Sport

Easy as riding a bike

Ed Miliband, politician, and former leader of the Labour Party recently revealed that he only mastered the art of CYCLING with EDMUND riding a bike aged 50. admitting that he had LODITE been a “very, very nervous rider” as a child he had considered using an adult tricycle when lockdown started but was worried about the stigma and photos by the paparazzi. it wasn’t until he hired an electric bike on holiday in France that he “had an epiphany” and realised bikes were fun. Back in London he started venturing out on local journeys – even cycling to work and now says he has “the zeal of a

Channel swim success

Sianandrews, a children’s nanny from Long ashton, has succeeded in swimming the English Channel as part of a relay team to raise money for aspire, a charity which helps people with spinal injuries.

Lockdown hampered her preparations so much she was using a family’s ten-metre backyard pool for her preparations, instead of swimming in the Bristol Channel.

She said: “i was the third swimmer, so my first swim was at 2am. Water temp was 15c. The first 20 minutes of swimming i was excited that my dream had become a reality. i'd trained hard for this and now was my time to shine.” convert”.

Such candour from a politician is refreshing and will strike a chime with many who can relate to the emotions he expressed. With that in mind i’ve been pondering whether the saying “it’s as easy as riding a bike” is really true? i don’t remember the exact steps my parents went through with me on my first bike. There is no set approach, a lot depends on giving the child confidence.

The best age to teach a child is between four and six years and the process should take about 45 minutes. The recommended first step is not to use the pedals. By removing them and lowering the saddle slightly it allows the child to push themselves along, learning how to balance and turn the bike.

Then with pedals returned and saddle height re-set the adult holds the child (not the bike) from behind to provide stability while the child learns how the bike reacts as they pedal.

Hopefully, it then isn’t too long before the child is released to take their first few pedal turns towards freedom and adventure.

For adults returning to cycling or learning to ride later in life the challenges can be different. The physical process of balancing and pedalling is more straightforward, but now the mind starts to throw in unfounded doubts over safety, risk, traffic etc.

Confidence is the key – the best approach is to start simple and be proud of every ride no matter how far. Little and often is the best way to increase strength and confidence.

Traffic-free paths like the Strawberry Line and Colliers Way are a good place to build confidence. We are also lucky that Mendip is criss-crossed by country lanes with low levels of traffic.

Positioning on the road is important. a common misconception is that cyclists should ride as close to the kerb as possible, but this is wrong. Vehicles may try and squeeze past when there’s not enough room, so it’s best to assume a wider position on the road, about 1m from the kerb. This makes the rider more visible and allows some flexibility for manoeuvring. i know a few people that have returned to cycling later in life. Like Ed Miliband any concerns quickly disappeared and after a few rides a new world had opened. Young or old, cycling is the same –pleasurable, healthy, an environmentally friendly way to travel – and it’s easy!

AUGUSTCROSSWORDSOLUTION

ACROSS: 1. Gobi 3. Blood money 9. Exam 10. Corpuscles 11. notated 13. Rhizome 15. Referendums 19. number plate 21. Lineman 22. Shipham 23. Extinction 24. Ulna 25. Easy Street 26. ache. DOWN:1. Green Ore 2. Blast off 4. Lloyd 5. Opportune 6. Mississipi 7. nelson 8. Yes-men 12. Tyrone Mings 15. nominator 16. Catholic 17. Teammate 19. Cleeve 20. Unites 22. Stoke

Top tennis award

SaRaHStrawbridge, chairman and welfare officer of Cheddar Tennis Club, has been crowned the 2021 LTa Volunteer of the Year. Earlier in the year she had won the Somerset County and South and South West regional volunteer awards putting her into the national finals.

Launched in 2015, the Cathie Sabin award, named after the former LTa president, recognises the thousands of inspirational individuals throughout the country who give their time to contribute to tennis at grassroots level.

