-of-season reunion in April.

The lunchtime get-together, on Saturday, April 23rd, coincides with the 1st XV facing a home match at Norton Down against Cheltenham North in the last Tribute Western Counties North league fixture of the season.

Midsomer Norton (in red and white) on their way to a 38-5 home victory over Winscombe For details, visit: www.midsomernortonrfc.rfu.club

Beginners welcome

CAMERTONand Peasedown Croquet Club are offering beginners’ courses starting with a free taster on April 3rd, 24.30pm. You can then link with others to choose a day and time suited to your needs.

The club’s coaches will lead you through a series of three further sessions at a total fee of only £15 and that includes all equipment – just wear flat sole shoes.

Club chair, Mo Boys, said: “Our club has established itself as part of the community. It offers superb facilities, with four lawns, a club pavilion and beautiful views across the Somerset countryside, not forgetting free equipment, free coaching and a wide range of inclusive social events.”

Marksbury are champions

Pictured (l to r) Jamie Thornbury, Nigel Howes, William Howes, Paul Hunt, Ryan Fletcher, Dave Pulsford and Dan Fletcher

MARKSBURY Billiards and Snooker Club tied up the 2019/20 season just before the 21/22 season started.

Owing to the pandemic, the Radstock and District League was shut down

with just two weeks of the season to go.

Then after missing one complete season, the league had to finish the 2019/20 season before it could present the trophies.

Marksbury “B” team won the 1st Division championship and also the KO cup, whilst the “A” team won the 2nd division championship.

Individual honours went to Jamie Thornbury, over 45s winner, and he also partnered Ryan Fletcher to take the pairs title.

Jamie was also voted league player of the year, whilst David Pulsford secured the 2nd division title. There were also many billiards and snooker runner-up awards, too many to mention.

The club play their home fixtures at Marksbury village hall and would welcome more local players, with coaching if necessary.

Somerset FA walking football tournament

STRODECollege in Street recently played host to the Somerset FA’s annual friendly Walking Football Tournament. Fourteen teams and more than 100 players took part in an event that is growing every year. Contested by the over 50s, walking football is the fastest growing participant sport in the UK.

One of those taking part was former Bristol Rovers’ star Paul Randall who turned out for Weston Seagulls. Now 64, Randall is enjoying his football as much as he did 40 years ago.

He said: “I started playing walking football three years ago and I’ve loved every minute of it. The friends I’ve made and the dressing room banter I’ve taken part in are no different to my times as a professional footballer.”

Randall, who finished his playing career at Wells City aged 47, never thought he would get to enjoy the pleasure of playing again and certainly not into his 60s. Brought up in Glastonbury, Randall remains a cult hero at Bristol Rovers. He said: “It never ceases to amaze me that despite it being more than 35 years since I last played for Rovers the supporters still remember me with so much affection.”

He may no longer be receiving a free bottle of champagne from the DJ at The Red Lion in Somerton for each goal that he scores as he did in the 1970s but he remembers those times fondly: “I’m not sure how that started but I used to really enjoy going out locally after a match and a bottle or two of champagne always ensured that the night got off to a good start!”

Following his retirement as a footballer, Randall went on to spend nearly 30 years working in the pharmaceutical industry and has decided that now is the right time to retire: “It’s a big step, but a new phase of my life and one that I’m excited about. It will also free up more time to play walking football.”

Randall’s Weston Seagulls side beat Bristol City during the tournament, with the former Rovers star notching two in a fournil win.

He said: “It still doesn’t get any better than scoring against City. It may not be in front of a packed Tote End at Eastville but it will do for me!”

Help us celebrate the 100th anniversary of Paulton Recreation Ground

Paulton Bowls Club and the Somerset Miners Welfare Trust invite everyone to celebrate the centenary and recognise the mining community who helped to purchase the “Rec”

Saturday, April 30th, 11am-4pm

Refreshments • Meet former miners • Try bowls

Paulton Bowls Club, Paulton Recreation Ground, Tennis Court Road, Paulton BS39 7LU. e: paultonbowls@aol.com • t: 01761 402448 • m: 07538 607996

Centenary celebrations will remember local miners

PAULTON Recreation Ground is preparing to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the land being bought for the community by local miners.

