Active Magazine // Stamford & Rutland // April 2024

A taste of Tuscany; Kate and Lisa enjoy some of the delights of the area

Lamport Hall; father of the garden gnome and so much more Fear of flying? Maybe we can help The Stapleford Estate is successfully diversifying Scotland in miniature; Will heads to Arran

Editor and Publisher Mary Bremner mary@theactivemag.com

Deputy editor Kate Maxim kate@theactivemag.com

Art editor Matt Tarrant

Front cover photograph Lisa Chauhan

Contributors

Will Hetherington, Jeremy Smithson-Beswick, Advertisement Sales Director Lisa Chauhan lisa@theactivemag.com

Production assistant Gary Curtis

Accounts accounts@theactivemag.com

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ISSN 2059-8513

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EDITOR’S LETTER

‘Seeing these groups where women support other women offering encouragement and advice is very special I think’

There’s been lots going on this month and we’ve all been out and about. Lisa and Kate have enjoyed a trip to Tuscany whilst I’ve been keeping the home fires burning visiting amport all, which was used for filming The Crown, and the Stapleford Estate too. Don’t worry my turn to go somewhere slightly further afield is next month so watch this space.

The three of us run Active magazine as a limited company. But what we didn’t realise is that this is quite unusual; women running a limited company. So we did some digging and have found more women doing so, as well as networking groups that support local women running their own businesses. Seeing these groups where women support other women o ering encouragement and advice is very special I think as it can be very lonely and isolating running your own business, particularly if you are a sole trader. Please don’t think we are neglecting, or not acknowledging, the many men doing the same thing, we certainly aren’t, but this month (and I am writing this on International women’s day) it’s the turn of us women to be fully in the sun.

Someone else who has been a bit further afield this month is ill. e and I agreed that this month he could go a bit o piste’ and write about a recent trip to the Isle of Arran where of course he had to climb a peak, not a Munro this time but a Corbett, which still sounded pretty challenging. I now want to go and explore Arran too, as well as more of the Scottish islands, something I’ve always wanted to do. One day it will happen.

Many of us are thinking about holidays and that might mean getting on a plane. If the thought of ying fills you with dread, Oundle-based clinical psychologist Dr Naomi Murphy might just have the answer for you, the Roshi ave device, find out more on page .

The clocks have changed, spring is o cially here and we now have more daylight hours to get out and enjoy our area; have fun doing so.

Enjoy the issue

Mary - Editor

ACTIVE LIFE

15 RECIPE

Try this delicious recipe from head chef Tim u from award winning restaurant Nossa

18 TRAVEL ate and isa enjoy a Taste of Tuscany

24 LAMPORT HALL

ary visits this stunning historic house and fi nds out about the origins of the garden gnome

29 HERE COME THE GIRLS eet some successful women running their own businesses and the networking groups available to them

36 THE STAPLEFORD ESTATE

This estate is diversifying including opening a dog walking field and much, much more

40 WILL’S WALKS

This month ill heads to the Isle of Arran, Scotland in miniature

47 LOCAL SCHOOL NEWS

ACTIVE BODY

55 FEAR OF FLYING Octopus sychology introduces us to the Roshi ave which can help combat the fear of ying

ACTIVE SPORT

56 THE ROUNDUP

Jeremy brings us up to date with local sport

ActiveLife

A taste of Tuscany | Here come the girls; women in business

We visit an estate that is diversifying successfully Will heads to beautiful Arran for his walk

Lovely Lamport Hall p24

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A double marathon challenge

Lulu Whalley who volunteers at The Birch Tree Café will be taking on the challenge of running two marathons, London and Berlin, to raise money for the Activities Programme at the café and T-21 Charity. The café, located in Easton on the Hill, opened in 2022 and is partly sta ed by young adults with own’s Syndrome.

As well as serving food and drinks to the many customers in the café, the team members take part in a wide range of supervised additional activities inside and outside the café. The Activities Programme includes cookery classes (to help with independent living , yoga, growing vegetables and owers in the garden, crafting and creating handmade gifts in the cafe’s new workshop. The team also regularly socialise together with film, disco, bowling and pizza nights as well as trips to local theatres.

‘I love volunteering at the cafe – it is such a happy and welcoming place and I see the confidence the training and activities give the young team members. I would love to raise as much money as possible for them to continue their activities programme as well as help fund new projects in the years to come,’ says ulu.

Follow Lulu’s marathon journey on Instagram @luluwhalls or to help with fundraising please visit: www.justgiving.com/page/ luluwhalleymarathons

A new physio in Tinwell

Ann Clare Physiotherapy and Cell Regeneration Ltd have recently welcomed Richard Evans, a highly experienced physiotherapist with a wealth of expertise in treating sports injuries to the team.

Richard has 16 years of postgraduate experience in elite sporting environments, demonstrating a deep understanding of the demands placed on athletes of all levels. His commitment to holistic development places the individual at the core of the rehabilitation process, ensuring comprehensive care tailored to each person’s needs.

Having trained in the UK and registered with both the Chartered Society of hysiotherapy CS and the ealth and Care Professions Council (HCPC), Richard has gained extensive experience across various sectors and countries. He has worked with organisations such as Right To ream, a renowned international football academy, as well as professional football clubs Charlton Athletic, Crystal Palace and Millwall, and rugby too, including Brighton Rugby and Sussex Rugby. Richard’s diverse experience also includes providing physiotherapy services at the Asian Indoor Athletics and Martial Arts Games in Turkmenistan.

‘Chartered physio Ann Clare has been currently looking after patients mainly with arthritic and osteoporosis conditions.

ith BST being used more in elite sport and with it becoming more popular it was a no brainer to add a new physio to our clinic and one with so much experience in sport,’ said Ann Clare.

www.annclarephysiotherapy.co.uk and www.mbstmedical.co.uk

WIN tickets to Classic Ibiza

Ever wondered what house music sounds like when it’s performed by a piece orchestra ell, here’s your chance to find out… for free!

Classic Ibiza returns to Burghley House on Saturday July and we’re giving two lucky readers the chance to win a pair of tickets each.

eadlining the event is rban Soul Orchestra, known for their work alongside the likes of Groove Armada and Robert

iles. They’ll be reinventing the most iconic dance tracks from the last years with live vocalists and J Goldierocks.

Other highlights include a J set by former acha Ibi a resident Jose uis and an awe-inspiring laser and light show. www.classicibiza.co.uk

To enter (entrants must be over 18) visit www.theactivemag.com/competitions and leave your name and email address.

Closing date is May 27. Good luck!

Cotterstock’s Cancer Research UK fundraiser

Tim Stubbs, former publican of the Red ion in armington returned to the area recently with his one man show Re ections of ife. The show in Cotterstock illage all was a sell out Tim was on excellent form and had the audience in hysterics as he regaled them with stories from his past, growing up in Thurlby, the son of the village baker. There was a uality ra e pri e draw with pri es kindly donated by local businesses and at the end, as is traditional in Cotterstock, the audience played a game of heads and tails.’ It was a great night of fun and laughter which raised a staggering , for Cancer Research .

Nordic Walk it!

A new home for hairdressers

AJ air Studio has relocated to lovely premises at Grange Farm, ittering and can’t wait to welcome current and new clients. The studio uses an Australian hair care brand Original and ineral O which focuses on replacing harsh chemicals in hair products with active natural minerals and essential oils. To celebrate the move they are o ering a discount to new clients who book in with olly or Fran, which is a great o er.

@aj.hair.studio

Congratulations to Bulwick village shop

The Pickled Village shop in Bulwick has been named as a regional finalist for best local independent shop village store by the Farm Shop and eli Show. Judging took place last November, where an esteemed panel of judges created their shortlist of category finalists, whittled down from hundreds of entries. The winners will be announced on onday April at the Farm Shop eli Show. e have our fingers crossed.

If you ever see a group of people striding along locally with a pair of poles angled backwards they’re Nordic walkers, not your average trekkers. There is a good chance you will, as over the last years your local Nordic alk it! club has introduced over , people to the art which is more than a walk, it’s a tonic for your mind, body and soul.

Nordic walking is about working with your whole body to enhance your ow of movement, muscle strength, definition and cardio so you feel energised with every step you take. It elevates your exercise routine and fitness uickly and e ectively, training in a smarter, fun and upbeat way that grounds you in nature and helps you discover your local area.

This activity uses specifically designed poles to reduce the pressure on your joints and make you feel light on your feet. ou simultaneously exercise both your upper and lower body engaging of your major muscles, completing an easy cardio workout that burns more calories than walking. It’s important to use the correct e uipment and techni ue.

The best way to do this is to complete a learner’s course or have a one-to-one session with head coach Jo ouglas. She’ll make sure that you get to grips with the techni ue which will help you become fitter, stronger and leaner. Once you’ve mastered the basics the next step is to get out there and enjoy it. Nordic alk it! o ers a programme of six Nordic walks each week o ering various challenges to suit di erent levels of ability and fitness aspirations.

And for those looking for an even bigger challenge, why not consider training to join the group on one of its ama ing adventures walking the Camino, be that The French ay, The Camino ortugués, The ia Francigena to Rome, or one of the many others. Visit www.nordicwalkit.co.uk or call Jo Douglas 0794 93 92 018.

We are celebrating the opening of our brand new pottery studio at Wymondham Windmill One-off taster classes 6 week courses running all year Birthday parties Corporate team building days Perfect for families of all ages and generations

07760 427758 www.katherinestaples.com

Katherine Staples Active Mag 90x60 .indd 1 23/03/2024 14:52 memade

Clare Cottage, 12 Woodgate, Helpston, Peterborough. PE6 7ED.

Clare Cottage, 12 Woodgate, Helpston, Peterborough. PE6 7ED.

are Cottage, 12 Woodgate, Helpston, terborough. PE6 7ED. 01733 253330 Email: info@clarecottage.org

Tel: 01733 253330 Email: info@clarecottage.org

Clare Cottage, 12 Woodgate, Helpston, Peterborough. PE6 7ED.

Tel: 01733 253330 Email: info@clarecottage.org

Tel: 01733 253330 Email: info@clarecottage.org

Explore where John Clare lived and worked, a shop with local crafts, beautiful gardens and relaxed café serving homemade scones, cakes and soups

Explore where John Clare lived and worked, a shop with local crafts, beautiful gardens and relaxed café serving homemade scones, cakes and soups

Explore where John Clare l and worked, a shop with lo crafts, beautiful gardens an relaxed café serving homem scones, cakes and soups

Open Mondays and Thursdays 10am until 3pm.

Open Mondays and Thursdays 10am until 3pm.

Open Mondays and Thursda 10am until 3pm.

Private Hire and Group Bookings

Private Hire and Group Bookings welcome.