Leon Smith, Great Britain davis Cup captain, who presented the virtual ceremony, paid tribute to Sarah’s outstanding

contribution to Cheddar Tennis Club, mentioning the countless hours she spent in the last Covid pandemic year creating a safe environment in which to play tennis.

He also praised her tenacity in securing grants for improvements at the club and her passionate promotion of diversity, welcoming everyone and making the club a truly inclusive venue.

Receiving the award Sarah said she felt humbled and overwhelmed but honoured and appreciative to receive such an accolade. at a recent club afternoon Jennie Colton, president, presented flowers to Sarah in appreciation of her amazing contribution, saying her award is richly deserved and is an outstanding achievement.

Boost for Wells Cricket Club From Wells to Wimbledon

Wells U-13s

WELLS Cricket Club is celebrating after securing a £1,000 grant towards new training nets. The Old School Lane club has won the funding from housebuilder Persimmon Homes Severn Valley.

The club provides cricket for more than 100 young people aged five to 18 every week. Rachel Richards, of the club, said: “Our juniors section has grown rapidly in recent years, but our facilities haven’t been able to keep up.

“Currently, most juniors training takes place on the grass, which isn’t able to recover from the wear and tear quickly enough, and training is frequently cancelled due to poor weather.

“Training nets will allow us to train even if it has rained, allowing us to get more children and adults playing cricket.”

The project has been quoted at £30,000, but the club has been able to bring that cost down with its army of volunteers and have already raised more than £10,000. WELLS Tennis Club player Mark Preston will represent Somerset at Wimbledon this summer. On Saturday. July 10th, Mark won the county final beating competition from across Somerset at the Lawn Tennis association’s largest national junior competition, The Road to Wimbledon. He will take part in the national final with a day out at the Mark Preston will play at Wimbledon famous courts in august. Mark is trained by Wells Tennis Club coach Kevin durney and is on the Somerset under 14s team. Kevin said: “These experiences are a once in a lifetime opportunity, a great achievement and very well deserved. Mark has put a lot of effort into improving his game and is a pleasure to work with on court.”

Mark, aged 14, said: “i’m really looking forward to playing at Wimbledon. Everyone has been really supportive, i’d like to thank Kevin, my coach. now i just need to buy some white tennis shorts!”

Wells will be hosting an open weekend on Saturday, July 30th and Sunday, august 1st for anyone wishing to try the sport, with free play, coaching and other activities.

Water welcome back to runners!

Photos by Mark adler

FaMiLiES and friends in Frome turned out in force to support runners in the 2021 Frome Half Marathon and its junior races –on one of the hottest days of the year so far. not only did they cheer on the participants, but brought out their hosepipes to offer them a welcome shower of water as they tackled the various distances.

More than 1,000 runners of all ages took part in the family fun run, 5K, 10K and half marathon races, which started and ended at Selwood academy School rather than the popular event’s usual venue of the nearby Frome Town FC stadium due to Covid requirements. Last year’s event was cancelled due to the pandemic.

Leigh Evans at the start of the half marathon. He finished in a time of 02:05:06 Runners were set off in “waves” to adhere to Covid regulations

Time for a hosedown: half marathon runners Ali Holman (left) and Jack Hurrell on Nunney Road

The start of the family fun run – but some were taking it seriously

Some of the runners in the family fun run which kicked off the day

Smiles from Paula Allen in the half marathon Tracey Heatley (left) and Becky Cooper-Collett were just two of the runners raising money for Coleford-based charity Time is Precious

Ollie Francis was first home in the fun run in a time of 04:21 Robin-Mark Schols, running for Frome charity Active and In Touch Alexander Coombs, from Wells City Harriers, heading home in a time of 1:24:20 in the half marathon

Let music be your inspiration

Findingthe motivation to learn a musical instrument as an adult comes in many unexpected ways, although it would be hard to match the surreal way June Walsham fell in love with the idea. it coincided with a shopping trip to Lidl where, as she randomly browsed one shopping aisle, she caught sight of something that was going to change her life.

June had always been curious about learning a brass instrument and there was her answer – a trumpet for £79.

