Sport

Brighter by bike –staying safe in winter

ASwe head into the darker months the sunsets start to arrive earlier and the temperature starts to fall but that is no reason to stop cycling. It's a case of wrapping up a bit warmer and being prepared for wet weather before heading out through the door. All it needs is an extra layer or two, some thick gloves and overshoes to keep the hands and feet warm and a bike cap or covering for your head.

Rides in the winter months can be amongst the most spectacular of the entire year, particularly when the low sun casts long shadows and produces amazing sunsets and sunrises.

But it’s important to be prepared for the hazards that the low position of the sun can present on our roads. The early and late afternoon sun can cause dazzle and may even blind car drivers to any other traffic and cyclists ahead of them.

In these conditions, it is a case of everyone taking a bit more care and adjusting their driving accordingly. There are however a few things we as cyclists can do to make ourselves a bit more visible.

First is to consider a position further out from the kerb than usual to be extra-sure that drivers will see you at junctions – or that you are not in the shadows along lanes. It helps them see you. The “secondary” position (about 1m away from the kerb) should then be adopted, when safe, to allow traffic to overtake.

Secondly, consider wearing reflective fabric as things get dark. Most cycle clothing now comes with patches of reflective material so that you can be seen from the front or back.

Alternatively, there are low-cost accessories that you can use. A reflective band around the bottom of the trouser leg is more noticeable because it is moving – and also stops it getting caught on the chain!

Tyres with a reflective trim around the wheel also help drivers to see you when you are crossing their path at junctions. Although reflective clothing helps, a good set of lights is the most important thing that will help others see you in the darkness and, just as importantly, for you to see ahead. CYCLING with EDMUND LODITE Nowadays, there are plenty of powerful lights available and choosing the right one depends on where you will be riding. For commuting, in towns and cities where there is street lighting, you don’t need a really bright light to see ahead. Your light doesn’t need to be concentrated into one beam. However, in the depths of darkness and along country lanes a much brighter light is necessary. The same holds true for the rear light. In towns and cities traffic is slower whereas in the countryside you want a faster car approaching from behind to see you from a long way off. Most lights nowadays have multiple settings allowing you to vary easily between urban areas and the countryside. In the winter months, and depending on the conditions, I ride with lights in the daytime as well. It attracts the attention of an approaching car much earlier on faster roads. Using both a flashing light and a steady beam is a good combination. The flashing light gets attention but the steady beam means a driver can judge how far away you are. Personally, I think cycle lights are the most important bit of kit that you can have. It’s worth paying a bit more for the best lights you can afford – they are your main defence at nighttime and give fair warning to drivers that you are there. There is something special about cycling at this time of year even if the light is at its most fleeting. Remember, it’s worth being out there to stay healthy and active and by riding shorter rides, will pay dividends come spring. Stay visible, keep cycling and have a happy Christmas!

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Top award for Uphill Junior FC

UPHILL Junior FC has been named Grassroots Club of the Year by Somerset Football Association, a year after it was formed. The club started in 2021 after Covid to try to offer more sport, health and wellness to the community.

Carina Smith, club secretary, works at Broadoak Academy as vice principal and Ian Ridge, club chairman, works for Weston College.

They both felt there were young people in the Bournville, Oldmixon, Uphill and seafront areas not able to access junior football.

They received a grant to offer sport in the community and Cabot Learning Federation, of which Broadoak Academy is a part, gave reduced rates for the Astro and grass pitches.

They were joined by Rosie Dyke, a local primary school teacher (U-7 team manager and coach) and Beth Cottle, who was leaving school at 16 to start a sports course at Weston College (U-11s team manager and coach).

They started with one age group only in the league (U-12) and no coaches or managers. They had 42 children signed up for the club in September 2021, none of whom had ever played football before.

They now have 90 children playing and a team of around a dozen coaches and helpers.