Mine owners gave a grant of £1,000 in May 1922 and the miners themselves contributed a halfpenny from their wages to complete the purchase.

The “Rec” has been home to a number of sports clubs, including Paulton Bowls Club, which was formed in the late 1920s, but later closed due to a lack of support, to be revived in 1984; its logo is a phoenix.

The mining industry was unique in that it had a statutory obligation to provide money for the social welfare of its employees and dependents. Bryn Hawkins, chairman of the Somerset Miners Welfare Trust, said the practice began in 1920 when the Coal Industry Act compelled companies to pay one penny per ton of coal produced into a welfare fund, of which 80% was spent within mining communities on recreation, health and education.

The trusteeship of the ground has been held by Paulton Parish Council since 1973 when the last mines closed. Between 1920 and 1952, more than £40,000 of aid was provided.

When the bowls club was formed, it shared a wooden pavilion with a boys’ football team and tennis club. A new building was put up in 1984 with help from the parish council and, since then, dressing rooms, lounge, bar and conservatory have been added. The green itself has been enlarged to allow county games to be played at Paulton.

On Saturday, April 30th, an open day is being held at the club, with a chance to meet club members and ex-miners and for visitors to try their hand at bowls with coaches to help them.

Club president Dave Hancock with the Captain’s Shield, one of the club’s oldest trophies Bryn Hawkins (front left) with club president Dave Hancock and club committee members

Trevor Francis with a photograph of former members including his father, Ern, a miner

The bike and skateboard track is a relatively new addition to the rec The rec is popular with dog walkers

Choirs combine for charity

GLASTONBURYand Street Lions are staging a charity concert on April 1st bringing together the talents of two local and highly regarded choirs in aid of local charities.

Glastonbury Male Voice Choir and the Avalonian Free State Choir will be performing at the Johnson Hall, Millfield at 7.30pm. The concert will be compered by Simon Parkin from BBC Radio Somerset.

The 40-strong Glastonbury Male Voice Choir, approaching its centenary next year, performed last September before a 7,000 crowd at the Glastonbury Extravaganza.

The Avalonian Free State Choir is an acappella choir specialising in World Music, seeking out songs which represent folk traditions from all over the world. The choir is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

Lions club president, David Atkins, said: “We’re delighted to be offering this chance for people to see two highly respected local choirs in concert, and to help us raise funds for very worthy charities, including Children’s Hospice South West. We hope it will be a sell-out event.”

The concert is being sponsored by Forsey and Son funeral directors.

Details: Tickets, £10, can be bought from Glastonbury Tourist Information Centre 01458 832954 online at www.eventbrite.co.uk or call 01458 201926

Wedmore festival promises a busy programme

WEDMOREArts Festival will make a welcome return after two years of restrictions and cancellations, running from May 614th.

The festival is dedicated especially to supporting young talent and to encouraging a love of the arts amongst the younger generation.

This year they have already promised financial support to Wedmore First School which will be used on art projects.

They will also continue to help their two brilliant young protegées, Poppy McGhee and Innes Oliver, violinist and ballet dancer respectively.

A newcomer to the list this year is Georgina Sweet, a talented young actor and dancer who is heading for a great future. The festival promises a wealth of music and entertainment to suit all ages.

The festival will include music, poetry, drama, Morris dancing and more. Among the speakers are Dr Phil Hammond on How Not to Die Yet and Jane Tapley special events organiser at the Theatre Royal, Bath It’s Not in the Script.

An art exhibition throughout the week will feature two eminent artists, Terence Winston-Fletcher and Paul Thirkell.

The finale will feature Chris Jagger and his band. Chris has recently published a memoir and released a new album.

Priority booking starts on April 5th and public booking from April 12th with tickets available from the Village Store.

Organ recital

ONEof the country’s leading organists, William McVicker, will be performing at St Mary’s Church in Yatton on April 30th.

He is the curator of the Royal Festival Hall organ and teaches organology at the Royal Academy of Music. His recordings include ten discs of choral music and top-selling Great Organ Classics for Classic FM.