Private Hire and Group Bookings welcome.

www.clarecottage.org

Private Hire and Group Boo welcome.

www.clarecottage.org

www.clarecottage.org

1 Indulge in Spanish avours and brain-teasing fun at The Boot Inn’s tapas and ui night on April in South u enham. njoy a tantalising selection of tapas while testing your knowledge in a lively ui . Reserve your spot for a fun night. Then prepare to soak up the sun and savour the season at The Boot Inn’s newest addition, their sun-soaked patio which opens on April . Nestled in a cosy sun trap, the patio features inviting sun lounges and soft sand, perfect for those sunny days and al fresco dining.

2 On Saturday th April, Sigma Sports are hosting the Sigma Sports CiC Classic Sportif starting at their Oakham store. eet at the store at . am for a uick briefing and co ee and download the route before your arrival. A ride to enjoy at your own pace, with signs to guide you. Finish at the store for refreshments and a goodie bag. www.sigmasports.com

3 Cotterstock’s last pop-up café of the season will be held at the village hall on April from - pm. rop in whenever you like and enjoy co ee and cake. There will be toys for pre-school children to play with and a ower arranging demonstration during the last half hour. veryone is welcome and it’s on the door.

What’s On!

4 Spring is here so the NGS is getting underway. njoy a garden full of tulips at estbrook ouse in ittle Bowden on April . And, of course enjoy lots of lovely cake.

For more garden opening dates visit www.ngs.org.uk

5  mma and elen, both yoga teachers, work together pooling their yoga skills to teach adults and children. They have been able to develop their yoga sessions, events and wellbeing o erings to a wider audience across elton and Rutland. This has led to the creation of oga Tribe for primary age children in the school holidays and successful ellbeing venings for adult clients too. The next ellbeing vening is on April at altham on the olds village hall and will run from 6- pm. njoy a relaxed self care evening with restorative yoga practice, some lovely vegetarian food and then a deep relaxation and breathwork session finishing in a oga Nidra with mma. All abilities are welcome. To find out more about both Helen and Emma’s classes and more retreats go to www. hdyoga.co.uk or phone 07771 571183.

6  njoy a fund raising classical concert and cream tea at aunde Abbey on Sunday ay from - pm. There will be

excellent performances from Sarah Small iola da Gamba and Johan ofving Theorbo . Tickets are to include afternoon tea or 6 for the concert only. www.laundeabbey.org.uk

7 Stamford model railway show takes place on ay and at the Stamford elland Academy. ead to the show which is the largest model railway show in the region to enjoy layouts, lots of traders and much more. It’s well worth a visit.

PLUS

eeping literary festival takes place from ay – . There’s lots going on including talks from well known authors such as Clare ackintosh and Stamford novelist C Bateman.

To book tickets and view the programme visit www.deepingsliteraryfestival.co.uk

Rutland Spiritual Society meets on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at the uaker eeting ouse in Oakham. There is a lucky ticket table for just per ticket and all are welcome. There is no need to book and doors open after pm for a start at . pm. evelopment Circles are held in six week blocks, please ask at any meeting. Want to know more? Contact Alison via WhatsApp on: 07557 226759.

RECIPE

Beetroot arancini with beetroot marmalade

Head chef Timothy Luff at Nossa restaurant on Abbey Street, Market Harborough shares this delicious beetroot arancini recipe with us; a perfect starter for the spring.

Nossa is renowned for its fine dining and specialises in British and uropean food but with a modern twist. And it’s proven very popular, winning back to back Open Table iners’ Choice Awards in and , recognised by the Restaurant Guru and is in the top of restaurants worldwide on Trip Advisor which is uite an achievement. Tim was previously at ichelin starred The Olive Branch at Clipsham and is now helping to expand Nossa nationwide.

Ingredients pack cooked beetroot, finely diced

• 200g Arborio rice finely diced onion

• 2 cloves garlic ml rapeseed oil

• 100ml white wine ml warm veg stock

• 75g grated Parmesan cheese g chopped parsley

• 200g panko breadcrumbs eggs

• 100g plain flour

Salt and pepper

• 400ml veg oil for deep frying

Method

Gently soften the onion and garlic in a heavy based pan, make sure they don’t colour.

• Add the rice and cook for 3 minutes, then add wine and cook until liquid is absorbed.

Gradually add the warm stock one ladle at a time until the rice is soft stirring all the time . I recommend taking it slightly further than you would for a traditional risotto as it makes it easier to make balls.

• When the rice is soft add the cheese, parsley and beetroot and cool the mix on a tray for an hour.

Once cooled roll into balls and leave to

cool fully on a tray. Then roll the balls in the our, egg mix with the breadcrumbs.

• Fry in the vegetable oil at 170 degrees until golden brown all over.

To make the beetroot marmalade just chop up pickled beetroot and mix it through some onion chutney. The pickled beets and sweet onion really help cut through the gorgeous cheesy hot beetroot balls. njoy!

The restaurant is offering Active readers a 10% discount on Wednesdays and Thursdays using the code AM10. To make a reservation visit www.nossarestaurant.co.uk Or ring 01858 431300.

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Alehoof

Rowan Griffiths talks witchcraft and beer

To start with, ground ivy (or to use its Latin name, Glechoma herderacea) is not ivy at all, nor for that matter even looks much like ivy. Actually, it is a member of the mint family, one of Britain’s commonest weeds and the bane of many gardeners because of its invasive nature.

It is a native perennial and trailing ground cover plant, the roots of which are creeping so discourage other plants from growing too closely. The leaves are hairy, bright green and are kidney shaped and lobed, growing on long, square stalks rather like others in the mint family. These leaves are up to 4cm across and when crushed exude a pleasant thyme-like smell. This shade and damp favouring plant emerges in arch and owers tiny purple funnel shaped blossoms in the spring.

Up until the reign of Henry VIII when hops became the favoured method of clarifying and avouring beer, ground ivy was used for this task. Hence the name ‘alehoof.’ A drink called gill tea was also made by steeping the plant in boiling water and then mixing it with honey or liquorice as a sweetener. This infusion was said to be a cure for colds and fever.

Because of its aromatic smell and avour ground ivy was also used in cooked meat dishes as an alternative to thyme or mint as well as a bitter cooked green vegetable.

However, ground ivy is believed to be poisonous to some grazing domestic animals and is avoided by cattle. It can be an irritant to the human digestive system if consumed in large amounts. Because of its common appearance in graveyards, ruins and wasteland, (places as you well know favoured by witches) ground ivy is steeped in folklore and with strong associations with sorcery and witchcraft.

All change

The gardening world is adapting to change. Garden designer TJ tells us how

There have been huge changes in our attitude towards our gardens and outdoor spaces in recent years; changing work habits, living constraints, freedom of movement and the climate has meant my industry has had to adapt.

Resilient planting

This is a term that you will come across much more as we get to grips with how to respond to a changing climate. The warming temperatures mean we now consider plants that survive in dry conditions so gravel gardens with Mediterranean style plants are becoming popular. As a maritime-in uenced island we have experienced significantly more rainfall in recent years, especially during winter, so we need to look at planting that can cope with extremes – from dry to wet. Hence the term resilient. Plant research is focusing on how plants respond to these conditions so it will be terminology that you will hear more and more. Any successful garden planting needs to be resilient to last.

Light impact

There are many elements tied-up in light impact, but most link to being carbon considerate. To reduce our carbon footprint we are considering everything from material choice to construction method. Any work that we do has a footprint as soon as we start dismantling or removing what currently exists. Being able to reuse and recycle materials onsite and reduce the amount brought in should be central to any work that you consider. When I am asked to visit a site I always look at what is already there and am led by this when planning my designs.

Local materials

As with light impact, using local materials significantly reduces our footstep. In Rutland we are fortunate to have fantastic natural resources managed by excellent and knowledgeable suppliers. We should be guided by these as they are grounded here in our landscape.

Nectar-rich trees

ild ower meadows have been a recent mainstream industry development, think No Mow May to huge swathes of land returned to its natural habitats. But they can be challenging to keep the balance right over a long period. Alternatively, it is worth considering the positive impact that correctly chosen nectar-rich trees can have instead of, or alongside. To support our insects, you are looking to provide plenty of year-round nectar. Trees can do this for us and with significantly less maintenance. I have introduced this to clients over the last few years, using trees to direct the design, in uencing mass and void while providing the necessary ecosystems. Brilliant results!

Keep these topics in mind when you are considering change in your garden. Look ahead and think about what legacy your garden can leave.

www.tjkennedydesign

Beat the crowds and visit Tuscany as it wakes after winter. Kate and Lisa did just that

Spring in Tuscany

Bearing in mind last year’s fierce temperatures during the summer, isa and I decided, when we were given the chance to review Relais a Corte dei api near Cortona, that we’d visit in arch so we could enjoy the first signs of spring in the rolling Tuscan hills. And we would also miss the crowds that converge on Florence and isa during the height of the tourist season, what a good decision it turned out to be.

e left the rain behind at Stansted and ew in to fairly mild temperatures for the few days we toured around a small corner of Tuscany. nown for its rolling hills, fascinating history, wonderful Renaissance art and architecture, and delicious food and wine from extensive local vineyards, we knew we were in for a good time. e concentrated on exploring Florence and Cortona with a whistle stop tour of the eaning Tower of isa. The beautiful towns of Siena, ucca and San Gimignano amongst others would have to wait for another time.

Tuscany’s capital city Florence, or Firen e, is a delight. very street o ers something fascinating to look at, whether that’s the soaring heights of Giotto’s Bell Tower at the uomo or the unmistakeable silhouette of the civic tower on the ala o ecchio. It may be one of the many statues dotted around the various pia as, including my favourite – erseus with the head of edusa by Benvenuto Cellini, or it could simply be the sight of a welcoming trattoria where you can rest your legs and people watch, the best pastime of all.

DAVID, THE MASTERPIECE

But we had a tight schedule so people watching had to wait, and top of the list was to see ichelangelo’s avid at the Galleria ell’ Accademia di Firen e. There are copies of avid in the ia a della Signoria and also high on the hill in the middle of ia ale ichelangelo but the original, incredible masterpiece carved from one colossal piece of marble weighing over five tonnes and standing over five metres tall is a sight worth seeing at the Accademia. It’s definitely advisable to pre-book a ticket but we were fortunate to only have to

ueue for minutes. That would never be possible in the height of the season.

Often splashed all over Instagram are close ups of the veins on avid’s hands showing how talented ichelangelo was in highlighting the tension in the moment just before avid confronted Goliath. And there will definitely soon be thousands more selfies on Instagram judging by the amount of time people spent posing for photographs next to him. itto looking down on Florence from the ia ale ichelangelo, holding up the eaning Tower of isa and at every other iconic site!