June said: “There were two trumpets for sale, each with an instruction book and case. i’ve never seen one for sale since and i almost doubt myself now, looking back. i just liked the look of it and bought it.”

She was in her late 50s when she had her musical epiphany in a shopping aisle. now aged 68 she is a regular with the Frome Town Band where she is among a growing number of players who started to learn an instrument later in life.

As the band looks to expand and recruit new members, it is not only looking towards the younger generation but adults who might need a bit of a nudge to pick up a brass instrument.

For June that spontaneous decision to buy a trumpet has led her on a musical journey which she has embraced.

She said: “i wouldn’t describe myself as a confident player. i painfully learnt how to read music. it certainly didn’t come naturally to me. When i first moved to Frome and joined the band i was happy to go in with the beginners. Then i was asked to join the main band where those around couldn’t have been more encouraging.

“Everything about the band is accessible and supportive, at an incredibly low cost. There is no barrier to anybody joining, whatever their age or experience. You don’t even need an instrument to be part of the band, they lend you one. There is an extra level of support and nurturing that is very special.

“When it comes together it is quite an emotional sound. For me, it is a hotline to your heart, particularly when you hear the band playing outside. i’m not a fan of the clever, concert brass. For me that does not have the same kind of heart – that grassroots grown in the community feel. i have a sense that the whole being of the band is greater than the sum of its parts.”

Fellow player Alan Sills first joined a band more than 40 years ago. His son Philip started to learn the cornet at the age of ten and, after sitting at the back of the hall and watching, Alan resolved to give it a go.

He said: “i started off teaching myself from books, a tune a day, and i would play duets with my son. They let me join the band (where we lived at the time) as a Third cornet and from there i progressed to Seconds and then ended up at the front.”

He said the attraction of picking up a brass instrument and being part of a band remains a massive motivation, he is also a member of the Radstock Brass Band.

He said: “Hearing all the different sounds – from the bass to the middle to the higher pitch is something. You get nine or ten instruments all playing together, producing some wonderful harmonies and sounds. it is a real musical experience.”

Besides the benefits to mental health, Alan is keen to emphasise the way in which learning a brass instrument has helped him physically. now aged 78, he said: “i’m sure my lung capacity and breathing have benefitted from the discipline of playing.”

The band says it offers a chance to meet new people and learn a new skill while benefiting your health.

June Walshamtle

Alan Sills Practice –with social distancing

A Priddy special night

PRiddY Folk Festival organisers staged a special live streaming of a concert in a secret village location to mark what would have been the event’s 30th anniversary.

Three bands – including local heroes The drystones celebrating ten years together – played in front of a small, invitation-only audience at the village hall. The event was also streamed live to the garden of the Queen Victoria inn.

Called Wish You Were Here, the concert was headlined by festival favourites Baraka. no dancing was allowed and Covid restrictions were complied with. it was the second year running that plans for a proper folk festival had to be shelved, but organisers are hopeful it will return in 2022.

Baraka boast global beats with their fusion of African and caribbean influences

Baraka ahead of their set Devon-based The Dillyboys opened the night

The Drystones on stage

Baraka’s Ben Baddoo is also an in-demand session player To view the concert via YouTube, visit the festival website: www.priddyfolk.org

Jazz nights are back

JAzzenthusiast Roger Collett returns to Cossington Village Hall for a series of fine jazz evenings until the end of the year.

Providing there are no further problems with Covid, his August 21st evening will feature top violinist Mike Piggott and ace guitarist nils Solberg. On October 9th Hot Fingers take centre stage, playing acoustic jazz from the early days and featuring the incomparable Tom “Spats” Langham.

The november 20th evening is a special occasion as Roger and his wife celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary, with the highly entertaining gypsy jazz band La Vie en Rose.

Finally on december 11th the ever popular pianist Mike denham is joined by trumpet player Ben Cummings to play various genres of jazz with a hint of festive fun.

The concerts support Bridgwater Hospital League of Friends.