His organ recital for the YMS has been financially supported by Yatton Parish Council and will have music selected to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

The concert will also be enhanced with a video display of his performance provided by the Bristol and District Organists Association.

The concert starts at 7.30pm at St Mary’s Church, tickets price £10, half price for students over 16, children free.

Theatre appeals for help

ASStrode Theatre announces its spring programme, including its first book festival, manager, Farès K. Moussa, has called for help and criticised unfair arts and culture funding across the county. He says that since Covid the theatre is under the most difficult financial position it has ever been. Farès K. Moussa He said: “Ever since 2011, when Mendip District Council ceased funding to the arts, the theatre has struggled to the tune of a £50,000+ deficit each year –a hole plugged every year by Strode College and Street Parish Council.”

He says with various cost increases and a projected fall in audiences, the deficit could now be more than £100,000 a year.

He said: “I am working to find ways we can adapt, but even with these operational and programming changes, we will struggle to meet our costs, certainly for the foreseeable future.

“This is why I am reaching out to the community and to businesses throughout the county for help.

“Next year, we look forward to celebrating Strode Theatre having been a hub for arts and culture for 60 years and I am actively seeking partnerships and fundraising opportunities to help us celebrate this occasion and look forward.”

Only a week after South Somerset District Council announced £6m funding for the Octagon Theatre, in Yeovil, Farès criticised the arts and funding landscape in Somerset.

He said: “Funding to the arts in the county in the last decade or so has been very arbitrary; with some councils offering considerable financial help and others offering none.

“I hope very much that the new unitary authority model will mean that there will be fairer and more consistent funding opportunities throughout the county.”

Strode Theatre was donated to the community in 1963 and initially run by Somerset County Council. It is now part of Strode College, operating mainly on a commercial basis, with around 55,000 audience and over 400 events each year, including many community shows.

It receives limited public funding from Street Parish Council and the British Film Institute.

Festival partner

REAPEREvents have been announced as a partner for this year’s Jubilee Party in the Park festival in Peasedown St John.

Chairman, Nathan Hartley, said: “We’re really pleased to welcome Reaper back to Peasedown for this year’s big Jubilee festival. They did a fantastic job in 2019, our last event, and helped ensure we could put on a show like no other.”

The event officially starts at 12noon on Friday, June 3rd on Beacon Field with festivities running until 7pm.

Thomas swaps rickshaw for flying carpet!

THOMASWalsh from Cheddar, who is playing Wishee Washee in Shipham Players’ panto, Aladdin A Genie-us, was recently involved in BBC Children In Need’s Rickshaw Challenge. He needed to juggle a school production and rehearsing for the panto, whilst at the same time preparing for the challenge, for which he raised £7,400. Thomas said: “The rickshaw was an absolutely incredible experience and knowing that all the money raised has helped so many people across the world is such a great feeling. Keep pedalling team!"

The panto is at Shipham Village Hall, tickets £8, from April 7th-9th with a matinee on the Saturday.

Details: www.ShiphamPlayers.org.uk

Back on stage

SUTTONTheatre Company returns to the stage in Bishop Sutton in May, with their writer and director Kevin Daly’s original take on wartime in the Chew Valley and the villagers’ fight to save the drowning of Moreton, the hamlet that is now under Chew Valley Lake.

They promise: “Everything you love about STC wrapped up in one very funny show! We cannot tell you how excited we are to be back on the stage!”

Performances will take place at Bishop Sutton Village Hall, 7pm for 7.30pm on May 20th, 21st, 27th and 28th.

Details: Tickets online only https://chewvalleysong.eventbrite.co.uk

Drama group seeks new blood

CROSCOMBE Frolics, an amateur dramatic group where the emphasis is on fun, is seeking new members to perform everything from plays and pantos to murder mysteries.

The group was unable to get together during the pandemic but staged a successful event at Christmas and say they are keen to do more.

As well as actors, the Frolics are keen to hear from anyone who might be interested in helping backstage or front-of-house. They say: “What have you go to lose, other than your selfrespect?”