Also worth visiting in the Galleria ell’ Accademia is the Salone dell’Ottocento which is full of plaster casts made by oren o Bartolini and his student uigi ampaloni. They are so detailed, showing ex uisite folds of cloth and hairstyles through the ages. e did wonder what it would be like to have a likeness of one of your ancestors in this room or carved on the walls of the uomo.

e then moved on to the exhibition of musical instruments that belonged to the grand dukes of Tuscany, edici and orraine. Apparently the collection belonging to the Grand rince Ferdinando de’ edici includes the first ever mention of a pianoforte with a keyboard where the strings are struck by small hammers as opposed to being plucked like a harpsichord . It was also fascinating to see a Stradivarius violin up close. e then enjoyed the collection of gold ground paintings from the th to the early th century with the most da ling colours still beautifully preserved.

ou can buy a joint ticket to visit both the Galleria ell’ Accademia and the i Gallery which is a good place to head next while taking in the uomo, Giotto’s Bell Tower and Baptistry with its bron e Gates of aradise on the way.

DE’ MEDICI COLLECTIONS

To get more out of your visit and to make sure you don’t miss any masterpieces, especially if you’re short on time, it’s worth booking a tour guide who will meet you with tickets in hand and whisk you past the ueues. They can bring the artworks and artists to life, teach you about the families edici and orraine and guide you through the labyrinth of treasures in over halls including works from Roman times to the early Renaissance to uropean painters of the th Century. Thanks must be given to Anna aria uisa de’ edici, the last surviving member who was responsible for donating the family’s entire collection to the city, having stipulated that none of the art should leave. ithout her, many of these treasures would be inaccessible to the public.

After the i you’ll want to cross the onte ecchio crammed with di erent goldsmiths’ shops and head for the Boboli Gardens and

the Palazzo Pitti which houses museums like the Palantine Gallery and the Modern Art Gallery.

Then if you have the energy (and you’ll need it by this point), it’s an ideal time to walk along the Arno river then climb the hill to the Piazalle Michelangelo to get the best view of the city at sunset. You’ll be able to spot all the places you’ve already visited.

After dinner it was time to rest our weary heads, which we managed to do despite staying right in the centre of the city. Four di erent sets of shutters and windows put paid to the noise but once we stepped out of the hotel in the morning we were straight into the cut and thrust of Florentine life with locals going about their daily lives, tourists ticking sights o their itineraries and masses of builders and craftspeople helping to maintain the historical buildings.

There are plenty more sights to see: the Basilica of Santa Croce, San Lorenzo Church and Medici Chapels, the Church of Santa Maria Novella and Santa Spirito. And if churches aren’t your thing, there are outdoor markets such as the Mercato Centrale where you can join the locals who come here to grab a co ee or shop for fresh vegetables and just baked pastries. If you want leather goods, textiles and handmade arts and crafts, head for the Mercato Nuovo (otherwise known as Mercato del Porcellino famed for its bronze statue of a wild boar).

If you have limited time, you’re in danger of just seeing the main attractions and overlooking the many wonderful treasures hidden in lesser known churches, museums and corners of the city but that gives you an excuse to return another day.

ONWARDS TO CORTONA

For us, the second part of our journey was about to begin; we were heading for one of Tuscany’s hilltop towns, Cortona, about 70 miles away. On the border with Umbria, Cortona lies at 600 metres above sea level and it’s easy to get to by car or train. We love train journeys, it gives you a ringside view of the towns, waterways and farmland, lined with hundreds of typically Tuscan Cypress trees and also Stone Pines. It’s ridiculously easy to book online in advance with Trenitalia,

the main train operator in Italy, or on one of the many ticket booths on train platforms. Just remember to use a credit card and tap your ticket on one of the smaller machines, also on the platform before you travel.

We arrived in the dark and were immediately whisked to our destination, a manor house dating in parts to the 16th Century, just outside Cortona. Relais La Corte dei Papi is a family owned, boutique hotel which has been lovingly restored by owner David Papi, the eighth generation owner. Opening as a tiny restaurant twenty years ago, then soon after o ering rooms in two cottages, he has renovated the many di erent buildings including pig and cattle sheds step by small step. It now boasts 16 luxury bedrooms, most with spa suites including double jacuzzi baths and saunas/Turkish baths within the rooms. I cannot adequately describe how, having access to your own private sauna and jacuzzi makes for the most relaxing of hotel stays. I spent two hours in mine one evening, appearing just in time for dinner. You can even have massages and private yoga sessions in your room or private garden.

Whether you’re after a quiet, romantic break relaxing in your spa suite and enjoying the gorgeous pool or if you treat the hotel as a soothing, elegant base to relax after a day exploring Cortona, you won’t be disappointed. The waiting sta and concierge team couldn’t be more helpful, keen to give their guests the best experience they can whether that’s serving delicious food and wine, or o ering advice on what to do in the area.

Breakfast is bu et-style made with fresh, local ingredients homemade bread, pastries, fruit, salami, cheeses. You really don’t need to eat again all day! And the evening menu - seasonal, inventive and delicious - is hard to choose from. e wanted it all. But forced to make a decision, I had the local Siena Pici pasta with boar ragout on the first night, followed by Ossobuco on the second, both e ually mouth watering. Lisa went for Porcini mushroom pasta then Corba

Images: Gallerie degli Uffizi

fish the next night. Interim tasting courses were brought out for us to try such as fro en melon with prosciutto, and the puddings were to die for assion of chocolate, Ricotta cheese cake with coriander ice cream yes really! and of course, a selection of local cheeses, as if we hadn’t eaten enough. Cheese and honey, we’ve now discovered, is a delicious combination.

FAMILY OWNED, BIJOU HOTEL

The hotel has its own wine label, featuring breeds of horses owned and passionately cared for by avid’s grandfather, made with vines grown in their local vineyards. The only wine we didn’t try was the white but let me tell you, the sparkling rosé will haunt our dreams for a long time.

In warm weather you can eat al fresco by the pool near the lounge bar. And the hotel is only one of two locations near Cortona that o ers civil weddings. The function room on the second oor with a wonderful view of the surrounding countryside also ideal for parties and anniversaries caters for people and is stunningly decorated with gilded boiserie panels. It would be ideal if you took over the entire place for your wedding guests, you wouldn’t want for a thing. It is, of course, pricier to book into a bijou, privately owned hotel, rather than a chain but it’s well worth it as you do get such personal care and attention from all the sta .

They will arrange customised experiences and tours for you such as horse-riding, golf, -biking, cookery lessons, hot air balloon trips with champagne breakfast, helicopter ights, tru e hunting, olive oil, cheese and vineyard tours particularly to the areas of ontalcino and the ontepulciano and you can even test drive a Ferrari. Really what more can you ask for

MEDIEVAL CORTONA

e were after a slightly slower pace so were driven to Cortona to explore the ancient medieval town perched on a hill overlooking the aldichiana, known as the agricultural heart of Tuscany or the truscan granary. Cortona originally Curtun was one of the truscan capital cities and there are still three kilometres of walls dating back to th Century BC . e spent a good couple of hours in A C, the world famous useo dell’ Accademia trusca e

di Cortona, admiring the ancient truscan artefacts including the gold chandelier and the , year-old inscribed bron e Tabula Coronensis, a legal document and the third longest truscan inscription ever found. It’s also reputed to be the first documented trace of wine production in the area.

Three rooms are dedicated to the archaeological finds from the truscan tombs of Camucia and Sodo, also known as the elons’. The grave goods such as vases, goblets and pieces of gold are fascinating and show the opulent lifestyle of the high born of the era. As you climb up through the building, exhibitions move on to the Romans and gyptians, then hundreds of artefacts in the original head uarters of the Accademia trusca including its th century library.

A C is in ia a Signorelli, a meeting point of many streets which also houses the Teatro. The ia a della Repubblica is the main s uare, surrounded by beautiful historical pala is which are mostly now private homes but you can still look and admire them even if you can’t go in them. Not far away is The iocesan museum which was shut on the day we visited which was a shame as it houses incredible art including The Annunciation by Beato Angelico. Instead we enjoyed The Cathedral of Santa aria Assunta which is opposite.

As to be expected, there were many di erent churches to visit in the town, about in total. nfortunately we didn’t reach the Sanctuary of Santa aria delle Gra ie al Calcinaio as that is, according to legend where, on aster Sunday in , an image of the adonna and Child which was painted on a basin used for tanning leather called calcinaio’ because of the lime used for this work, began to perform miracles. That icon is still visible today on the high altar in the church.

della Citt

images: Relais Corte dei Papi

CELEBRATE 50 YEARS OF THE CHARITABLE PRESERVATION TRUST AT LAMPORT HALL

50 Years: A Step Back in Time. Explore a brand new interactive exhibition looking at the last 50 years of history and the stories of the Trust. Open Wednesdays and Thursdays, April-October.

We also have a variety of events to mark the anniversary year including:

10th May - A musical concert with students from Rugby School

18th June - 50th Anniversary Study Day with lectures from Neil Lyon, Dr Laura Engel, Dr Jane Eade and Dr Megan Leyland.

27th July - Country club themed cocktail party with a gramophone DJ, live jazz vocals and swing dancing

13th September - Oxford University Dramatic Society present Dr Faustus

Tel: (01604) 686272 Email: engagement@lamporthall.co.uk

LAMPORT HALL , LAMPORT, NORTHAMP TONSHIRE NN6 9HD

10-11

Station Road

Stamford PE9 2LP

01780 753002

20% o colour and cut with Bettyquote active

The George Hotel Mews

PRODUCT TEST

D-Robe roll-top rucksack

The last time I was in Tuscany I’d just found out I was pregnant with twins and spent much of the holiday staring out of the hire car window wondering what was about to hit me. They are now 25 and delightful, but at the time I was stunned. ‘Does it run in the family?’ was a popular question to which the answer was a big fat no.

While visiting Florence, I bought a large, leather rucksack from the Mercato Nuovo to carry all the clobber I knew I’d need (having one delightful daughter already). It was very stylish but really heavy, even before you’d put anything in it. So on this visit to Florence, I was delighted to be road testing the sleek, waterproof, lightweight 20 litre rucksack from D-Robe. What a difference! No cumbersome leather straps. This one had really comfortable padded straps, seven internal pockets, an external 14” laptop compartment and a zipped roll top which makes it really secure when you’re in the middle of crowds; perfect for our whistle stop tour of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. There’s also an air valve which helps to compress the air and reduce the size so it fits under the seat in front of you on a Ryanair flight! Win, win.

Available in Admiral Navy, Moss Green and Midnight Black priced at £84.00 from www.d-robeoutdoors.com

UNDER THE TUSCAN SUN

Apart from its historical significance, Cortona is now much more well known for the memoir published in 6 and ensuing film, nder the Tuscan Sun,’ about an American writer Frances ayes who buys a dilapidated villa in the town on a whim after her divorce. ordes of people, particularly Americans, now ock to the town to visit the original villa Bramasole and the second one used in the film.