The club says: “Those naysayers who told us no one in the area wanted to play junior football were certainly wrong as none of our players bar two transfers had ever been part of another club and played Saturday matches.

“We keep our costs low and offer reduced prices for those who are in hardship. As the year goes on this year, we see more and more families being squeezed to pay for kit and offer lots of discounts and payment plans. We want all children to have equal opportunities to play and enjoy football.”

In a year the club has grown from one team to five.

These were Somerset FA’s first awards for more than three years. Other winners included: Youth Secretary of the Year, Chris Wilkinson, Frome Town FC; Adult Secretary of the Year, Ian Wiltshire, Weston FC (Bath); Services to Football, Paul White, Banwell FC.

Somerset FA chief executive, Jon Pike, said: “One of the most pleasurable parts of working for Somerset FA is being able to recognise and reward volunteers in the grassroots game in the county.

“I am delighted that tonight we have acknowledged their amazing efforts for football and congratulate them on their achievement.”

Pictured (l to r) Carina Smith, secretary, Ian Ridge, chairman, Samantha Holley U-11 manager, Darren Tilley U-11 manager and coach, Rosie Dyke U-7 manager and coach and Beth Cottle U-11s manager and coach

U13s with the team mascots Fleur and Hydii Uphill U11s

Cricket teams seek support

CHEWMagna & Stanton Drew cricket clubs, and any others that wish to participate, have come together to form a new initiative, Chew Valley Cricket, to champion the full range and variety of cricket that is available to all the family, men’s, ladies, social, and youth, in the Chew Valley.

Initially this has been set up as a coordinated recruitment drive as most of the clubs struggle to get a consistent 11 out on the pitch on a Saturday.

They believe there is a lot of interest and desire for cricket in the valley if people really understood how to access it. Chew Magna had some success putting together a Wednesday night social team called The Pirates and ladies cricket at Chew this summer whilst Stanton Drew had over 70 people at their quiz night recently.

They say: “It does feel like our clubs could be on the brink of disaster but at the same time be saved spectacularly if we can get more local people involved.

“We have a very committed and passionate set of volunteers from both clubs who want to make this happen.”

They are Tom Moy, Dave Lawrence, Jamie Dawson, Brian Hawthorn, Claire Wienburg, Steve Croucher, Tom Spencer and Steve Ive

They hope to make enough progress before the season starts in April to offer a full programme of training and events.

www.chewvalleycricket.co.uk

World of rugby

BRISTOL Bears and Welsh international rugby player, Callum Sheedy, paid a visit to Chew Stoke Church School and spoke about his job, his journey to becoming a rugby player, his training and the position he plays.

Head teacher, Ben Hewett, said: “He took questions from the children and was inspirational in the way he spoke about how it would be possible for the children to follow in his footsteps.”

Callum has also been involved with coaching at nearby Chew Valley Rugby Club.

Mason shows his mettle

YOUNG fighter Mason Messenger, from Norton Radstock Amateur Boxing Club, has made his skills bout debut against an opponent from Downend ABC.

Mason, aged 13, went three rounds against Essay Zaman, a much taller opponent. Mason’s coach, Sean Jenkins, said Mason was unfazed by Essay, showing good head movement and footwork considering he was at a disadvantage.

Sean added: “Both boys did their club and themselves proud as they both showed respect towards each other.

“With plenty more work to be done Mason will take away invaluable experience from his skills bout which will help him improve as a young boxer starting out. “And I guarantee he’ll be the first through the gym doors come the next training session which just about sums up Mason and his dedication.”

Meanwhile, the club travelled to Taunton with debutant Ethan Carey, who attends Writhlington School, also enjoying his first skills bout. Boxing Palluv Bhandari of the host club Blue Flames ABC Ethan showed great attacking skills to go with his impressive defensive skills. Sean added: "Watching him progress through the various stages of a boxers training has been very enjoyable Ethan's dedication is a credit to him and he loves being pushed.”