Cortona is easily visited in one day, with plenty of time to wander around the narrow cobbled streets with artisan shops and classic Tuscan trattorias, ancient pia as and medieval houses. ike the rest of Tuscany, Cortona is uiet early in the year. In fact, many of the shops and trattorias don’t fully open until the aster weekend, giving the owners time to relax a little, ready for the throngs that will shortly visit.

Before we headed back to our luxury spa suites to rest our weary legs in the jacu i after walking up and down hills all day, we admired the panoramic view from ia a Garibaldi, looking past the huge ake Trasimeno to the mountains of onte Amiata and onte Cetona in the distance. There is so much to do in Tuscany and we felt we’d barely scratched the surface. A good excuse to return a Corte dei api is open from arch to January. For full details visit www.lacortedeipapi.com

www.visittuscany.com www.cortonaweb.net www.trenitalia.com www.lacortedeipapi.com

Lovely Lamport

The historic houses in our area are opening their doors to visitors again. Mary visits beautiful Lamport Hall to find out more about it

We are so lucky in our part of the country that we have an abundance of gorgeous stately homes, many, or most of them, privately owned or operating within a Trust. These houses re ect an era of wealth and privilege when agriculture and sheep were the main sources of income. And this excess of wealth allowed some of these owners to build magnificent mansions and collect some stunning treasures. Lamport Hall just outside Market Harborough is one such property.

Lamport Hall is a Grade l listed stunning neoclassical mansion which started out originally as a Tudor house. Fast forward to the present day and it has most recently been used for filming The Crown. The drawing room scene in which Camilla appeared before her wedding is at amport all Clarence ouse substitute and their stables were used to represent indsor Castle as well so you may well recognise it when you visit.

The Isham family lived at Lamport for four hundred years starting with John Isham who bought the estate from illiam Cecil ord Burghley in 6 and ending with Sir Gyles Isham in 6. And in that years many changes were made.

John Isham was a wool merchant but as he was not the first born he knew he had to make his own money, which he did. His grandson became the first baronet during the reign of Charles l and extended the house considerably. But very little of this remains today. Sir Justinian Isham is who we need to thank for the magnificent classical fa ade designed by architect John ebb in 6 . any future Ishams added to the house and despite all these extensions it really is a stunning structure. It is quite unusual in that, despite sitting in parkland, the house itself is right in the middle of the very pretty village of Lamport, just set back from the road.

'Lamport Hall is a Grade l listed stunning neoclassical mansion which started out originally as a Tudor house.'

As well as being a beautiful building which is well worth a visit on its own, it’s the contents and the collections this lovely house is home to which are really eye catching. e have to thank Sir Thomas Isham for much of this as he returned from his Grand Tour in the late th century with some fabulous works of art, ceramics and furniture. He nearly bankrupted the family, spending the equivalent of millions of pounds by doing so and it is perhaps a good thing that he died young before he could spend everything. But we are very fortunate today to be able to enjoy his good eye and extravagant spending habits.

ary Close, wife of the fourth Sir Justinian was another Isham who undertook major alterations adding a new façade, tower and porch to the north east front - between and 6 - which is now used as the main entrance. Their son, Sir Charles is credited with introducing the garden gnome to Britain. A very keen gardener, vegetarian and eccentric he built a magnificent rockery, decorated with gnomes brought back from Germany (I’m not sure we should thank him for that and kept meticulous notes.

It is a good thing too that the Isham family appear to have been a generation of hoarders as nothing was ever thrown away. I suppose with a house this large you just fill another room with stu or shove it in the attic rather than bin it. Because of this the collection has been

Image: Matt Clayton

kept together and all paperwork, receipts and inventories are available as well; quite unusual and unique to have such a meticulous history.

As with many stately homes at the beginning of the 20th century hard times befell Lamport and the two world wars were almost the final nail in its co n. It was re uisitioned during both wars with Italian prisoners of war, C ech soldiers and a British tank regiment housed there as well and sadly, they did not respect or look after the old house.

hen Sir Gyles, the final Isham to live at the hall, took over after ll it was not in a good state. In fact he was advised to pull it down as it had dry rot and needed a huge amount of repairs and renovations. Thankfully he ignored the advice and returned to live at Lamport. He had been a war hero and was a successful actor (very handsome) living in Hollywood and had not expected to inherit as he had an older brother who sadly died in WWl. He had to give up a rather glamorous life to return to a fading ruin.

He worked hard restoring the house and immersed himself in the community where he was very popular and knowledgeable. In he opened the ground oor rooms to the public and it has been open ever since.

Sir Gyles only had an unmarried sister and did not marry himself. There was an heir for the title but Sir Gyles had the foresight to see that taking on Lamport Hall with all its costs as well as inheritance taxes would be too much of a burden and it would just not be feasible for the new baronet to a ord to keep the estate. So after first o ering it to the National Trust who turned it down because ‘it was not economically viable’ he approached the government and charity commission with plans to turn Lamport into a charitable trust. Burghley had already done this and amport was one of the very first estates to follow in their footsteps in the s.

The Trust had to be self-su cient and many did not think this would be possible. The whole property including the house, collection, , acres and residential properties were o ered to be put into a Trust. Because the collection was so huge, rare and intact no one wanted to split it up so they were allowed to create a Trust which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. And they are very proud that

it is profitable and has been for many years, so a real feather in their cap. Events are held throughout the year including concerts, markets, weddings and corporate events managed by the small team at amport. There are plenty of Ishams in America but they are not direct descendants). Sir Richard, the current baronet, is on the board of trustees and is still involved, and he has a son so the line is secure.

Much of the collection can be viewed on your tour of the house. The library is magnificent with thousands of books, all of which have been recently cleaned. On your tour you will see the oak panelling added by Lord Ludlow when he rented the house as a hunting box, beautiful ceramics, furniture and masterpieces. I really enjoyed my tour.

The Trust has been so successful and is celebrating 50 years because of the loyalty and foresight of some of the sta , who gave their working lives to it including Mr Drye who rejuvenated the estate with the help of the farm foreman Mick, and carpenter and restorer Vic. All three retired between and . The state is now thriving under the care of executive director Mark Herrod, building on the foundations set by these three men who put so much passion and energy into the Hall.

A visit to the estate is a must. The house and contents are stunning. But there is much more to see and enjoy than this. The acre gardens are beautiful with the walled garden undergoing lots of restoration work and the famous alpine garden is being rebuilt. You are allowed to bring your dog to walk around the grounds and many people come and do this every week as once you buy an annual pass you can use it all year.

Once you have enjoyed the house and grounds you can then head to the stable block where you will find the café which uses mainly local produce. You can very easily spend the whole day at Lamport and I would recommend that you do. There are so many treasures to enjoy and seeing where some of the scenes for The Crown were shot is fascinating.

www.lamporthall.co.uk

Here come the girls

Mary has found that apparently women running a limited company are unusual, but we do and we’ve found a couple more who do too. And we’ve discovered there’s lots of support for all you ladies running your own businesses

When we set up Triangle ublishing five years ago to take over Active maga ine we had no idea that three women running a limited company was unusual. hy would we But apparently we are. Just of businesses are female led, solely female owned even lower based on figures . istorically women running limited companies have found it much harder to secure external funding which is obviously fundamentally wrong. But interestingly, womenrun companies are much less likely to rack up huge debts there’s some sort of correlation here, isn’t there e have learnt a lot running our business and it has been a steep learning curve as it really was sink or swim, and we swam. But we’ve survived some very rocky times including Covid, high in ation and the cost of living crisis and, to a lesser extent, the rise of the in uencers. And I’m delighted to say we are still here! e work well together and that is vital and use each other’s strengths. Some tips we would o er is to work hard, stand up for yourself, always reply to emails promptly, do your research and know what you are doing, keep an eye on your cash ow and believe in yourself - that is vital. Resilience and perseverance are the order of the day. This applies to

anyone running a business, men too, of course.

e’ve done a bit of local research and found many, many women who are running their own businesses, not limited companies necessarily, but successful businesses. Some are small one man ! bands, others much larger, but all are owned, run and loved by women. In recent years the number of women, younger women in particular, running their own businesses has risen dramatically and that’s got to be a good trend, despite the figure being that only of businesses are owned by women. any of these women are working alone so it can be lonely and at times disheartening. There are networking events open to all which can help and also groups solely for women which can sometimes feel more welcoming. And we always need a few cheerleaders to help us on our way.

e have talked to a couple of other women running limited companies. Their businesses are very di erent but the same principles apply meet dina and ibby

Lighting up the recruiting world

Meet Edina Bremner, owner of Emblaze Talent

Another lone female running a limited company is Edina Bremner who set up Emblaze Talent last year at the age of 27. She’s the managing director and has just celebrated her first year in business.

After leaving Stamford igh and uni dina spent five years in recruitment locally specialising in food production, growing, farming and fresh produce, managing a team and being part of the senior management. A year at a brand new start up agricultural bank, (where she ‘missed recruitment’) was followed by another year back in the industry, this time as an internal recruiter head hunting for large conglomerates such as Multiverse and Hired.

After six years in recruitment and a year in banking Edina had learnt a lot and made excellent contacts. She was an expert, successful recruiter with an excellent reputation. But she had also observed where the companies she worked for had made mistakes and bad decisions and how that a ected their sta , and knew what she would do di erently.

‘As a recruiter you essentially operate independently, managing your own clients and candidates. After working very closely with several of the same clients for a prolonged period I felt I had built up enough insight and experience to set up on my own. I thrive in the fast paced world of recruitment, relishing the competitiveness and the profound impact of transforming lives – enhancing clients’ workforces and securing better opportunities for candidates.’

After a lot of thought and planning, Edina decided it was time to set up her own recruitment and talent agency so she could be in charge and make her own decisions. ‘It wasn’t easy, not at all. In fact it was absolutely terrifying and I was way out of my comfort zone. There were lots of sleepless nights but I knew that if I didn’t do it now I never would. It was a risk, but a calculated one. My sister was also starting her own business and both my parents and partner all have their own companies so I had lots of encouragement and good advice.

‘I decided I was going to be in control of my own destiny from now on. I knew I was a good recruiter, now it was time to find out if I could run my own business as well.

I thought the hardest part was going to be finding clients to recruit for. But once people knew I was running my own business they contacted me and I quickly gained clients, one of whom is the bank I worked for which was really encouraging. I reconnected with many of my old clients in the produce and growing world and have gained many new clients as well who are in many di erent industries and professions. I’ve always worked across quite a wide range of businesses so can cast my net quite wide.

hy use a recruiter Talent agencies like mine often help clients fill uite niche roles which they would probably find very di cult and time consuming to do themselves. I can save them a lot of time, weed out the unsuitable candidates, find who they want and in the long term save them a lot of money. I know the industries I cover really

well so have a strong network of candidates that I can reach out to. I match people and businesses together, and know who will suit, or not. I suppose in some ways it’s like matchmaking and finding the perfect fit.’

Obviously, it has not all been plain sailing and there have been stressful times too but Edina has learnt a lot about owning and running a successful limited company.

‘First of all, get a good accountant who you trust, understands your business and who you can rely on. Richard from PSF has really helped me with all the logistics, from setting up a limited company, registering for VAT and helping me with bookkeeping packages and has been there all the way.

‘And secondly, and most importantly, persevere and be resilient as there are bound to be knock backs (and there have been). Believe in yourself, back yourself to succeed, be resilient, work really hard, stick at it and never give up.’

Edina’s expertise spans diverse industries including food production, agriculture, horticulture, rural professions and emerging start-ups. She covers a large variety of roles ranging from on-farm and operations to commercial, R, technical positions, finance, consultants, directors and beyond. Do get in touch with her if she can help.

www.emblazetalent.com

…and meet

Libby

Libby Summers of Stamford Strings offers her take on running a limited company

Ihave nearly twenty years experience of owning a business, previously running ibby Summers td, a knitwear company, from 6 to . After retraining as a violin maker, I set up Stamford Strings td in . As this is the second business I have owned, I already had experience, and had made many mistakes that I have been able to learn from.

I knew straight away that I needed a limited company. It is ideal for a multi-function business like mine, where I am buying and selling, manufacturing and providing services. aving the business as a separate entity from yourself is important for establishing a brand as

well as giving you the credibility you need to get accounts with suppliers. aving an o cial business premises is also important to compete in the market place and gain the respect and trust of both suppliers and customers. There used to be financial benefits of having a limited company but as corporation tax has increased, I think this is less the case.

The challenges of running a small business change over time. I think organic growth is very important to start with. roceed with caution and be prepared to adapt and change. Challenges include balancing cash ow, maintaining stock and, crucially, sta ng. It is di cult to find a balance between investing in people as you don’t know how long they will stay. aving good people on board is essential to success. As a woman, with male sta , I have also found that sometimes people are surprised that I run the business. It’s ama ing how entrenched attitudes can be.

One thing I have always done is to have a business coach mily otts, Founder Coach and this has proved invaluable. She has helped me navigate and negotiate my way through a challenging economy and expanding and developing the business in the right direction. I honestly couldn’t have done it without her. So, my best advice is don’t try and do everything alone. Two heads are better than one!

www.stamfordstrings.co.uk

Image: Michael Crawford

Bulwick Village Shop, Main Street, Bulwick, NN17 3DY

Tuesday – Saturday 9.30am - 4pm Tel: 01780 450774 www.bulwickvillageshop www.thepickleshop.com

The small shop with the big welcome As well as all the goodies in the shop, we serve Co ee & Tea, Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea and Tapas… and we are licensed!

Fierce Women

Kate joined Jess Monro’s networking group for a session and liked what she saw

The Fierce Women networking group was set up by Jess Monro in May 2023. She had started her own company, The ittle Business Fairy, in October o ering virtual assistance in admin, marketing and business consultancy to small female owned businesses, helping them grow. She quickly realised that working on your own, often at home, can make you feel quite isolated, lacking interaction with other people.

With plenty of back up from her own friends and Jo at the Blonde Beet in Stamford, she established a monthly meeting where female business owners can meet, exchange ideas, listen to talks and gain in confidence. ou don’t have to be fierce to come although you’ll feel fiercer walking out but you do have to be female,’ Jess says. any networking groups can be dominated by men, we’re not like that here.

e’re not bitchy, competitive or judgemental either we support each other, breaking the myth that women in business don’t get along.’

When I was there, I saw networking magic happen right in front of my eyes. There were quite a few new faces – photographers, re exologists, travel consultants – and over co ee and cake, helpful suggestions and contacts were generously handed out. There was a particularly interesting conversation between coaches and photographers on our table as to whether it’s best to be niche in your given business, or to extend a wider o ering to your customers.

After brief introductions by each participant, there is generally a talk given by one of the group. nfortunately, the scheduled talk on ethical marketing had been cancelled but Emma Naughton from Focused ypnotherapy stepped in with a very interesting mini workshop on visualising your business impact.

Jess followed with a session on social media planning. Like Emma, she is very friendly, inclusive and enthusiastic and I can see why people keep returning to the sessions. Apart from gaining useful, practical advice, this is a very safe environment in which to ask questions, discuss your own business needs, learn new skills and

connect with others in the same boat. Some women had been made redundant, and were branching out into new areas of expertise and wanted to pick up hints and tips to become more up to date. Others want to learn about the pitfalls they could encounter. Many women are running more than one business, so have a lot on their plate.

Graphic designer Stephanie Stilwell has been su ering with depression and anxiety and her counsellor suggested she join a networking group as she worked alone and didn’t have those water cooler’ moments where she could discuss her concerns. Since joining di erent groups in the area, Steph’s stress levels have dropped and she doesn’t feel anywhere near as isolated. She’s also picked up some useful leads. None of my friends run their own businesses and so by attending these events I get to hear what other people are struggling with and I don’t feel so alone.’

Typically Jess isn’t stopping there. ith a friend aura Schiavone, a business and energy coach, they are launching Fierce Women of eterborough. eetings will take place on a di erent day, so people can go to both if they want to. e have huge plans,’ says Jess. e want our message and sense of community to reach much further.’

And I’ve no doubt it will. ith Jess’ vision and energy, and warm nature, this is a group that will only grow and grow. She also o ers one-to-one advice and co-working sessions either at the Blonde Beet or in her o ce. Sometimes you just need someone to work alongside you and give a friendly word of encouragement.’

Fierce Women meetings are held at The Blonde Beet, Stamford, from . - . am on the last Thursday of the month. It’s free to attend but book in advance through ventbrite to secure a place. ogs and children are welcome.

www.thelittlebusinessfairy.co.uk

www.eventbrite.com/o/fierce-women-in-business-77804726153

Rutland Women in Business

Running your own business can be lonely at times, but not if you join some of these ladies

Charlie allett aka therutlandblogger first started Rutland omen in Business in to o er support and a network for other women like her, running small businesses on their own. She had been to a few networking events but had found them male dominated and very salesy’ which was not for her. So she decided to set up her own network as she was meeting so many women in particular who had a small business of their own or were running one as a side hustle. She was only at the time so wanted to pull together a group of like-minded people not necessarily women .

Covid struck and it was put on the back burner for obvious reasons. ictoria Bullett from rink in Oakham had been thinking along the same lines and to coincide with international women’s day in invited a group of women in business locally to meet at Otters in the town. Just over came including Charlie. They got chatting and decided to work together and resurrect Rutland omen in Business.

The idea of the group is to bring people together at a di erent venue every month. This means that the venue gets to show itself o and women from di erent parts of the area can meet up without having to travel too far. It’s very exible, children are welcome, men too if they like. e meet on the first Thursday of the month and get together to enjoy a relaxed approach to network, have a chat and uite often discuss problems we encounter as small business owners. It makes you realise you are not alone. uite often many of us are facing the same problems and a problem shared is definitely often a problem halved,’ says Charlie.

They have talked about things such as impostor syndrome, practical di culties with running a business and the wellbeing side of life including mental health. The group help dispel loneliness, share

problems and many strong friendships and new businesses have come out of the group. Businesses vary from online shops, estate agents, virtual assistants, hypnotists, shop owners anything you can think of really but all with one common aim, to succeed in their business and support other women. There are now over women in this group.

Something else which developed from this group are the shopping events, Rutland Big Sales which many of you will have been to. They have been really successful because they are so well run by ictoria and Charlie and the stall holders are selling really good uality products, think a live tsy.’ The sales came about initially because ictoria still had stock left after her January sale and suggested to Charlie they run a local event to help other businesses clear stock as well. February was the first sale which went down very well and was followed by a hugely successful Christmas one, and then another in February this year which broke many records for some of the stall holders.

The Christmas event had over stalls and over , people had attended by pm. Stallholders have done really well here and feel appreciated as Charlie and ictoria think it is important that they are looked after as well as the shoppers visiting. ore Big Sales are planned for later in the year so look out for dates and venues.

If you want to join the Rutland omen in Business group you will be very welcome. Between and people come to each meeting and the next one will be the first Thursday of ay, the nd, at the Rutland fire station and community wellbeing gardens. veryone is welcome including men, women, children and babies. If you are attending please let them now on www.rutlandcreative.co.uk rwib @rutlandwomeninbusiness

Image: Gates Garden Centre

A pride of ideas

Mary visits the Stapleford estate to find out about their diversification plans

The Stapleford Estate is just under 3,000 acres and straddles the counties of Rutland and Leicestershire. The Gretton family have been custodians since the 19th century and the magnificent Stapleford ark mansion, now a hotel, was once their family home. The current ord and ady Gretton still live on the estate.

Some of you may remember in the 6 s and s that the estate was home to two prides of lions and visitors came from far and wide to see them – a field is still called the lion reserve to this day. There is also a miniature railway which was hugely popular and I enjoyed seeing old film of it in action it still opens two days a year to the public , as well as miniature ocean-going liners big enough to carry passengers on the acre lake. Oh how times have changed

Today the estate is managed by Rob Allan. It’s predominantly arable, with some woodland and residential properties too.

istorically the estate was successfully supported by a profitable farm but times are changing with subsidies being cut and crop production becoming less sustainable a very sad state of a airs. This means that the estate needs to diversify and Jess has been brought in as events manager. She’s full of ideas and uickly making profitable changes.

Jess has a background in outside events and country pursuits, working at shooting schools and most recently at Bath, a premiership rugby club as stadium manager so is very experienced. I love the countryside, she told me, and much as I enjoyed being in Bath I wanted to be nearer my family and back surrounded by fields. And I could see there was huge potential here.’

And there is. Jess’s first project is just coming to fruition, a dog freedom field. The plan was to have this open in the autumn but the weather was against them with wet conditions delaying fencing the five acre field. It will now open this spring.

Many people got dogs during Covid and sadly some of these puppies were not socialised because of circumstances so many dogs today are reactive, nervous, have no recall and are just not good around other dogs or livestock. Others have strong prey drives so are better exercised within a fenced area.

The Freedom Field is just what it says. A huge five acre, fully - six foot - fenced field where your dog up to six at a time can tear around burning energy and you can relax knowing it’s safe. ou are not going to come across another person, dog, sheep, rabbit, deer or hare unless the rabbit is very silly . They’ve thought it all out and have done everything to a very high standard to meet guidelines from British og Fields. ou book your slot using an app, the gate is electric solar powered that opens, closes and locks automatically and there is a minute gap between bookings so you will never meet another dog. There is a hard standing car park, wash down area for your dog and water on site everything you need. The field will be up and running at aster and there’s lots of interest already been shown which is very encouraging. Once it is fully functioning there are plans to hold doggy events there so do keep an eye out for these. There are also

further canine projects and plans in the pipeline with hopes to open a Doggy Day Care.

Now that Jess has sorted the dogs she has turned her attention to corporate events. In front of the acre lake is a very pretty building called The aven. This has been renovated and brought back to life and is now being used for corporate days and yoga retreats. I think it will be very popular for the retreats as the setting is beautiful. ou can be on your mat looking through the French windows at the lake, tran uility personified.

Corporate days are Jess’ speciality and again The aven is used for them. Businesses can bring groups either to entertain clients or for team building and training days. Jess, who is a ualified shooting instructor, will split the group into teams and they will have a go at clay shooting, archery, axe throwing, or whatever they re uest. Then they will head back to have lunch at The aven where they will enjoy a burger class run by oggy’s Grill and cook their own lunch. The afternoon will carry on with the activities and then it will all be rounded o with tea and cake and pri e giving. It sounds like a lovely day well thought out, well run and very enjoyable in a fabulous setting. There are more plans for The Haven in the pipeline including workshops and events.

Jess and Rob want the estate to be enjoyed by as many people as possible and are very keen to work with local businesses. There is already a private ride membership for horse owners who can enjoy miles of rides away from tra c. On Sunday ay there is going to be a at k delivered in partnership with ultum Gin arvo which has already got entries. ou run either or k around the estate with a couple of scheduled stops to enjoy a gin or a cocktail – a fun run indeed!

verything we are doing on the estate has to work in harmony with the arable farm and most importantly the wildlife and conservation that is very important to us here,’ says Rob.

Jess has brought renewed energy to the estate and lots of ideas for diversification. It’s an exciting time. As well as the freedom field and doggy day care, long term plans are for a variety of events including family days such as pumpkin and sun ower patches. And during hissendine Feast week there is going to be a picnic in the park event on July .

It’s lovely for the locals to be involved with the estate and to see the estate which was once renowned for its lions in its heyday now diversifying at the hands of Jess and Rob. Watch this space as there is much more to come.

@staplefordfreedomfield www.staplefordestate.co.uk

FABULOUS FLORAL DESIGNS

Kate joined the members of Stamford Flower Club for an evening’s entertainment, and thoroughly enjoyed herself

There are over 80 members of the Stamford Flower Club; it’s very popular and I can see why. They meet at least once a month at the Stamford Methodist Church during their season – February to December – and more often during the summer months as they go to various ower shows in the area and beyond. The club is a liated to NAFAS – the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies and the North idlands area covers Rutland, incolnshire and eicestershire. As well as Stamford, the nearest clubs to us are the Rutland Flower Club which meets in Oakham, and those in Bourne and Deeping St James.

The members’ uniting factor is obviously their shared passion for owers. any of the ladies I talked to during the inaugural meeting of the year (and the audience was overwhelmingly female) said growing up with a relative who was a keen ower arranger had sparked their interest. I know what they mean. My mother is a keen ower arranger and organises her local ower festival. I’ve decided I’d like to try and keep her legacy going as I’ve recently moved to a new village and been persuaded to decorate one of the church windows every Easter, harvest festival and Christmas.

I needed some inspiration so was very keen to watch the demonstration called ‘Life’s a Ball’ by Paula Routledge from Floral edia in Nottinghamshire. She’s a NAFAS area demonstrator you have to pass a raft of tests to become one including the art of speaking to an audience . She’s a horticulturalist, ower grower, orist and Chelsea Flower Show medallist, and also very good fun!

First we had tea and biscuits as the social side of the club is very important to the members. It’s only £40 per year to join but you can just also just turn up and pay £6 to watch a demonstration. Each demo is filmed and displayed on two huge screens either side of the stage so you don’t miss a thing.

aula demonstrated di erent oral arrangements she’d designed for four Strawberry balls she organised for the Young Farmers in her area. The woman next to me had warned me that the demos normally consist of enormous and often extravagant designs with lots of props, and she was right. First up, Paula made a large arrangement with ostrich feathers looking like a can can girl. Next was a display of old tonic water bottles stuck to laminate ooring that she’d highly embellished before adding the most gorgeous owers. I’ll be saving my tonic water bottles to make one of those for the church windows. I can bring it out every year then). The third display was a nod to the Full Monty, the entertainment she’d organised for the third ball and the last was reminiscent of the Pink Ladies from Grease.

She moved fast but you could see how she built up each design and, another top tip, she created her own mechanics’ to cage in the owers and help them stay in place. One was made from the winter stems of a red dogwood so it was a beautiful part of the design in itself. Foam oasis is a no-no nowadays, as it’s so unsustainable.

Paula pointed out that you always need more foliage than you think and there were plenty of nods at that. Flower arranging is one way of bringing the outside in at all times of the year and many of the members told me they look at their gardens in a completely di erent way now, always with an eye to great structural plants as well as growing owers specifically for cutting. The vice chair, iv, told me she’d just bought two eucalyptus plants but she didn’t imagine they’d ever grow very big!

No previous ower arranging skills are necessary to become a member, but obviously a love of owers helps. ou’d be hard pressed to find a more fun yet soothing evening’s entertainment at such a reasonable price.

www.stamfordflowerclub.com

www.flowersnorthmidlands.co.uk/rutland-flower-club/

WILL’S WALK

Scotland in miniature

Sometimes when the stars align, a day out ticks all the boxes and so it was on this fleeting visit to Arran for Will Hetherington

In this slot I normally write about lovely walks in the rolling hills of Rutland, or the big sky country on the Fenland edge. But when I mentioned this excursion to the editor, we agreed that our readers don’t mind a little bit of inspiration from further afield every now and again.

So let me tell you about a day to remember late last summer. Arran is the largest island in the Firth of Clyde and some people call it Scotland in miniature, because of its breath-taking heather clad mountains, wild beaches, babbling burns, indigenous wildlife, coastal golf courses and villages tucked into nooks and crannies around the shoreline.

To get there we took the 08.34 from Glasgow Central on a Friday morning, swimming against the tide of commuters heading to work in this great city. A trip like this is even more exciting on a weekday – perhaps it’s that inescapable smugness derived from seeing everybody else going to work? The train pootles through the commuter belt until it reaches Ardrossan harbour 13 stops later, by which time most of the remaining passengers looked like they were going walking or golfing.

The 09.45 ferry to Brodick took 55 minutes and was just part of the adventure for us. If you are going to Arran for the day and you fancy a walk uphill then it’s hard to ignore Goatfell, the highest point on the island at 874m. It’s not quite a Munro because that equates to 2,867 feet and Munros must be more than 3,000 feet, but it is a Corbett.

Could it be any more Scottish?

It’s not quite a Munro because that equates to 2,867 feet and Munros must be more than 3,000 feet, but it is a Corbett.

We were blessed with decent weather (ie not raining all the time) and walked straight o the ferry at Brodick on to Fisherman’s alk which takes you along the beach towards the castle and the start of the ascent. Sometimes you have to pinch yourself, and this was one of those occasions. Some two hours previously we were in the bustle of big city life and now here we were walking along a beautiful beach on a famous Scottish island about to head up Goatfell, looming high above us.

The uphill section starts proper by the Isle of Arran Brewery which seems appropriate and, like a lot of ascents in Scotland, it begins with

half an hour through the woodland, until you break the treeline. This walk starts to pay dividends as soon as you are out in the open. e were lucky enough to be there in late summer which meant heather in full bloom. I’m telling you, it was straight out of Braveheart, with the water rushing down the mountain burns through the purple hillside. To be honest you could sit down, have your picnic and return to Brodick for a drink, and you wouldn’t be disappointed by your day’s e orts.

Higher and higher

But the weather was playing ball and we had set our sights a little higher. I have to be accurate and report we weren’t the only ones on the mountain, because it was steady tra c up there. And why not on a sunny ish day in Scotland But, fair warning, if isolation is what you seek, then Goatfell may not be the answer.

After the initial adrenaline rush of the heather there is some fairly serious walking to be done. on’t forget you are starting from sea level on this one, so you have to climb every one of those metres. From m to m there’s uite a shallow ascent, but after that

Don’t forget you are starting from sea level on this one, so you have to climb every one of those 874 metres.

Fisherman’s Walk is a lovely way to get from the ferry to the start of the climb.

Arran is in the Firth of Clyde.

‘In total it’s a 10-mile walk from the harbour to the top and back, but the mileage doesn’t really tell the whole story.’

things get gradually more serious and then, as the path turns westwards, the final section from 6 m to the top is what we would describe in incolnshire as church spire steep. ake no mistake, it is hard going but most of the time you can see the final destination, which in this instance is helpful. ou know the pain will be reasonably short-lived, and so it was.

The reward at the summit is instant, with a view out west over the nearby peaks and the ull of intyre not so far beyond. Imagine wild, inhospitable terrain with dark and brooding mountains, laced with waterfalls. Think ord of the Rings meets Game of Thrones. That’s it. And then when you look east there is plenty of activity on the Firth of Clyde, both commercial and recreational. And to the south is the lonely rock that is Ailsa Craig, the traditional source of all the granite curling stones used in that great Scottish winter sport.

The rocky plateau at the peak o ers plenty of sheltered spots to

enjoy your sandwich, but of course this is Scotland and it’s a bit chilly up there even on a nice day. And rain is never far away. ith that in mind, once we’d eaten our cheese sandwiches and some sugary sweets, it was time to retrace our steps. It took about two hours to reach the top from the brewery and about half an hour less to return. In total it’s a -mile walk from the harbour to the top and back, but the mileage doesn’t really tell the whole story.

hen we got to the bottom we walked the mile or so back to Brodick on the inland route and minutes before we got back to town, the heavens opened as if to prove we were definitely in Scotland after all. nowing we had to get the train back to Glasgow we got on the next ferry at 6. . In Scotland it’s illegal to consume alcohol on the train, but not at sea aritime aw see so that pint of Tennent’s watching Arran shrink into the distance was the perfect end to this grand day out.

Anytime return ticket from Glasgow Central to Brodick harbour (train and ferry included): £18.30pp.

Enormous sense of wellbeing: priceless.

©Crown copyright 2024 Ordnance Survey. Media 019/24

Goatfell is 874m so not a Munro, but it is a Corbett.

Market Harborough Kibworth Great Glen Oadby

Leicester High School for Girls

3-18

Active Kids

Oakham and RLT collaborate

Oakham School has joined forces with The Rutland Learning Trust and Catmose providing an opportunity for a group of local primary school students to develop their cricket during the spring term. Regular Saturday morning cricket sessions have seen over twenty children enjoying cricket coaching from the Oakham School cricket staff.

Partrick Latham (Director of Cricket) and Tom Fell (Head of Cricket Development) have, with the help of other Oakham and RLT staff, given the opportunity for local players to access high quality coaching in fun sessions for a mix of abilities. ‘With the growth of The Hundred, the recent men’s and women’s Ashes series, and in particular the growth of the women’s game we felt the time was right to see what untapped potential was out there in the community.

‘Whilst local clubs, the Chance to Shine scheme and Leicestershire CCC community coaches do a fantastic job offering opportunity to these students, we felt we could further assist by offering the chance to develop a specific Rutland Learning Trust Team,’ continued Oakham’s Director of Cricket.

As the Saturday morning sessions come to an end, the group will break for Easter before returning to training as soon as weather allows in the summer term.

‘The goal for this summer is for us to provide ongoing regular cricket coaching for both softball and hardball players and put in place a short fixture list of four or five games where we can get the group of students together to experience competitive situations.

‘We have the ability to provide opposition and pitch space from within Oakham School, but we are also looking for local club sides who may want friendly matches against a new local team this summer.’

Word of the initiative is developing, and there has been interest from local companies. ‘We were so grateful to Jacquie and Bill Rumble who have kindly donated a set of playing shirts for the team,’ says Patrick. ‘Rumble Live Action Gaming is based at

Rutland Water, is wonderful for getting children outside and active in a brilliant laser tag style situation. I have been a few times, and it totally fits with the kind of positive, healthy, outdoor living ethos that we are looking to promote. The RLT players will look amazing in their new Rumble kit this summer!’

Tom Fell, an old boy of Oakham School and formerly of Worcestershire CCC told us: ‘We are building fantastically positive links with local teams, in particular Leicestershire CCC and The Blaze, (formerly Lightning), who represent the East Midlands, one of eight regional hubs in the women’s domestic game.

‘This summer will see much of the Leicestershire women and girls’ training take place on site at Oakham School, with a few age group and 1st XI fixtures here as well. We also welcome The Blaze Academy to Oakham School for training and matches, and as such are well placed through these links to get the right players in front of these coaches, strengthening the important link between the community and the pathways. We would like to thank Hazel Glassford and Sam Wiggington, both from The Rutland Learning Trust, for their help in getting the initiative off the ground within the local schools.’

For more information please contact ptl2@oakham.rutland.sch.uk

Cross country hosts

Leicester Grammar Junior School were proud to host an exciting cross-country meet this month, in which eight local schools participated. The event was a great success, thanks to the efforts of the LGJS PE staff.

The brave runners were cheered on by enthusiastic Year 6 marshals and vibrant supporters as they gave it their all around a challenging course. Congratulations to all the runners who took part, and to the overall winners, Spratton Hall.

Witham pianist triumphs

Very many congratulations to Year 7 Witham Hall pupil, Henry, who won the prestigious Loughborough Piano Competition. As one of the youngest pupils competing, Henry’s rendition of a Bach prelude and fugue secured him the top spot in the competition against 23 of his peers ranging from Years 7 to 10. International concert pianist and competition judge, Luis Pares, was impressed by Henry’s ‘technical and musical approach.’ As a Grade 8 pianist, Henry’s years of hard work and commitment have paid off and he should be very proud of his achievement.

Empowering International Women’s Day Event

Leicester High School for Girls proudly celebrated International Women’s Day with an event showing the diverse achievements of women. Year 9 to Year 13 students were joined by pupils from Manor High School and enjoyed an array of guest speakers who shared their experiences and insights, inspiring the next generation of female leaders.

The event featured an impressive line-up of speakers, including firefighter Kiera Radford, communications director Claire Sparks, paediatrician Dr Desaline Joseph, Netflix producer Denise Furey, creative practitioner Chandni Mistry, and army major Emma Ruggles. Each speaker offered unique perspectives on their respective careers, highlighting the breadth of opportunities available to women in today’s society.

Elissa Ikin, Teacher of Art and Photography at the school also shared her inspiring journey to success, her dedication to fitness and recent achievements at the Madrid Crossfit Championships. Pupils engaged with the speakers through insightful questions. Dr Desaline Joseph, in particular, received thoughtful enquiries from the students, reflecting their interest in healthcare and medicine and the concept of resilience.

The excitement continued as the Fire Brigade brought along their fire engine, allowing students to explore the vehicle. The interaction with firefighters served to inspire young girls and demonstrate the opportunities available in emergency services. The junior department also had the opportunity to come and look at the engine, chat with the firefighters, and be inspired.

Experience. An Oakham Education.

Join us at our fun, friendly, interactive Open Event on Saturday 18 May to discover more about our high-achieving, co-educational boarding and day school for pupils aged 10-18. For more information scan the QR code or visit:

Oakham pupils connect with the community

Twice a year Oakham School pupils take part in a Service Weekend

Oakham School pupils have put on their wellies, got on their bikes, and dusted off their decorating skills to connect with the Rutland community. Over 250 pupils in Years 10-13 participated in over 20 different activities as part of a special weekend dedicated to learning beyond the classroom.

Held twice a year in October and March, Service Weekend is a long-running fixture in the school calendar. Pupils who do the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Voluntary Action (VA) and Combined Cadet Force (CCF) spend time off-timetable to develop skills such as teamwork, resilience and leadership. This is as well as the weekly contribution students make to their chosen service option, such as doing voluntary work in local primary schools.

From hosting lunch at Oakham School for members of Rutland’s elderly community, to improving a pathway along the Oakham Canal for local residents, to kayaking along the River Nene, Oakham’s pupils spent the weekend connecting with different members of the local community.

James Robinson, deputy head co-curriculum, said: ‘It’s great to see our students develop and mature through participating in these initiatives. These weekends teach our pupils how by contributing positively to the community we can impact everyone.’

Community Work

Oakham’s pupils engaged in four different community projects over the weekend. As well as entertaining 63 members of the local elderly community for lunch and a movie in the Barraclough Dining Hall and Wilson Auditorium, pupils welcomed families from the local Phab Club to an Easter party held at BAFS Cricket Pavilion. Year 12 students ran a carousel of Easter-themed activities for their young guests that included an Easter Egg hunt, egg and spoon races, outdoor games, and crafts.

Off campus, one group of VA pupils continued the work they’ve been doing with Oakham Canal Project to renovate the footpaths on the outskirts of the town. Students laid chippings to create a route for the local community to walk along. Meanwhile another group of students travelled to Rocks by Rail in Cottesmore, with whom the school has a long-standing connection, to paint fences and generally tidy up the area.

Local Expeditions

DofE tends to conjure up images of groups of pupils walking around local footpaths with backpacks on. But walking is only one of several different expeditions that students can take part in. At Oakham, students can also choose canoeing, cycling and sailing. All DofE students spent the March Service Weekend developing some essential skills in readiness for their assessed expeditions in June. This included emergency first aid training, practicing cooking on a Trangia, assembling tents, navigation skills, and endurance – walking, kayaking and cycling in the local area. The only exception was Oakham’s gold sailors who travelled to the south coast to put into practice all they have been learning at Rutland Water.

After taking part in emergency first aid training, CCF cadets took part in weapons training and field craft at St George’s Barracks in North Luffenham. And Year 13 students led sessions for the younger cadets.

If you know of a community project based in Rutland that you think Oakham School could contribute to, please do get in touch.

reception@oakham.rutland.sch.uk

Images: Holly Cook

ActiveBody

EDITED BY KATE MAXIM

Home visits

Physiotherapist Sarah Babbs says physios can make home visits as well as see patients at the clinic

It is always a privilege to be invited into someone’s home, and especially so when they may be feeling vulnerable. Physiotherapists often work in the community taking our services to the people who, for whatever reason, may not be able to come to a clinic. My visits this week have included orthopaedic surgery patients, others who have been unwell and after long term hospital stays are unable to care for themselves after discharge. And then there are others who have generally lost condition through ill health and ageing. Patients and their families ask us to visit so that we can give support then the confidence to return to the life that they would want to live.

Orthopaedic surgery follow up. With medical care changing in hospitals patients are often discharged sooner than they might have been years back. hen I first worked as a physiotherapist if a patient had a total knee or hip replacement they would spend two weeks in hospital having daily physiotherapy. This gave good range of movement to the joint, building strength and the confidence to continue rehabilitation and return to good activity levels. They then still received physiotherapy once discharged.

Now you may be in hospital for just one or two days after surgery followed by a group physiotherapy session at about 6 weeks. Research shows that a year post surgery the results are very similar. However, often people do need earlier help as they are unsure how much, or how little they should do and what pain and activity is acceptable in those first weeks. Being able to begin

physiotherapy in the home and then bring the patient into clinic when they are more able is a great asset.

Hospital discharge

Patients who have been very unwell do not always seem to get the rehabilitation they need before discharge so we can be asked to help once they are home. It is well known that strength can deteriorate significantly, losing 8% per week of inactivity. Some patients may be ‘bedbound’ so helping to strengthen and get them back on their feet as soon as possible is vital. This can be a di cult time for family members too so helping them and carers support the patient must take place as well.

Frailty and well being

Sometimes we are asked by patients or family members to visit people’s homes and residential homes. This is usually to help when people have become frail which can lead to falls and then, of course, more serious concerns. We can assess the patients based on simple tests which can include how many

times they can stand up unaided from a chair in 30 seconds, walking speed and balance. e can work with the care sta to use daily exercise to continue the work and advise on mobility aids to help people become more independent.

The work we do in the home is not usually dissimilar to that at the clinic. We can use the house and contents as gym accessories - an AGA rail makes a perfect squat support or ballet barre. Seeing how a patient lives, for example, with an awkward staircase, or di cult bathroom accessibility can mean that help is more tailored to the actual need than if it were suggested in the clinic. We can also liaise with other services such as GP, district nursing, occupational therapy and ag up any concerns we may have about care the patient needs.

Facing the challenges of poor mobility and staying independent can be di cult. Physiotherapy in one’s home can bring confidence and a return to a better uality of life.

To contact Sarah ring 07780 900201.

Super supplements

Collagen and Vitamin B12 are vital to keep us fit and healthy

You may have already heard about the benefits of collagen on skin, hair and nail health but maybe are less familiar with how it can support the rest of the body. Collagen is the most abundant protein in our body: it provides the foundation of our bones, joints, tendons and muscles. As we age, our bodies become less e cient at producing collagen which can lead to a slower recovery time. Our natural supply of collagen starts to deplete at a rate of 1.5% every year, falling by as much as by the time we reach the age of 45.

Tough workout session Feeling sore and sti It could be because of depleting collagen levels, which over time causes in ammation and muscle damage. If you’re looking to recover faster after your workout and up your fitness game, supplementing with Ingenious Active can support muscle recovery whilst boosting strength and fitness. Whether you’re a gym-goer, yogi, athlete or simply always on-the-go, supplementing with protected collagen is the ideal way to help build and repair the muscles, tendons, ligaments and cartilage that are stressed during exercise.

Packed with ethically sourced marine collagen, hyaluronic acid complex and the highly potent antioxidant natural astaxanthin, plus vitamin C and E, zinc and ActiGin®, Active is a hard working collagen supplement. Clinically proven to increase endurance by , reduce in ammation post-exercise by , increase energy production by 42% and decrease muscle damage by 69%, Ingenious Active is unlike any other collagen supplement on the market.

Not all collagen supplements are equal - most won’t even reach your skin, muscles or joints as they don’t survive the journey to your gut, where 99% of nutrient absorption occurs. Ingenious Active’s powerhouse formula is combined within the patented Ingenious plant cellulose protection capsule which protects ingredients from the sharp drop in pH levels in the stomach. This breakthrough delivery system allows it to reach the small intestine intact, where nutrition is absorbed. Collagen peptides pass into the bloodstream, stimulating your body›s natural collagen production.

The Ingenious scientists recommend taking four capsules daily, preferably on an empty stomach, or over an hour after eating to maximise e ectiveness.

50 day starter kit RRP £110 www.feelingenious.com

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that is found in a variety of foods including meat, eggs, and dairy as well as fortified foods like breakfast cereals and plant-based milk. B12 supplements are often recommended for people who are at risk of deficiency, including vegetarians and vegans, older adults and people with certain medical conditions.

Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient that plays a number of important roles in the body, from reducing tiredness and fatigue, to nervous system support, energy metabolism, immune support and psychological function. This vitamin benefits your body in impressive ways, such as by boosting your energy, improving your memory, and helping prevent heart disease. It is also necessary for converting food into energy and helping to maintain a healthy digestive system.

Novomins high strength Vitamin B12 Gummies are registered with the egan Society and are very e ective with mcg of itamin B per serving, making it easy to meet your daily recommended intake. These high strength Vegan Vitamin B12 Gummies are a delicious and convenient way to get your daily dose of this important nutrient. Although they taste sweet and delicious, they are made with only natural sugars, and the content is very low. They also contain only natural avours and colours, as well as being vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO - no nasty additives.

RRP £17.99 novomins.com

training the brain with averages, Roshi ave uni uely encourages the individual brain away from destructive patterns, optimising brain performance and a sense of inner peace and calm.

Fear of flying

A new device takes off in the race to combat fear of flying. Hugh Venables tells us more

For many, the holiday season means jetting o to exotic places for guaranteed sunshine. But for others the holiday experience is marred by a fear of ying. For those who su er from aerophobia – that’s an estimated 6 million people in the alone - help is at hand.

Although only to of the population su er severe aerophobia, around of the population experience some degree of fear of ying. omen are more susceptible than men, and the most at-risk group are those aged between and . eading Oundle-based clinical psychologist r Naomi urphy explains Of course we know that ying is statistically a very safe mode of transport, one thousand times safer than travelling by motorbike, for instance. But there is nothing rational about phobias, and the fear cannot simply be reasoned away.

hilst many people who are susceptible

have other causes of underlying anxiety, for some ying presents a uni ue cause of stress to the point where they will consider forgoing overseas holidays to avoid the experience of ying.’

r urphy acknowledges that those with a serious condition would benefit from deeper counselling to address the underlying causes of aerophobia. But for many with milder symptoms there are simpler and more accessible solutions, she believes.

Trials of a portable device widely used in the S by elite athletes and business leaders to optimise performance and reduce stress, have demonstrated that it can also help travellers manage their fear of ying. The compact Roshi ave device is safe and easy to use. It deploys light and electromagnetic stimulation over the full range of brain fre uencies to achieve what psychologists describe as the brain’s steady-state response.

nlike other systems which work on

r urphy explains A -6 minute session of Roshi ave is akin to a session of deep meditation – it uietens the chatter of the brain and enables the user to achieve a state of peace, clarity and focus. This technology is ama ing. It helps your body to get into whatever state it needs to be in at any time, to down-regulate and relax or to pep up and be sharply focused.’

Regular use of the Roshi ave supports improvements in mental, emotional and physical well-being and encourages your brain to perform at its optimum.

The Roshi ave is easy to use, it’s unobtrusive and perfectly safe,’ explains r urphy. For those planning air travel in the coming months the specially designed wrap-around shaded glasses which attach to the device, itself the si e of a moderate make-up bag, look like virtual reality glasses and can be worn both in the airport terminal and on the plane.’

r urphy has created a blogpost explaining the causes of aerophobia and outlining some of the simple techni ues su erers can adopt to overcome their fears. https octopuspsychology.com blog fear-of- ying-and-how-to-overcome-it

More information about RoshiWave is available at www.octopuspsychology.com Naomi Murphy 07771 732104 enquiries@octopuspsychology.com

Jeremy Smithson-Beswick

fills us in on local sport’s triumphs and tribulations

March brought with it an achievement that Oakham School will be rightfully proud of as for the second year running one of its sports sides reached the final of a national competition. ast year it was our great pleasure to report on the boys’ rugby team’s famous triumph in the National Schools Cup at Twickenham and this time around it was the turn of the under-16s girls’ hockey s uad.

Having defeated Clifton College 4-0 in the uarter final they travelled, along with the three other hopeful ualifiers, to ee alley - the Olympic class international hockey

venue in ondon - to face, and to beat, psom College in the semis. Although, if truth be told, they were ultimately well beaten by ellington College in the final despite being roared on by a travelling contingent of fans numbering in excess of two hundred , their achievement in getting that close to being national champions earns them great credit. Assistant irector of ockey, Alex Cooper, said: ‘I am extremely proud of the girls and they fully deserved to reach the National Finals. I put their success down to hard work and how committed they are as a team.’ ell done all.

As the rugby season draws to a close the odds are it will end in disappointment for both Oakham and Stamford, although for reasons that are poles apart.

Firstly, Stamford look to be coming up just short in their push for promotion – despite being unbeaten in . I hope I’m wrong but, barring some heroics in the away fixture against fellow contenders aventry, that ever-frustrating third spot looks to be where their destiny lies. irector of Rugby, att Albinson, remains defiant however, saying, ‘it’s going to be tense’ and that ‘one loss or a missed four try bonus point could well be the di erence.’ e should know better than I so fingers crossed.

In sad contrast Oakham’s likely disappointment is confirmation of their relegation from the same league. ith only a couple of games to go – the last of which is against second-placed arket Bosworth – they currently remain one of the two teams for the drop and, perhaps more worryingly for the longer term, are in severe need of player recruitment.

Alas, print deadlines mean we can’t wait for the final outcomes to report them to you here but, by the time you read this, the fate of both sides will have been determined. A uick look at englandrugby.com will allow you to discover what transpired.

Stamford aniels, the town’s football side, are in a similar position to its rugby one having been amongst the contenders for a promotion play-o spot all season but now in danger of missing out. Not all is yet lost as, despite them being a full 25 points behind table-toppers Needham arket, they are only seven from the all-important fifth place with a game in hand and nine still to play. hatever happens, it’s been a fine season when you remember they were newly promoted into the division only last campaign and the confessed priority of manager Graham rury at the start was just to keep them up this time around. They’ve exceeded expectations already.

Harborough Town are in even better shape, sitting proudly atop their table and now surely favourites to finish there, despite their long winning streak coming to an end with a ‘battling draw’ against local rivals

Corby. They left it late, with Connor ennedy’s e ualiser coming in the th minute but then Ben illiams nearly won it with a header that hit the bar.

Deeping Rangers have parted company with their management team of uke ipwell and Scott Bogus despite the club having a good season and in contention for promotion. Reading between the lines it seems they’ve left voluntarily over a di erence of opinion on the level of investment needed on new players to move forward. It’s been a civilised divorce however, with both being very complimentary about the club and the support they’ve received. Recently hired Johnny Al att will step up and said It’s been a whirlwind 6 hours, it all came out of the blue normally when you take on a management job you walk into a bit of a mess In this situation that isn’t the case.’ Their women’s side has done really well to finish fourth in what was their inaugural season. ead Sarah avenport, touching on them not having had a women’s team before, said Some may think that we are a little late to the party but I’d like to think that we’re just fashionably late and we’ve certainly made an entrance.’

Those of you, like me, looking forward eagerly to the coming cricket season will have to be even more patient than usual as there is almost certainly going to be a delayed start this year. The exceptional amount of rain we’ve had over the past few weeks have rendered outfields too wet to mow and, more importantly, it’s currently impossible to use a roller on the s uare without reducing it to a mud bath. ost seasoned observers think it’s already too late to get wickets ready in time even if there weren’t a drop more of rain to come. hen

Image: Oliver Waterfall

“Director of Rugby, Matt Albinson, remains defi ant however, saying ‘it’s going to be tense’ and that ‘one loss or a missed 4 try bonus point could well be the difference.’”

we do start, expect some low scoring matches as the ball performs some challenging and eccentric deviations o under-prepared pitches.

One club that faces an unwelcome additional challenge to be ready in time is etton Sports whose ground e uipment including mowers and scarifiers has been heartlessly stolen. Although many other local clubs and Stamford School have rallied round to help they really need full-time

access to their own e uipment. hile the club are working hard to pursue an insurance claim they’ve also issued an appeal. Chair of the cricket committee ouise arren said, if lots of people give just a little, this will put us in the best position possible’ and she urges everyone to spread the word. appy to oblige ouise. To add your hard-earned tenner or so to the donations already received go to gofundme.com f ketton-sports-cricket-club-appeal

ROUTE

Distance: 19.75 mi

Elevation: 1,270 ft

On your bike!

This month Gary Waterfall rides 20 miles with 1,200 feet of climb starting at Langton Garden Centre

As with all routes, there’s as much uphill as down…But, this ride is full of undulations and it may seem there are many more of the former!

Leave Langton Garden Centre and head north past all of the Langtons – East, Church and finally Tur. Just north of Tur turn left to Carlton Curlieu and follow the road through Burton Overy to Great Glen.

From there, and taking care over the busy A6 roundabout, turn right soon after to

Newton Harcourt before a left turn at the T-junction past the village. Cross the bridge and enjoy the hill! Follow the road along through Fleckney and Saddington before a left turn to ride around the north shore of Saddington Reservoir. Now get ready for the steep hill to Gurney before enjoying the long downhill coast to Foxton. It’s well worth a breather here to admire the locks if you have time.

The rest of the route is all downhill – again take care over the busy A6. Finally, turn right

back on yourself to return to the garden centre where you can store your bikes in the café courtyard and enjoy their excellent refreshments which will be well deserved. I can recommend the cake!

https://www.strava.com/ routes/3196140480282

171892

Or scan the QR code

WISTOW

NEWTON HARCOURT

CARLTON CURLIEU

TUR

CHURCH

FOXTON

SADDINGTON

FLECKNEY

GUMLEY

GREAT GLEN

BURTON OVERY

www.nossarestaurant.co.uk